King Tirian was believed to have fallen in a battle between the Aetherios and the executioners. However, no body was ever found. Rafael, who was considered the holiest person of the kingdom of Arcanthys chose Larrith to be the next king. However, Larrith was unwilling to ascend the throne. He was struck by guilt and sorrow after he failed to defend Tirian. Tirian was like a brother to him. The kingdom was shocked at the aggressive nature of the executioners that the land has never faced in the past wars. All the subjects stood behind a bluish circular line that was created by Rafael. The line surrounded Valestorm, the sword of Tirian that was recovered from the battle and the castle of Arcanthys. The blood stained sword rose as a symbol of bravery. The members of the castle bowed before the sword. The members stood two feet away from the sword and the podium that was covered with lilies. The soft smell drifted across the kingdom as everyone's heart shattered by the absence of the owner of the blood stained sword.
Rafael went one foot forward.
Rafael said, "We might not accompany you in the later journey of yours but our hearts will be sorrowful to lose you. We will cherish to see your success in your afterlife. May the holiness protect your soul in the afterlife".
Rafael went back and the members also stepped back. The members went inside the castle through the entrance. Rafael raised his hand and closed his eyes and within a moment the bluish line disappeared and a fierce red light surrounded the sword. The subjects rushed to see the sword just after the bluish line disappeared that prevented them from coming. The subjects covered the reddish line within a few moments crying and shouting, "May the holiness prevail".
Rafael went in the door and the door closed..
A blue mist covered the entire kingdom . The mist came from a emerald crystal that was levitating at the top of the middle tower of the castle. The circular crystal was four feet wide and at the middle of it, a symbol of Trident was engraved.
The mist covered the high golden castle with six towers, two at the front, two at the back and one at each side.. The towers had conical heads with purple colour. Each of the tower of the castle had different flags of different colours- The front towers had Red and purple flags, the back towers had green and golden flags and the right side tower had blue flag and the left side tower had no flag.
There was only one entrance to the castle, the door was huge and was blue in colour. The bricks of the castle couldn't be noticed due to the shiny golden colour. And in front of the castle, there were four small stairs with a deep violent carpet that stretched from the throne of the castle till outside at the end of the stairs. There was a small fountain at the front of the castle. The bluish mist grew denser. The colour become deeper. It apparently changed the colour of the castle to a magical orange colour.
Rafael while closing his eyes released a deep breath. Rafael tightened his eyes and lips and approached Larrith who was standing near the window and was looking outside. His eyes were wide open. His eyebrows were raised a bit. He kept his hands on the walls of both the sides of the window. His legs trembled.
Rafael said in a soft voice, "Why didn't you go to your room? Everyone has already gone upstairs."
Larrith blinked thrice quickly. He then replied in a broken voice, "Yes, I was just going.."
Rafael said, "You see, we need a new king…"
Larrith interrupted, "You have already asked me twice and I said that I don't want to. Why don't you choose anybody else?"
Rafael said, "My mind can't be wrong, you are the only one who is able enough "
Larrith replied, "Able? I couldn't even save Tirian.. He was just in front of us… I couldn't even cast the spell because a sound distracted me and I couldn't concentrate. He passed away because of it. I couldn't eve save him and you are expecting me to be the king.." Larrith moved towards the stairs to go upstairs"
Rafael said, "Wait Larrith".
Larrith didn't stop.
Rafael exclaimed, "I order you to stop now"
Larrith stopped and brushed his hair from his face.
"There's …No other choice, Larrith…if you really want this kingdom to be safe… then you have to be the king.. You didn't see the conflict after the death of my father that I watched…" Rafael said.
"why don't you make Elaris, the queen.. She is able enough… you know it very well" said Larrith.
"I would have but my inner self never lies to me… . You'll have to be the king… and this is my final order… you can't compromise here just because of your self… it's a decision for our kingdom, for the safety of our subjects " said Rafael with a heavy voice directly looking into Larrith's eyes.
Just then a reddish bird with two yellow stripes entered the castle and flew towards the stairs. Tory, a sorcerer who can control the fire was walking down the flight of stairs when the bird went to him midway and landed on his hand that served as a perch. The bird squeaked into Tory's ears. Tory nodded and then the bird went upstairs.. Tory was wearing a orange dress that shone like golden feathers and a red cape.. He came downstairs while his cape was touching the ground.
Rafael said, "What did it say?"
Tory said, "The executioners have ended the war… . They are returning back to the ….. The Forest."
