Chương 12: The New King.

"Before all of this… Before everything fell apart." His voice was quieter now.

"It was just… normal."...

"Papa, look what I have made." A little girl ran down towards him, holding something uneven in both hands. A crooked, little figure made up of twigs and thread. He crouched down and smiled.

"Let me see." His voice softened.

"Oh… what's this?"

"It's you, Papa. It looks just like you," she grinned. She asked curiously.

"Do you like it?"

"It's for me. Well, of course I like it." Her smile spread wide. He looked at her smile, it made his chest tighten.

"Papa loved it," she jumped happily.

"Yay! I am going outside, and I'll make one for mama." She ran outside. A woman walked to him, holding a clay pot and a wooden spoon, whisking what's inside. She was his wife.

"Oren, don't forget you have to trade our goods for rations."

"Yeah, I am heading there right now." He said. He tied some woods together with rope and carried it over his shoulder, like a bag pack. After wearing a wooden sandal he started walked down the street carrying the goods on his back, tied with ropes. The neighbours greeted him as he passed, some with a nod, others stopping him for a few words. A young man around the age of twenty- five walked up to him, and he was also carrying a bundle of woods on his back.

"Hey, Oren, headed to the merchant district."

"Yeah."

"Good, I'll join you." They walked together in silence for a while.

"You are awfully quiet today. What's the matter?" Oren asked.

"Zaku!" Oren called his name.

"Yeah!" he responded.

"What's with you? Why are you quiet today?"

"Oh, I was just thinking."

"Thinking what?"

"Nothing much, just that the work gets done very easily these days. King Heralt has lowered our taxes. We get more rations in exchange. At this rate I won't have to worry for months." Oren smiled as he listened to him.

"Hey, don't get too lazy, Zaku. We still have to gather wood before winter." He said. Zaku laughed.

"Yeah — yeah."

"But still… with things the way they are now… it feels like we might actually get ahead for once." Zaku said. Oren didn't answer, but he didn't disagree either. They walked while talking and reached the merchant district. The market was surrounded by a mixed smell and loud noises.

"Fresh fruits! Fresh fruits!"

"Trade for any goods."

"Hey look, those are some fresh fruits over there. I think I'll trade some woods for those fruits." Zaku said.

"I'll go on ahead then, I've been looking for some meat," Oren said.

"Oh is Freya making meat today... what are we eating."

"We... are not eating anything. You just eat everything there is."

"Hey, you can't blame me for how good of a cook your wife is. I just can't help myself."

"Yeah, right."

"Come on, Oren. Don't be like this... I am young, unmarried... No one is there to take care of me... You know what is like."

"Alright, fine you can come. Just go trade some fruits already."

"Now, That's more like it." He playfully punched his arm. Oren and Zaku went their separate ways, as he walked the voices started surrounding him.

"Pork meat! Pork meat! Trade for some fruits." Oren stopped at the stall.

"Oh, welcome… You like meat, we have the finest quality you can find. I'll trade it for some fruits." The shopkeeper said.

"Would you trade it for some wood?" He smiled awkwardly, scratching at the back of his head.

"Hmm… Okay, but I'll take three extra pieces for it." The shopkeeper said.

"Three extra pieces! That's more than usual." The man shrugged.

"If you don't like it you can trade it with fruits." No one in the market, trade fruit in short quantity. That's a bad trade for me if I were to do it.

"Fine here…" Oren hesitated and handed it over. The shopkeeper, hands him bunch of meat. He took it in a cloth bag and started walking ahed. Then the noise in the merchant district began to quiet down. Voices around him lowered. A group of men stepped into the street, and people started to turn towards them. Their presence was enough to get all the attention. One of them stepped forward and said,"Citizens of Edgefall, we have something important to inform you."

"King Heralt... has passed away." A shockwave spread among the people. The gossip between citizens began....

"Please quiet down, we have other information to share." The crowd calmed itself.

"By the order of the crown, all citizens are to be gathered at the king's hall by nightfall."

"You will pay your respects… and welcome your new ruler. Prince Escanor." No one spoke at first, then muttering among the people began. Zaku stepped closer.

"Did you hear that?" If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"King Heralt… he's really gone."

"You think Prince Escanor will be like him? Or worse?" Zaku asked. Oren adjusted the bundle of wood on his shoulder.

"Don't know. We'll have to see…" He started walking.

"Hey, at least wait for me," Zaku ran behind him. They walked, discussing the Prince, until they reached home.

"I am home," Oren said.

"Oren, did you bring the rations…" his wife said.

"Uhm… actually, I was only able to buy this meat today." He chuckled awkwardly.

