Cold, wet and miserable. That’s the best way to describe what the world was like outside the purple stained glass window which Randolph peered through. The room he sat in was small and circular with a single wooden table which was surrounded by ancient overflowing bookshelves and large silk decorative.
Randolph appeared to be maybe thirty four or thirty five years old. Overall he was thin and gaunt with slicked back black hair and prominent cheek bones. His most alluring feature must have been his two deep purple amethyst eyes which resembled the swirling abyss found in the depths of ones soul. His clothes were very typical for his culture, a long black leather trench coat with white fur lining around the neck.
Dong, Dong, Dong!
A sudden knock rattled the large wooden door behind Randolph and its ancient hinges creaked as it was slowly pushed open.
“Lord Randolph your chauffeur will be arriving here shortly, he wishes to extend his deepest apologies for his tardiness.” Said a young woman bowing in the open door frame.
“It’s fine, I quite enjoy watching the rain. Is Dharma ready?”
“Master Dharma is waiting for Lord Randolph by the eastern entrance. Would you like me to invite him here?”
“No, It’s fine I’m preparing to head that way myself right now anyways.” Randolph said, rising to his feet with a stretch.
“If you’ll follow me.” The servant said with a bow and extending her arm out the door.
“Ah, I’ll head that way myself. You're relieved of your duties for the day, feel free to do whatever you want within reason.” He said putting his hand on the servant's shoulder and entering the castle's hallway.
I’ll make sure to get rid of the constant escorting when I’m officially sworn in... Randolph thought with an annoyed frown. As he turned the corner after a short silent walk down the castle countless hallways he saw his trusted servant Dharma sitting quietly on a velvet couch positioned in the castle's entrance chamber.
“Dharma!” Randolph called out and the old man immediately turned his head with a smile.
“Lord Randolph!” Dharma yelled in response. The short old man leapt to his feet and opened his arms wide while approaching Randolph who returned the gesture. The two shared a short yet meaningful hug.
“Your Chauffeur should be here at any moment. Would you like me to fetch you anything before we leave?”
“I’m fine.” Randolph replied whilst patting off his coat and walking to the door with Dharma following closely behind him.
Dharma Vulgate, the right hand of the new Emperor Randolph Sisyphus Freyr. The connection of their families was already very deep going back hundreds of years but the relationship Randolph and Dharma had was even deeper. More like that of an uncle and nephew.
In front of the doorway stood two guards who each bowed and opened the heavy old wooden doors which served as the castle's front entrance.
As the doors opened a gust of wind blew into the castle along with a barrage of cold rain droplets. The dark sky hid the midday sun and made it seem as if it was late in the evening. Unfazed, Randolph looked into the doorway and suddenly a powerful blast of air shot outside from within the castle blowing the wind and rain back with ease. Randolph walked outside onto the large stone porch which had an arched wood and tin roof that reverberated a “tip tap” as the rain pelted the old metal. Where the porch ended there laid a small road in front of the castle within which was a parked Oldsmobile like car with an elongated back for more seating much like that of a limo.
“Sir Randolph!” A guardsman said, emerging from behind the porches wall soaked in rain.
“Why are you out in the rain?” Randolph asked, raising an eyebrow.
“This is the guard position assigned to me sir!”
“Who assigned you that position?”
“Sir, Lucious Sir!”
“Well from now on, stand up on the porch when it’s raining so you don't get sick.” Randolph ordered stepping off the porch into the road. “Some of these customs are ridiculous.” He said looking to
Dharma who followed in toe.
“I’ll have it changed right away my Lord! If you don't mind me asking why did you not order it to be changed sooner?”
“I need to build a positive reputation with the castle's working class. If I put the order out through the old Emperor then it wouldn't have made me look better than him since he'd be the only taking all the credit. Of course something as simple as that wont move mountains but its best to start small and at the local level first.” Randolph replied, stopping at the cars door. From the inside a man emerged who rolled out of the car and onto the floor with a perfect kneeling salute.
“My Lord.” The kneeling man said.
“Thank you.” Randolph replied with an impressed smile and gestured for Dharma to enter first.
“Oh, I couldn't, my lord this is too far!” Dharma argued angrily. Randolph, understanding Dharma's old ways, decided to just sigh and crawled into the front seat of the car which was facing the back window. Dharma quickly followed and the door was shut behind him. As soon as the door was closed the car sprung to life and began to slowly trudge along the slippery road down the hill the castle was built atop of.
“Are you nervous my lord?” Dharma asked.
“No, The [Oracle] foresaw that I would succeed on this day, That’s why [He] is there to watch.”
“The Oracle?” Dharma repeated curiously.
“Yes, The Oracle Delphi, She saw a crowd cheering as I stood on a stage.”
