This time of the year the air was colder, thinner especially this far north. Sound and smell traveled much farther during these days and even he who sat so far away up high on his porch could smell it. Crescent Cakes. The name alone elicited a reaction of suspense from him, considered throughout Aurum some of the best desserts one could buy anywhere. He had not had them in a long time, for they were reserved for special occasions and what more a special occasion than his own coronation. A smile escaped Antares face at the thought of those hard at work so early already. He had always loved to gaze down on Akkad from the castle. The view the various balconies offered was truly magnificent. In front of him below stood the sprawling city, bustling even this early. From this far away he could see there were far more people than usual, over the last several days people had been pouring in from all corners of Iliad to witness the coronation of a new king. With change came opportunity; his coronation was not simply the apportionment of a new monarch upon the throne, but of the gathering of Iliad's people in one location to see the direction of where the new head would lead.

  Antares understood that weight, or so he thought but as the days had gone by and the various meetings with nobles and other members of the Stygian royal family, the grasp of what his role meant finally began to dawn on him. So in the early hours of the morning he would wake up, before anyone but the cake makers, he would wake up before his kin could ask for money or titles, before the humans could ask for land, before the troubles of the day. He would wake up before all of this and simply watch his city come awake. It was a routine that served him well, for the location he chose was a secluded small garden balcony hidden in the castle. Few knew of its location for its full construction was never finished. Royal after royal seemed to neglect it and eventually the garden grew to cover the area.

  The sun's rays greeted his eyes sharply. Before he knew it, daybreak was in full action and with it new challenges arose. He looked out once more towards the city below and then to the mountains that encompassed everything. Akkad sat in the bosom of a beautiful mountain range on every side. Perfectly suited to be protected from attack, a city that could boast the claim in its entire history to never have fallen. A pride that many Stygians and humans from Iliad shared greatly. He shared it too, but he felt right now the biggest threats were not beyond those mountains, but instead behind him in the obsidian walls that housed much of his kin. Games had already begun being played and he was quickly getting tired of them, there was much to do. He stretched and examined himself fixing his appearance, his garment of choice today being something far more revealing than one should be for a soon to be monarch. But the cold air warmed him and he loved the sensation against his skin.

  "There you are."

  Antares turned around, "Here I am," he said.

  Casspien gave him an annoyed look.

  "Do not 'Here I am' me,'" Casspien began, "Like some ponderer... pondering the machinations of the world. We're going to be late."

  Antares corked his head, "Ponderer pondering? Really?"

  "Oh shut up, I do not want to hear it." Casspien moaned as he motioned Antares to follow him.

  The two began their walk back into the castle. With the coronation so close at hand the castle was as busy as ever. People were scurrying in different directions having conversations stopping to exchange the usual pleasantries with another fellow noble. It made Antares happy, the large castle was built for occasions like this where people would gather to enjoy themselves, they headed for the main hall. They continued to bicker as they made their way, truthfully it was about nothing but Antares did not care. The mere fact that such a meaningless conversation was being had was proof to the young prince that he and Casspien were still as close as ever. Something he was glad to realize.

  "Excuse me, your grace?" the words bumping into each other called from behind them.

  "Hm?" Antares turned to face the person, "Oh, Cirella, good morning."

  Cirella bowed gracefully, carefully hiding her anxiousness, hoping it was not noticed. But it was.

  "Good morning kin-" she began.

  "Oh no please when it is just us. We do not have to be so formal," Antares encouraged.

  "I agree," added Casspien.

  It relaxed her slightly.

  "Ah then good morning to you both." She nodded to them, they returned in kind.

  "What is it you need?" asked Antares.

  Cirella glanced slightly over at Casspien before returning her gaze to Antares, "Well it is that matter I've been trying to discuss with you the last few days." She struggled to get the words out.

  It was clear she was intimidated by them, this was the longest conversation Cirella had ever had with the young prince and perhaps the first she has had with Casspien ever. But she had grown desperate, she was scared she did not believe in her husband's plan with the Lords of Grain and Coin. She did not want to be part of the bloodshed, she did not want her children soaked in that blood. She believed if she came forward and told the prince what plot lurked in the dark she could save her family. But every chance she would get to speak with Antares it would be thwarted by some cause or another. She hoped this time would be her chance.

  "Oh yes that!" Antares exclaimed, clasping his hands together. "Unfortunately now is not a good time, I am late for something urgent."

  "But I hav-'' Before she could begin she was cut off.

  "I know and I am very sorry but there is just so much to do in preparation," Antares finished.

