Aetheron's fingers hovered over the armrest of the empty throne.
The hall was silent.
The statues of past rulers watched, their gazes heavy with expectation.
He could feel it—the pull.
The weight of something vast, ancient, alive.
"Do you claim the throne?"
The voices of the Sovereigns rumbled through the chamber.
Aetheron exhaled.
His hand lowered. But—
Before he could touch the throne—
A shadow rippled across the floor.
The Challenger
The air froze.
Aetheron turned.
Someone was there.
A figure emerged from the darkness—tall, draped in regal black armor. A tattered cloak fluttered behind him.
His presence was overwhelming.
His face was hidden behind an obsidian helm, but Aetheron could feel his gaze.
Cold. Calculating. Judging.
"You are unworthy."
The moment the words left the figure's mouth—
A sword flashed.
Aetheron barely reacted in time.
CLANG!
He blocked, but the impact sent him skidding back. His feet tore through the stone.
The force—it was unlike anything before.
This wasn't just an opponent.
This was a Sovereign who never fell.
A ruler who never lost.
Aetheron tightened his grip. This was a duel.
Sovereign's Duel
The black-armored figure moved.
Aetheron barely dodged as a sword slash cut through the air, slicing a pillar in half behind him.
The entire hall shook.
He countered—his blade flashing toward the figure's side.
But—
Metal clashed.
The figure caught his sword.
"Too slow."
Aetheron's eyes widened.
A knee slammed into his stomach.
CRACK!
Aetheron flew back, crashing into the floor.
His vision blurred. That strength—
It was beyond human.
The figure strode forward.
"A king is not given a throne.
A king takes it."
Aetheron gritted his teeth.
The ground beneath him cracked as he pushed himself up.
"Then I'll take it."
His aura surged.
The black-armored Sovereign tilted his head.
Then—
He charged.
Aetheron's Answer
The clash of swords shattered the silence.
Aetheron met the Sovereign's blade head-on. Sparks flew.
A shockwave rippled through the hall.
The Sovereign attacked again—faster.
Aetheron's blade barely redirected the strike.
He couldn't just block.
He had to read him.
Aetheron's eyes narrowed.
He focused—not just on the blade, but the way the Sovereign moved.
There.
Aetheron sidestepped, avoiding a downward slash.
He twisted—his sword carving toward the Sovereign's side.
For the first time—
He connected.
The Sovereign staggered.
Aetheron didn't hesitate.
He followed up—driving his knee into the figure's chest.
The Sovereign flew back, skidding across the hall.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—
A low chuckle.
"Not bad."
The Sovereign rose.
His helm cracked—revealing golden eyes.
"Then show me if you are worthy."
He raised his blade—and the hall trembled.
Aetheron exhaled.
And charged forward.