Chapter Three: To be King

Three years later...

A voice rang out through a dim room: “Godea.” At the head of the table, there were six elegant world leaders waiting for their nation to be called.

“I am here,” Earl Lynch responded, dressed in pale lavender and donning a pearl-encrusted mustache. His long white hair, which draped about his shoulders, gave him an aura of maturity and wisdom, and when looked at from a distance, he appeared aristocratic, commanding attention with his presence. As you got closer, the telltale signs of aging on his face became uncomfortably obvious, though a fake smile, as if bound by a string, gleamed through.

“Asaka.”

Larkin Dior, attired in a shade reminiscent of the forests, directed his gaze towards her while affirming with a nod, the sole noticeable feature of interest being the scar that crossed his left cheek, stretching over his eye.

“Dreyma.”

“Here!” Rosario de Bello made a huge move by lifting her hand and flashing a bright grin during the interaction. She was decked up in luxurious furs and glittering jewels, and from what could be seen, she was wearing the oldest clothing of anybody who was in the room at the time (that of an old-century maiden). The use of cosmetics, on the other hand, bestowed upon her an unrivaled visual appeal and did an excellent job of hiding her age.

“Eludore.”

“Mhm.” Chamberlain Burton, whose armor was pitch black with crimson spikes, grumbled out an answer.

“And lastly, the Ionoe nation.”

“Yes, I am here! I am, so! So sorry that it took me so long to come to my decision.” Towards the woman in the front, the queen bowed down.

There stood Alice Webb, the Queen of the nation of Ionoe. She was dressed in a peach-colored dress that was form-fitting and exposing, which led the elderly man in lavender to avert his gaze and caused others to shake their heads in disbelief at her lack of shame. It could hardly be called a dress, as everything showed and left nothing to the imagination. Was she even wearing anything underneath? Shameful!

The woman who called them all out got up from her seat at the head of the table, revealing her long coat and dress. Her puffy, curly hair was embellished with gems laced around it, framing half of her face, and a string of beads flowed from one cheek to the other. Sunflower embroidery with gold lace adorning it decorated her clothing.

By touching the queen on her headdress, she encouraged her to raise her head once again.

“No need, no need. I am happy that you have finally arrived at your decision and that we can now help your people with the awful poison that my fellow gods mistakenly cast down during their…silly conflict. I can guarantee it will be to your benefit to pair up with me.”

“I’m truly thankful for your benevolence, Goddess.” Alice teared up and sat back down at the table. Everyone looked everywhere but at her directly.

“Now that we are all here,” Raya spoke before Chamberlain interrupted.

“What about the others?”

Returning to the head of the table, she sighed and took her seat. “It would be best not to disturb them and to let fate take care of them. Though I worry about their people, I hope they won’t endure too much suffering due to their selfishness.”

The individual dressed in lavender expressed disdain, remarking, “Elwood Sinclair is unequivocally the most disappointing among the group. It is evident that he lacks the qualities befitting a nobleman. Regrettably, his poor uncle exerted considerable effort in raising both offspring of his deceased brother, only to be met with betrayal from the eldest child, who resorted to murder to ascend to the throne; truly, that is a horrible nation that still exists.”

“If only we could break through their defenses and put an end to all this madness; I can’t believe he won’t just give in at this point.” Rosario shakes her head and declares, “He will bring that nation to ruins.”

“It’s not only the barricades; the high mountains make it difficult to gain high ground against them, and the cold doesn’t help either.” Chamberlain spoke.

Before another comment could be voiced out, the goddess Raya’s voice echoed around the room. “Enough of that; we ought to be rejoicing about acquiring a new ally. Although I am worried about your prior relationship with the Belladonia, we are happy that you could attend, Alice.”

An icy stare from Raya was left unnoticed as Alice’s eyes fell on everyone at the table, and she jumped slightly, of course bringing along two assets that followed her sudden bounce. “Ah! You don’t need to worry about that; I severed all relations with him prior to coming, and because you are all here to help me.” She waved her hands around towards all the monarchs and said, “I no longer have anything to gain from Elwood.” She shyly smiles while nervously rubbing her hands. 

