The Wandering Hourglass hung over over the bay, its inverted sands swirling like a trapped storm. Selphina's crew crowded on the deck of the Leviathan's Grin, weapons drawn as the massive glass surface splashed and showed a face.
His face.
The Clockwork Prophet other body staggered back as his own reflection smirked at him, younger, sharper, with gears polished to a cruel shine.
"Hello, brother," the figure purred, voice echoing across the water. "Did you miss me?"
The therapy seagull fainted.
….
Back in the clocktower, Evangeline clapped her hands with glee as the prophet's tools floated around her in a lazy orbit.
"Now, little key," the prophet said, distracted by the growing suspicion in his gears that something happened to his other body, "we practice small magics. Like... unboiling an egg?"
Evangeline frowned. Then she pointed at the nursery window where the moon hung fat and full.
"NO NIGHT."
The moon winked out.
—
After her lessons Evangeline was fetch by the Duchess and they immediately went to find Theo.
Theo's ghost brigade cheered as their eternal night shift vanished until the Duchess stormed in, holding Evangeline and a very singed bedtime storybook.
"Fix it."
The baby hiccuped.
The moon reappeared, now wearing a tiny nightcap.
…..
Election day chaos gripped the castle.
Sir Bristlesworth had formed a coalition with the sentient suits of armor
"A vote for me is a vote for dignity!"
Dante's hair had braided itself into a literal political web, ensnaring undecided voters.
Lucien, now acting as interim election commissioner, kept aging backward every time someone mentioned "term limits".
The Duke watched from his office as his mustache debated his son's hair on proper grooming rights.
"...I need a drink."
The Duchess handed him a time-locked whiskey.
"Too late. They've already formed a committee."
…..
The other prophet, the Keeper stepped from the hourglass onto the deck of Selphina's ship, his cloak stitched from stolen moments.
"You left me behind," he whispered, oil-black tears cutting tracks down his brass cheeks. "When they unmade her, you ran."
The Clockwork Prophet's gears locked.
"I was scared."
The Keeper smiled. "Now I'm the scissors."
And with a flick of his wrist,
Evangeline's mark burned gold across the domain.