"Oren! I told you —""Before, you say anything." He interrupted quickly, "It's because we all have been told to go to King's hall by nightfall."

"King Heralt died," he said.

"King died… I see," She said quietly, "he was kind and generous to us all. We should definitely go and pay our respect."

"Yes, make sure you are ready." He said. Not long after, the streets were packed. People moving forward in silence, all in one direction towards the King's hall. No one pushed, no one spoke loudly, just footsteps gathering at the king's hall.

"Looks like the entire city is here. The king really had such an impact on all of us." His wife said.

"Or, they are all here to see Prince Escanor…" Zaku walked by.

"They want to see what future we all have with our new king."

"Oh hey, you're here." Oren said....

"Well, that's strange…" Zaku muttered, "Today, of all time, there are more guards in front of the king's hall." Oren narrowed his eyes and looked ahead.

"Yes, you're right, and they are not regular guards…" He paused for a second"They're all mages," Oren said. The crowd shifted.

"Look… There." A voice came from the crowd.

"Prince Escanor…" The muttering among the crowd began to fade away. A figure stepped forward slowly and confidently, long blonde hair fell past his shoulders, eyes sharp and cold. The Prince took his seat. A robed figure stepped forward. The royal priest.

"Citizens of the great nation of Edgefall…" His voice echoed among the crowd. Silence stayed among the people.

"We are gathered today to honor our great King Heralt."

"Their passing had caused a lot of grief among us. He lived to serve this nation."

"Please hold your breath, for a few moments of silence." Not a single word was spoken among the crowd. Silence fell, even the air felt still.

"Heaven shall guide your path… King Heralt." The priest said. The priest turned and walked to Prince Escanor.

"Now, in the name of the divine, with the blessings of our ancestor, I Beldor, the royal priest of this nation… Name Prince Escanor…"

"As the King of Edgefall."

"Long live, King Escanor!" The crowd repeated those words again and again. Louder.

"Long live, King Escanor!"

"Long live —" The king raised his hand, and the crowd went silent. Instantly. He stepped forward. His eyes looked around the crowd… The citizens looked curious about what the new king had to say.

"Citizens of the Edgefall…" words echoed in the crowd.

"In the name of my father, King Heralt. I, Escanor, will serve for the great nation of Edgefall as its king."

"And will lead our country towards a brighter future."...

"But before we speak of the future…" His voice lowered.

"We must understand the truth of our present."

"You all came here today… for my father."

"He was a good king."

"He was kind and fair, and treated everyone the same." For a moment, the king paused, and everybody just listened.

"And that is why this nation has become… WEAK!" The silence spread throughout the crowd. No one spoke. A cold look settled in the king's eyes.

"I have walked through this city, I have seen how you live."

"Those worthy are being overlooked, and those unworthy are praised."

"Why shall we live in such a manner?"

"Why shall the worthy lose everything?"

"My father believed that everyone was equal. When there is a clear difference."

"Tell me how is this equal for a person who protects, who bleeds, who dies for this nation by their magic. While others who don't have magic live their pathetic life happily."

"What the hell is he talking about?" Zaku whispered. But Oren didn't flinch and just listened.

"Magic is the blessing that the Divine bestowed upon us. It's the divine way of showing who is worthy and who is not. That's how this nation was built, that's why it still stands today."

"How can we ignore when there is inequality among us?"...

"My father did not understand the true meaning of equality, but I do."

"And I will not ignore it." He took a step forward.

"From this day on…"

"This nation will recognise its strength and serve righteous equality."

"Those who can use magic will be praised and shall be called." He paused.

"Nobles." The crowd didn't react. Just listened.

"And those who cannot…" He frowned as his eyes became sharper.

"Will be called Misfits!" A smirk came to his face.

"And will serve them." The crowd began to react as those words came out of the king's mouth. Some laughed, and others screamed.

"What! Is he gone mad?" Zaku said.

"How is this fair to a person who wasn't gifted with magic as they were born?" Zaku said, Oren still didn't respond. His eyes were staring at King Escanor at all times. Chaos spread among the people, like a wildfire. Some rushed in but were stopped by those guards. A person screamed in the crowd.

"You are a disgrace as a king." The king looked at that person and didn't respond. He only raised a finger. That was all. The mage stepped forward and cast a fire spell. The man screamed as he burned.

"AHHHH! — AHHHH!" The man kept stumbling around in pain. The silence fell in the crowd. That scream echoed throughout the entire city. The king opened his mouth.

"Know your place." He started with his cold gaze.

"Misfit!"...

