Treading along the bittersweet path towards the throne, Michael gazed into the clouds. Reminiscing. His heart beating rapidly, huffing.
Although it has only been a month, he felt like it was longer. However, he no longer had attachments. His previous fleeting emotions were but shells on the shore, long lost in the tides of sand, buried deep within. But not all were sealed.
Michael's eyes shone a saddened glint.
He had accepted the fact that now, he would no longer see his family or ever go back home. He was quite literally on a higher plane. He missed home, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Well, there was a method. But there would be no way in hell he would go through all the trouble to essentially become the strongest; to reach the level where no one reached.
And if Duke and Celine's 8k+ stats weren't enough levels for it, he could only ponder just how ridiculously high that expectation is.
But that isn't why he was panting; he was nervous. The reality he tried to suppress was resurfacing. He didn't want to be proven weak, proven that his efforts were in vain because of a fact he could not change.
Michael took a big gulp of saliva and straightened his back.
He can't show weakness no matter how rattled he is, especially when Steve was strangely out for his blood.
When Michael rejected him, he didn't think he would go this far.
However, he didn't regret the decision. And he would be lying if he didn't see this coming.
Just at a glance, Steve already looked like a top student. One who adhered to rules no matter what and the assumption was proven right from one of the neighboring school student Dave Gohan.
Steve was the respected student council vice-president of his school. But his position was a lot higher with the help of his family and his bastard skills; he had the council president on the palms of his hand, operating in the backrooms. After all, to keep a clean paper he had to be a shadow, lurking, only appearing when he musts.
But Michael didn't want to be shackled again like a certain point in his life before. He vowed to live his life to the fullest in his own way. Enjoying it to make up for the years wasted slaving away.
But to think someone like 'him' appeared in his life again just when he moved on…
Steve was seemingly average; average height, build, the only exception was his looks. He was a great character, but that was only a facade he set in place. And this absurd situation revealed his real personality kept hidden from his perfect image.
A manipulator who clings to authority to stay relevant—stay useful. And stay in control.
Michael ignored all his threats, but this day may be the time when he will once be again captured…
He turned his gaze behind to see Steve looking back at him with an indifferent expression, soon forming a rising, frosty smirk as if he had just won a championship.
Whatever angle you look at it, it was obvious that he had a devious plan.
'Just leave me alone…' Michael clicked his tongue.
However, deep down, he also wanted to be needed. Michael was always the leader of his friend group, making him worried that one day he would be forgotten and thrown away when their strength gap increased.
Uttering hypocrisy after planning to escape by himself if he couldn't take them with him.
He…was a detestable person too. Besides close friends and family, he could care less about others. When he needed help no one even batted an eye except for his loved ones. Naturally, he won't reach out to others also.
CREAK!
The door opened gently, resounding magnificently through the space of grace. But for Michael, it sounded like rust, ominously creeping underneath his skin as the metal clanked. The vibrations traveled through his spine like lightning.
'Everything will be okay,' Michael took a deep breath. Clasping his cold hands together, trying to calm himself.
Meanwhile, as the golden chambers were revealed, the guard lowered his head then kneeled. He formed a fist on his right as a sign of his resolve and placed it onto his chest. "Your majesty,"
A salute he had just seen now that seemed awfully familiar to a recent show he watched that was about to end. Reminding Michael once more of all the missed opportunities that were stripped away from him to fight for another hand.
"Enter," A coarse voice boomed. Upon the confirmation, the guard stood up and bowed to the students, swaying his arms towards the inside, motioning for them to go in.
Albeit he didn't follow them inside. He stood in place and closed the door upon entry. As the door slammed shut, the space turned dim. Different from the dazzling atmosphere before. Instead, it gave a damp and solemn feeling.
And this time, they entered through the front door, seeing the room in its full glory regardless; a magnificent entrance through a velvet carpet and onyx pillars, with golden statues of men and women radiating grace and power in between the supports.
Thin banners hung from each column, showing different faction flags, attached to blazing torches above, suspending the said banners. Swaying opposite of the door as the wind raged inside like a storm. But the torches grew even stronger rather than diminishing from the gust.
It seemed to be a different flame from what they were accustomed to with its purple glow.
"Woah," Michael gasped. Before, he wasn't able to take a good look at the palace and only noticed the statue of the king in the middle and the pillars that obstructed the others.
Then, the rows of sculptures and columns that stretched for 10 meters came to an abrupt stop, making space for a circular path of carpet with the said king statue in the middle before the pillars continued again albeit no more sculptures of other figures.
Walking around it, the golden throne was revealed to their eyes clear of obstacles, once again mystifying them. The glinting seat shone a blinding radiance more striking than before. And on top of it sat an old man. Alone.
But his physique looked far from aged, rather, he looked as if he was in his early 30's. If it weren't for the scars, wrinkles, and grey hair many would mistake him for a young adult.
He looked down on the students from above the altar, assessing them one by one. Making an indifferent but intimidating expression. His long, silky, vine-like hair shadowed his face, adding, making the clear orange eyes he had glow menacingly as if a predator. No. As if God stared down on them.
Stoic.
An expression no mortal can make off. An expression—a man of mystery. But within his presence, one can feel safe.
But at the same time, one look can make even the strongest warrior shudder.
As if it wasn't enough, the clothes that hung from his body also gleamed silver brightly. Waving like cloth, however, as though it was as mighty as the kingdom's wall.
Something was…different about the king today. Unlike the benevolence, no, he was still the same as ever, but his gaze…
It peered into Michael's soul. As if his darkest secrets locked deep inside were uncovered. He felt like he was naked in front of his presence.
The pressure the king, Alfred, had given off was enough for them to forget even their own names.
But the bone-chilling atmosphere was shortly broken by a hoarse laugh followed by a cough.
"Haha! Don't be so serious. I was just checking on your progress! — Ahem."
King Alfred looked down and covered his mouth in an attempt to hold back his chuckle but ultimately failed and bawled.
Winding down, he grinned from ear to ear, the apathetic expression disappearing into thin air. Then, he held his chin and added underneath his breath, wearing a gleaming smile.
"You've all grown a lot,"
However, the sudden shift of tone did not change the students' expressions. Now that they were hammered by blood and death, their instincts were activated, sharpened. And the man right in front of them now…
Can kill them with a single breath.
Alfred sighed. His premeditated plan to start a natural conversation flow had miserably failed. He usually only replied with quick phrases and rarely does speeches, and barely has experience talking to young teens.
Most often the young talents go directly to his designated talent personnel/recruiter.
He didn't want to scare the students so he opted for a joke to start the conversation, but it instead had the opposite effect.
But the show must go on. He brushed the failure and went straight to the main subject.
"Let's see the fruits of your labor."
After, he stood up and muttered silent words, making a gloomy mist suddenly envelop him, disenterating.
Gasp!
The students gawked at the sight. Then...
Poof!
"Woah!"
The silver dust fluttered down the altar and up emerged a concrete column from the ground, making the ground quake briefly. Along with it King Alfred soon materialized in front of them.
On his grasp was a glowing orb which he laid down on the support.
"So, who'll go first?"