"Your visits have become more common, Captain Reigar," said the bearded, black-haired man, whose hair was turning white.

  "It's just a duty that I must fulfill. We are here to collect your whores," said Captain Reigar placing down his goblet and wiping his mouth with his hand.

  "Your zyne has gotten worse, I must say, King Karion. But your wife and daughters, oh, did they age like fine zyne.", Captain Reigar added.

  Silence ensued after that statement. The men at the table, Karion's sons, were furious, clenching their fists and staring down Captain Reigar with death eyes. Captain Reigar brought up his goblet and just looked at them. He then took a drink of zyne, maintaining eye contact. He wasn't afraid of some spoiled brats who had never experienced real battle or death. He placed down the goblet after drinking and looked at King Karion and his sons, smiling.

  "So, which cities will you visit this time?", asked King Karion, interrupting the silence.

  "The usual, where the whores are fresh and beautiful. Tyrinal, Yorr, Cintal, Wesses and Irindal. Maybe for a change, I will add Raurneus to the mix. The whores here are quite exotic," replied Captain Reigar smiling.

  "Aha ha... You do have a knack for comedy, don't you, Captain Reigar?", said King Karion with a slight chuckle.

  "What if it wasn't a joke? What if I were to take some whores here in your city, in your, palace? Would that seem like a funny joke to you, my King?", asked Reigar, staring down at King Karion.

  Karion looked at Captain Reigar, his black eyes were piercing right through him, right through his soul. He knew that Captain Reigar had the discretion to do whatever he wanted. He was physically stronger, standing at nearly seven feet and looked to weigh two hundred and fifty pounds of muscle. He has heard of reports of Captain Reigar killing fifty enemies single-handedly. If it were to be his army against all fifty of Captain Reigar's men, they would be annihilated by the Zance. There was nothing Karion could do, not defend his family or people's honor. Just take it all in and obey. It was the best course of action to ensure his and his family's survival. He has taken this ridicule for years, just like his father before him and it has worked. Now was not the time to falter and throw away lives.

  "What if I sli-"

  "That would be against the treaty and your Emperor's wishes, Captain Reigar. I strongly advise against it, as it would be considered a treasonous act against your Empire.", said King Karion, interrupting his son and staring at Captain Reigar with straight, serious eyes.

  Captain Reigar looked at them and got up from his table to stretch. He then looked at the women at the table, the queen, her daughters and the prince's wives and smirked.

  "My men and I must rest; we will have a long day tomorrow, traveling to the cities and collecting your Kingdom's finest whores. They say Gilaran exotics cures every man's possible ailments.", said Captain Reigar, smiling.

  "Very well then, please escort Captain Reigar and his men to their chambers. Make sure they are comfortable," said King Karion, pointing to his servants to escort Captain Reigar.

  "I am thankful for your aid, My. King.", said Captain Reigar, smirking and smiling at the people in the room.

  The servants escorted Captain Reigar out of the room, closing the doors behind them, and from there, the floodgates opened.

  "You should have let me slit his fuckin' throat father! That scumbag has become more and more goaded!"

  "You fucking fool for a son! What do you think would happen if I were to let you do that? You don't think I don't want to slit his throat every time he parades in our home?", asked King Karion angrily.

  His son sat down and just looked at his father. His heart was beating so fast, his fists clenched and shaking. His eyes were red, seething of rage. He could not take the disrespect from Reigar anymore, not towards him, his wives, his mother, sisters and maybe eventually his daughters. But he had to, he knew the consequences if he were to lose control.

  "I know, I know that this is hard for you all to take in. But this is what my father, his father and the fathers before him have been doing. For centuries, this has kept our sovereignty and freedom from Zance rule.", said King Karion in a calmer voice.

  A woman with a slim figure and brown curly hair came towards Edysaar and held his hand, trying to console him. "Edysaar, it is fine. Your sisters and I can take it. I'm sure your wives can take it too. You do not have to worry about our honor, the real honor is not getting yourself and your people killed."

  "I understand, Mother, but how long can our family take this disrespect? Shayanna and Meredith are pregnant. My sons and daughters will come into this world, and I will not allow that bastard Reigar to insult them.", said Edysaar with fire and rage in his eyes.

  "You'd rather protect your honor than protect the lives of your family and people. We should think about the bigger picture, brother," said the man sitting across Edysaar.

  "I don't want to hear you speak, bastard. What do you know of family? You are not part of this family and never will be.", said Edysaar angrily.

