Darklight: The New World

Part 58: Coronation

The crowds below were cheering with almost as much vigor as they awarded Rammachandra every time she took to the balcony, but this was different. She was gone, for good this time. Her weapons were sealed far within the most secure vaults of both Utopia and Eresmai - two sides of the planet in two of the most secure vaults in existence. It had been two months since the Coronal Mass Ejection threatened to kill the population of Saxosis. The noise from the crowd was almost fever pitched and before Soran stood the new ruler of Utopia. But he was a changed man. He had seen through the layers of lies and deceit that Rammachandra had built around herself and dragged him into. He had seen Rammachandra for what she really was. The melancholy that he exuded reminded Soran of The Armored King, but The Armored King was old and tired of the world. This man, however, was ready to take on the mantle of Utopia and to change it for the better. Up until now Utopia had been Rammachandra’s city, built in her vision and inhabited by her brainwashed subjects. The new ruler had his own visions of a brighter future, and he was about to tell the world all about it.

He was dressed in head to toe white, his exuberant fashion was clear to see. No longer did he wear the ceremonial robes that he had so carefully customized himself; now High Patriarch Draz wore large over-baggy bright white trousers which settled over his knee length white leather boots. His white shirt and tie hinted at the formal and his white tailcoat finished the ensemble with class and regality. He also wore white gloves which, for one of the few times since Soran had known Draz, did not clutch the Darklight Axe. His hair was still messy, but more understated and pinned down rather than its usual rough backcombed look. 

The most startling change in Draz was his demeanor. The reckless young Lord with dreams of pleasing Rammachandra and one day becoming her second in command had gone. Gone too was his boyish temper and selfish desires. Where once his eyes darted the room around him for trouble and opportunity, now his eyes focussed on a fixed point with steely determination. He was never going to be taken for a fool again and Rammachandra had paid for her crossing Draz with her life. 

He turned to Soran.

“Thank you for being here” He said. Soran was leaning against the wall watching the maids and attendants ready Draz for his appearance. One had just handed him a bunch of place cards for his speech.

“My pleasure” Soran replied. “I’m not too sure why you wanted me here though. They all hate me after all”. Draz smiled, a genuine smile with no malice.

“The world is about to change and I wanted to you here to witness the event. We owe you much”. Soran shrugged at this with an uncomfortable feeling. He didn’t take compliments well.

“Thanks, but you’re the one to lead this new vision” He replied. Draz smiled and nodded, face towards the floor.

“The truth is, Soran, I need to rebuild the rift between our peoples and as a Hybrid you are the perfect example as to what can be achieved by our cooperation. You’re right, Rammachandra and Vittoria smeared your name and that can’t be put right over night. But in time it will be, I can assure you of that. And once that’s done we’ll need you”.

Soran stayed quiet for a time, thinking about Draz’s words. Was this an offer, or a cry for help? Soran didn’t like the limelight that was for sure. He just wanted to retire to Eresmai and live out his life in peace.

“Maybe” Soran said after some time. Draz smiled at him.

“Thank you” He said. Soran motioned at the deep purple curtain which opened to the balcony.

“Your crowd awaits” Soran said with raised eyebrows.

“You know what? They do” Draz replied with some of his old arrogance, and without any hesitation or fear he stepped through the curtain to rapturous applause.