"Explain yourself! What is the meaning of this Lucas!"
The King's voice echoed throughout the room. Standing across from him was Lucas, pointing a sword at the King. His voice remained indifferent, as if he wasn't committing treason.
"Exactly what it looks like, your time is done. Your age of humanity is done. You have repeatedly ignored my warnings; how many more will pay the price? I already know your answer, but I need witnesses to hear my justification. Step down or die by my hand."
The row of knights watching the event unfold didn't move. Even if they wanted to stop Lucas, none of them could. Most were already persuaded by his words. The King knew this, but his pride could never let him submit.
"I'm afraid that's not possible."
Lucas didn't move an inch as the Kings body fell to the ground. The old man wasn't even an awakened, he never would have caused trouble to Lucas.
Walking over to the corpse, Lucas lifted the crown off of the ground. He turned around for all of the guards to see it in his hand. Raising the crown with both of his hands, he shattered it. Sounds of people gasping were his cue to speak.
"A symbol such as this could never work. The crown was a fantasy, something in the way of my order. Your new King is here; I alone will be the people's symbol."
Lucas saw a guard shaking in fear. Walking over to the young man, he wanted to reassure him.
"Your worries are over, rejoice! I will not lie to you; many will die. Salvation is not cheap; be glad you are on the right side of history."
If he was feeling cruel, he could've mentioned to the man that he would die in a few weeks. Such cruelty was beneath Lucas, though. Cruelty was a tool used for progress.
"Someone clean this up, prepare a proper burial and ceremony. I will address the nation as well, so let the press know. Since I'll be busy, do not disturb me until it is time to leave."
If anyone could imagine the weight in Lucas's heart, they would be crushed into atoms. Minute after minute, day after day, year after year, he persevered. The goal was in sight, but he never got closer.
There was no going back; he would not falter now, not that he ever has.
Stepping out onto the balcony of the castle, Lucas looked over the capital of Cieder. Citizens stood below him going about their business. Children were playing with one another, siblings arguing. That was only one of Lucas's visions.
The other was a dark and gloomy world. Buildings were destroyed, dust was falling from the air. The people were gone and only beasts remained.
Spending most of his life living in the future, Lucas lived a detached life from others. His own family had long abandoned him. The friends he had were not really his friends either. Of course, salvation was not cheap.
For thirty years, every breath he drew, every step he took, was for the next moment. This was constant. Until his first plan was ruined by that dreadful man.
'The deathwalker…'
Initially he felt amusement, but it was washed away by reality. An unknown variable could ruin everything. So regrettably, Lucas eliminated the threat. Pulling lightly on a string of fate, he caused the hole opening at Maple to occur sooner.
Changing the order of things does bring uncertainty to the equation, and what an uncertainty Bell was.
'To think that girl was capable of that. It never happened originally either. I see why she is meant to be the vessel. What a shame.'
In different circumstances, he might have even mentored the girl. Then there was the boy Lapis. He was supposed to die during the blackout, while Avelyn and Bell were away from the city. Fate would try to fix itself smoothly, and what an impressive rewrite it was crafting.
There was a seed of doubt in Lucas's mind. If the boy's demise was meant to be at the hands of John, what circumstance led to their encounter? He tried to see more, but the vision became cloudy.
'More interference. Could it be…?'
It might be possible for Clyde to survive in the underworld, but to think he could come back.
'No. There must be another explanation.'
Getting bored of the view, Lucas turned around toward his new home. In this very room he was given his title.
'Lucas, the All Knowing.'
He remembered it as if it was yesterday. Lucas also remembered himself reminiscing about the moment. What a strange life to live.
***
In the underworld, much time had passed. Clyde had been living there for almost two months. The life he had before became a ghost of the past.
In the past two months, Clyde had become notorious, gaining himself the nickname Stormrunner. As a matter of fact, the House of Fracture gained more members. The total was almost around one hundred at this point. The majority of members were beasts, with the Inferi choosing to opt out.
Quinn was happy as the clan's lieutenant, but they were overshadowed by the captain. It turns out that the large Minotaur was a general after all.
Across the landscape, Inferi and beast alike all came to know them as The Shattered Legion. Depending on what side you were on, it was either a blessing or a curse. Their victories were swift and devastating to the King of the underworld. That didn't mean they were easy victories either.
With each victory, Clyde always pushed himself. On several occasions he almost perished. Of course, the opposing army never found that out because there was no one left to tell them.
Clyde was resting on a comfy bed; long ago were the days of the tent. His new room was inside of the fortress, close to the Queen, ready for orders. He had only gotten back from what he assumed was two days ago.
'I will never get used to not sleeping.'
Despite trying to rest, Clyde knew better. Before long the omen was fulfilled, as the Queen opened his door.
He didn't open his eyes, but he could tell from her tone something was wrong.
"We need to speak."