“Yes, yes, very well. According to the terms of our agreement, each country will send warriors and provide protection for your kingdom. Although I am unable to do much because of my pact not to cause harm to mortals, I am confident that your brother’s and sister’s monarchs will come to your aid if you need it.” Raya then continues, “On the last note for today, has everyone brought their offerings for this month?”

In unison, they all nodded. “Good, then. I will be looking forward to your continued loyalty.”

Encircled by mountains that reach the heavens, the Belladonia peaks dwelled in this cold abyss. The snow drifted to the ground as two sparrows silently flew down a branch covered in it. Snow from another branch struck the first one as it landed, sending them both soaring back into the sky. The sparrows carefully fluttered their wings to recover equilibrium in midair and danced a stunning ballet against the snow-capped peaks. The gentle sunshine that broke through the dense cloud cover made their feathers sparkle, and with renewed vigor, the sparrows fell once more, their tiny bodies piercing the crisp mountain air.

They landed on a sturdier branch this time, cautious not to disturb any more snow. They were poised side by side, their eyes sweeping the enormous area in front of them; the quiet was apparent.

They were able to take in the amazing view from their vantage point, which reached far into the craggy mountain range that protruded into the skies like old sentinels protecting a sacred secret, standing tall and proud.

The valleys below were blanketed in pristine white, untouched by human presence, and just above stood the Elkmire Castle, a pristine, snow-covered empire.

In spite of servants performing their tasks and knights on watch moving to their next station being visible through the windows, one window was still covered with drapes, aside from a tiny crack that enabled a ribbon of light to pass through.

The rising sun’s light danced across the room, falling on a figure holding a stack of papers covered in sketches of people’s faces.

A door opened on the other side of the room, and a woman entered as the papers fluttered over the table with a large red “missing” label written on the front of each.

“Master?” A woman in a dark suit with a navy blue bow tie speaks out in the dark, her gaze settling on the figure at the table, who groaned and unfolded their limbs as she approached them.

The figure’s gaze met hers, his dull blue eyes lifting and then closing as he let out a long, prolonged yawn. With his black hair parted to the left side and his skins pale radiance that resembled snow, the woman can see why many people refer to her master as the embodiment of winter. His attire exuded refinement and elegance, which complemented his sophisticated personality well. The white corset that gently embraced his torso also highlighted his lean body. Paired with the corset were white pants that flowed effortlessly down his long legs.

“How’s our food supply for the month, Ali?” He responds and lights one of the nearest candles.

“Not good, but also not in the red.” She strides to the windows, her hair swaying back and forth in her tight ponytail, and she opens them to allow the light to flow in naturally. She pauses before hesitantly looking back. “Your Highness, do you truly think this is the best course of action?”

He sighs and starts to clean up his desk, which is filled with missing people’s flyers.

“She was aware that her alliance with the Fertility Goddess would provoke my wrath… She is to blame for this.” He crumbles the papers in his hand before letting up and tossing them in the fireplace.

“I will leave at sunset,” he continues. “I need you to set up the barrier along with Hazel once I leave; do not open it back up until I arrive in two days’ time.”

Nodding, she bows and leaves the room.

A shattered seal of a white rabbit remained fractured within a fire of debris, collapsed structures rose from the background, and smoke filled the air as the fire spread onto the dry grass.

Against the sides of the Mosswood forest that encircled their backs, two lone individuals could be seen in a field clearing. Dry grass that was waist-deep shaped the terrain in front of them. The day was just coming to an end, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a reddish-yellow glow through the trees like sheer silk, the shadows began to take on a bluish hue that threatened to enclose them if they delayed further.

An evil smirk played at the edges of the tyrant’s lips as his blue, piercing eyes drilled into his victim. His white suit was decorated with red stains that appeared even darker as the sun set. Each blood-red droplet on his suit appeared to symbolize the evil that dwelled within him, a horrifying portrayal of his cruel character.

