Sky King II: Reborn

Chapter V

Rays of sun bore through the three stained glass windows behind the black throne embroidered with jewels of all kinds, their sparkling truly a sight to behold when entering the room at the sun's highest point in the blue sky. Only lit lanterns and a red carpet leading to the throne decorated the rather small room, many wondering why it hadn't been built to extravagant lengths. Practicality or effectiveness instead of splendor maybe.

Sitting with his cheek resting against the knuckles of his right hand, arm propped up on one of the throne's own arms, the Hellot Prince raised his eyebrows to one of his armored guards walking into the room. He saluted and stood at ease, the prince patiently awaiting whatever he had to say.

"Nija, Sontaro nadaiyae ichi yotou son da," the guard spoke in their language, the prince nodding his understanding and the soldier yelling for his two compatriots to enter as well. Held and dragged in their hand was a blond woman with cuts lining her face and bruising on her arms. She wore a camouflaged green poncho and brown clothing under it. The prince ordered the three guards to leave and they did so, locking the door behind them.

The woman sat helplessly on her knees, panting heavily and peering up at the Prince's face, his soft and gentle features catching her off guard. His green eyes were bright and astounding, definitely being the main attraction of his face through his black bangs. His hair was combed down with some parts sticking out, giving him more of a civilian appearance than royalty. That changed however when seeing his green officer's uniform, adorned with medals and ribbons on the left side of his chest.

"You must be one of these Rebels I have been hearing much about," he said, in perfect Syncaire dialect at that. His voice was as soft as his face, yet had that undertone to it that could command attention if he were to yell. He stood from his chair and knelt in front of the woman, her noticing his left hand had a white glove over it while his right did not. Odd, but maybe just for style.

"I assume the rest of your group either retreated or perished in combat, given that you are the only one they brought in," he made sure to keep out of her arm's reach in case she decided to foolishly lash out at him.

"...yes," the woman said weakly, still breathing heavily and wincing from the pain in her body.

"What is your name?" He asked her, his not immediately executing the woman confusing her out of her mind.

"Elaina Sarkova," she answered, seeing no reason to not be truthful in such harmless questions.

"Ah, your family must be from Siddia," the prince took a mental note of her last name, it's origins clearly not from Syncaire originally, "I am also assuming you know who I am,"

"Prince Jirou of the...the Toyama Family," Elaina stated, the man nodded his confirmation.

"Correct," the prince stood again and moved back to take a seat in his throne. Before he could continue talking, the woman had a question for him.

"Why was I not...executed already?" She took deeper breaths to calm her aching body, the soldiers who captured her having done a number with their beatings.

"Like the other officials and officers so many years ago?" The prince shrugged, "my father ordered them to their deaths. I choose to see my enemy as a human being. Forms of life with families, ideals, goals, and dreams. You and I, miss Sarkova, are human beings,"

"But...you let your people run rampant throughout the city, killing...killing your own and our own too," Elaina pointed out and the Prince only frowned.

"Regrettably, the gang violence has risen to a point where they can almost combat my military. Locating their hideouts is not an easy task, even with how belligerent they are with their actions," the man motioned with his right hand while he spoke, "they will meet their fate soon enough,"

"And do you really dislike us Hellot people so much as to completely differentiate us from your own people? Yes, our countries have been at odds for tens of years, but are we not one and the same?" The prince asked the rebel, who shook her head slowly.

"I don't think so," the blond woman replied, bringing a smile to the man's face.

"I think otherwise. 'Judge not a man for his exterior, but for his process of thought and mind,' is what the quote is, I believe. Page 113, paragraph...four. or five, one of the two," his recital of the Syncaire Bible widened the women's eyes, her realizing how terrifying his knowledge was turning out to be, "I do not see you as any different from the Hellot women. Yes, you look different, but inside, you are all human. All one of the same species,"

"Our beliefs conflict and force us to be enemies," she said back, finally able to catch her breath and focus her mind more.

"Do they? I believe in peace and prosperity for those who prove themselves worthy of such. I believe in the individual freedoms of man, their given rights under God above. We are all equal to one another, suffice for the criminals in the streets," Jirou explained, standing from his throne once again and walking to the rebel woman, "I sit in a throne at the head of a new Empire, but I bleed red just as you do. I have killed others in combat, just as you have. Ruined families, ended lives, but also helped those closest to me. Just as you have, I am sure,"

The woman looked down to the red carpet, coming to the realization that he was right in every single word. Yet it was so contradictory to what she had been told about the Prince and his government by those who raised her and those she fought alongside. They all said he was pure evil and letting the country fall into chaos on purpose, but he didn't seem the type at all.

To her surprise, the prince held his right hand out to her.

"War and violence is something I do not want more of. My father would say otherwise, but in order to improve, we must accept each other and work as one power," Jirou said, assuring her of his disposition by ushering her to take his hand, "join me and together with other rebels who see the truth, we may just be able to bring peace to the New Hellot Empire,"

"...you're serious?" the blond's eyes switched between the prince's face and his extended hand, too many thoughts swirling through her head as the man nodded.

"I have no reason to lie to you or anybody else. Uniting our people and purging the streets of these gangs from the Islands are top priority. I have no previous Syncaire civilians on my side, but with one that understands my vision for this new empire, we can finally relay future plans to everybody and become one with one another," Jirou said, Elaina taking his soft hand. He lifted her to her feet, holding her bruised and cut hand in his own, giving it a very small squeeze.

"Our medics will get you patched up and we will get you a position among my guard. New uniform, new rank, new life. Together, we will find these street gangs, dispose of them, and begin working on uniting our people, then bringing prosperity to the country," the prince said, releasing her hand and calling out to his guards outside of the room. He instructed them to take Elaina to the medics and have them help find her fitting uniforms. They all left, closing the doors to the throne room, the prince alone again with his thoughts and plans for the future.