Chapter 8

"REVIL ZHORMIUS", his name rang, "XENTHOR GIGA."

Xenthor stepped forward, striding gracefully to stand before the dais, he could see the scorn on the faces of three of the emperors, especially emperor Lor Demrack. Xenthor smiled, he'd make sure to deal with that son of his - Elan - at the Academy. Lifting his head to confront their burning gazes boldly, that dark grin etched itself on his face. Lor Demrack, Xor Convan and Orvic Terver were taken aback by Xenthor's attitude, to them he had done bad by winning, but what they didn't know was, he could do even worse.

"I'm beginning to like this kid", emperor Xan Merca said to Lever Mord.

"Knowing how to provoke the enemy", Lever noted, "this isn't a battlefield, still such strategic thinking is also useful in situations like this."

"Did you notice something emperor Lever Mord ?" Empress Egra said to her younger brother.

"What is that Lady Egra?" Lever asked.

"You saw the way he had walked towards us, didn't you ?"

"I did", Lever affirmed, "just like a king."

"A king and warrior in one vessel, interesting" Xan Merca intoned.

"The strange and powerful aura this young man exudes, has made me conclude that he is no ordinary man, there is more to him than meets the eye." Lever Mord reflected.

"That aside", the empress reminded, "we can't keep the young man standing there, the other three are keen on not doing the right thing, so I suggest", Egra said about to walk down the dias, "that I crown him."

"Hold on my lady Egra, " Xan Merca stepped forward, "you have crowned two sons of yours today and you still want to bestow your blessings on such a rare gem, how selfish of you," he chided, "this is something that can only been seen on in a lifetime and I suggest I do the honors."

Walking down that dias, the smile on his face, emperor Xan Merca picked the ceremonial wreath from that floating golden tray, then placed it on Xenthor's head. The crowed roared at that instant and the words were clear.

"XENTHOR GIGA !!!"

This was the voice of the people majority of whom were from the lower caste - the Revils.

"Look around you boy," Xan Merca said placing a hand on Xenthor's shoulder, showing him around, "today, you have changed history. These people have now seen a hero to take as their model, please, don't fail them."

"I promise to do my best", Xenthor pledged, "for the Xernax realm, and thank you for being bold enough to give a lowlife like me what he deserves."

"Don't mention, just as you had said, what you deserve", Xan Merca pointed out, "you earned it. Remember this young man, no one has the right to take from you what you worked hard to earn, no one has the right to withhold what you deserve, fight to earn what you deserve ?"

Nodding Xenthor walked away from the dias back to the row of fighters, lifting his hands to take in the applause and cheers from the crowd, he felt a hand on his shoulder, turning to see who it was, Xenthor found out that it was Vage Vankus son of the empress, Egra. He had indeed made history.

*** *** ***

"Are you sure my suggestion is alright."

"It's perfect, we can gain access into their core with ease."

"I don't believe you're taking my suggestion", Xenthor said from his seat at that table as he watched that armoured being who had his back to him watching the astral waves pass their battleship by as they traversed this astral plain.

"But with the enmity between I and her race I don't think she'll accept." The armoured being said.

"She doesn't have a choice, does she Ter Velor ?" Xenthor tagged.

"You're right Xenthor ", Ter Velor replied, "Being cornered by the combined fleet of five empires, comprising of two hundred million soldiers with firepower that shouldn't be played with, she's definitely going to agree. But will she believe you ?"

"That's not a hard thing to do", Xenthor answered, "once she sees the Mercan seal she'll definitely be convinced."

"You brat", Ter Velor laughed, "you're already making people believe that I'm dead."

"I didn't say so", Xenthor denied, "I'll just tell her the truth", staring intently at the mark of the Vacan compass on his right palm, "that I'm the Ejan, Ter Velor's apprentice."

*** *** ***

Prancing about the throne room, her hands gripping her roughened hair, she just couldn't take the pressure anymore, why did her father, the former emperor die so early ? Why did he declare her as the heir to the throne instead of passing onto another branch of the royal family ? Now she was going to take the blame for the massacre of her people if she didn't surrender to the terms her enemy stated. Resisting was no use, they didn't even have war equipment and had already run low of soldiers, the enemy had been able to successfully crush her troops and take over her territories, now the enemy was at the outskirts of the capital of the Karmlan astral plains, leaving them no room for escape. What was she going to do ? Surrender ?

If she decided to accept the terms stated by the enemy, it was the same as selling her people to slavery which was far worse than death. Was she going to be the cause of the downfall of their race which was once a mighty to not be reckoned with, had her father made a mistake ?

"If this is what being an emperor fells like", that voice slapped her from behind, "I wouldn't be one for a thousand worlds."

"You are very wise and ..." wait Leranda snapped out of her thoughts, who was she even talking to and how had this person got into the throne room ? Or had they been attacked already ? Swirling around, Leranda unsheathed her sword to confront that being decked in golden armour.

"Who are you ?" She ordered. "Answer me !'

"Sorry for my intrusion the Empress Leranda", the armoured being said taking a bow, "but I'm just an apprentice of an old friend of your ancestors."

Lifting his right fist, the armoured being opened his palm unveiling that burning compass like mark, Leranda's sword dropped as she staggered backwards.

"Are ... are you the ... the Ejan Ter Velor ?" She stammered.

"Yes and no", the armoured being replied, "I am just an apprentice of his Master, Ejan Ter Velor."