Chapter Text
The rules of Inkwell Isle Four, known by outsiders as “The Die Isles”, were simple. Only those with dice heads could stay there as a permanent resident, and the more sides one's head had, the higher their authority, which was known as “Side Castes.” The place seemed almost flawless, say for its flawed government due to the Side Castes System, but there was another thing pulling it back from its true potential.
The Isle was in debt to Satan's son, the Devil, after their leader sold their soul to allow their Island to prosper. It was already a big enough deal that their leader was dealing with Satan, but dealing with his hormonal son who had just opened up a casino just because he wanted some extra cash was even worse.
The day the deal was made, the town was given two options as to how they would repay their debt; Pay the full amount over the course of the year, or pay half of it over the course of the week. As foolish as the higher, more powerful D10’s and beyond were, being the only ones allowed to vote, they voted for the latter of the two options.
All the Devil had to say when the votes were cast was one thing; “Fail to pay me off, and your leaders children will be mine.”
And so, the rush to pay off the Devil began. First, it began with all the higher-ups parting with all the money they could, and it didn't cover an eighth of the cost of what the Devil wanted. Then the lower class was practically forced to hand over the majority of their money, which barely helped. By the halfway mark in the week, only a quarter of the profits needed was raised.
The upper class quickly began buying out what property the lower class had, only to sell it to outsiders, to no avail.
The week ended, and with only a third of the costs paid. Countless where homeless, even more bankrupt, weather it be from trying to pay off the Devil or from the higher-ups taking money from the lower class, trying to keep their wealth.
The highest family in power, a married couple of D20’s, despite the fact they had three children, were only willing to give away one; The one they saw as a disappointment, their thirteen year son. A six sided die, unlike his his younger siblings, two D20’s, just like their parents.
The couple hid their two youngest and, for the first time, made their D6 look nice. They put him in a lilac waistcoat and a deep violet bowtie and pants. The suit was in fairly good condition, save for a tear in the bowtie and the waistcoat sporting a few stains.
The Devil had soon arrived, inviting himself in, where he was greeted in the foyer by the Dice family and a lone child. The Devil snorted. “Since when do you snobby D20s keep a six-side?”
“He’s our only son, Sir.”
“Well then… you sure it's your only one?”
“Sir, we know our family better than you do, now take him and go.” The young boy was pushed closer to the Devil, quivering.
The Devil crouched down, looking the boy in the eyes. “Say, kid, what's your name?”
He looked at him, wide eyed. “Reyes… Reyes Alea.” He extended his hand to the beast, though is was quickly lowered with a swift motion of the Devil's hand.
“I ain't takin’ your soul in front of your parents, kid. I can be an asshole, but at least I'm not a rich fuckin snob who only gives up one kid because he's lower.” The Devil shot his eyes at the parents, who remained firm in their stance.
The Devil got up, and beckoned his servants inside. “Ribbey, Croaks, cuff the kid and get him onto the Phantom Express. If T-Bone tries to give you shit, don't worry, I'll be with you two when you head out.”
Reyes didn't know how to react. He tried to retreat to his parents, but they remained statue like, unwilling to help. The taller of the two grabbed him, and the shorter one got him into some heavy cuffs, with a chain shorter than his head, and a longer chain in the middle of the small one.
Reyes kicked, screamed, bit, did anything he could to get out of the frogs grip, but to no avail. They turned around and began walking towards the door, the Devil leading the way. He looked back at his parents, crying, looking back at them, hoping they would come to his aid.
They stood there, their only visible emotion being numbness with a slight hint of joy.
The door closed behind the four of them, and at this point all Reyes felt motivated to do was cry. He didn't even show emotion when one of his favorite childhood fairy tales- the Phantom Express- was real. He let himself be taken onto the train of the dead, where he was finally let go, before the Devil quickly grabbed the attached longer chain and began yelling at the taller frog.
As the Express began to move, all Reyes wanted to do was nap, and he managed to do just that.
The Devil looked at Ribby and Croaks, once he realized the kid fell asleep. “You two, when we get back to the Casino, find Cala and Hilda, and tell them to destroy that prissy isle, and tell ‘em to make sure there are no survivors. I knew those assholes had other children, and now they’ll pay.”