Long May He Live

Cheers spread far and wide across the capital, with flowers and fruits being thrown into the air to celebrate the joyous occasion. While walking through the streets that lead to the palace, Reze glances all around the large crowds exalting his name, and feels a strike in his heart as he remembers his past.

What is it about human praise that makes the heart so elated?

I wonder…

In the few days since the death of the mad tyrant had been announced, plenty of discourse surrounding the event naturally came to light; as well as plenty of theories as to what truly transpired on that fateful day.

In one corner, two men responsible for creating a temporary guild, with the sole purpose of hunting down the mad tyrant, clap their hands together to blend in with the crowd.

“I’m certain he’s a cheat,”

“Just because we didn’t get to the tyrant first doesn’t mean you need to lash out against the one that actually defeated him,”

“It’s been over a month of desperate hunting and fighting, yet you think it’s natural for someone to come out of nowhere and succeed?!”

“Just because we didn’t know his name before doesn’t mean he’s a nobody. Nor does it make him a cheat,”

“What’s the matter with you?! Are you really going to insist on defending this guy?!”

“I’m not defending him, you dolt! I’m as frustrated as you are about this! But what’s done is done, so hold your tongue before you are accused of insulting the new king!”

Near the road that Reze walks on towards the palace gates, three young girls squeal in joy as Reze approaches the area they are situated in.

“I heard he completely wiped the floor with that guy!”

“Just look at his muscles! I bet he can carry all three of us at the same time!”

“Wait, wait, stop, he’s here!”

The three girls glance longingly towards Reze, and in noticing that, Reze turns his head to them and gives them a confident smile.

One of the girls faint.

In another corner, a scribe eager to cover the news of the soon-to-be king converses with himself, while holding out a papyrus page that he had already inked earlier that day.

“Reze. Birthplace unknown. Although, rumor has it that his kingdom was destroyed by the tyrant during his short reign.”

“Has ties to the former Queen Mother, and is rumored to have been an underground fighter before he joined the global hunt.”

“For him to be an avatar wielder, it’s also likely that he is the son of a king, or chieftain,”

The scribe analyzes the page deeper, as he scrolls down and reads out the last sentence.

“Avatar holder is also currently unknown; some rumors say that it’s a creator god…while others claim it’s one of the five great war gods...”

An interesting thought pops into his mind.

“...what if it’s both?”

Suddenly, even through the crowd, Reze’s soulless eyes connect with the scribe’s, leaving the scribe completely stunned.

However, Reze simply grants him a smile, before moving on through the street.

***

The doors to the throne room slowly open in front of Reze, allowing him to peer once more into the grand area bathed in gold. From the golden carved walls to the three large ceiling medallions, as well as the grand statues of former kings of the empire, the room radiates with the material deemed most worthy by the gods.

And yet none radiate more so than the woman sitting on the throne, as the queen appears decorated in golden material; from the jewelry fixed across her hair and neck, to the gold linen that flows flawlessly along the lining of her matte black dress, Temi’s appearance is always sure to demand the most presence in the room.

Reze saunters into the throne room, carrying not only a cheeky smile, but an item wrapped carefully in bandages.

The men of the council rise to their feet as they stare towards Reze with great anticipation.

Reze finally stops a few meters away from the stairs leading up to the throne.

The same spot where Kayin had been sentenced to death by the court.

The same spot where many false champions met their end in trying to become king.

Finally, Reze begins to unravel the item, revealing Kayin’s head to the entire room as he holds it high in the air for all to see.

“As promised…”

“I brought you the real thing,”

Temi grins, as she stares at the head of her fallen brother.

Finally!...

Reze then tosses the head to the ground, completely disregarding any sense of respect he could have shown.

“So…” Reze says as he glances towards Temi, “...when would you like to have the ceremony?”

Temi slowly rises from her seat, and to the surprise of all of the councilmen, she walks down the stairs and stands directly in front of Reze, who towers over her.

Reze remains completely still as Temi grabs the back of his neck to pull his head down…

And kisses him passionately.

The councilmen all gasp in shock, as the two of them continue on without a care in the world for who is watching. Until finally, Temi lets go of Reze, swipes her thumb across her lips, and walks past him to leave the room.

“Noontime, tomorrow. I will marry this man.”

“I expect you all to make arrangements for the ceremony, post haste.”

As soon as Temi leaves the room with the royal guards behind her, the councilmen begin to deliberate their folly, and rush all over the place in order to meet the queen’s demands.

Reze, who hasn’t moved an inch from where stands, slowly turns his head to see the doors of the throne room closing.

A sinister grin escapes his lips.

Long live…the king.