Post by Cartelle on Aug 26, 2010 13:38:55 GMT -5
The vast Empire of Lythian had expanded beyond its borders. Once a tiny nation, it had grown to a population of over 600 Million. Large cities were ruled by the corrupt corporations who would do anything to make a dollar. It was definitely a world ruled by technology. The rich were very wealthy, and the poor were starving in the countryside surrounding the ever growing cities, mocked and shamed from the city limits. Skyscrapers as tall as the eye could see created the skyline in every direction. Lythian was truly a corporate Nation.
The corrupt ruler of Lythian, Emperor Kendrick L. Steward the 4th was infatuated with the thought of Lythian one day becoming a Delegate of the World Assembly, but for the time being, he allowed them to merely dabble in the politics of 10,000 Islands. He ruled his Empire with an iron fist, and only the wealthy were able to afford the luxuries that made life bearable. One thing that Emperor Kendrick L. Steward the 4th was most proud of was his unmatched economic prowess. If it would hurt his economy, he outlawed it. If it would help, then he was the first person to support it.
What Emperor Kendrick didn’t know was that a small outlying city, Cartelle, had a tiny political organization slowing picking up popularity. Lead by Victor Von Famous, the Brash began plotting a political overthrow. They had a brilliant scheme; one that they hoped would begin a revolution distracting enough to allow them to take over the government. Famous would bring to light the neglect of the Emperor to his oldest daughter, Melissa Anne Steward, and publically announce their engagement. Of course, there was no Melissa Anne Steward, but if there was, and Famous married her, that would make him the heir to the throne. Under the laws of Lythian, the heir can challenge the Emperor at anytime, as long as the senate would hear a statement of distrust. Hopefully, the fact that nobody had ever heard of the fictitious daughter, the Senate would hear out Famous’ request, agreeing with him that an Emperor who would neglect his own daughter was not fit to rule a nation.
The date was set, December 23, 1448 (Lythian Years of course). It was the former Empress Galina’s birthday. She had died three years previously, of a disease known as VODAIS. The Emperor had outlawed the medicine that cured VODAIS fourteen years prior to this day, which would also mark Melissa Anne Steward’s fictitious birthday. If she was born on the same day that her father outlawed the cure to the disease that killed her mother, then that would be a large controversy indeed.
On this particular day, the Senate had convened to discuss the possible expansion of the Lythian Borders. The surrounding Borderlands were essentially unoccupied, and the nation of Blugario was so economically distraught that they came to Lythian with a treaty in hand, ready to surrender their assets, land, and people would all become part of Lythian, and their government would cease to exist. The poverty ravaged their countryside, but Emperor Kendrick L. Steward (the 4th) wasn’t quite sure he was willing to accept a nation so far along in debt. They weren’t part of the 10,000 Islands regional treaty organization; they were just a fledgling Nation on the brink of destruction who came to their border nation for help. Lythian had the opportunity to help forty years previously; however the Emperor’s father, Kendrick L. Steward the 3rd had denied their request on the account that the country refused to dissolve their government entirely. Now everything had changed. They were willing to do whatever it might take to free them of this poverty.
Victor Von Famous had requested, and been approved, a spot in the line up for the Senate. He appealed that he had unknown information that would affect the upcoming decision of the Senate, and considering Famous had one time been a relatively powerful politician, the Senate obliged to his request.
Victor approached the stage quietly, a mysterious woman following behind. She was actually the Emperor’s niece; however he knew nothing about her existence. Her mother had died giving birth, and since she was merely a mistress, it had been covered up. The daughter had been sick as a child, and was taken to the country where she was never heard of again. Victor had met her a few years ago, when she came to a meeting of the Brash. This is when Victor began to formulate his plan. Little did she know, or anyone of the Brash, but Victor Von Famous had something up his sleeve for the country of Lythian.
As he approached, with her in tow, the Senate began to whisper. Questions about who she was, as she had never been seen in public before, arose quickly. The whispers did nothing but amuse Victor. He enjoyed rumors, especially when the rumors were false, but the truth was far larger than the rumors.
