**So, my novel 'The King's path' just got vetted and formally published in Webnovel. Give it a read if you love mythology, heroes and lovecraftian lores along with epic battles .**
David had been sitting on the couch, reading through a thick book that Emma had insisted would "broaden his horizons," when Emma entered the room with a look of determination on her face.
"David," she said, her arms crossed. "You've taken me to fancy restaurants, hidden beaches, and even that weird dimension thingy where the clouds taste like cotton candy, but there's one place you've never taken me."
David sighed, setting the book down. "Emma, if this is about another theme park—"
"It's not!" she interrupted. "I want to go to space!"
David blinked, tilting his head in confusion. "Space?"
"Yes, space! You can fly, you can survive out there without a spacesuit, and I've read about all those cool planets. I want to see them! You're not going to deny me this, are you?"
David groaned. "Emma, space is… overrated. It's just a giant black void with a few shiny rocks floating around. Trust me, it's not as exciting as you think."
Emma leaned in closer, pouting with wide, pleading eyes. "Please?"
David stared at her for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh. "Fine. But only because I don't want you pestering me about this for the next century."
Moments later, the two were soaring through the vast emptiness of space. Emma clung tightly to David, her excitement barely contained as they zipped past stars and asteroid belts.
"This is amazing!" she squealed, pointing at a nearby nebula that shimmered with hues of purple and gold. "Look at that! It's beautiful!"
David rolled his eyes. "It's just some gases. Don't get too excited."
Emma pinched his arm playfully. "You're such a buzzkill. Can't you let me enjoy this?"
"I'm just saying," David replied. "After the first few million light-years, it all starts to look the same."
As they neared the moon, Emma's awe only grew. She stared at the desolate surface with childlike wonder. "I can't believe we're actually here," she whispered.
David landed gracefully, setting Emma down gently. "Well, enjoy it while you can. We're here to meet someone."
Emma blinked, turning to him. "Meet someone? Who lives on the moon?"
Her question was answered almost immediately as a figure stepped out from the shadows. The man was clad in a sleek black suit with a prominent tuning fork-like symbol on his head. His piercing gaze exuded authority, but the regal aura was quickly shattered by David's immediate response.
"Yo buddy!" David called out with a grin. "Where'd you steal that fork from? And why'd you glue it to your head like a four-year-old in arts and crafts class?"
Black Bolt's eyes narrowed, and without a word, he lunged at David, tackling him to the ground. The two tumbled across the lunar surface, throwing playful punches and kicks at each other.
As the two men wrestled like overgrown children, another figure approached, her flowing red hair cascading like waves. Medusa, Black Bolt's fiancée, smiled warmly as she approached Emma.
"You must be David's girlfriend," Medusa said cheerfully.
Emma blushed slightly. "I am actually his fiancée. And you're…?"
"Medusa," the woman replied. "I'm Black Bolt's fiancée, the man-child that's fighting your man."
Emma tilted her head. "Should we… stop them?" she asked, gesturing to the two men, who were now rolling around in the lunar dust.
Medusa laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, no. Those two have always been like this. Honestly, it's part of why they get along so well. They'll tire themselves out eventually."
As the two women chatted, Medusa explained the history of the Inhuman kingdom hidden on the moon and Black Bolt's role as their king. Emma listened with fascination, her earlier excitement from the space trip now amplified by the revelation of an entire hidden civilization.
Eventually, David and Black Bolt stopped their playful fight, both of them brushing off the lunar dust as if nothing had happened.
David smirked and slapped the back of Black Bolt's head. "You can talk now, BB chan. No need to worry about accidentally blowing up a mountain or anything. And maybe get some breath mints while you're at it. Just cz you don't talk doesn't mean you should stop brushing your teeth."
Black Bolt, to everyone's surprise, immediately retorted, "And maybe you should do something about your nasty smell . I can smell it all the way from Earth to here."
The group froze as the realization hit. Black Bolt could speak—without unleashing his destructive voice. His eyes widened, and he touched his throat in disbelief.
"I… I can talk," he said softly, his voice filled with wonder.
David grinned smugly. "You're welcome. Consider it a freebie."
Emma chuckled as she watched the scene unfold. "You two are like an old married couple."
Medusa nodded in agreement. "And somehow, that's their charm."
As the group shared a rare moment of peace and humor on the moon, David couldn't help but feel grateful for the bonds he'd forged—even with a king who wore a fork on his head.
