With the coronation ceremony ended, a new King has ascended onto the throne.
In the coming weeks, massive waves of reform and decisions were made.
Some key events include: 1.
With the stripping of titles of Prince John, the human race had no representative in the dark council.
The King nominated Mensarius to take the position and lead the human race to a greater future.
An investiture ceremony was held and Mensarius was granted the title of Prince.
2.
Knowing what had happened in the events of Mal’za’keeth that resulted in the current war with the Fire Nation, King Kenius summoned the Fire Nation to discuss a peace treaty to stop this senseless war.
The Fire Nation’s Emperor himself, the ever-flaming one, Lord Al’Dea’Reath, arrived in the capital of the Dark Faction to present and sign the contract.
Relations were built and cultural exchanges were set up.
Nations across the world praise the wisdom of the Dark King and Flame Emperor in conducting such a smooth path towards world peace.
3.
With a King now in command, the various Princes are requested to divest their forces and contribute them to the main royal army.
Most Princes were left with 10% of their forces, a token force for their protection.
Needless to say, this was an unpopular move within the dark council, but one that is necessary as per protocol.
When the last king died, the forces were split back into the command of the Princes as there was no King to command the royal army.
Now that the King is back, it is only right that command be given back to the throne.
Noble families who were under different Princes often feuded with each other, but now find the funny situation that they are in the same army.
4.
Normally, the King ruled with his 9 Council members under him, forming a perfect 10 beings group to decide the fate of the Dark Faction.
However, under the advice from his Uncle, King Kenius declared that he will add another layer to the hierarchy.
4 outstanding individuals will be folded in as his inner council.
The initiative was announced far and wide throughout the Dark Faction, with many nobles of various races, capable commanders, talented mages, and more rushing to apply.
The structure would be as follows: King -> Inner Council -> Dark Council This was another move to keep the Dark Council in check.
The Dark Council basically had to report back to 4 members, which then filters and decide, before bringing it to the King himself.
Another layer of Bureaucracy that prevents the Dark Council from doing anything out of line.
With this, the King elevated Prince Mensarius to the position of Grand Vizier, seeking his wisdom and guidance.
5.
The commonfolk prospered under trade reforms and treaties formed with other Kingdoms.
Flow of goods came in.
As the floating ziggurat takes turns to fly to each nation, every stop entails new goods and services.
The other nations, seeing the positive exchanges that the Dark Faction and Fire Nation had, also wanted the same and signed similar treaties.
Supply and Demand are always fulfilled, leading to stable prices in the economy, ensuring fair opportunities for all.
6.
Surprisingly, for a nation filled with so many folks that leans to the dark alignment, crimes dropped drastically.
With the renewed royal armed forces, the air, land and sea are heavily patrolled.
The Dark Faction was then known to be one of the safest places in the world.
However, despite such positive outcomes, one nation still do not want to have anything to do with the Dark Faction.
The heavenly host of Light stares at the world, seeing the changes and wanting no part of it.
Seeing themselves as the most superior beings, there is no need to interact with the land animals and pests who runs on the ground.
A whole nation, isolated from the rest of the world as their golden gates rest above the clouds.
They believe that Light cannot coexist with the Dark and must be eradicated.
Although, there are instances were they still followed protocol, like sending the 2 angelic beings to visit as envoys for the coronation of the Dark King.
They are involved in the world in minor ways, resulting in the beings calling them a miracle whenever they appear.
7.
In the center of the world, Dragonius, the Great Dragon, slumbered on.
Its whole body, submerged in the deepest trenches of the ocean.
Only the top of its head until its eyes are visible from the horizon.
From far, it would have looked like an island, as flora and fauna soon populated it.
However, nearby islands with residents on them remarked that sometimes, the eyes twitched, resulting in shockwaves being sent out, causing earthquakes and tsunamis.
They have local legends and prophecies that speaks to the end times if the dragon were to awake again.
Disaster will descend on the planet.
Now, we head back to our King Kenius, in his throne, with his Grand Vizier Mensarius as they attend a session of court with the 9 Princes present.
All 9 beings have their respective spot in the Throne room, while the King remained perched at his throne, with the Grand Vizier standing next to him.
