The Epic of Antares

Of all the nine realms of Aurum, it was Neith that was her largest. Named after one of the nine wives of God-King Gilgamesh Xerxes. The central realm of the great land was home to the highest population of all humans. Neith had been a realm since its inception that believed violence to be the path walked if one sought destruction. Throughout the millennia, through conquers and rulers alike who sought complete dominion of Aurum. They had remained steadfast in their belief, regardless of what harm came their way. It was because of this unwavering conviction that the rest of the realms came to respect Neith for their continued belief in pacifism. Often while the other realms tore themselves apart, Neith stood back and watched. Offering assistance to those who could not thrive when their realm was thrown into such disarray. It was no surprise that such a realm was highly regarded and also beloved. It was also no surprise that this was the same realm the Golden Company had chosen to make their permanent home.

The Stygian convoy had arrived at the capital of Neith, Genesis. The ever-brilliant city was a testament to the wealth that Neith and her inhabitants enjoyed. Where the influence of the Golden Company stopped and where the authority of the royal family of Neith began had blurred over the centuries. The town now mimicked the merchant city of Eirdu in many ways. The more striking difference was the level of wealth carved into the white stone homes and establishments of the great city. There was an air of true tranquility and appreciation. Even as the convoy approached Castle Vezimeer, the crowds that gathered were far more respectful and tamed in their celebration at a possible glimpse of the King of the Stygians. Prayers of hope and words of encouragement rang out throughout the city. A momentous occasion that was sure not to be forgotten for centuries to come.

The further south Antares went, the more he understood just how starved the realms had been of Stygian influence. To his kin, a century was not a long time, oftentimes it took the elders that long to come to decisions. But compared to how the humans' understood time—it was an entire life. Many of these people here had never seen a Stygian, all they knew of him and his kin were from books and plays, and songs and tales.

Castle Vezimeer reflected its realm in many ways. A land of peace and pacifism needn't a castle with high walls and battle towers. Instead it was more accurate to call castle Vezimeer a palace. However those of house Vezimeer sought to follow traditions and chose not to remain it. They may have become a people of peace and non-violence. Yet they would not forget a time when they too used to wet the grasses with crimson waters. The castle towered several stories high and its courtyard was alive with both people and nature. Antares was pleasantly envious of such a garden; he made a mental note to address it when he returned home. As the king's carriage arrived at the main entrance, a very old man decorated in tangerine and lynx blue, gave the king a warm smile.

"I hope you were not too inconvenienced by the reception, King Antares." King Edward Vezimeer stroked his beard with a chuckle. "Many have dreamed of the day they could gaze upon the famed Twilight King of the Stygians."

Antares smiled in return, he looked out to the beautiful garden they walked through. In the distance he could see nobles gathered in groups all wishing to steal a glance at him.

"It seems it should be I offering apologies, King Edward." The young monarch professed, "I did not know my appearance would cause such a commotion."

"Nonsense dear king, it has been so long since the palace has been this lively. I welcome the noise."

The two kings exchanged laughs again and walked in silence. King Edward Vezimeer was already a century old. His beard and what remained of his hair had greyed considerably. The old man had lived a very long life and his rule was just as peaceful. For a human born without magical abilities or inherited skills, a century of life was more than enough. From looking at him, at his soul. Antares' Akashic Eyes already told him the King was ready to rejoin his ancestors.

"Oh do not look at me like that dear king." King Edward chuckled, "A century may not be much for your people. But it is more than I have ever needed. More than I deserve." The king motioned for Antares to sit on the stone bench and the Stygian King accepted the gesture.

From where they sat Antares could see the large banners of house Vezimeer flapping in the wind. Twin Owls, Aneirin who represented the honor, esteem and dignity of Neith. And his brother Elisedd, who represented kindness and benevolence of house Vezimeer, looked on with quiet introspection. Antares recalled the ancient owls being the great advisors of Queen Neith's own Stygian son, during his reign. He wondered if the great monarch was satisfied with what her realm and house had become. If any of it mattered at all.

"For a man soon to be married, you carry an expression of great pain." King Edward folded his hands, studying the young Stygian royal. "Does your fathers death still weigh heavily on you?"

Antares ran a hand through his hair, "Forgive me King Edward. It seems the further south I go. The further my mind drifts to the past."

"Well Freyja is Queen of Talterra. I cannot begin to imagine how that complicates things for you."

Antares let out a reflexive cough. He had heard that those of house Vezimeer were quite direct in their remarks. He was not expecting the rumors to hold this much truth to them.

