Originally uploaded Jun 8, 2024

Neoth Pov

A blinding light engulfed the entire room. I shielded my eyes as I could hear the gates leading the the throne open.

They sounded like cracks of thunder. So loud and deep that it resonated with my bones. The flash of light only lasted for a few seconds, then it subsided just as suddenly as it had appeared.

Slowly I lowered my arms as my eyes struggled to adjust. I had to blink a couple of times before my vision fully returned to me.

All things considered, I would have thought I was already dead and was just seeing things if it weren't for just how real it all felt. The force of his attention and power wasn't directed at me but I could still feel it like searing metal.

Grey stood, strong and defiant. Enveloped in a subtle golden light that seemed to form a halo around him. He stood in front of the Eternity gate, which now stood closed.

His blackstone armor that was once mostly black now has glamoring accents of gold interwoven within its design. He even seemed to have aged slightly, the passage of time leaving its mark on his ageless face. Giving him a regal appearance of a great king.

In his hand was the Emperor's sword. Its blade ignited with pure white flames that matched his radiance. But now, it seemed to match Grey's wavelength.

Standing in front of the carved mural of the Djinn Emperor only seemed to exaggerate their similarities in appearance they now shared. Something had transpired between the being beyond those doors and Grey. It might have only taken breaths of a second but it was clear. The Emperor had given him a portion of his power and authority to the boy.

The custodian's, beings made of the flesh and blood of the Emperor. Guardians created personally by him seemed to recognize this fact as well.

In an instant they all went down to their knees as they removed their helmets as a show of respect. Some of them even had streaks of tears running down their face. An expression that seemed too unsettling and unnatural for it to be touching.

Oliurk was the most confused. He still had his glaive raised in a defensive position. The runes that decorated his weapon and skin glowing as a warning. His confusion then turned into infuriating, to the extent that his usual pale face turned bright pink.

"What are you doing?! Kill him!" He shouted to the custodians as he pointed an accusing finger towards Grey.

Grey only seemed to look down on the Djinn general with mild amusement.

"Guards! Execute them both!" He commanded his own personal troops who were standing dumbfounded at what was unfolding before them. But the words of their master slapped them out of their stunned shock as they raised their weapons.

+Kneel+

Grey's mouth did not move. They didn't need to. The sheer force of his mind's will projected his thoughts and meaning through the aether and into our minds. It was keenly different from aetheric communication that was common place. It felt more invasive, but more natural at the same time. Like a thought that was hidden deep within your brain that you couldn't disobey.

But forceful at the same time. Like someone had cracked open your skull to rewire the very neurons in your head.

The Djinn warriors all fell to their knees. Some of them shouted in distraught as their bodies moved on their own. While others were too stunned to speak.

Vago looked back at his warriors who were all on the ground then back at Grey. He slowly made his way down the small flight of stair that led to the throneroom gates. Each of his footsteps was soft but firm. All of his wounds healed and skin practically glowing he appeared very much like the murals and artwork that portrayed the Emperor.

A glowing figure leading an entire race to its salvation. Was this was the Emperor appeared to his followers in his prime? If so, it made sense how he could inspire awe and muster up such a force.

Oliurk raised his glaive, the blade of which was crackling with raw aetheric might. The runes that ran up and down his arms glowed a bright purple as he began channeling more and more of his mana into them.

"Bringing him here was a mistake. We've brought a demon upon our doors." He roared as he shot a piercing look at me. Grey followed his line of sight and met my eyes. He only seemed to smirk at the general's words.

"I shall not be defeated by a mere drago-"

+Silence+

Grey's thoughts and intent ripped through our minds like a hurricane. Despite it not being directed at us we felt it on our skins like a whip. Oliurk staggered back as he fell to his knees. Blood began dripping down from the corners of his mouth as he leaned on his glaive for support.

He quickly stared back at Grey, his eyes filled with a fierce determination.

I've never really thought of Oliurk to be so passionate about anything else than mindless battle. But it seems racism cuts deep.

Before the wounded general could get back on his feet and challenge whatever Grey had become Vago placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"What? You are letting this bastard as his pet live?"

Vago ignored him as he carefully approached Grey and went down to one knee.

"This humble servant welcomes your arrival, Master Grey."

Grey seemed almost unfazed by the old chronomancer's words as he sheathed his sword. Was it still Grey? Or was this Vago's plan all along? To lure Grey here to use him as a replacement body for their dying Emperor. But that would mean they had unlocked some sort of advanced soul transfusion. And last I checked even the Emperor himself when he still walked amongst us wanted me in his armies for such a skill.

Even if it were possible Grey wasn't what I would call an easy soul to fuck around with.

Seemingly ignoring Vago Grey turned on his feet and approached me.

