Chapter 39: Rodeo drive.

The amber glow of the setting sun illuminated an ornate throne room.

Through the vast shattered windows the footsteps of a fast approaching army could be heard. They grew heavier and heavier causing a puddle of blood to ripple as the emperor’s diamond crown lay shattered within it.

*drip*

*drip*

*drip*

Gently, blood trickled onto the crown from the thrown high above within which was slumped the fortieth emperor of the Ukosyranian empire. A massive crimson dagger that was dripping with the last of the emperor’s breaths was plungeddeep into his chest. On either side of him, on each arm rest rested two armoured boots accompanied by several long and vast strands of ash blond hair.

Seated atop the thrown’s back rest was a man named Nikolais who cradled the emperor’s head in his arms, his silver eyes shimmered along with his slender golden locks. His eyes were locked onto the large wooden doorway infront of him.

The vibrations in the golden arched walls and across the tattered ground grew increasingly violent as the emperor’s entourage erupted into the thrown room.

For a second their eyes locked on to Nikolais before moving to the corpse that sat slumped in between his legs.

“Please clear the way.”

From within the crowd stepped forward two of his siblings, Shikimodo and reinzaihad.

“So this is what you’ve chosen to do Nikolais?” The middle sibling Shikimodo said stepping forward while sweeping his bloody cape to the side, he had a question for Nikolais. “How much further do you intend to take this?”

Nikolais smiled softly with a tranquil gaze in his eyes. He raised his hand to point towards a map of the solar system painted across the intricate roof. “As far as I need to. Until the rest of our family finally accepts that they’re no longer the highest heaven’s chosen. Even if Diana was promised that we would rule over the earth in the beginning, the gods break their promises all the time. There is no longer any need to make mortals suffer and die in our hopeless need to be recognised again. Let’s cut our ties to the past and usher in a new age of peace. Now that our father is dead there is no going back to the way things were, which is why I want to know which among you are willing to fight by my side.”

At the next moment everyone present, from elite soldiers and generals to priest and priestesses as well as his two brothers Shikimodo and Reinzaihad, all kneeled down before him declaring him to be. “Lord Dianary Hoshi Nikolais… The forty first emperor of the Ukosyranian empire and supreme Demi god monarch of the far north. Sovereign over all that is touched by the snow.”

“What was that?” An eleven year old Okimodo opened his eyes to see his father sitting on his bed beside him.

“That was a collection of memory recordings from me and your late uncle Nikolais.” Shikimodo smiled before continuing. “Since you love to go on and on about becoming an archetype one day. I wanted you to know how a good deity conducts themselves.”

Okimodo sat up before saying. “I don’t know dad. In the end he died and his corpse became a golden statue. That’s why I always preferred Heshea as a role model.”

Shikimodo sighed. “Being a hero is about putting others before yourself. Your uncle sacrificed himself to save millions of people and in the end he became far more popular than Heshea.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Okimodo stared at his own feet before saying. “What’s the point in being a legend if I die in the end…”

Back in the present Hiro was in the middle of explaining something as Okimodo’s mind continued to wonder.

A black vale enveloped everything sending Okimodo into a black void filled with stars.

Before him an illusory figure emerged into sight. It was none other than Cigarette Head who immediately began to lampoon.

“You should’ve just went home, why the hell are you helping this girl?” Cigarette Head’s head burned ferociously as he spoke.

“He’s doing it to fuck her obviously.” Off to the side appeared none other than the monkey faced demon with red eyes. It snarled at Okimodo and Cigerette Head as it continued to speak its raspy voice. “You both know it’s true. We need to have ourselves a full course meal. Kaiya was only the appetiser. Once you help her you can then steal all of Benjamin’s money to whine her and dine her before ravishing her.”

“Stealing the money is actually a pretty logical idea.” Cigarette Head added. “Since everyone hates him we can steal his money and assets to little controversy if we’re caught. Of course we’d have to kill tons of other super resonators who’d have the same idea. Perhaps there are benefits to be gained from helping her.”

“Enough already.” Okimodo sighed. “Both of you piss off.”

At the next moment Okimodo returned to reality before rubbing his head in pain. He had been suffering from hallucinations for the past two years with little explanation as to why. He never said a word of this to anyone so he would often be caught talking to himself or laughing randomly leading to many awkward experiences. Cigarette Head was the only one Okimodo trusted and would speak to regularly. The other entities of which there were three were all extremely unpleasant to be around. The monkey faced demon was particularly vulgar and would only ever talk about sex or something else that was equally as weird. For that reason Okimodo would always ignore it.

“You seemed to zone out for a second there, are you ok?” Hiro asked as she got close to him.

Okimodo smiled and answered. “I’m fine what were you saying again.”

“We’re going to do this together!” Hiro smiled. “First things first you need a disguise.”

“I can shape shift so that won’t be an issue.” Okimodo responded. “Watch this.”

At the next moment Okimodo shrunk down into the form of a grey falcon.

Hiro’s eyes lit up in amazement before she enveloped herself in her black mist becoming a grey falcon as well. “Let’s follow the convoy and observe how things go.”

Benjamin’s convoy raced through the wide street filled with luxury shops that were closed for the night.

“I must say I’ve always admired how well you all dress over there, if you couldn’t already tell.” Benjamin spoke to Ivan in a flattering tone as he motioned towards his own suit and tie. “A culture that knows its purpose, its mission.”

“If you like it so much you should move there.” Ivan who sat beside him was barely able to contain his disgust at the man. Due to Benjamin’s exploits he had kicked up a storm of bad publicity for the Ukosyranian empire and its emperor. This was mainly due to how frequently Benjamin would attempt to associate himself with them during his speeches. After the genocide in Lenoon the emperor had enough and secretly ordered Ivan to bring Benjamin back to the empire and publicly execute him to repair their reputation. This was the main reason why he was even in this part of the world to begin with. Of course seeing his old friend and the emperor’s younger brother Shikimodo did improve his mood somewhat.

Behind Ivan and Benjamin sat the rest of Benjamin’s group who were all seated facing each other due to the long and narrow profile of the automobile. Shannon had managed to fall asleep with her head on her father’s lap and her legs lying across her mother’s. No one other than Ivan and Benjamin had spoken ever since entering the vehicle and an awkward atmosphere began to manifest.

Hiruru began to ponder on when to snatch the contract away from Benjamin. If possible she could attempt it right now but with Ivan in the car with them it was extremely dangerous to attempt it. While she was pretty sure that Ivan despised the man it was still best to be cautious.

In the rear most vehicle Shipo was dead silent as he sat beside the masked man. He knew that it was only a matter of time before the next assassination attempt occurs. He gazed out of the window eyeing the tall apartment buildings as they passed him by. He wondered where they’d attack from first and when.

“As on edge as ever I see.” The masked man finally spoke up.

“You talk as if you know me.” Shipo continued to observe the passing scenery.

“Have a look at this.” The maskedman responded by taking off his mask.

Shipo turned to look at him before shock suddenly struck him “You’re…”

Sitting next Shipo was none other than his own cousin, prince Rineamodo the son of the forty second Ukosyranian emperor Rinezaihad.

“It’s been a while Shipo.” Rineamodo smiled politely.

End of chapter 39.