“ What Is A King Without A Blessing? “

The negotiations went on for hours, despite the Counselor having the Uvites and Azurites' (with a spoonful of salt) best interests laid out. It went on for hours because they were thinking of a long-term contract that would last them decades, which Malue was more than happy to sign as it was going better than he had expected.

Jodeus tried to remain inconspicuous from the whispers and daggers behind his back the entire time, providing the occasional nod and hum. He was, nevertheless, paying attention. Everything appeared to be in order. And when the last of the terms were agreed from both parties, came the signing.

Malue signed as the Uvitian King below his birthname, Lumae Ischyeros, something that he did not know.

"Ektes Amothyllia, my successor, will sign the scroll once he will arrive." The ink glowed in green once Malue had finished signing.

Natiya did not have a problem with this, however, much to Jodeus's fear, the Knights all gave him an expecting look. They handed the quill to him, who was taken aback and did not take it.

"I…" he started, feeling the eyes towards him burning a lot more.

"King Jodeus must sign as King Nerune will not be able to," they said.

But Jodeus shook his head, "I am not a king…"

"I know that you know how this works. The first child must inherit the crown once the current King or Queen have decided so or is unable to continue their reign," explained Natiya.

But he shook his head. "Nat. You sign it. You're the one leading this army, not me. It's only right for you. It's only my name that you've been using."

"No I will not," they said in a final tone. "I used your name because it is your army. Anyone beyond this room believes it's you. It must be you Jodeus, or else this contract would be void."

Jodeus thought hard before giving in. He accepted the quill and slowly signed his name at the very bottom of the scroll. The ink glowed in blue, the scroll had accepted him.

"I don't think everyone is okay with this," said Jodeus.

"They're not. Rightfully so. But they will be." said Natiya.

-

"That went well," said Malue to his Counselor, who nodded in agreement. He gestured over to Jodeus who was still talking to the Grand Knight Nataliya about everything, they seemed close.

"We made the right choice," said the Counselor. "However, I am a bit concerned."

Malue raised a brow. "How so?"

The Counselor shrugged. "In our world, what is a King without a blessing?"

-

"Have you heard any news about father?" asked Jodeus.

Natiya hesitated. "We haven't heard from him since two years ago. But we do know that he is alive… We tried getting inside the dungeon but it was impossible. Lots have died trying to."

Jodeus lowered his gaze to the pool beneath his feet. This place look fascinating, with crystallized azure stalactites and stalagmites everywhere, large emerald anchialine pools that could fit every ship they had. He wondered how he didn't know where this place was before. It seemed adventurous looking. He wondered if his father knew about this place or his mother too.

He threw a stone, it skipped across before sinking.

The cave melted open and a few of the Uvite warships was carefully docked in. No one would be able to enter this place unless they had a blessing to remove the waterfall blocking the way. On the other side of the cave were the traditional Tanzanite ships.

"This place is huge, Brytos would've found this interesting…"

"Brytos?"

Jodeus smiled. "Just…someone that I lost, it's been such a journey."

"While I'm somewhat upset with you, I'm glad you got to go on an adventure, must've been freeing. Surviving the storms with barely knowing how to use your blessings. Meeting strangers, something you've always been awful with—Don't give me that look, it's true— Getting mugged and thrown into prison. Getting a job as an apprentice healer. Meeting the King of Uvites himself. Losing your blessings and surviving. And then spent your nights with the next Uvitian King— by the way, you have to tell me all about him— on your very own island in Azurite, I mean… That's one hell of an experience."

He left out the part about Brytos. Natiya didn't need to know. Now that he thought back. A lot had happened, all of which forced him to grow up. All of the friends he made along the way. All of the enemies. All of those he lost.

"You make it sound fascinating. Most of the time, I was fearing for my life and…" he trailed, then turned to Natiya. "Grand Knight Nataliya, you've always wanted to be one and you managed to become one,"

"Well, I only got it because there was no one else left,"

"We both know you're better than any of them," said Jodeus in all honesty, to which Natiya nodded. They both laugh.

So far he was enjoying the peace they currently had. In a few short hours, his dagger would drown itself in blood once again.

They fall into a comfortable silence before Natiya asked a question. "Do you miss him?"

"Who?"

"Your father,"

"Oh. Yes… that's why I decided to come back. I didn't plan to replace him. I just wanted to be back home again…"

"None of us were strong enough to save him but," Natiya leaned in. "The last word I heard from him before he got taken away was him calling out your name,"

-

Jodeus strapped his dagger on his belt. The golden whistling stone was tethered to the pommel of his blade. He wore a sole Tanzanite chest piece that wasn't as grand as what the other Knights had. He refused to wear the grand ones and insisted that someone else would make use of that armor. Besides, he was used without one.

The moon had begun to rise and it was finally time.