“Great Senators of Lythian, I have come here today to appeal for the Throne.” He stood there, silent, taking in the reactions from the senate. It suddenly got very loud in the room; whispers grew into shouts and yells.
“This is Melissa Anne Steward, eldest daughter of the Emperor. She is to be my wife. We believe that the Emperor, who had neglected his daughter, is no longer fit to rule.”
“Mr. Famous, you do realize that these allegations, if proven false, have a penalty of death?!” exclaimed Vaughn Variance, Senator of the southern coastal city Newporia.
“I do, which is why I come here with such a cold heart. Our beloved Emperor has neglected his daughter. She may be the daughter of a mistress, but neglect is still punishable by removal from the throne. Since I am to be the husband of Ms. Steward, I challenge on her behalf, the throne.”
“Mr. Famous, you cannot be serious. There are no records of any mistress or any illegitimate children of the crown. Hell, even his brother didn’t have any illegitimates, and he was a soiled dove of a man.” Exclaimed Franz Powlette, the Senator of North Gromania.
“If you must… we have provided as evidence a DNA sample. Ms. Steward, if you will…” Famous sighed; he was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. The DNA sample would be sound, but, it meant that the process would be delayed 24 hours. Hopefully it would be for the better, although he believed it would be for the worse.
Whispers of an illegitimate daughter sprang from the Senate throughout the city, and they quickly grew into roars, as the following day the National Press had the story on the front cover. It surprised the Emperor, who got a good laugh at the matter; as such a scandal had never happened before. He saw no reason why anybody important could ever believe such a fallacy and once the DNA test came out later today, all this would be over, and Famous would be in jail, on his way to his death.
“How can it be true?” remarked Lisdon Dailey, one of Lythian’s finest DNA specialists. “The DNA is a perfect match…” his voice trailed off as the words came out of his mouth.
“This is huge. Do we give these results to the Senate? Or do we throw them away…” Salvador Dailey, Lisdon’s wife, remarked.
“We have to tell the truth. We swore an oath yesterday. If these results ever get out… we’ll be put to death.” His voice quivered as he began to realize the consequences of which he discovered.
“Quiet people, quiet.” Tarver Lewis spoke into the microphone, his commanding voice silencing the crowd before him. Tarver was the Senate Elector, the head of the Senate of Lythian, and his very presence in a room was powerful. He was the second most powerful man in Lythian until yesterday, when Victor Von Famous had dropped that bombshell on the people of Lythian.
“I have the results of the DNA test in front of me. We will be opening the vote soon to decide what will become of these results.” He spoke calmly into the microphone, well aware of the results that lay inside the envelope in his hand. He had found out that morning from the scientists in charge of the project that Victor Von Famous had in fact, been telling the truth. Lewis wasn’t sure what was going to happen to him when word got out. If Victor Von Famous took over the Emperor’s throne, Lewis was sure to become an outcast of the country.
Fifteen years ago, Victor Von Famous and Tarver Lewis ran against each other for a seat in the Senate. When Lewis won, Famous was shamed. He had lost his seat to a member of a political party that had never won a seat before, and would never win another seat. Tarver Lewis represented the Peoples Republic, a minute political party that at its center was a party that desired to free the country of a single monarch. While the country technically operated on a Senatorial basis, it was in all actuality that the Emperor ruled the country. Instead of having him make every decision, the Senate would discuss the laws before passing their better judgment onto him, where he would either yay, or nay the laws. Tarver Lewis said that the people deserved better. They deserved a republic. When Tarver won, the party began to gain power, but a mere five years later, they dissolved into nothing, further disgracing Victor. Victor ran three more times against Tarver before finally giving up for good and going into the shadows of Lythian.
Until yesterday. When he dropped that bombshell. No doubt he was scheming; Lewis just didn’t know what exactly he was up too. Victor had always been a schemer. It just wasn’t as obvious as Tarver Lewis would have liked.
“Now, people of Lythian, I hold before you the results from the DNA test accusation of the Emperor. Do you wish me to read these results, or do we trust our dear Emperor would have come forward and announced his daughter as his before being shamed into eternity.” He had been nervous only once in his life, and that was a mere fifteen seconds prior to that speech he just made. Little did he know that the outcome of the vote he just declared would forever shake the country he so dearly loved.
