The young man’s gaze grew colder as he stepped closer to Raven.
“If you know who you are, then why the commanding tone?” the young man asked, his voice like a soft blade slicing through the tension in the room. “Are you commanding me?”
Raven froze as the weight of the question pressed down on him. He could feel his legs trembling beneath him. His mind screamed, but his body was frozen in place. How could he answer this?
“I-I…” Raven stammered, panic rising in his chest. “I-I didn’t mean… I-I just thought—”
Before Raven could finish his sentence, his body suddenly jerked and in a flash, his head was severed from his shoulders. Blood poured as it pooled on the ornate marble floor.
The royal palace that was once filled with hushed whispers and tense anticipation, fell into a profound silence.
The shock was instant as no one could process what had just happened. One moment, the masked man had been kneeling, speaking, and the next, his life had been taken in an instant, as though the very air had decided to turn against him.
The courtiers, ministers, and servants stood paralyzed. Some were too afraid to even glance at the body.
The young man paid no attention to the stillness in the room as he slowly walked toward the throne. He stood before the grand seat and stared for a moment, his gaze cold and indifferent. The inactive and hollow throne now seemed almost…alive.
As he finally settled into the seat, the observers were struck with a sense of dread. The throne, which had been untouched by the bloodshed moments ago, began to… bleed?
Dark crimson liquid oozed from its edges, dripping slowly onto the floor. It was not a normal bleeding, but something unnatural, something out of nightmare.
The bloodstains on the floor seemed to pulse with a strange energy, as they fed on the chaos that had unfolded. Even the most veteran soldiers couldn’t help but feel a chill run down their spines.
The young man leaned back on his throne, his expression was unreadable. He glanced around the room as the blood continued to seep from the throne in a slow, steady stream.
As the blood reached the lifeless body of the previous king, the body immediately began to disintegrate. The flesh, once regal and strong, turned to ash as if consumed by an unseen force, merging with the blood that had spread across the floor.
The same fate befell the body of Raven. The blood crawled toward him, and as it touched his body, he too disintegrated, leaving nothing behind.
The blood, having absorbed both of the bodies, began to retract, flowing back toward the throne as if it had a mind of its own. The liquid slithered over the floor with an unnatural speed.
The palace fell into an oppressive silence as the last trace of the blood disappeared, leaving no evidence of the gruesome events that had just unfolded.
The young man’s gaze shifted slowly, settling on a trembling minister who stood at the far end of the throne room. The young man’s voice was as cold and commanding as ever.
“Go and spread the news. Tell the people that the Apollo has a new king. And invite the neighboring kings to a feast. It’s time for them to recognize who truly rules these lands.”
The minister nodded quickly, his hands shaking as he turned to leave. He knew better than to question or delay such an order.
The young man seemed unbothered, his expression distant as he stared ahead, lost in thought.
As the minister exited, the silence returned to the room, heavy and suffocating. It was clear now that a new era had begun.
The news spread like wildfire, traveling swiftly across the lands of the Apollo Kingdom and into the neighboring kingdoms. From the bustling marketplaces to the quiet corners of noble estates, whispers filled the air.
People were stunned, unable to comprehend the sudden and violent shift of power. The death of the old king, the beheading of Raven, and the mysterious rise of this unknown young man had left the entire kingdom in shock.
Noble houses began to stir, their leaders gathering in secrecy to discuss the implications. The once proud Apollo Kingdom, known for its long and brave reign despite the plague that threatened their whole existence, now found itself at the mercy of an enigmatic and terrifying new ruler. Stay tuned to empire
The neighboring kingdoms—who had once belittled Apollo now questioned their own future. Some felt fear, while others saw an opportunity.
As couriers sped from one kingdom to the next, the royal halls of neighboring lands became filled with tension. Kings and queens debated, advisors cautioned, and generals began strategizing.
They all knew they had to deal with the unknown, whether it was through diplomacy, war, or alliances. But one question haunted all their minds: Who was this young man, and what was his ultimate plan?
****
At the grand throne room of the Ares Kingdom, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The king was seated on his magnificent throne and exchanged a concerned glance with his queen.
They had just received the unsettling news from Apollo. The royal commander, George, stood before them and offered his counsel.
The king’s voice was heavy with suspicion. “What might be the meaning behind this? We were at war with Apollo only months ago, and now it seems another change has occurred. A new king has risen to power, and we don’t know what his intentions are. What is it he seeks?”
George’s face was grim as he responded. “Your Majesty, there could be deep treachery behind this sudden shift. The new king—he is a mystery to us. If his actions are motivated by revenge or an ambition to expand his rule, we could find ourselves at a disadvantage. I suggest you to decline the invitation for the feast.”
The king’s brow furrowed, his mind racing with thoughts of their next actions. He was about to speak when the queen interjected.
“No, George, we cannot do that. We do not know the full extent of the influence and power of this new king. If he interprets our refusal to attend the feast as a sign of disrespect, we might provoke him into action. If he rallies his forces, we could face a crisis even though we are capable of defending ourselves.”
The king nodded thoughtfully at his queen’s words “My queen is right. We cannot afford to be seen as weak or dismissive. If the new king views our absence as an insult, it could lead to war, and that is not something we can risk. We must go.”