The Phoenix King #1 Bed of Ashes

Chapter 8 Duty and Doubt

Just off the coast of Elysium, amidst the crumbling ruins of a once-mighty tower, Nohokai sat, staring out at the restless sea. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the jagged rocks below provided a soothing backdrop, but it did little to calm the storm brewing within his mind. Memories of the past plagued him—visions of the day his family and clan were reduced to ashes. Today was no different. He questioned himself repeatedly, wondering if his plan to seize the throne from his brother was the right course of action. Surely, the people would be better off under my rule...

A voice, faint and almost indistinguishable from the whispering wind, intruded upon his thoughts, You must rule, you must honor your brother. The voice was faint, almost like a whisper carried on the wind. It was a constant reminder of his burden, a duty he couldn't ignore. Nohokai often wondered why this voice spoke only to him. It was a needless whisper, for he was already resolved to fulfill his destiny at any cost.

These thoughts always jolted him back to reality. As his doubts faded, so did the voice. He stood up, his joints aching from long hours of sitting, and walked over to a tarnished mirror embedded in the tower's stone wall. His reflection revealed a tall, gaunt man with pale, almost blue skin that clung unnaturally to his bones. The harsh sunlight highlighted the ruins around him, casting long shadows that seemed to mock his despair. His hair was long enough that it was troublesome to keep out of his eyes, and in the light, hints brown—the same brown as your father's—peeked through.

The thought of his father ignited a spark of anger within him. His fists clenched involuntarily, and his breathing grew shallow and rapid. His face, usually stern and expressionless, twisted with rage. Yet, you could rarely tell the difference between his angry and his resting face.

Nohokai's mind was a battlefield, a place where duty clashed with doubt, and memories waged war against his resolve. The voice, ever-present, pushed him forward, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he was teetering on the edge of a precipice. He took a deep breath, the salty sea air filling his lungs, and tried to steady his racing thoughts. The path ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but he knew he had to press on.

As he turned away from the mirror, Nohokai's gaze fell upon the horizon. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm, golden glow over the water. It was a beautiful sight, one that contrasted sharply with the turmoil within him. He closed his eyes, allowing the sounds and smells of the sea to wash over him, and whispered to himself, "For the people, for my brother." The words hung in the air, a solemn vow that he intended to keep, no matter the cost.

The ruins around him, once a symbol of power and might, now stood only to mirror Nohokai's loss and decay. But within Nohokai, there was still a spark of hope, a glimmer of determination. He would honor his brother, he would reclaim his family's legacy, and he would bring peace to the kingdom. The road ahead was long and treacherous, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay in his path.

He turned away from the mirror, his gaze shifting to the crumbling wall of the room. Through the gaps, he spotted a lone figure in a boat on the water below. It was Taiji Kai, his son. Nohokai watched as Taiji skillfully maneuvered the boat, likely out catching his dinner. The sight stirred a complex mix of emotions within him. He rarely saw his son, except in fleeting moments, as Taiji was always training or hunting. That distance was intentional, as Nohokai believed that anything less than relentless effort would mean Taiji was too weak to carry their family name and live up to the legacy of their clan.

Nohokai's eyes followed the movement of the boat, admiring the precision and dedication Taiji displayed. He knew his son was acutely aware of the high expectations placed upon him. The boy had taken it upon himself to hunt for every meal he ate, a practice that brought a rare sense of pride to Nohokai.