THE EMPEROR IS A CRIMINAL! - That was all over the headlines. The new hero was Victor Von Famous, the savior of the Emperors lost daughter. His claim to the throne had been approved, and now there would be the largest debate the nation had ever seen. In its 1400 years, nobody had ever successfully challenged the throne, but some how, Victor Von Famous, was doing it. It would be incredible historically; if Victor could do it, but Suzanne didn’t think it was possible. No, she thought that the people would eventually come to their senses, and the Senate would vote it down. The Emperor would be tarnished for life regardless. It’s incredible to think anything different after his own daughter came forward. How could he leave her, ignore her, abuse her? He was the great one, by far the strongest Emperor that Lythian had ever had. This would demoralize the citizens.
Victor Von Famous was nearly there. His political party had gone public shortly after the announcement. He was proclaimed the true emperor by Brash, and they denounced the real Emperor. The people weren’t sure how to take this new party, and whether to accept their radical view on the Emperor, but they did know that Victor Von Famous had proven the Emperor guilty, and something needed to be done. The Emperor remained silent through this all, merely stating that the people would decide the fate of this nation.
Emperor Steward paced his room. He hadn’t left the northern region of his Palace since the announcement. What really bothered him was that he had three children, and they were all treated far greater than any other child in the country. They had left him here, alone to die a horrible fate if that is what the people decided. He had never felt more alone than he did at this moment. Even his real children had denounced his throne, and his oldest son had fled the country, shamed by the sister who would now rule in his place.
Saieed Steward, once heir to the throne was shamed. He fled his country for the bordering nation, intent on living the rest of his days alone. He couldn’t imagine ever forgiving his father for throwing his soon to be title away by not defending himself, and now Saieed fled, all alone, unsure as to what would become of him, and not caring what would become of his father, or his country.
“People of Lythian, I urge you to denounce your Emperor. How is a man who has denounced his daughter fit to rule? His own children have denounced him! Let me step into his place as your Emperor, with my lady as your Empress, and let us show you how true leaders should rule! We will never deceive you, we will never lie to you! We will bring you greatness. Lythian will one day be the strongest Nation in the Region and in the World. Let US be the ones to lead you there!” Victor had grown stronger as the days dragged on. It was now day seven since the Emperor’s daughter had risen, and it had even spawned a new “era” according to the media. We were now in A.D. 001, the first year After Deceit. Famous hoped to lead them into this new era, but even though the people were slowly turning, they were not turning fast enough to secure his seat as the Hierarch. He knew that Tarver Lewis still had a firm foot in the Senate, and even though it was slowly dissolving into madness, by law, if the Emperor is found guilty of a crime, and no heir takes his place, then the Senate Elector would take control of the Empire until a new hierarchy was established. This would spell the ultimate doom to Victor. Fifteen years ago Tarver had destroyed Victor’s chances to become the Senate Elector by defeating him in an embarrassing manor as the only member of his particular party to ever be elected. That party didn’t even exist to this day, and still, Tarver was practically king to these people. He was the one keeping any sanity left. It was time Victor did something to jump start the overthrow.
“Listen, all of you. What you do today, you do for your country. The Emperor has betrayed you. When you march, you are not marching against your country; you are marching against an invader who has destroyed everything you believe in. It is this invader that you seek to remove from our borders. Go now, be strong, and long live Lythian!” Victor whispered his battle shout to the men, just outside the city walls as they prepared to march on the capital and the Emperor inside. He quickly removed himself from the front of the army, as being seen with them was total political suicide. Once they marched, the people would either follow them, or they would fight them. Either way, Victor would be a hero. He would either denounce the army, or he would rally the troops to take the capitol, whichever actually looked like a better choice at the time.
