Vengeance [1]
August's return wasn't unexpected.
Everyone who could turn their attention to him already had their attention on him when he opened his eyes. After all, his success in the trial was a broadcasted phenomenon.
His whole body suddenly shined with light, illuminating the entire damp, dark cavern. He was like a shard of glass refracting sun rays in every direction. The light originated from both his body and the crown on his head as the two merged into a single entity.
It naturally disappeared into August's body, signifying that he'd been acknowledged as the true successor of Arulion.
Unfortunately, he wasn't in an environment where he could be celebrated.
The cavern was filled with blood, not flowers. And, as he found out in his first few seconds of consciousness, everything had gone wrong.
August didn't know how to feel at first. The sheer devastation overwhelmed him and made his mind go blank.