  Cirella sighed, she did not want to lose her composure but she was running out of time, in less than a few days her fate and her families fate would be sealed in blood and she just wished to warn him. Frustration began to slowly root itself in her heart. Her husband was never this busy when he ruled.

  "I only just wish to-" Once again he interrupted her looking for a reaction. She did not give it this time.

  "Honestly, what could it be that is so important?" Antares asked her.

  Cirella struggled to get the words out of her mouth, now that she had the opportunity to do so the weight of what she was doing lay heavy on her shoulders. She simply looked down. Resigned to be mute. Antares put a warm hand on her shoulder and gave her a warm smile.

  "Look, go wait for me in the king's study, when I am done with Casspien we can talk privately."

  She agreed and recomposed herself. She thanked them both and bowed deeply. She went on her way deeper into the castle. They watched her turn the corner.

  " You know I am still undecided," Antares said crossing his arms.

  Casspien raised an eyebrow. "On what?"

  "Killing her or not," he stated flatly.

  Antares had long known of Cirella's involvement with the schemes of her husband and his cabal. Over the days he had discovered much, through the help of Rodrick who was very willing to share who were the members in this cabal both Stygian and human that aimed to harm him. Finding both her name and Daimion's listed as one of those who were against him hurt him. But Daimion he could forgive for he was young, he did not know better. But not Cirella, she did know better and yet she dared to go against him.

  "What do you think? "Antares continued.

  "Kill her," Casspien began, "Daimion is young he does not know any better but she does. She knows the gravity of what they are attempting. The danger she is putting her children in."

  Antares scratched his chin and let out a sigh. He would think it over, he still had some time until he would see her again. Right now his focus was on the special guests waiting for him at the great hall.

  They made their way to the entrance and there before them stood a sight to behold, decorations adorned every wall leading into the castle. Various colored ribbons danced around in the air, in the corner music being played. Guests were pouring in, perhaps for the first time the magnitude of the coronation felt heavy on Antares' shoulders. Lady Alena had spared no expense over the last several days planning for his ascension, Antares could see how much it meant to her. Every so often the people below would glance in their direction, offer a bow and move along. Even here his presence was still felt.

  Casspien patted him gently on the back, "Do not falter brother, we were prepared for this. It is a momentous occasion."

  Antares tried to give him an assured look and hoped he seemed more confident than he felt. This was different from the battlefield, or the brothels.

  As they made their way down the winding stairs, there stood before them the special guests that Antares was meant to meet. The High Priest and High Priestess of the faith of The Many Faced God, the largest religious group in Aurum. Flanked on either side of them were men adorned in white robes covering their appearance save their mouth. Behind the high priest rested a gilded chair.

  The high priest himself was a short and stubby man. The years were not kind to him, it seemed the mere act of standing caused him such great pain. His white robes glistened with various jewelry sewn into it. One could see the craftsmanship that was meticulously used to create such fine fabric. The rings adorned on his swollen fingers were as expensive as they shined brightly. Around his neck hung more jewelry yet it seemed to weigh him down greatly, his breathing labored. Atop his round bulging head, his priest headwear was covered with sweat. His appearance caused many to revolt and Antares was no exception, except he did very well to hide it. With a warm smile he greeted the old human.

  "High Priest Valstrak, it is an honor to have you." Antares bowed slightly.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  An outstretched pale arm reached for Antares.

  "Ah my boy, it has been too long, too long hmm? Look at you, the little snake becomes a viper, congratulations." The old priest finished, each word heavy and labored.

  Antares faked a chuckle and humbled himself before the high priest. Religion was something that held great sway in Iliad despite what Stygians might have thought. And especially so for those who lived deeper into the wilds. Humans from their very first appearance in Aurum had carried the faith of The Many Faced God. One hundred thousand years later and the same still rings true. The influence the church had was something that was always vastly undervalued for their words greatly moved the masses. However the relationship between the church and the royal family was always strained, for the Stygians who did not believe in the gods of any faith viewed the Gods of the humans as nothing more than caricatures of themselves. This was not a secret, yet still in public both parties managed to at times, throughout the millennia, show a united front. But that front had weakened over the last few centuries. Wars within Iliad and outside of her had occupied the minds of the Stygians. To them there was no time for kneeling in front of an altar. Kneeling meant one's head was low enough to be cleaved by a blade. If the humans were so adamant for gods, they could pray to the Stygians. Such a common thinking amongst the ancient civilization. Even the late king himself subscribed to it.

