Dawn of Darkness

by Kran Sanon

  “You know that you do not require my permission to carry out something like this, don’t you? You are literally the powerful being in the entire world” Samven tells him with humour.

  “I know there is no need for it” replies Cullen.

  “But you know I have always consulted you when I needed to make any decisions like this. You have always stood with me when I needed you the most. I know I am the Arkhen King and that I do not need any one's permission to take a decision, but your opinions have always influenced my decisions. I do not see you as an inferior; in fact, the elves and the Arkhenians are the only two supernatural races left in this world. Before we are also gone eventually, we need to make sure that there are no other more supernatural races left and that this world only belongs to men to rule. The way this age was supposed to be ruled. Besides I also need your support because if this plan goes south then I will not be the only one responsible for all this but you will take the equal amount of blame” Cullen said.

  “Ha! Ha! Very funny” replies Samven sarcastically.

  “So does that mean you are with me?” asks Cullen.

  Samven tells him that he would be part of his plan, but only if he promises that he will not abuse his powers for being the most powerful king in the realms of men. Once he has ended the war and found out and solved for what happened at Wovia, he has to return. Cullen tells him that he agrees and would not even think about doing anything unnecessary than what he is supposed to do.

  “Once I have established peace in the realms of men again and found out who was really responsible for the events of Wovia, I will return. Also, look at it this way that being King Solas would give me a better chance to find out about the sudden appearance of the Necros. The men of this generation have never seen the Arkhen King. They do not know me, that is why they will never help me because of fear, but going as King Solas is a totally different story. Every man respects him. Being King Solas will give me all their support as well all the resources that I would need to find the truth. This will give me a better chance to solve this mystery” said King Cullen.

  Samven tells him that he will stand with him until the end. He then asks him what he expects him to do.

  “You need to go to the Selux Kingdom. You need to tell Queen Isabela that her King is still alive and at the Arkhen Kingdom where he is being taken care of after one of Arkhen’s dragons’ found him injured. Tell the people that their king is okay and will return very soon. For now, that is all I need you to tell them” King Cullen tells Samven.

  Samven understands what he is required to do then departs Arkhen for Selux.

  King Cullen meanwhile has called every Arkhenian in the throne room to discuss his plans with them. The Arkhenian throne room is a large room where the King gets his throne right in top front with a walkway in front of him. On his right, he places his crown known as the Ark of Arkhen. This is not any simple crown but literally the most powerful weapon in the world due to the Arkhen gem placed on it. No one but only an Arkhen King bloodline can wield its powers. Even he or she has to be the King or Queen to do so and until he or she has died, no other person in their bloodline would be able to wield it. His right hand and commander’s seat on the right and left of the walkway while everyone else takes seat on the pavements on top. King tells them that he will be away for a while and that he is assigning his son Volker Rutherford as the caretaker King of Arkhen. Most of the crowd does not agree with the kings’ plan to leave, but Cullen reminds them that they were created for only one reason which was to protect the realms of men from the Necros or any other evil supernatural and that right now he is doing nothing different.

  “I know most of you are still sceptical about this plan, but I have already made my decision and will not discuss anyone else’s opinion about this because I know I have made the right decision. If not right, then the necessary decision. If any of you still have any issues with this decision then I will discuss it, but only after I have returned from my mission. If you still have anything to discuss regarding this or anything else, then you can raise it with Volker. He will explain everything to you about my mission and assist you regarding something else” King Cullen tells them.

  He then dismisses the assembly and prepares to leave. As he is doing this, he is interrupted by his brother Andreas Rutherford. The relationship between King Cullen and his brother Andreas is a bit complex. Andreas had always supported his brother before and during the Arkhen Wars. He even chose to stand with him over their eldest brother Connor during that war. Since then though the relationship between the two has drastically changed. Andreas thinks that the decision Cullen took after the Arkhen Wars to relinquish the right to rule men and left them to rule themselves was not right. He does not believe in tyranny but thinks men need to have some powerful being to rule them. He believes only then there can be peace in all realms of men. Cullen did not share the same views as him and that has led to a feud between the brothers ever since.

  Cullen asks his brother the reason for his visit for which Andreas replies that he thinks the decision that Cullen has taken is pathetic.

  “You want to go there and live among them and betray your crown. You know it is not the Necros. You were there when we wiped out their race. Not a single one of them survived. We made sure of that. This is definitely one of the many tantrums that men play. There is no need to solve it for them. You are the king of Arkhen. The most powerful being in the world. You do not need to do their stupid work for them” Andreas told him.

  Cullen replies him that he is neither betraying the crown nor is he doing anything stupid.

  “I am only doing what I was created to do. Like I said at the assembly, I am only trying to protect them from any supernatural beings and restoring peace once again” said Cullen.

  “If peace is all that you want, then restore our rights to rule all realms of this world. Men need to fear something or else they will always create a selfish world like they have done since we left them” replies Andreas.

