Reign of fire.

The people peacefully sitting have begun to feel unrest as they hear the news. "Another war! Won't this discord ever end?"

"The gods have come once more. to punish us."

"Is it true that the blue flame wielding hero leads them?"

So many questions. Enough to make you deaf with the barrage of each unsure person in the room. Soon, one clears out. He ranted about how Frelasien should take them on. Boasting about the newfound alliance between the two great kingdoms. Now that Rhodovierre lies in ashes, we remain as the greatest power in the country. Although one question rings in Grams mind as he spectates the people and their various qualms.

For what reason would they attack? Death knights? What in the world are death knights? Knowing full well that someone out there possesses the power to conjure blue flames sits well with them since he's a hero figure. A champion of the gods is what they believe him to be. 

If it's the same person that i am thinking about, the same one i saw in the battle years ago with Vasantria. then it's a whole other story. 

We have to act while we can. It won't bode well for the people knowing that an army that came straight from a fairy tale book has come to eradicate us all. Even i don't believe what's happening now. I mean death knights? If they are indeed authentic, then this is no time to be having a ceremony and sitting quietly twiddling our thumbs.

I must act like a king even if i'm not one yet... But if there is a chance that the one they call Fafnir, and the commander of the death knights are the same. Then i must make sure of something. It can't be a coincidence. I've searched for him far and wide, but alas nothing.

Gram inhales deeply, and exhales.

"King Lazarus, King Nerian, if you'll excuse me. Commander Fiol Lumiere. Please evacuate the people of the city. Tell the guards to issue an alert, effective immediately. King Nerian, and King Lazarus. Please take the princesses somewhere safe and call the generals to the meeting room. I will be there shortly. Dismissed."

Everyone in attendance becomes surprised as they see firsthand the predecessor of king Arthur. His son, Gram takes the reigns and leads this kingdom, and as if by instinct, they all move fluidly and according to the decree. They don't panic. Now that they've witnessed the awe inspiring leadership that the great king Arthur Kal-Ardonia possessed, they feel reassured that everything will be fine. 

Nerian and Lazarus takes Charlotte and Juliette away, both of which are still in shock to hear about the leader of the knights heading towards here. 

As Nerian puts his hand on his sisters shoulder, she also places a hand on his, and she faces Nerian with her mouth still slightly open. "It's Fafnir... i am sure of it. There must be some reason for him doing all of this i am sure of it i-i." Her knees weaken, but Nerian supports her. He kneels in front of her, staring into Charlotte's eyes. "First we have to find out whether it truly is Fafnir. No need to fear my sister, leave this to us."

The same goes for princess Juliette who awaited anxiously for her fiancee's return. "Father has he finally returned?" asks Juliette. With stern eyes, Lazarus assures his daughter. "Calm my dear. All will be clear soon enough, but for now all i ask is for you to be patient. I know how long you have waited for this moment, but it is not quite the best of scenarios to come."

Both of the doting family members escort their princesses out of the room while Gram oversees everything before him. Calm, collected, but somewhat fazed by the series of events that have been pushed in front of him. Wondering how how should go about this. With little to no knowledge about what is to come, he wishes for the best for everyone's sake.

Gram beckons to the guards that are beside him. "Three of you help out in the evacuation of the castle. You, come with me, don't feel pressured, but everything i do for now will rely solely on how well you do what you are told. Come."

The three guards that were ordered follow in Commander Fiol's steps in evacuation of the church and the people in it. With the command carried out peacefully, the sound of the people outside cooperating with the evacuation notice. All is proceeding well so far. That's one problem out of the way, now comes a few more. 

Gram and the guard that looks like he's in his late 20's nervously walk through the halls of the castle, trying his best not to show it in front of his liege. Their destination is the conference room of Atlas-Azure. The same place where all meetings concerning the kingdom take place.

As they walk by, the guard accompanying Gram fidgets beside him. In a low calm voice, Gram speaks. "Are you nervous for what's to come?"

"Yes. If it's alright to confess my king, I fear for the lives that will be lost in this war... My family, they need me." replies the guard, unable to look the prince in the eyes as they talk with each other. 

The man who might almost be on the brink of tears follows up with another remark. "I've heard how gruesome and terrifying the last war was. The entire army was cut in half merely by civilians, a handful of soldiers and the blue flamed hero. Are those all true?"

Gram looks down for a moment and places a hand on his chin. Then he replies to that man "All of it is real. War is a terrible thing, and if there ever was a way that i could abolish it, then so help me i will, but i can't. Even i am vexed by the fact that i am only human. I can only protect so few. Yet there exists people such as the blue flame wielding hero, Luke Galehearth & Fiol Lumiere, the heroes of the rumored ancients's war. I am only human, yet i won't let that stop me."

The guard inhales deeply, then exhales with a renewed vigor in his eyes. "I won't let you down King Gram! I will do anything in my power to serve you wholeheartedly." The guard announces with devotion. Inspiration and heartfelt promise comes from him.

"Come. We've much to do. I will assure that i will do everything i can to save everyone including your family. What is your name?" Gram asks the devoted guard.