“Did you wish to make this simple for me?” he asked.

The lady trembled, pressing her hands closer to her body. “Elwood! Your demands are illogical; you wished for this outcome! My people have perished, and now only you and I remain! What else do you want?” She yelled.

“What do I want? Alice, you knew what you agreed to when you joined hands with the goddess.” Stepping on her peach-colored garment, it turns an unsightly brown as his foot imprints on it and sinks into the mud below.

She fought to get away, but her attempts were futile as he held her in place with his foot. She looked at him with ferocious purple eyes and said, “It was the best decision I could have made for my people!” She pulls one final time, ripping her clothing and plummeting into the mud underneath her.

Elwood scoffs and looks away. “You did this for your people? I don’t believe that for a second.”

“You wouldn’t understand! Your people are starving and poverty-stricken; you have no right to criticize me.” She snaps out of it and rises off the floor, only to be kicked down again.

He steps onto her chest to push her more deeply into the mud.

“You know nothing you speak about. That so-called God you serve will be the end of all of us! Do not tell me you did it for your people; you became greedy.”

“My people needed food and water that wouldn’t harm their bodies, would nourish the young, and had the fertility goddess Raya’s blessing!” She yells, yanks Elwood’s foot away from her chest, and then rises up, removing a knife from under her skirt and pointing it in his direction, imploring him to take action.

“You’re more delusional than I thought, and because I’ve given you too many luxuries, you’ve grown spoiled…Haaaa, you’re dumber than I originally assumed.” He mutters, and he summons a pool of dark smoke that engulfs his hand and shoots it out to hit the knife.

Landing its shot, she hissed and held her hand to her chest before looking for the knife that flung into the high grassland surrounding them. She knew she couldn’t win; why was she even trying at this point? Suddenly, she appeared perplexed enough to even remove her attention from him looking behind him, causing her to remain still and watch.

A soft voice calls out from behind Elwood.

 “Or is it you who is disillusioned?”

He closes his eyes. “Don’t fuck with me, you cruel bitch.” Elwood’s fingers trembled, but he instantly concealed himself by clenching his fist. “It is because of you that we need to go to these fucked-up lengths,” he bellows, then turns away from the Queen and faces the fertility goddess.

Raya glances at him warily. “Is it my fault? How?” She reaches out her hands to the fire-enraged kingdom, burning to the ground behind them. Elwood’s heart grows with anger.

‘How dare you blame this battle on me!’

Elwood grits his teeth. “The war between the gods brought calamity to the common people, and yet, you! You!… You were supposed to be helping to keep the land pure, the water drinkable, and the seeds growable! And what did we get in return? Rivers filled with blood! The seeds mutated! And the food was poisoned for all!” Elwood’s voice trembled with anger as he continued his tirade. “We trusted you, revered you, and offered our prayers in the hope that you would protect us from such devastation. But instead, you turned a blind eye to our misery and permitted anarchy to rule!”

His words rang out across the bleak terrain, where once-lush fields had flourished but are now barren and dead.

Elwood’s heart ached for the innocent lives lost and for the families torn apart by the touch of the eclipse. The gods had failed them all.

“The gods were meant to be our guardians,” Elwood spat bitterly. “They were supposed to guide us towards prosperity and harmony. But their selfish quests for power and control ripped the fabric of our existence apart.”

Elwood was no longer willing to accept their negligence. He would rise against the divine tyranny that had plagued their world for far too long.

“We cannot rely on these false deities.”

“But, am I not fixing those mistakes?” She lowers to the ground slightly to touch a patch of grass, which, from her touch, begins to flourish.

Elwood laughs; so fed up with her at this point. “Fixing? HA! Do you call this fixing? But what am I to expect from a God in the first place? You could have taken so many different paths and arrived at the same place, yet! You want to control and have power over us, and you know exactly how much you hold over us. That’s why you are hoarding all the pure food and clean water. ” He laughs.

