Chapter : Prologue_The Storm King

Chapter : Prologue

 What makes a good King? the Grave Warden idly wondered as he dangled his legs off the edge of his great towers roof. Power? Ruthlessness? The strength to take something, and the will to use violence to that end? Or is it humility? The willingness to listen to others? To acknowledge ones own wisdom is never sufficient to rule a Kingdom? Or maybe

 He closed his eyes and pondered the question, as hed often done over the many long millennia hed stood vigil over the ne of Aeternaoften from the exact spot he now sat, reveling in the charms of the paradisical ind hed crafted for himself. He wished that meant he had some special insight, but he could never definitively answer his question. There were so many qualities that a King neededmany contradictorythat settling on any felt wrong.

 It alles down to what a King ought to be, I suppose, he thought, his heart sinking as it often did whenever that thought drifted through his head.

 In the far distance, lightning shed and thunder boomed, reminding him why the question weighed so heavily on his mind on this day, of all days. It seemed the uninvited guest whod been squatting on his ne for several decades was finallying to pay his respect to the Grave Warden, Aeternas nar Lord.

 His ind sat in the center of a great sea, which itself sat in the exact center of the ne of Aeterna. At the center of his ind sat his towera monolithic thing, built as a perfect cylinder made entirely of stone that stretched so far into the sky that the Grave Warden was often able to dangle his feet into the clouds whenever he sat atop its perfectly t roof.

 The Grave Warden rarely allowed the weather around his ind to be anything less than perfect, but as was his guests wont, the mans arrival was heralded by bone-shaking thunder, eye-searingly bright lightning, and storm clouds thick enough to shroud the Grave Wardens ind in darkness.

 These storm clouds rushed closer to his tower, borne by a howling gale, and poured freezing rain all over his warm, tropical home. Despite the strength of these winds, thoughstrong enough to pick a mortal man right up and carry him dozens of feetthe Grave Warden sighed and pushed himself to his feet,pletely unaffected.

 The wind hardly concerned himhis feet remained solidly nted atop the t roof of his immense stone tower. Neither did the rain bother himit simply vanished before touching his clothes. The thunder and lightning that wouldve blinded and deafened a mortal, likewise, had little effect upon him, aside from serving to irritate him for disturbing the serenity of his home.

 The Grave Warden could sense his guesting, and it seemed he wasnt alone; he was bringing his entire n with him, or so it seemed. Dozens of enormous arrowhead-shaped arks, bristling with magic weapons, cut through the clouds as they moved to encircle his tower. Thousands of men and women emerged from the massive magical flying machines toplete the encirclementpowerful mages all, for they flew under their own power. The auras of so many powerful mages caused the ambient magic power around the Grave Wardens ind to roil and churn and mightve even killed any magicless mortals around if the Grave Warden had allowed any to live on his ind.

 None of these mages were the guest he was waiting for, though. Their King, the man whod led them to his ne, to Aeterna, who had ordered the conquest of all thends over which the Grave Wardens tower loomed.

 Jason Keraunos, the Storm King.

 Only after the Grave Warden had been surrounded did the Storm King reveal himself, appearing a hundred feet over the roof of the tower in a sh of lightning.

 He was a tall and broad-shouldered man, armored in beautiful golden te that had images of eagles embossed in fine detail over every avable surface. A magnificent sword hung at his waist, its handle and guard gilded and shaped to look eagles talons. The de was long and straight, though the Grave Warden could sense a tremendous amount of magic flowing through it.

 The Storm Kings features were well-defined and evocative of the masculine idealsquare jaw; long, proud nose; and sharp cheekbones. His eyes and short hair were both the same shade of dark brown. He was a handsome man, cutting the image of the perfect warrior-King.

 The Grave Warden, in contrast, was about as close as a man could be to average, appearance-wise. His was a face that could be lost in just about any crowd. His medium-length hair was a neutral brown, as were his eyes, and his skin wasnt pale or tanned enough to unambiguously belong to any ethnicity.

 But it was no contest of looks the two were about to have.

 The Grave Warden took a few steps away from the edge of his tower, while the Storm King floated downward until he hovered imperiously a couple dozen feet over the tower roof, staring quite literally down his nose at the Grave Warden. Half a dozen others followed him, five men and one woman. All bore simr appearances to the Storm King.