Guards lined the outer rim of the throne hall and the doors, while a dome of magic wraps around the King and the council to prevent sensitive information and sounds from leaking out.
The Grand Vizier walked forward to the address the council and spoke: “All rise and hail, Our King Kenius!” “Hail Your Majesty!” the room echoed with the greeting.
The King sat up and waved his hand.
“Dispense with the ceremony, lets go on to the first item on the Agenda.” Prince Ryggatigris, after assisting with the arrest of Prince John, has surprisingly increased his influence in the council.
The members now knew that he was right all along, and changed sides to try to curry favor with him.
He stood up from his seat and walked to the center.
“My King, I present the first item.
It has been months since you have introduced many laws and reforms for this nation.
However, I think we need to clean up the stain before our great faction can proceed further.
The stain I am referring to is of course, carrying out the sentence of the ex-prince John and his mages, who used terrible magic to ensnare you, hoping to claim the rule of the Dark Faction for himself.
The mages who binded you now remained chained.
In your coronation, you had passed the sentence on the ex-Human Prince.
I hope that you can pass your judgement and let thy will be carried out!” Kenius contemplated and agreed with Prince Ryggatigris.
“Yes, I agree.
With the recent reforms, much time has been taken but the Kingdom is more stable than ever before.
Conduct a grand trial for the accused and his mages, we shall give them the chance to speak and not murder them in cold blood.
The world is watching and waiting to see how will I rule against someone who tried to control me.
Too lenient, and I am weak.
Too strong, and I am a tyrant.
Prince Ryggatigris, I leave the grand trial to you, but I will be the one to preside over the trial.” With an affirmative nod, Prince Ryggatigris acknowledge his King’s command with a salute and head back to his seat.
His revenge is soon to be complete, Prince John will suffer his fate at the hands of his own son.
“Next item on-” Mensarius announced before being interrupted.
“Excuse me, my king, may I be heard?” The robed shadow spoke, a very rare occurrence.
This even took King Kenius by surprise.
He motioned for the Shadow Prince to step forward.
“Come forth and speak your mind” The shadows glide and was in the center of the hall.
The Shadow prince then suggested: “The dark elf, Xiltharina, who was one of the mages who did the unspeakable to you, was subjected to shadowfication as her punishment.
I am glad to report that she is doing well, under the new name of One-who-repents-in-peace.
Since this precedent is set, might I suggest that the fate of the 3 dark mages be one of shadowfication as well?
The shadows, though we do not die, we also do not reproduce like the other races.
This is the only method where we can increase our numbers in order to serve this great faction.” As his voice wafted through the air, the other princes started discussing.
King Kenius wondered why was this not used as a punishment tool then, it stands to benefit the Dark Faction a lot with the bolstering of the Shadows.
Mensarius then told him that Shadowfication is something of a last resort of the most heinous crime.
To have your shadow ripped out and your true self being taken over, a shadow of your former self.
There are very little volunteers, usually the extremely sick or dying, but many prefer the peace of death or being reanimated, then the eternal servitude to the shadows.
Also, if shadowfication is more common, too many shadows can cause an imbalance of the races, similarly to when the undead raised too much of the dead.
As shadows are harder to deal with compared to raised skeletons, safeguards has been in place to set limits of how many shadowfications are allowed.
The trade off is that the Shadows are often establish into High Offices and command, bringing them much importance in the role of governing and protecting this Dark Faction.
One-who-walks-in-shadow, probably one of the most oldest shadows who existed since the first age, has been pushing for more shadowfication for the longest time.
So far, among the 9 races, shadows, werebeasts and undead have not receive the mantle of King.
Hence, many felt the resentment could lead to a rebellion to claim the throne for themselves, like what Prince Ryggatigris did.
“Plus…” Mensarius added on.
“Shadows are kinda creepy, don’t you think?” “Grand Vizier…” King Kenius looked at his uncle, sighing at his sudden reveal of personal taste.
“Shadow Prince, I will judge each case on its merits.
I will say that if the laws of the Dark Faction permits it, I will allow it when I pass my judgement.” The robed shadow bowed, you could almost see the happiness in the swirling shadows of what it was meant to be its face.