“There are troops gathering outside our city. You are not fighting your fellow man anymore; you are fighting an enemy that is trying to destroy this country! Your Emperor may have betrayed us, but we will not betray him. He is the one true Emperor, and we will support him until death do us part. Go now men, save the city, save the country, save your Emperor. For one, for all, for death and glory, for Lythian we fight!” General Calosso was a madman when it came to battle. He had even fought for TITO as a soldier before Lythian was forced from that region. He was a legend. Tarver Lewis even submitted his name for a possible replacement to the throne if one was deemed necessary, but Calosso turned him down. He said that he would never try to be the Emperor; instead, he would do what it took to fight for his lord.
The Emperor paced back and forth through his room. It had become his favorite way to think about nothing at all. Soon, the troops would overtake his Palace, and with it, he would be executed. He had somehow failed his great nation, and in his dying hours, he wrote a letter to his people. He was afraid that the letter would never be read, but it was a confession that he could feel good about. He wished only that his eldest child was here with him tonight when the Palace was taken, so that he could say his final farewell, and pass the crown to him the way his father had passed it down, and it had been passed for generations to come. The quick and bloody battle of the Palace was about to end, but a revolution was merely beginning. Emperor Steward hoped that his great nation would survive the oncoming political battle, and the lives lost because of a mistake he never made. He hope Lythian would survive, the way Impaloompa survived when they broke away 1400 years ago. That was his one secret; one that he hoped wouldn’t go with him to the grave.
It was midnight when Victor got word that the Emperor had been slain. Now, with no Emperor, only one man stood in his way. Tarver Lewis was going to die, and Victor Von Famous would be the Emperor of Lythian. His new bride was a mere toy, and once he took the throne, he would discard her like a piece of trash. The bloodline would cease, and Famous would be a God.
“My friends, it brings me great pain to announce the death of our Emperor. Tonight an innocent man was slain. He was guilty of nothing but loving his country. Victor Von Famous is a fraud.” The announcement silenced the Senate Hall. “Tonight the army will march upon this hall, and if it succeeds, then Victor Von Famous will complete his hostile takeover of our country.” Tarver Lewis’ words skittered across the marble floor, reverberating off the giant pillars that made the Senate Hall so magnificent.
“Tarver, what are you talking about? The Emperor deserved death! His own daughter was neglected!” Spoke Senator Paul Schroeder.
“No, that was not his daughter. In his death, one of his servants brought me this letter. It is from our Emperor. We have helped cause the greatest travesty in the history of our culture. It is time to fight back against this army and destroy them at their root. We must find and arrest Victor Von Famous.”
Victor was asleep in his bed when the messenger started banging on his door.
“Sir, you have to wake up. There are officers on their way to arrest you. Sir! Please, get up!” The messengers’ voice was distraught with terror.
Victor got out of bed slowly. He wasn’t sure what was going on. When he had gone to bed four hours ago, he was a national hero. Something must have happened in the night.
“My friends,” began Tarver Lewis, “my friends we have witnessed a great travesty in this past week. Our innocent Emperor was slain. However, we have also witnessed a great overcoming! We have defeated the military movement against our Capitol city. We have defended our senate. Now we only need to declare a new Emperor. We have his son, returning from the outlands, but we as a Nation must decide where our country must turn. Do we stand united under one true emperor, or do we take this as a sign of things to change. Are we to be a republic, with one senate, or remain the way we have been for the previous 1400 years. This is a new era my friends, and I implore you all to be careful as you choose the fate of our nation for the next 1400 years.” Tarver Lewis closed his binder, clicked a few buttons on the monitor in front of him, and opened the vote. He submitted his vote; the first vote towards what he hoped was finally a new beginning. Then, he quietly walked out of the room and into the war room in building across the street. He needed to check on the war front, as he had just lied to the people of his nation. They had no returning Emperor, and they had not defeated the enemy. Not yet. The son would return he said, but only as the Emperor of a united nation. Tarver Lewis hoped that he would unite the people.
