It was raining.
Water poured from the dark, heavy clouds endlessly. Thunder boomed and a far off lightning strike ripped through the dreary sky ominously. The entire kingdom was shrouded in misty gray.
Oswald personally found the endless downpour fitting for the occasion. It seemed to him that even Mother Nature wept for his father's death. His father, emperor of Pandora, Glen Revis Baskerville, 1st of his name. The sharp-witted, genius strategist-general that led their kingdom to prosperity and beat back the Abyss Empire. But to Oswald and his sister, Lacie, he would always be "Daddy." And now, after the mourning period, his brother-in-law, Jack Vessalius, would become the new Emperor of Pandora, just as his father had requested before he passed away.
One month earlier
Oswald strode through the corridor to his father's room. His footsteps echoed in the stone hallway, sending the servants scurrying back to the kitchen. Oswald wrenched open the heavy doors, Jack and Lacie following hot on his heels as he marched in.
The large canopy bed dwarfed the thin, old emperor. It was painfully apparent that he was wasting away. However, his sharp blue eyes still commanded obedience.
"Come on over," Revis said softly.
Oswald walked over to the bed, albeit a little slowly, and Jack and Lacie took it as a cue to walk over as well.
"Sit," he murmured fondly.
They quickly arranged themselves around the emperor, taking up their usual spots with Oswald sitting on the chair to the right, Jack to the left and Lacie sitting on the bed. They moved easily, as if the emperor's room were their own.
The king studied his children. "I am old," he said after a while.
Oswald tensed up. This could not be happening now.
Revis sighed. "I will be leaving you soon. I wish I could stay longer," he said wistfully. "I will miss you."
Lacie flinched slightly and Jack reached out to grab her hand for comfort. Oswald wanted to run far away, to deny that his father, his FATHER, was saying these words, but he could not move a muscle.
"Oswald," Revis said, jolting Oswald out of his trance.
"Father, I-," Oswald choked out.
"It is alright, my son. My precious, beloved son. This is an inevitable event in every person's life. It is simply my time. You have become strong and mature beyond your years. Oswald, I am so very proud that of you. I can see my intelligence in you," the emperor said, smiling. Next, he turned to Jack.
"Although you and I, we are not tied by blood, I love you as if you were my own child. You are brilliant and kind. I could not be any more blessed to have such an amazing son," Revis said. "I believe that, together, you, Lacie and Oswald will become stronger. I believe in all of you." Finally, he turned he gaze to Lacie.
"Lacie."
She looked up quickly, unshed tears glimmering in her eyes.
"You are strong in ways no one else could ever be," the emperor said. He started speaking faster. "You must stand tall and keep your chin up. Support your husband and your brother. Smile for your people. They rely on you. Be the light in their lives, Lacie," he finished.
She nodded tearfully.
"Good." The emperor coughed sharply. In an instant, they were all by his side, supporting his frail body as he hacked up brilliant red blood. "Sit back down! I am fine!" the old emperor said hoarsely as he waved them away. They backed off and returned to their original spots, but not before they had given him a quick onceover.
Revis sighed. Suddenly, Oswald could see each and every wrinkle on his father's face. The old emperor looked haggard and worn. His too skinny frame was hunched over, and his eyes were starting to lose their glint. It was terrified Oswald to no ends.
"Jack," the emperor said solemnly.
Jack sat up straighter. "Father," he responded softly.
"You will be the next emperor."
Everyone stiffened and turned to look at Oswald. Jack looked shocked and confused, Lacie was tense and anticipating her elder brother's reaction. Oswald was confused. His mind replayed his father's words over and over again. Why would his father pass over his eldest son? Was he not good enough? What did Jack have that he didn't? Why?!
The answer came to him like a shock of cold water. The people loved Jack. They did not trust Oswald with his cold, reserved demeanor. He knew that the people could not comprehend him. After all, Oswald was not the one that tried to understand the people's problems. Jack had always been the more outgoing one of the trio.
"Oswald?" Lacie prodded worriedly. He snapped out of his daze to look at his father and Jack.
"I support your decision, Father. Jack will become a magnificent emperor," he said confidently.
His father smiled happily, although it was a bit strained. "I knew that you out of all the people would definitely understand my decision. You are a good brother, Oswald, and I know you will help Jack in any way that you can," the emperor said. Oswald could hear the pride in his father's voice.
"Yes, Father," responded Oswald. Lacie relaxed minutely and smiled.
"You may go," Revis said tiredly. The conversation had taken a lot out of him and they could see the strain in his eyes.
Oswald carefully guided a still shell-shocked Jack away. Lacie made to follow the two men but paused to gaze upon her father. The emperor sat straight-backed, staring out the window at something that Lacie could not see.
One hour later, the church bells tolled their death knell.
Author's Note
Hi, this is sho-kun the lion. Thanks for reading my first fanfic. I have no idea if you guys want me to continue this so please kindly read and review! Feel free to PM me or something and no flamers, please.