The crowds are really starting to file in now. Two seats in the first row, reserved for Renald and Whisperclaw, remain noticeably empty.
I smile and allow the blue curtain to fall back into place, ensuring no one sees me until the allotted time. The pacing continues, back to my dressing room mirror. It's been mere minutes since the royal tailors left me. Despite their constant adjustments over the last hour, the suit still fits too loosely around the cuffs.
"You should try to relax."
I whip around, only to see Jenx lying on the couch, arms behind his head.
It's been a month since he showed up. He comes and goes, disappearing and reappearing at random. I still forget about him from time to time. He has shimmering, pale skin and short, spikey blonde hair. Today, he's wearing a black robe adorned with twisted, golden vine patterns along with a wide-brimmed magician's hat. Deep blue eyes hide a well of seemingly infinite power… and mysteries.
"Oh. I see."
Jenx smirks at me, flashing his pearly white teeth, complete with two small sets of fangs.
"You're worried about your vampire friend. I gotta admit, I'm a little worried too. I definitely don't wanna be around when he goes into a blood frenzy."
No matter how much I want to disagree with him, Jenx is right. I sigh.
I did some research on vampires in the palace library. What I found left me with more questions than answers, though.
As far as anyone can tell, it's almost impossible for vampires to resist the urge to hunt and drink blood. If they even smell blood while they're in a starved state, they could go on a rampage scholars call a "blood frenzy". When I found out, I offered to provide Renald with cow's blood. Despite my insistent pleas, he refused. He's been able to resist so far, but for how much longer?
"There's no use worrying about it now."
I mutter under my breath.
"Right!? You're starting to get it, kid."
Jenx sits up, smacking his knee.
"There's no point in worrying about something you can't control."
"That's what you keep saying, but it was your idea to give Renald that mask."
I think back.
"The mask of distransformation."
He exaggerates every syllable.
A knock causes us to shift my focus to the dressing room door. Very few people know of this room, and all of them are currently seated in the throne room. Who could be knocking? An assassin? Someone loyal to the Inner Circle? How did they get past the knights?
A pair of scissors left by the tailors comes to hand; the door is reached, fingers curling around the handle. Jenx and I exchange a brief nod. I take a nervous breath, then yank open the door.
"Glimmer…"
A snargle with weathered blue skin and greying black hair smiles at me, her hand folded neatly across her chest. Her blindingly white hair is braided into two buns, pulled to the back of her head. A sparkling black dress flutters around her feet as she shifts nervously.
My arms fly around my mother before she can get another word out. Tears threaten to fall, but they're held back. I never thought I would see her again, much less under these circumstances.
"Dad… h-he…"
I want to explain. I want to tell her what happened, but the words won't come out.
"Shhhh."
Hands delicately brush through my hair.
"I already know. I know everything. There was nothing you could have done."
"Tsk."
I shoot Jenx a glare, to which he throws up his hands in defence.
"Glimmer?"
Mother pushes me away and analyzes my face with her eyes.
"What… are you looking at?"
I'd almost forgotten. Nobody else has been able to see Jenx but me.
"It's nothing… I've just… I've just been going through a lot."
I shake my head.
Mother releases me and gracefully glides to the couch. To my surprise, she plops down right where Jenx is sitting. My jaw drops. I reach out to stop her as her body passes through him and lands on the velvet cushion beneath.
"Hey!"
Jenx jumps up, spins around, and starts shouting in mother's face.
"I was sitting there, you old hag! Don't you know it's rude to sit on people?!"
My hand collides with my forehead. Amidst the shouting, there's a hint of laughter. A nervous glance through my fingers. It's… mother?
"Hahaha. You know… you're just like Avarice was when we met for the first time. Completely different from how they paint Gods out to be in the stories."
"Impossible…"
Jenx takes a nervous step backwards.
My jaw drops again.
"Mother, you… You can see him?! Like… really? I thought I was going crazy!"
She laughs harder, raising her small hands to cover her mouth.
After a moment, she takes a deep breath and looks between the two of us. I feel strangely self-aware. I can tell Jenx does as well. For the first time in the last four weeks, he's completely silent.
"Glimmer, this is more serious than either of you knows."