  Cullen tells him that he has been trying to show him the truth for a long time now, but he is deliberately becoming blind not to see it, and he is starting to see him as a danger to what he believes in.

  “You were there three thousand years ago and saw what our brother did. Connor was also blinded by the power he was given and tried to build a tyrant world. He forced everyone to bend the knee, and whoever tried to raise any issue against him was burned to ashes. You understand with what difficulty that we defeated him. That is why I let men to rule themselves and ordered every other supernatural being to eventually allow their race to go extinct since that was the will of the gods in the first place. This age belongs to men, and I would never again let something like the Arkhen Wars to repeat itself. So like I said at the assembly, I will not change my decision for your opinion. You need to learn change and understand that it can never be stopped” Cullen said.

  Andreas says he still does not believe what he is doing is right but Cullen this time angrily interrupts and tells him that he has had enough of this nonsense.

  “I will not be having any more of your fucking nonsense. I have already tolerated you enough for all these years, but right now I do not have the time. I will neither change the decision I made those years ago nor the one that I am about to take now. If you have any problems with it then just live with it because there is nothing else that you can do. So now be gone!” Cullen angrily replies him.

  Andreas knowing that he will not be able to change his brothers’ mind angrily leaves his room.

  Now it is time for Cullen to leave. He asks Volker to take care of his kingdom and its people until he returns. He also tells him to be careful of Andreas as he fears he has already surrendered himself to his inner demons and then he departs for Selux.

  END OF CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER 2

  The Wait for an Unlikely Return

  It has been over two weeks since the events of Wovia, but the people of Selux Kingdom are still awaiting the r
eturn of their King. Selux is the most powerful empire in the kingdom of men. This is not only by name but also because of its sheer powerful presence. It has the biggest landmass compared to all other kingdoms with a river surrounding it in its entirety and nothing but the sea behind it. The only entry is the north gate even then everyone would only face the giant walls with archers on top unless granted permission to enter. Even the four small kingdoms ahead of it will protect it from its enemies before they even reach the bridge.

  Amos and Robin managed to escape the ambush as well along with a handful of other soldiers. The scouts have been searching for King Solas ever since but with no news. There will be hope until his body is found. His brother Amos Alistair is expected to return from leading another search party later on the day. Isabela Alistair, who is the wife of King Solas, felt something terrible happened on the night of the attack but still believes that her husband will return safely. This is not only because she loves him but also because she understands the consequences if he does not. She is a very beautiful yet intelligent woman who understands that all the midlands kingdoms are at a state of civil war and that her husband is the only one who is capable of keeping peace intact during times like this. She is also very well versed with battle as she has led her armies to many wars and also is the best sword fighter in the realms of men. She and Solas also have a six-year-old daughter named Leliana Alistair who just like her mother is also very anxiously waiting for the return of her father.

  Many other people though do not share the same hope and are being a little more realistic about the chances of the return of King Solas. They understand that it has been a long time since the attack and must now face the fact that discussion for the next King should now begin. One of them is Phillip Geoffrey who is the son of King Solas’ right hand Robin Geoffrey. He has always envied King Solas because he relinquished the power of Selux to rule all kingdoms of men. His mother Janie Geoffrey does not agree and just like Isabela believes that King Solas will return. She is a very good friend of Isabela Alistair and just like her husband, she too has always been very loyal to the throne. She tells her son to erase such foolish thoughts because if anyone finds out, then he can get in serious trouble.

  “I do not know why you have always hated King Solas. All that he has done is good not just for our people but for every person on this land, or at least he has tried to. If you desire to keep your life, then you must take such foolish thoughts away from your mind. If you do not know then your father nor I would be able to save you from the punishment of treason” she tells him.

  Phillip though replies her that he does not hate King Solas but does not respect the decisions he has taken for this kingdom.

  “Our kingdom was the most powerful empire in this realms, but King Solas took it away by declaring that all other kingdoms of men can rule themselves however they want. How can someone give away such power? He did not ask any of our people before making that decision. How can I respect that?” he asks his mother.

  Janie tells him that whatever that Solas did was for freedom. Not just for their kingdom but for all of them. She also warns him to let go of this delusional thoughts or else he is doomed for sure. Phillip, though still is very adamant for what he is saying.

  “You are very naïve mother. If you say freedom is what he has brought then look where that freedom has led him. The same people created this civil war and plotted to kill him and maybe succeeded. Besides, nothing will happen to me because it is not just me who is talking about the next king, but most people in the palace also share the same view as mine. Even one of King Solas’ best friend Bernard Carver believes that we must now consider who is going to be the next king. You know it as well how important it is to have a king during such times. Like you said King Solas is a much-respected man in all realms even if I do not believe in him. You know what impact it would make if he does not return, which looks a likely case now. This kingdom needs the presence of a king during these dire times of civil war to avoid a bloody war between all of the kingdoms of men. You also understand that neither Isabela nor her daughter Leliana can take the throne, which makes this even more important to begin talking about the next king” Phillip said.

