Chapter 19 – The Crowning Vote
Crownless King: The Heir of the Forgotten Throne
Chapter 19 – The Crowning Vote
Kael has returned from his harrowing journey into the depths of the Leviathan, emerging transformed—not merely as a bearer of flame, but now possessing a weighty responsibility: he is the one who holds the choice that the Twelve, the once-great ruling council, feared most deeply.
Unite the Crownless, or risk becoming the next tyrant.
Yet, within the ranks of those who survived, not everyone shares the vision of peace and unity. Divisions simmer beneath the surface, threatening to explode at any moment.
Two days after the Leviathan's Retreat, Kael found himself once again in the heart of a fractured world.
The citadel, once a bastion of power and pride, now reeked of ash mingling with the metallic scent of soldered stone. The atmosphere was thick with the weight of despair, evoking images of destruction and loss.
This was not, by any stretch of the imagination, a bustling city. No, this place resembled a wound—a festering reminder of the battles fought and the lives lost.
The remnants of Sanctum Prime's populace—scattered mages seeking purpose, daring skywalkers with dreams of flight, exiled members of various guilds, and the battered tithefolk who had been stripped of their status—had gathered, forming a motley but determined assembly under a single, tattered banner:
Not a kingdom.
Not a rebellion.
Just an urgent question:
"What now?"
In the heart of the expansive, dimly lit meeting chamber, where the air was charged with anticipation, stood Kael. This room, which once served as a guild tribunal, was now stripped bare of its former grandeur, rendered unrecognizable by the losses endured. Silence enveloped the space, heavy and oppressive. Beside Kael stood Seris, resolute yet visibly burdened with doubt. Tarin, ever the silent observer, positioned himself nearby, ready to fulfill his purpose. Behind them, the Crown, a once-prized symbol of authority, now rested on a cold stone pedestal—untouched, unapologetic.
No guards stood watch.
No powerful enchantments coursed through the walls.
No solemn oaths bound the air.
Because Kael came not with a harsh command, nor any demand for loyalty. What he brought was simple yet profound: a vote.
Gathering his thoughts, Kael spoke. He did not project authority like a ruler accustomed to being obeyed; rather, his words flowed like a flame desperately trying to sustain itself against an unforgiving wind.
"We triumphed over a god."
"Not because we were the most powerful, but for one reason: we refused to abandon one another."
Kael paused, allowing the weight of those words to sink in.
"The Twelve maintained their reign through fear, seeking balance and demanding total obedience."
He took a moment to let their memories surface—the years spent cowering under tyranny, the darkness that loomed over each decision.
"What I offer you now is something infinitely more challenging."
He leaned forward, drawing in his audience with an earnestness that could not be ignored.
"Freedom."
A gentle, encouraging smile began to appear.
"The freedom to shape the world we envision."
With that, Kael stepped back, offering his hands—palms up—revealing vulnerability to the room filled with uncertainty and hope.
"But this journey can only begin if you choose me to lead."
The Room Erupted into Chaos
As his words hung in the air, the atmosphere ignited. Arguments erupted around him like a thunderstorm unleashed. Voices surged and mingled, some rising in fervent cheers of hope, while others descended into anguished cries of despair.
"Peace is a delusion!" one shouted, the bitterness palpable in their tone.
"Do you really think we can trust this so-called heir?" another roared, casting doubt upon Kael's pedigree, branding him a charlatan and a potential threat to their very survival.
But then, amidst the din, a singular voice sliced through the tumult—a woman with scars marring her cheek stepped boldly forward. She exuded an air of hardened authority, a former guild member who had clearly braved the worst life could offer.
"And what if we say no?"
Her challenge reverberated in the charged room.
"What if we turn our backs and focus solely on our own survival?"
Kael met her gaze and nodded, the gravity of her words weighing heavily on him.
"Then, I will protect you anyway," he replied, his voice unwavering, carrying a promise that echoed in the hearts of many.
Seris, feeling a stirring urge to contribute, found her footing among the swirling emotions and stepped forward to address the assembly. For one of the few times, her normally steady voice quivered with uncertainty.
"You all know me."
"You know the darkness I emerged from, the choices I made."
She took a moment to gather her thoughts, her expression shifting to one of sincerity.
"There was a time I believed nothing could change, that we were trapped in this cycle of despair."
She looked pointedly at Kael, her eyes expressing gratitude and awe.
"But then Kael stood against the Leviathan. He sacrificed everything he had, leaving only hope behind."
In that moment, she implored her fractured kin, her voice rising with clarity.
"So, for once—just once—choose to believe in someone who didn't seek a crown, but chose to shoulder its weight regardless of the cost."
Old skyforge tokens were placed on the cold stone. One for "yes," representing hope and the potential for collaboration; two for "no," symbolizing fear of the unknown and the desire for self-preservation.
Kael stood resolutely, enveloped in silence as each individual approached, laying down their tokens. Some left with the weight of uncertainty etched upon their faces, their eyes meeting his for a brief moment of connection. Others were visibly moved, the tears yet another sign of the multitude of emotions flooding this gathering.
Tarin meticulously recorded every result, the sovereign act of counting serving as a stark reminder of the gravity of this decision. Meanwhile, Seris—a steadfast pillar at Kael's side—never once glanced at the Crown. Her focus remained solely on the man before her.
As the echoes of anticipation filled the air, the results were compiled from the 231 survivors:
- 129 voices affirmed their trust in Kael, choosing unity and a shared vision for the future.
- 87 voices rejected the call for leadership, opting instead for isolation and self-preservation.
- 15 walked away entirely, unable or unwilling to confront what lay ahead.
Kael felt no overwhelming joy in this moment. There were no victorious proclamations nor jubilant declarations of triumph. Instead, he lowered his head, a gesture of solemn recognition for the path that lay before them.
"Then I'll safeguard the world you have chosen."
Sitting on the citadel's aged outer wall, with legs swinging casually over the edge, Kael gazed into the evening sky where the colors of dusk mingled with fading light. The chill breeze wrapped around him as Seris joined him, their shared silence filled with unspoken thoughts.
He turned to her, questioning her, "Do you believe I made the right choice?"
Seris took a moment; her eyes flickered with contemplation before she eventually responded.
"You gave people a voice."
She paused, allowing this truth to resonate throughout the lingering silence.
"That's what the Crown was meant to embody, wasn't it?"
Kael nodded thoughtfully, reflecting on the heavy legacy he now carried.
"Not a weapon."
"A promise."
In stark contrast to the aftermath of Kael's momentous gathering, far from the walls of Ashmark, a solitary figure navigated the darkened labyrinth of the black city beneath Hollowspire.
She bore no emblem to signify allegiance, nor did she carry any standard to represent her cause. However, the flickering light in her left eye, burning with the unquenchable flame of Hollow Marcher fire, signaled her formidable intent.
Her music shard—once belonging to Elira—still pulsed in rhythm, the heartbeat of a mission etched into her being.
"Target confirmed," she whispered, her voice a low, menacing murmur.
"Crownbearer alive.
Order from the Black Vault: kill or convert."
"This time—there will be no hesitation."
To be continued...