Realm of Monsters

Chapter 745: The Ebon Prince

“So, what will it be, Calantha?” Loh asked.

“You are setting a very dangerous precedent,” Calantha said with a grim countenance. “Someone like him should not meddle with the affairs of mortals.”

“Like him…?” Loh narrowed her eyes, “You know what he is, don’t you?”

Several council members perked up at her words while others seemed confused.

“And it seems, so do you,” Calantha said. “Which is why you must believe me when I say nothing good has ever come from their kind meddling with mortals. It may seem like they’re helping, but in the long run it never turns out well for us.”

“Stryg isn’t like them,” Loh shook her head.

“Even if he is the greatest king this realm has ever known, the ones that come after him may not be. In fact, at some point they won’t be. That is the precedent you are setting right now. A throne. A pathway to a seat of power that a tyrant will eventually take. And when that day comes, we will no longer be strong enough to contest them.”

“Stryg is immortal, there will be no other king nor tyrant,” Loh said.

Calantha laughed in disbelief, “Do you hear yourself? His kind never rule as mortal kings for long. Their sole existence defies being trapped in such a small seat of power. You can’t hold them down with the promise of a mere crown. They all eventually step away and leave the mortal throne to another. And those kings are dangerous. Why do you think the Sylvan Tribes have a Lunar Elect instead?” She pointed at Lumi sitting across the table. “We need a council.”

Loh turned to Stryg, who had remained silent while the city lords had discussed his royal ascension. “Is she telling the truth? Would you leave us if we crowned you?”

Stryg looked away from her and spoke in a quiet voice. “I will always strive to protect our people, that is all I can promise.”

Loh nodded solemnly. “Good enough for me.”

“Loh, please reconsider what you’re about to do, for my sake,” Vayu said.

“I’m sorry, Vayu,” Loh said sympathetically. “I know you’re hurting, but this alliance will be for the greater good of all our people.”

“I don’t care if Stryg is king! Her people murdered my family!” Vayu pointed an accusing finger at Mylaril. “How many more families have suffered at their hands? How many have we lost? And you’re saying after everything, after all our losses, we should reward them?”

“How many of them have we killed?” Loh asked.

“They are our enemy. How can you let that go? After everything?” Vayu asked.

“It isn’t like that—”

“—It is like that! You know as well as I that if this alliance goes through, we will be forced to offer them aid, maybe even land. All for what? Not attacking us again?” Vayu said.

“We need an alliance to protect this city,” Loh said.

“A treaty would suffice, not this. Loh, I have stood by your side through everything. Even at your darkest moments, I was there for you. All I ask is that you stand with me now, please. I’m begging you,” Vayu said.

“I…” Loh bit her lip. Lily placed a comforting hand on her forearm. Loh took a deep breath, “When we became the heads of our Houses, we were charged with the protection of our people. This isn’t about us anymore. This is about everyone’s lives.”

“I am thinking about everyone, the fallen included. Are you? Or have you already forgotten your grandfather?” Vayu said.

“Don’t,” Loh glared at him, tears in her eyes.

Krall Katag stood and looked around the table. “All in favor of crowning Stryg as sovereign king of Hollow Shade?” He raised his hand.

“Aye,” Freya raised her hand.

“Aye,” Tristan held his hand up as high as he could to try and match Krall.

“Aye,” Stryg raised his hand, though he kept his eyes on the table.

“Loh, don’t do this,” Vayu whispered.

She turned away and slowly raised her hand. “...Aye.”

Calantha sighed heavily. “This will be the end of Hollow Shade. You simply won’t be alive to see it. Our descendants will pay the price for your hubris.” She raised her hand, “Aye.”

Every council member but Stryg turned to Vayu.

“Please, accept,” Loh said.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“I refuse,” Vayu said spitefully. “I won’t betray those I’ve lost.”

“Don’t be a fool, boy,” Calantha said, surprising the rest of the council. “We’ve already lost. Think about the family you still have left. Your sisters, nephews and nieces. You’re condemning them to execution if you reject the vote. Is that what you want?”

Vayu clenched his jaw hard and raised his hand, while glaring at the others. “Aye. I vote we crown Stryg Veres.”

“Wonderful,” Krall clapped his hands together. “Then it is official. Lord Stryg Veres shall now and forevermore be known as his majesty, First of His Name, King of Hollow Shade.”

The entire chamber broke into quiet applause, save for Vayu and Calantha.

Stryg stepped in front of the council and bowed his head. “Thank you for putting your trust in me. I’m sorry, Master Vayu, that it had to be this way.”

Vayu said nothing, his gaze despondent.

Stryg took a deep breath and addressed the entire room, “As my first act as king, I will forge an alliance with Undergrowth, the Valley Tribes, and the reborn City of Lunis.”

“On behalf of the Valley Tribes, we accept your alliance, your majesty,” Mylaril bowed her head.

“As do I,” Calex Thorn said.

“I’d wager the Mother Moon would kill me if I rejected your alliance,” Lumi said wryly. “So, despite my aversion to this city, I accept your proposal on behalf of Lunis.”