Raya glares at him and says, “It’s really not that simple. You wouldn’t understand–”

“It doesn’t matter, and I don’t need to understand.” Elwood cuts her off from her speech, unsheathes his sword, and turns his back on the goddess to stride up to Alice, the soon-to-be fallen Queen of the Ionoe Kingdom.

The queen, watching as he approaches, starts crying hysterically, the gleam of his sword casting a light below her throat. “Please! I’m sorry! I won’t betray you again!”

“This was never about the betrayal.” Elwood grows closer and closer.

“I have seen your sins firsthand; this is about retribution for those poor girls.” He says it eerily calmly, and Alice’s eyes widen in horror.

Raya stops him in his tracks with a vine wrapping along his ankle, only for him to cut it away. She then tries to block him, but is shoved back. Because she is a god and therefore obligated to refrain from harming mortals, she mustn't hurt him and only grabs him by the arm. “You’re so stubborn! You’ll let your people suffer, starve, and perish? I could make your kingdom prosperous with my resources, and before entering your realm, I had never witnessed subjects try to run over one another to flee a king! They fear you, and they question every action you take and wish you were dead for the violence you cause in their homeland! You are no king to them!” She wraps more vines along his leg and pulls.

He cuts them again and starts stomping on the vines that are trying to wrap around him before forcing himself out of her grip and pointing his sword at Raya. “Instead of having brainless servants who lack the ability to think for themselves, I would much rather they fear me and scrutinize my activities!” He then gets closer to Alice, who looks terrified, like a small rabbit about to run away from its prey.

“Why for? Humans do not wish to think for themselves. They will only cause problems for you if you give them that freedom.” She answers by surrounding Alice with a vine barrier, prompting Elwood to hack at the vines with his right hand, which held his sword and his left to bury a shadow of cursed energy into the vines

He hurled even more cursed smoke into the barrier as he broke the vines, allowing him to see Alice’s anguished, tearful face, and with one blast of his magic, Elwood drove his sword into Alice’s gut.

“That’s why I’m king; I’ll bear the costs of the foolish things that my people do.”

“…I see.” 

Raya hums and vanishes from behind Elwood. 

He can’t feel her presence anymore.

Did she leave just like that?

The vines collapsed in front of him and withered away on the floor, revealing Alice, who was still clinging to his sword, attempting to wench it away from her stomach. Finally drawing out the blade, Elwood raises it again to find Alice struggling to keep her belly together, blood dripping from her fingers.

She is screaming and hiccuping in an attempt to take in a large amount of air that wouldn’t fill her lungs.

Then suddenly, Elwood’s hair sprang up from his neck, and he leaped away from Alice, only to watch an arrow go by where he was standing.

Looking at the forest behind him, he sees a crowd of dark green armored soldiers, and right behind them, the King of the Asaka kingdom’ Larkin’ stands, who then shouts out, 

“Fire!”

Elwood drew Alice’s body to shield him from the majority of the arrows, only taking two hits in the right arm and thigh. He draws more dark energy from himself and resumes his onslaught.

Most of the soldiers are dragged out to the field clearing by the ink-black smoke, and this is when he strikes his blows with his sword, killing those who are still trying to get up. He uses his cursed energy to snap limbs and hold down the soldiers so he can strike them more effortlessly. The cursed energy in the air crackled as Elwood relentlessly attacked the enemy’s on the battlefield, and many of the soldiers, disoriented and terrified by the dark energy that enveloped them, struggled to regain their footing.

The battlefield echoed with cries of agony as blood sprayed through the air, and his movements were a blur, his body becoming one with his weapon as he seamlessly transitioned from one opponent to another. He moved quickly among his adversaries while his eyes flared with intent. The cursed energy that was coursing through him sharpened his senses, enabling him to anticipate their every move. The battlefield was transformed into a turbulent scene of misery and pain as Elwood’s sword tore through both armor and flesh. His movements were fluid yet merciless, leaving no room for hesitation. The soldiers who dared to rise from the ground found themselves met with an unyielding force that held them down, ensuring they could not escape their impending doom.

