Since becoming an incubus, he'd always despised clothing, but now, as Tetsuda stood clad in a white robe before the full-length mirror, he felt content. At ease. Correct. It stretched to his ankles, and while a tad bulky, he felt powerful and free, as if the feelings in his still heart weren't from fear of making a fool of himself in front of the most powerful demons in Naiyan.
He stood in an antechamber to Tyrannus's throne room, and he'd been in there for nearly an hour. The preparation process had only taken about five minutes, but the other fifty-five were for Tyrannus, as he needed to "assemble the spectators." He doubted the king would speak for longer than a few minutes—he hated formalities, after all. Did that mean Tetsuda was holding up the ceremony? The ceremony Tyrannus had put together for him?
No, that wasn't it. Tyrannus said he'd send someone to retrieve Tetsuda to prevent him from injuring his fledgling reputation before it had a chance to take flight. So he was left to sit here, alone. Waiting.
Tyrannus had presented Tetsuda with the ceremonial artifacts a few hours ago, just as the perpetual sun darkened. It was crucial the ceremony be at night, he'd said, for the fountain of sludge within the throne room reached the zenith of his power. What that power had to do with Tetsuda, he did not know, but he did know the significance of the two items Tyrannus had bestowed upon him.
Hanging from his neck was an amulet, light grey in the casing and chain and white in the center gem. He traced his thumb over the amulet gemstone, the surface smooth and cold. Tyrannus would slice open Tetsuda's index finger and drip blood into a tiny hole within the gem, which would then change color based on the "state" of his blood. If it turned purple, red, or black, it meant he was noble, honorable, worthy of merit. Any other color, however, was dishonorable.
A rap sounded on the door. "It's time."
With a deep breath, he opened the door.
Clad in armor wholly uncharacteristic of him, Basileus stood in the doorway, a prideful, approving smile on his face. "You look like a virgin concubine," he chuckled.
"Such an interesting description…" He kept his eyes fixated on the floor, but Basileus forced their eyes to lock.
"Don't do that," he advised. "Go in strong and you'll come out strong. Some of the people in there will eat you alive, especially because you're young."
Tetsuda chuckled softly. "You sound so formal."
"Have to be. Lord Tyrannus would beat me otherwise." He smiled. "He believes in you more than he does anyone else—save for himself, anyway. You won't disappoint him. Not unless you really fuck up."
He nodded. "I understand. Lead me there."
Ten rows of pews stood in sets of two in the throne room, men on one side and women on the other. All eyes turned to Tetsuda when he entered with Basileus, who remained close behind him as he strode down the central aisle.
Wearing black robes with silver gems that suited him perfectly, Tyrannus stood before his throne upon the dais. His hands lay behind his back, and his citrine eyes seemed to glow as they locked on Tetsuda's form. He was beautiful, a bulwark of mystery and power…
"Halt," Tyrannus ordered.
Tetsuda stopped a foot before the dais.
"Kneel."
As if Tyrannus pressed upon his shoulders directly, Tetsuda knelt before him. Basileus remained standing.
"What is your name, Luxuria?"
"Tetsuda."
"And how did you receive that name?"
"You bestowed it upon me, my lord."
"Indeed, I did. Bestowed upon you your name, your knowledge, and, now, your title. You will become the leader of the territory called Ceniyan—a prince, essentially. A prince in whom I hold great faith. My faith is well-placed, is it not?"
"It is, my lord," Tetsuda affirmed.
"And what proof do you possess to uphold this otherwise vain claim?"
"The Ultimo Luxuria, Basileus."
"Does his word hold true, Ultimo Luxuria?"
"It does, Lord Tyrannus," Basileus affirmed. "He has the strength and ability of ten soldiers, and his skill far exceeds that of any I've seen at his age. He's made great use of Salutem captivation years before he should have developed the ability, and his Ultroneous captivation is developing well. I estimate he'll match or exceed fourth-level incubi in terms of ability in only a few years."
"And what is your view on his experience, do tell? Do you think it will be a hindrance on his ability to properly govern Ceniyan?"
"A bit," Basileus admitted. "But no leader comes into his position with all necessary experience. You were the same, were you not, Lord Tyrannus?"
A murmur circulated through the pews, and though his head remained lowered, Tetsuda could tell Tyrannus was smirking.
"Indeed, I was," he affirmed. "Though my circumstances were far different, the principle is the same." He lifted his head to address the crowd as a whole. "He's the sponsorship of the Ultimo Luxuria, yet each faction leader can attest to at least his combat ability. Very recently, he survived a torture pit of Homines Ignis without any long-withstanding injuries. No matter the resistance to my decision, none can deny that who'd been present at the time. Lift your head, Tetsuda."
The incubus did as told.
"You've the amulet?"
"I do, my lord."
"Wondrous. Rise and present it to me."
As he stood, Tetsuda removed the amulet from his neck and held it out for Tyrannus, who stepped down from the dais. He took the amulet from Tetsuda and withdrew a knife from the folds of his robe. Tetsuda offered his index finger, which Tyrannus sliced quickly and cleanly. Before the wound could close, a droplet of blood escaped and landed in the middle of the gemstone.
Instantly, the stone turned a dark maroon, and Tyrannus's smirk widened a tad. He stepped back up the dais and held up the amulet for all to see. "Maroon. The color of purity for demonic kind. Representing strength, morality, and responsibility. The color of a true leader."
He looked to Tetsuda once more as he stepped down from the dais. "Come, Tetsuda. It's time you're properly inducted."
Tetsuda had viewed the fountain in use only once, when Tyrannus had exited from there on Tetsuda's first day in Naiyan. The sludge within it had been grey, he recalled, but now it was a hair under black, and it appeared far thicker, almost struggling to escape from the top spouts.
"Remove your robe, Tetsuda."
With hands almost too eager, he untied the sash from around his waist and let the robe fall to the floor. From behind, Tyrannus placed the amulet around his neck.
"Step in and claim your power. If your soul is true, the gemstone shall protect you from all harm."
With a nod, Tetsuda took a mildly-hesitant step into the fountain. The sludge enveloped his foot, and through that foot drifted not cold stickiness, but warm tingles. He took another step, then another, and another until he was completely consumed, head to toe. Despite the blackness, he could see clearly, and around him were wisps of red, purple, and grey. As if on its own, his arm outstretched to a redone, which glowed bright at his fingertips. A stream of light shot up his arm, and he shuddered as his body warmed. His eyes drifted shut, and he tilted his head back, feeling as if he was floating upward…
He sucked in a breath as the sludge fell from about his head.
"You chose resilience," Tyrannus murmured into his ear from behind. "You've done well, Tetsuda, and you'll continue to do well. I know it."