“Of course My Lord.” Dharma replied, still confused.
“You can drop the Lord epithet too, I’ve known you for seventy years. I think It’s about time we called each other by our first name.”
“You can’t spoil me into favoring you more my Lord. I've already devoted my life to your service, I’m your number one supporter.” Dharma said with a smile.
“It’s not about that, I just think it’s fitting for my kingdom to leave the past and enter the future.”
“I’ll try to keep that in mind, My L- Randolph.”
“That sounds better.” Randolph said smiling. Reclining back and spreading his arms, he looked out the window at the endless orchids with carefully styled hedges each carved into the shape of an individually unique man in armor. The endless rain turned the hard ground below the hedges into a thick muddy soup. “You’re so timid now compared to when you were younger Dharma, The child who wanted to slay dragons and rule a kingdom is nowhere to be seen.”
“I realized my place in this world, I’m not the one to change fate, just the one to guide the man that will.”
“Hm.” Randolph hummed, turning his head to the side and looking out the car window once again as if he was dissatisfied by that answer.
“...”
“...”
“I Think we’re almost there..” Dharma said After a few minutes of silence.
“Yeah, The noise is deafening.” Randolph responded, still looking out the window.
Noise? Dharma didn't hear anything but the sounds of the cars tires rubbing on the road beneath them and the rain outside. I know I’m old and going deaf but I didn't think it was this bad…
As Dharma sat in silent thought and Randolph looked out the window, the vehicle came around the corner of the Castle's hill and down the trail that led to the base of the hill where a large crowd was visible. It might have even been over one million or so people. Dharma felt a cold sweat make its way down his wrinkled back just thinking of standing in front of that crowd yet Randolph seemed to be perfectly calm looking out the crowd, maybe even slightly annoyed.
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The car came to a slow halt at the base of the hill where the back of the inaugural stage was. The structure itself was ancient, reaching back two thousand years or so and was an open top amphitheater. It was normally closed off except for holidays or special events where it would be filled with laughing people and game and or food stands. That energy was all but gone now and the crowd instead emitted a light nervous hum of quiet whispers as they stood staring at the empty stage anticipating any movement from the curtains.
A knock came at the car's door and then it was opened by a guardsman on the outside. “Sir Randolph, the stage has been prepared for your arrival.” He said and stepped aside with a bow.
Randolph crawled out of the car and stretched his arms and back as Dharma quickly shuffled behind him. In front of them were a few dozen guards standing at an exact 2 meters apart each appropriately saluting Randolph.
“Fancy.” Randolph said, lowering his arms with a smile.
“I’m glad you like it Sir, We have a guard positioned at every possible vantage point in, around and above the Amphitheater to guarantee your safety.”
“Good.” Randolph hummed, patting the man on the shoulder and walking forwards. The Guardsman followed behind closely along with Dharma.
“Sir we looked for a speech manuscript and even called the castle but were told you never submitted one for printing, we have several scripts printed out for your review if you would like-”
“It’s fine.” Randolph interrupted, “I’m just gonna wing it.”
“If you prefer Sir.” The guardsman said with a bow.
Randolph continued down the red carpet until turning at the wooden staircase which led up to the inaugural stages back entrance. He walked up the wooden stairs calmly and to the back of the stage right behind the curtains and gave a reassuring smile to Dharma who bowed in return.
The crowd mumbled silently waiting for their new Emperor to appear. Rumors of him had spread vast and wide, some saying he was the nephew of the previous ruler while others said he was actually over one hundred years old and that their grandparents had seen him before lurking in the shadows. He was largely unknown besides his name which commanded power [Randolph.] The sudden sound of footsteps silenced the crowd. They weren't particularly loud but they were clear and powerful. Everyone looked forward quickly and silently as they stewed nervously looking up at the curtain. The footsteps slowly approached the purple curtain which softly swung open.
Who emerged onto stage was not what a vast majority of the crowd expected. He seemed young, Too young to be in charge of the Vulracious Empire, He was thin and pale with a somewhat feminine beauty one would see in a runway or fashion model. Yet his presence defied his appearance; it overpowered the crowd like a thick layer of smoke. A dark miasma. Randolph walked up to the lectern on the stage and stretched his jaw before starting to speak.
“I am extremely grateful to be appointed as the New Emperor of the Vulracious Empire by the Parliament and its supporting associations. We together no matter our social standing, age or birth place together gather here under one flag and one nation which grants us individual freedom, liberty and justice. For two thousand years our people have gathered in this Amphitheater for a multitude of reasons being political events like today, holidays and celebrations. Much like this amphitheater for those two thousand years our country has stood strongly and proudly through many hardships and disasters. I, Randolph Sisyphus Freyr, pledge my total and utter allegiance as Emperor to the betterment of our citizens and country.