Rafael said, "Ok… We have to recover before their next attack.."
Tory went upstairs again…
Larrith went towards the stairs and said while going, "I am going to Elaris"
Larrith knocked on the door of Elaris. Elaris asked Larrith to come inside. Elaris was sitting on the ground that was covered with purple carpet. Elaris was the sister of Tirian. A huge bookshelf occupied most of the space of her room.. It was full of books. The purple was wet by the tears of her.. As Larrith entered, She wiped her tears. Larrith sat next to her and said, "I am sorry…I couldn't save him".
Elaris said with a broken voice "It wasn't your fault.. I was also there.. I also couldn't save him". Tears rolled down her eyes to her bright blue dress. She kept her left hand on her right hand and touched the teal bracelet that had a miniature rose design that represented her favourite flower and colour. "It's the last gift…Brother gave me on my last birthday... Never thought it would be the last birthday I would spend with him."
Larrith looked down as he didn't find any word to say.. The door was open and Rafael entered. Tory in the corridor waved his hands and all the lamps lit with fire..
Elaris looked at Rafael.
Rafael said, "I am sorry for our loss"
Elaris took a deep breath and wiped her tears again and said to Rafael, "Did you convince him to be the king?"
Elaris turned her eyes to Larrith. Her eyes were watery and soft. Her eyes intensified Larrith's guilt for not being able to save him. Larrith's heart raced as his fingers trembled. Larrith broke the eye contact and looked sideway.
"The coronation ceremony will take place tomorrow, Larrith.. It's my request" said Rafael as he exhaled. His eyes became softer..
"Wasn't it your order.." asked Rafael..
"It's a request to you to keep the land safe" said Rafael.
Rafael turned back and told Tony and Scott, "Tomorrow, the coronation ceremony of Larrith will take place, please inform the subjects and the members about this."
Scott was an Aetherio.
Aetherios, a group of mystical creatures who are like humans but are shorter in height, and have levitating rings on their heads and a tail. They are very expert in magic and possess great agility and wit. They live at the outskirts of the kingdom.
The war took place as the executioners attacked the Aetherios.
It was the duty of the former king Tirian and the warriors to protect them. The war began at dawn as the Executioners reached upon the land of Aetherios. These ruthless warriors possess great strength, some also possess dark magic which is even a greater threat. It was expected that Aetherios and the royals will have the upper hand like in previous wars. Their magical powers, immense strength and archery along with sword fighting are worthy to defeat even the greatest kings. Their dark powers increased significantly this time that none expected..
Tory and Scott nodded and went to tell the other members.
Rafael said, "It will be an important tomorrow for you, Larrith"
Rafael went downstairs to tell the castle guards to arrange for the coronation.
Elaris stopped breathing for two seconds to stop the tears and said, "Don't worry, Larrith. You deserve this". His heart trembled. He looked forward and said, "I can never be as kind as him." He then left. He entered his own room that was on the same floor.. The most started fading away as the subjects started leaving the castle after seeing the Valestorm. One person said as he moved from the castle, "Look, the mist is fading".
Everyone looked at the sky surprised..
Another said, "The mist was the crystal's way of Honouring the deceased ones."
The mist gatherer like a magical sphere near the crystal that got absorbed into it.
The next day, Larrith woke up at five in the morning. He couldn't sleep at all. As he passed by the hallway of that floor, he heard Elaris weeping. He looked down and his eyes became softer and he moved on knowing that he could neither calm her down or comfort her.
He went to the back of the castle. At the back, was a huge garden. At the middle, there was a path to go. Larrith exhaled and moved forward and sat on a swing. The ropes of the swing were tied together by creepers and two pink flowers. The sight of the garden helped Larrith to release the burden that he had kept from yesterday.. He began weeping..
Scott came towards him and said, "Larrith".
Larrith's heartbeat increased. He wiped his eye and covered his eyes and said, "Oh, Scott! You woke up so early today…"
Scott said, "Don't cry today. It's a special day for you."
Larrith replied, "No I am not.. It's just". Larrith couldn't complete..
Scott said, "The dawn chorus will soothe and ease your mind.. I know you like it. That's why you are here.."
Larrith replied, "Thanks for calming me. Just look at the sky.. How beautiful it is!
The bluish and whitish sky calms me a lot along with the dawn chorus.. Even you could see the hazy moon and a few stars.. The dawn is a bridge from night to morn.. Just like me, how base of me, I am taking Tirian's place."
