“Ascalon has faced many a burden ever since his coronation. King Dáinsleif grew feeble with disease during the Nox invasion, and eventually, he returned back to The Stars above into Cosmos’s warm embrace. Ascalon was only sixteen when the Monarch’s Wings transferred onto him, an unexpected outcome as he came from a vassal heritage. He was an energetic young man with dreams of serving the kingdom as a knight captain, but the sudden burden of sovereignty turned those bright aspirations into dust. Now, a greater purpose awaited him, and the fiery passion within had been smothered, replaced by a stalwart stoicism as befitting of a Ruler. Although we must move on from the past, I hope Ascalon can regain the vibrant jubilance of his youth.”

Gadriel Cherubim, Chancellor of Polus

———

The Knight

The Knight continues its exploration of Lorelai’s library back in its room. The Polus kingdom thrived in their heritage and legacy, meticulously documenting the exploits of Kings and Thrones past. Lorelai kept stern organization over these countless volumes, and arranged them methodically by time period and subject matter. Many of the records are documented by the chancellors of that age while less formal tomes are collected together in a separate archive.

Many nations have retained their identity during The Knight’s slumber, but Nox Caelum underwent a drastic change in structure and leadership. Originally called Lux Caelum, the empire prided itself on its innovations in mechanical engineering and architectural innovation. The previous Grand General maintained friendly relations with King Dáinsleif in their youth, and she even renovated the Polus castle into its current state during their golden eras. Two nations, once bonded together with an inseparable oath, now are mortal enemies. And only one man is responsible for the division.

“Come out Satanael,” The Knight commands.

A glowing light appears on the crevices of the room’s door. A slightly floral scent occupies the air, and the hinges open to reveal Satanael emerging from his garden. He gently closes the gate and returns the room back into its normal state, leaving only the musty smell of dry ink and aged paper to permeate the expanse.

Satanael greets The Knight with a resounding bow and offers it a delicate amber bloom from his most recent victim.

“It is my pleasure to respond to your call. Would you like a sample of my latest piece? Dasiphora Fruticosa is its moniker. I quite enjoy the delicate amber hues of the petals. It reminds me of the warm sunny days of my youth, frolicking amidst the countryside fields.”

“I shall refrain, and you must reduce the amount of flowers you sprout lest you draw attention from the surrounding patrols.”

“Ah, you need not worry my dear Constellation. My garden spreads its roots throughout the continent. I am everywhere, from the dirty depths of the Caelum slums, to the hidden quarters of the Augurium archives. All I need is a doorway.”

The Knight gives the madman a stern expression of un-amusement. Its eyes bore into his psyche, and he reluctantly gives in to the command.

“I… suppose I could refrain from obtaining models within this kingdom if it collides with your goal. Losing potential inspiration greatly saddens me, but I shall harken to your command. I am yours to use, as is my pledge.”

“Thank you. Anyway, I’ve called you here on the matter of Nox Caelum’s current state. What do you remember of Xeros’s rise to power?”

“Ah, now that is a nostalgic memory. It must’ve been… twenty years ago if my recollection holds true. I was still young and naive, my garden barren of beauty. The nations were in relative peace so it was difficult to spirit away potential seedbeds without attracting attention. I mingled listlessly amongst the populace in boredom, but Xeros’s accession to fame proved to be great entertainment.

“He was quite the remarkable orator. He promised the citizens great structural change to the rampant nepotism and corruption within. An empire where skill and potential determined one’s worth instead of bloodline, that was his wish. He would bring about true meritocracy, and all would be welcome within his grand nation.

“For a time, the people would revere him as a deity. It was quite fascinating how deeply they came to worship him, and how quick they turned on those that opposed his views. He amassed a crazed following that commemorated his every action, and soon the entire empire was enamored with his cause.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Satanael recites the words with bitter irritation, and displeasure coats his throat as he begins to recall unpleasant memories from deep within. He plays around with his knife, twisting and throwing it mindlessly out of habit; A coping mechanism from his darker days as a child.

“I never fell for his honeyed lies. He was uncannily similar to the one I despised most, a cruel manipulator that viewed life as mere pawns to pave the way for his ambition. I planned to sprout the darkness within his soul and display it out to the world for everyone to see. Ah, how I wished to see those faces filled with despair and fury… it would have been my most treasured work today if it had succeeded. But alas, Xeros was much more dangerous than I had anticipated.”