Victor was defeated. He had managed to escape to the inner city of Cartelle, but he knew that his will was lost. He sat alone in the room that had spawned this entire endeavor, thinking back to what went wrong. If only he could figure out where he messed up! Oh then he would rule the nation as their Emperor. He couldn’t think straight, his eyes bleary with lack of sleep. Cartelle would be waking soon. He would address the people of Cartelle. They had immediately backed Victor Von Famous. He only hoped that they would back him once more. No army had ever entered the city of Cartelle, as it was deemed a holy city. If he could stop the army outside, he would win a small piece of the ensuing war. If only…
The corrupt ruler of Lythian, Emperor Kendrick L. Steward the 4th was infatuated with the thought of Lythian one day becoming a Delegate of the World Assembly, but for the time being, he allowed them to merely dabble in the politics of 10,000 Islands. He ruled his Empire with an iron fist, and only the wealthy were able to afford the luxuries that made life bearable. One thing that Emperor Kendrick L. Steward the 4th was most proud of was his unmatched economic prowess. If it would hurt his economy, he outlawed it. If it would help, then he was the first person to support it.
What Emperor Kendrick didn’t know was that a small outlying city, Cartelle, had a tiny political organization slowing picking up popularity. Lead by Victor Von Famous, the Brash began plotting a political overthrow. They had a brilliant scheme; one that they hoped would begin a revolution distracting enough to allow them to take over the government. Famous would bring to light the neglect of the Emperor to his oldest daughter, Melissa Anne Steward, and publically announce their engagement. Of course, there was no Melissa Anne Steward, but if there was, and Famous married her, that would make him the heir to the throne. Under the laws of Lythian, the heir can challenge the Emperor at anytime, as long as the senate would hear a statement of distrust. Hopefully, the fact that nobody had ever heard of the fictitious daughter, the Senate would hear out Famous’ request, agreeing with him that an Emperor who would neglect his own daughter was not fit to rule a nation.
The date was set, December 23, 1448 (Lythian Years of course). It was the former Empress Galina’s birthday. She had died three years previously, of a disease known as VODAIS. The Emperor had outlawed the medicine that cured VODAIS fourteen years prior to this day, which would also mark Melissa Anne Steward’s fictitious birthday. If she was born on the same day that her father outlawed the cure to the disease that killed her mother, then that would be a large controversy indeed.
On this particular day, the Senate had convened to discuss the possible expansion of the Lythian Borders. The surrounding Borderlands were essentially unoccupied, and the nation of Blugario was so economically distraught that they came to Lythian with a treaty in hand, ready to surrender their assets, land, and people would all become part of Lythian, and their government would cease to exist. The poverty ravaged their countryside, but Emperor Kendrick L. Steward (the 4th) wasn’t quite sure he was willing to accept a nation so far along in debt. They weren’t part of the 10,000 Islands regional treaty organization; they were just a fledgling Nation on the brink of destruction who came to their border nation for help. Lythian had the opportunity to help forty years previously; however the Emperor’s father, Kendrick L. Steward the 3rd had denied their request on the account that the country refused to dissolve their government entirely. Now everything had changed. They were willing to do whatever it might take to free them of this poverty.
Victor Von Famous had requested, and been approved, a spot in the line up for the Senate. He appealed that he had unknown information that would affect the upcoming decision of the Senate, and considering Famous had one time been a relatively powerful politician, the Senate obliged to his request.
Victor approached the stage quietly, a mysterious woman following behind. She was actually the Emperor’s niece; however he knew nothing about her existence. Her mother had died giving birth, and since she was merely a mistress, it had been covered up. The daughter had been sick as a child, and was taken to the country where she was never heard of again. Victor had met her a few years ago, when she came to a meeting of the Brash. This is when Victor began to formulate his plan. Little did she know, or anyone of the Brash, but Victor Von Famous had something up his sleeve for the country of Lythian.
As he approached, with her in tow, the Senate began to whisper. Questions about who she was, as she had never been seen in public before, arose quickly. The whispers did nothing but amuse Victor. He enjoyed rumors, especially when the rumors were false, but the truth was far larger than the rumors.
“Great Senators of Lythian, I have come here today to appeal for the Throne.” He stood there, silent, taking in the reactions from the senate. It suddenly got very loud in the room; whispers grew into shouts and yells.
“This is Melissa Anne Steward, eldest daughter of the Emperor. She is to be my wife. We believe that the Emperor, who had neglected his daughter, is no longer fit to rule.”