"You don't say! How is it that only you and the pipsqueak can see me? It's been driving me nuts!"
After a long pause, she finally continues. Her eyes gloss over, watching Jenx ever so closely.
"You wouldn't understand even if I tried to explain it. There are powers at play here that neither of you can comprehend… yet."
I look over at Jenx. He just stares ahead, his face scrunching in confusion. There's so much I want to ask. Trumpets blow outside the curtain, signaling the start of the ceremony. Mother sighs. The questions will have to come later.
"We'll talk more after the banquet. I have to get to my seat, but there's something else you need to know first."
She closes her eyes. I know something's wrong. She's picking at her nails, like she would do whenever my dad would leave the estate to hunt a bounty.
"We found Glam."
An audible gasp escapes from my lips. I sink to my knees. I… I can't believe it. It's a miracle. After all this time searching, she actually found him.
"He was spotted by some of your Aunt Iren's spies on the second floor. Apparently, he's joined up with quite the group of powerful adventurers."
"The second floor…"
I look up at the ceiling.
It was always the plan to keep climbing the tower after my coronation, but now I have an actual lead. He's waiting for me on the second floor. If I make it, I can find him. I can find Glam.
"That was all I wanted to tell you. I'll be taking my leave now."
Mother rises and brushes off her dress, moving to the door.
"Mom!"
She turns around right as I embrace her. I squeeze as tight as I can. I never want to lose anybody again. Not like how I lost Dad. Seeing her and hearing about Glam confirmed that for me.
"G-glimmer?!"
"I'll find him!"
I yell.
"I promise!"
"Glimmer…"
"I'll find Glam and I'll bring him home! Even if I have to drag him back!"
My mother's slender arms wrap around me softly. She gives a slight squeeze. A hand touches my cheek. Tears swell in her eyes.
"I know you will."
Mother leaves me after holding me for a moment longer. A brief moment in time I wish could last forever. However, more important duties call for my attention. Chief Elder Sayard is finishing his opening speech.
"... was roughly 200 years ago. Now, King Archbold's great, great-grandson has shown the same signs. We all heard the testimonies. Prince Glimmer defeated Vanhiel during ritual combat using powers gifted to him from the Gods! With this, he solidified his claim to the throne. Bounty hunters of Denzen, loyal followers of the House of Wind, bow your heads! Your new king…"
A steady drumroll kicks up.
"... has arrived!"
I burst through the curtain, trying my best to walk in a kingly manner. The hours of etiquette classes were finally useful. Hundreds of people fill rows of seats, all of them lowering their heads in respect. It's… unnerving.
My eyes wander in search of Renald and Whisperclaw, both of which have yet to arrive. I can only hope that they're together. The thought of Renald apologizing to Whisperclaw brings a smile to my face.
Forcing down the butterflies in my stomach, I turn my back on the crowd. Just like we practiced, slowly, carefully. I lower myself onto one knee and bow my head.
"All may rise but the prince."
Elder Sayard's heavy hands fall upon my shoulders, replaced with a fluffy silk. The ceremonial robes.
I fight the urge to look up. The same robes that my father wore during his coronation. My chest tightens. This is nothing like practice. The vast number of people. The multitude of nobles staring holes into my back. This pressure is too intense. Everything in me is screaming to run.
"Hold out your hands."
I stretch out my arms, allowing my sweaty palms to unfold face up. A cool, metallic object makes contact. The ceremonial staff. I don't know if I can do this. I'm not some hardened bounty hunter like my dad was. I clasp my hands around the staff as tightly as I can, my arms shaking.
I'm… not ready yet. It's all happening too quickly.
"Prince Glimmer, do you promise to defend the House of Wind and its followers from any forces that threaten our ways, both internal and external?"
"I do."
The words croak out.
"Do you, Prince Glimmer, promise to uphold our laws and traditions, and do you promise to preserve and protect the peace and well-being of our people?"
"I…"
What am I doing? I'm not fit to be a king. If Glam were here, what would he do?
"...I do."
"Now. Prince Glimmer, by right of the Sovereign's Challenge, the blessing of the Gods, and my right as the Chief Elder of the House of Wind, I name you King of Denzen, House of Wind, and all bounty hunters!"