"As a country we’ve endured two hundred and fifty years of abuse and ill treatment from the rest of the world. Today will mark the end of the prejudice we receive from the outside world. Punished, Ridiculed and forced to pay for the crimes of ancestors who your grandparents' parents did not even live at the same time as. The rest of the world blames us for the problems they suffer. Those in power forced us to take the complete and total responsibility for the Forgotten war. A battle so old and undocumented it’s unknown if it really even occurred. Today is the day we step out of the shadow we've been forced to hide in. Today is the day we defend ourselves. We will fight for the pride of ourselves and our future. No longer will our children be taught of atrocities they had no control over. No longer will they be forced to bow and sing an apology to the greater world. I declared that today is the day of a new age. The Age in which the Vulracious empire reigns supreme and rules the world. An age where all are equal and free! An age in which you can call yourself a Vulracious Citizen without worry of ill will!
"I, Randolph Sisyphus Freyr, will create this new age even if it means I must extinguish all life that exists on this planet in the process. The Vulracious Empire shall be unmatched much like we were before our unfair and unjust prosecution by the outer world!”
The crowd was silent at first, Not a single breath was taken. Peeking from behind the curtain Dharma fidgeted nervously looking to be on the verge of tears. The guardsman from before lowered his hat and scrunched his face in worry. Dharma wanted to run onto the stage and scream at the crowd for how rude they were. He wanted to hug Randolph and tell him everything will be alright but those confident words of Randolph from the car ride held him in place.
“...”
After what seemed like an eternity a single clap was heard, Followed by another then another until the entire crowd erupted into clapping and cheering.
“Randolph!” They cried no matter their age or social standing. They all excitedly jumped around and cheered.
Randolph looked around the crowd with a smile and waved to the people, he put out his hands and from them blew out large blasts of fire which erupted into the air with several colors and patterns which the people roared at. After only another minute or so and after taking a graceful but humble bow Randolph turned around swiftly but calmly and walked to the back of the stage where the curtains which he entered from were shifting around. As he made his way to the curtains and placed his hands on them to pull them open he stopped and gave a final look back at the crowd and through the hundreds of thousands of pairs of eyes he focused solely on one mans. His Iris were a piercing blood red with long white lashes and he gazed into Randolph's deep amethyst eyes with an even greater sense of self. Randolph already knew who this man was and his purpose for being there. The man who was known to all that lived in the secret political landscape which the average person couldn't even comprehend. The man who he knew he would fight to the death with.
Randolph broke eye contact first, Though their staring contest lasted only a second or two more words were exchanged than even an eternity would allow. Looking forwards again and exiting the stage behind the curtains Randolph was greeted by Dharma who had tears in his sunken wrinkled eyes.
“Oh My Lord, they love you!” He said, reaching out his arms for a hug which Randolph met with his own open arms. He gently pat Dharma on the back while giving a warm smile. “Would you like to return to your castle now or wait for the dinner my lord.” Dharma asked, pulling himself back and standing up straight and properly.
“Call for the Royal Guard first. I’d like to talk with them about our next course of action.”
# # #
The Vulracious castle was lively and shined brightly in the dark sky casting a bright light over the capital city of Vulcon below.
The ballroom where the ceremonial dinner was being held was illuminated by large purple and red chandeliers. The finest of wines and richest of meats were prepared at the long dining table which was big enough to seat a hundred guests.
The most important of people to the Vulracious continent were present at the dinner. Of course the Vulracious empires' own noble families were present, The Zepar, Vulgate, Lapetus, Lavgine and Valeria families each sent their most important members to give the best possible impression to the new Emperor hoping to rank up in the aristocracy.
The presidents from the countries of Greyton and Dresden were present and made a peaceful conversation with the Prime Minister of Olympus. Despite all three countries constantly being on the verge of war here they were acting like the closest of friends in front of Randolph which made him sick to his stomach to witness. Even some politicians from the lower countries of Komoden, Jinkogo and Pretorkia had arrived hoping to sweeten up the new emperor and forge an alliance. Some who were scheduled to arrive had canceled such as Ronald Rooney the President of the United Sanctions Of Aufrenthos who had the excuse of of his wife being under a sudden and unexpected illness. There were others who had attended but none worth mentioning except one lone man who had just entered.
Although it was his party Randolph silently sat at the head of the table resting his hands on his chin as if in a deep thought. Besides a brief handshake at the ball room door nobody had said a word to Randolph. The aura he exerted was too thick and overwhelming for anyone to approach.
That is except for one man. The man who had just entered the ballroom half an hour after the celebration started. He had medium length flat blonde hair and an expensive custom tailored suit that matched his equally expensive sunglasses. Without a care in the world and almost acting as if he’d shown up fashionably late the man made his way to Randolph's side. “I don't think we've properly met yet.” He said standing next to Randolph and looking down at him through his sunglasses.