“Mr. Famous, you do realize that these allegations, if proven false, have a penalty of death?!” exclaimed Vaughn Variance, Senator of the southern coastal city Newporia.
“I do, which is why I come here with such a cold heart. Our beloved Emperor has neglected his daughter. She may be the daughter of a mistress, but neglect is still punishable by removal from the throne. Since I am to be the husband of Ms. Steward, I challenge on her behalf, the throne.”
“Mr. Famous, you cannot be serious. There are no records of any mistress or any illegitimate children of the crown. Hell, even his brother didn’t have any illegitimates, and he was a soiled dove of a man.” Exclaimed Franz Powlette, the Senator of North Gromania.
“If you must… we have provided as evidence a DNA sample. Ms. Steward, if you will…” Famous sighed; he was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. The DNA sample would be sound, but, it meant that the process would be delayed 24 hours. Hopefully it would be for the better, although he believed it would be for the worse.
Whispers of an illegitimate daughter sprang from the Senate throughout the city, and they quickly grew into roars, as the following day the National Press had the story on the front cover. It surprised the Emperor, who got a good laugh at the matter; as such a scandal had never happened before. He saw no reason why anybody important could ever believe such a fallacy and once the DNA test came out later today, all this would be over, and Famous would be in jail, on his way to his death.
“How can it be true?” remarked Lisdon Dailey, one of Lythian’s finest DNA specialists. “The DNA is a perfect match…” his voice trailed off as the words came out of his mouth.
“This is huge. Do we give these results to the Senate? Or do we throw them away…” Salvador Dailey, Lisdon’s wife, remarked.
“We have to tell the truth. We swore an oath yesterday. If these results ever get out… we’ll be put to death.” His voice quivered as he began to realize the consequences of which he discovered.
“Quiet people, quiet.” Tarver Lewis spoke into the microphone, his commanding voice silencing the crowd before him. Tarver was the Senate Elector, the head of the Senate of Lythian, and his very presence in a room was powerful. He was the second most powerful man in Lythian until yesterday, when Victor Von Famous had dropped that bombshell on the people of Lythian.
“I have the results of the DNA test in front of me. We will be opening the vote soon to decide what will become of these results.” He spoke calmly into the microphone, well aware of the results that lay inside the envelope in his hand. He had found out that morning from the scientists in charge of the project that Victor Von Famous had in fact, been telling the truth. Lewis wasn’t sure what was going to happen to him when word got out. If Victor Von Famous took over the Emperor’s throne, Lewis was sure to become an outcast of the country.
Fifteen years ago, Victor Von Famous and Tarver Lewis ran against each other for a seat in the Senate. When Lewis won, Famous was shamed. He had lost his seat to a member of a political party that had never won a seat before, and would never win another seat. Tarver Lewis represented the Peoples Republic, a minute political party that at its center was a party that desired to free the country of a single monarch. While the country technically operated on a Senatorial basis, it was in all actuality that the Emperor ruled the country. Instead of having him make every decision, the Senate would discuss the laws before passing their better judgment onto him, where he would either yay, or nay the laws. Tarver Lewis said that the people deserved better. They deserved a republic. When Tarver won, the party began to gain power, but a mere five years later, they dissolved into nothing, further disgracing Victor. Victor ran three more times against Tarver before finally giving up for good and going into the shadows of Lythian.
Until yesterday. When he dropped that bombshell. No doubt he was scheming; Lewis just didn’t know what exactly he was up too. Victor had always been a schemer. It just wasn’t as obvious as Tarver Lewis would have liked.
“Now, people of Lythian, I hold before you the results from the DNA test accusation of the Emperor. Do you wish me to read these results, or do we trust our dear Emperor would have come forward and announced his daughter as his before being shamed into eternity.” He had been nervous only once in his life, and that was a mere fifteen seconds prior to that speech he just made. Little did he know that the outcome of the vote he just declared would forever shake the country he so dearly loved.
