Duke slammed into the ground of the crater, frantically looking around, denying what his eyes had already shown him. Aurelia was gone. His love was dead, and he had been too slow to stop it from happening. Rage overcame him and he lost all semblance of control. Torn between rage and despair, he lashed out at the world.

The castle took the brunt of his rage, blasting it with LIGHTNING until his Mana ran out and then smashing at it physically. Despite the enchantment on the stone of the structure, it eventually began to yield to his power. And then as his Mana recovered, he began dismantling it piece by piece, TELEPORTING stones in scattered piles throughout the surrounding area all the time cursing fate, the gods, and anyone who ever hurt his loved ones.

Hours later he collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with sobs. “She was the best of us. Why? Why does everyone I love have to be ripped away from me?” No one disturbed him in his grief as he was simultaneously repulsed by holding Aurelia’s remains and almost comforted by having something of her left. In his grief, logic had fled the field, screaming in terror.

Baslin stood with Grat and the remaining commanders of the Legion just beyond the lip of the crater. They had finished mopping up what was left of Chopie’s undead forces some time ago. It was Grat who spoke first. “It should have been me. I’ve been on the brink of death and I’ve been brought back time and again. I should be the one who died. Not her. Definitely not her.”

Baslin responded gently. “I have seen much death in my long life. There is neither sense nor logic in it. But there is an inevitability to it. Not even I can live forever. Death comes for us all sooner or later. Ghastul takes his due regardless of our wishes.”

Grat responded. “Didn’t Duke already have a confrontation with Ghastul?”

“Indeed he did. And now, I have taken my due. He has taken my High Priest from me, but I have stripped him of something even more valuable to him…love and hope. Both in equal measure. As you said, Baslin. I always take my due.”

Both Baslin and Grat turned to see the man who spoke floating several centimeters off the ground. The aura that the man radiated belied his overwhelming power. Legionnaires all around them collapsed, barely able to breathe in the presence of Ghastul himself. With a self-approving smile, the figure floated down to Duke.

Duke felt the presence and turned in time to see the god stop in front of him still smiling smugly. “I told you, mortal that I would have my day. It may have cost me a tool, but I have taken away your last love in this world. This matter is finished. Do not oppose me again.” Ghastul’s words had the weight of the heavens behind them, carrying a finality that pummeled Duke’s soul.

Duke gently laid Aurelia’s legs back down on the ground and stood to face the god. His cold anger radiated visibly from his eyes as he rose to his full height. “This is your doing?”

“It is the price that had to be paid, mortal. But the matter is settled. The debt is paid and it cannot be revisited.” Ghastul responded, his expression having shifted to grim seriousness.

Duke stared the god directly in the eyes, ignoring the pain piercing through his head from the god’s stare. “So, you are barred from acting again on this matter? Is that some sort of divine oath?”

Ghastul responded. “It is as you say, mortal. Once a divine debt has been paid, none may re-invoke it. Not even a god. She will have her eternal peace. Do not concern yourself about this matter anymore.” A sense of calmness and peace radiated outward form the god and Duke could feel his MENTAL FORTITUDE Ability kick in to keep him from succumbing.

Duke held the god’s, gaze grinning like a madman. “Then you won’t mind if I do this.” Ghastul peered at the mortal quizzically and gasped at what Duke did next.

*** You have activated the Special Ability granted you by your unique Title, Redeemer of Souls. There will be consequences for this action. Are you sure you wish to proceed? (Y/N) ***

Duke held Ghastul’s gaze as he mentally selected “yes”. The world trembled around him, and everything came to a halt. The area around him became brighter than any light he had ever encountered, filling the world around him to the point he lost sense of anything else around him. The first thing that registered to his senses was a humming sound in the key of D major. It resonated with his soul, bringing joy to the darkness that had overshadowed him. He could feel himself responding unconsciously, his body echoing the tone within.

As he listened, a sharp vertical line of darkness carved itself into existence in front of him, four meters away. It was followed by a horizontal line from the top of the line, and then another vertical line descending from the end of that line. Finally, a horizontal line of darkness completed the rectangle. And then it opened – it was a door!

A figure burst out of the darkness charging at Duke with speed a normal human could never dream to match. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he engulfed the figure in a crushing hug. The brightness rapidly faded back to the normal shadowed light inside the crater, the door having disappeared the moment Aurelia burst forth.

“How? That’s impossible! She died! I am the God of Death for ALL of Teldin! No Teldinite can leave my grasp!” Ghastul screamed and shouted, before moving to the couple with rage in his eyes. He reached for Aurelia but found himself blocked from grabbing her back into his realm.

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Duke picked his head up from his love’s shoulder and addressed the god with as much distain as he could manage. He opened his mouth to speak but his response was pre-empted as Ghastul was yanked backwards by an enormous, mostly intangible, and barely perceptible hand. A voice boomed over the remains of the city. “By your own oath, Ghastul, you are barred from resuming your grudge against this man and his people. Your Domain remains your own so if they come to you by the normal means, you can exercise your duty, but barring that, you will no longer interfere.” The hand drew the god back and into the air, disappearing rapidly behind the cloudbank, taking Ghastul’s frenzied arguments along with it. Everyone stood dumbfounded for a long minute before a soft, contralto voice spoke.

