I sat in my chair at a brown table, bathed in light that shimmered between yellow, orange, and soft white.
The sky was dazzling and strange—a moon high above,a sun rising from the east,and another setting in the west.Together, they painted the heavens with a surreal blend of colors, enhanced by glowing black stars.
I looked at the one who had welcomed me and asked,"This drink is delicious—what's it made from?"
He was pale-skinned, wearing a flowing yellow robe, with a golden crown adorned with jewels resting atop his golden hair.
He chuckled softly and replied,"It's made from Gavilia fruit. Humans say it resembles coconut, but it's golden in color."
"Ah, I see. It's even better than coconut!"
I finished my cup and set it on the table, then asked,"Tell me… why do you hate that crown? It's stunning."
He smiled gently as he looked at me,"People see me as a king only because of this crown. If I take it off, no one recognizes me. That's why I hate it. A king should be known for his presence, his identity, and his deeds—wherever he goes, even without a crown."
"That's… inspiring. I really like that."
All around us at the feast, pale-skinned humans chatted with each other, drinking colorful juices and dancing together. Some stood quietly in pairs, gazing up at the beautiful sky.
I looked around in wonder and asked,"Have you gotten closer to building your kingdom?"
The man in front of me laughed,"My kingdom already exists—it doesn't need building. What I seek now is to fill it with people. Until I bring everyone here, I won't stop."
"I get it… an empty place does feel lonely."
"As insightful as always," he smiled.
"But… aren't there already enough people here? This place is full."
"This city is only one-tenth of my kingdom."
Had I still been drinking, I would've choked.
One-tenth? This city already feels like a whole kingdom!
He looked up at the jewel-studded sky and spoke,
"The promised time is drawing near.A door will open that should never be opened.We must protect ourselves once more.Enemy or friend—we will unite, casting aside our burdens to stand together.Show weakness before him, and you will regret it.I will not allow the loss of the kingdom I worked so hard to build.When the moment comes, I will not hesitate.I will raise my sword alongside the other kings—we will force him back behind that door, and seal it once and for all.This is fate. There will be no second thought."
"What… are you talking about?" I asked, a chill running down my spine."You sound like you're reciting strange poetry. Seriously—who are you all planning to face?"
The king looked at me with narrowed eyes and a small smile.
"What lies… beyond the universe."
The End