  King Barranagan's reign was one that many believed was peaceful. In truth, that peace was borne out of fear of what the king would do to those that would upset it. For if the king could slay his own brothers, who opposed him? What hope could there be for any other? Such power allowed King Barranagan's to do as he desired with little to no resistance. And so when the king married a princess from the Storm Islands who worshiped the twin Storm Goddesses Astrid and Bodil, none dared say a word. In fact with her arrival, Iliad saw an influx of other faiths often not seen this far north. This weakened the influence of those who worshipped the Many Faced God. But they could do nothing but welcome them with open arms. Antares was aware of all of this, long before he had returned to his home. His main focus was seeing how the church would take his ascension and then proceed from there. He had an idea that they would not be so readily accepting of him, given who his mother was. But he did not care. The unification of a fractured Iliad would start with its place of worship, faith would be restored with the royal family. And if he needed to use the high priest he would.

  "A thousand apologies, it is an honor to meet you," a slender outstretched arm reached for him.

  Antares and Casspien turned their attention to the woman next to the high priest. She was covered in the same white cloth as the high priest but her clothes were not made of the same material. Yet, her clothes did little to hide her appearance. She was a slender human woman, simply just standing there she exuded grace. All but her eyes were covered, she dressed as though she were a common worshiper of the faith, not someone who spoke for the gods. Her simple appearance intrigued Antares for from his own recollection, the high priestess was an old woman. It seemed his reaction gave away the question that was on his mind.

  "Oh dear me, the previous high priestess was far too ill to continue her duties. I was the one the Gods chose as replacement," the high priestess bowed gracefully.

  "Ah yes, yes," belched the high priest. "You know how these things are. God's move strangely, but this one here is good." He finished with a gargled laugh. He gave Antares a look and Antares motioned him to take a seat on his chair, one he quickly accepted.

  "Ah I see, how unfortunate." Began Antares, "I was looking to speak to you both."

  Antares was wary of this new high priestess. She was an unknown that he could not account for. Had it been the old high priestess it would have been easier to manipulate them. They were both people who liked the finer things and Antares could use that to his advantage. But with this woman before him did not know what she wanted.

  "Oh you can talk to me. I speak for both of us," said the high priestess. He could not see her face but from her eyes he could tell she was smiling.

  Antares turned to the high priest to confirm if what the woman said was true.

  "Hm right... Yes, yes she does. The God's speak to her more than me, your lordship." It seemed sitting on the chair eased him greatly.

  "If that is the case, please high priestess follow me. Casspien will stay here with the high priest." Antares said, showing the high priestess down a hallway.

  Casspien gave him a look of discomfort and Antares tried his best to stifle a smile.

  "Um one moment-" began the high priestess.

  "What the fuck is this?"

  Feral-like pressure emitted from the direction of the grand entrance to the castle. Everyone in the hall shuddered. Antares and Casspien were no exception. Some collapsed, others held on as best they could. Their skins pricked at the overwhelming intensity, such as it felt like a thousand blades cut them. Such a ferocious presence was intoxicating. But just as the overwhelming sensation arrived. It vanished. All turned to look at who could command such space violently.

  "Xenon!" remarked Antares loudly.

  "Do not respond so casually," Xenon chastised him.

  Xenon Xerxes approached with an air of malice. His notoriety was as widespread as his eccentric violent demeanor. A man born from the union of a Stygian and a Nephilim. A union many would consider thought to be impossible but here the young lord was proof of such a thing existing. To call his birth one borne from love was nothing short of comedic. He was created out of necessity, out of a foolish lord's desire to compete with Barranagan Xerxes. Xenon was the product of careless ambition. A stain the Stygian royal family could never wash away. For Xenon would not let them.

  When the dust of conflict had settled, Xenon's father left the battlefield with a second wife and a son. A shame he would never live down. Even still Xenon's infamy was not for being a half-breed, something that should have mattered given his mother being a Nephilim. But instead, it was because despite the nature of his birth, such a man became a Lord of War. For the ancestors to find such favor in him, put the Stygians at a crossroads. Among those King Barranagan chose to become Lords of War, he found the most resistance from the elders about Xenon. But in the end the Will of Barranagan was absolute, at the time. And so he was given the honor to die in pursuit of such power. And to the shock of the elders he attained it.

  His reward for achieving the greatest honor of his people was his appointment as Lord of Eirdu by King Barranagan. It was a shock to everyone including the troubled noble himself but he quickly realized the prize they gave him was nothing more than a glorified cage to keep him close. But he did not care, even in a cage he would do as he desired. He took the title and all the power it had. Eirdu was the southernmost city in Iliad and thus this gave Xenon control over what goods were allowed to enter into the kingdom. With Daimion and the other members of the king's council closing the borders over the last five years, they unwittingly handed Xenon greater power than he already had. This was all the more apparent with the attempted wedding of one of the royal princesses to him by the council, which he rejected. To Stygians, Xenon was a Lord of War, an honor that transcends other honors. And yet he was detested all the same.