“Thank you, Your Majesty” As the Shadow Prince headed back to its seat, gliding through the shadows, Mensarius resumed the court.
“Next item on the agenda please.” None of the other Princes stood up.
Most had nothing to say, some harbored resentment at the new king for technically limiting their powers, others were content with the state of things and doing their duty.
Mensarius then descended the stairs from the throne and onto the center dias.
“Since no one has any issues to bring up, I shall bring one up then.
The formation of the inner council is now reaching its peak.
We have shortlisted a few members to form the 4 members you requested.” The King perked up.
“Good, it has taken awhile with all the applicants.
How many beings have you shortlisted.” Mensarius, with a glint in his monocle, replied proudly: “A total of 85,192 people applied from the various towns and cities in this Dark Faction.
Consisting of commonfolk and nobles alike, a committee was brought in to screen through the applicants.
I am proud to say that we picked the cream of the crop, down to a meager number of 50, for your perusal.
We can arrange for this afternoon for you to interview them.” In his head, King Kenius was thinking that he had to interview 50 beings.
It is going to take all afternoon and his time would have been completely wasted.
Nevertheless, he has no choice and needs to do what needs to be done.
“Grand Vizier, see to the arrangements.
We will begin this afternoon.
If that is all, this session is dismissed.” King Kenius stood up, in his kingly regalia, now with two swords at his hip.
One is the sword of imminent darkness, the sword wield by the first human king.
The other is the Ornate sword that Jayzee had given him when he swiped it off in Mal’za’keeth’s abode.
With that, the Princes take their leave, while the King stood up and head back into the inner palace.
Mensarius followed from the back and went into the Courtyard of the inner palace, where the King is now sitting down and sighing.
King Kenius waved for the staff to be dismissed and there was only the Kenius and his Uncle left.
“Uncle, certain things cannot be said.
You saying the shadows were creepy….
what am I to do with you…” lamented Kenius as his hand covered his face in disbelief.
“Awww, Nephew, I am just telling you the ways of the world.
Its the truth after all.” “Still, sometimes its better to tell me these things in private.
While I am equipped with statecraft from what my father has done, I need to understand them.
That is why you are there.” Kenius sighs, while Mensarius smiles and say: “Don’t worry about these stuffs, nephew.
Your Uncle here is very strong and will protect you from it all.
This peace that you have brought to the Dark Faction has made me so proud of you.
Even my sister, may she rest in peace, your mother, would have been so proud of what you have achieved.” At this point, Mensarius’s eyes started to water, and was about to cry at any moment.
“Alright, alright Uncle.
You told me this many times.
I just want the best for everyone.” Kenius say this while trying to deflect his uncle’s attempts at giving him a hug.
“What happened to the serious mage who was headmaster of the school.
As the most powerful mage of the Dark Faction, shouldn’t you display a certain demeanor?” and then Kenius let out a long sigh again.
“While I was in your father’s palace, I had no choice but to keep up my tough guy act.
He absolutely abhor my happy-go-lucky attitude, saying it lacked seriousness and conviction.
He often chided me on this, even before you were born.
Slowly, I just took on the mantle of the wise wizard that everyone could look up to, but how boring that is.
Now that I only have to one person above me, which is you the King, i feel like the burden lifted off my shoulders and can be my true self.” Kenius looked at his uncle, and how he is beaming with joy, gave in and put a hand on his uncle’s shadow.
“Uncle, my Grand Vizier, assist me and help bring out the best in the Dark Faction.” Mensarius, feeling acknowledged, looked at the King.
His eyes light up with zeal and confidence flushed his face.
“Yes, Your Majesty.
I will do all that is in my power to help you.
To guide you to the best of my abilities.
To save you whenever you are in trouble.
I will do all that I can!” and rush off to prepare the vetting of the candidates for the new inner council.
King Kenius stood in the courtyard, contemplating on the recent months and events.
He smiled and believe things are going well.
Meanwhile, the great phantasm bat, the primordial dark bestial bat, laughs from the depths of Kenius soul, looking forward for the events to come.