With George dead and the funeral over, the kingdom was slipping into disarray. King George had left behind no heir, and with him gone, the crown stood abandoned. In reality, power was up for grabs as Eya didn't have any claim to the throne outside her widowed status that came from the king's death. But it was an opportunity, and one she had no intention of letting slip through her fingers.
In her chamber, she paced slowly, her gaze sharp as a blade."Send word to the Intergalactic Council," she ordered advisor. "I am putting myself forward to rule the mother planet."
Her advisor hesitated before lowering his gaze. "My queen… forgive me, but this planet has never had a woman on the throne. The council may not…"
"The greats do not ask for permission to change the course of history," Eya interrupted, her voice steady and cold. "They seize the moment. And that is exactly what I intend to do. I will build a dynasty unlike any this galaxy has ever seen. I will usher in a new era."
Her advisor straightened, her confidence extinguishing his doubts. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will send word right away."
Within a few days, word came. The advisor burst into the throne room, his excitement spilling into every word."My Queen! My Queen!" he cried, rushing forward. "The council has accepted your request. They have granted you an audience, twenty-four hours from now!"
Eya's lips curved ever so slightly. "Perfect. Prepare my ship," she said.
The advisor nodded and dashed out, throwing the preparations together. The moment the ship was ready, he returned and notified Eya.
The engines roared to life as Eya's ship prepared for departure. She stepped aboard, pausing for a final glance at her home world. It loomed in the distance—vast, untouched, vulnerable. It was her destiny. Her prize. The mother planet, ripe for the taking.
As the ship soared into the stars, she leaned back in her chair, the anticipation humming in her veins. She could almost taste the power.With George gone, the crown was hers for the taking, and she knew it. For her, power was not inherited. It was to be seized and grabbed with an iron fist.
"I will set a precedent like no other and defend it with cunning and strength. I cannot fail. As a little girl, I dreamed of moments like this. I am so close..." she said in a hushed tone to her advisor. There was a nod before she drifted back into thought, her eyes closing as she let herself drift away into the determination that this was hers, and no one else's.
"Your Majesty," a voice whispered softly. A gentle tap on her shoulder pulled her from her trance. One of her guards stood before her. "We've arrived."
"So… this is Planet Onak," she murmured, stepping forward to peer out the viewport. The planet stretched below, peaceful, pristine."A beautiful little planet. Quiet and untouched. Let's see how long that lasts.
The ship descended, its landing smooth and swift. Upon exiting, Eya was greeted by an escort of guards in ceremonial armor. They guided her through the planet's grand corridors toward the council chambers.
Massive doors swung open, revealing a vast hall. The Intergalactic Council sat above in elevated seats, their expressions a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and quiet authority.
"Eya," one of the council members greeted, "the floor is yours."
Eya inhaled deeply, her gaze hardening as she stepped forward. With flicks of her fingers, she began to summon help, a subtle, dangerous magic. Dark tendrils of power crept through her veins, invisible to the eye but felt in the atmosphere.
As the magic spread, she felt a sudden, cold weight press upon her shoulders. Her mother's voice echoed like a phantom, sharp and warning:"Child, never use this magic. The price is too steep. You lose a piece of yourself each time you summon it..."
For a moment, Eya faltered. The air grew heavier, the room darkening in her mind's eye. Was it fear or guilt? She didn't know. But then she straightened, shaking off the voice like a cobweb. That weakness was dead. She would not fail.
"My esteemed council," she began, her voice calm but commanding. "I stand before you not as an outsider, but as someone who knows the mother planet as only a member of its royal family could. I have lived its history. I have witnessed what succeeds… and what fails."
Her eyes scanned the room, catching subtle shifts in posture. Skepticism. Resistance. But she pressed on, her tone gaining strength.
"My daughter carries the legacy of all the kings who have ever sat upon that throne. When she has an heir, that legacy will endure. But until that day, I will be the one to restore this planet to its former glory. Stability is not just an option; it is a necessity. I alone can provide it."
Silence gripped the hall. The council members exchanged glances. Some nodded subtly; others remained stone-faced.
"Thank you, Eya. We have heard your arguments, which were both strong and compelling. My esteemed council members and I will now take this time to deliberate. We shall return shortly with our decision."
The council rose, filing out in an orderly manner. Some exchanged quiet glances, others keeping their expressions carefully unreadable. Their footsteps echoed through the vast hall as they exited, entering a room just to the side of the hall.
As the council deliberated in their esteemed chamber, they quickly erupted into a long debate.
"She is too ambitious!" one council member hissed. "She will wield that ambition like a sword and cut down anyone who stands in her way."
"Ambition is exactly what we need," another countered. "This planet has been in chaos since King George's death. Eya offers a path forward."
