It must have been destiny, for his son to bear the brand.
It must have been destiny, for his son to be sent away.
It must have been destiny, to meet on the battlefield like this.
Rudolph watched Alm direct his troops that took his every command. Pride swelled in his breast. He was every bit a commander as his father, who likewise could command troops as easily as Alm did.
"Rudolph?!" Alm cried, finally spotting him observing from the ramparts. "You waged war on Zofia! You broke the sacred pact that Duma and Mila made all those centuries ago!"
Ah. So he was aware of that.
Rudolph doesn't respond, waiting to see how his son would react to his silence. There was none, aside from a glare.
The battle waged on in the castle courtyard. His soldiers and All's soldiers fought ceaselessly, both grappling for an advantage in the penultimate battle.
"Sir!" One of the rookies in his squad gaped at Rudolph's inaction. "W-Why won't you fight? The others... They're fighting! And dying in your name! Why?!"
There was a ripple of unease amongst the squad following his words. Indeed, it was rather... Cowardly, especially by Rigelian standards, to sit back and let others fight for them. Hell, even the lords would fight amongst their soldiers at least.
Coward rippled through the soldiers as they shifted in discomfort. Rudolph wouldn't fight these pesky Zofians. He could easily crush them, if he wanted to. He was the strongest man alive, being Emperor for this long. He served loyally under Duma. He slew Mila. There was nothing that could stop him.
Rudolph paused, letting his soldier's words sink in. Was he truly a coward, for not fighting in this battle? The one that meant the fall of the Rigelian Empire of he were slain?
No, he reminded himself. Rigel will not fall. Alm is meant to survive. If I interfere, humankind will never cast off the shackles of the gods. Even if I must die by my son's blade, he will be the next Emperor in my stead.
He doesn't say anything, but his silence is enough to stop the muttering. It was for the greater good. This needed to happen.
Alm cut through the ranks, brandishing the Royal Blade at his father.
"Rudolph! Die!" Alm screams, jumping upwards and slashing down. He blocks the attack, but doesn't counter like he normally would.
Rudolph's squad mobilizes, but All's forces close in on them, distracting them and drawing them away.
Smart, he nods in quiet approval.
Alm aims for yet another slash, this time, cutting through his armor. And yet, he still refused to fight back. He watched his son, pain sparking in his chest. He shouldn't have to do this. But it's the only way.
"Why...? Why won't you fight back?!" Alm demands. "Fight back, you coward!"
Rudolph closes his eyes in response.
"I'm sorry," was lost in the din of the battlefield. "It shouldn't have come to this, but it is for the greater good."
Alm continued to rain slash after slash down on the weary Emperor. With a final stab, his blade sliced through the iron of Rudolph's armor, causing him to stagger back and crumple. Alm panted, kneeling by the older man.
"You did well, my son." Rudolph breathed. Alm visibly recoiled.
"S-Son...? Y-You... I killed-" Alm shook his head. "N-No. Rudolph never had children."
Rudolph only shook his mighty head. "Your name... Your full name... Is Albein 'Alm' Rudolph. You are destined for great things, son. I believe in you."
Before Alm could interject, Rudolph raised his gloved hand and rested it on his head, just like he had always wanted to. Pain surged through his being, but he could not tell if it was his heart breaking or the wound in his stomach.
"F-Father...?" Alm whispers, tears starting to well up in his eyes.
"My son. I am so proud of you." He could feel energy leaving his body as he uttered the words. "You are the finest of Rigelians. You have done your country proud."
A tear rolls down his cheek and into his beard, though it was a happy one. "I am thankful that... I may see you again, though the circumstances were dire.
"Thank you."
With a final, shuddering breath, the great Rigelian Emperor fell.
