This is like how my world is in Route 4 where I am planning to send Kiyo in future.

Azure blue skies weren't azure no more, lands laden with people brimming with grand delight engulfed in love and peace were simply garnished with a red tint , a tint that the world would never lose..could never lose for there was no hope.

The sun shall never set for it shall never rise again , the moon shall never witness any confession among maidens entranced by each other for there were none left in world. No bird longs to fly for their ashes swept away by wind now simply stoke fire into this ever raging heart of blazing universe.

His feet simply dangled like a blanket dripping with blood when one attempts to free itself from a bed of thorns. All his eyes could look at was their dead corpses lying before the vindictive throne, with their pretty little horrified look still etched on faces even after death...all for his own pursuit .

The glamorous silver throne that all had longed for so long was finally in his grasp, solely for his sake for now and all time ever to exist. Yet, all he could do now was witness billions of universes burning brightly like no morrow for all eternity now.

"Was there really no other way ? Did you have to really die like this , god?" He cried out, as last of his soul wilted like a lily that was never meant to be born . All that accompanied him was now sheer loneliness for all the time to ever exist.

..........................

Chapter 1: Duty

A time long before the great cataclysm would split the land forever into nine pieces of land into vast oceans and seas; there was a magnificent grand kingdom of Lienzelania which ruled over all the nine continents. The fourth king of Lienzelania Jelainal Ehone not only conquered all the land that there was but also caved in so far deep into the earth itself that even the mantle spluttered out like a tamed fountain solely meant for his regal use. Every night, one would go peacefully to sleep while during the day live to the fullest during his reign.

Ehone's kingdom was even described as the primal Utopia, a celestial place where only God lives by future historians of empire, resulting in granting of title of the greatest king to ever exist on him.

Despite the backdrop of intense expectations and pressures, Ehone's successors furthered the prosperity of kingdom by utilizing the mantle in their daily use through advanced technologies -technology that couldn't be imitated even after thousands of years. Lienzelania reached its highest ever glory during reign of Queen Zufrina but upon her death, entire foundation collapsed in mere weeks.

The very same mantle that had contributed to all the glory of empire broke all the barriers and overflowed over surface burning everything in its path swiftly without fail. All the grand architectures, palaces, trees charred to black ashes in a second. It didn't despair anything in its path striding relentlessly wrecking homes and its inhabitants the same.

This incessant destruction continued for six long hours until Mother Nature herself had to lend a helping hand. Charred to dust, the foundations gave away and splintered from one another into nine pieces.

With no other recourse but to make its way into ocean, over time the mantle receded back to its hole once again undisturbed from humans as it was meant to be.

All that the story remained now was a simple myth, a fable passed on from one generation to next among families across several kingdoms. Over expanse of centuries, rocks collided against each other sinking their granular claws leading to enjoinment of all nine continents together through one common continent in Regal Year 1000.

Zelorian Empire which had reigned for past 700 years in that continent at once sought relations with rest of the world which had suddenly become its immediate neighbor. The feeling of amity was reciprocated from all sides that were only able to wonder about each other until now.

Despite differences over political frontiers, diplomacy and ruthless ambitions of rulers to annex each other, they managed to find one common ground to bind them all together -a single common tradition that had never been abandoned by any of them: God's worship.

Despite different practices of expressing devotion, the idea adopted by all Kingdoms was essentially same. So even after passing of 200 years, hundreds of kingdoms -both small and big managed to uphold peace and continue their multilateral relations focused on trade, commerce and tourism.

Cultural mobility among people of various communities also lead to emergence of new ways of worship and sectarian affiliations towards god leading to increased role of religion in administrative machinery than ever before. Though the change turned out to be welcome one for masses since it meant more patronage will be given to several artisans as long as their craft was associated with some sort of divine devotion.

King Ionis Zelorian , took this to even greater height by abdicating his hunting habits which was one of the few exceptions exercised by previous kings and solely devoted his soul to welfare of people and worship only.

REGAL YEAR 1200

Born in such an ambience, it was only evitable for Prince Rhean to be well-versed in religious passions. Even though he had his own reservation s about god' existence, he had learned to play along as passive follower as was expected of him. Never even for a second, he let any outsider see his lack of fidelity towards the celestial supreme all worshipped, all in pursuit of autonomy.

Yet what did he get in return? He was used as political chip all the same roped in an unwanted mission along with another prince just to advance relations between nations.

"Are you going to be like this all way, Rhean?" The horse carriage in which both were riding lurched on rocky upland. Rhean gave him a silent look before withdrawing to himself.

Zean fondled his starch brown hair wondering how to introduce the perfect icebreaker. He could perfectly understand the latter's feelings for his situation wasn't much different but it seemed that Prince Rhean harbored more resentment towards his father than he was led to believe. A strong network of spies and effective military...as long as one stays in command of both, one can't be usurped. From trivial to strategic value, one could be sure that it would reach Ehonian King's ears.

Due to that very fact , they were still thriving even after so many centuries while so many large empires had collapsed in quick succession .Despite being one of the shortest empire in world, its resources had been utilized most optimally compared to any other nation , even of Zelorians. Seeing no way but to accept their strength. Zelorians also had to extend their hand of cooperation after 200 years to them .

But still, Zean hadn't expected that out of all possible moves to make, Zelorians would pursue the Holy Ceremony to push their new ties of friendship further. He had received reports regarding the tension between Rhean and King Ionis but to actually see it in flesh was truly something else.

It had been almost a day and yet Prince Rhean showed no sign of initiating any sort of small talk with him. It was getting harder and harder for him for Zean to mask his disappointment -saved only by fingers twitching on the edges of fabric slowly.