  "I am not a bastard brother, just because I did not come from the blood of Mother and Father, does not make me a bastard. And I have a name, just like you, our brother and our sisters. It's Edysaan in case you've forgotten," said Edysaan

  Edysaar got off his seat and clenched his fist. He then moved away from his seat and moved towards Edysaan. He looked over him and stared into his eyes. He hated his adopted sibling, no, not his sibling, he hated the bastard he lived with. He was the eldest son of King Karion and Queen Phyllis. Why, o why did they need to adopt him? He was the eldest, the righteous successor to the throne. He could not trust an outsider, a younger man, to be in the same room, the same presence as his family. He looked nothing like a Gilaran; his clear white skin, his golden hair and blue eyes. His intuition was strong; he had this feeling, ever since Edysaan stepped foot into the Great Dome, that he was out to destroy his family.

  "I ought to kill you here and now, you don't belong in this family. You think you are smart, trying to gain the trust of everyone here? I know what you are and sooner or later I'm going to show everyone why you deserve to die.", said Edysaar in a straight voice, his looking straight into Edysaan's soul.

  The room got quiet. Everyone was tense. The brothers just looked at each other. Edysaan did not break eye contact. For years, his brother has ridiculed, embarrassed and bullied him. He could no longer take the abuse, he had to stand up for himself. Long gone are the days of keeping the peace and keeping his mother and father happy. It was time to do what he wanted.

  Edysaan stood up and faced his older brother. He was taller than him, more built than him and could beat him up to a pulp if he wanted to. Edysaan formed a fist and brought it towards his brother's face, edging him. He wanted to see if his brother would react. But nothing, his brother did not react. There was no fear in his eyes, just hatred. Pure hatred for his very existence.

  "Please, stop the both of you!"

  "Just calm down."

  "Stop it, please!"

  The Queen, her daughters and Edysaar's wives were trying to diffuse the situation with their words but both the princes were still staring at each other, unbothered.

  "Enough!", shouted King Karion, slamming the table.

  "Your whole lives, both of you never got along, never tried to! If that's the case, I'm naming your brother, Edyraan, as the successor to the throne.", said King Karion, pointing to towards a closed crib that was a few steps from the table.

  Everyone was in shock. Edyraan was only half a year old. How could the King ever think of not naming his firstborn son as the heir to the throne? It went against succession and family traditions.

  "Father!"

  "No! I will not take your disobedience and self-glory anymore! You will get along with your brother and keep your emotions and self in check or else the throne goes to your brother!"

  "Don't I have a say in this, Father? I have every right to the throne as Edysaar and Edyraan. I've obeyed you at every point, never once defied you and have always seen to the best interests of our kingdom," said Edysaan, looking at his father.

  "No, not until you make peace with your brother. It's going to have to be an effort on both your parts. You have until next year on this day to do so. I will make it a royal decree," said King Karion in a stern voice, as he took out his royal teldevice and started writing with his telpen.

  Edysaar walked away from his brother and walked towards his wives. He got them up and stormed out of the room. Edysaan sat back down on his seat and brought his arms to the table. He then slowly got his hands together in front of his face, thinking. He then looked at his Father, the king.

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  "I know Father," said Edysaan in a soft voice.

  "What was that Edysaan, speak up," said King Karion who continued to write on his teldevice.

  "I know that you are dying, Father," said Edysaan in a louder voice, loud enough that everyone could hear.

  "Father, is that true?"

  "No, Father please!"

  "My dear, is it true?!"

  King Karion grew silent. He placed down his teldevice and telpen. He then took in a deep breath and looked at his sons, his daughters and his wife.

  "Yes, it is true. I am dying. I have contracted an unknown disease and the doctors have yet to find a cure.", said King Karion in a straight, calm voice.

  Queen Phyllis put her hands on her husband and turn his face towards hers. She looked at his bright brown eyes and frowned. How could she not have know that her husband, whom she had known for decades, was dying and she did not have a clue. She smiled, a tear coming out of her eye. Her smile was starting to waver, her mouth shaking. She then started to cry.

  "My dear," said King Karion, embracing his wife, trying to comfort her.

  They embraced each other for a period. The princesses started shedding tears, but Edysaan maintained a calm face. But under the table, his hands were shaking. He feared for what would happen if his father were to die. His father had structured and controlled his subjects; they respected and worshipped him. The other leaders of the other cities all respect him for keeping them alive. What would happen to all this stability and peace if his brother were to be King? He could not imagine it. Decades of peace could be thrown away. He needed to know what his father's plan for the future was.

  Edysaan brought his arms up to the table and looked at his father, who was still embracing his wife. Edysaan waited till they stopped embracing each other and cleared his throat.

  "Father. Do you know how much time you have left?, asked Edysaan nervously.

  King Karion wiped his face with his hands and cleared his throat, he then looked at his son with sadness in his eyes and sighed.