 He brought his children here? the Grave Warden thought with some shock. Bold. Missing two sons, though

 Wee! he called out aloud. He spread his arms in a gesture of hospitality and repeated, Wee!

 Though he acted genially, with but a thought, the Grave Warden silenced the storm with but a thought and the barest expression of his magic power. The wind blew its final gust, the rain vanished, thest peals of thunder rolled across the suddenly calm sea, and the storm clouds dissolved away, leaving the ind bathed in warm sunlight once again.

 Many of the mages in the air around the tower prepped forbat in response, their auras betraying their violent intentions. The Storm King, however, only had to cast his gaze around him for his nsmen to rx.

 The Grave Warden continued, I was wondering when you would finally arrive, King Jason! You made me wait a long time! A long time!

 The Storm King softly snorted. His lips turned upward in a confident smirk, and he said, A King arrives whenever he pleases; it is for all others to wait. Do you know why Ivee, nar Lord?

 Hopefully not to stifle me in pointless court ceremonies! the Grave Warden replied. I am known as Ambrose! Feel free to use my name! Feel free!

 Ignoring him, Jason Keraunos gravely intoned, I havee to receive your submission, nar Lord, and to take possession of the treasure you guard! Your ne has fallen to my forces; you have no alternative! Surrender now or face the might of my n! Surrender now or be crushed by the strength of a million nes!

 The Grave Wardens weing demeanor faded, though didnt disappear entirely. With a snap of his fingers, a pair of simple, thoughfortable, chairs appeared on the roof. He sat in one and wordlessly offered the other to Jason Keraunos. The Storm King chose instead to remain hovering above the towers roof.

 Answer me a few questions, King Jason! Ambrose called out, unperturbed at the tacit refusal of his offer to sit. Perhaps I might consider your offer if you do! Answer me!

 Fool! one of the Storm Kings children shouted from behind Jasonthe eldest, if the Grave Wardens rtively sparse knowledge of the Storm Kings n was urate. My Royal father has

 The Prince was silenced with but a gesture from Jason Keraunos. The Storm King red over his shoulder at his eldest son, and not another interruption was had.

 A momentter, Jason turned his deep brown eyes back to the Grave Warden. Finally, he floated downward,nding perfectly in the chair the Grave Warden had prepared for him. He sat there for a moment, Ambrose giving him a moment to getfortable, and when it became clear that the chair was no trap, the Storm King looked almost disappointed.

 Ask your questions, nar Lord, the Storm Kingmanded.

 Wonderful! Ambrose gushed. Its been so long since Ist had a good debate partner! So long! I apologize if I ramble! The Storm Kings expression turned a bit irritated, but Ambrose pressed on regardless, his demeanor growing more serious and his gaze sharpening now that he was implicitly being promised answers to his questions. For hundreds of years have you reigned as Storm King. Do you believe that you are a good King?

 Whatever Jason Keraunos had been expecting, this clearly was not it; his features contorted in surprise before lighting up with hubristic pride. In a voice booming as loud as any p of thunder, he replied, I am not a good King! I am the greatest King!

 This tale has been uwfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

 The army of his n roared in response, their joined voices rumbling louder than the fiercest storm.

 Ambrose, however, focused entirely on the Storm King. With a flick of his finger, a bubble ofplete silence surrounded him and Jason Keraunos, preventing even the loudest sound from outside from reaching them.

 Of all the answers you couldve given, Ambrose said, a grin spreading across his face, that was the best. Now, tell me, Storm King: why? Why do you think yourself great?

 Jason Keraunos didnt take even a moment to think about the question. In all respects, my power is without equal! My armies are endless! My fleets ply the Void in numbers beyond counting, matched by none! My power shames the Primal Gods and Devils, and my numerous children honor our n! A King can ask for nothing greater than this!

 Yes, the Grave Warden responded, your children

 Jason Keraunos eyes narrowed in displeasure. Watch your tone, nar Lord. I am a generous King, but deviant eyes turned on my family shall be plucked from the skulls that house them.

 Quite protective, Ambrose observed. Is that why two of your sons are missing? Youve brought all the rest; I wouldve thought youd bring the whole set

 Specte not on business that is not yours, the Storm King growled.

