Arthur Pov

The soft cold breeze of the snowy mountains ran through my hair. I took a deep breathe of the crisp air as I looked over this Empire I had been given.

From the balcony on the highest spiral tower I could see the entire throneworld. Massive fortress walls that formed a rough circle around the entire Imperial palace and the surrounding city seemed to be grown out of the very mountain itself.

On the horizon I could see the sun setting, casting a odd dark purplish red hue across the entire palace. It still felt quite strange, I had first became a king out of necessity back on Earth. Well, at least until Vera had other plans. And I had hoped I would have never had to take the reins again.

But look at me now. Not only king, but a Emperor to an entire race nonetheless. And the familiar feeling came flooding back in.

Standing on top of the world meant little could challenge me. Especially now I would guess that there were only a handful of beings that could pose a real threat to me. But it also meant that I would be greatly isolated.

I could no longer wonder around the streets carefree. I could no longer speak candidly about mundane subjects. Every conversation I partook in was seeped with the deeper workers of politics.

I could no longer talk completely unguarded. I was no longer able to truly connect on a deeper more personal level to people without a sense of doubt lurking in the back of my mind. Everyone around me were either trying to gain favor or walking on eggshells.

That was what it meant to be a king. Not the luxuries or pleasures of ruling. But the burden of it all. Especially in times of war, where every detail and decision will cost lives.

And now the control of an entire race falls upon me. The ancient mages that once ruled the material world but had there civilization erased from history and driven deep into pocket worlds by the dragons.

To say I had big expectations placed upon me was an understatement. And while the Djinn Emperor had given me a measure of his own power, memories, and authority the truth was that I was still clueless.

I had a plan of course. I could still visualize it with my eyes open, the singular shinning path that insures the safety of my people. But the journey to such ends was dark and filled with thorns. As well as demanding a heavy price upon myself.

Still quite poetic no? Having to discard my own humanity to save all of humanity. I'll lead my people to a gift that will be long lost to me. Something I won't live to see.

I held a hand out to the cold air. Feeling the aether dance around my fingers, awaiting my command. So much power I wield, yet still some small part of my was and forever will be a human. So vulnerable, so weak, so selfish.

The rhythmic clicking of Neoth's staff on the tile floors drew my attention away. Turning away from the balcony window I saw the ancient Djinn. Wearing a form of a young man with dark skin and bright pink eyes he donned his usual emerald green scaled cloak.

"Are you done wasting time?" He said with his eyebrows raised. Neoth didn't seem to like it here, and I didn't really disagree with him.

The way the Djinn of the Empire almost seem to revere their Emperor and by extension me as a holy deity wasn't a comforting feeling. And whatever history Neoth and Vago shared I could physically feel the tension between them. And he has been eager to leave as soon as possible.

"I do suppose it is time we return to Dicathen." I said as I pulled away from the window.

Neoth raised a hand in protest to interrupt me. "Did you already forget about the matter with your incarnate buddy?"

Ah yes, the matter with Nico. I had left him in the care of Neoth for so long now that I had almost forgotten. But it would seem that the soul and memory stuff I had him deal with was done. I wasn't really sure how to truly approach the subject, I'm sure Nico would still be furious with me but I had to convince him somehow. Perhaps with the same bait Agrona had used.

"Yes, but I'd like to check up on my continent. I'm not quite sure how much time had elapsed since I had arrived here."

"You don't trust my legions and your slaves to take care of a measly continent for a few days?" Neoth said as he helped himself to the luxurious armchair in my room.

"First of all, they are not my slaves."

"Whatever you say your imperial majesty." Neoth waved away my remark.

I took a firm step and faced Neoth as I allowed the aetheric might I have been suppressing seep out. I could feel the temperature in the already cold room drop further as gravity around me seemed to warp.

"Have you already forgotten who just saved your ass old man?" I said in a icy cold voice as I pointed a finger at him.

Neoth seemed to visibly shrink in the chair as beads of sweat appeared on his face. He seemed to recover quickly however as he cleared his throat.

"Of course Grey, I was merely joking that's all. Isn't that close companions do is it not?" Neoth replied, his voice shaking.

"Yes. And there are reasons as to why I have placed you as my second-in-command despite the many others within our ranks with better qualifications. Don't make me regret that decision Neoth." I finished as I pulled away to give him space to breath.

In a way I suppose Neoth was one of the few people I could consider a friend right now. Despite my position as Emperor we still treated each other on common ground, just people brought together due to circumstance. He did not beat around the bush in an effort to please me, he said things he believed I deserved to hear. So I can find some solace in that.

He did not revere me like the god-king the other Djinn seemed to. While there have been rumors of religious cults popping up around Dicathen I wouldn't have imagined the Djinn of all people to deify their ruler and by extension me.

I was planning on dealing with the cults in due time but if I were to slowly introduce the Djinn back into Dicathen the problem would probably only grow.