  "A little less than a year. That is why I asked you to make peace with your brother. That is the one thing I need you to do before I pass my son."

  "I understand. Is there no cure for it?"

  "No, the best doctors in Phyrosia have not found anything."

  Edysaan took out his teldevice and started typing furiously. He then looked at his father with determined eyes and held his hand.

  "The best doctors in Phyrosia may not be able to do anything but the best doctors in the Zance and Kyzantyl Empires might. We will find a way, Father, we will."

  "Yes, we will, Father, you have to live."

  "Yes, dear, you have to."

  King Karion looked at his wife and his children and smiled. Their growth to be good and loving people was his greatest accomplishment. He then exited his chair and slammed his palms on the table.

  "Very well then. We will look for the best doctors and we will fight. I am not ready to just leave my family just yet. I have yet to see my grandchildren come into this world and I have yet to see all of you live the best of your lives."

  With that statement, the room went from sadness to happiness. There was hope—hope that the kind and caring king of Phyrosia would fight to live for longer. Everyone nodded in approval.

  "My friends have connections with doctors from the Capital Planet, Father, don't worry. You will be with us for longer," said the woman with straight black hair and green eyes.

  "Thank you, Pheonn. You are too kind," King Karion said in a straight, calm voice.

  "For as long as I have my family, I will fight. It's not going to be an easy road, but with all of you by my side, I believe we can do it," said King Karion with a straight and confident voice.

  The atmosphere of the room changed- from sadness and distraught to hopeful. If there's anything that one can bet on, is that King Karion is a fighter and hard-headed. He is a man of honor and places his loved ones and his people's well-being at the very top.

  "My dear, I can help with finding some old wive's remedies and ancient healing techniques. Priest Xeraxal and the Motherhood of Raurneus should be able to help," said Queen Phyllis.

  "Very well then, thank you, my love."

  "Father. I can help set up an expedition team to other galaxies, perhaps there could be help there," said Edysaan, determined to help his Father.

  "There is no need for that, my son, I would not want to wastefully spend taxpayers' money on an unguaranteed outcome," said King Karion.

  "Father, it is fine. I will use my hereditary funds for it. I will have Grand Duelist Weslygh and two of his best men, Yelesen and Godrisen, accompany the Grand Explorer Urgall and Grand Doctor Mykhel. It will just be them and one of our best ships, maybe the Thangrisaar?", said Edysaar with confidence.

  "We have never used any of our ships, let alone the Thangrisaar, on an expedition. Also, I would not want you to forsake your future for mine. Your Hereditary funds alone will not be able to cover the expedition to the Dark Crossing," said King Karion, showing worry for his son. He did not want his son to ruin his life just for him.

  "Father, it is fine. I will contribute my hereditary funds as well."

  "So will I, Father. You mean more to us than money. It can all be earned back."

  King Karion looked at his daughters and shed a slight tear. He had feared he had not raised them right or enough and was afraid that he had grown distant with them over the years, but that was not the case.

  "Philea, Pheonn."

  "Dear, I too, would like to contribute my hereditary funds as well," said Queen Phyllis.

  It was all getting hopeful. King Karion looked at his family and felt happy. He loved them so much and it meant so much to him that they were able to reciprocate his love. He looked down at the table and got his teldevice and started writing with his telpen.

  "Very well then, if this is what my family wants, then the King must fulfill their wishes. I will get in contact with Orysz and Weslygh to make arrangements. For now, let us prepare for dinner, shall we? I have arranged for everyone's favorite dishes; Cautrein Pie and Herry Cake. Now, shall we?"

  "Very well, Father. Please do let us know if we can help with anything."

  "Yes, Father, please keep us updated."

  "My dear, if there's anything I can do for you, please let your children and I help. I will help with the arrangements as well."

  King Karion nodded and smiled.

  "I will. Now, get ready, the food won't wait for all of you," said King Karion, leading his wife, daughters and other son away.

  Edysaan stayed behind, sitting behind his father, who was leading his Mother and siblings away. His father came back to his seat, not looking at his son and started to write on his teldevice. Edysaan gulped. He did not know if this was the right time to ask his Father, as it would make him seem selfish. But he had to. He knew it was a possibility that could affect his family and the Kingdom.

  "Father," said Edysaan in a nervous voice, trying to sound confident.

  "Yes, son," replied King Karion, glued to his teldevice, still writing.

  "About the thing you said, about me getting along with Edysaar for the throne. Did you- did you mean it?", asked Edysaan with a slightly shaky voice.

  "Yes, yes, I did. You and your brother have never gotten along. I need to see it before your brother takes the throne."

