The End of an Era

Blaze v. Vincent

     As Lexianna, Cael, and Blaze enter the next room they find themselves in a cold, dark, and long abandoned throne room. Their footsteps echo out as they approach the figure. It is night and the long shadows of the moon barely illuminate Vincent's handsome features. The three make sure to keep a safe distance until they can pin down the location of the secret door forward. 

     Vincent's eyes follow them, periodically switching  between the three of them. Finally they come within speaking distance of him. Blaze casts a look at Cael that affirms their suspicions. The door is behind Vincent. 

     "Where are my manners? Welcome. Would you like tea? Coffee? I can make you all soda if you prefer."

     "We need to pass." Cael replies, hopefully. Vincent makes a noise like a deep and disappointed groan. Without speaking, Blaze hands Cael the device used to locate the doors into the higher rooms. With a nod, Lexianna and Cael fly past Vincent who makes no move to impede them.

     "What's wrong? Not feeling up to it?" Blaze taunts. He is met with silence. "So, a throne huh? Gotta say. Don't think it suits you."

     "No more than it suits you." Vincent finally speaks. 

     "No, I mean it's obvious you're a ruler. But it seems like that crown is crushing you. Heavy is the head that wears the crown but damn man." Blaze jokes. Silence again. "What happened here?"

     "What makes you think I know?" Vincent shifts in his seat.

     "I know enough about all of you to realize that Omega's room was his own personal hell. A projection of the hell that was his Origin Reality. So why is it you're in a cold lonely throne?"

     "I was a bastard of the emperor. A mistake that besmirched his good name. I ruined his marriage and brought about the civil war that wrecked our country. I lived as a serf working the land and living in squalor until the first battle. Not many survived that initial slaughter. I was considered a war hero for not being among the dead." Vincent takes a sip of wine from a humble and modest cup. There is a soft clink as another, more decorative glass, appears by Blaze. The bottle is already uncorked and ready to go. "I proved to be a demon of strategy and tactics. Not often did I lose a battle. Even then, casualties were kept to a minimum. I caught the eye of the general under my fathers command. Eventually, after a decade of civil war, it finally ended. And though by all rights the crown belonged to my sister, she forewent the honor. I was appointed as acting regent. We needed aid. Our economy was wrecked and our population a fraction of what it was."

     "So you went to another country for help. And it went horribly." Blaze says sipping his wine.

     "Worse than horribly. Everything was fine at first. We signed charters. A favor for a favor. But due to my naive inexperience and dismal literacy I signed into a blood contract. When the Lords of Dunlan commanded me to attack our allies, I refused."

     "And your people started dropping like flies."

     "I went to them. My people. Told them of my folly. I told them that if they wanted to denounce their citizenship they could." Vincent hangs his head. A far cry from his normal commanding presence. "Some left. But they were few. During my time as Regent and before that as a folk hero had instilled me as their hero. I could not have asked for a more loyal or forgiving people."

     "Why tell me this now?" Blaze asks. Vincent doesn't answer.

     "Every soul that remained pledged their swords and the swords of their ancestors and children to my rule. A gift. And a terrible terrible curse." Vincent is as low as he could be. The sight angers Blaze who has always believed no matter what a ruler should have their head held high. "I rule a kingdom of ghosts. I am Emperor of Revanents."