The Princely Domain: Realms Infinite

Deep in the depths of Time, in a Zone green and undead lay a rotary. Several separate orbs spinning in steady orbit from shining gold rod ways. To it's center was an imposing central command of Greek pillars and a dome roof, the bottom edge a line of glassless windows.

Turning slow and sleepy with no one to guide and tend to their rotation. The grind of harsh iron or copper rusted and worn orange with age. Groaning like the dead.

Some making ticks within models of old grandfather clocks, egg timers, stately analogs.

A procession of soldiers made their rounds on the ceiling from an ovalesque track.

Glass screens glimmering dull.

Until one caught a flash of snow white.

He moved with caution and yet steps so assured and targeted that he could have only lived there.

A sharp gasp escaped his mouth at finding his prize.

Reclined was the Scepter of Time.

Taking the instrument he gave it a test wave, feeling it's weight and power shudder in his fingers.

And like that Clockwork's lair flared to life. Gears of all sizes and orientations from the ceiling and walls, to the floor, to the doors' frames, from pulleys to pull screens closer, began to turn fast and urgent.

Lights of gentle, eerie blue stabbed at his slit eyelids. Of which he responded by reshaping the pupil, largening the shape into rounded, fat pearls.

Overbalancing he arced into a tumble...

Which shattered the screen directly behind him with a stupendous CRASH.

"Now Dei, what are you doing up so late?" mused the subtle creep of a scolding.

Swiftly he put the staff to his back.

"Uh-- uhm--"

He shuffled his foot, eyes to the floor.

Looking to the glass Dei spoke up in a harried, shrill rush. "I-- I have no idea how, wow who would do something like that. I blame one-eye Morbeus."

With a wave of his hand the Time Master staff flew into his grip sending Dei reeling.

"Hee hee."

"Now, you weren't trying to sneak into the human realm through a time gate. Were you?"

Coming past Dei he fixed the viewing screen.

Out toward the Infinite Zone Dei sulked. "Sorry, but I mean what doesn't it matter? Morning or now, you promised me I could go and that you trusted me. But a human portal, all across the Zone! How is that not more dangerous?"

Clockwork simply sighed, indicating he join him.

He did so reluctantly.

"What have I always told you?"

Dei remained silent.

Was it spiteful? Absolutely. Not-- not that he meant to be.

He respected the old man, really. For all his stupidly cryptic advice and anecdotes he liked to call lessons in life. Training.

"All happens in its due time," he provided. "As I have informed you--" from the glass rippled an image of a destroyed city.

A boy, losing it all. So terrible. An explosion that flung him back-- "This is awful. Why...?

"You are present in only so many timelines. In yet millions more the boy to be your guide has borne the burden of a completely unique existence. A revolutionary, miraculous thing."

Was it really so much to ask for someone to just answer his questions?

Did his mentor get some thrill or something at playing with him and making his brain twist to pretzels?

The power fought off a figure of crimson, sneering scowl upon a skull face.

Only the emperor of the Ghost Zone. Pariah Dark.

"Father," Dei finally murmured.

Only for that image to disappear before he could even touch it.

Clockwork wasn't a Living Born. Had never had to even humor something like a human's linear course of thoughts and conception.

"That's a-- it's a lonely existence," Dei concluded. "Then, I--"

Does he take that from him? Is that what he was? Simply, simply someone to relieve another's burden? Is that why...

Why he exists? Long before his Father had thought to conceive an heir?

"Dei, please do not misunderstand," Clockwork intoned, unyielding crimson eyes softened unto the uncertainty written across his face. "Hours can and do make all the difference. For what we plan, the tiniest misstep could result in the complete annihilation of not just your future but of two worlds."

He nodded solemnly. It was something he'd understood since crying and clawing at the ancient ghosts who'd condemned his Father to sleep.

Condemned him to an eternal loneliness. To never be allowed to grieve his Father.

"Fine then if it's such a big deal I can go through a gate at morning," he huffed, "as promised."

"That is not my point and you know so."

He simply shrugged.

"You have a role to play in the fate of this world and another, but not as King nor as Master of Time," Clockwork said, "where the stream of time flows from now on, is solely on who Dei chooses to be." His mentor smiled.

The Time Master had no reason to be so nice nor to indulge him as he did. The Observants themselves had put bounties on his head so as not to leave their 'safety.'

He could still sometimes feel the rock they'd gagged in his mouth.

"I mean, I get I'm awesome and everything but change the future," he laughed. "Be serious."

Clockwork laughed as well, deep and booming from his chest. Indulgent to the child as he mussed his hair.

"Aww hey!"

The old man could have all his riddles and what have you. It was whatever, wonderful. But he did not, did. Not. Get to mess with hair. That was his domain darn it and would take a whole process to get right again.

"Well, since I'm apparently so vital am I permitted to go back to my room and sleep?"

"Go child," he allowed in fond annoyance. To which he bent his knees to a sardonic bow of his head.

"With your leave," drawled the teenage Prince.

From his retreating steps static blasted and quivered from the fixed mirror.

Though the image was muted, the shapes distorting around the pair two boys were visible. The Prince in red and black, a smile on his face. Facing his own grinning reflection.