"And what of her… rumored unorthodox methods?"A long pause followed. The unspoken fear of her power, the rumors of dark magic, hung heavy in the air.
"Rumors. That's all they are," someone murmured. "What matters is that she understands the mother planet's needs."
"Are we really considering putting a woman on the throne?" another voice snapped. "This council has never done such a thing in its history!"
"And perhaps that is why we have failed to evolve," came the measured reply. "Tradition will not rebuild this planet. Progress will."
The arguments continued, voices clashing like thunder. Yet, slowly, the tone began to shift. Those who had spoken against Eya found their doubts fading, their resistance crumbling. They couldn't explain it, but an invisible force pulled at their minds, a creeping certainty that Eya was the only answer.
The heavy doors swung open. Eya stood tall, masking the flicker of doubt that remained deep within. What if they defied her? But as the council re-entered, their faces softened, and her confidence surged.
"Thank you for your patience, Queen Eya," a council member announced.
"It is decided," the council leader said, though his voice wavered for just a moment. He glanced around nervously, as if sensing something unseen. "We have reached a decision. By unanimous vote, you have been granted the title of sole ruler of the mother planet. Your position will be formalized at the coronation."
"Thank you," Eya replied smoothly. She bowed slightly, concealing the sinister smile that tugged at her lips as she turned away.
Power was hers.
But then, she felt it again, that cold whisper, that invisible chill curling around her neck like a serpent, its squeeze unrelenting but euphoric. its hold lingering longer this time.Her pulse quickened. She couldn't explain it, but the power, this dark force, called to her, a temptation greater than the throne itself. She shuddered and took a slow, steadying breath.For now, she ignored it. But deep down, she knew it was only a matter of when it would seize her completely, not if. For the time being, she found it irrelevant and took her leave, her coronation needing to be planned.
It took two weeks to bring the coronation into order and have everything ready, but the day arrived soon enough. With Essa and Kia already waiting at the ceremony as everything was put in order and guests arrived, Eya faced herself in the mirror to add the final touches to her flowing gown.
"I thought this day would never come," she murmured to herself. "It is time for this kingdom to be ruled by someone like me, to be ushered into a new age of strength. I can no longer doubt myself. I will never doubt myself again, and I will do what I must."
The knock at her door signaled it was time. Eya opened the door with a flourish, raising an eyebrow at the look of amazement and awe from the guard. For once, she offered a guard a smile. "Is it time?"
"Yes, my stunning Queen. The five representatives have arrived, and everyone is waiting for your entrance."
"Very good." She stepped out and was met by an escort of guards, all dressed in their finest armor. Together, they made their way across the palace and courtyard towards the Nile Ceremony Building, an expansive structure made to house large events with the other planets invited. It was a diplomatic and religious building, a flag for each of the six planets hanging high and fluttering in the breeze. But the flag of House Pantheon flew the highest, pride for the Mother Planet filling Eya.
Eya walked forward and entered the hall, all eyes turned towards her. Her dress, adorned with white diamond plating, complimented the stunning white and gold adorning the ceremony room with crystals hanging everywhere and shimmering with the light. A hush fell across the people and she strode with grace towards the reconstructed version of the throne. Eya stood proud before the throne as music filled the room and a Nile royal approached from the back of the room. She bowed her head as he came to a stop in front of her, carrying a gold staff as he looked her over.
"You will rule, not be ruled. You will lead, not follow. You will guide your people with strength and grace. You will put your house and the Mother Planet first, above all else. Do you agree to this?" He asked, voice echoing loud for all to hear.
"I agree to all."
"We pray you live a long and prosperous life. May your reign be joyful and vibrant." The Nile royal touched his staff to each of Eya's shoulders. "We pray for the health of Princess Kia. And we thank the High that you are here today and will ascend as ruler of the Mother Planet."
Music swelled through the room again and a Nile priest approached carrying the great book of scriptures, a book that had witnessed the oaths of kings long before Queen Eya was born. The Nile royal took the book and opened it, and Eya placed her hand within.
"Are you ready to speak the oath, dear girl?"
"I am."
"Speak."
"I swear to honor the house Pantheon, to uphold the laws and justice. To show mercy where it is required. And above all else, I will safeguard the integrity of the Mother Planet and do so faithfully." She spoke with confidence and authority, reaching for the pen handed her as she signed the scriptures.
The Nile royal nodded approval and looked to the assembly. "We now anoint you, Queen Eya, the new ruler of the Mother Planet. Rise to your position." The Nile royal and Eya descended the steps side by side as he chanted, "Your unrivaled queen, your undoubted ruler! I repeat, your unrivaled queen!"
"All hail Queen Eya!" the room echoed with every voice, the sound loud enough to reach across the palace grounds and be heard from the streets outside the gates.