  Phillip is referring to the Selux custom that only a man can be the true supreme ruler of the kingdom. Isabela cannot take the throne unless she remarries even then most of the powers will reside with her new husband. If she does not marry again, then her daughter Leliana will also lose the right to be the Queen of Selux one day. At the moment, Amos Alistair, who is the brother of King Solas, looks like the most likely person who would become the next king of the Selux Kingdom. This also is not entirely certain because he is very loyal to his brother and his family and also has never shown any desire in the past to be king. He respects Isabela very much as well making it unlikely that he would try to take her throne.

  Janie Geoffrey, in a furious voice says she will no longer take any more of the nonsense that her son is speaking.

  “It is still not confirmed that King Solas is dead. This means that there is still a chance that he is safe and that he will return. Whoever would be king is a matter of discussion for another day as right now, we all need to be praying to the gods for our Kings’ safe return. None of us could ever understand what Isabela and her daughter Leliana must be going through right now. So let us not make it worse for them and rather show that we are with them at such times. If you still want to talk about your foolish thought, then I am going to let your father know about this and you know what he is going to do to you if he finds out about your thoughts. So if you cannot help, then do not make it worse. Now go away!” Janie tells Phillip.

  Amos Alistair and his search party are just about to arrive from their scouting expedition of King Solas. Isabela and everyone else is waiting anxiously at the gates. Bernard Carver who is one of the advisors to the Selux throne tells the queen that if in a case they hear an unfortunate news then she must consider about who is going to seat on the throne next. Bernard Carver is also a friend of King Solas but being an advisor, he also understands the consequences of his king being dead during such times.

  “Forgive me, My Queen, for what I am about to say may cause you pain” he says.

  “King Solas is a good friend of mine, but even he understands the consequences of Selux not having a King. Just like everyone else, I have also prayed to the gods for his safe return, but I also need to do what my job requires me to do. I, together with other advisors, have been having a discussion about this for the entirety of this week and think that it is paramount for this kingdom to have a king. We are at civil war. Our kingdom is the biggest in the entire midlands kingdom. People look up to us whenever there is a problem, and if we do not have anyone who has answers to those problems, then it can give rise to riots, chaos, and distrust in peoples mind for this throne. That will make us vulnerable against our enemies because if we cannot solve our own problems then how will we solve the problem of the entire continent. Like I said, I also want a safe return for my King but with every passing day, the fear only grows. If we do not hear anything today then I am afraid we may need to move on” Bernard tells the Queen.

  Queen Isabela just stands there looking at him with anger for a while before giving her reply.

  “You say this is the decision that all of your advisors came to, but I do not see anyone else besides you here. Where are they? She asks.

  “They were afraid to talk to you about it. They all know how angry you can be” Bernard replies.

  “And are you not afraid of my anger. You come here and talk as if my husband is dead when we still have not even found his body. Amos and Robin both told me that they helped him escape, so how can you tell me that we must now consider the possibility that he must be dead. Yes, they also said that he was injured, but this is not the first time that he got injured in battle. He has done it dozens of time and still came back from it. He will come back from it this time as well. We only need to wait a little longer. You are a g
ood friend of my husband, and I respect you very much as well. Those are the only two reasons why you still have your head attached to your body” Isabela angrily responds.

  Bernard asks for her forgiveness and says that he only wanted what is best for his kingdom right now.

  “Forgive me, My Queen, like I said, I did not mean to cause harm, but I only wanted this kingdom not to be vulnerable against any attack from the North. If King Solas were here then that is something that he would have wanted as well” Bernard says.

  “I know you are doing your job and only want to protect this kingdom that is why I told you that I really respect you, but it has only been a couple of weeks” the Queen replies.

  “I know and understand what will be the consequences if my husband does not return, but I am sure Amos will bring some good news today. If he does not then we just need to wait a little longer before making any decisions” she continues.

  Bernard agrees with most of the things she says but is still adamant that if they do not hear anything about King Solas, then they must act.

  “You are right, my Queen. We must never lose hope, but I still insist that if we do not get any news today, then we must decide who will sit on the throne. King Solas will eventually return like you said, but when he does not; we need to make sure he does not see his kingdom in conflict or taken by someone else. I know you will say that Selux has the biggest army and can defend itself, but it is not only about strength but the trust that people have in us. Right now, we cannot get that trust without having a king. Remember, King Solas was not attacked by men but a mythical race of monsters. That has created an atmosphere of panic throughout the entire kingdoms of men. If their return is true, then we may be in a way bigger battle then a fight for a palace. We will be in a battle to save our entire race from imminent extinction. That is why it is essential that we find a way to end this civil war and start concentrating on the war for survival” Bernard adamantly said.