As afternoon came around, King Kenius entered the throne room and took his seat upon his throne.
Grand Vizier Mensarius issued commands to the guards, sealing all the entrances.
He then approached the throne and bowed.
“My King, we have fifty candidates here for your consideration.
As mentioned, you wish to find 4 to take the positions offered by your inner council.
I will present each one, along if they have come with any recommendations.
Then, it will be up to you to determine if the candidate is worthy or not.” “Understood, proceed with the first candidate.” The King signaled.
The side door opened, and out comes the first candidate.
Clad in black armor, the sound of metal plates rubbing against each other echoed through the halls.
The black knight took to the center and knelt.
“Your Majesty” The Grand Vizier took up a tome, inscribed with all the information of the candidates.
“May I present the Black Crusader, of the Undead Race.
A Black Knight resurrected by Baron Ghismile von Schmick, Skeletal Lich.
Famed for his battlefield acumen and victories in the front line wars.” King Kenius looked at the Black Crusader, as the dark magic swell in him.
His eyes, now empowered with the various aspects of dark magic, looked not only at the being in front, but judge him as well.
Suddenly, the King furrowed his brow.
Immediately, he waved his hand off and said: “Next” The main doors opened and the guards escorted the Black Crusader out.
The Grand Vizier, puzzled by what is going on, signaled the guards controlling the side gates to hold.
Feeling doubtful, he came over to ask what were the King’s thoughts.
“My King, the black crusader is someone who is well known.
The strength and command he will provide will be enormous.
Might I asked why did you reject such a good prospect?” The King, whose eyes are still filled with the aura of dark magic, simply said: “I looked and I know.” Feeling more puzzled then ever, Mensarius asked the King to please explain further.
The King on his throne, feeling that if he did not explain, his uncle is going to hound him for each candidate he rejected.
“OK, Grand Vizier.
I shall explain it once and you will not question my ruling after this.
My eyes can see that yes, the Black Crusader was of excellent caliber.
He would prove to be an asset, but not as my inner council.
My eyes can see that his master, Baron Ghismile, is staring through the Black Crusader’s eyes.
What needs do I have of a puppet?
If I wanted a puppet, my Father would be here pulling my strings.” The Grand Vizier nodded in agreement, asking for forgiveness for his impertinence.
He then walked back and signal the guards to resume.
“The next candidate, Karnok, Technomancer of the Duergar.
He is a famed technomancer that is strong on the battlefield.
Achieving fame and titles such as Machination of the Dwarves for his complex calculations and ability to respond to any threat in the battlefield.
No Recommendations.” A stocky, dark skin dwarf walked in.
His dirty green robes hid his body and face.
He wielded a metal staff with many mechanical parts.
As he pulled his own hood back, machine parts have been grafted onto the Dwarf.
A single red lens where his right eye was supposed to be, while metal gears spun with every movement.
The dwarf knelt and greeted the King.
King Kenius began observing the dwarf with his empowered eyes.
It seemed that the King approves of what he saw.
Smiles and nods came from the King.
Mensarius’s eyes lit up, hoping for a selection.
Suddenly, the King’s face turned to a frown.
He immediately waved his hand and said “Next!” in anger.
The guards opened the main gate and the dwarf picked up his staff and prepared to walk out.
The King then said: “Guards, arrest him.” Three Royal Guards rushed in to the center of the throne room to apprehend the dwarf.
“Let me go, ya fool!” The dwarf tried to struggle and wanted to cast his magic.
The Royal guards held him down and disarmed the dwarf.
His mechanical staff started rolling off onto the floor.
The Grand Vizier step forward and raised his hand, preparing magical seals to capture the dwarf.
“My King, are you alright?” As Mensarius tighten his grip, the seals started to form around the dwarf’s limbs, rendering him immobile.
The dwarf, now completely not able to move, just began shouting curse words and expletives.
“This dwarf, as famous as he is, is a traitor.
He is in cahoots with the Metal Empire.
He stole technology from Prince Clock-Gear-Grind, and sold it to our enemies.” The Grand Vizier could not believe his ears.
They did background checks on each candidate, but none of this info were surfaced.
“My King, we did all sorts of background checks.
We did not find any sort of information like this.” King Kenius finally explained.