  "Oh come now, I have not seen you in so long," beamed Antares.

  Xenon approached with two women wrapped in his arms.

  "The rumors were true, were they not? You have joined the Many Faced God?" Xenon could not hide the disgust on his face as he gazed at the priestess.

  "What are you talking about?" a quizzical expression came across Antares face.

  "Ignore him," Casspien motioned back to their guests. He was not amused.

  "And you," Xenon turned his focus towards Casspien.

  He sized up Casspien. Xenon was bigger than him, he was bigger than both of them. His broad shoulders gave him a hulking lean look. His dark skin glistened in the light. He wore nothing but the lower half of Stygian royal attire and covered himself with the finest bear fur. His ears and eyebrow were strewn in with various piercings. A low buzz cut his hair of choice, covered with white blonde hair with dark spot patterns. His eyes had a purplish red like sunset to them, they glowed deeply. He was handsome in a violent way, a face full of features that accented each other and his appearance did nothing but highlight that.

  Casspien barely saw the blow before it was thrown. Years of training under the harshest conditions honed his body into a killing weapon. To a point he sometimes did not even have to be aware of danger before it happened. This was one of those moments. He was blown back several feet in shock. His bones rattled in response.

  "What the hell is wrong with you?" Casspien scowled.

  "I was not loved much as a child." Xenon, corked his arm for another blow.

  Casspien despised every time he ran into his older half-brother. Xenon was prone to lashing out at whatever caught his displeasure, more often than he would've liked, he bore the brunt of it. He was all too familiar with these mood swings. Much of their early lives were spent together juxtaposed, while Casspien was touted as the heir apparent, Xenon was irrelevant. One born of a stygian mother, the other a spawn of their greatest enemy.

  "Must we do this every time?" the air began to get cold around Casspien. Ice began to form in his palm.

  Xenon perked up. "Oh? Maybe you are a Lord of War after all." He said with a toothy grin revealing some jeweled teeth.

  "Enough."

  The power in Antares words made it reverberate throughout the room. The guests that had begun to make themselves sparse at the sight of two Lords of War coming to blows could do nothing but stand there in shock. The absolute weight behind Antares' kings speak was overwhelming. The priestess shuddered under an enormous weight she could not see. She had heard stories of this ability and those who could wield it. But nothing could compare to experiencing it. It was as though her entire being down to her very atoms were under the control of one singular entity. Her existence for one purpose, to serve without restriction without fault. To oppose the command would be to oppose life itself, she could not, she would not. This was kings speak used by a true monarch.

  Xenon threw his hands up in surrender.

  "No need to get so serious. I was just being difficult," Xenon said pouting.

  "When are you not?" Casspien sighed, regaining his composure.

  "Fuck you."

  "Eat shit and die."

  "Enough," Antares repeated himself. He put a hand on both their shoulders. They always antagonized each other. It secretly amused him, but the older they all got the more at risk their altercations became of involving innocents. Antares did not want blood on this day, enough of it would be spilled already.

  "Xenon it is wonderful to see you again after so long. But cousin, you must stop listening to gossip. I have not joined the Church," Antares said with a reassuring smile.

  Xenon relaxed.

  "Oh? Then I'm satisfied," he said, fixing his bear fur.

  "Casspien will tell you all about it, would you Casspien." Antares turned to one of his oldest friends.

  Casspien began to protest, the thought of entertaining his older brother and the high priest brought him a wave of exhaustion he had not felt in a long time. It was still early in the day, he did not know if he would have the strength to do what was required of him.

  "O-of course. If that is what my prince wants," he said through gritted teeth. He emphasized prince.

  "I'll pass," Xenon said in protest. He wrapped his arms back around the waists of his two female escorts.

  "Why?" Casspien asked strangely intrigued.

  "I do not care anymore. And the way you explain things is very boring," Xenon yawned.

  "I do not," Casspien said sternly.

  "Well..." Antares thought out loud.

  Casspien glared at Antares and he looked away. He used this opportunity to break away with the high priestess from the group. He turned back as Xenon was making his way.

  "And Xenon," he began.

  "Yeah?" Xenon said with a twinkle in his eye.

  "There are children here, please be mindful of the activities you partake in with your... friends." Antares said warily.

  And so the Prince of Coin laughed and walked his way deeper into the castle. Antares and the High Priestess bid farewell to the High Priest who was eager to eat something and was accompanied by an annoyed Casspien.