~ Rhyat Yerin Dhyoria ~
“For the sake of Love, Power and Knowledge— the Red River must flow”
༒︎
The clouds sped past his feathers as he drifted swiftly over the dizzyingly tall walls of the Citadel. The tolling bells of the West watch echoed deep into the halls. In the silver-laden chambers of the North wing, overlooking the Everglade gardens that are in full bloom ; tears rolled down her cheeks as memories of their endless conversations surfaced.
“I have some news”, Raven said , perched upon the metal railing of the balcony that overlooked the cold expanse of the Citadel. He then leapt to his feet transformed into his human form , walking towards the Inner Chamber. The wind entwined itself in her crimson locks of hair as she rested her head upon her arms , still staring at the cozy seating in the garden , where warm tea had once been brewed. Raven then stretched out his hand to hand over a scroll. She swiftly took it and ran her fingers over the Sigil — “Olympus”
Aurum Cliffs, Olympus
The bustle of the city grew louder every passing second, even overshadowing the gushes of the Cascading Silver Falls. The gates of the Palace, decorated in all their grandeur, stood as a rare sight — one seldom gets to witness all of Olympia in bliss.
“I’d never thought I would live long enough to see this day”, she said, sliding her sharp fingers through her silver hair. “Do you think he can handle this, Zahyr? After all that has happened…”
“Be glad he chose to return, Lyana. He is our son, and he has come back to Olympus — and we raised him well enough for him to rule the realm and beyond” Zahyr said, as the maids gently adjusted their ceremonial robes as they conversed. “And you don’t need to remind me of what has transpired. I am aware, and I think you know better than I do who was responsible for —” ,
A gentle knock on their chamber doors interrupted them. “Come in” , Zahyr commanded.
The nervous kings guard walked in, “Your Grace, they are here. The Court is waiting for you.”
﴾ ﴿── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──﴾ ﴿
The Banners of the Sun atop the Gilded mountain as far as the eye could see —on every wall, every column and every gate. Kings, Queens, Emperors, Rulers, Mages and Lords of every realm made their way through the Kings path toward the Palace, proudly carrying their banners , gifts and envoys. The common folk lit the streets bright and carried offerings of whatever they could best afford: baked goods, gold, silver, jewels, swords and more, as they hurried toward the Great Corpus Hall , for it was Coronation day of their new Emperor.
The Great Corpus hall hosted thousands beneath its roof, with each decorated throne seating rulers from every realms, while the alleyways to seating halls held the entire city of Aurum cliffs under one dome. At the eastern end of the hall stood the Sept of Suns throne , and the rising sun pierced the tall windows behind it illuminating the entire hall in golden light. Harps and Violins delighted the ears of the great hall’s guests.
“The Chosen Lord of the East , Commander of the eighty armies , Servant of his people, The Nineteenth Sun of Olympus — His Grace, Zahyr Valanaer Aurelius, and The Empress of the East , Daughter of the House of Yhaeghar — Her Eminence , Lyana Yhaeghar Aurelius bless us with their presence”, the Herald announced at the top of his lungs.
The entire gathering sprang to their feet as the two , grace incarnate, made their way toward the central elevated Estrade. Their royal ceremonial robes shimmered in the golden light of the hall, and all eyes followed them as they moved to the center.
“How ironical, the realm of Suns and a marriage gone cold. Twenty years , and he still doesn’t hold her hand”, Lord Brekke chuckled, adjusting his heavy jewel belt around his plump stomach as he sipped wine from his goblet.
“Oh ! shush now , Norman , we don’t want to start another war for our realm” said his wife, Lady Ursula Brekke , the only wise one in the Kingdom of Brenette.
“Lords, Ladies and children, we have gathered today to mark an historic day for Olympia. As the heaven’s have willed and the people of Olympia have chosen their new lord, it is time the old world gave way to the new. Among all the heirs to the Sept of Suns, the subjects have chosen my first son to accede the throne.”, Zahyr said, hesitantly reaching for his wife’s hand and continuing, “We are more than blessed to witness this day alongside you”. Lyana looked at Zahyr , then at the crowd and added, “May the Sun and light grace us all.”
The faint rumble of the west gates of the hall turned heads towards the entrance. The eighty Crown Battalions, each wielding its own weapon, followed by the mage council of the Citadel. The five mages each carried a crystal shard on a silken pillow. The battalions lined up along the path from the west gate all the way to the Great Throne, and the mages walked through to its foot, placing each shard into the helm of the throne. The sun aligned perfectly at center of the shards arranged around the circular helm — almost as if the Sun has embodied the throne.
The crowd gasped in awe, witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime sight, and then the harps , trumpets and violins rose in a dramatic harmony. There he was, his serene white cape waved in the dancing wind like swan feathers, his silver ornaments shimmering and clinking with every stride. It was like witnessing a drop of silver tearing through the light - a canvas of gold and shimmering shard of white.
“You look lovely, Bea”, she said playing with his hair. “Cut it, Valaena." Then she grasped his hand and lead him to the throne. “Scary yet?” she asked with a look. “Kind of..” he said, falling short of words as he scanned the hall filled with thousands of people.
