"Elections?"
Tetsuda nodded. "It'll be the best way to get a proper Factionry. The existing members will stand as is, but with Basileus dead and the executions of Rapax and Praedicare coming soon, we need leaders. Factionry members are in power until they're either dead or deposed, and deposition must be lawfully and judicially determined by the rest of the Factionry. That way there's at least some sense of order, rather than murder."
"And how would the voting go?" Regina asked.
Tetsuda shifted so he leaned against the stone banister overlooking what was left of the courtyard. The demons in good health or with minor injuries assisted each other in rebuilding the palace. Compared to the Suiyanic one, the place was pristine, yet Iyan was divided, and a broken palace ground would do little to fix it. He'd also sent out the other Ultimas to various parts of the nation to relieve the martial law, whether by force or by order. The Avaritia and Superbia would undoubtedly resist.
"Blindly," he said. "That way no one is swayed one way or the other. We'll determine specifics later on. For now, we'll leave the positions unfilled."
"And you?"
"What about me?"
"Exactly, what about you? With Basileus gone, we need another Ultimo Luxuria. You seem like the only one capable of filling the role."
"I don't know," he said. "I haven't—"
"Ultimo!" exclaimed a voice from inside.
Immediately, Tetsuda stepped back into the hallway. An incubus jogged toward him, expression urgent.
"Ultimo Tetsu—"
"Is he awake?" Tetsuda asked, gripping the incubus's shoulders. "And competent?"
"Yes. He woke up a few minutes ago. He seems a bit easily startled, though. He knocked over the medical—"
Tetsuda shoved him away and stomped toward Tyrannus's room. Following their fight, Tetsuda had rushed him to the palace and ceased the battle as cleanly as he could before having every living demon with medical experience treat Tyrannus's wounds. He hadn't been able to remain with the Ira for long, sadly, for governmental matters had occupied his attention almost immediately. Still, Tyrannus had always been there at the forefront of his mind, leaving him unable and unwilling to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time.
The door was ajar, and Tetsuda peered through to view a very confused Tyrannus sitting up in bed. Bandages covered various cuts, and bruises had predominantly replaced the redness of the formerly corrupted side, but he was still as beautiful as ever.
Tetsuda edged open the door before locking it tight. Tyrannus looked forward, his expression hesitant.
"Are you...real…?"
He nodded, a smile forming on his face. "Yes," he said, coming closer. Careful of his head wounds, Tetsuda wound his arms around Tyrannus's head and let warmth fill him. "And so are you."
"I...what happened?"
He pulled back and sat on the bedside. "What do you remember?"
"Well...nothing, really. Everything after defeating Tairo is hazy. It felt like I was hallucinating the whole time."
"There's a lot you missed. A little over a year's worth—most of it bad."
"Like what?"
Tetsuda spent the next few minutes explaining to him the past year, and throughout the tale, Tyrannus didn't look him in the eye, instead keeping his gaze fixated on his lap.
When Tetsuda finished, Tyrannus bit the inside of his cheek and whispered, "And Kanako? What about her?"
Tetsuda took Tyrannus's hand in his own and rubbed with his thumb. "She doesn't resent you. She loves you dearly, Tyrannus, and she knows you didn't mean anything you did."
"Still...I was a fool, Tetsuda. The Prima Ira told me I wasn't ready for a soul as powerful as Tairo, but...I didn't listen. I couldn't listen. I was too concerned with destroying him and I let it consume me to the point of that…" He gestured to the side. "...thing overtaking my mind and body."
"Yes, and that can't be changed. But it doesn't mean you're bound to that image forever. You're better now, and people know that. Once your physical health improves—"
"You don't understand, Tetsuda," Tyrannus interrupted. "I'm a poor leader in general. I'm selfish and prone to vengeance, to the point of letting my personal grudge against Tairo lead to two wars, universal domestic suffering, and my near-death. Suiyan's a cesspool, for fuck's sake! And Naiyan's just barely hanging on!" He rubbed his eyes and shook his head. "The only reason everything hasn't completely gone to shit is you." He met Tetsuda's eyes, his own shiny with tears. "You should be king, Tetsuda, not me."
"What?"
"Look at you! Alone, you've orchestrated a successful counterstrike against me, gotten the Prima Ira to assist you, and created a more competent system for the Factionry. Not to mention all you did in Ceniyan those years ago. Face it, Tetsuda, you're ten times the king I'll ever be. All I am is a beaten, tired Scortum."
"Tyrannus…" Tetsuda wiped his tears as they fell. "Don't say that. You've been a great king. You were able to create an entire nation that not only matched but exceeded one led by a 'proper' king, and you did it with a motley group of dissenters. All rulers go through rough spots in their reigns. This is yours."
"It's more than just a rough spot, Tetsuda, it's a disaster. Naiyan is fixable—despite all that's happened, they know and trust me as a ruler. But to Suiyan, I'm nothing but a dishonorable cancer who killed its king and obliterated the kingdom. And to me, it's a constant reminder of Tairo and my past. The people will never trust me, and I'll never consider them my own. Iyan will never be unified—not after all that's happened."
With a sigh, Tetsuda leaned closer and kissed Tyrannus with gentle lips. "Who said you had to do it all?" he murmured.
"What do you mean?"
He met Tyrannus's eyes firmly. "I do agree with you. Suiyan doesn't trust you and probably never will. But you don't have to unify them. Honestly, it's probably better in general to keep them separated. Culturally, they've evolved differently, even before Jousin and Tairo and you came into play. We could have two kings, just like before. Only this time, there won't be any feuds over honor or convention."
"How can you be certain?"
Tetsuda smiled. "You doubt my love for you?"
Hope sparked in his eyes. "You'll do it?"
Tetsuda nodded. "I have my doubts about how well I'll do, but...I can't deny what you've said about me. Not only that, but the Suiyanic people might see me as a...savior, we'll say. Or something like that. I'm extremely close to you, but that just means I won't let you hurt their nation any further."
Tyrannus chuckled softly. "You'll be an excellent king, Tetsuda."
"With you beside me, I can't imagine how I'd fail. Though...I do wonder about Ceniyan. They've been asking for independence for quite sometime, and—"
"We'll worry about that later." Tyrannus tugged on his wrist. "For now, lay with me. It feels like eons since I've felt your touch."
Tetsuda smiled and nodded. "Anything for you, my king."