"Admittedly, Faye is the least of my concerns now." Antares recalled her eyes. "But in truth, I have not stopped thinking about her since I began this journey."

There was an air of silence between both kings as they each chose to ruminate on the words spoken. House Vezimeer were good allies of house Stormborne. In fact, it was on one of these regular journeys between both houses decades ago did a young Princess Myrra Stormborne make. When her path crossed that of King Barranagan Xerxes. No other great house throughout Aurum knew better of just how intertwined house Stormborne was with the Stygian royal family. None perhaps, but Emperor Nero himself. King Edward had yet to meet another man he detested more.

Edward had no desire for conflict, so it made it very easy for him to spot men that did. Emperor Nero Blackrose was of the same ilk as those men. And Aurum suffered greatly because of it. Here now he looked at the progeny of King Barranagan and again wondered why the old king refused to sit on the throne. Why would he rob Aurum of a future ruled by his sons. There were many things the old King of Neith wanted to ask the man who held back fate. He found as the days went by he would soon have the opportunity. He had hoped his answers were adequate.

"If I may be so bold, King Antares?"

The Stygian King nodded.

King Edward stroked his chin, "Go home." The old king pleaded, "Go home. Forget this ceremony, this wedding. Choose from a myriad of Stygian princesses who all would give everything to serve you. Live a truly long Stygian life and sire countless children.Forget us. Allow the age of Nero to pass and all the troubles that have come with it. As your father did before you."

As your father did before you. The words rattled around in his head. It was precisely because of his father he headed south among is other reasons. Ever since his passing Antares had made it a point to only think of the fond memories he had of King Barranagan. They were far and terribly few. Even still there were enough of them for him to love him. With that being said, call it childish naivety or the helpless desire of an orphaned child. The one thing he could never truly square away was his fathers rejection of the ultimate crown of Aurum, to be her emperor. It was he who battled his six brothers for the throne of the Stygians. It was he who felled the mad Emperor Dioxeyes in single combat. It was he who brought the nine realms to their knees. King Barranagan had proven his worthiness a thousand times over. So why? What had Nero Blackrose done to be worthy, to have an unbroken family?

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Nykos would still be alive, Hyperion would not have left. His mother would still be here. So much of the broken pieces left for him to pick up. To shoulder that burden that only a king could carry. Antares struggled underneath the burden of expectation his father had for him. The crown of the Stygians weighed as much as the very cosmos. Every step he took, a million lives shuddered underneath him. It was driving him mad. And then he remembered his promise to Nykolas. On that blood stained grass, under a bed of flowers. The last wish of Nykolas Xerxes, the last curse. He had almost forgotten. He had no choice, Antares had no choice but to continue. Nykolas' death meant something. Fate had marked him for purpose and would not allow him to stop until he had achieved it. The south held just as many questions as answers for the Stygian monarch. He would go.

"A king's death begins with celebration."

"Pardon me?" King Edward turned to his fellow monarch.

"It is a poem my father taught me," Antares recalled the memory. "A king's death begins with celebration. His first days are his last days. His best days are his worst. He rules with caution. And he is remembered as a curse. He rules with dominance. Regardless of how many die, he is remembered with prominence."

King Edward waited for Antares to share further insight.

"The point of the poem is meant to highlight, the king lives in a world that is opposite of this one. Days when you think what you have done is right, may be the worst decision you make. Days when you think you have failed, could be the reason your people live to see another sunrise. No matter what you do, you must act. A cautious king who sits back and only observes will bring ruin."

King Edward rose and thought about the poem further, a soft chuckle escaped his lips. How he would have loved to converse on the topics of philosophy with the late Stygian King.

"I am starting to understand why you are going south, young King Antares." King Edward offered a tired smile. "If you must go, I hope you brought your best soldiers."

Antares sat back and raised an eyebrow, "Why King Edward are you championing violence?" the Stygian King was impressed.

King Edward wiggled his nose, "Come now King of Iliad. I may not walk nor believe in the path of the warrior. But I am versed in the customs of those who journey it such as yourself."

Antares smiled, "Have no fear, King of Peace. I no longer walk the path of battle. I seek to rule through words and understanding." The Stygian King looked off into the distance. "There is no need for me to pick up the blade again."

The King of Neith laughed a youthful laugh, for the first time in decades. His voice echoed through the garden and those in the distance moved back out of fright. Antares himself was slightly caught off guard by the reaction of the old man.

