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Writer's pictureJeevan Pranay

20:41 - Chapter 1: Downfall

Updated: May 19, 2022

The middle of the night. Black District, sector 4. Known for the black market and illegal transactions. The main road. From the left enters a man whose right hand glows in a yellow flame, and from the right, enters another man whose left hand glows in a white flame. The flames being the only source of light in that pitch black setting revealed only the hoods of the two men, and their eyes: Eyes as bright as the flame itself, the man from left approached with such ferocious yellow eyes. A small chuckle. The man from the right, whose eyes shone red, redder than blood, but bright, very very bright, now started to run towards the approaching man. Both men came to clash at the centre of the road, their movements so swift and precise that only their eyes and flames left a faint trial trail of glowing light. After much of a clash, the two men separate, only to ready themselves for the final blow.

"It's a pity. It truly is, this final showdown. It could have been avoided if you only headed my words that day, as we parted ways from our Master. It is unfortunate that you must die this way, by my hands, old friend." [Man with the yellow flames: with a calm and composed tone, hinting aggression very subtly in his words.]

"Oh is that so? Didn't it occur to you this would be inevitable someday, when you chose to go to the Yellow District, instead of accompanying me to the White District? In fact, I should be killing you, for you acted against Master's wish for us to go to the White District. YOU ARE THE TRAITOR!" [Man with the white flames: his entire tone filled with rage, almost thundering his last words]

Both men, start to dash towards each other. As both the flames meet one another, a huge explosions results, destroying everything within a few miles of impact. As the smoke clears amidst some wood of nearby buildings falling off, a faint yellow glitter can be seen. The man with the yellow flames emerged victorious.

"The White District needed an heir, for the king to pass down the throne. The Yellow District needed help, someone to show them hope, at the time of crisis. You ruled the White District, old friend. I, for one, rebuilt the entire Yellow District. Now , I reign as their king. I reign now as the Yellow King.! But you, the White King, seeing that a constructing area won't be a challenge, looted from the Black and Green Districts. You chose the way of a tyrant after your king died. I chose the way of a saviour, even if it meant going against Master's wish. As a neighbouring king, I couldn't see your people suffer. So, I had to claim your throne too. Goodbye, old friend." [Yellow King: with a rather undercut tone]

Just as the Yellow King was about to leave, leaving the White king to die, a dagger is stuck up his back, right near the stomach, the White King's hand extending from his fallen body.

"Erg- *coughing* ARG-!" [The Yellow King: groaning in pain]

Due to excess blood loss, the Yellow King collapses to ground, barely able to keep his eyes open, as he sees the flame on his hand being extinguished.

"You, HAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU, couldn't bear to see MY people, SUFFER? HAHAHAHAHA! So you decide to claim my throne and what? You expect me to play along? Die, as you kill me? NO! OFCOURSE NOT! I want the power. The absolute power that comes from combining the two flames! I WANT TO BE THE SUPREME RULER! *panting* From this day forth, this island nation shall only know three districts: Black, White and Green. I will take over the Yellow District and merge it with the White! I alone, NO ONE ELSE but me, shall rule over the entire island nation, the ENTIRE ISLAND NATION OF LEVAIATHAN!" [The White King: his eyes filled with monstrosity, his expression filled with greed]

The White King proceeds to toy with the Yellow King's body as he ignites the Yellow flame in his right hand. With a nasty smirk on his face, he combines the two flames, which results in a magnificent CRIMSON flame.

At the same time, each torch behind the throne of each king, which originally shone the colour of their Kings' flame, now turns Crimson, in both kingdoms. The barrier separating the two districts suddenly vanishes. The changes are yet to be observed by the citizens of now, one new humungous district.

As the White King proceeds to leave, he witnesses something strange. The body of the Yellow King began transforming into his teenage form, seeing that his flame had been extracted and vitality, almost reduced by three-quarters.

"Ah! Such eagerness to help. To make lives better for people. You were always the good guy, Noctilius. It's just that your 'rather emotionless and monotonous tone' that made you look like the bad guy. If you so truly care to keep your subjects happy, return as a king! I presume that you are not dead. Your body became that of teenager because your vitality depleted. Grow up again! And Face me again once you regain your power and vitality! If you do, we will have another showdown, the truly ultimate showdown!" [The White King: cuffing at the Yellow King, Noctilius' now teenage body]

The White king, or now, the newly crowned Crimson King of the new White District, which at the start to the new day will be renamed to Crimson District, left with Noct's body as dawn broke, marking the beginning of a new day and new reign for the Crimson King.