Stryg exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “With your alliances, we will be able to enforce our deal with Frost Rim. They will be unable to attack Hollow Shade or any of our people for that matter.”

“And just like that, you’ve managed to do what every lord and lady has tried to achieve since Ebon Lord Koval. Peace in the Ebon Realm,” Krall said with a wide grin. “You should be proud, my boy.”

“Koval wanted to unify the Ebon Realm under his rule. He failed. Lunis never bowed to him. I have no interest in following in my ancestor’s footsteps,” Stryg said.

“What does interest you then?” Calantha asked.

“A promise to a friend. From this day forward, no beast-kin will be enslaved or made a servant. They will be free to live as they so choose,” Stryg said.

“Of course, leave it to a god to cause chaos on his first day as king,” Calantha muttered quietly.

Krall coughed. “Um, your majesty. While I understand where you are coming from, this will no doubt anger many nobles in our city. Perhaps if we introduce your decree slowly, then—”

“No. Starting today, the beast-kin are free. In Undergrowth and Frost Rim as well,” Stryg looked at Calex.

Calex bowed his head ever so slightly, “As you wish. Though I expect help from Hollow Shade if rebellion breaks free.”

“And what about Frost Rim? How will you make them follow this decree?” Freya asked. “I don’t mean to sound negative, but they aren’t exactly friendly with us right now.”

“Leave them to me,” Holo spoke up, surprising everyone but Stryg.

“Where did this woman come from?” Vayu asked.

“She was always here, standing right over there,” Stryg said as if it were obvious.

“What?” Vayu looked around and everyone appeared just as confused, save for the Veres and Gales.

“Your decree, though dangerous, is noble. I will help you in this endeavor, brother. I will see it through to the end in your absence,” Holo said.

“You knew?” Stryg wrinkled his brow.

“I knew it the moment I saw you this morning. I’ve seen the same look in Melantha’s eyes many times,” Holo said.

“Wait. Absence?” Loh said.

Stryg gave Loh a weak smile. “I told you, I will always strive to protect our people. And right now, the greatest threat to all of us lies beyond this realm. There are things only I can do to help. So… I need to help. I need to leave.”

The entire chamber, but Holo, stared at him in stunned silence. Calantha slammed her forehead on the table and suppressed a scream of frustration.

“But… We just crowned you king,” Loh mumbled, confused.

“I know. I plan to return—someday. Soon, hopefully. Don’t worry, I am leaving you all in wiser hands than mine.” Stryg turned to his mother.

Aurelia frowned. “Oh no. No, no, no.”

“You are the Ebon Lady. You can be queen for a little while and I’ll be the ebon prince,” Stryg said.

“I don’t want to be,” Aurelia said. “You can’t simply leave all your problems to me. Your beast-kin decree might have just started a war.”

“You owe me this much. Please, Mother,” Stryg said.

Aurelia slumped in her chair and sighed deeply. “When are you leaving?”

“The day after tomorrow,” Stryg said.

“So soon?” Loh asked.

“The sooner I leave, the sooner I can return,” Stryg said. He’d at least need a few hours to get his gear ready and his affairs in order. One day seemed like enough time for that. He hoped.

“Well, if you are going to leave, then at least allow us to throw you a farewell party. A celebration of our victory today and a coronation of sorts,” Evelyn said.

“Agreed,” Krall nodded at his wife’s suggestion.

“Thank you,” Stryg said. “Before I leave, there is one last thing I wish to change.”

“What is it now?” Calantha asked.

“The Valley lands that were taken by Hollow Shade and its Ebon Lords will be returned to them. All of them. Any village that sits in those lands will now pay fealty to the Valley Tribes,” Stryg said.

Vayu closed his eyes and clenched his hands in defeat.

“Thank you, Dusk Wolf,” Mylaril said, tears in her eyes. “Thank you for keeping your word.”

“Thank you for trusting me,” Stryg said.

“Any more rebellions you wish to ignite before leaving us with this mess?” Calantha asked.

“No. That is all,” Stryg said.

“In that case, I have places to be, letters to write, wars to win,” Calantha strode out of the chamber, but paused as she passed by Loh. “I warned you, people like your apprentice cannot be swayed by a mere crown.”

Freya patted Stryg’s arm on her way out. “Try to come back in a couple of weeks, yeah? I’d rather not fight this war alone.”

“Weeks… yeah,” Stryg muttered. He hoped it would only take a few weeks, but he doubted it. He honestly didn’t know how long he’d be gone. Months? A year? He wasn’t sure.

Young Lord Tristan Helene marched over to Stryg, head held high. “Will this bring peace to our city?”

“I hope so,” Stryg said.

“But battles first?” Tristan asked.

“...I think so,” Stryg admitted.

Tristan wrung his hands together. “Did I make the wrong choice?”

“No,” Stryg said, confidence bleeding into his voice.

Tristan nodded and walked away, his caretaker following silently behind him.

“Stryg, we need to talk,” Gale said, arms crossed.