A king is someone who rules and acts in the best interests of his people and the kingdom's survival.
Many kings in Earth's past haven't done anything close to this.
In a general sense, I would be considered one of them.
Jin finds himself in chains and stuffed into a small dungeon deep under the castle.
"Jin, you have an execution date set in a week."
Jin looks up to his newfound grandfather, Moritan, "Why am I going to be executed?"
"I told you how you and your father were banished. By returning, you broke the contract between me and your father to preserve your life."
"So I'm being killed for crimes I didn't commit?"
"If you would like, I'll add all the things you said you did in the alternate world."
"You'll never be able to kill me."
"That might be true, so I am going to make a deal."
"Let me guess, you want me to disappear from the castle overnight and never return?"
"Absolutely not. I've come to realize something I never knew about you."
"So what do you want from me?"
"I want you to attend the Elvish School of Numerical Magic. While there, I want you to unlock the full extent of your power and strengthen the ties between you and Princess Sylvara."
"And what, exactly, am I supposed to gain from all this?"
"I'll relinquish you and your dad of all your crimes and reinstate you two as members of the Royal Family."
Jin's face tightens, his eyes locked to Moritan.
"What if I say no?" Jin says in an angered tone.
"You'll simply die in a week. Simple as that."
A voice groaned from the neighboring cell, just past the shadows.
Jin's head moves on a swivel, looking in the direction of the groan.
What the Hell was that?
A slender middle-aged man walks out of the shadows. A small grey streak in his hair. His beard was rough and mangled. His shirt was wrinkly and creased.
Jin's face strikes through fear, instantly recognizing the man.
In an instant, Jin's face turns to anger, and he launches across the cell at the man.
His eyes widen. His breath catches.
No. It can't be.
But that face… that voice… It's burned into him.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
Jin grabs the bars and grips them angrily. In an instant, the anger completely leaves Jin, and he just stands there holding onto the bars.
"Kuroryu Sanzou, my dad, lives on."
"That's right, your old man lives on," Sanzou says, grabbing the bars in front of Jin.
"Dad, I failed, I killed Mori. I couldn't be the hero you attempted to create."
"No son, I take the blame for this. I didn't create a hero; you created one in Mori. I created the villain in you."
"How do you know Mori was a hero? He was seven the last time you saw him."
"Because he visited me. He came and told me what you planned and how you were going to fix the world. I was the one who demanded he stop you."
"So that was him at the ruins?"
"Probably."
Jin looks toward Moritan. A look of happiness on Moritan's face.
"I've never seen you so caring, Sanzou."
"That's because you banished me and Jin here."
Sanzou turns to Jin.
"It's time you learn the truth. You aren't just any Dragon Spirit. You are a True Dragon, meaning you are your power source."
Moritan sighs.
"My son here is correct. Dragon Spirits pull power from one of the three dragons we worship. Every couple of thousand years, a True Dragon is born."
"Once in an era, the Black Dragon selects a child to be a True Dragon, one who doesn't borrow power, but creates it. You are effectively unbeatable," interjects Sanzou.
Jin walks back to the front of the cell and puts his hand out for a handshake with Moritan.
Jin's hand trembles slightly. The memories, the beatings, the abandonment, Mori's blood floods in. But he swallows it.
"Before I commit… I forgive you, Dad."
Moritan and Jin shake hands. Jin stares into Moritan's eyes.
"I accept your proposal, Grandpa."
"Wonderful! I hereby relinquish you both of all your sins," Moritan says in a happy tone, almost as though he was hoping Jin would agree.