A prince should be quick to understand his position as regal heir and cede to the need of pushing aside personal feelings for sake of his national politics. That is what he had been taught to believe since his childhood and had found its practice in all the princes he had met so far.

He was looking forward to cordialities once it was announced that he would be travelling with Prince Rhean himself, the future heir of most powerful country. His heart was filled with euphoria at idea of an unexpected companionship. But his elation shrank considerably once he was faced with reality.

A silent green haired dandelion peering at him from time to time as if those blue eyes would tear him apart the moment he makes any move. For past ten minutes, his unwilling partner simply sat with his legs crossed peering outside and at him jointly. To him, Rhean's face appeared to be laced with an underlying worry -a latent fear perhaps of being attacked at any given moment.

It was like this abrupt order by his father had put him on more guard than ever before- as if all the resentment bubbling up all these years had suddenly surfaced up , anguished by this unprovoked betrayal .

Zean closed his eyes leaning his head on side unaware of the latter's gaze , sinking back into his old memories.

"When a king dies, then who will lead the nation?' A man whipped his cane abrasively on floor.

'The eldest Prince would become the next king followed by younger princes. In case, the eldest prince is less than fourteen, a regent will be appointed." A voice in unison answered.

"If all the princes and regent dies as well?" The man retorted passively.

"Then the next in line would be chief appointed by ministers through common agreement, sir."

"In case of their death as well?" He continued as tense lines screened their faces at which the latter just chuckled. "Just a frivolous remark, lads. No need to worry about supper." At which group of students stumped over answer breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sir, a state incapable of protecting its King , Prince, Regents and chief of minsters as well doesn't deserve protection . In that case, no shall be appointed for no sane man shall abdicate his life by claiming such a title. The state would fall as deemed by such attacks and the empire will collapse." One boy answered as all narrowed their eyes at him.

A peach -haired boy dressed in silken robes with blue crest of Aryan Empire made a sour face clapping his hands. "Oh ! So you are saying that we should just assume a state is of no relevance because of few deaths and surrender. As expected from a coward like you, Prince Zean."

"Please Mind your courtesies, my lord .It will do no good for someone of your prestige to talk to an abhorrent creature like him."

"Indeed, Lucas." Aryan Prince smiled smugly.

"You may be prince of greatest empire in south, Prince Aryan but if you ever talk like that, exemplary punishment much worse than missing supper shall await you." The man pointed his cane warningly as he gulped.

"Now then, Zean care to elaborate the reason behind such an extreme opinion?" At which the latter's eyes glinted even though they were darkest among any in room.

"From the scenario described, only two things can be inferred: One, an internal armed resurrection is widespread across country leading to overthrow of government. Second, some outside power has infiltrated into heart of empire and is able to exercise its orders as it deems thus compromising any sort of sovereignty earlier enjoyed by the country.

Now if this was the first case, it would be very easy to install prince as official puppet than kill him so I simply assumed second case which clearly reveals just how futile it would be appointing any claimant to power. It would be nothing more than a voluntary death march for any candidate seeking the title.

Even if we assume that outside power can no longer exercise its influence, the fear will still be imprinted on minds of people. Humans are beings , who are easily manipulated, easily scared once enough perils are contrived around them .

Even if they are assured, the people of kingdom would always harbor doubts regarding security enjoyed by them . If the empire can't even protect its rulers, then how can they expect to be safe and secure there? That kind of thinking would lead to dissolution of empire eating it from inside if not from outside.

That is why a state incapable of preventing such attack on its core failed its inherent duty . It can never function again and might as well be deemed as dead for its current regime, solely free to be bequeathed upon any force strong enough to strike the iron." Zean finished .

A dead silence embroiled the room -broken only by the slipping of cane from the man 's hands as his eyes beamed with pride.

Zean squinted his eyes as two heavy arms struck him on shoulder ."It seems we have our first graduate, Prince. Zean Ehone , descendant of legendary king Ehone himself , you pass ."

"Hey ! He..." Zean rubbed his eyes as he felt being someone shaking him violently . As he crawled his eyes open , he saw a faint green.

"Prince Rhean.." After few seconds, he finally managed to open his eyes again.

"Stop dozing off now that we are finally at Melina. Several princes are already waiting nearby our carriage. It wouldn't look good for you to be so...Undignified."

"Right.." Zean scrunched his face . Why was he suddenly concerned about this now?

Rhean sighed recognizing the look on latter's face. "Look ! I still don't like the fact that I was roped in with you but as a prince, I am aware of my duties. Since we will be travelling together so there was no need for me to hide my attitude from you. But those princes are simply pleasantries of today and friends or enemies of morrow. As a prince, if my duty lies to act all noble with them, I shall do so.

If it means to follow the charted path until I can carve off my own for sake of my nation, I shall do it just like you . But I won't bound myself by duties if I already know that my companion's sole intent lies in mutual friendship. Because for me , that friendship itself is a duty that can be executed only by being true to myself unfettered even if for just a little while , from those very duties."

A gust of wind whiplashed against his green hair hiding one of his eye as the cover frolicked to and fro.

A small smile garnished Zean's face "I thought that you were being apprehensive, unaware of your position when you were locked in your own conundrum of duties. It seems I judged you too harshly, Zelorian Prince."

With robe tightly entwined against arm , Rhean simply bowed politely in regal manner stepping down from carriage silently.

"Silent treatment already ..."Zean chuckled Whether it was his regal duty or not , he was certainly looking to this friendship now. Perhaps he could settle for few more nights before his intended assassination.

After all, pleasure and leisure were indeed hard to come by in his voidable existence.