Finale
Hovercraft traffic gently flowed past the balcony. The Zion skyline was a patchwork of skeletons of buildings and rubble. Construction crews were hard at work, already raising several buildings back up. The citadel was deeply scarred, but its inhabitants were hardy and slowly returning, healing.
Nameless leaned against the gold railing, adorned in a stiff and smart-looking military uniform. Medals and ribbons covered his chest, half of which he had been told he had earned but didn’t know what they meant. A glass of chilled champagne rested in his hand. Nameless slowly raised his glass and sipped the sparkling substance. Beyond the Zion skyline, through the open outer doors, Nameless could see the orange surface of Mars.
“Drinking by yourself?” A female voice called.
Nameless leaned off the railing and turned, seeing Rachel standing beyond him, adorned in a pure white uniform, with gold and black trim. The dress uniform of the Champion of Zion. Her chest was adorned with medals and accomplishments. Her hair neatly flowed down her left shoulder, her face and body sparkling with beauty. She was, honestly, the best-looking woman he had ever seen. A pang of guilt filled him, Julia flashing in his mind.
“Silent and moody as ever,” Rachel chuckled.
“Just distracted. You look great, by the way,” Nameless sighed, swirling his drink in his hand.
Rachel smiled, her defiant eyes stabbing him.
“So, who won the bet?” Nameless asked.
“Oh, I definitely did,” Rachel chortled.
“C’mon, I burned way more baddies than you!” Nameless laughed.
Rachel rolled her eyes.
“A tie then; maybe we can decide next time,” She smiled.
“I’ll take that,” Nameless chuckled.
“C’mon, the ceremony is about to begin,” Rachel's head nodded.
Nameless nodded and finished his drink, setting the empty glass on the railing. Together, the two of them walked inside.
The throne room of Zion was massive, the walls lined with stained glass, the marble floor adorned with purple carpet, and statues of heroes lined the pathway down the center of the chamber, which led to a raised altar. Thousands of humans, Laydren, aliens, and all, were amassed lining the pathway.
Nameless and Rachel made their way through the crowd, eventually coming to every end of the chamber. All the vagabonds stood in uniforms; Lion stood in his Laydren form and official uniform across them. Captain Sterin stood beside him, her silver skin glistening, her pure black hair bushy and spiked as she stood like a dark piece of art, her silver-slitted pupil eyes darting and scanning the crowd. Behind Lion and Sterin stood the rest of the Laydren, all in their proper forms, their jewelry, and grey skin standing out.
The Spree stood next to the Laydren, almost seeming like children as they remained miraculously quiet. At the top of the dais stood Professor Thaddeus, the rest of the professors of Zion on his left, Vagabonds on his right. He was adorned in a long, pure white robe, holding a magnificent crown.
Rachel and Nameless stood closest to Thaddeus as he smiled. Besides the vagabonds stood Barsool, Arcturios, and Mistress Anna, all fully clothed in their official ceremonial garb.
“How is she?” Nameless whispered.
Rachel sighed.
“On the verge of a panic attack, last I saw,” Rachel grumbled.
“She is more than ready for this,” Thaddeus whispered.
“Thanks for filling in,” Nameless whispered.
“I still fail to see how I am the one qualified for this,” Thaddeus seethed silently.
“You’re professor bullshit; who else would be qualified to crown the new queen of Zion,” Rachel chortled.
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“Literally anyone else, my dear,” Thaddeus sighed, gripping the crown tightly.
Music began playing from the rear of the chamber, and everyone straightened their bodies and stiffened. Slowly, Zyhara emerged from the side chamber, walking down the ally. She was adorned in a fantastic dress that shimmered with a deep and lush blue and purple, the tails falling long behind her a good ten feet, held by female aides also in beautiful dresses. Her dark skin complemented the golden makeup as she gracefully walked down the alley. Everyone silently collected their breath as she gracefully walked up the steps and stood before Professor Thaddeus.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the corrugation of Princess Zyhara, rightful ruler of Zion and shepherd of the masses,” Thaddeus loudly proclaimed.
He leaned in silently.
“Surely one of your own kind would be better suited for this, my dear. Are you sure you want a mortal crowning you, your majesty?”
Zyhara smiled, looking up.
“It would be my honor,” Zyhara smiled.
Thaddeus nodded. He raised the crown as Zyhara knelt.
“By the power of the stars and the authority invested in me-” Thaddeus began.
