40 A Crowned Monster

The capital was enshrouded in a chaotic cacophony of booming drums, ringing gongs, mixed with the blaring blasts of celebrating trumpets, as joyous laughter, and the excited chatter of the enthusiastic people soared ever higher! As a seemingly endless line of luxuriously decorated carriages rattled noisily down the street, while being ladled with extravagant and lavish gifts, as they carried nobles and dignitaries from not only the Eclipse Empire, but from all over the world to the epicenter of today's glorious event, the Royal Palace of the Eclipse Empire.

'These damn clothes!' I thought annoyedly, as I angrily fiddled with the buttons and straps of my overly complicated, and incredibly stuffy attire, much to the amusement of my already well dressed siblings, who heartly laughed at my struggle. Even my mother released a lighthearted chuckle, as she calmly approached and began to help me, asking with a teasing smile on her lips "Is my little baby nervous about today? Do you want me to hold your hand to make you feel better?" 

This earned her another round of boisterous laughter from my siblings, but to her dismay I obviously didn't get embarrassed or flustered as I cheekily replied "I would be delighted to escort a beauty such as you mother."

"I guess I was mistaken, seeing as how you're calm enough to tease your own mother." My mother said, as her destructive pinch arrived at my cheek to deliver her swift retribution.

And after a few more minutes, my mother finally stopped fiddling with my robes and hair, as she gently kissed my forehead and kindly said with all the love she held for me "You look perfect my darling."

I looked at the full length mirror hanging on the wall beside me, and at the threat of sounding narcissistic, I did indeed look very good! My fair skin made a stark contrast with not only my long black hair and obsidian eyes, but also with my dark and silver lined royal robes, that were draped under and completed by my jet black cape that was engraved with the flag of the Eclipse Empire.

It was at that moment a knock was heard on the door as Isaac entered, wearing a regal sterling grey suit, and black gloves with the empire's flag sewn on to them with a golden thread, before bowing slightly to us and saying dutifully "It's time, your highnesses."

Upon hearing his words, my family quickly stood up and left the room to be escorted to the ceremony by the Palace Guard while wishing me good luck, as my mother gave me one last firm hug before leaving as well.

As soon as they left, so did my gentle and warm persona, and I coldly asked Isaac as I kept looking at myself in the mirror "How's the international attendance?"

"Every nation from here to the Boreas Empire has sent their delegates to us with innumerable gifts and riches in the hopes of maintaining positive relations with us." Isaac said sarcastically

"More like they sent their spies to ascertain our strength and ambitions." I replied mockingly.

"Indeed, sire." Isaac said lightly with a small smile, as he found himself becoming more and more pleased with his new monarch with every passing day.

"And our nobles?" I asked.

"All present and accounted for." Isaac spoke in the same tone you would use to describe irrelevant objects in a storehouse.

But I was shocked upon hearing this, not because of his tone of voice, but by what he said, which made my head snap back to him, as I asked in disbelief "Everyone?"

To which Isaac answers with a simple nod.

"Even the dogs?" I ask skeptically.

"Yes." Isaac answers confidently.

"And the hyaenas?" I ask once again in expectation.

"Their family members, but not they themselves." Isaac replies regretfully.

I furrow my brows upon hearing this, but I quickly fix my expression, since I had no plans to deal with them yet, as I turn to Isaac after fiddling with my outfit a bit more, and ask "How do I look?"

Isaac scans me from head to toe, before honestly answering "You look fit for battle, sire."

I lightly smile upon hearing his answer as I confidently walk out of the room with him, and my Palace Guard following close behind toward the throne room.

***Scene Change***

Unlike it's usually desolate and somber air, the throne room today was instead completely packed with self-important nobles and aristocrats, wearing colorful and flamboyant clothes, looking like prideful peacocks arrogantly strutting around, trying to outshine the rest of their competitors with their worthless extravagance, as their greed, lust, and envy swirled in their hearts, only hidden behind their thin masks of blooming smiles, and poisoned honey like words.

And yet, contrary to what one might think of a room filled with such a massive collection of clashing egos and conflicting interests, it was surprisingly calm with little to no noise being heard; even the musicians hired to provide entertainment for the gathered guests didn't dare to let their instrument's beautiful symphonies echo too loudly across the great hall for fear of disturbing the slumbering ancient behemoths among them.

Hamilcar Seth, the man feared as the Martial Demon, and an ancient titan of war and slaughter. Sodarus Indra, the man hailed as the Storm Lord, and a colossus of valor and terror. Darius Khan, the man revered as the Master Puppeteer, and the one who has achieved the envious reputation of being above all and under only one, by holding the position of Grand Vizier of the Eclipse Empire under four consecutive emperors. Hasdrubal Tistra and Horus, the two rising stars of the Eclipse military, and the men who recently gained the monikers of the Black Beast and the Wraith, for their horrifying achievements in the latest war. And that's not even mentioning the Golden Guardian Abraham Durga, the great protector of the royal family.