THE EMPEROR IS A CRIMINAL! - That was all over the headlines. The new hero was Victor Von Famous, the savior of the Emperors lost daughter. His claim to the throne had been approved, and now there would be the largest debate the nation had ever seen. In its 1400 years, nobody had ever successfully challenged the throne, but some how, Victor Von Famous, was doing it. It would be incredible historically; if Victor could do it, but Suzanne didn’t think it was possible. No, she thought that the people would eventually come to their senses, and the Senate would vote it down. The Emperor would be tarnished for life regardless. It’s incredible to think anything different after his own daughter came forward. How could he leave her, ignore her, abuse her? He was the great one, by far the strongest Emperor that Lythian had ever had. This would demoralize the citizens.
Victor Von Famous was nearly there. His political party had gone public shortly after the announcement. He was proclaimed the true emperor by Brash, and they denounced the real Emperor. The people weren’t sure how to take this new party, and whether to accept their radical view on the Emperor, but they did know that Victor Von Famous had proven the Emperor guilty, and something needed to be done. The Emperor remained silent through this all, merely stating that the people would decide the fate of this nation.
Emperor Steward paced his room. He hadn’t left the northern region of his Palace since the announcement. What really bothered him was that he had three children, and they were all treated far greater than any other child in the country. They had left him here, alone to die a horrible fate if that is what the people decided. He had never felt more alone than he did at this moment. Even his real children had denounced his throne, and his oldest son had fled the country, shamed by the sister who would now rule in his place.
Saieed Steward, once heir to the throne was shamed. He fled his country for the bordering nation, intent on living the rest of his days alone. He couldn’t imagine ever forgiving his father for throwing his soon to be title away by not defending himself, and now Saieed fled, all alone, unsure as to what would become of him, and not caring what would become of his father, or his country.
“People of Lythian, I urge you to denounce your Emperor. How is a man who has denounced his daughter fit to rule? His own children have denounced him! Let me step into his place as your Emperor, with my lady as your Empress, and let us show you how true leaders should rule! We will never deceive you, we will never lie to you! We will bring you greatness. Lythian will one day be the strongest Nation in the Region and in the World. Let US be the ones to lead you there!” Victor had grown stronger as the days dragged on. It was now day seven since the Emperor’s daughter had risen, and it had even spawned a new “era” according to the media. We were now in A.D. 001, the first year After Deceit. Famous hoped to lead them into this new era, but even though the people were slowly turning, they were not turning fast enough to secure his seat as the Hierarch. He knew that Tarver Lewis still had a firm foot in the Senate, and even though it was slowly dissolving into madness, by law, if the Emperor is found guilty of a crime, and no heir takes his place, then the Senate Elector would take control of the Empire until a new hierarchy was established. This would spell the ultimate doom to Victor. Fifteen years ago Tarver had destroyed Victor’s chances to become the Senate Elector by defeating him in an embarrassing manor as the only member of his particular party to ever be elected. That party didn’t even exist to this day, and still, Tarver was practically king to these people. He was the one keeping any sanity left. It was time Victor did something to jump start the overthrow.
“Listen, all of you. What you do today, you do for your country. The Emperor has betrayed you. When you march, you are not marching against your country; you are marching against an invader who has destroyed everything you believe in. It is this invader that you seek to remove from our borders. Go now, be strong, and long live Lythian!” Victor whispered his battle shout to the men, just outside the city walls as they prepared to march on the capital and the Emperor inside. He quickly removed himself from the front of the army, as being seen with them was total political suicide. Once they marched, the people would either follow them, or they would fight them. Either way, Victor would be a hero. He would either denounce the army, or he would rally the troops to take the capitol, whichever actually looked like a better choice at the time.
“There are troops gathering outside our city. You are not fighting your fellow man anymore; you are fighting an enemy that is trying to destroy this country! Your Emperor may have betrayed us, but we will not betray him. He is the one true Emperor, and we will support him until death do us part. Go now men, save the city, save the country, save your Emperor. For one, for all, for death and glory, for Lythian we fight!” General Calosso was a madman when it came to battle. He had even fought for TITO as a soldier before Lythian was forced from that region. He was a legend. Tarver Lewis even submitted his name for a possible replacement to the throne if one was deemed necessary, but Calosso turned him down. He said that he would never try to be the Emperor; instead, he would do what it took to fight for his lord.