A weight unlike anything I've ever felt before is placed atop my head. I never thought a crown could be this heavy. How did Dad handle this pressure? Is this what he was dealing with for all those years? It's crushing me. I don't think I can stand while I'm wearing this thing.
"Rise!"
My stomach drops.
"Rise, and take your place as our rightful king."
If I stand up, it solidifies. I'll be the king. Beads of sweat pour off my face. The crown is getting heavier by the second. I can't breathe. What's happening to me? Am I… drowning? I want to run. I want to escape from here, but… something stops me.
My father stands beside the throne. He has his chest puffed out and a beaming smile on his face. Wait. He's… smiling at me.
The sweating stops. Renewed strength surges through my veins. Flashes of my earlier promise to my mother run through my head. If I'm ever going to reunite what's left of my family, this is a step I have to take.
"Rise, Prince Glimmer, and claim your place among the Gods!"
I shoot to my feet. The crown feels light as a feather now. Newfound confidence bursting forth, I face the crowd. My mother sits with both hands covering her mouth. Tears streak down her face. Ironvine smiles at me, and Liaz flashes me with a wink. I smile at them all. I can do this… no. We can do this.
"All hail our king!"
Elder Sayard's voice cracks from the sudden increase in pitch.
"Long live King Glimmer! Long live the House of Wind!"
"Long live King Glimmer!"
The crowd chants back.
"Long live the House of Wind!"
The chants repeat three more times.
Small explosions fire off in sequence outside the palace. Fireworks that we had shipped in from Amacedia, all for this one moment. My hand raises, and the excitement slowly dies down to a complete stop.
"Our new King has been crowned."
Elder Sayard points a bony finger towards a large set of double doors that swing out. On the other side is a massive ballroom. The perimeter is littered with tables covered with white cloth and decorated with a variety of different meals.
"Let the banquet…"
The crowd holds its breath in anticipation.
"... begin!"
Everyone is having a good time… except me. I haven't had a single moment to myself since the banquet started. Two servants immediately dragged me to a seat at the center table. A long rectangular piece of wood covered in a deep, almost violet, blue sheet of linen, overlooking the entire ballroom.
For the last twenty minutes, representatives from Ardent's many noble houses have been bringing me gifts. A way for them to try to earn my favor early. That's what Elder Zion pounded into my head during his political lectures last week. So far, I've mainly been given pouches of gold coins, totaling close to five hundred at this point. A smile creeps onto my face as I tally the coins in my head.
"The king is pleased with your offering."
Elder Sayard announces from his seat to my right.
The representative of the Fuer family, Salam Fuer, rises to his feet. The smug expression on his face vanishes as he passes the next representative.
"Representing the noble house of Black… Lady Vetricesa Black!"
My smile fades.
My eyes jerk towards Elder Sayard. That last name. He couldn't have made a mistake. I can clearly see him reading from the list of representatives.
"King Glimmer, may your reign be fruitful and everlasting."
Vetricesa bows.
Abnormally pale skin, long black hair that covers her face like a lion's mane. The golden, slighted eyes of a predator stare into my very soul. A slight smile makes its way on her face. Light glints off two small fangs. I shudder.
The same last name, the same golden eyes. It couldn't be, no, it has to be. She's a vampire! The similarities finally add up in my mind, I conclude. She and Renald are related.
"R-rise."
She does as I command.
She grips a small black case, which is delicately passed to one of many servants. The servant, a young half-elf, brings the case to my table.
"The house of Black would like to extend our congratulations to the new king."
I click open the case while listening to Lady Vetricesa's explanation about the gift.
Inside is a set of 6 black rings, forged into the shape of ravens. A smooth, round blue stone, around the size of small pearls, sits in each of the raven's mouths but one. Instead, two red stones are slotted inside its eyes. A label on the base of the ring stand reads "Renald".
"Each of these rings was forged from Black Adamantite and was enchanted with the 'Fly' spell."
My eyes widen. Black Adamantite? The legendary metal that can only be mined on the eighteenth floor? If what she says is true, each of these rings costs five hundred gold minimum. Then there's the enchantments.
Renald, just how rich is your family?
"We heard rumors that you will be continuing your climb up the tower. My house hopes that these rings will be of service to you and the Ravens during your travels."