How could the normally vicious and immoral nobles possibly do as they please before these apex predators of mayhem, who by their mere presence made them shudder in fear and awe! But this was only the beginning, as suddenly a Palace Guard near the door stepped forward, and loudly announced "His imperial majesty is entering."

And as soon as his voice faded, the massive doors loudly creaked open and in entered what the nobles could only describe as an enigma!

His steps were light and barely audible, yet they rung in their ears like the beating of war drums. His body was that of a still growing adolescent child, barely reaching their chests, and yet they felt as if they had to look up to gaze upon him. His shoulders weren't wide and looked like they would buckle under the tiniest amount of weight, and yet they seemed as steady and as vast as an ancient mountain. His black obsidian eyes that seemed to posses a blizzard's haunting chill, would suddenly erupt in a volcano's furious blaze, but all this was not the end!

As if such a blasphemous amalgamation of apposing elements coexisting within a single entity wasn't enough, the moment he walked by them, they all sensed their bodies grow heavier with every passing second, as they felt their own breathes freeze in their throats chocking them, while their heads unconsciously began to dip like someone was forcefully pushing their skulls to meet their feet, and they couldn't understand why!

But the greatest riddle that shrouded this man was the sheer force of his presence, that made him seem like an unstoppable force of nature, that can not be defied, predicted or escaped, only obeyed or obliterated!

The ignorant among them believed that it was because of his power and authority as an emperor, as well as his identity as a demi-god, but the wise knew better. They realized that it wasn't due to his divine bloodline, nor was it due to his dignity, authority, charisma or position. It was something far more primal, far more basic, far more cruel and barbaric, far more terrifying than they even wanted to admit. A monster was before them, and it was a complete mystery to them, which only added another layer of fear and grandeur to his already mesmerizing existence, further fueling their sense of dread!

But all this mattered little to Alexander himself, as he continued to confidently march down the hall with a frighteningly apathetic expression, before quickly striding up the stairs to the throne, where he came face to face with his loving mother, who contrary to her usual warm and affectionate looking eyes, were now cold and dignified, while she gazed at all those present with eyes of unabashed contempt, as she seemed to suffocate all those around her with overwhelming grace, having once again not only regained her past glory, but she also seemed to have surpassed it, after getting through the mental anguish of losing her husband so suddenly, as well as the terror of the thought of losing her still young children in a power struggle, all the while suffering from a complicated pregnancy! So it's no surprise that she grew stronger.

But little did anyone know that behind her mask of a perfect empress, was a woman desperately trying to suppress her feelings of pride and joy, seeing how well her eldest child grew to such an exemplary young man!

Thankfully she was able to completely regain control of her swelling emotions, after seeing Alexander bowing slightly before her, which prompted her to ask loudly, so that all could hear "Alexander son of Akhamenid, the true inheritor of the divine blood of the God of the Underworld, and the rightful heir of the black throne of the south, as per the tradition of our fathers, and grandfathers before them, you are called upon to protect and lead our people to even greater fortune and prosperity. So I ask you now, and let all those present bear witness, do you accept this great honor?"

"I accept." Alexander answered once.

"I ask you, are you willing to embrace this great responsibility?" Esmerelda asked again.

"I accept." Alexander answered twice.

"I ask you, are you willing to suffer this great burden?" Esmerelda asked yet again.

"I accept." Alexander answered thrice.

"Then rise now as Alexander the third, Emperor of the Eclipse Empire. May your rule be long and good." Esmerelda said proudly.

And as Alexander slowly rose to his feet an emperor, the hall echoed with the thunderous voices of the Palace Guard and military men, including the ancient monsters such as Hamilcar, and Darius excitedly hailing "MAY YOUR RULE BE LONG AND GOOD." Which greatly shocked and scared the nobles present.

And as the noise slowly dissipated, Esmerelda looked at a near Palace Guard holding an object completely wrapped in a plain cloth, who understood the message and rushed to her side and knelt, as he respectfully presented to her the object, which she began unwrapping to reveal an ordinary looking saber, that was dark as a starless night, from the lion faced pommel to the tip of it's terrifying edge, forcing all who beheld it to unconsciously hold their breathes!

Unlike other nations who had crowns or scepters as their royal heirlooms, the Eclipse Empire held only one, and it was this sword! This beautiful tool of death has seen more battles than any other in all of history, and so it has gained many illustrious, yet horrifying names like the 'Bleak Blade' or the 'Widower', yet few know it's true name.

And as Alexander held it, feeling an alien yet familiar touch as it rested in his hand, he couldn't help but passionately whisper the name of his old battle partner in his past life "Dark Majesty." And as if answering his call, the blade shone with an eerie black light on it's keen edge!

Seeing this, Alexander smiles lightly as he nonchalantly sits on his throne, while Dark Majesty is stabbed in the floor next to him, as he comfortingly caresses it's pommel, and once again the people are stunned, not because of it's oddity, but due to it's absolute normality, as if a missing jigsaw piece has found it's place.

And all the nobles who had even a sand grain's worth of foresight and acuity thought at the same time 'What the hell did we just crown?!'