The Holy Castle sat at the highest point of the Venice Kingdom, built from white stone Golden vines wrapped around the pillars.
In the courtyard, beneath an ancient tree that constantly regrew heart apples, two young men rested.
Leo lounged against the trunk, tossing a heart apple in the air and catching it with lazy precision. His green hair fell over his eyes, hiding the boredom in them.
Victor lay on the grass beside him, hands behind his pink hair as one leg was bent over the other. His silver earrings jingled softly each time the breeze passed.
"Where's Todd?" Leo muttered.
"He said he'd only be gone a few minutes," Victor replied. "Mom wanted whoever had dads canvas dead by the time she returned."
"Knowing big bro, the person is already dead."
Before Victor could respond, footsteps echoed across the courtyard.
Jade appeared.
She wore a flowing wedding-black dress that dragged across the stone path. Her makeup had smeared from crying, black streaks trailing down her cheeks. She didn't speak as she sat heavily beside her brothers.
Leo bit into his apple with an annoyed look on his face. "Jade…when are you going to take that off?"
She said nothing at first, only reaching up to pluck a fresh heart apple from the glowing tree. She bit into it quietly, tears slipping down her chin and hitting the fruit.
Victor pushed himself upright. "Jade, Greg is out of your life. You don't need to be upset about it. Besides, it been three years since he left you for your best friend who you used to chat daily...told all of your secrets...and was your first friend. At least we killed them both so try to smile a little."
"I would have been a mother today," she whispered. "With two girls while staying in a beach house in Miami." She simply leaned her head on Victor's shoulder and continued eating.
The courtyard fell silent.
Then—
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Footsteps approached.
Todd walked in from the golden walkway, one hands in his pockets while the other held the Scarlet Canvas. The Dragonian crawled lazily around his shoulders.
Leo sat up. "Finally."
Victor stood. "Is the target eliminated?"
Todd didn't answer immediately. He placed the Scarlet Canvas on the ground in front of them.
"It's done...she is here." Todd said simply.
Jade stiffened, clutching her dress.
The air shifted.
A soft breeze rolled through the courtyard, carrying the scent of roses.
Their mother arrived.
She glided toward them, barefoot, her long white robe trailing behind her like a veil. Her blue hair shimmered in the golden light.
She looked too young to have grown three children.
"Welcome home," she said, voice sweet like honey.
Her eyes shifted to Todd. "Did you complete your task?"
Todd bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Vola." His head turned towards the canvas.
A slow smile spread across her face. "Good. Very good."
She reached up to the heart apple tree, plucked a fruit, and sat beside Jade. Then she gently lowered her head onto Jade's lap, her fingers stroking her daughter's trembling hand.
"Now," she said softly, "tell me… how did the world react?"
Jade didn't speak.
Todd did. "It went viral across the world. The reaction to the Ycracuse, is going to breed consequences."
Their mother chuckled, biting into the apple. "Consequences? Oh, Todd… you not seeing the bigger picture."
She closed her eyes, enjoying the fruit's sweetness before continuing.
"Ycracuse became the number one topic across the entire globe within minutes. Every country... no every continent is discussing it. They've been bidding nonstop. The Usa president Benjamin Truth has offered us a $234 billion, Japan prime minister Hinata Tanaka offered us 8 billion yen, and even South Africa president David Kooper is offering R150,000,000. And their still many more."
Leo whistled low.
Victor grinned. "Holy, we are going to be richest family to ever exist."
Their mother lifted the heart apple, staring at the red juice dripping down her fingers.
"And since we possess six different Canvases…"
Her smile widened.
"…we will sell each one to the highest bidder in thier respectively continent."
Todd crossed his arms. "Lucky there's seven canvases. Are we keeping the Sapphire Canvas?"
"Yes, that canvas held a special place in my heart. Especially our moment together." Her voice dropped into a whisper filled with delight.
"But what if they get killed by the Ycracuse or worst provoke the Ycracuse Gods? It will be pure chaos." said Jade
Vola begun laughing uncontrollably before wiping a tear from her face, "Let them anger the unknown. Let them destroy their economies. Let them become the worst version of themselves and submit to their egos."
She looked at her children and Todd, each one eyes glowing with ambition.
"In the end, we will be the only family with the power to truly capture Ycracuse."
She lifted the heart apple to her lips.
"This world belongs to Venice family."
The courtyard remained silent, but the wind carried a single truth:
The Venice family's game had only just begun.