 Ambrose dismissively waved his hand, though he still dropped it. He supposed he could always find the other twoter, if the need for doing so arose.

 Your answer, he said, is that the extent of your virtues? Have you no other im to greatness than the size of your armies, fleets, family, and power? You can name no others?

 There are no other metrics worth measuring, the Storm King definitively dered.

 Such a limited view, the Grave Warden responded, his expression falling in disappointment. Limited. I had hoped a man who ruled over thousands of nes might have aided me in my errant thoughts, but s, you have proven yourself no better than the countless petty Lords that sprang up after the Primal Age. No better.

 You do not have the proper respect for strength, Jason Keraunos responded. He rose from the chair and menacingly loomed over the Grave Warden. If you do not hurry and present me with what I came for, and prostrate yourself before me as my newest vassal, then I shall impart upon you a lesson in strength that you shall never forget.

 To punctuate his threat, the Storm King drew the sword at his waist. Its de hummed in the air, sparks of silver lightning with a blue halo shing across the sparkling metal. But the Grave Warden only grinned.

 You desire my Universe Fragment? he whispered, not shifting at all in his seat. His expression, one of disappointment only a moment before, swiftly shifted to reflect his utmost confidence. Why should youe here for that? Your n already has twomore than just about any other power in the universe, if my information remains up to date, though I see you only brought one with you His in brown eyes drank in the sight of the sword, gleaming in the light of the sun, shing with lightning. With more magical senses, he could feel the cataclysmic power radiating from the weapon, and the artifact lodged in its tang.

 A King does not need to exin his whims to anyone, the Storm King dered. Surrender your Universe Fragment to me. I shall not ask again.

 How did you even hear of it? the Grave Warden pleasantly asked, as if his unarmored form was not being confronted with one of the most powerful weapons in existence.

 Such mighty powers cannot be hidden forever, Jason Keraunos simply replied.

 And this one, would you still rob me of it even knowing that it was bestowed upon me by the Great Lord Khosrow? He did not give it to me on a whim

 Invoke his name all you wish, nar Lord, it will deter me not, for I do not fear the dead.

 You will not back down, then? the Grave Warden quietly, almost pleadingly, asked.

 The Storm King responded only with a wave of power; his aura surged in strength, not doing the Grave Warden any harm, but causing the sky to darken with storm clouds once again. Outside of the soundproof bubble the Grave Warden had summoned, he could sense the rest of the Storm Kings n preparing themselves for battle, too.

 You are a terrible King, the Grave Warden sadly stated, his smile fading as he slowly took to his feet. Ambition is an enviable trait among Royalty, but you have led your n to my ne on a fools gambit. You and your n have destroyed yourselves, all because you attempted to take what is not yours, what you have no right to im.

 All I desire is mine, for I have the power to take it, the Storm King stated.

 You dont have the power to take this, the Grave Warden said with a tone of finality. Before the Storm King could answer, a meteor, appearing in a sh of light, crashed into one of thergest arks the Storm King had arrived with. The meteor punched clean through the arks defenses and sshed so harmlessly into the sea that it was clear this was no ident.

 Fire poured from the ark as its engines struggled to keep it in the air with such a massive hole torn through it. Metal screeched as the superstructure failed to hold the veritable flying fortress in the air, and it began a nosedive into the sea.

 Neither Ambrose nor Jason saw it hit the water, for the moment that the meteor struck the ark, the Storm King moved. His body shed with lightning, his aura shining as brightly as the sun itself to the Grave Wardens magic senses. The wind howled all around the tower as the Storm Kings power inundated their surroundings. Jason Keraunos called a storm of unbelievable proportions down upon the Grave Wardens tower

 and Ambrose weathered it with ease. He was a rock amidst the tsunami, a mountain within the typhoon. Meteors came raining down upon the arks and the arks dove and listed to avoid them. From deep beneath the waves of the sea, enormous stone hands rose to catch the arks, shattering them with incalcble strength. The arks responded in kind, firing their weapons, bathing both the ind and the giants in light and lightning, but to no avail.

 The Storm King and the Grave Warden exchanged hundreds of blows in a matter of seconds, so quickly that it seemed almost an eternity for the Storm Kings children to charge.

