Chapter 17: The Throne That Chose Its King
The ancient bells of Nox Aeterna continued to ring.
Dong...
Dong...
Their echoes spread throughout the forgotten kingdom, awakening lights that had remained dark for a thousand years.
Every guardian remained kneeling.
Every street was silent.
Only one name lingered in the air.
Abster Valen Zorlav.
Abster stared at the throne.
His heartbeat echoed in his ears.
"...Valen..."
"...Zorlav..."
He whispered the name, testing how it felt.
It sounded unfamiliar...
Yet strangely comforting.
Like a forgotten melody.
Princess Elena gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to force yourself to remember."
Abster looked at her.
"What if the person I was..."
"...isn't the person I am now?"
Elena smiled softly.
"Then let me answer that."
She stepped in front of him.
"I've traveled with you."
"I've seen you risk your life for strangers."
"I've seen you spare your enemies."
"And I've seen you carry burdens without asking for anything in return."
She looked into his eyes.
"I don't care who you were a thousand years ago."
"I know the person standing before me today."
For the first time since entering Nox Aeterna...
Abster smiled without hesitation.
"...Thank you."
From a distance, Lyra watched the exchange.
She smiled as well, though a quiet sadness flickered in her eyes before she turned away.
Caelum Ardent cleared his throat.
"Your Majesty."
Abster sighed.
"You don't have to call me that."
Caelum shook his head.
"I made an oath."
"My title means nothing if I break it."
Abster realized there would be no changing the guardian's mind.
"...Very well."
"But when we're alone..."
"Call me Abster."
Caelum allowed himself a small smile.
"As you wish... Abster."
The Royal Guardian walked toward the throne.
"There is one final trial."
Lucien frowned.
"A trial?"
Caelum nodded.
"The Eternal Throne does not belong to anyone simply because of blood."
"It recognizes only those who possess the heart of a true sovereign."
Helena crossed her arms.
"So even if he is the rightful heir..."
"The throne can still reject him?"
"It has happened before."
Everyone looked toward Abster.
Caelum stepped aside.
"The choice is yours."
The throne radiated black-and-gold light.
Abster slowly climbed the stone steps.
Each step grew heavier.
It felt as though the throne itself was examining him.
His fears.
His hopes.
His regrets.
He finally stood before it.
Without thinking...
He placed his hand upon one of the armrests.
Nothing happened.
The room remained silent.
Then...
The throne spoke.
Not aloud.
Only Abster could hear it.
> "Do you seek power?"
Abster closed his eyes.
"No."
> "Do you seek revenge?"
"No."
> "Do you seek glory?"
"No."
The voice fell silent.
Then it asked one final question.
> "Then why do you walk this path?"
Abster took a deep breath.
"I don't want anyone else to suffer because of me."
"If I have the strength to protect others..."
"...then that's enough."
Silence.
Then...
The throne shone brighter than the sun.
Golden light burst through the hall.
The ancient banners swayed without wind.
Outside, the entire city awakened.
Fountains flowed once more.
Crystal lamps lit every street.
Flowers bloomed between the stone paths.
The sleeping kingdom had come back to life.
The throne accepted him.
Caelum knelt deeply.
"The Eternal Throne has chosen."
"The Hidden Sovereign has returned."
Every guardian struck the butt of their spears against the ground.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Their voices thundered across the city.
> "Long live the Hidden Sovereign!"
Abster, however, remained standing.
He did not sit.
Instead, he stepped away from the throne.
Caelum looked confused.
"My King?"
Abster smiled.
"I haven't earned that seat yet."
"The man who ruled a thousand years ago may have deserved it."
"But I'm still learning."
"I'll sit on that throne..."
"...when I truly become worthy of it."
For the first time in centuries...
Caelum laughed.
It was a warm, genuine laugh.
"Perhaps..."
"...that is exactly why the throne accepted you."
Far above Aetherion...
Within the Celestial Realm...
The Twelve Gods watched the scene unfold through a pool of light.
Chronos spoke first.
"He refused the throne."
Nyxara smiled faintly.
"He has changed."
But Aurelius' expression remained grave.
"No..."
"He has become even more dangerous."
The God King slowly stood.
"The Sovereign who seeks power can be defeated."
"But the Sovereign who seeks only to protect..."
"...will never stop fighting."
The hall of the gods fell silent.
For the first time in a thousand years...
Even the gods were uncertain about the future.
End of Chapter 17