Neoth cleared his throat as he spoke, his voice still shaking. "Of course Grey. I will make the appropriate preparations for our departure."

Nodding I responded. "I shall take with me one legion of the imperial forces. As well as 5 of the custodians."

Neoth frowned at my request. "Only a single legion and five custodians? Grey are you forgetting the political power you now hold?" Neoth questioned as he rose from the armchair.

"The rest of the custodian guards shall act in my stead here on the throneworld. I have no intentions of moving my base of operations here. And as for you, I doubt you would want to stay here any longer than you would need to. Else you might end up with a knife in your back." I replied, eluding to what Vago might do. I didn't fully know their full share history but from the short meetings with both of them present I could tell from the looks they gave each other that leaving the two of them alone wasn't a smart decision.

As well as Neoth having to deal with Nico. He had already informed me that he was nearly completion in untangling my fellow incarnates mind and soul. And I will have to deal with him when it comes time.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"But why only a single legion then?" Neoth questioned.

"From the reports we have both read Demeptah commands a sizable force after he absorbed most of the Highlord's realms into his own. And as the Imperial military stands we lack raw numbers compared to him. Now tell me do you believe I should further weaken the throneworld?" I asked with my eyebrows raised.

While the Imperial forces made up for their lack of numbers with the sheer quality, even the lowest foot-solider of a legion would give a veteran silver core mage a run for their money. But we lacked numbers, or it would be more adept to say Demeptah now commanded the vast majority of the surviving Djinn forces. The reason behind why Vago allowed such a thing to happen still needed to be investigated.

I didn't need to fight a war in two fronts. I already had to deal with both Agrona and Kezess, I didn't want to add another annoying foe to my list. Even the remaining council of Djinn weren't all too happy with me gaining the throne.

Perhaps gaining the title of regent of this empire was a curse in disguise. Putting too much on my plate as I struggle to balance everything.

I lightly shook my head. For now I should focus on getting back to Dicathen. There was still a war to win after all. And I could feel Kezess lurking amongst the shadows of my prescience, he will make a move soon enough.

In the meantime baiting Agrona deeper into this war was task number one. I turned back to Neoth and gave him a small smile.

I heard Neoth slowly rise from his seat as he walked to leave the room. I returned to my place by the balcony looking over the imperial capital.

"Wait." I called out before Neoth opened the door.

Neoth turned to face me as I continued to stare outside as the snow covered mountains in the horizon as the sun waned every smaller, casting a hazy dim purple glow across the landscape.

"Do you remember when we first met?" I asked in a way that was hard to read my intentions of bringing up such a subject.

"What of it?" Neoth asked, clearly apprehensive as to why I would ask such a thing. I suppose it was a touchy subject or at least an uncomfortable one for us. We both didn't have the best introduction with each other.

But it was also Neoth pushing me to the brink of death that reawakened Regis. Fueled by my desperation and spike in emotions I was reunited with a close family member at last. In truth it was a bit lonely and quiet with only Sylvie and me in my head.

But no that was not where I was getting at. I've come to realize we have never truly had a heart to heart conversation. Where we would actually speak with truth instead of our usual passive aggressive tone. Though I suppose it was a bit more difficult for Neoth now more than ever. Before I basically held a knife at his throat but now I was the chosen regent of his people.

"Do you remember when you probed into my mind?" I asked as I slightly turned my head sideways to look back at him.

I could see Neoth visibly grow uncomfortable at my question. Perhaps he thinks I will have him reprimanded for such transgressions. Having forcefully peered to the mind of a king, I am sure royal subjects have been executed for less.

"I do, my lord." Neoth said as he swallowed dry saliva.

I couldn't help but give a light chuckle. "Don't start using 'my lord' with me. If anybody here has the right to call me by my name than it would be you."

That only seemed to calm him down just slightly as he was still on edge. Not like being on high alert would do him any good. I could sense a direct telepathic communication to the Custodians standing guard just outside my door and Neoth would even have time to cast any teleportation spell or protective ward. And that doesn't even account for me directly attacking him.

No, he must know that I was keeping him alive for a reason. If I truly wanted him dead or replaced he would have been the instant I was crowned emperor.

"Tell me Neoth, when you took a good look at my inner mind what did you with all your years of wisdom see?" I questioned with my eyebrows raised.

Neoth stood there for a couple seconds as the silence hung over us. I took a deep sigh as I pushed myself off the balcony and turned on my heels.

"Come on, we both know if I wanted you dead you wouldn't have even noticed it." I joked with a small laugh trying to lighten the mood.

Neoth cleared his throat with a small cough.

"As you wish. I witnessed the two full lifetimes you have spent as well as the numerous simulated lives you have experience in one of my race's keystones." Neoth said in very measured tones, being cautious with gauging my reaction to each of his words.

