Levitating comfortably in a cocoon of blue flames with a little bit of red mixed in, Shahiem mind was no longer focused on the present, rather his thoughts wandered to the future while still reminiscing on the past.

The cocoon slowly descended further down into the volcano it floated above, finally touching the surface of the bubbling lava the cocoon slowly broke apart leaving only small patches of fire still burning on his body.

Rhyno and Grimm sat on the rim of the active volcano sporadically taking glances at Shahiem whose body rested comfortably in the lava-like he was in a pool of water.

“To think a few months ago he couldn’t even get close to the surface...hopefully in another year or so he’ll be able to reach the volcanoes heart”

Rhyno couldn’t help praising while taking a glance to ensure Shahiem was fine.

“If he had faith from the very beginning in the Phoenix inheritance he would have progressed further already but his fear held him back”

Rhyno continued but Grimm didn’t respond he only stared at Shahiem’s slowly submerging body.

“I’m not really concerned about that, what’s really on my mind is that he seemingly got over Adidja’s death so easily…” Grimm finally spoke, his voice sounding just as demonic as it did in the past.

Shaking his head Rhyno reply without hesitation.

“I feel like he’s probably suppressing it because he knows he needs to get stronger or maybe Adidja said something to him...whatever it maybe we’ll find out soon enough.”

When they thought about the last time they saw Adidja they both fell silent.

~:~

A year earlier in Waterford.

Few weeks had already passed since Adidja’s death and the entire nation seemed to still mourn the loss of it king.

Both Queens of Gaza especially so, up to this day neither of them have stepped out of their room nor wore anything other than red to show they were still in mourning.

But then again they’d been together for millions of years it’s not something that they get over with just a few days of mourning.

The same time that Rhyno and the others found out of about Adidja’s death they went to the city to retrieve his body but the condition that they found his body in stunned and enraged them.

Adidja was completely nude with two spikes running through his palm suspending him in the air while another four ran through his torso for no apparent purpose other than to mutilate his corpse but what really infuriated them was that the word ‘traitor’ was carved out in the center of his chest, along his arms, thigh, back, and forehead.

Even though it was horrible it wasn’t the worst part, the wounds were carved with something very powerful, glowing with a blue-ish red glow giving off a suppressing feeling that was incredibly familiar to them.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Tribulation Lightning.

Those inscriptions were things that could never hope to remove they would stay on him for eternity, only when his bones turned into dust would he be free of the markings.

Without needing to speak they all knew that they would not be able to keep their promise to Adidja even if they wanted to, once Shahiem sees his father's body there would be no peace between Gaza and Alliance.

Both could no longer coexist one needed to disappear.

Covering up his body in a traditional black cloth with some golden designs on it they went to the library to retrieve the blue book Adidja told them about before opening a portal back to Waterford.

Once they returned they informed the prince and the queens that they brought back his body.

When Kesha and Sheba saw it they cried even harder than they did when they found out that he died, seemly on the verge of a mental break down.

Shahiem, on the other hand, frowned a little with tears welling up in his eyes but he didn’t seem as heart-wrenching as his mother and that didn’t escape Rhyno and the others notice.

Another month or two went by and Shahiem used national funds and manpower to rebuild the completely destroyed Gaza city in a short time but instead of a Palace in the center, a spectacular tomb took its place.

On both sides of the staircase leading up to the tomb were statues of Adidja, starting from one when his mother was pregnant with him and parallel to that on the other side was a baby Adidja on his mother's breast and so in continued, at the top of the staircase before the tomb a mural carved in stone depicting Adidja sitting on his throne with a baby Shahiem in hand, Sheba and Kesha seated on thrones to his left and right.

The mural was infused with some of Adidja’s blood as well as Divine Energy from Shahiem so if one looked at the mural it would feel as if Adidja himself was looking back at them.

The entire city was infused with Divine Energy and protection formation that would protect the city and continue to absorb Divine Energy unless someone powerful decided to destroy the city no matter what the city would stand the test of time.

A summons was sent out to every single person across Gaza that held authority for a meeting in Waterford.

But the only persons allowed to attend Adidja’s burial was Shahiem, his mother’s and Rhyno and co.

This sent shockwaves across the nation, no citizen was allowed to attend the king's burial? What kind of idea was this?

People should be allowed to come and pay their final respects to their fallen king but no matter who spoke Shahiem refused to allow it.

And no matter how hard they tried to understand it no one could, it’s not like his body would be exposed for people to see he would still be covered in the traditional black cloth so no one would see his body.

~:~

A Few days later the day of the meeting came, no reason was given for the summons so everyone couldn’t help but speculate.

“Why do you think the king summoned us all here?”

“I don’t know, Could today be the day he wishes to carry out his coronation?”

“Impossible! I didn’t even bring any gift…”

“Tsk you old foots really came here to kiss ass huh?”

A variety of different discussions rang out across the room everyone was curious about why the meet was called but not everyone was happy about it.

“Tsk who does this boy think he is summoning me here?!? Huh!?!”

Some of the older heads that were around from the creation of Gaza couldn’t help being angry for what they saw as disrespect.

“Calm down what if the king hears you?”

“Fuck you all! What king!?! Adidja forced my father to bend a knee to his reign and now that he’s dead do you think some little bastard who’s still sucking on his mother’s titties can order me around?!!”

“Say that to his face when he’s here”

“Shut the hell up! You think I’m scared”

…….

…..

…

Different discussions like these were happening all across the hall with different groups having their own opinions very few people and groups kept quiet, observing the situation.

Almost four hours passed and Shahiem didn’t show up and this only further infuriated the already upset nobles.