Throne of Leaves

Chapter 23

 I did not look back as I made my way back down the path. Nor did I notice the budding flowers on the trees, or the color of the leaves changing. I did not fully comprehend my new powers or whatever they were. All I understood was that I was King and by that, I may have the swords of the first king, who shared my name. I shook my head. Maybe today I will find out more incomprehensible things. My entire world that I knew, just went out the window. Powers, magic, soul swords. All of it I did not know existed. t may all connect back to the energy of the Forest but I do not know. This is something to talk and think over many days. I sighed and broke through the undergrowth with confident strides. Even now I felt different. More alive, more strong, more confident. I spotted my small company and Aaron was the first to see me. His eyes grew wide and he fell to the ground kneeling before me. The others turn wondering why Aaron was on the ground. As soon as they saw me they too went to the ground. I looked at them.

"What? get up, I am still the same person. It's not like I changed any" I said a bit worried about their strange behavior.

"Akon...I can see it. I can see the crown that was bestowed upon you. The others...even though they can not see it, but we all can feel it." Aaron said getting up shifting his bow a bit. I blinked. I almost forgot that Aaron had an ability to see the energy threads and streams because of his connection with the world.

"You can feel it? Is it truly that powerful?" I asked. They all nodded, I nodded in thought. "Lets go home. I want to try my hand at the King's Hall. I think I know a way to open them. "

Malki nodded.

"Yes. Let us go. I think we all need rest, and to think over what has happened not just to you Lord Akon, but to the Forest as well. Things are changing. A dark weight that I did not know was there suddenly disappeared. The air seems fresher and lighter. " He said. I nodded. When I think about it, it did seem that the air itself has changed. Malki and Aaron took up the front this time, Bloodthorn and Ash took up the back, and I in the middle. We swung up onto the branches and made our way to the city. Everyone was going by their daily lives with a dazed look on their faces. That is until I passed them. They they changed and looked at us with gaping mouths as my new unknown power affected them. They looked at their hands and at their bodies and broke out into laughing and in awe. They all seemed to be renewed in energy.

I continued to walk and we came to a stop at the doors of the King's Hall. I took a deep breath and looked at the ones beside me.

"Step back. I do not know what is in there and For now, I will go in alone. No Malki. This is something that I must do alone." I said already anticipating Malki's objection. He smiled a bit but nodded and stepped back with the rest. I nodded and smiled before turning back to the doors. I unsheathed my swords. Even though the air seemed light before, My swords seemed to become brighter. I twisted my grip so I held them like I would knives. I raised them above my head and plunged them into the doors, right where the slots were on the doors. My swords glowed brighter and brighter until the light spread into the doors. I watched in wonder as the doors slowly slid open without a sound. I pulled my swords out and slipped through the opening.

The doors closed behind me but no locking or warning signs to think that I am forced in. I shifted my grip on my swords again and looked around. Everything was dark. Black curtains covered the windows and no torches were lit. I raised my swords as light emanated from them, giving the spacious room a bit of light. Everything was dusty. But I could see what it could have been in its splendor. Silver etchings adorned the walls and banners covered branches. The floor was adorned with etching of leaves and runes. Everything was connected in smooth curves and bold lines. It was like history itself was engraved into this hall. I walked down the narrow hallway to the large space. There everything that was in the smaller hallway expanded to the throne room. I gasped and saw two men in an unfamiliar uniform laying on the floor. It looked to me that they were still alive but not had not moved, as there was dust around and covering them. I moved slowly to them and raised my swords.