Lady Vetricesa bows her head once more, transitioning into a curtsey. I nod towards Elder Sayard.
"The king is pleased with your offering."
"Then I will take my leave."
Just as suddenly as she had appeared, Lady Vetricesa rises to her feet and exits the ballroom. Her feet seemingly gliding over the hardwood floors.
"Hughhhh!"
I huff, leaning over the balcony overlooking the ballroom.
I finally managed to break away from Elder Sayard and the other nobles. I decided to escape up here, where I can be alone with my thoughts. I just became king, and I can already tell… this is draining.
"A king... should smile more on his coronation day."
A slender glass of sparkling white wine clinks onto the rail next to me.
The senat who placed the drink nervously smiles at me. Flawless red skin, a set of small horns growing from her head. Her heart-shaped tail slowly swishes behind her. Like most others, she towers over me.
A small, white furred animal with large ears stays perched on her shoulder. A sugar bear. It glares at me with its huge, grey colored eyes. Hissing and bearing its fangs, it scutters onto the rail.
"I… I'm sorry. Have we met before?"
I eye the rim of the drink, looking for signs of foul play.
"Hahaha…"
Hollow giggles follow my question.
"I'm Epress, and no, my king. I'm afraid this is our first time meeting."
She turns to face me, extending her hand. She's asking for a handshake. I heed her request. For a moment, neither of us says anything.
Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I am a king now, after all. I'm a king… without a queen. Of course, she must be taking the opportunity to introduce herself.
"It ah… doesn't seem like your pet likes me very much."
I try my hand at a small joke. Her eyes lower to the ground.
"I'm sorry, my king."
"Huh? I don't think there's anything for you to apologize for."
I'm sure my confusion is written all over my face.
I release Epress's hand, which she quickly retracts. She pulls it close to her side with her other arm. It's like… she's afraid.
Wait. Is… she scared… of me?
"I actually wanted to discuss something important with you. It's…"
There's a long pause.
".. it's about my sister…"
"Your… sister?"
Why would she want to talk to me about her sister? Something feels off. Is her sister someone I should know?
"Yes…"
Another long pause.
"... and the other members of the Inner Circle."
I jump back.
There was only one woman who ever succeeded in joining the ranks of the Inner Circle. That would mean… Epress is Eudora's younger sister! Is she here to take revenge? What should I do? Should I run?
I squeeze my hands into fists. Without my flute, I'm a sitting duck. I glance down at the ballroom, desperately searching for Renald, Liaz, Ironvine, or anyone else who can save me from this situation.
Seeing no other option, I turn to flee. Something catches onto my wrist and tugs me back. Damn it, I couldn't even take a step.
"W-wait! Please!
I whip around, preparing myself for a fight. That's… not the expression I expected. The pleading in Epress's eyes catches me off guard. Why? Why isn't she mad?
A sound like the roar of a dragon interrupts my thoughts. A horn. Neither close nor far, but echoing from every direction at once. The ballroom freezes. Dancers stop mid-step, forks clatter to plates, and even the band cuts off mid-note.
Epress's head whips from side to side. Her grip on my wrist tightens until her nails dig into my skin. The sugar bear hisses violently, its fur standing on end. It slams its claws against the balcony rail, screeching as if it senses something I can't.
A tremor rattles the chandelier above us. A beat of silence follows.
Then the glass ceiling shatters.
Moonlight and shards rain down. Two hulking shapes crash into the heart of the ballroom. Each wields a two-handed battle axe. The ballroom erupts into a cloud of blood and debris. They rise from the rubble like knights from hell—Goblin Sentinels. Ominous blue eyes cutting through the dust.
The hall erupts. Screams slice the air as nobles scramble for safety. Servants scatter, overturned platters crashing to the ground. The Sentinels sweep their axes in wide arcs, sparks spraying as steel carves into stone and wood alike.
Regret punches me in the gut. This is my fault. Nobody at the banquet was allowed to bring weapons. That was the rule. My rule. And now my people are defenseless.
I rip free of Epress's grasp. She shouts something—pleading—but I don't listen. If I don't act, this will become a massacre. My heart is hammering, adrenaline flooding my veins.
Without another thought, I vault over the balcony.