Scott said, "Don't be so hard to yourself. We need someone like you. It's definitely shook all of us that he is no more but we can't wait… We don't have much time.. We have to prepare for the next possible war. If Tirian were in place of you, then he would have agreed to become the next king for the betterment of out kingdom."
Larrith said, "Probably, you are correct. I heard that you will be going back to the kingdom of Aetherios for a few days."
Scott said, "Yes, you heard it right. Our kingdom will be arranging a ceremony to honour Tirian. Besides, he being a great king, he also saved our kingdom alone against the dark creatures that attacked us. I was a child then, I didn't remember much.."
Larrith replied, "Oh, yes.. I remembered learning from a book about that war. He fought alone with the creatures at dusk and saved your kingdom… I was also young at that time. I also remembered that this young warrior avenged the creatures and absolutely devastated them". Larrith touched his head dodging the levitating ring to praise him. Scott's lips widened and a simple was seen in his face.
The sun rose. The flowers of the garden bloomed which intensified the sweet fragrance.
Rafael spotted them and went towards them.
He said, "The time has come. You have to be ready in an hour. "
Larrith stood up and went along with Scott inside the castle.
Rafael also went inside the castle's down floor's hallway to look for the final preparation of the ceremony.
As Larrith went to upstairs, Tory went towards him. Tory advanced his both hands. On his hands was levitating a violet suit. He said, "A suit for your coronation ceremony. Rafael asked the designers to design it completely not for a king but for an enigmatic sorcerer. He also asked to choose your favourite colour- violet. Be ready before ten."
Larrith exclaimed with surprise, "I never thought Rafael also cares about personal choices specially colour that's almost unnoticeable in this universe."
Tory replied, "He thinks a lot than that he shows."
Tory's orange eyes made Larrith feel that he was telling the absolute truth about Rafael. Tory's orange hair and eyes have always scared Larrith but today they gave him warmth instead.
Larrith went inside his room and closed the door and kept the suit on the bed. His eye brows and eyes dropped as he realised that he couldn't make the suit levitate like Tory.
He touched the suit on the bed and closed his eyes. A violet cloth wrapped his chest. He felt shortness of breath. The cloth loosened. He breathed again. A white cloth wrapped his legs. The violet cloth wrapped him from his neck till the waist and the white cloth from the waist till his boots.
The violet cloth reshaped itself like a collar near his neck and a cape hung from the collar that touched the ground. The cape changed its colour from violet to navy blue. The violet cloth seemed to grow from the waist and went a bit further till his knees hiding the white cloth in some parts. It also grew till his palms.
The suit was complete. Larrith got pushed a little bit after it's completion. He balanced himself . He was shocked by the suit. He looked at the mirror. His mouth widened in shock. He raised his hand a bit to look at the cloth.
He exclaimed in shock, "I can't believe this."
The violet and the white colour began shining. The Navy blue cape shone even more.
Larrith exited his room. He turned back. He discovered that the cape was two feet longer and it touched the ground.
That floor's hallway was decorated by lotus in such a little time.
Larrith closed his eyes. He smelt the sweet fragrance.
He went downstairs to find every other member there.
He hesitated at first. He then moved to the sight of everyone.
Irene came forward and said, "You look nice."
Larrith said, "Thanks".
William came and said with a bright smile on his face, "There's our new king".
Everyone turned to see him.
Larrith said, "Where's your sword, Will?"
William replied with a smirk on his face, "It's not for auspicious ceremonies" and laughed..
Larrith said with a soft smile, "Danger can invade even in auspicious ceremonies.. "
Larrith looked at Rafael. He wasn't wearing an emerald green suit like always. He was wearing a purple suit with no cape. His eyes still looked tightened and strict.
Elaris was standing at the corner wearing her usual dress.
A noise could be heard from outside.
Rafael ordered the Royal guards, "Open the door".
The majestic door opened. The shout intensified.
Rafael said, "Larrith, go ahead.. We will follow you."
Larrith started walking from the hallway to outside on the red carpet.
He was looking and walking like a king. His shiny cape was rolling down the stairs as he came outside.
A golden throne was placed outside. It was placed at the same position where the Valestorm was kept yesterday. Larrith noticed it. His smile turned to a neutral face. The subjects screamed in joy. The bluish circular line appeared again. The other members followed Larrith.
Larrith sat on the throne.
Rafael advanced towards him.