"You intrigue me, King of the Stygians. It pains me greatly that I will not live to see your rule. Oh how you have forgotten the wicked ways of our world." King Edward wiped his eyes. "Your father is dead, my boy. For the first time in a century, Aurum has no one standing atop her peak. The strong dictate the weak. That has been the mantra that has ruled our home for eons. Even those of us in Neith are aware of this fact. The south will test you. Nero will test you."

Antares said nothing. He had some idea of what was awaiting him south, of what Nero Blackrose was doing. But Antares would not meet it with violence. He had spilled enough blood to stain the oceans red. He wished to rule as Hyperion would have–with dialogue and reason. The Lord of War had lost his appetite for violence.

"I am aware of what Nero-"

"Respectfully King Antares," King Edward cut him off. "Nero may look human. But he is closer to a monster than you or I could ever be. Do not take him lightly. He survived along side your father, he survived."

It was the first time Antares realized King Edward spoke like a monarch. His words were heavy and sharp with a century of experience behind them. The ruler of Iliad instinctively heeded them with the utmost caution.

King Edward put a warm hand on Antares' shoulder. "I may not have the eyes of an Akashic, but I can see your true nature is not one of violence. That is why I do not feel guilt in telling you that you must prepare for a time you will be forced to use it. If even half of the stories the bards sing and Sagatellers speak of you on the battlefield are true, then I believe you have what it takes to emerge victorious."

Antares had secretly hoped King Edward would be naive enough to agree with his tempered approach to his rule. As much as Aurum was regarded as a land of great wealth. Those who lived within regarded her more as a land of great strife during eras of change. And it just so happened, King Antares rule began during such a time. Had he not spilled enough blood to guarantee peace? How many more lives would he end before it was enough?

"It seems I have given you far too much to think about. Forgive me, young king. Come along, your horse is ready." King Edward beckoned the Stygian King to follow.

Antares looked at him with caution, "Are we riding somewhere?"

"Come now, I know the reason you passed through Genesis was because you wanted to speak with the Golden Company." King Edward yawned, "I may be old Antares, but I still have my wits about me."

"I had wondered how I was going to excuse myself," Antares grinned.

They shared a laugh and made their way towards the end of the garden. Antares was appreciative of the chance encounter with the King of Neith. The man had lived up to his reputation. Such fire in the eyes of someone so old. He had offered him insight into many things that he was thinking about. Neith once again had been a good ally to Iliad. Antares would not forget that. They arrived at the readied horse.

"You go along this path and it will take you all morning, perhaps earlier depending on how well you ride to reach them." King Edward, pointed the way. "I will keep the rest of your family entertained."

Antares mounted the horse, "I ride well." The horse kicked underneath the weight of its new master. Antares patted the horse, and it softened its mood. "Thank you for your hospitality, King Edward Vezimeer."

"One more thing if I may?"

"Name it, wise king." Commanded the King of the Stygians.

King Edward took a moment to study the young king atop the horse. Such a regal air of authority surrounded him. He scarcely could believe a being existed, let alone spoke to him so casually. The stars in his hair shone like diamonds. His skin glowed with the warmth of a celestial not from this world. He had the face of a god and the eyes of an emperor. The twilight king had no equal, King Edward was sure of it. Who he looked at was the true Emperor of Aurum.

"My daughter Queen Emma. She makes her way to Talterra. I make my case to you that you accept her as the new Queen of Neith, when you meet with the rest of the rulers of Aurum to discuss. She is ready. But you are free to test her as you see fit."

"It is done, she has my support. But if the mood takes me I may."

King Edward bowed deeply, much to the gasp of those who watched from a distance.

Antares reigned in the horses and trotted around in a circle, getting a feel of the strength and weaknesses of the great creature he rode. A small smile crossed his face.

"Why King Edward, if Emma has already been made Queen then should I not have referred to you as Lord instead?"

Edward feigned shock and stroked his chin, "Why yes, it seems it must have slipped my mind."

Antares chuckled, "I see."

"Forgive me Lord-King, I could not pass up the chance to hear the Stygian King refer to a mere human man like me as king."

"There is nothing mere about you, King Edward. Neith will celebrate you."

"A king's death begins with celebration." The King of Neith recalled.

The King of Iliad nodded with a warm smile.

Antares rode off with great pace, he wished to make his quick excursion to the Golden Company a rapid one. They had only intended to stop in Genesis for half a day. There was still the final leg of their journey to go. The wind in his face brought him great joy. He allowed his mind to focus only on the breath of the horse and the rhythmic banging of its hooves across the gravel floor. For half the morning, Antares rode with all the speed he could muster, determined to out run his past. Although fleeting, it worked.