The crowd rejoiced at the sight of their new emperor ; they were eager to hear what he had to say.
“Olympus— The blazing sun , the jewel of the East, as the world calls us. The eighty broken shards of the realm united under one banner , united as the great east. Olympus known for it’s grandeur and glory. My dearest subjects- do you know what else we are known for?” Bea paused.
The entire hall fell into a cold silence.
“This- we are known for - Silence”
The crowd burst into chatter, Zahyr and Lyana exchanged glances. “For long have we kept our silence, and sometimes silence isn’t the best option for peace - it is slow death”
The high mage of the council looked at the young lord, “Your Grace, are you suggesting that we, as the council , the lords, and even your father, have failed the interests of our subjects?”
“Of course not, oh revered one! , But—”, Bea was cut short by an angry lord. “He is suggesting we committed treason— as if he didn’t ?!”
Lord Erion of Bristlewood clenched his temples in dismay and scoffed at the unfolding scene. “Some fools speak too early.”
“I was the one who inherited the throne, Lord Zion”, Valaena stepped forward. “And it was the lot of you and certain others in this hall who drove him away on a journey to repentance for something he has nothing to repent for!”
“Valaena—” , Zahyr began, but Lyana stopped him. “Let them speak.”
“I, Valaena Aurelius, have served the people of Olympia as a Regent. The promised Emperor of Olympia has returned to the Sept of Suns, and Lord Betelgeuse Aurelius will be crowned”, her voice echoed through the vast halls and not a voice rose in protest.
“Why should one crown a half-man as the Lord Emperor of a glorious empire such as Olympia? I am sure the subjects of Olympus deserve better than that thing you call an Emperor”, Gregory said at the top of his lungs, and the lords adjacent burst into laughter. The Hall was still abuzz with whispers, and it soon died into a cold silence.
Valaena looked at their father. Zahyr bent his head, clutching his fists. Then she looked at their Mother, Lyana, silent as stone, and then at her brother.
“Might I remind this hall that when the North marched onto the gates of Ivor there were only two banners on our side of the wall that stood with us?”, Queen Emory Thorne , old yet feisty , said, leaning forward from her seat with the help of her staff. “The Citadel of Cosmic lands and Olympia stood with us. They saved my realm from fate of ashes”
“Take a break old hag. We all know why the North marched on Ivor. You and those damned witches of Yeron were devising the doom of the world, someone had to —” Lord Brekke was cut short.
“Enough!” , Zahyr shrieked.
“Don’t worry Lord Wesbrooke. The Lord of Suns is more of a man than someone who stabs the heart of his own realm and breaks the oath of serenity at a ceremony of peace”, Queen Anera scoffed as she threw her goblet onto the floor of the hall in protest, and the crowd cheered.
“A fucking shit show, I say”, Lord Rhion chuckled. “This would be another day in our Taverns in Theonia” he clinked his glass against his minister’s.
After a few moments, the agitated lords began leaving the Great Hall.
“The Coronation shall go on even in the absence of some Eunuchs” Valaena declared, and the crowds cheered. The instruments came alive, and the crown was ceremoniously carried toward the throne.
Valaena herself lifted the crown from its silk seat and placed it on Bea’s head.
“Lord Vhaer Betelgeuse Aurelius , the people have bestowed upon you the trust , love and power of the thousand suns. Do you promise your subjects that you will rule Olympia and beyond, with light guiding you at all times?” , The High mage asked, serenity in his eyes , as he pointed his staff at the crown.
“I promise to rule Olympia and beyond with Love and Devotion to my subjects at all times, for I fear the Red river would engulf us in her mighty embrace”, Bea said, closing his eyes and letting out a soft breath as he finished speaking.
“Lord of the Sept of Suns, the Twentieth Sun of Olympus, the Paragon of the Citadel , the Emperor of the East —the Suns have blessed us with Emperor Vhaer Betelgeuse Aurelius !” The Herald announced. The subjects rejoiced.
Zahyr stormed out of the hall, and Lyana looked at her son, holding his face in her palms. “The weight of the crown is not an easy one to bear. Remember, it is not entitlement awarded , but the fate of a billion rested upon your heart and soul —” she stopped herself and chuckled, “Who am I even trying to Illuminate? You have been through a lot. You proved us wrong by reclaiming the citadel with your wits, but there is more ahead , love- more ahead..” she sighed and made her way out.
Valaena placed her hand on her brother’s shoulder as they watched them both leave. “Its always been us two, Bea. Now your people await.”
﴾ ﴿── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──﴾ ﴿
The Citadel , The Cosmic lands ༒︎
“Raven!”, she shouted into courtyard. Raven ran out of his quarters into the yard. “Yes , starling? Is everything okay?”
“How long will it take to travel to the Enchanting city?” she enquired.
“By ship or on foot over the bridge, a day or two. If we mobilize our fleet, an hour. It depends on why we are even heading to Helios”, he said, visibly puzzled.
“Prepare your fleet, Raven. We need to pay our neighbors a visit.”
༒︎── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──༒︎
Oh i love this, when's the next chapter coming father? My greed has no limits
"Spectacular, give me 14 of these"