“How so?” The Knight asks. “With your ability to isolate Creation, it should have been simple to assassinate him.”

“Unfortunately, my domain lies confined within my garden. On the outside, I can only use my humble skill of evisceration to subdue my quarry, and Xeros was constantly surrounded by guards wherever he went, so I was unable to lure him within my expanse. His sense of danger was quite sharp, and I would experience an intense aura of bloodlust whenever I drew close. I gave up eventually, I value my life quite highly after all, and who would spread color onto this dreary plane if not me?”

“Did the populace not revolt once his treachery was revealed?”

“Well, even though I call them lies, I suppose there was a hint of truth within his plea. After he was elected, he did favor those with valuable gifts, but he also treated those of more mediocre competency with harsh disdain. It was, in every essence of the word, a true meritocracy where only the skilled lived fulfilled lives. He got rid of the electoral system, silenced his opponents, and threw every dissenter into the gaol. If you didn’t prove your value, you were treated less than dirt.

“However, he was still beloved by the people. His public campaign was quite the eye-catcher, and he organized contests, tournaments, and all manners of trials to find his precious talents. He gathered the nation’s best and paraded them throughout the land, singing praises of their ability and encouraging everyone to follow in their footsteps if they wanted to rise in stature. Even the poor wretches of the slums had a fire lit upon their bosom.”

Satanael ceases his manic diversion and grips the knife with a sorrowful sigh. He turns his gaze upwards at the roof, his eye glossing over with intimate longing.

“Everyone wants to be special. They want to be something, anything, if only to find purpose within their meaningless life. The downtrodden are pulled far into the darkness, and they’re desperate for the smallest piece of light. When someone dangles that ray of hope before them, how can they not latch on with crazed zealotry? Nox Caelum is ruled by possibility, and for the people, failure is caused by an ingrained ineptitude. Those that cannot succeed are born to fail, doomed from the very beginning.

“I suppose The Grand General and I aren’t much different. I wish for everyone to showcase the beauty inside of them, while Xeros sees potential within even the most anguished soul, and he will do anything to pull it out of them. Even if it causes their death.”

“I see…” The Knight ponders. “That is all that I need to know. Before I send you back, I need you to take care of Aegis for me while I attend the royal gathering.”

“Pardon?”

“You may reveal yourself Aegis.”

The small baby materializes on top of The Knight’s helm. He waves towards the stunned psychopath and exerts his indomitable pressure down upon him, solidifying his position as the senior amidst their hierarchy.

“Oh my… so that enigmatic presence was this little infant?” Satanael murmurs with wonder. “How curious, to have such power at an age. His eyes are just like your blood, a swirling cosmic nebula of transcendent space. Ah, how beautiful. It draws me in with its celestial wonder. I-”

“Satanael,” The Knight warns. “Do not gaze for too long, or else your spirit will be bewitched. Aegis used his eyes on the King and others to a lesser degree, but I can not save you if you become fully immersed within the sea of space.”

Satanael snaps out of his daze and staggers onto the wall behind him, his soul drenched with exhaustion.

“Haha, how terrifying.” He gasps. “I’m not quite ready to ascend towards The Stars just yet.”

“As long as you avoid eye contact, you will be safe from his influence. Keep him within your garden and teach him all of your knowledge, especially about your spatial manipulation. You shall treat him as you do I, and impart your entire being towards his education.”

“As you wish. He shall become my kin and will inherit my power and will.”

“Maybe not so much of your will.”

The Knight plops Aegis onto the bedsheets and lowers itself to his eye level.

“Aegis, you shall learn from Satanael in the moments that we are apart. Learn all that you can from him, and devote yourself towards increasing your mastery over Creation.”

The baby lets out a triumphant babble of confirmation and turns toward the masked artist. He gathers the energy around him onto his back, growing lustrous wings that mimic the starry sky above, and flies directly onto Satanael’s head, his expression one of dominance and satisfaction.

“I… suppose this will work,” Satanael says dryly. “I shall rendezvous with you after the war council, then. I bid you adieu, my dear Constellation.”

Satanael rematerializes the blooming gate and leaves with Aegis in tow. The Knight is left alone in its room, the aged tomes the only company left.

Thirty minutes left before the meeting with Ascalon and the other officials.

Thirty minutes left before the conquest of Nox Caelum truly begins.