A boy wandered aimlessly through a ruined city, the buildings collapsed and flames still spiting from the cracks. He stumbled through the rubble and smoke and eventually found himself outside a small temple. The temple seemed to be cut from stone, completely unscathed from the damage surrounding it. Desperate for shelter after wandering for so long he hesitantly entered. The door opened to reveal a vast chamber, the air cool and welcoming from the outside heat. As the boys eyes adjusted to the room he finally noticed in the center of the cathedral what seemed to be a man kneeling in-front of a statue of a figure the boy did not recognize. The man was wearing a suit of intricately placed onyx slabs and had pure white hair. The man spoke to the boy without turning around, "It would appear I have a visitor.. would you like to join me child?" The boy felt a weight fall on his shoulders, as if the question was forcing his mind to obey. So he cautiously made his way over to the figure. As he got closer he noticed the man's armor was a dark shade of crimson like the sky. As if his armor had been permanently stained with blood. The boy stopped a few steps away to from the man and asked in a quiet voice "Who are you sir?" The figure did not look up at him. But still began to say "My name? I had forgotten it long ago... I have been called many things, King of Nothing, Ruler of the Forgotten. The Mad King. Curious eh?" The boy sat down on one of the worn down benches lining the temple. He had no where else to go, and no one else to speak to. The man seemed to have a dark aura around him, but the boy was used to such darkness in this world. "I suppose I could tell you my tale, I have nothing else I left but that. There was once a man, the king of the most powerful kingdom. This kingdom was called Elysium. Beautiful couldn't begin to explain Elysium, for it was blessed by the gods, and created in the image of Olympus. People danced and sang in the streets, to be alive was a joy that they celebrated in their hearts. When I turned sixteen, I became king in place of my father..."
-10 years ago-
"This is the dawn of a new age!"
"Have you seen?", "Have you heard?"
"King Joseph has stepped down, and arisen is the new king, King Josiah!"
The excitement of the people could be heard from inside the castle.
"Father? What if I cannot lead them as you did?" Josiah asked his father. They both stood in a large extravagantly built throne room. The room weighed on Josiah, the weight of what it meant to be king, and the responsibility that came with such a mighty title. His father laughed. He was no small man, he was almost 3 meters tall and his robes bulged from the rolling muscles beneath. His laughter at the question seemed to shake the room. "My son, you don't need to lead how I did, you need to lead as you do." Confused Josiah stared at him, that had not answered his question. To his father chuckled, "My son, lead with honor and integrity, be kind and the people will follow you to the fall of this empire." With that his father walked away, and as did Josiah. He walked towards the balcony for air, and to look over what has become his kingdom. It was then that he met her...
How he never recognized her beauty is a mystery to Josiah. Her fair skin and hazel eyes that seemed to shift like the seasons. Her long brown hair seeming to shine even though the hall was relatively dark. When she noticed the soon to be king she bowed respectfully, as all the maids of the castle do, and began to continue her work. "Your name." She looked up at Josiah, startled by the sudden voice encompassing the hall. "Please allow me to know the name of such a fair maiden." She looked at Josiah, and her eyes seemed to sparkle brighter than the stars on a cloudless night. "Nyx my lord." Is all she said, then she excused herself and moved on. Josiah went to reach for her, but he had nothing more to say so he left it at that. Going to the balcony Josiah gazed out to see the full glory of the capital, and all of its people. Thousands of people stood outside the castle, waiting for Josiah to address them. Feeling the gazes of thousands his hands shook, his legs trembled, and he couldn't focus on anyone thing. Nonetheless, He steeled his resolve and began to speak. "People of Elysium!" He bellowed, "My coming to the throne marks the beginning of a new era for our kingdom! Lend me your strength to lead our kingdom to a joyful and brighter future!" The crowd erupted in cheers and laughter, if only...