"Marcus my king. Marcus Schneider. I come from the next country over to serve King Arthur years ago before he ruled the country, before you were born." 

Gram's eyes open in wonder and curiosity. "Is that true? Have you met my father in personal? Tell me all about him if you can. What was it like serving under him? What was his greatest achievements?"

The supposedly king to be of the country turns into a child for a split second. He barrages the guard with questions about his father's deeds and greatness, unable to hide the glee on his face.

They walk together towards their original destination. As if a threat did not exist, for a split second it was okay to be only human, but will being human stand a chance against what's to come? that is the question of many.

Meanwhile outside the the church from where the ceremony for the royal wedding was being held. The soldiers garrison the various towers of the city, fortifying it as early as possible. Soldiers are sorting themselves out, the high ranking officials are shouting various commands in order to prepare for the coming.

The problem is where they should keep the people safe? Immense crowds of people clog the streets so much that the soldiers are doing their best to get through each and everyone of them. They consider their options... Will there be time for a countryside evacuation? Will the people be safe here behind the walls instead? 

What is the enemy that threatens them? Death knights? just what were they? Were they the same ones said to have conquered Rhodovierre with brutality? No one has yet to answer the countless of questions that are bred each passing second.

The discussion is held without further delay. The generals come up with various types of information that will prove vital in the coming defense, but majority of the discussion is about questions. "Is their purpose an attack? Who knows, they might just be passing by."

"Ridiculous! You think a menacing looking army will just waltz by a city where great riches lie?"

"Who knows. Their objectives might not even be riches, but the lives of the very people here. Their aim might be to stop to royal wedding."

"Or possibly something worse. To end the life of our great king."

A debate takes place. Several propositions and problems arise, but unfortunately no decision is decided. Gram, meanwhile thinks to himself despite the noisy environment that he is forced to cope with. 

A soldier comes barging in the conference room, and as he storms the place, the generals are baffled. Having all their attentions caught, the soldier tries to catch his breath, clearly out of shape.

He conveys his message "The army has invaded a nearby town! I am a guard from the town of Vhalur sent by the mayor. They sent me to relay the message that they are indeed hostile. The army stationed there is delaying them, but those monsters are burning the villagers, and turning them into one of them!"

The generals now look to each other as their beliefs are proven true. The marching army is indeed a threat to us now.

Gram stands, and the generals face him. "Generals, prepare your armies and station them outside the outskirts of the city. Let general Luke Galehearth and commander Fiol Lumiere arrange the formation of the battalions. A war is now inevitable as they have attacked our people. Move now!"

The generals flock out of the conference room as they beckon to their squires to aid them in assembling the army.

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Now only he is left in the room. Pacing back and forth trying to figure out how to counter an enemy that turns you into one of them as said in the report. 

Marcus Schneider and King Lazarus enter the room. They see a confused and distraught prince pacing back and forth through the open door of the room.

"Gram! My King. Come... I have something that i must show you." King Lazarus kneels in front of Gram along with Marcus.  

"King Lazarus! What is this about? this is no time to jest and tease me." Gram reacts, as King Lazarus was one not known for doing these things, like bowing and kneeling as his pride and ego overtakes him.

"I do not jest whenever my people are in need of help. I will pass on to you a present from your late father, King Arthur. I will be aiding you in battle, so it is only right that i give you something before we depart. It seems that this won't be a normal war. The lives that were lost during the war with Vasantria might double."

King Lazarus exits the room, and Marcus follows. "The king seems serious to show you something. It might be well to take a look and see. After all it is from your father." Marcus encourages me. 

I cannot let it show, but i am mentally stressed. The lives of many innocents are entrusted to me now. This is different from attacking, but defending. This might be a trial too hard for me to overcome, but i follow them. No time to be stubborn Gram. Pull yourself together.

I run in pursuit of King Lazarus who is now paces away from me. 

We walk for a while until we reach the royal office. On the way, the palace is silent. The sound of people outside are the only source of sound. The same place where father worked every night. Here he answers the various questions and problems that the people of Ardrasthrur have sent him. Even though he might pass out at any second, he perseveres to the fullest just for his people to prosper. That's why i idolized him.

Will i be the same king as him though? How will i be able to amount to something as great as King Arthur the conqueror, the hero, the greatest king to walk the lands of Elesia? 

I dismiss all of those questions for now and return my full attention to King Lazarus, and whatever it is he is going to show me. 

He walks toward a bookcase that has seemed to have accumulated dust for the past years of being unused. you might cough just by being near to one of the shelves. The room does not have proper lighting, so i prop open the blinds and let the sun flow in. 

The room isn't that spacious, but it is a office that is designed to give the host an ample and comfortable environment where he can sort things out carefully. My father oddly liked the cramped space of his office eve though his advisers were against it. 

Maybe he just didn't want more work, as the room could only accommodate enough enough paper work for a man not to be clogged in. He was crafty as a king, but he had some quirks that made him fun as a father. 