"And what did you see? What did you think?" I asked as I leaned on the balcony windowsill.

Neoth lightly shook his head as he answered. "Grey, you may as well be as old and ancient as one of us. The years you have been through, your true age may well in the thousands or hundreds of thousands. And yet..." Neoth trailed off.

It would seem I am able to slowly chip away at the thick layers of emotion and mental armor Neoth has erected between us. While this will be a tedious and difficult task it was needed. I needed people close to me who I could trust, as well as other people that could trust me as well as my plan for this world's future.

"And yet?" I egged him on to continue.

"You seemed very reserved with using that gift you have been given."

"Oh? How so?" I asked with genuine curiosity. It wasn't often you could have an outsider peer deep into the depths of your inner psyche. And while I had Sylvie and Regis, Regis was more akin to a reflection of myself. Being made from a part of me and all. And with Sylvie, having been bonded to her ever since she was born as well as having our souls intertwined with Fate the three of us may as well be on single entity in a trio of bodies.

"It's almost as if... As if you are afraid to look back. You have this wealth of knowledge of experience stretching thousands of years from a variety of differing perspectives. Yet you seem afraid to walk down the corridor of time in fear of being burned by it. Almost as if you will find something or I guess in your case rediscover something you had buried deep in your own memories. Something you have locked away from even yourself."

I was momentarily stunned. All of what he said was indeed true. And was one of the reasons why I was almost glad in a strange sort of way to having been gifted this ability of prescience by the Djinn Emperor. Not having to face the years of my past and being able to look forward was a breath of new air. Not quite pleasant as the future wasn't the most noble bright of destinies.

But I still wanted to challenge Neoth, to poke him more to see if he will reveal himself from his own shell.

"And how would you know? As far as I know you are not an incarnate like me or have experience the lives in a keystone." I said in a slightly accusing tone.

"Oh Grey, you have no idea." Neoth seemed to loosen up a bit as he drew in a bit closer as he leaned on his staff.

"You do think that when I take over a body that the original host's soul just dissipates into nothingness? No. While weaker souls are put into a coma-like state there are some who are always awake." Neoth pinched the upper bridge of his nose as he clenched his eyes shut as if reliving a painful memory.

"Sometimes I can still hear them. Screaming, crying, scratching away at the bars of the mental prison I have placed them in. Begging me to free them as they helplessly watch their body be hijacked. And the worst part of it all is that I feel all of that shit. Sharing the body of someone with an aware soul, I can feel everything they feel and have felt. All of there hopes, dreams, and wishes. Their darkest secrets and their most cherished memories of their loved ones. I have practically lived hundreds of different lives. So don't lecture me about the fucking shit you go through incarnate!" Neoth cursed back at me as I could feel the anger flare up within him.

But I couldn't return the anger back at him. I could only look back at him with a sense of pity but also a small comforting feeling.

I approached Neoth as I placed a friendly hand on his right shoulder.

"It would seem we aren't so different huh." I said.

Neoth gently shook his head. "What a pair we are. What kind of messed much game is Fate playing putting us together."

A moment of peaceful silence and understanding passed between us. The only sound of the gentle breeze of the cool night air.

After a couple of moments I asked him a question. "You do remember my plan?"

"The insane one?"

"Yes, that one. And while some parts of it still stand there have been alterations."

Neoth looked back at me with a look of horror. "Please don't tell me all that work I've done was for nothing."

"Oh no no. That device still plays a important role so rest assured friend. But there are somethings I will have to fill you in on as the need arises." I reassured him.

"In the meantime perhaps you could aid me with dealing with all of past lives in your head." I jokingly said but Neoth seemed to take it a lot more seriously than I intended.

"When we have the time then sure. I also have my inner demons I wish to deal with and I believe having another who shares something similar would make it easier." Neoth said with a small genuine smile. It almost seemed unnatural with his features, but progress nonetheless.

I nodded in agreement, there were still many things left to do. And the dealing with Nico will no doubt drag out more unsettling memories from my past that I'll have to come to terms with. But I do believe Neoth and I have managed to somewhat bridge the gap that was between us. A bit funny eh? Bonding over shared trauma. Better than being constantly at each other's throats I suppose.

I turned to Neoth again as I motioned for him to join me as we walked to the door out of my room. The sun had completely set now, casting the capital in darkness as I could see the specks of light dotted throughout the city. It was still a scary feeling having a large portion of a long forgotten race's future ridding on my already heavily weighed down shoulders.

There was still a deep part of me, a small piece of me that I had buried in the depths of my mind that begged for a release from all of this. To create my own pocket dimension for my loved one to live in in peaceful ignorance. I quickly ejected such thoughts from my head.

'I have gone to far to quit now. I am now committed. And no sacrifice is too great for the insured future of life. One life should not oppose the needs of the many.'

I masked my inner thoughts with a reassuring smirk at Neoth.

"Come on, let's go home."