His face didn't change from the stone cold impassive look that resembled a stone statue. But from the subtle glint in his eyes I could sense the genuine concern he felt for me. And I would be lying if it didn't touch me a little.

He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder as I could feel the rush of mana and aether. The restraints that bound my core and runes were shattered like glass as I could feel my core thrumming with newfound energy.

"Master Grey-" Vago tried to speak but Grey spoke over him. Finally using his mouth to verbally speak it boomed and echoed throughout the throneroom like rolling thunder. Each single word filled with purpose and power.

"Your Emperor and I have come to an agreement. He has given a measure of his own power and knowledge to me to act in his stead." Grey turned to face everyone as helped me up to my feet.

"Hence forth I declare myself your new regent as Emperor with Neoth as my right hand." Vago didn't show it but I knew this ticked him off to no end. God I wished I could just rub it in his face right now. But such an act didn't seem fitting for the time being, perhaps latter when we are in private.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"But my lord, he still is-"

A simple motion of his hand was enough for the custodians to all rise in unison. Their guardian spears hummed with power as they stood before their new regent.

Vago took an apprehensive step back. He know better than to overstep a custodian in both fighting strength and authority, especially with all ten of them assembled. If this was a part of his elaborate plan he foresaw, then he was selling it very well.

"Master Grey, if I so may. That position is already-"

"I believe it is time you vacate your post. Change is something your race desperately needs."

I could see Oliurk seething at Grey's words. But he still stayed on the ground on his knees with his head down.

Vago and Grey stood still for a couple of seconds. Even when he was surpressing his will he still gave off an intoxicating feeling of power as a faint halo of golden light danced around his head.

But the old chronomancer finally relented as he went down to his knees as well.

"Your wish is my command. Long live the king." Vago sighed.

The custodians roared in unison as they beat their spears into the ground in a warrior salute.

"Long live the king! Long live the king!"

But for me, it all seemed a bit too convinent. Here I was mere moments from certain death with Grey coming into save me. And while I may have sung his fair share of praises ten custodians all at once is still too much for him.

And even if he were somehow able to survive a prolonged conflict with the Emperor's guardians the entire might of the throneworld would have oblierated him.

No, something else was a muck here. When he emerged from the throneroom the custodians all seemed far to quick in accepting him as their new ruler. It was said that stars would burn out and die before their loyalty could be questioned. They would take great insult to any being other than the Emperor himself who assumed the title.

Was this all a ploy to have the Emperor take over Grey's body? This was something I had to confirm on my own. But Grey also had many facets to himself he didn't show to otter people. He was a man with many masks.

Grey wasn't free from suspicion either. He seemed to somehow know to wield the Emperor sword to open the Eternity gates. Did he know something I didn't? He did strike some kind of deal beforehand with the Emperor himself? That would explain why he had his sword.

So many thoughts were racing through my mind. It wasn't helping that the mana and aetheric enhancements were back and accelerating my processing speed.

But one thing was for sure. With an active leader at the helm, the Empire will play a more proactive role for the foreseeable future. Perhaps this was the change this dying race needed. Now only time will tell if history will repeat itself.

The legions of Djinn warriors and custodians all stood proudly and Grey unsheathed his sword once more.

Its blade igniting into white hot flames as he raised it high above his head.

His eyes were glowing bright gold, almost white that you couldn't make out his pupils. The golden halo of energy around him brightened as he let loose his strength. His visage truly matched that of the Djinn Emperor the gates behind him portrayed.

With his sword pointed to the sky he bellowed a call to arms as he proclaimed his place on the Djinn throne as the acting Emperor of the Empire.

"For the Eternal Empire!"

***

Grey Pov

The Emperor was dead. Were the words that echoed through my mind as I laid claim to the Djinn throne.

Neoth's original ideas were right. All that was left of this once high and mighty race. A civilization of people on the cusp of unlocking the secrets of the universe. They were all reduced to old fools lamenting their past glories.

As their leader they worship as their savior rots on a throne of a dying empire.

But in his place was something far worse I am afraid. When I had activated King Gambit I couldn't tell if it was due to the abundance of the aether here or some other force but I could make out faint strings of gold and purple floating in the air as understanding and knowledge flooded into my brain.

Similar to when I had used the edict of Fate. But it was slightly different. Visions, waking nightmares of futures yet untold, of truths and events dug up from the depths of the past assaulted my mind.

I may has well have been a blind scholar looking through the records of all that has been and all that will be. But there was an invisible force pushing me through. Some unknown hand guiding me through the visions as a singular shinning golden path became apparent to me.

A future where humanity not only survives the war. But one where the race transcends beyond the limitation of Fate. Freed from the shackles of destiny that binds their future. Liberated to make their own decisions and carve out their own future.