It's magnificent. The amount of things my father had collected through the years of his reign. There are even something that the villagers have given him because of the prosperity of the kingdom under his rule, but that isn't what all this is about. 

King Lazarus bends down from behind the desk where stacks of papers are piled up. Lazarus takes something from under it. A long object wrapped in pristine cloth. He then places it on the desk, presenting it to me. "I found and read a letter addressed to you from your father."

He hands me a parchment of paper, and i read it silently.

If you've found this, then it means that you were curious and it was right for me to hide this on a book in the royal archives, or someone else might have found this. There's something i want to give you, but i'm not really the best at expressing how i feel, so i'll give to you in a form of a surprise. Go to my office, and under the desk you will find your present, and heirloom. Wield it with pride and someday you will become greater than me. 

-From your father, Arthur. I love you, son.

Small droplets of water begin to drop onto the letter. Trying to hold his tears back desperately, Gram clutches the letter near his chest tightly. "Even after you've gone you're still a great father... I will never forget you and mother." 

Finally, he braves his emotions and wipes his tears with his arm. Approaching the mysterious gift, he slowly unwraps the cloth.

Underneath it is a sharp gleaming long sword. Not just any sword. It is adorned with a masterful design and engravings. 

Gram traces the body of the blade with his two fingertips, and suddenly his heart beats in resonance. Unable to take off his hands from the blade, he stands motionless.

"Are you alright Gram?" asks Marcus and Lazarus, as they stand beside him dumbfounded.

Lazarus puts his hands on Grams right shoulder, and his heart also beats in resonance. Concerned, Marcus does this as well, repeating what Lazarus had just done. 

They see what Gram sees. Though they are in the comfort of the office room, it doesn't look that way in their eyes. 

The surroundings are misty, blue, like the clouds up above. Is this what heaven is like? Shooting stars across the sky, the clouds spiral above us, no other sign of life besides us.A soft breeze wafts through the mysterious world. You look at the ground, and all you see is pure white cotton. "Just where are we" Exclaims Marcus.

Gram and Lazarus look around their surroundings, they see no difference in each turn they take, every single scene is the same. 

A voice rings out from nowhere. "You are my new master! The previous master has made a contract of passing, thus this humble blade will now serve its predecessor."

"Blade? predecessor? Explain yourself whoever you are! Tell us what is all of this!" Gram shouts as loudest as he can. 

"You are in my domain! I am you, but i posses no name. I have been passed down to you by my previous wielder. A man of glory and great strength, truly a marvel of legends. Deserving of the pantheon of heroes. His name is Arthur, and my name is Arthur, but i am Arthur no more"

Gram tries his best to comprehend what the disembodied voice had just told them, Lazarus and Marcus stands back, letting Gram handle this as he has a fairly good grip on what is happening. 

The voice continues. "This world that i have resided in all my existence is named Zilfer. A plane created solely for me and my master to commune. A replica of the heavens, yet the heavens has much more grandeur than this. Mine pales in comparison. Now... Ask me to your hearts content. In my domain, a day here will be a minute in your world."

"I understand somewhat. How about you King Lazarus, Marcus?" asks Gram, curious as to what they think of the place and this happening. 

"By all means. Keep asking. It does not seem hostile, and if what he says is the truth, then we have an ample amount of time to figure things out. This might be more of a blessing rather than a strange happening." King Lazarus remarks. 

He looks to Marcus, still looking around him. "I can't believe this! Just how strange can this be? I can't begin to think about anything at all,, i-i just, bah! I have to calm down. Take your tie here prince Gram. I'll need all the time i can to understand this before i loose my sanity."

I leave Marcus to do whatever he pleases, and for King Lazarus... He spectates my conversation with the voice.

"Now, tell me. What is this all about, and why am i here. Explain to me no matter ho convoluted the explanation. I need answers."

The voice replies without a hint of care against my provocation. "Very well. I am a sword forged from the heavens. You mortals believe that it is just a myth, but yet it exists. I existed when i was brought to  life on the earth. For all i knew, i was a blade, and my purpose is to provide power to those who deserve it. Only the worthy are capable. Thus i was taken by a man who i had made a contract with. His name was Arthur, the man responsible for passing me down to you."

"To form a contract, you will have to repeat after me. I will receive your name, and together we will be one. You will be your own blade. I take the name of my wielders and, thus the contract is sealed. No one else can use me unless you pass me down. The only way to pass me down is to do a ceremony, or a write of passing. The same one Arthur had done."

"Now tell me... What is your name?" asks the blade.

"My name is Gram."

"Then i shall start the ceremony. I will now become the sword, Gram. All your enemies are mine. The power i will bestow unto you are yours to use however you so desire. There will be no consequences to this, only strength given to those who are worthy. You are worthy..."

A blinding flash of light pulsates within the sky above. Chimes and a divine choir-like sound rings from everywhere. Although no one's here beside be except King Lazarus and Marcus, I hear sounds coming from a great multitude of people, but where?

I feel something coursing from within me. Unnatural and fleeting. 

"Now we are one. I am Gram, and together we shall spread glory of your power that will forever be sung by legends."