  Edysaan calmed himself down and thought. It was only right for Father to think that Edysaar was the rightful heir to the throne; he was, after all, the firstborn son. But Edysaan wanted to think that his Father was rational and cared for the future. That there was someone else worthy of leading the Phyrosian people.

  "I see, Father."

  Edysaan paused for a while and gathered his thoughts. He needed to make it sound that he was not self-serving or crazy.

  "Mmmm," said King Karion, continuing to write on his teldevice.

  "Have you ever considered that maybe there was someone more fitting to rule the Kingdom?"

  "No. Edysaar is the firstborn male and would rule with passion and honor. I don't think I can see anyone else fitting to sit on the throne," said King Karion in a straight voice, continuing to write on his teldevice.

  "Really, not anyone else? Not others who are close to you?", asked Edysaan.

  "Who? Your Mother?", said King Karion, chuckling lightly.

  "I love your Mother very much, son. But she is not one fit for ruling. She is too kind and sometimes a little naive," said King Karion.

  "No, not her."

  "Who then? Orysz? I trust that man with my life, but trusting him with the Kingdom is another. He drinks too much, who knows? If he were in charge, maybe the whole of Phyrosia would've been a brothel by now."

  "No, not Mother, your right hand, my sisters. No, not them," said Edysaan in a straight serious voice.

  There was a pause. King Karion placed down his telpen and looked at his son, who was staring directly at him with those green eyes. Those eyes looked determined and ready. But King Karion had his doubts and concerns, he knew that it was not possible. It was a great joke to him if he thought his son would inherit the throne.

  "AH HA HA HA HA!"

  King Karion burst out laughing, tears nearly running down his cheeks and slamming the table.

  "I did not know you were capable of making such jokes, son, you should make more of it! It could lighten up the mood in the castle!"

  Edysaan remained quiet. He was waiting for his Father to compose himself. He was angered, if he were to be honest with himself. Angered that his Father did not take his suggestion, nor himself seriously. That his Father did not even consider thinking about it first, but instead laughed at his face. He was hurt that his Father lied about him potentially inheriting the throne.

  His Father eventually composed himself, catching his breath and wiping his tears off his face. He then looked at his son, who was looking right at him with the same determined and ready eyes.

  "No. No, way," said King Karion without a single thought.

  "Father."

  "It will not happen," said King Karion in a slightly raised voice.

  "Father."

  "Your brother is the firstborn son and of my blood, you can never take the throne."

  "Father!"

  King Karion grew silent. Edysaan, who was normally quiet and reserved, had raised his voice for the first time. And at him. He looked straight at his son's eyes and brought his hands together.

  "Very well. Go ahead."

  "You know Edysaar. He's hot-tempered, prideful, and at times really, really, stupid. He is honorable, though, I will give him that. But his pride and his honor will get his family and his people killed. You've seen it yourself, just now with Captain Reigar. We had to intervene. How many times has he done it already? The negotiation you had him handle with Ellendal, he blew it up. The Grand Tournament as well, where he nearly got himself killed. How can you, as the King who cares for his people, for the future of this Kingdom, look at him and tell yourself, he is fit to rule Phyrosia?"

  "He isn't," answered King Karion without hesitation.

  "Precisely, which is why I sho-"

  "But you are never sitting on the throne. You are not the firstborn son. You are not of my blood. Your clear white skin, blond hair and blue eyes will have people questioning the legitimacy of the throne and that anyone can sit on it," said King Karion.

  "B-But, what about the future?", asked Edysaan in a stuttered voice, surprised and hurt by his Father's words.

  "I will have Orysz and Wiseman Jorrell guide him. His age will eventually show him wisdom and he has the honor. I would have you do it, but since you have intentions of sitting on the throne and you have yet to get along with your brother, that is out of the question," said King Karion.

  "But-"

  "You will never sit on the throne, not while I'm alive. You are my son. But not of my blood. You will let go of this and find something else to pursue in your life. I will see to it that you will," said King Karion in a straight voice interrupting his son. He did not want to hear anymore of his son's side. His decision was final and it was made a long, long time ago.

  King Karion got up and picked his teldevice and pen up, he then walked towards the door and opened it.

  "Make sure you're on time for dinner. I wouldn't want your mother or siblings knowing something had happened," said King Karion before exiting the door and closing it.

  Edysaan was in shock. He could not believe it. His Father has straight up just embarrassed him. He thought he would consider it. That he, the smart, thoughtful and wise one, would be considered an option. But turns out he never was. It was always his brother. Always Edysaar messing up, making all the mistakes but yet he gets rewarded for it. Edysaan looked at the ceiling with his eyes filled with a void.