Rafael said, "I Crown Larrith as the new king of the Kingdom of Arcanthys. May the holiness protect you in your upcoming journey and guide you in your time of need. May the holiness prevail everywhere "
Rafael closed his eyes and advanced his both hands in the air and created a shape of a ring by his hands. A golden crown appeared from the air. He placed the crown on Larrith. The crown reshaped itself and shone brightly.
The crystal at the top of the tower also shone.
Rafael went back.
The crowd cheered. Larrith turned his eyes from downwards to the subjects.
Clouds drifted across the sky and hid the sun. Irene who could control lightning, raised her hands and moved the clouds revealing the sun again.
Larrith stood up.
Rafael ordered the other members to move inside the castle. Rafael also moved inside.
Larrith turned back and bowed his head honouring the holy crystal that empowers the holiness of the crystal. The crystal shone brighter and gave out a bright light that faded gradually as it reached the end of the kingdom.
Larrith had already learnt the rules to follow in a coronation ceremony from a book. Rafael didn't have to teach him the ways.
Tory's messenger bird came squealing from outside and landed on Tory's hand and squealed that only Tory understood.
Everyone stood shocked.
Clouds gathered again along with thunder.
Irene tried to move the clouds but she failed. The clouds became darker in a few moments.
Rafael said, "It won't work, Irene"
Irene was shocked.
Rafael exclaimed with curiosity, "what did it say, Tory?"
A bloody red Rock like substance was spotted by everyone in the grey sky.
Elaris's eyes widened with anger. She came a bit forward. She stretched her right hand and threw a blue light at it. Her hair covered her eyes as she threw the magical light. She brushed her hair out of her face.
The blue light shattered the bloody rock in mid sky..
Everyone was shocked at her power.
Larrith's raised his eye brows and smiled as he realised the power of her magic.
Tory said, "It's saying, a bigger threat. The dark queen…"
"A bigger threat? "exclaimed all the members.
"we have to end this ceremony as fast as possible.. "said Rafael.
Larrith walked back towards the hallway.
After Rafael re-entered the hallway, he said, "Scott, cover them after Larrith comes back."
Scott nodded. Larrith entered the hallway.
Scott went outside. He waved his hand across the sky. His eyes and hands tightened.
A barrier of fading orange light enclosed the entire kingdom. The subjects outside raised their hands and strengthened the barrier.
Rafael looked at the sky from the window of the castle.
The dark clouds turned white. The clouds disappeared soon.
"What was that rock?" asked Tory in shock.
"They have returned to our kingdom" Said Rafael in a broken voice.
"Who?" asked the other members.
"Larrith, continue the ceremony. The barrier will protect them" said Rafael.
Larrith nodded and went to the fourth floor's balcony.
Rafael said, "I apprehend that the dark queen is returning."
Elaris said, "who is she? I never heard of her."
Everyone's eyes widened.
Scott said to Tory, "Did your bird say anything about the dark queen?"
Tory replied, "Not at all. It only said she's a bigger threat than anyone."
William asked Rafael, "Do you know anything about her?"
Irene said, "Yes, do you know anything about her?"
Rafael said, "Yes… . But I would rather not talk about her.."
Irene and William said, "Why?"
Rafael moved his head indicating a no and said,
"I will tell you everything you all need to know later… Not now…"
Rafael entered the balcony and waved his hand to greet the subjects.
The subjects cheered and said, "May the holiness be with you".
The subjects raised their hand to create a magical yellow spark that went up in the sky below the high magical barrier. It created a greater spark creating a sound.
Larrith stepped back and turned back. The Royal guards behind him closed the door to the balcony ending the ceremony.
Larrith took a deep breath and rushed downstairs to Rafael and other members.
Larrith asked in confusion taking continuous breaths , "what was that?"
William said, "Larrith, Calm down. Breathe first."
Irene said, "Rafael isn't telling us anything about the dark queen."
Larrith replied, "Dark queen?"
Rafael said, "You all please stop interrogating me. Let me meditate and look into what's happening."
Rafael left the hallway and went upstairs on fourth floor in his room.
All the other members left in confusion.
Scott, Elaris stayed in the hallway along with Larrith.
Scott asked Larrith, "Why does he always seem so cold?"
Larrith replied, "I have no clue."
Elaris said, "so what to do now? We can't wait now. At first, the power of the executioners increased in a significant way and now the dark queen… Who is she even? I will avenge them… "
Larrith said, "I guess there's one way to get to know anything about what's happening.."