Nealon, her hands trembling at her sides, was the first to break the stillness. Her voice, usually so steady, wavered as she spoke. "My High Head… what is the meaning of this?" Her eyes, wide with disbelief, searched his face for answers.
Beside her, Tavis, ever the warrior but now lost in confusion, added his own plea. "High Head, I… I am lost as well. What you speak of—it cannot be."
Krelious did not flinch. His smile was gentle, as if he had expected their shock. "For some time now," he said, his tone measured, "Sted and I have been… intimate."
A gasp rippled through the room. Zion, his face pale, staggered back a step. "What?" he blurted. "I didn't even know!" His gaze darted to Sted, who stood with her head bowed, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her robes.
Sted's voice was barely a whisper, thick with emotion. "I'm sorry, Chief. I was warned never to speak of this to anyone—not even you."
Akermos, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward. His deep voice cut through the murmurs. "There is no need to question the High Head," he declared. "He is now the Seventh Father, the ruler of all. He has broken no law."
Zielan, though his brow remained furrowed, sighed and nodded. "I suppose you're right."
Nealon, swallowing her pride, bowed deeply. "Yes… forgive my rudeness earlier, my Lord."
Tavis, following her lead, dipped his head. "I, too, apologize, High Head."
Krelious's smile softened, his eyes warm. "Do not worry," he reassured them. "As I said, Sted now carries my child, and I love her—just as she loves me."
Sted's cheeks flushed a deep red, but she lifted her chin, her voice firmer now. "Yes… I do."
Then, like a storm rolling in, Krelious's expression darkened. His voice, once gentle, now carried the weight of command. "Now, listen closely," he intoned. "From this day forth, I declare myself King of the Verses and ruler over all."
Nealon dropped to one knee without hesitation. "We accept your decree, my King."
Krelious nodded, satisfied. "Good. Nealon, you will lead the Decision Faction. Dainen, you shall become the new Chief of the War Faction."
Zielan, ever the jovial one, grinned and clapped Dainen on the back. "Congratulations, Chief Nealon!"
Akermos echoed the sentiment. "Indeed, well deserved!"
Dainen, though his eyes still held traces of uncertainty, bowed deeply. "Thank you, my King. I swear to wield this authority with honor."
Amiss and Lenon added their praises, while Deriss, ever silent, simply nodded in approval.
Krelious continued, his voice edged with steel. "Dainen, for the traitorous acts committed by you and your faction—alongside Nielan—your punishment is this: You will restore the destroyed verses within a month."
Dainen's eyes widened, but he did not protest. "I humbly obey, my King."
Krelious raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "In one year's time, we will convene the Meeting of All, where both dark and divine beings shall swear their oaths to me."
The assembly chorused their agreement, their voices blending into a single, resounding vow.
Then, Krelious laid out their new roles with the precision of a master strategist.
The War Faction would serve as the kingdom's armies and protectors of the royal family.
The Decision Faction would act as royal judges and administrators.
The Creation Faction would become watchers and elders.
The Appointment Faction would forge new gods and kings.
Each leader stepped forward, one by one, pledging their loyalty with voices firm and resolute.
But Krelious was not finished. With a pause that stretched the silence thin, he delivered another shock. "There is one more thing… Yoton lives."
Zion gasped. "What? How? Are you certain, my King?"
Tavis stammered, "What do you mean?"
Krelious's smile returned, though it was tinged with something unreadable. "Before his soul was destroyed, I saved him. I sent him to a planet called Earth to complete a mission."
Zion whirled on Nealon, betrayal flashing in his eyes. "Did you know?"
Krelious interjected before Nealon could speak. "They all knew. I commanded their silence. If Nielan's council learned Yoton survived, they would have hunted him again."
Dainen fell to his knees, his voice thick with remorse. "My King, forgive us! We beg for mercy."
Krelious chuckled, the sound warm but firm. "You are forgiven—but remember: You have one month to rebuild the multiverse and restore its dead."
As murmurs of relief spread, Krelious's tone grew solemn once more. "Sted is my wife, your queen, and she carries my child—the one who will bring peace when the time comes."
Nealon frowned. "Peace? How?"
Krelious's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "The Battle of the Cronoverse approaches. Chaos and destruction will ravage the verses. I fear I may perish by an unknown hand."
The room erupted in protests.
Tavis clenched his fists, his voice raw with defiance. "We will not let that happen!"
Dainen swore, his voice trembling with conviction. "We are your protectors. We will die before harm comes to you."
Krelious laughed, the warmth returning to his voice. "As your king, I will protect you when that day comes."
Then, with a lightness that seemed to lift the weight from the room, he delivered a final, unexpected decree. "You are all free to take partners among your opposites—as you wish."
Zion bowed, a rare smile touching his lips. "Thank you, my King."
Liam, ever the mischief-maker, grinned at Milani. "Did you hear that? We're free to—"
Milani rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched. "Not with you, Liam."
The king's laughter rang out, rich and full, as the tension dissolved like mist in the sun. "With that," he declared, "this meeting is adjourned."
One by one, the assembly lowered their heads and departed, their fates forever altered by the words of their king. The world they knew had shifted, and the path ahead was uncertain—but for the first time in ages, it was filled with hope.
To Be Continued.