Chapter 7: The Throne of Gold
Morning broke over the Aurelius Palace, but the air felt heavy and strange. The guards outside the throne room stood unnaturally still, their eyes distant and glowing faintly with gold.
Inside, King Alden Aurelius sat on the royal throne, his expression dark and tired. Reports of unrest had flooded in all morning. Merchants refusing taxes. Knights abandoning orders. Gold coins behaving like living things.
The doors opened.
Prince Leon entered, dressed in shining golden armor that reflected the sunlight pouring through the stained glass. Each step he took echoed with divine weight. Behind him walked Elira and the fusion being, Avaris, both radiating silent power.
The king's voice boomed through the hall. "Leon, my son, what have you done to this kingdom?"
Leon smiled softly. "I only did what you were too afraid to do. I made the kingdom mine."
The king stood, his cloak sweeping across the marble floor. "You have broken royal law. You've used forbidden power and corrupted the palace with dark magic."
Leon met his gaze calmly. "Father, I didn't corrupt it. I perfected it. Greed built this kingdom, and now greed will rule it."
The royal mages raised their staffs, circles of blue light appearing around them. The king pointed at Leon. "Seize him."
Leon raised his hand before they could act.
[Skill Activated: Golden Dominion - Absolute Field]
Effect: All gold within range bends to the user's will.
Every coin, jewel, and ornament in the room began to vibrate. The gold melted into liquid light, rising into the air like streams of fire. The mages screamed as their staffs turned into molten gold, slipping from their hands.
The king took a step back, shock in his eyes. "What have you become?"
Leon's crimson eyes glowed brighter. "What I was meant to be."
He spread his arms. The gold reshaped itself into a magnificent throne beside his father's. It was taller, brighter, and pulsing with life. Leon sat down upon it, his voice echoing through the hall.
"This is my destiny, Father. Not to inherit your throne, but to replace it."
Avaris bowed deeply. "My prince, your command?"
Leon looked straight into his father's eyes. "No more hiding. Today, the kingdom learns who truly holds its crown."
The palace trembled as the golden aura spread beyond the walls. Outside, citizens saw the sky shimmer with waves of gold. The whispers began once again through the streets.
The Golden Prince has risen.
The gods and demons obey him.
The true ruler of the Aurelius Kingdom has claimed his throne.