REAL WORLD
In the shadows of the world, a secret ceremony was being prepared.
The Council of Emperors.
Every King had to attend it at least once during their reign.
To make a request.To declare something to the entire world.Or to see their throne challenged.
An ancient ritual.Unchanging.
A place where power was measured by something far greater than strength.
Isaac, King of the scientific kingdom of Ccare, was finishing his preparations.
During his absence, a clone would rule the kingdom.
— Augustus, Isaac said calmly as he adjusted his oval glasses.
— You're coming with me. I have absolutely no trust in those Emperors.
He paused, a thin smile appearing on his lips.
— And bring the teleporter. Just in case.
Augustus nodded and placed a small dark sphere under his tongue.
A compact artifact capable of detonating at his command, teleporting him instantly back to the palace of Ccare.
Anything he touched would be taken with him.
— About the King of Eruasert… Augustus hesitated.
We can no longer monitor him in the laboratory.
Isaac sighed in annoyance.
— A fair exchange. He will do what he must.
His gaze hardened.
— After all… he was the one who begged me to destroy his own kingdom.
A brief laugh escaped him.
— I wanted to test my new bomb. It was a perfect occasion for it.
Augustus remained silent.
— He kept talking about his wife… about bringing her back, Isaac continued.
How tedious. I hope the other Kings at the ceremony are more interesting.
Two days later.
All the Kings had gathered.
All… except two.
The King of Eruasert.
And the King of Games.
They stood before an invisible bridge, swallowed by thick fog.
Even Isaac's thermal lenses revealed nothing but the silhouettes of the Kings and their guards.
Suddenly, blindfolds snapped over their eyes.
A feminine voice echoed around them.
Soft.
Authoritative.
— Walk forward.
The Twin Kings shivered.
— It's cold, one whispered.
— And walking over empty air… is suspicious, the other replied.
When they instinctively removed their blindfolds, a wave of scorching heat struck them.
They were standing on the edge of an erupting volcano.
— Please put the blindfolds back on, the voice said.
For the proper execution of the operation.
Trembling, yet with no choice, they obeyed.
Moments later, they were seated inside a pristine white room.
A triangular table.
Chairs.
Drinks.
The Emperors were invisible.
Yet their presence weighed heavily in the air.
A man suddenly entered the room, slightly out of breath.
— To my great regret, he declared, striking his chest dramatically,
King Karaminra of Eruasert has been reported missing.
He raised his head.
— I, Rasfi, his humble advisor… will temporarily take his place.
The Twin Kings immediately protested.
— Where is the real King of Eruasert?!
Before anyone could respond, a deep voice echoed in the room.
— One King is still missing.
— Where is Vorso?
The King of Animals, a massive goat with three golden horns, growled.
— That idiot must still be playing somewhere. He doesn't deserve his throne.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Then—
A smoke bomb exploded.
Fireworks burst across the chamber.
— My friends! a cheerful voice shouted.
You weren't going to start without me, were you?
A giant young clown with a bright red nose stepped inside while tossing a dice into the air.
— Oh! Three!
He counted out loud and sat down laughing.
— Perfect timing.
The Goat King gritted his teeth.
— This isn't a game.
Vorso smiled.
— It always is.
Isaac finally stood up.
— Since we are all here… let us introduce ourselves.
I am Isaac, King of Ccare.
The kingdom of scientific progress.
Augustus applauded.
Alone.
One by one, the other Kings introduced themselves :
The Goat.
Ruler of the animal kingdom for two centuries.
The Twins, Ayden and Eden.
Two rulers sharing one throne—day and night.
Noic.
King of endless resources.
A former fisherman who had become the ruler of a vast colonial empire.
Rasfi.
Acting ruler of Eruasert.
Then a voice asked a question.
— And the King of the Kingdom of Diseases?
Rasfi frowned.
— Where is he?
The Emperors finally answered.
Cold.
— The Elder of the world… has been banished.
Isaac smiled slightly.
— Interesting.
Noic asked why.
Silence filled the room.
Then the Emperors spoke again.
— This matter does not concern you.
The ceremony…
Had only just begun.