Bright flashes of light from behind the vast and giant double doors at the end of the chamber cut him off. Nameless’s hand instinctively went for the pistol and thermal dagger on his belt. All turned their heads to see the doors open and individuals enter.
“Excuse me, friends, I am afraid it is too late for such fashionable arrivals,” Thaddeus called.
As the new arrivals approached, Nameless studied them carefully.
In the front was a bald old Asian man in a loincloth. A long, large beard fell from his face and wrapped around his waist several times like a belt. Besides him walked a woman in a bright red dress, her stark black hair tied neatly in a bun bound together with ceramic rods, her Asian features stark and overwhelmingly beautiful. Besides them walked an obese and bald Asian man in a gold tunic, his hands folded over his chest as he grinned. Behind them, all meandered a warrior in bright red armor.
As the four strangers entered, numerous more people joined, young and old, dressed like fishermen, warriors, pilots, scholars, prophets, and lords, all immersed in the crowd. The four strangers walked down the alley and bowed toward the princess. They stood up, and all but the old man walked into the group. The old man with the long beard smiled.
“Forgive the intrusion, young one, but we heard a new being has ascended to the throne. We have come to pay our respects,” The old man with the beard wrapped around his waste said.
Who was he calling young one, Nameless thought.
Zyhara pivoted, smiling, and bowed.
“I am honored by your presence here and thank you for attending this day.”
“It is with great remorse that I see no one else of our kin has come to crown you on this auspicious day,” The old man said gravely.
Zyhara smiled and turned to Thaddeus.
“Do you mind if someone else crowns me?” She asked softly.
“Oh no, not at all, my dear,” Thaddeus said warmly.
“Thank you, professor,” Zyhara smiled.
Thaddeus stepped down from the dais. Zyhara turned to the old man standing in the aisle.
“Dear Master, since you are one of the few of our kind to attend, would you do me the honor of crowning me this day?”
The old man smiled.
“I would be delighted.”
The old man's body disappeared in a flurry of energy, dissolving and reappearing, showing his body was now neatly covered in an extravagant golden robe, his beard wrapping around him as a dragon did to a temple column. The old man slowly mounted the steps and softly took the crown from Thaddeus. The professor meekly went over and stood beside Sapphire and Cirilla.
Zyhara faced the Master as he held the crown above.
“Brothers, Sisters, Fathers, Mothers, all and one, welcome. Today, we gather to witness to ascension of a great and wise leader. Zyhara, firstborn, brightest star, may your reign be long and fruitful. May the stars bless her reign, and may her friends remain steadfast as the mountains that they are. Let your actions be guided by reason and good counsel, may your realm prosper, and may your friends never lead you astray.”
The Master slowly lowered the crown and placed it on Zyhara’s head.
“Rise, Zyhara, firstborn, Queen of Zion!”
Zyhara rose, the crown upon her head, and faced the chamber. Everyone erupted into cheers, the sound almost deafening. Zyhara smiled, holding up her palm.
“We have scored a great victory. Our people can once against explore the stars unhindered, our brave warriors safeguarding civilization. But this war but begun, and so I need great warriors. Commander Nameless, leader of the Vagabonds, step forward, please.”
Nameless’s stomach dropped; he felt as if he had been slapped. Hastily he stepped forward and knelt before Queen Zyhara.
“General Hera of the Wolf cohort, please step forward.”
Hastily and grumpily, Hera rushed over and knelt beside Nameless.
“Lieutenant Julia of taskforce Vagabond, commander of Eagle company, please step forward.”
Julia awkwardly knelt in her dress beside Hera.
“Forge Master of Mars, Captain Spider. I understand you have many responsibilities, but I would deem you worthy of one more. Please step forward,” Zyhara called.
Spider scrambled over and knelt beside Hera.
“High Prince Lion, general of the first army and leader of taskforce Ishtar, disciple of the Great Truth, please step forward.”
Lion hastily came over, his earrings and piercings jangling as he knelt beside Spider.
“These beings have proven their worth and ability to lead warriors during the grimmest and bloodiest time. I declare these my war captains. May they lead the free armies faithfully and unto victory. May you be the bulwark that the great enemy crumbles against. Let us all take comfort that a new age has dawned for Zion, safeguarded by your stalwart service. Rise, War Captains of Zion!”
The War Captains rose and aides hastily came forward, pinning the red cord that was a signifier of their rank unto their uniforms. They turned and faced the cheering crowd. Zyhara stepped down and intermingled with them.
“Today we celebrate; tomorrow, we fight for the future,” She murmured.