But the path wasn't a peaceful one. Looking deeper into it shows the darker elements of humanity and how such a evolution is achieved. And in the center of it all was me. I was the catalyst, that could either bring about a glorious and hopeful future for humanity or shunt it down to extinction like all who have come before.

A part of my soul wanted to run. The deny such a horrid future path. Millions, billions dead. As wars are waged in my name. The banner of my Empire scorched in flames and drenched in blood.

I knew in the back of my mind that my plan would led to such things but to be confronted with them head on. With images of the future playing in my head, it was too much to bare.

Even now between eye blinks I could see a vast valley in the desert. Different pathways that led to and from the horizon in the distance. Some of them rose too high for me to see, while some would devour any who traversed its depths. The valleys of the past and the future, showing me the way but also blinding me to many doors.

When the gates leading to the throne opened I stood before a trio of beings. Trying to recall their features or voices sent aches crawling around my brain. My mind struggled to visualize what they truly were, as if they were far beyond my comprehension.

They spoke as one but separately at the same time. My body itself felt like mine but also strangely foreign at the same time. As if I was reliving a long forgotten memory of someone else.

As the body I inhabited struck a deal with these beings. They all understood the future of their contract. It will be broken. With the lesser trying to outmaneuver the trinity but the trinity knowing the outcome but enjoying the entertainment.

It all felt like it has all happened before and it had just happened to me. My body moved on its own and spoke words I barely understood as we four came to an agreement. It was as if two similar moments in history was rolled into one singular moment.

And something inside of me had changed. My future seeing capabilities that usual came in frantic visions and nightmares became more clear. Like I was living life without glasses for my entire life. When I didn't hold this ability everything seemed fine but now I realized just how blind I was. And my emotions.

Despite my outward appearance there always were emotions bubbling just beneath the surface. Even after all the horror and trauma I had been through I still felt things. Love, hatred, disgust, excitement, joy. It was this that I believe acted as a mental anchor for me to stay sane.

But now when I reached beneath the surface to fish out such emotions they were dull and undefined around the edges. I could still feel them and know what they are but they seemed like the inner emotions of someone else. Like I was an outside observer looking in. I felt detached from myself.

I feel like I lack the vocabulary to properly put such a feeling into words. I should have felt joy or excitement in gaining such a powerful ally in the Djinn Empire. Or even uneasiness or fear at what they may unleash upon the mortal world. But they were mere whispers that passed my ears.

I couldn't help but find it all a bit too ironic. With my or is it our? Our bargain with the trinity had given me raw power and the wisdom to wield such a power. Enough power now that I felt almost confident in taking on the asuras almost single-handedly with enough aether to fuel me. But it seems I have lost something in return.

So ironic is it that I seem to have lost a bit of my own humanity in order to gain the power to save it.

"For the Eternal Empire!" I roared, but my body was acting by pure instinct by now as I sunk deeper into my mind.

Even without King's Gambit active my mind whirled with processing speed. I took in everything of my surroundings. The ten custodians, all remade at the genetic level to be perfect warriors and bodyguards. The legion of Oliurk's warriors who seemed to have completely forgotten that they raised their own weapons against me a couple moments ago.

To Oliurk who still stared me down with murderous intent. Vago now stood, with a small smile inching around the corner of his lips. A master chronomancer and the former Emperor's personal seer. I tried to seek deeper into his past and future but it seems I need to grow more comfortable with my abilities. Or perhaps his knowledge of aevum shielded him from such tings. It would seem I will have to keep an eye on him for now.

I then carefully turned my attention to Neoth who stood beside me. He was looking with an air of suspicion. Not that I blamed him, I barely understand what had just transpired. It truly felt as if I was just a simple puppet dancing to someone else's commands. All the puzzle pieces just seemed to fit too nicely.

I was almost glad I didn't bring Regis with me. Although having someone I truly trusted to process things would have been nice I don't think my mind could handle it. I'll just have to explain it too Regis and Sylvie later I suppose. As well as reassuring Neoth.

While I carried a measure of the Emperor's own power as well as the beings authority I am still me. Although I guess there would be no sure fire way to 100 percent know is there?

Nevertheless while I already had a plan it would seem my trajectory has changed somewhat. As I now saw the pathway that could lead to not only humanity's survival but further evolution.

But the role I had to play still irked me. Which I guess is a reassurance that my inner humanity wasn't completely gone. There was a script I had to play, but if anything was certain, it was my stubbornness. For now I reject my Fate and role in all of this, I shall play this game my own way.

It wouldn't be the first time.

I briefly closed my eyes as I envisioned the golden path. Such a harsh and treacherous road to salvation. With one small step leading everything into damnation. No, I won't let that happen. Not again. Never again. I shall free us, and if it damns myself. Then I welcome it.