The King's Beloved

[Music Recommendation: "Somnus" by Yoko Shimomura (instrumental only - FFXV OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the true atmosphere of this scene~

As if the moon, stars, and the sun abandoned the sky, a sudden darkness shrouded the whole Coliseum. Actually, no—not just the Coliseum but the whole planet Earth. Even on the parts where it was supposed to be morning, or the parts where there should have been a beautiful aurora, they too, were covered in utter darkness. 

It wasn't because of the clouds, or the weather, or any natural occurrence in nature… it was simply a pitch black tenebrosity caused by magic. But by whom? For who in the world had power strong enough to affect a whole planet? None of them knew… even the mad king who laughed hysterically a while ago, was left confounded. If it wasn't the king who did it… then who was it? Was it the maiden? But no—even she wasn't powerful enough to defeat the king that's why she was forced to succumb to his ridiculous demands. And if it wasn't her… was it the Supreme?

While everyone wondered and Rania continued crying her heart out, the whole planet began to tremor. It was followed by a series of loud rumbling and crashing noises in the skies. Lightning struck in random directions and the wind blew violently not minding whatever it passed through.

Then, a giant ball of bright white light appeared beside Rania… 

"WHO?" a deep voice of a man came from the ball of light and asked in a terrifying tone. His voice echoed for everyone to hear. "WHO DARED MAKE YOU CRY?"

Rania, whose eyes lost its glow, lifted her head towards the light.

Out of the light came a gentle pair of hands, reaching out to her face, and wiping her tears away.

"Don't cry anymore," the voice suddenly became gentle, like the voice used to talk to someone so dear. "I am here."

After that, the light dispersed in the air to reveal an enchanting young man with tall and perfect features that one could easily mistake him for a celestial being. His unparalleled beauty showed gentleness, worry, and pure love towards the maiden. He bent down low, and embraced the maiden dearly  unto his arms, caressing her back to calm her down.

Everyone marvelled upon seeing him, though it wasn't because of his out of this world beauty… but instead, it was because of his hair!

Yes… a grown man with pure white hair! And a pure Magi at that! 

The crowd murmured amongst themselves. For there never was an adult Magi who could retain the pureness of their hearts, and at the same, their hair, due to Pandora's Charm. They all wondered how someone could be so pure? If it was the Chosen Maiden, they would understand but… him? A man they didn't know? Unless… 

"C-could it be?" Servus' eyes widened in disbelief. For some reason, his body trembled with great intensity as if he saw a ghost.

Likewise, the king's expression was the same. The darkness in his eyes faded for a moment, along with his madness and curse of hatred, allowing him to take control once more of his body. Perhaps it was the shock he experienced at that moment that gave him leverage. Or perhaps, an entirely different reason? Nevertheless, his consciousness returned and he stared at him with longing in his eyes.

With trembling lips, the king whispered in an exasperated tone… 

"E-Elliot?"

Everyone gasped as soon as they heard the name. For there was only one Elliot they knew existed and nobody else could have the same name out of respect. Yes, respect towards the one and only… 

"Everyone!" another voice echoed throughout the whole Coliseum. This time, there were two voices—one of a woman, and one of a man.

They all turned towards the direction of the voice to reveal the Sortis twins before them… the Oracle Illumináire, and her chosen Interpreter and Judge, Clavis.

"Bend your knees and bow down in reverence," the twins continued. "For before you stands the true heir to the throne, son of the late King and Queen Regis, and the Anointed King of the Most High!"

Everyone then, turned towards the young man with bright white hair. Their hearts pounded and their bodies shook, some in fear, some in joy, some in devastation from the truth they're hearing.

"ELLIOT VERUS REGIS!"

As the twins commanded, everyone fell to their knees and bowed before Elliot. There was no reason to doubt their words for there was no one else who had beautiful and genuinely white hair other than the late King and his son, all inherited from their ancestor which was the Great King Elijah himself.

After the back to back revelations that were unveiled to them, the crowd grew confused and uncertain of their future. For what would happen now that the true heir was back? Would their current king just step out of the throne? Or would there be war and bloodshed amongst them? Would they be forced to choose sides? As their uncertainty grew, their hearts shrunk within them.

And as if that wasn't enough, another catastrophe befell them.

PHOOOSSK!!! PHOOOSSK!!! PHOOOSSK!!! 

One by one, a black octagonal box, threw themselves towards the Coliseum with the first one aimed at King Calum, approaching at great speed.

Seeing it, Nefastus who had become silent from the moment Rania arrived, suddenly yelled in her desperation. Her face paled and her expression showed nothing but pure fear.

"NOOO!!!" she screamed and quickly teleported herself towards King Calum. She created a strong barrier around them.

Huge, dark, sharp, and claw-like hands suddenly came out of the octagonal box. This time, they were much bigger, and much stronger.

CRRAACCKK!!!

Nefastus' barrier turned out to be no match against the monster that came out of the black octagonal box. And because of that, the claws penetrated the barrier and aimed towards the king. 

Tears escaped her eyes but without hesitation, she used her body as a shield to protect the king… 

PHOOSK!

With a swift thrust, the huge claws penetrated her chest and stomach, giving her severe pain. She didn't shriek or shout. She only cried, and turned towards the king, wanting to see his face for the last time.

"My beloved king," she whispered despite the blood gushing out of her mouth. "I-I… I'm sorry for my selfishness… P-please, be happy."

And those were the last words Nefastus was able to utter. The claws pulled back out of her chest, taking her green spiritual core from her. As soon as they took it, her body fell lifeless on the floor.

Witnessing that, Elliot's head began to ache terribly, while everyone else started to panic.

"E-Exsorbeo! I-It's back!"

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