As the group began their walk to Attilan, Black Bolt—referred to as "BB" by David, much to his dismay—started reminiscing about their younger days.
"Do you remember when we studied in Europe?" Black Bolt asked, his voice still marvelously under control.
David grinned. "Oh, you mean the time you pretended to be a human with Medusa, and we almost got kicked out of class because you accidentally whispered and shattered the professor's desk?"
Medusa laughed, covering her mouth. "It wasn't entirely his fault! He sneezed, and the poor man's chair disintegrated."
"Sure, blame it on allergies," David teased. "You know, BB, you could've left a note or something when you had to leave for your royal duties. Ghosting me was pretty rude."
Medusa raised an eyebrow and smirked. "David, that's the most tsundere thing I've ever heard you say."
David rolled his eyes. "I'm not tsundere. I just think BB could've managed a simple 'brb, off to handle a civil war' text."
Black Bolt sighed dramatically. "I left because I didn't want to drag you into our problems. You're welcome, by the way."
"Oh, how noble," David replied mockingly. "Well, it's good to know you missed me as much as I missed you."
Medusa chuckled. "You two haven't changed a bit."
As they arrived at Attilan, the majestic hidden city of the Inhumans on the moon's dark side, Emma's eyes lit up with wonder. The towering spires, glowing crystals, and advanced technology seamlessly intertwined with natural elements created a breathtaking sight.
"Wow," Emma whispered. "It's like a sci-fi fantasy movie set."
Their admiration was short-lived, however, as a group of stern-looking Inhumans approached them. The Genetic Council, the ruling body responsible for maintaining the purity and structure of Inhuman society, did not look pleased.
One elder stepped forward, his face twisted in disapproval. "King Blackagar, you return unannounced and bring an outsider with you?"
David yawned audibly. "Wow, they're even more uptight than I imagined . You guys ever think about taking a vacation or maybe a yoga class?"
The council glared at him. Another elder spoke, "Who is this… man who dares speak so disrespectfully to the Genetic Council?"
David smirked, raising his hand. "Oh, I'm just a friend of BB here. And you all," he said, snapping his fingers, "are way too noisy."
In an instant, the council members were transformed into frogs, each croaking indignantly.
Medusa burst into laughter. "Oh, David, you didn't!"
Black Bolt pinched the bridge of his nose. "David, you can't just turn the Genetic Council into amphibians. They're an integral part of our society!"
David shrugged. "Look, BB, being a good king doesn't mean sacrificing your own happiness for their nonsense. You've got to find a balance. Also," he pointed at one particularly irate frog, "that guy had it coming. He was giving me major 'croaky dictator' vibes."
Medusa couldn't stop giggling as Emma shook her head with a bemused smile. "You're incorrigible," Emma said.
"Part of my charm," David replied, winking.
As they walked through the city, Black Bolt begrudgingly restored the council members to their original forms, though their expressions made it clear they were less than thrilled.
The group moved on, touring Attilan. Medusa and Black Bolt explained the unique aspects of their society, from the Terrigen Mists that granted them their abilities to the caste system that determined their roles based on their powers.
"So, let me get this straight," David said. "You dunk kids in a foggy sauna, and if they come out with powers, they get cool jobs. If not, they're stuck cleaning up moon craters?"
Medusa hesitated. "Well… it's more complicated than that."
David shook his head. "You're telling me you've got moon janitors because the mist decided to give them the power of slightly warmer hands instead of laser eyes?"
Emma elbowed him. "Stop it, David. That's their culture!"
"It's an outdated tradition," Black Bolt admitted. "We've been trying to reform it."
"Good," David said. "Because if I hear about one more person getting assigned to mop duty because they sprouted feathers instead of super strength, I'm taking over this place myself."
Black Bolt groaned. "Why do I even bother?"
As the tour ended, the group stood atop one of Attilan's tallest towers, gazing at Earth glowing in the distance.
"You've done well, BB," David admitted, his tone softer now. "The city looks amazing. And it seems like you're trying to be a better king. Just… don't lose sight of what matters, alright?"
Black Bolt nodded, a rare smile gracing his face. "Thanks, David. And thanks for reminding me that even kings need a good friend to keep them grounded—preferably one who doesn't turn people into frogs."
"No promises," David said with a grin.
Medusa leaned toward Emma and whispered, "They'll be at this all night."
Emma sighed. "And somehow, I wouldn't have it any other way."
As the group stood together, the harmony of the moment was punctuated by a loud croak from below—a reminder of David's unique approach to diplomacy.