The news hit Keratina like a storm. He had known this day would come, but he had always hoped it was further in the future. His father had ruled for so long, casting a shadow so great that Keratina had never truly considered what it would mean to fill his shoes. Now, with only three months left, Keratina found himself unprepared and uncertain.
The villagers, who had always feared Kuratin, began to look towards Keratina with anticipation. Many saw him as their chance for a new beginning, a ruler who would bring peace and prosperity without the need for violence. But Keratina felt the weight of their expectations, and it scared him. His father's kingdom was vast and powerful, but it was also built on fear. How could he hope to hold onto it without the same ruthless edge?
Keratina sought counsel from his father. In their final conversations, Kuratin reminded him that a kingdom is not maintained by kindness alone. He urged his son to be strong, to show the villagers that he would not be swayed by weakness. But Keratina had his own doubts. He had never led an army into battle, nor had he ever been called upon to make life-or-death decisions for the kingdom.