Sounds of heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway. Lucas entered, covered in shiny gold armor.

"Behold, the steps of a king," said Axiel, Lucas's friend.

"I am not the king yet," Lucas replied.

"Just a few hours from now, you will be crowned the next King of Kron," Axiel said confidently.

Suddenly, a servant rushed in.

"Lord Lucas, your father, the king, sends for you," the servant reported.

"Looks like the king wants to give you some advice before your crowning," Axiel remarked.

Lucas left immediately, heading straight to his father's chamber. He was met by Owen, his father's personal advisor.

"You are late," Owen said.

"I came immediately I was told," Lucas replied.

"Your father is waiting," Owen said, motioning him forward.

Turning to his father, Lucas greeted, "Live long, Father," bowing his head toward the ground.

"You know I prefer being called by my name, son," King Elvis said, staring out the window of his chamber. "By sunset, you will be crowned King of Kron. Are you ready to take that position, son?" King Elvis asked, turning toward Lucas.

"I am honored and ready, as you know, Father," Lucas replied.

"As you say, son. Go, get him prepared," King Elvis ordered his servants. They all bowed and left the chamber.

Once again, King Elvis looked out his window, his hands crossed behind him. He walked closer to Owen.

"When I am gone, I want you to take care of Lucas for me. He may be half a thousand years old, but he's still a child to me," King Elvis whispered to Owen.

"You know, the only reason why Trivia, your eldest son, and Lord Zack are not here yet is because you are still awake. If you go into slumber, they will return to fight for the throne, and you know the calamities they bring with them. Lucas cannot handle them alone. They could even be in an alliance, aiming to destroy Kronax," Owen warned, his face grave.

"I don't think Lucas is ready for that now," Owen said with a straight face.

"That's why he has you and Axiel by his side. We know you both have potential," King Elvis stated.

"Potential, you say?" Owen replied mockingly. "I can only manipulate the minds of people to an extent, not control their entire being. Axiel, on the other hand, controls lightning."

"Axiel is lightning himself. Don't belittle yourselves," Elvis said. "With you by his side, Lucas can turn the tides."

"You know we're talking about the royal blood who all have the Alpha energy in them. And you, my king, know fully well that Trivia possesses greater Alpha energy than Lucas, not to mention his uncle, lord zack," Owen complained.

"We shall speak no more of this matter. What has to be done will be done. It is time for me to join my fathers on the other side," King Elvis said solemnly.

"Yes, Lord Elvis," Owen replied, bowing his head and leaving with a worried look on his face and fear in his eyes.

---

Axiel approached Lucas. "From tomorrow, all of Kronax will experience the reign of a new king, and that's you, my friend," Axiel said.

"Yes, but Kronax will also experience the loss of a great king, my father," Lucas replied, feeling sad, his head bowed. "I don't think I'll ever be as good as him in ruling a whole galaxy," Lucas lamented.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll get used to it. Besides, you have me and Owen by your side, and you also have the heart of a king," Axiel encouraged.

"Please, do not flatter me. I know you're just trying to make me feel better," Lucas replied.

"I'm not kidding, except for the part where I said you had the heart of a king," Axiel joked.

"You prick!" Lucas cursed, chasing after Axiel. He caught him and trapped his head under his armpit, giving him heavy knocks. Axiel fought back, biting Lucas's arm, causing Lucas to release him. Axiel followed up with a punch, hitting Lucas in the face. Lucas then shot out a laser blast, hitting Axiel head-on and sending him flying into the wall. Due to the Alpha energy possessed by the royal bloodline, they had abilities such as super strength, speed, flight, laser blasts, telekinesis, and shielding. Axiel, on the other hand, controlled lightning.

Axiel shot lightning toward Lucas, who absorbed the energy, turned it into Alpha energy, and shot it back, hitting Axiel and sending him skidding across the floor.

Axiel stood up and drew out his axes. "You know I was given the name Axiel because no one has ever defeated me when I'm holding my axes," Axiel said, smiling.

"That's a lie. You and I both know you're no match for me," Lucas replied, drawing out his sword.

"Well, I guess you're having some fun," Owen said, entering the room.

Lucas and Axiel, realizing how childish they had been, immediately put away their weapons.

"Clean up the mess you've made," Owen ordered.

Lucas murmured, "That's not how you talk to your new king," and used telekinesis to put everything back in place.

"A king does not act like a child," Owen said. "In a few moments, you'll be crowned King of Kronax, and you chose to spend your last moments as a prince fooling around."

"I wasn't fooling around," Lucas said. "I was just having some fun, as you said."

Axiel giggled, finding Lucas's words funny.

"You both have childish attitudes," Owen said. "Nevertheless, get yourselves ready for the crowning. It's about to begin."

---

The heavy bell rang across the whole castle, and multitudes gathered, heading straight for the throne room. King Elvis walked up to the throne and began announcing with a voice that echoed through the castle.

"I will now go into slumber and return to the home of my fathers! I will join them in the reflex world, and this day will mark the end of my reign as king and the beginning of a new reign—the reign of my son, Lucas!"

Everyone present clapped and hailed the new king, Lucas. Tears rolled down Lucas's cheeks as he watched his father climb to the throne. Elvis sat down, his skin turning pale as he closed his eyes and went into slumber. The guards carried his body to a tomb located under the castle, where all the past kings lay on tablets with inscriptions written all over them.

Owen picked up the crown and placed it on Lucas's head, who was now on one knee.

"Behold your new king!" Owen announced with an echoing voice.

"Long live King Lucas!" the crowd shouted.

"You can now start the celebration!" Lucas ordered as soft music played inside the castle.

Lucas went to his chambers alone, full of thoughts. "You know I'm not in the right mood for seeing anyone," Lucas said as Owen entered.

"I know you're mourning for your father, but you shouldn't. You have many responsibilities now that you are king, especially ensuring the safety of your people," Owen advised.

"They've always been safe," Lucas said.

"Not anymore," Owen replied. "I have to tell you the truth. There are many enemies who feared your father and therefore never attacked us. But now that your father slumbers, it is certain that they will attack."

"And who are these enemies?" Lucas asked.

"Lord zack and his allies," Owen answered.

"Who is this Lord zack?" Lucas asked.

"He was your father's brother. He wanted the throne for himself but was not fit for it, so he decided to take it by force but lost the battle," Owen explained. "And also, you have an older brother named Trivia. He followed your uncle's footsteps."

"I have an older brother?" Lucas asked in shock.

"Yes, you do," Owen answered.

"Why was I not told?" Lucas asked.

"Your father had his reasons, but know this: your brother is powerful and dangerous," Owen said. He walked to the door, pausing before leaving the room. "And you should expect Trivia anytime soon," Owen warned, before walking out of the room.