The endless corridor of broken timelines had quieted The gate at the far end pulsed with light but Ryo didn't rush toward it Instead he stopped sat down on the hard ink stone floor and tore another piece of bread.
Ryo: We've been walking through ruins and crowns for too long It's time I decide what to do with all this power.
Serath looked up weary but curious.
Serath: You mean… you don't already know?
Ryo smirked.
Ryo: Knowing is boring Deciding is fun.
The Choice of a King
The Fragments gathered in silence their faces trembling with both awe and fear They whispered among themselves.
Fragment: He already holds the Crown Cosmology the power of the Unwritten… what more could he want?"
Fragment 2: Perhaps he seeks the Throne of All? Or the Origin of Nothing?
The wolf pup barked sharply interrupting them It padded forward and sat beside Ryo wagging its tail.
Ryo reached down and rubbed its ears.
Ryo: What I want is simple I don't care about thrones I don't care about origins I want a kingdom My own kingdom One no one can touch one no one can question.
Serath blinked.
Serath: A kingdom? After everything you've erased you're going back to… building something?
Ryo's eyes hardened though his grin never faded.
Ryo: Erasing is easy. Anyone with strength can destroy But creating something that lasts? That's harder That's real power.
The Birth of the Idea
Ryo stood brushing crumbs from his cloak.
Ryo: I'll build a kingdom that doesn't bow to any cosmology not even the ones I've already crushed A place where only my law matters.
The Fragments gasped To them the idea was unimaginable A kingdom outside existence yet more real than anything else.
Serath clenched his fists.
Serath: But if you build this… what happens to everything else? To us? To the people who still live in those universes you've touched?"
Ryo turned his gaze on him.
Ryo: If they follow me they'll live If they resist… they'll vanish I don't build with weakness.
The Fragments dropped to their knees immediately.
Fragments (together): We are yours Lord Ryo We will follow wherever you command.
The wolf pup barked twice as if agreeing.
The Test of Loyalty
Ryo's eyes scanned his followers He didn't need worshipers; he needed tools.
Ryo: Words are cheap Prove it Each of you step forward and give me something you value most.
The first Fragment, a girl with burning silver eyes removed the chain around her neck It held the last piece of her name a fragment of identity She placed it before him.
Fragment: This is all I have left Lord My name Take it.
The second Fragment pulled a blade from his chest a weapon formed from the memory of his erased world.
Fragment 2: This blade is all that remains of my people I offer it to you.
One by one they offered pieces of themselves Identity Memories Strength Even hope.
Finally Serath hesitated He had nothing left to give but his loyalty His voice cracked.
Serath: I… I have no weapon No name Nothing But my life belongs to you Take it if you must.
Ryo stared at him for a long time Then he shook his head.
Ryo: Keep it You'll be more useful alive.
Serath collapsed in relief
The First Command
Ryo held the chain the blade the fragments of lives With a flick of his hand
he forged them together shaping them into a glowing sigil The symbol burned across the ink-stone floor spreading outward.
Ryo: This mark is my banner. Wherever it appears my law rules This is the beginning of my kingdom.
The ground shook The corridor walls bent, reshaping themselves into towers of dark light and golden stone A vast throne appeared carved not from existence or non existence but from Ryo's will alone.
The Fragments gasped in awe.
Serath: He… he really did it He's making his own empire here in a place no one could even stand before.
Ryo sat on the throne resting his cheek on his fist.
Ryo: Now… let's see who's foolish enough to challenge me.
The Whisper of Foes
As if in answer the gate at the end of the corridor pulsed violently From within came whispers voices of beings who had noticed the birth of a new kingdom Envious furious fearful.
Voice: The balance is broken.
Voice 2: The Unwritten has a king now.
Voice 3: This must not be allowed.
Serath looked toward the gate with dread.
Serath: They're coming Whoever rules beyond that gate… they won't let this stand."
Ryo leaned back in his throne smiling.
Ryo: Good Let them come A kingdom isn't real until someone tries to tear it down.
The wolf pup howled the Fragments knelt and the throne room of Ryo's kingdom blazed with power as the first challengers began to step through the gate.