“Duke, what happened? I remember the undead pouring out of the castle and us engaging them. It was exciting seeing the Legion finally getting to use everything that we have trained for. You should have seen them. The Mage Corps froze the undead so quickly and the rest of the Legionnaires cut them down just like we had practiced. It was working brilliantly and then there was a flash of purple light. And then I was in darkness before I found you.”

“Aurelia, my love, the purple beam was Chopie’s final attack.” Duke said softly as he took her hands in his own.

“Final attack? He’s dead? You killed him?” She asked excitedly.

“Yes, I killed him, but I was too late to stop him from killing you.” Duke spoke with all the solemnity the moment required, his voice barely holding itself together.

“Killing me?” Aurelia asked in confusion. “I’m dead?”

“My love, you were, but I brought you back.” Duke said softly, his words flowing with tenderness.

“How? How are you able to do such a thing?” She pulled back slightly to look Duke in the eye. Her emotions were radiating off her to his senses. She was both in wonder and completely terrified.

“I used the benefit of one of my Titles. It has very limited uses, but I could not bear to be without you in my life. It seems that I really pissed of Ghastul in doing so.”

She held him tighter. “I always thought that death was the end but now you have brought me back twice. I…” Aurelia paused, wiping tears from her eyes, “I had a choice. I could have stayed in the peaceful emptiness. It would have been easy and comfortable. Warm and inviting, like a mother’s embrace. But I heard your voice and saw you through the lighted doorway and my heart called out, driving me through the door and into your arms.”

He held her tighter. “Thank you for coming back to me.” His voice wavered, fighting against breaking. He was interrupted by a notification.

*** Sorry to break up your tearful reunion but this has been held off as long as possible. The following notice is not from us, it is for all of Teldin and generated by the system itself.

ATTENTION! This is a worldwide notice! A king has fallen, and a new kingdom rises in its place. King Chopie has been slain and his rulership transferred. All welcome King Duke! May his rein be just and honorable! ***

The laughter that travelled its way into the crater was unmistakable and was only confirmed when Grat shouted, “King Duke! That’s awesome!” before he devolved into laughter again, all tension broken.

“Guess that means we have work to do, my love. Or at least, you do.” Aurelia whispered into Duke’s ear. “Don’t work too late, I need to pay homage to the new king.” Her hand sliding down left no doubt of the nature of the homage. With a mischievous smile, she stepped back and, with a running head start, jumped out of the crater, leaving Duke alone with his thoughts.

Fucking king? Oh, this is going to be a whole host of new problems. But I had better make my first appearance as king at least look good. He took a moment to compose himself before activating a small CLEANSE and RESTORE just on himself. A quick glance showed his clothes fully repaired and pristine. He smiled briefly before pulling his face into his best imitation of serenity.

Duke rose slowly from the crater, arms outstretched in the most dramatic pose he could think of. As he crested the top of the crater, he could see that Aurelia had begun to re-organize the Legion back into ranks in the space available. He also noticed that there just wasn’t enough space for all the Legion.

A shout from somewhere in the Legion sounded out, “Long live King Duke!” Others picked it up until it began a thundering chant throughout the Legion. Duke landed before them to wild cheers and celebration. It was at that moment it really hit him that he was truly a ruler of some kind, and he was in no way whatsoever prepared for this.

Duke held his hands up to calm the Legionnaires down and shouted to be heard by as many as possible. Baslin made a gesture and Duke’s voice was projected magically to cover the entire city. “We came here to free this kingdom from the mad lich king, Chopie. Congratulations to all of you. We have accomplished the mission. But now a new mission and decisions lay before us. The capitol is in ruins, so many of the population were killed by the mad king, and it’s up to us to rebuild. Our mission now is to find survivors and help them. The people of this kingdom are counting on us, and we will not fail them!”

As speeches go, that was downright lame. I am so not cut out for this political shit. He let his thoughts slip away as his group approached him with Baslin being the first to speak. “King Duke, let me be the first to formally congratulate you on your elevation. If you would have me, I would be your court wizard and magical advisor.”

“What’s with all the formality? I’m still me.” Duke responded, annoyed.

“It is necessary, Your Majesty. You will have to grow accustomed to it in public settings.” He went down to one knee and bowed his head.

Duke stared at him for a moment before he realized that everyone was going down on one knee. The Legion’s movement was the most disturbing as their FORMATION Ability had them moving in unison. They knelt with their swords thrust point-first on the ground and their left hand on the grip. Their right hands were resting over their hearts, with their heads bowed. He realized there was something he was supposed to say but he had no idea what it was, so he pulled something from a book he read years ago. It wasn’t exactly for a situation like this, but he figured he would have to wing it.

“Rise my loyal and trusted friends. Stand, my Legionnaires. Be recognized for your honor and dedication. Be known for your might, justice, and mercy. The Thrice Blessed Legion shall stand ever-vigilant against the predations of evil and shall remove it from our lands by root and branch!” He did not know when Baslin had re-activated the voice-projection magic, but his voice echoed far beyond the rubble of the city’s walls.

As one, the Legion rose, the synchrony of their movements mechanically precise and frightening to behold. Aurelia spoke quietly, “By your leave, I will set the Legion to searching for and aiding survivors.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Duke responded, unsettled.

Baslin gestured towards the remains of the castle and said, “Perhaps Your Majesty would like to take a moment inside?”

Duke nodded and walked with him inside, noting that Baslin remained a step behind him and to the side the entire way.