The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 31: Melancholic Feeling ()

"Askel Vance Niolen, honored by the creator as warden of the Ethereal domain, none has proven more worthy."

"With the Creator’s gaze upon us, you are crowned the 21st Alpha King of the Ethereal domain, the Alpha of Alphas and the King of Wolves, may your reign last and flourish under the Creator’s gaze." The High Oracle declared in a tone of reverence, his head bowed low.

For the first time in centuries, each part of the crowning ritual had proven it’s true meaning and even the ritual of the blood gems that had been taken for formality had now revealed itself once again.

After the glow of the blood gems had dissipated, the High Oracle’s voice had taken on a tone that could only be described as worship as he voiced the words of the crowning ritual with vigor.

The High Oracle’s voice sounded distant to Askel as he professed the final parts of the crowning ritual.

Askel had opted out of swearing an oath or making a vow, although this was highly inappropriate as the Alpha King’s oath was a right of propriety for the crowning ceremony,

Yet none were surprised by Askel’s decision, one could say the Ethereal Alphas already expected this.

Askel had never been a man of many words and all in the Ethereal domain was clear on this,

Many Alpha Kings before him had uttered refined words and made honorable promises and truly each were honorable men yet when the topic of honor was spoken of, how many could measure up to Askel Vance Niolen?

Askel believed no oath or vow was more solid than the blood he had and was willing to shed for the Ethereal domain,

If his words could not speak for him, the battles he had fought and the peace and honor he had brought to the Ethereal domain spoke much louder.

Askel’s hand dripped with blood from where he had slashed it open with his claw, this was Askel’s only response when he had been asked to give his oath, it was a silent vow and truly no words had needed to be spoken.

Askel had fought and bled for the Ethereal domain from his childhood, none in the Ethereal domain could deny this.

From the purging of the rogues terrorizing borders, to the battle against the dark witches, to facing attacks from demons and demon wraiths,

While other heirs had remained in the comfort of their palaces, having no prove of their worth save for their Alpha bloodline and natural dominance,

Askel had stood at the forefront of each battle, he had proven his worth by his canines and claws, his fur soaked in blood and with his wit and ferocity, he had always prevailed even when many believed he would not.

Askel’s actions had stirred the hearts of the Ethereal Alphas, bringing to their memory the great feats of Prince Askel Vance Niolen,

Although not many had been honored to battle at Askel’s side, the few who had were convinced beyond doubt,

A shifter who had long earned their respect and loyalty, Askel had been respected and revered in the Ethereal domain before he had done the unexpected, disobeying the orders of his father the Alpha King and leaving the Ethereal domain.

The reasons for Askel’s departure was never made known and it became a general conclusion that it was merely the tantrums of a young wolf yet to grow into adulthood and having no inclination as to the grave responsibility he had been born with.

With no one to tell them otherwise and Askel uncaring of popular opinion, this new realization had come as a great disappointment to the Ethereal Alphas who had counted on him to become their leader,

Wolf shifters were a fiercely loyal and tight knit specie and with Askel’s act of insubordination, the respect and reverence attached to his name had dwindled and even his great achievements as the Royal Lycan prince were forgotten.

Yet now, as Askel stood before them, in the eyes of the Ethereal Alphas, they could clearly see a man of honor, worthy of every prestige his bloodline granted,

As they stared at him, the hearts of the Ethereal Alphas were overwhelmed with loyalty, there was just something about his calm, imposing bearing and his steady and firm aura or the raw dominance he exuded,

There was just something about him that had everyone within the throne room feeling privileged to be in the same room as he was and breathe the same air that he did, honored to be graced with his presence and submit to his dominance, blessed to have him rule over them.

The gazes of the Ethereal Alphas shined with new found understanding as all doubts, envy and reservations of those present flitted away, replaced by unyielding loyalty and willing submission.

All within the throne room watched with bated breaths, awaiting that moment the Ethereal King of Wolves would take his seat upon his throne, thus marking the beginning of his dynasty.

Meanwhile Askel stood in the midst of it all, somewhere in his mind, he registered that it was now time to take his seat on the Ethereal throne.

Yet at that moment, Askel could not help but hesitate momentarily, not out of reluctance but rather a melancholic feeling gripped his ever cold heart.

The Ethereal throne stood in all it’s regal glory, imposing and domineering to the world yet as Askel stared at it, his heart was filled with a cold and lonesome feeling.

Askel could feel the eyes of all the Ethereal Alphas on him as he gazed down at the throne, the seat of power of the Ethereal domain.

He could sense their excitement and anticipation, he could feel their respect and reverence,

Askel had not doubted for a moment that he would be able to win back the loyalty of the Ethereal Alphas, all along, Askel’s conflict had always been with his ownself.

The weight of the Ethereal diadem placed on his head was strange and unfamiliar to Askel and as he stared at the throne embedded with the most precious gemstones,

Although Askel had seen it many times before, it did not matter how much he looked at it, his heart only grew colder the more he stared.

Perhaps it was because Askel was hardly moved by anything in the first place, or perhaps it was because each glance at the Ethereal throne brought with it memories of the times his father’s imposing build had sat upon it.

Askel recalled his father’s chilling, hard gaze staring down at him from his throne, the dissatisfaction in his eyes clear as day and his unending harsh words and reprimands was forever imprinted in Askel’s heart.

Askel remembered clearly the aching pain in his knees when he would kneel before his father’s throne for hours that would then stretch into days,

Bruised and broken yet still hoping within his heart that when his father had calmed, he would allow Askel a warm smile or a comforting hug.

What Askel would have given to get even the barest gesture of warmth, the lengths he had been willing to go just to finally earn one look of approval from his father,

Askel would have done anything if it meant his father would see him as something other than a heir to be groomed and shaped,

And afterwards a rival who overshadowed his reign by achieving great feats and winning the love and loyalty of the Ethereal domain.

Yet even with this, Askel had kept his hope strong, with each day, he had done all he could to please the man he called his father,

It did not matter what was asked of Askel, or the pain or injustice he had to suffer, even when he did not approve of the methods or decisions, even when his feelings were never considered, still yet Askel obeyed

He did it all without question, not because he was docile in nature or unable to fight back, but because he was his father’s son and it was his duty to lighten his father’s burden in anyway he possibly could.

However it had not taken Askel too long to figure out the obvious, that amongst all his father’s burdens...he Askel was the greatest. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Askel was grateful, that he had realized it much sooner rather than later, he was glad that as young as he was, he had not allowed himself to live in self deception but had seen and accepted the truth for what it was.

Not many knew his father like Askel did, not many understood but Askel did, he had seen it in his father’s gaze whenever he bothered to even look at him.

It was not as though his father did not love him, it was only that there was something his father loved far more,

Between his only child and the Ethereal throne, Askel knew exactly which meant more to his father and it most certainly was not him.

Askel recalled his father had once told him that in the future, when he sat upon the throne himself, he would understand...

And so as Askel stared at the Ethereal throne, he wondered,

’Would he truly understand?’