Ruler's Trials

Epilogue

Savar yawned as he flipped through the shows looking for something that he could watch. His wives and children had not yet moved to the capital, so he spent his evenings on the couch. The doorbell began to ring frantically. A hurricane called Karel flew into Savar's house as soon as Savar opened the door, dragging another person behind him.

"Karel, what's going on?"

"I can not do this anymore. You have to help me."

Savar looked at the young woman next to Karel. If he didn't know better, he would have thought she was his twin sister. The young woman was Karel's image in every sense.

"Who is that?"

"My concubine, but I changed my mind, she is not my type. And she wants a child.", Karel hastened his answer, pushing Nada towards him, "Make it for her."

"Wait a minute. It can't be like that.", Savar slammed the door, blocking Karel from getting away, "What am I? A Fucker?"

"Please help me.", Karel looked at him with his big round eyes.

"Keep looking at me like that and you'll be the one who ends up in bed."

Karel shuddered and a gaze passed between them.

Karel cleared his throat and crossed his arms over his chest, like it would defend him from the Savar's intense gaze, "Will you help me?"

Savar licked his lips, sizing his prey. Without breaking eye contact with Karel he asked, "Nada, right? Honey, go to the room, second door on the left."

Nada nodded her head and ran towards her salvation.

"The truth, Karel. What was that?"

"What was what? I just told you.", Karel took a step back, trying not to succumb under the Savar's dominance.

"No, in the arena. Your palms.", Savar's voice was deep and low.

"I don't know what you mean.", Karel whispered.

Savar pushed him against the wall and trapped him with his body, "Don't lie to me, Karel. Not now. You come to me frantically asking me to fuck your sister. I want to know the truth!"

Karel looked down, unable to look him in the eyes anymore, "That was my apology for not telling you about the hologram."

Savar's fist went through the wall next to his head, "So you decided to apologize by giving me the complete submission that a woman gives a man on their first wedding night?"

"Obviously a bad idea," Karel whispered.

"I'm sick of the game you play, Karel.", Savar took a step back, "Nada is mine now. And don't even think of bringing another sister."

"She isn't..."

"NO MORE LIES. OUT!"

Karel sneaked past Savar and ran outside.

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The capital was located at the foot of the mountain. Thousands of luminous dots outlined the city in the night landscape. Karel settled in one of the viewpoints on the mountain. A bottle of alcohol kept him company.

All my life I dreamed of the freedom that I finally have, but again I am imprisoned, in a bigger dungeon than when my father was suffocating me with his demands and society with its expectations. How can I truly be free?

Karel sighed, taking another long sip of wine. The view was magnificent but his thoughts were pulling him apart.

I promised to help my sisters one day, that I would gain freedom not only for myself, but also for them. And now Nada cries for the fake life that I cannot give her, and I may ruin Iva's life if I don't let her go through the Change.

His eyes fell on the tattoos on his forearms.

Fucking tattoos, fucking enhancements, fucking science. He began frantically rubbing his skin, trying to get the tattoos off him. None of that brought me true happiness and peace. Neither to me, nor to my people.

He roared in frustration and threw the bottle down the slope. Anger spilled out of him. The scream of a wounded beast pierced the air.

Anger turned into spite.

No more. Things need to change. We need to change.

Karel resolutely returned to his vehicle and headed back towards the city. It can't work like that anymore. It needs to get better. I will devote myself to it. I have the power, I have the position, I have the chance. Tomorrow is the first day towards a better life. For Savar, for Nada, for Iva, for Snajans. For me.