The soldiers don’t last long against Elwood, and towards the end of the killing, he returns to where the King was meant to be, only to find a new soldier in his place. The soldier was clouded in shadows from the trees surrounding him, and his uniform was black, unlike the other soldier’s green armor. He doesn’t waste any time however, summoning another wave of cursed energy to draw him out, only to have a dagger stab him in the arm. 

When he looked up from the blade, there was no sign of the man.

Hearing a whoosh of tall grass behind him, he immediately reacts by using his sword to block the opponent from behind, only to have the sword break through his defense. 

How—!

The man in front of him possessed strength he had never seen before; his arm strength alone was plenty to push through his block.

Elwood gasped for air as he lay on the ground; he couldn’t help but be astonished by his opponent’s tremendous might. It was evident that this adversary was not a typical soldier.

Elwood struggled to gather himself, and by assessing the circumstances right away, he knew that he needed to act immediately if he wanted to survive this altercation. His eyes caught sight of a nearby fallen blade as he cast a quick glance around before extending his hand to grasp it with a flash of conviction.

‘All I need is one good strike, and it’s over.’ He springs up with the sword in his hands. He gripped the blade more firmly and concentrated on finding a flaw in the man’s solid defense. He understood that he required strategy and accuracy to beat this opponent and that raw force wouldn’t be enough. ‘Find the weak spots.’

As their swords clashed again, he quickly assessed the man’s movements, searching for patterns and vulnerabilities. Every move he made was calculated, and every step was deliberate. He realized that overcoming such a great foe would need more than mere force; it would necessitate subtlety and guile. He observed the minute intricacies in his opponent’s technique with each collision of their blades. The way their footwork shifted, the slight hesitation before a strike—these were the details he sought to exploit. His gaze raced back and forth, never losing track of his opponent’s moves. 

Elwood slams him with cursed energy again, groaning and spitting blood as he deflects another blow from the left. He was thrown back a few steps, and his hand was shaking from the intensity of his punch and attempting to resist the attacks hurled at him by the other. He evades another fatal blow with the deftness of a lightning bolt. Right where his head had been a few moments ago, the blade of his adversary sliced through the air.

In this split second, he launches a counterattack, sending his opponent reeling backwards with a quick kick to the chest. Elwood hated to run, but he had achieved his goal here, and today was not going to be about getting entangled with another kingdom. Elwood's intuition suggested that this man might pose a future threat, but he had more pressing concerns at the moment, and he had no time to deal with this. However, he does note of this man, describing him as ‘tall, lean, but definitely not skinny, with dark brown hair, green eyes, and black armor.’

Using cursed energy like this drains his energy to hazardous levels. Nevertheless, he chooses to summon yet another wave of evil energy and rushes in the direction of the man ahead.

“You are a worthy opponent, but I have plans for which you are not invited.”

Before pulling back, he presses two fingers into his opponent’s cheek, leaving a little mark shaped like a snowflake carved on his flesh—pale and daunting. Elwood then departs in a swirl of black smoke, leaving the man alone in the smoke-filled clearing.

“Damn it!! What am I going to do about this?!” A voice screams from inside the forest. “Valentine! Come here this instant!”

The man with the snowflake etched on his cheek recovered from his trance and peered back at his king, who was fuming with rage. Expressionless, he marched back to the woodland in front of his king.

“What was the use of all that training if you couldn’t even kill him?” He smacks Valentine and pulls his long hair, which was tied in a ponytail, down so he can face him. “You just cost me my life! He knows that I was here, and I even tried to kill him! He’s going to slaughter my people and execute me like he did to the queen here!”

Larkin grumbles and moves further into the woods, letting go of Valentine and grabbing onto his own hair. “I lost so many of my men in today’s battle. What am I to tell my wife? I only attacked because I couldn’t have her find out I was here and now… Now what will I do?” He glares back at Valentine, and his eyes widen. He then grabs his face and inspects the cheek with the snowflake on it. “Oh no, oh no, no no! What is this?! We must hurry back and find out what curse he put on you.”

Rushing deeper down the Mosswood forest, Larkin and Valentine disappear in the foliage.