The Emperor paced back and forth through his room. It had become his favorite way to think about nothing at all. Soon, the troops would overtake his Palace, and with it, he would be executed. He had somehow failed his great nation, and in his dying hours, he wrote a letter to his people. He was afraid that the letter would never be read, but it was a confession that he could feel good about. He wished only that his eldest child was here with him tonight when the Palace was taken, so that he could say his final farewell, and pass the crown to him the way his father had passed it down, and it had been passed for generations to come. The quick and bloody battle of the Palace was about to end, but a revolution was merely beginning. Emperor Steward hoped that his great nation would survive the oncoming political battle, and the lives lost because of a mistake he never made. He hope Lythian would survive, the way Impaloompa survived when they broke away 1400 years ago. That was his one secret; one that he hoped wouldn’t go with him to the grave.
It was midnight when Victor got word that the Emperor had been slain. Now, with no Emperor, only one man stood in his way. Tarver Lewis was going to die, and Victor Von Famous would be the Emperor of Lythian. His new bride was a mere toy, and once he took the throne, he would discard her like a piece of trash. The bloodline would cease, and Famous would be a God.
“My friends, it brings me great pain to announce the death of our Emperor. Tonight an innocent man was slain. He was guilty of nothing but loving his country. Victor Von Famous is a fraud.” The announcement silenced the Senate Hall. “Tonight the army will march upon this hall, and if it succeeds, then Victor Von Famous will complete his hostile takeover of our country.” Tarver Lewis’ words skittered across the marble floor, reverberating off the giant pillars that made the Senate Hall so magnificent.
“Tarver, what are you talking about? The Emperor deserved death! His own daughter was neglected!” Spoke Senator Paul Schroeder.
“No, that was not his daughter. In his death, one of his servants brought me this letter. It is from our Emperor. We have helped cause the greatest travesty in the history of our culture. It is time to fight back against this army and destroy them at their root. We must find and arrest Victor Von Famous.”
Victor was asleep in his bed when the messenger started banging on his door.
“Sir, you have to wake up. There are officers on their way to arrest you. Sir! Please, get up!” The messengers’ voice was distraught with terror.
Victor got out of bed slowly. He wasn’t sure what was going on. When he had gone to bed four hours ago, he was a national hero. Something must have happened in the night.
“My friends,” began Tarver Lewis, “my friends we have witnessed a great travesty in this past week. Our innocent Emperor was slain. However, we have also witnessed a great overcoming! We have defeated the military movement against our Capitol city. We have defended our senate. Now we only need to declare a new Emperor. We have his son, returning from the outlands, but we as a Nation must decide where our country must turn. Do we stand united under one true emperor, or do we take this as a sign of things to change. Are we to be a republic, with one senate, or remain the way we have been for the previous 1400 years. This is a new era my friends, and I implore you all to be careful as you choose the fate of our nation for the next 1400 years.” Tarver Lewis closed his binder, clicked a few buttons on the monitor in front of him, and opened the vote. He submitted his vote; the first vote towards what he hoped was finally a new beginning. Then, he quietly walked out of the room and into the war room in building across the street. He needed to check on the war front, as he had just lied to the people of his nation. They had no returning Emperor, and they had not defeated the enemy. Not yet. The son would return he said, but only as the Emperor of a united nation. Tarver Lewis hoped that he would unite the people.
Victor was defeated. He had managed to escape to the inner city of Cartelle, but he knew that his will was lost. He sat alone in the room that had spawned this entire endeavor, thinking back to what went wrong. If only he could figure out where he messed up! Oh then he would rule the nation as their Emperor. He couldn’t think straight, his eyes bleary with lack of sleep. Cartelle would be waking soon. He would address the people of Cartelle. They had immediately backed Victor Von Famous. He only hoped that they would back him once more. No army had ever entered the city of Cartelle, as it was deemed a holy city. If he could stop the army outside, he would win a small piece of the ensuing war. If only…