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Welcome to the island nation of Levaiathan. A prosperous nation surrounded by water, which acts as a natural defence against its rich technology and advancements. The entire nation of Levaiathan is divided into four Districts.

The Green District, home to Levaiathan's knowledge and research, and the hub of information and technology. This district houses all the schools and colleges, research centres, laboratories, auditoriums and museums. All supplies and materials required for a students' education is available in supermarkets in this district. With large institutions taking their stand in this district, it is the most advanced district. With flyovers, thunder-rails and 6 lane roads, this district houses some of the best schools and institutions and also, the best greenery ever seen in Levaiathan. This district is also the home for the Empire Tower, which serves as the headquarters for the Government of Levaiathan.

The Yellow District, the most prosperous district, and regarded the most beautiful district of the four, is a true paradise. With a modern touch, this district is home to the software and e-commerce sector. With tall skyscrapers and beautiful glass buildings everywhere, this sector houses the most talented engineers, both hardware and software, and wealthy businessmen, whose valuable work keeps the entire nation prosperous. The Yellow District is known for its most beautiful skyscraper, surrounded by parks and fountains, which in view, is a true beauty to grace. This skyscraper, named 'Aelos Tower', is the palace of the Yellow King, who resides in the 28th floor. Recently rebuilt to its current beauty, this district was under the reign of the Yellow King: Noctilius.

The White district, a well-known district for its heritage and culture, is the tourists' spot of Levaiathan. Each building in this district has a historical touch and naturally, is the house to the most famous historians, artisans and architects. A site of heritage and culture, this traditional districts houses the most beautiful palace ever seen, the Proteus Fort. This palace serves as the residence of the White King: Merodach, or Mero, for short.

The Black district is the place of all dark activities. Although home to the esteemed Police Services and The Bureau Of Investigations, this district is also known for the black market and some illegal transactions. Though not illegal, the black market houses some of the deadliest and scary objects on sale too. The Black and the Green districts are only ones to be outside the control of the kings, managed by the Government of Levaiathan, initially set up to govern the educational system.

The police and BoI work in association in with the Kings of the two districts, who have entire control of affairs and systems in their respective districts. All inter-district commerce takes place under the governance of the Government. This is only thing the Kings' cannot exercise their power on.

Each district is again subdivided into 4 sectors, and each sector has its own speciality, with sector 3 in each district being the sector for household supplies and essentials.

Sectors 1 and 4 house the specialities of each district. Sector 2 is the medical sector, the Green District being an exception, because each institution has its own medical ward. Instead, sector 2 of the Green District houses the famous Centre for Nanoscience and Enzyme technology. Additionally, sector 4 also houses 'Gracia', which provides accommodation for every single student hailing from around the entire island country. It is required that students stay away from their houses and stay in the Gracia for their education. The student may visit their parents during vacations and festivals.

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[Lady reporters voice on the television news, "The New Dawn" program] "Welcome to the live event, a merger of the Yellow and White districts, now being renamed as the Crimson District! It's new king, The Crimson King: Merodach, who emerged victorious in the fight that ensued between the two kings, Nocitlius and the Crimson King, will now rule over the entire mega-district, the new Crimson District. Yes, the Crimson District is now being called the mega-district, both due to its size and population! We now have with us, President Eldridge, who will give us more details on this event!"

[President Eldridge on news] "Yes, thank you Melinda. In light of recent events, the government has agreed to the merger of the Yellow and White districts, as the Yellow King has fallen in a duel that ensued between the Yellow King and the White king. Stripped of his powers and reduced to a mere teenager, the government sees no benefit in a mere 19 year old boy, without any power ruling the district. Hence the district has been handed over to the White King, who upon extracting and absorbing the Yellow King's flame, is now being crowned as the Crimson King, of the new Crimson mega-district."

[Melinda, again, on the news] "Thank you President. We now also have with us, our new Crimson King: Merodach, who has agreed to grace us with his presence upon the press' request!"

[Merodach on news] "Ah yes. Welcome, my beloved citizens, to the newly crowned Crimson mega-district! As it has been told, that brat Noctilius has lost in a duel with me last night. He has lost all his powers, and I say so because I stabbed him with his own magic weapon, the weapon only the King can summon. I stabbed him with his own dagger. He is now being treated in the medical district of the former Yellow District. Upon healing, he will be enrolled to the 'Advanced Nurturing Highschool' as a 12th grader. He has an open challenge, to come fight me at any time. If he wins, I promise to give him the entire Crimson mega-district and leave Levaiathan for eternity! And also, all expenses of Noctilius will be borne by the government. Isn't that right, Eldrigde?"

