"We have gathered here today on behalf of our great Lord Tyrannus, who earlier has uncovered a great snake in the prosperous garden that is the new Iyan. It has been revealed that Luxuria Basileus, the Ultimo Luxuria, is guilty of treason. In a time as precarious and fragile as this, the only option is a complete elimination of the threat. Therefore, on this day, the Luxuria Basileus will be executed!"

Praedicare's words rang out through the courtyard with the weight of an iron hammer. Clad in heavily ornate skull armor, Tyrannus stood on a rounded balcony with the Ultimo Superbia and Avaritia at his sides. They overlooked a barren but powerful stage, one with a masked Ira standing beside a wooden block. Around the stage there stood crowds of demons that held expressions of stern disapproval and mild fear.

Due to his earlier fight with Tyrannus, Tetsuda stood alongside his fellow incubi, many of whom had shed more than a few tears when the news of assembly was announced earlier. Tetsuda hadn't cried, however—he'd seethed. Strict laws were one thing, but killing Basileus—Basileus of all people...it had taken all of his strength to remain silent.

A finger grazed Tetsuda's hand, and he looked over to see Hirokan beside him. "When did you get here?"

"I've been here the entire time. What's wrong, Tetsuda?"

"Everything," he said. "Basileus hasn't done anything wrong. He was just caught at a bad time. I could've saved him, too, but Praedicare and Rapax were there, poisoning his mind with their lies."

"Keep your voice down," Hirokan whispered. "That type of talk will get you killed."

Tyrannus's voice rang out before he could reply. "Bring out the prisoner," he ordered.

All eyes turned to a tunnel with a metal gate that slowly creaked its way open. Out came two Ira wearing masks, and between them trudged Basileus. He was completely nude, and his body was covered in bloody welts. His hair had been ripped from his skull, and on closer inspection, it became apparent—painfully, for most incubi present—that he'd been castrated.

The Ira manhandled Basileus up to the stage, then threw him to his knees. His head bashed into the block, but his beaten state prevented him from moving from the spot.

"Does the prisoner have any final words?" Praedicare asked.

Basileus opened one eye and just barely tilted his head up to Tyrannus's balcony. "You're making a mistake, Tyrannus," he said. "Don't do this. You know me."

"I know you're a traitor," Tyrannus hissed.

"I've been with you since before Jousin fell!" he snapped. "I helped you overthrow Tairo centuries ago! I'm part of the reason why Naiyan even existed!"

"You've been disgraceful to me since the very start."

Tetsuda's eyes narrowed, but now in thought. He knew Tyrannus had been saying a lot of odd things recently, but that...Tyrannus spoke of offense, but never disgrace. In fact, that almost sounded like...Tairo…

"Tetsuda?" Hirokan whispered. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head slowly but said nothing.

"Kill him," Tyrannus ordered.

"Tyrannus!"

The axe dropped, and so did his head.

Tetsuda's eyes remained fixated on Tyrannus the whole time. The demonic king wore a wide grin that revealed somewhat yellow teeth, and his eyes were alight—and one was green.

"Tetsuda," said the ginger incubus next to him. "Tetsuda!"

"He's not himself," he muttered. "That's not Tyrannus. I know it's not…"

"Let this be a lesson that all of you may learn," Tyrannus said. "Dissent against your king, and you will perish. If I don't make sure of it, someone else will. The new Iyan is no place for the weak. As such, I've another announcement to make. The boil now lanced, only a lack of leadership stands in the way of your success. But that will not last long. I've been considering this for quite some time, and now that Basileus is dead, I can finally appoint a new Ultimo Luxuria." His eyes shifted to the incubi. "Tetsuda."

Murmurs questionable and scornful drifted through the incubi, and all eyes shifted to Tetsuda. He stared forth with wide eyes, and the only thing keeping his mind from shattering was the truth he'd just uncovered. He knew exactly what had occurred, and he kicked himself for not realizing sooner. Maybe he could've done something, helped somehow…

"Well?" Tyrannus asked. "We're waiting."

Tetsuda held Tyrannus's gaze, and despite the thousands around him, he felt alone in the world. Nevertheless, he felt empowered, and he shook his head.

"No," he said. "I won't do it."

Tyrannus tilted his head to the side. "No?"

"No. I won't accept your offer. And I won't accept you! You're not my king! You never will be!"

"Tetsuda—"

"Get out," he hissed. "Get out of his head!"

Tyrannus flinched, but he quickly narrowed his eyes. "I see. I knew I was wrong about you. I hereby exile you from my kingdom!"

"It was never yours to begin with, Tairo," he muttered.