The morning after the crimson night rose quietly over the capital of Celvarn. The once-golden palace now stood under a dull red hue, the banners of King Fukudo already torn down, replaced by black silks marked with the new royal seal — the sigil of Roze Apocalypse.
The great hall was silent as the people, nobles, and soldiers gathered. Their gazes shifted from the lifeless throne to the young man seated upon it — Roze Apocalypse, draped in a cloak of obsidian and crimson. His expression was calm, unreadable, and his eyes glowed faintly under the torchlight. Beside him stood a boy with white hair and a crimson aura radiating around his body — Life Apocalypse.
He stepped forward and knelt before Roze, his head bowed.
"Father," Life said, his voice soft yet powerful, echoing across the throne room. "I am your creation, your servant, and your son. I exist to serve your will."
Roze looked down at him, expression unmoving. "Then you accept your purpose?"
Life nodded. "Completely. My power to control life itself will be yours to command."
Roze rose from the throne, resting his hand on the boy's head. "Then you are Life Apocalypse — my general, my hand, my blood. Together, we will reshape Celvarn."
The crowd watched in awe and fear as Roze's voice filled the hall.
"King Fukudo ruled through greed and blindness. His wealth drowned the poor, his pride rotted his kingdom. But under me, a new Celvarn will rise — one that fears no god, no man, and no weakness. Be smart… or be dead."
The echo of his words rolled through the hall like thunder. No one dared to oppose him.
---
Days passed, and the symbol of the Apocalypse — a crimson eclipse surrounded by chains — was carved upon every palace wall. Roze had become the new king of Celvarn, his name whispered through the streets both in reverence and in terror.
Life Apocalypse became his general, commanding the royal forces. His power to manipulate life itself turned the army into an unstoppable force — soldiers healed instantly, enemies aged into dust at a mere gesture.
But Roze's rule was not built on blind violence. He moved with precision. His new laws struck quickly:
Those who betrayed the crown lost their names.
Those who exploited the poor were branded and exiled.
And those who lied before the king were never seen again.
Within a week, the chaotic kingdom found order — harsh, but absolute.
---
One afternoon, Roze stood before a simple orphanage on the edge of the capital. The children froze as he entered, their eyes widening at the sight of the king. Inside, Voidheart looked up from a wooden table, stunned.
"Roze?" he said, disbelief soft in his tone.
Roze smiled faintly. "No need for titles between us, old friend. I just came to bring an offer."
Voidheart stood slowly. "You became king… I knew you would. You always carried something different."
Roze nodded, eyes calm. "You were always the wise one among us. That's why I want you beside me. Be my royal minister. Help me build this new Celvarn."
Voidheart hesitated, glancing at the orphans around him — then at Roze's steady gaze. "If I come with you, will you protect them? This place?"
"I already have," Roze said quietly. "They will never starve or be forgotten again. That's my promise."
Voidheart closed his eyes for a moment and then smiled. "Then I'll come. You've grown into something far greater than the boy I knew."
Roze placed a hand on his shoulder. "No… just someone who finally understands how to shape the world."
---
Later that evening, a royal messenger arrived carrying a letter sealed with golden wax. Roze opened it carefully. Inside was a simple note written in familiar handwriting.
> "Roze,
I heard everything. You've taken the throne. You've changed Celvarn.
I'm happy for you, truly. But I cannot come back — not yet.
Some paths don't allow return. Still, remember — friendship eternal.
— Vonni."
Roze read it twice before folding it neatly and placing it beside his throne. His expression softened for just a moment, and then the king in him returned.
"Eternal indeed," he whispered.
---
That night, the moon was full, floating like a silent witness over the capital. Inside the throne chamber, Roze sat alone, one hand resting against his cheek as the torches flickered around him. Life Apocalypse had gone to patrol the city walls, Voidheart was finalizing the day's reforms — and for the first time since his coronation, the room felt empty.
The quiet was broken by a sudden ripple in the air. The flames of the torches turned blue.
Roze didn't move. He already knew who it was.
From the shimmer of the air, four figures emerged — Hexos, Mysialsia, Musan, and Agarias — the Reverents.
Hexos spoke first, his voice calm but echoing with power. "So, King of Celvarn, you've done well."
Mysialsia's crimson eyes narrowed with amusement. "A kingdom reborn in your image. Truly… poetic."
Musan tilted his head. "The soul of the world trembles around you. The time has come."
Agarias stepped forward, hands folded. "The Reverent Palace awaits in the clouds. You've fulfilled your part here, Roze Apocalypse. Now, you must ascend."
Roze stood slowly, his cloak sliding across the marble floor. "I expected this day to come."
Mysialsia smirked faintly. "You always do."
Roze's gaze moved from one to another. "Celvarn will stand without me. Life will guard it, Voidheart will guide it. But tell me—why now?"
Hexos smiled. "Because the heavens are shifting. The old gods stir again, and only the one who commands death and life may face them."
Roze gave a small nod. "Then I'll go."
He turned once more to face his throne — the symbol of what he had built, of what he had conquered. The shadows of his past flickered faintly around it: Vonni's laughter, Voidheart's calm, Diaz's betrayal, Anne's last breath.
Without another word, Roze faced the Reverents. "Lead the way."