The other people in the ballroom nervously watched this sudden nightmares develop. To wear sunglasses inside the holy castle was one thing but to calmly approach and talk to the Emperor was another atop of being late! It felt as though they were watching the possibility of a war escalate in real time.
Randolph smiled looking into the man's dark sunglasses raising an eyebrow in intrigue.
“Oh, Sorry I forgot these things were still on. I’ve worn them for so long it's almost like they’ve become a part of my body ya know?” The man said with a surprised tone pulling them off his face. He took his time folding them properly and tucking them into his pocket.
“Don't worry about it.” Randolph said, leaning back in his chair.
“There we go.” The man said looking down at Randolph now making direct eye contact, Long white lashes and blood red iris reflected in the dark amethyst eyes of Randolph.
“I think you already know who I am but in case you forgot I’m Jinen Lutece, but you can call me Jin.” The man said with a smile. He was extraordinarily handsome with every facial feature to the utmost perfection as if carved out of marble by God himself.
“Of course I know of you Sir Lutece, though we’ve never met properly. I've heard of you since the day you were born.” Randolph said, leaning forward and standing to his feet. Their height difference was immediately apparent, while Randolph wasn't short he wasn't exceptionally tall either. He stood a respectable 5 '11 while Jin on the other hand could be assumed as around 6' 3 maybe 6 '4. Not only was he looking down at Randolph physically but also mentally. Their auras intertwined with each other like long time friends who hadn’t seen each other in many years.
“I believe the Freyr and Lutece Clans are intertwined are they not?” Randolph asked, taking a step forward and signaling for Jin to follow him out of the ball room.
Jin shrugged with a smile and kept his pace with Randolph standing to his side instead of staying two steps behind like what was expected of anyone in the Emperor's presence. “Yes, 934 years ago Anna Freyr daughter of Augustus Freyr was sold to the Lutece family to be Leonard Luteces wife who he had two children with.” Jin said as two walked out of the ball room and down the hall.
“So that’d make us related even if distant.” Randolph said looking at Jin who grimaced with a wide exaggerated frown.
“To an extent yes but it’s so far off that it’d be like a drop of water in the ocean.”
“They say blood is thicker than water so maybe it's closer than you think.”
“People say a lot of things, a lot of things that don't turn out to be true but I think you know that as well as I do don't you?”
“I’m afraid I don't.” Randolph replied with a smile, “I choose to surround myself with those I know will serve me with the utmost respect while being confident that I will do the same for them.”
“You're a bad liar you know.” Jin sighed as he took exaggerated steps up the stair well him and Randolph climbed. “Like the thing with the Freyrs and Lutece isn't what you wanted to ask me so why try and beat around the bush like a coward? Just be upfront and say what you’re thinking.”
“But that is, Or at least one of the things I wanted to ask.” Randolph replied with a hurt frown. “But you’re right that’s not the most important question.” He said stopping at the top of the staircase. The pair had emerged onto a balcony overlooking the capital city of Vulcon which was erupting in celebration. Music, lights and fireworks shot off into the sky and millions of people danced in the streets below. Randolph looked at Jin in the eyes and Jin returned the favor just like they had at the Inauguration.
“What are you here for?” Randolph asked bluntly.
“I’m just here to hang out and see how things are going.”
“Did Francisco order you to come here?”
“Pfft, You think that guy tells me what to do? Nah I decided to come here on my own I doubt he even knows I'm here.” Jin snorted with an eye roll.
“You’re either very brave or very stupid to come here alone and act like this, Don't you have any fear at all?” Randolph asked, cracking a small smile.
Jin stopped smiling and lifted one of his eyebrows. “Of course not, Not like you could do anything to me even if you wanted to and besides I don't intend on starting anything, it'd be more trouble than it’s worth to me at this point” He said with a sigh and leaned against the balconies brick wall.
Randolph smiled and looked over the city once again for a few moments.“I guess you’re right.” He said, turning his eyes towards the ballroom. “Will you stay for dinner? I’m sure there’s something there you would enjoy.”
“Nah, I’ve got something else to do and I don't think the other guys in there like me. Well not like I care what they think but I don't do well in these kinda places. It's like being in a house full of rats.” Jin replied, picking at his fingernails.
“I see, Well I can't say I disagree with you but it’s a part of my job to entertain those rats so feel free to leave at any time.” Randolph said, turning around and walking away.
“Make sure to behave yourself!” Jin laughed, waving at Randolph's before vanishing into thin air.
Randolph sighed and let his shoulders fall limp, “What can you do...” He muttered continuing down the stairs. “It’s better for me that we do it later anyways.” He finished with a smile.