"Those who do not wish to follow my rule shall be punished like this man." The King spread both of his hands wide. As he looked around the crowd.

"And now shall this nation shall prosper into a new age." His laugh echoed… among the citizens. No one moved. Then someone stepped back. Then another, and the crowd broke. Oren froze in his place. His eyes widened, at what he just witnessed.

"Oren!" He didn't move.

"Oren!" The screams didn't reach him.

"Oren!" His wife shook him. But he stayed frozen.

"Let's hurry… we need to leave before they come for us," Zaku said The people ran.

"Come on, we have to go."

"He is not moving." His wife said. He was able to hear them, but the king's laugh still echoed in his mind. Zaku grabbed his collar and shook him.

"Come on, Oren, snap out of it!"

"Huh…" He looked at Zaku.

"We need to leave this nation, do you understand?"

"Yeah… let's… go." He spoke those words slowly. Oren and his family ran faster to their houses.

"Oren, take your family and meet me at my home. I'll pack a few important things by then." Zaku said. Oren nodded and walked away with his wife. Oren went inside and lifted his daughter gently. While she was sleeping.

"Freya, what are you doing?" Oren asked his wife.

"I am taking our rations, some things to eat." She said,"We don't have time for that, Freya. We must go now," he said.

"But —""NOW! Freya." She dropped everything and started running.

"It seems that everybody had the same idea. We must hurry." As he ran towards Zaku's home, he saw panic caused in the street, the rushed footsteps all over surrounding the entire city. And they began to leave the city of Edgefall. His daughter woke up as they ran.

"Papa, where are we going? And why are these people running?" she asked.

"Don't worry sweetheart, everything is fine, just go back to sleep. Okay." Oren and his family reached Zaku's place.

"Good, you're here… Let's hurry." Zaku said.

"But where would we go…" Freya said.

"Where else… We'll go to the kingdom of Stonehold." Zaku replied.

"I hope the King of Stonehold will take us in," Oren said.

"It's our only option. It will be two days until we reach the city." Zaku said.

"We must leave at this very moment before the king sends their guards." They ran towards the city exit. As he was running, he saw a person running with fire all over his body.

"AHHH" Oren started running faster. Breathing heavily, he looked back at his wife, she shed tears while she ran.

"Don't look back, just keep running." He said. He grabbed her hand tightly and didn't stop until they reached the exit. The group of people suddenly appeared in front.

"Where do you think you're going?" He said with a smug smile. People stopped, Oren and his family stopped.

"You think after all this time we will let you escape?" A person casted fire ball in his hand.

"The king, Escanor, has opened our eyes." Another of those men spoke…

"There's no way we will let you go, when you belong to serve us." He said.

"Please let us go, we have children…. Please just let us go…" A person from the crowd said.

"Shut up! You will either serve us or die here." The person had a fireball in his hand and threw it at the person. The crowd broke in panic. People pushed each other, screamed and scattered in every direction.

"Come on, this way!" Oren shouted. He grabbed Freya's hand and ran.

"Zaku—" He turned back, and Zaku wasn't there. For a moment, Oren's chest tightened. Where did he — But his steps did not stop. He then reached a path which led to another guarded place, and they stopped in distance. Yet another dead end. Oren looked around, desperately.

"We have to find another way out," Oren said.

"Freya, Take her. I can't defend you and her if we are attacked." He handed his daughter to his wife and started finding a way out. As they ran in panic, Oren kept finding a path. The city turned into a bad shape, houses burned, smoke blinding his vision, and people running everywhere. His eyes saw a path ahead, which was clear and less guarded. Oren and his family headed towards it. The path ahead felt… quiet. Too quiet. Oren slowed down just for a second.

The smoke blinded his vision, his eyes were closing frequently, and the smoke went inside his lungs causing him to cough continuously. He cleared the smoke by waving his hands, but the smoke didn't clear. Then he squinted his eyes moving forward. For a moment, he thought he saw someone standing ahead. Not moving. Waiting. He waved his hand through the smoke again and blinked. But nobody was there. The figure was gone. He thought it was a hallucination and chose to ignore what he might have seen.

He kept moving forward. As he walked closer, the smoke started to clear up, and then he could see ahead.

"Come hurry, there's —" A sudden blast of water ball knocked Oren on the ground.

"Oren!" His wife screamed. He coughed and gasped for air. His wife was crying. Oren turned. A figure stood ahead, hands still raised. Water droplets spilled out from his fingers. For a second, he didn't understand. His eyes stayed on him, mind refused to believe.

"Zaku…" His voice cracked.

"Why…?"