“As I look into them, I look into their Dark Side.
Some are ambitious, some are scheming, qualities that can be good if they are employed to our side.
However, I can see for example, the Black Crusader, who did not solely possess the darkness from his heart, but of his summoner as well.
For this dwarf, I can see the darkness related to revenge.
I initially thought the motivation will drive him to excel for the Dark Faction.
Then I saw it, blueprints and Prince Clock-gear-grind in a Laboratory.
When the Prince was not looking, this dwarf stole it and met up with some humanoids.
A human and a dwarf, with an elf.
They bore the metal empire and woodland forest emblems.
This dwarf handed over national secrets to the enemy!” With the testimony from the King, the guards took the dwarf away.
Grand Vizier Mensarius ask a guard to send word to Prince Clock-Gear-Grind, saying that the king has summoned him later this evening for an important meeting.
Once all is settled, Mensarius said “Shall we resume the selection?
Third time’s the charm?” He signal the guards, out walked a man, with a white fur cloak of spikes.
As the being walked towards the center, Mensarius began reading out the introduction.
“Here we have, Prince Jyggawulf, Heir to the werebeasts, son of Prince Ryggatigris.
Recommended by his father, during his posting, he managed to hunt a legendary beast known as the Fenrir of the Northern wastes of the Water Dynasty.
Feasting on the flesh, he has been empowered even further.
Doning its fur cloak and even fashioning a weapon out of the Fenrir’s claws, Prince Jyggawulf has indeed became a personification of Wolfdom.” Prince Jyggawulf took to the center and knelt.
He greeted his old classmate, who is now the King.
Before the King began his observation, he spoke directly to Prince Jyggawulf.
“Is this really what you want?
Will you give up your claim to the Werebeasts’ throne if I selected you?” “Yes, I will abandon my title and given name to serve you to the best of my ability, Your Majesty!” Seeing that Prince Jyggawulf has steeled his resolve, the King began to peer deep into the soul of the Prince.
Not much of a reaction came to the King, and then, Kenius closed his eyes.
“I ask you again, are you sure about this.
To give up your claim to the throne if you were to be selected?” Prince Jyggawulf, took out the Fenrir’s dagger, its shape looks like a paw with three claws and a long fang as an underblade, that he had fashioned and placed it on the ground.
“My fangs are yours.
Also, my true name is Milanor.
Jyggawulf is my title.
I am ready to discard it to serve you.
Father has other children to take over the throne, while I want to serve a higher purpose.
Not just for my race, but for the Dark Faction as a whole.” The King smiled and stood up from his throne, raising his hand out to ask Milanor to rise.
“Very good, you shall be the first one to be elected to my inner council.
Arise, Milanor of the Werebeasts.” Milanor, who used to be Prince Jyggawulf, stood up and picked up his blade, with his white fur cloak expanding out.
“Thank You, Your Majesty.
I promise to serve you well!” He then kept his dagger and walked towards the other side gate, ushered by the guards.
The Grand Vizier stepped in, seemingly impressed with what just happened.
“Shall I ask for an explanation, or bring out the next candidate?” King Kenius gave him a look of disapproval.
“Next candidate it is.” Mensarius said to himself and gestures at the guards.
What followed was a chain of massive failures and rejections.
Different races of different jobs and coming from all aspects of life, but some were rejected for the lack of ability, others were denied due to not meeting the requirement that the King set, while others were just not accepting to be criticize and judged by the king and walked off.
With about 10 candidates left, the Grand Vizier summoned the next one.
Before he could introduce him, the sight that greeted the King’s eyes was all too familiar.
The hair that covered one part of his face, the back of his head having spiked out hair like a Lion’s mane, and the top right burned spot which even the hair cover could not hide.
“Leo…” King Kenius uttered his name in disbelief.
The Grand Vizier then went into a introductory speech.
“Leo, scion of the Chimera Family.
Recommended by his Father, Giles of the Chimera Family.
His talent is a rare one…” King Kenius signaled Mensarius to stop.
This was his friend from School.
Thoughts immediately flooded back to memories from his school days.
“How are you?
How are the rest, Reginald and Jayzee?” “They are well, Your Majesty, as am I.” Softly spoken through his bow towards the King.
