Rise of the Empire

Coronation or Collaspe

Octavus was utterly flabbergasted. He thought he misheard the ill Emperor.

"My lord, you can't possibly mean that I would rule?" Octavus questioned. The Emperor weakly smiled, while his son looked mortified at the news.

"Father? You would put a filthy commoner on the throne? I am your heir! I am supposed to be Emperor! Not some servants son!" Prince Orion exclaimed.

"Orion Martin Mede! You will watch your tongue! This man is responsible keeping the Empire unified while you sat back and partied! You have no right to judge someone!" One of the occupants screamed at him. Orion glared at the woman, but he shut his mouth

"Octavus, you are the only one who can keep the Empire afloat. You have a leaders mind. You've already served as the acting High King of Skyrim. But everyone in this room, besides my son of course, supports you're claim. COUGH You need to fight. The Elder Council is divided. The Empire will fall into a Civil War." Titus groaned out. At this moment, Prince Orion and the Imperial Council stormed out of the room.

Octavus knew that Orion would be a thorn in his side. The Emperor was still holding on to his hands, but let go to give him his necklace. The young general recognized it immediately. It was the necklace the Mede's wore to symbolize their rule.

"Octavus Merill, the Ninth Champion of Cyrodiil, by the power invested in me by the nine Divines, I hereby proclaim you the Emperor of the 4th Tamriellic Empire and the first Emperor of the Merill Dynasty" Titus said, putting the Amulet of Just on his neck and laid back, taking his final breath before Arkay claimed his soul.

The room was silent, in the corner Vittoria Vici was mourning her cousin. Octavus knelt at the bed side, still shocked at what had just occurred. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up, seeing his fellow Legate of the Legion.

"Rikke, I'm lost, he bestowed to me the greatest challenge of all. And with his death, the Empire will split...." Octavus did something that shocked everyone, he began crying. The once unstoppable Light-Bringer of the Imperial Legion was broken.

Rikke stood over her superior officer and comforted him the best she could without over stepping the boundaries.

Chancellor Salvian's POV
Amulius Salvian was visibly shaken by the death of his friend and Emperor. He excused himself from the chambers and proceeded to the meeting chambers of the Imperial Elder Council. He entered to see a chamber full of out cry and rallying.

"My father appointed a common soldier to run this empire! I here heresy and blasphemy!" At the words of Orion, many of the Elders cheered in support, while some sat there, in awe of the fallacy in his words.

"I proclaim myself as the sole Emperor of this empire and anyone who says otherwise is a traitor to the crown and will be dealt with! We will rise up and overthrow the False Emperor " Orion shouted. Amulius had heard enough. He marched up to the podium and began preaching.

"ENOUGH!!! This is not a time to be scrounging for power. The Emperor is chosen and the amulet chose him. Emperor Octavus Merill I will be crowned tomorrow. Guards! Arrest Orion and the traitorous Elders" At that moment, the Penticus Oculus marched in, apprehending the opposing party. Orion screamed out.

"THIS ISN'T OVER AMULIUS, I WILL HAVE MY CROWN" The door shut behind him, leaving him and the Loyalist alone

"Salvian, what must we do? They will return and try to overthrow us and the new Emperor!" Councilor Malcriada bellowed. Amulius sat down in his chair and sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Then we must prepare for a civil war. If the Empire is going to survive the foreseeable future, the we must advice our Emperor. We mustn't control him. He is capable of leading us, we must act as the stones for his path" Amulius answered, believing his words wholeheartedly. All of the sudden, his daughter and the current Legate of the 12th Legion stormed, surrounded by Octavus's Blade agents.

"Father, members of the Elder Council and Prince Orion have staged a coup de facto! Many of the Military high command have joined him! The Legion is split. They have ransacked warehouses, and have stolen weapons and supplies. They've fled the city as well!" Legate Lucia exclaimed. Her expression was one of pure horror and surprise.

"Lydia, summon the Emperor, he must be here!" The said housecarl hurried away.

"This is bad, we must do something, and I thought the Emperor was on his death bed?" His daughter questioned, clearly confused. But before he could answer her, the door busted open, revealing the True Emperor.

Octavus's POV
Octavus's emotions were still rampant, but he was determined to solve the internal problems his new Empire was experiencing. He entered the Elder Council chambers and looked around. Almost half of them were gone. But then he paused when his eyes met Livia.

His breathing began to become ragged. His heart skipped a beat but he quickly composed himself.

"So he's done it, he split the Empire into two" Octavus said, growling at his thoughts.

"Yes my Emperor, Orion has amassed an army for the soul purpose to usurp your rightful throne" Amulius answered, as Octavus made his way to his throne.

"Excuse me? I thought Titus Mede was the Emperor? What is happening right now?" Lucia questioned. She sat down, taking of her helmet and taking a deep breathe.

"On his death bed, Titus Mede II named Octavus his heir and the Emperor of the Empire." Councilor Tito answered. Octavus was quietly conversing with Amulius before he stood up.

"Orion is more than liking heading towards Cvatch to regroup with his personal legionaries. Rikke!" The said Legate Livia Salvian came inside the chambers. "Since Tullius has sadly joined him, I'm promoting you to Military Governor. You and I will lead will lead the 9th and 10th Legions to pursue him. Legate Salvian with take the Blades and the 12th Legion and attack from the east. We must end this now or face utter collapse." With that Octavus and Rikke left the room.

As they were walking Rikke tapped his shoulder, causing them to stop.

"Sir, wouldn't it be wise for you take the 10th and 11th legions and attack from the south while I'll take the 8th and 9th and attack from the west and force the Rebels to the Hammerfell border?" Rikke advised. The Young Emperor pondered this for a second.

"They greatly outnumber us but but are poorly equipped. Let's do it. May Talos watch over your battles friend." With that he hugged her and hurried to the barracks, his armored robes flowing behind him.