 For a brief moment, the Grave Wardens tower at the center of the ne of Aeterna became one of the most dangerous ces in the universe. Such power shook the ne, cracking its surface, breaking cities dozens and hundreds of miles away, and causing untold numbers of deaths. The water of the sea boiled as lightning fell into it as thickly as rain. Bodies fell just as thickly around the Grave Wardens tower, sttering to paste as they hit the ground. The blood of thousands of powerful mages soaked the ind, and after several minutes, so too did the first of the Storm Kings children.

 The Storm King and his family roared as one in grief and anger and redoubled their efforts to kill the Grave Warden, but their efforts were for naught; a moment after the first, the Grave Warden sent another Prince falling lifelessly to the ground. One by one the Storm Kings family fell, but even when Jason Keraunos was left alone, battered and bloodied, he refused to surrender. His pride simply wouldnt allow him to. And in only a matter of seconds, he joined his family and n in death.

 The battle was as short as it was destructive. Countless bodies littered the ind just as all of the Storm Kings arks burned in the raging sea. The Storm King himself, as well as all of the children and nsmen that hed brought with him, had beenid low by the Grave Warden.

 Ambrose himself, once the fighting was finished, stood upon the beach where the Storm King had fallen. He bled from a hundred wounds and his skin had been burned ck over more than half of his body. However, now that the fighting was over, his wounds healed rapidly, leaving him looking none the worse for wear in mere seconds.

 The Storm Kings, however, did not. Jason Keraunos, who had invaded his ne fifty years prior, nowy dead at his feet.

 How many thousands of your n members have you condemned to die over this mistake? the Grave Warden wondered aloud as he stared down at the dead Storm King. How many will die when the rest of the universe hears of this? Will your n survive? He darkly chuckled. Will those who are left seek revenge against me?

 Ambroses eyes drifted from the Storm Kings body over to his sword, now lying on the beach and sparking with brilliant green lightning. Such a weapon could not be left unsecured, but before Ambrose could take a single step toward it, the weapons hilt dissolved from the green lightning, leaving the swords tang bare. Lodged within it, Ambrose could see what mightve appeared to a mortals eyes to be nothing more than a thin sliver of discolored iron embedded within the swords shining metal, though it was almost blindingly radiant to more magical senses. The Iron Needle, a Universe Fragment, an artifact of incalcble power.

 With a p of thunder that shook the ind and a sh of lightning that almost blinded Ambrose, the sword, and the Universe Fragment within it, shot into the sky, leaving Ambrose behind.

 The Grave Warden could only smile andugh. Universe Fragments were fickle, and if they did not allow themselves to be wielded, then the cataclysmically powerful artifacts were as useful as paperweights. And the Iron Needle, it seemed, would not allow him to wield it.

 Ambrose took no offense, though he tracked the Iron Needle as it shot northward. He wondered how long it might stay in the air, and where it mightnd. Repairing Aeterna wouldnt be easy if he had a Universe Fragment flying around it for a millennium. As his eyes turned back to the Storm King, he wondered again what would happen to the rest of the Storm Kings n, both on Aeterna and elsewhere. One of the strongest men in the universe had just died, as had the most powerful members of his n.

 Who will rece you, I wonder? Ambrose asked Jasons corpse. Will theye here to aplish what you did not? Or will they just forget about you? Will your n be destroyed, all traces of it lost to time? Will all knowledge of their foolish King that led them here, to die at my hand, be lost?

 Ambrose sighed as, with a wave of his hand, the bodies of the Storm King and all of his immediate family were gathered before him.

 You were a strong adversary, he said with great respect. By your metrics, I suppose, you were a worthy King. Now, be at peace.

 Jason Keraunos and his familys bodies disappeared as Ambrose took flight once more.

 How long until a new Storm King rises? he wondered aloud. A thousand years? Ten thousand? A hundred thousand? Or even longer? I hope that whoever they are, they show more wisdom than you. I hope I hope.

 Ambrose once more took a seat on the edge of his tower, unblemished from the terrible battle that had just taken ce around it. He sighed again and turned his mind toward fixing the terrible damage done to Aeterna in this battle, though he knew that it wouldnt be long before he returned to the question hed been pondering before Jason Keraunos arrival, only now he had much more to think about.

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Chapter : Prologue