“What are you doing here?” King Kenius excitedly spoke, especially after seeing a friend who he had not seen for a long time.
Leo recounts the events that led to this: “I am here to serve, to guide, to advice.
When the call came out to recruit for your inner council, I begged my father to let me go with his recommendation.
He was against it, seeing as I was supposed to be the next head of the family.
I told him that my sister, Lamia, can take over.
It took much convincing, but yes, I now stand here before you, ready to offer my service.” Knowing his friend, King Kenius knew that this is it.
Leo had made up his mind, and King Kenius should respect it and proceed.
Kenius sat back on his throne, getting into a comfortable position and then say: “Understand that if I were to select you, you will forego all claims to your family and serve the Dark Faction at all cost.” “I do, Your Majesty” “Understood.” Even without the eyes, Kenius knew that his friend was pure and would be a great addition to his inner council.
“Then you are selected, welcome to my inner council, Leo.” The Grand Vizier stood by, flabbergasted that the King did not even used his eyes to judge this individual.
“Your Majesty, are you sure?” “I am” With that, the guards ushered Leo into the separate room.
With doubt still lingering on his face, Mensarius called on the next candidate.
Again, numerous failures and rejections from the King.
The idea of the having 2 selected out of the cream of the crop that he personally selected has caused Mensarius to begin to worry.
More and more candidates were shown the door.
Beads of sweat literally now started to form on the head of Mensarius.
Alas, it is the last candidate.
Mensarius was about to introduce to the King, when the robed being slid across the room and appeared in the middle of the dias.
“A shadow?
Interesting, I would have never thought a shadow would be here.” Mensarius gave a loud cough and began to read aloud.
“This is One-who-serves-the-dark.
A shadow who pledge to serve the next king.
Recommended by yours truly.” The King sat up in his seat, his gaze fixed on the shadow.
With what he saw, the King could only usher one word.
“Approved” The shadow bowed and slid off to the next room.
The guards who were in the room were surprised, none of the other candidates had gotten the King’s Approval so quickly.
Mensarius closed his tome, and announce to the King that all the candidates have been shown.
Three out of the Four spots are filled.
As everyone started to leave the halls, Mensarius went to the King and asked: “What did you think of my recommendation?” “It possess ambition and hunger for power, yet I sensed temperance.
That shadow is capable of great things.
Also, I do not sense that it is connected to other shadows, an entity on its own.
Finally, I cannot place my hand on it, but I felt a sense of familiarity.” the King replied, feeling more and more puzzled at what he peered into.
The King stood up while Mensarius headed over to the side gate leading to the room where the appointees await.
Kenius shouted over to his Uncle.
“There are things you are not telling me, Uncle.” Mensarius smiled and said: “All I strive for is for the best for your majesty.
I hope you place your trust in my recommendations.
Now, shall we meet your new inner council members?” Upon entering the room, the King and his Grand Vizier were greeted by the three members selected.
1.
Milanor, Formerly Prince Jyggawulf, son of Prince Ryggatigris.
2.
Leo, Former scion of the Chimera Family.
3.
One-who-serves-the-dark, a unbound shadow with limitless potential King Kenius stepped forward and address his new subjects.
“You three shall begin first.
I had hoped for four members but alas, I managed to pick out you three.
You shall pave the way for the Dark Faction.
Like a river pushing against the rock to create its own channels, I shall name you after our rivers of the underworld.
Milanor will take the title of Cocytus.
Leo will take on the title of Styx.
The shadow will take on the title of Acheron.
Together, you will serve only me and I will delegate tasks of the most utmost importance.
You will join me and attend each council meeting.
You will follow me for my meetings unless I delegate other tasks to you.
Ultimately, you will keep the dark council under control.
Mensarius, send the word out and announce it to the Dark Faction.
Also, make sure they also look the part that comes with their new title.
You three will join me once the news breaks to the dark council and the dark faction.” All three of them acknowledge the King and left.
Mensarius bowed to the King and informed him that he will meet up with the King when he meets the Prince Clock-Gear-Grind later.
Finally, the King is all alone in the room.
His steps to securing his kingdom begins.
At this moment, the great phantasm who was nestling within the King’s subconsciousness, began to laugh eerily again.