A King's Conversation

Then tension was high in the throne room of the Eternal King. Kratirus, the Lord of all Eternal Tribes, stood tall with his titanic high. His head was adorned with a crown of silver, made expertly to be worn even with the dozens of horns on his head. On his back were eight spike-like limbs, and his body was covered with dark green scales.

His maw opened, as his piercing yellow eyes looked down on the four beings in front of him, “What brings you here? King of Phirines?” He asked, his voice chilling. In front of him was a man with slicked-back orange hair, his red, draconic eyes were pointed at Kratirus.

Hearing that he had been regarded, King Drano of Phirines smiled, “I’m here to do something we should’ve done a long time ago,” he uttered. Around him were the three Generals, ready in case the titanic figures of the Eternal King’s guards were to attack them. Kratirus waited, as Drano cleared his throat, “I’m here to discuss plans for a truce.”

The guards around the group gasped, as Kratirus banged his fists on his chair, “Do you expect me to do that? Truces are for cowards,” he stated before standing up. He walked to Drano, the man only reaching about halfway to his shin, “We Eternals are the mightiest race in Eon, we bow to no one but ourselves. We are a burning flame that will consume everything in its path.”

His words were chilling, but also inspiring to his soldiers. Yet even with the threat, Drano didn’t stop smiling, “And I agree with that. But here’s the thing.” Like a switch, two wings appeared from Drano’s back, and he used them to lift himself equal to Kratirus’ eye level, “Phirines is a nation of war, we do not go down easily. If you give us fire, we’ll give you a brighter one. And it may be true statistically that Eternals are the mightiest race in Eon, but there are more Phirinian people than Eternals, adding that their King is the mightiest soldier in all of Eon.”

Taking offense to Drano’s remark, Kratirus pointed out his spike-like limbs to Drano, as the Eternal guards did the same to the Generals. Jion brought out his scythe, Sharusha’s claws extended, and Serioth prepared his pulse pistols. War was so close to happening, “AND WHAT ARE YOU INSINUTATING KOUSA!! THAT THE ETERNALS WOULD LOSE TO PHIRINES!?” Kratirus roared a question.

But still, when everything was at an all-time high for warfare, Drano didn’t stop smiling. He cleared his throat again, as he spoke in a loud tone, enough for everyone around them to hear, “I am not insinuating anything, except that when two fires meet, ash is made.” Kratirus’ eyebrow raised as Drano continued, “I have heard that in Eternal culture, war, strength, and might is only second, to family values and community.”

The tension was lessening as Drano talked, “What are you getting at?” The Eternal King asked, and Drano replied.

“If we were to go to war, two nations as strong as ours would cause so much bloodshed it would cover the surface of Eon. Kratirus, you and I, are fathers, not only of the nation, but also of our own children,” Drano remarked in a soothing but warning tone. But then his eyes looked into that of Kratirus’ they were driven, determined, but also begging, “I’m sure both of us do not want to see our children dead on the battlefield. Not us, not the warriors in this room, nor the fathers and mothers outside. No amount of gold or glory can ever amount to losing a loved one.”

The message struck hard on the heart of the Eternals in the room, especially that of Kratirus. It was during his first conquest as King when his first-born daughter led the charge against the enemy, only to see her dead after the battle. His fury led the Eternals to win, but he remembered that even after being covered in riches and praise, he still would’ve rather had his daughter back.

Kratirus stood conflicted, as he thought about it. He stopped pointing his limbs at Drano, as his guards also went back to their regular spots, “You pose, an interesting conundrum,” He remarked as he went back to his throne. Kratirus thought about it for a few minutes, even bringing in some of his advisors.

But as the Phirinians patiently waited, the sound of footsteps echoed through the side door. And a few moments later, a young Eternal child came out of the door. He ran to where Kratirus was, and the usually scornful look of the King suddenly cracked, “YIRIBUS COME BACK HERE!!” A male voice called, as two other Eternals came out of the door.

“I’M SORRY FATHER!! WE COULDN’T CATCH YIRIBUS!!” The other Eternal remarked. The child then climbed on his father’s leg and then sat on it.

“Pa,” the child called, as he closed his eyes and rested on Kratirus’s chest. Drano and the three Generals were surprised as Kratirus patted the child’s side.

“Such a trickster you are,” he remarked with a smile. It was now clear to Kratirus his decision, “Though there will be some changes, and I’m sure it will take a while for it to be official, but as a King to another, as a father, to another, I am interested in that truce.” A big smile came from Drano as Kratirus’ guards were shocked, but didn’t complain, “What are the conditions of this truce might I ask?”

Hearing this, Drano let forth Serioth, who brought a scroll with him. He bowed to Kratirus and began to read what was in it, “Our current conditions are that our borders will not change, and we do not interfere with each other’s wars.” Then as Serioth read and read, he eventually got to the main topic, “And with the topic of interdimensional claims, the realm known as Earth is under Phirines protection, so we ask for you not to interfere with it.”

The four brothers waited for Kratirus’ response. And much to their relief, he nodded, “So, you know that we have made interdimentional portals?” He asked, as Jion stepped up.

“Yes, your Majesty, it was from a simple baggage check when some of your traders went to Phirines,” he explained, causing Kratirus to nod in understanding. And as Serioth finished Phirines’ terms, though there were things the Eternal King disagreed with, he was fine with most of it.

But while they were finishing up, in an act of friendliness, Kratirus invited the four to join him in a feast. “My wife leads the famed kitchen of the Eternals, all the Lords I have talked with said that her cooking is the best,” flaunted Kratirus as he and the four walked to their dining room.

But while the two royals were being friendly with each other, there was an Eternal fuming as he went down a flight of stairs. “I CAN’T BELIEVE I SERVE A COWARD KING!!” Tinirius, a General in the Eternal army remarked as he was followed by some of his captains.

“What do we do now General? Our plans of starting a war with Phirines have completely been turned upside down,” one of the captains asked. Tinirius turned to him angrily.

“It hasn’t, remember, I have a big saying in the research department,” he stated before a devilish grin came over his face. “Earth, was it?” he remarked before turning to his captains, “New plan, we’ll force the Phirines to attack us, by invading the realm they protect. Then the battle will continue to Eon, and we’ll take over the continent as its mightiest nation.”