[President Eldridge on news] "Ah….. yes yes. Ofcourse."

[Merodach on news] "If that is all, I'll take my leave!"

[Melinda on news] "Thank you, great sirs. And now with this, we conclude our today's program, "The New Dawn"!

As the news reporter finishes the sentence, the television is switched off.

[A little girls voice] "This is not good. I didn't expect the Yellow King to be defeated ever! He was such a caring person and a gentleman. He also was the strongest king to ever rule the Yellow District. I didn't ever think he would be defeated."

[Another girls voice] "Oh come on Clarissa! Don't be such a weep! Look on the bright side! We get to study with him! He's soooo handsome! I can't wait to meet him!" And with this she melts on the thought of Noctilius. "Will he be even more handsome now that he's younger and all? AAAHHH! I just can't wait!!"

[Clarissa] "There you go again, Parvati, day-dreamin' all about the Yellow King! Oh, and, we only have a week before the term starts, so we better get packing. Hey Arjun, you've always wanted to be just as great as the Yellow King. Now, we all get to study along with him! How do you feel about that?"

Just as Clarissa finishes her question, an arrow comes swooshing by, almost close to her, and hits the target board on the wall in the bullseye.

[Arjun] "Well, I'm not particularly excited, but now that he's gonna be our classmate, I can ask him to train me so that I can become just as strong as him!"

[Clarissa] "Well, for one, you've become adept at archery. All you need to do is hone your body and mind."

[Parvati] "Weeellll, I think you're already as good as my dear Noct, Ar. But you'll never be as cool as him! AWWWW I just CAN'T wait to meet HIM!!!!"

[Arjun] "My name itself is short. You don't need to shorten it even more by calling me 'Ar'!"

[Clarissa and Parvati: in unison] "It's soo cute calling you that! Plus, the way you get flustered when we call you 'Ar' is adorable!"

[Arjun: flustered] "Whatever. Alright, head back home you guys. We need to get packing!"

[Clarissa and Parvati: in unison] "Sir, yes sir!"

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Meanwhile in sector 2 of former Yellow District. As the news program "The New Dawn" is airing, Noctilius regains his consciousness. His personal assistant and best friend, Marcus, attends to him.

[Marcus] "Ah, at last. It's so good to see you awake, lord Noctilius."

[Noctilius: barely able to talk] "What are you doing here, Marcus? Why aren't you at the Aelos Tower? And I've always told you to call me Noct.

[Marcus] "Well, Noct, you lost to Mero. And they've unified the two districts. It's called the Crimson mega-district. And Mero is the new Crimson King.

Marcus points towards the news on the hospital television.

[Noctilius] "Oh, that's what happened. He gained the power he wanted at last."

[Marcus] "Seems so. Anyways, how are you doing? Mero said that you lost your power…… Is that true?"

Just as Marcus says so, Noctilius conjures the Yellow flame in his right hand.

[Marcus] "What-? Didn't you lose your powers? Then are we fighting back as soon as you are ok?"

[Noctilius] "Calm down Marcus. We won't be fighting back yet. I've always wanted to learn archery, but to be the Yellow King, it is important that I know how to handle a dagger, since it is passed down from king to king. So I had to practice that. Now, I want to learn archery too. Just like Mero said, I'll attend school as a 12th grader. Let him think I've lost my power. I'll integrate the usage of arrows and daggers and develop a new style of combat.

[Marcus] "Yes, it is the magic weapon of the Yellow King, the dagger pair passed down from the previous king to the new during coronation. But there is catch……"

Marcus shows the blood stained dagger with which Noct was stabbed.

[Noctilius] "Is that-?"

[Marcus] "Your daggers."

Noctilius carefully examines the dagger. After close inspection, Noct smiles and burns the dagger under the Yellow flame. The dagger burns to nothingness in an instant.

[Marcus] "A fake?"

[Noctilius] "Yes." And he conjures the original pair out of thin air. He burns it again under the flames. But this time, the flames didn't leave a scratch on the pair of daggers. "See?" "I will do whatever it takes to come back to power and protect this country. But first, I want to attend school, that I missed attending during my childhood while training with Master. This is a second chance for me, Marcus. Surely it is."

[Marcus] "Yes. Definitely a second chance to change that monotonous tone of yours."

Noct growls at first, but then gives a fist bump to Marcus before collapsing again.




{NOTE: This work is purely fictional. Any resemblance of any characters or concepts mentioned in the story is completely unintended. This is a fictional story.}

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