Prologue
Departure
In the white city of Falador, in the highest room of the colossal White Knight's castle that stood strong above the the sparkling river that crossed through the city, stood the World Guardian, Saradomin, Commander Zilyana, Adrasteia, and a host of attentive White Knights that tended to the God and relayed commands that the God gave them.
The throne room was large enough to be a small building in it's own right, as it was meant to hold a large force and serve as a strategic command center in the times of a siege or war. It was vast and white, with marble pillars and sleek marble floors lined with blue and gold cloth rugs that were always spotless no matter the time or day due to several enchantments on the hall itself. Saradomin's pristine white marble throne stood twelve meters tall, embellished with the golden stars of it's owner, and even then it could do little to live up to the radiant presence of the God of Order Saradomin.
The White Knights that knelt next to the throne silently awaited any and all commands, giving the impression that they might in face be statues, but that was far from the case. Each of them were armed and ready for battle the moment the need arose. Though now, the somber atmosphere and silence filled the massive room. Aside from the rustling of Zilyana's white wings, the uncertain breaths of the God's daughter, and the faint whispering of divine energy from Saradomin, the hollow silence of anticipation echoed louder than any scream.
Then, Saradomin rose from his throne and spoke. His voice held an audible strain and a determined depth to it. Yet it wasn't booming or domineering. Instead, it was soft and reserved.
"The World Guardian has succeeded in his job. The Edicts are re-established and Zamorak is now gone" he said, with his divine gaze sweeping over those present before him.
Commander Zilyana spoke after it seemed her turn to speak had come. A satisfied look was openly shown on her delicate but firm face.
"Most of the demons have withdrawn to Forinthry. The stragglers are not causing us any trouble. Not that they could anymore" she spoke with mirth. A great enemy was removed, and she was there to witness history once again.
Saradomin spoke again, and Zilyana bowed her head, quickly becoming silent. He shrunk down to the size of a tall human and stood eye to eye with the World Guardian.
"The people of Gielinor have you to thank once more, the threat of the followers of Chaos has been diminished to near nonexistence with the loss of their God" He said, placing his hand on the shoulder of the World Guardian, who merely nodded and responded seriously.
"Of course. Zamorak has no place on Gielinor, sadly this is where we part ways as well" The world Guardian said, his blue eyes glistening with a soft sorrow that he had to banish Saradomin as well. As the world Guardian, no matter how much he personally wished to create a loophole or an exemption for his Lord Saradomin, he could not do such, for Saradomin had grown such in power that he had long eclipsed his old self from the God Wars.
The edicts would not bend, break, or be bypassed.
Saradomin spoke again, removing his hand from the World Guardian's shoulder. A tiredness lingering in his tone.
"Though this is a day for celebration, it is not without cost. The price for Zamorak's defeat is my own removal from this world. Already I feel it clawing at me. I can resist, but not for long" He spoke solemnly, before looking to his daughter, then to Commander Zilyana. His body flickered as green sparks of energy flashed across his body.
Zilyana screamed in disbelief and terror, practically grasping Saradomin in a desperate hold. She could not lose her God yet again.
"Kyrios! No!" She screeched in a desperate wail. She could not lose him again.
Saradomin gently extracted the Icyene from him and spoke to her in a firm tone.
"Restrain yourself, Zilyana. We concocted this plan with open eyes. It was my sacrifice, and my honour, to surrender ambition for the sake of my people" He spoke firmly. He would not go back on his word, nor would he try to fight the edicts much longer.
Zilyana, quickly realizing her misstep deeply bowed and apologized before speaking in a devastated tone.
"But without your leadership-" She trailed off, unable to comprehend how things would go from here on out without her God. Her Shining star. Her light.
Saradomin nodded softly.
"Indeed. Things will be challenging in my absence. It is vital therefore that we exercise a smooth transition of authority, beginning immediately" he finished calmly.
"Of cour-" Zilyana started, but was cut off by Saradomin.
"I have therefore selected Adrasteia to serve as Basilissa of the Kingdoms" Saradomin explained, looking with a warmth and love to his daughter.
"Father!" Adrasteia exclaimed loudly in shock, almost tumbling to the ground in her shock. She was caught by her father, who had applied a gentle telekinesis to right her again.
Commander Zilyana expressed her discontent with the absurd proclamation with a exclamation.
"But she is little more than a child! She hasn't even reached her thousandth year of age!" She expressed her discontent. She had expected a King or someone older than this child barely older than a twice the lifespan or so of a human. It was absurd.
"Hold your tongue, Strategos! You are speaking of my appointed successor. You will do so with respect" Saradomin's tone became dark, and the light of the surroundings seemed to darken with his mood, as if the very world bent to his whims.
Zilyana grit her teeth before calming and bowing silently.
"Of course, Kyrios. Your will be done" She said in submission. She had no choice in this. It wasn't that she wanted to be Basillissa, it was Moreso that this child had done very little other than study and train, and had only recently been saved from Zarosian imprisonment on a faraway planet by the Zarosian general Nex herself.
Adrasteia had gathered her composure and asked her father what he meant by this. She had never expected such an outcome.
"It is a calculated choice, my daughter. I do this not just for you, but for the good of the world, and beyond" he replied, explaining little.
Seeing that they needed further explanation he continued after a silence.
"You have been trained in statecraft by the finest tutors in New Domina" He spoke, addressing his daughter.
Adrasteia rebuked her father, still not understanding the wisdom of his decision at all whatsoever.
"One of the kings, surely, should come before me?" She asked, half expecting this to be some strange jest made by her father.
Saradomin just smiled, looking at his daughter with the care of the loving father he was. She was young and pious, but it also had somewhat sheltered her, and it was time she took her first steps in her journey without him.
"The kingdoms are nominally allies, but there are tensions, and this famine will only worsen them. Appointing any Asgarnian would alienate Misthalin and Kandarin. And alas, I cannot see the people of Gielinor pledging loyalty to any Icyene in my stead" He spoke, looking to Zilyana sadly.
"You are a veteran of another age, Zilyana, and your strength lies on the battlefield, not the royal courts or in the restricted, tedious, and underhanded manor parties of nobility" He explained with a heavy heart.
Zilyana accepted his words.
"You are wise, Kyrios" she spoke deferentially.
Then, Saradomin walked over to Adrasteia and pulled her into a gentle hug, speaking softly to her as he stroked her hair.
"Adrasteia, you are young, but you have surpassed me in wisdom, in courage, and perhaps most importantly of all, in empathy. You are human in a way I have not been for many millennia, and that will serve to your advantage in the difficult years ahead. Do not shy from your status as my daughter. Adopted you may be, but humans place great stock in bonds of family. Many will accept you without question on this basis alone" He finished, breaking the hug and stepping back.
Tears began flowing freely from Adrasteia's eyes as she spoke through soft sobs.
"Yes, Father" She said, sniffling and wiping away her tears that continued to fall.
Turning to Zilyana, Saradomin spoke softly.
"Zilyana, I expect you to serve your new Basilissa with the loyalty and fervour you would show to me. Guide her well and show her all that I have taught you until I return some day" Saradomin spoke, this time wincing as a violent green shower of sparks flashed from his chest.
Zilyana knelt and in her blue eyes could be seen silver tears that she desperately held within.
"Of course, Kyrios" she spoke, holding back a sob that had been building within her breast for quite some time.
Adrasteia, who still couldn't accept the situation struggled to get the words out.
"But I have so much still to learn from you, Father!" She lamented as she tried hard to resist the urge to cling to her father.
"Would that I had more time, my daughter. Place your trust in Hestia, in Zilyana, in High Priest Andronikos, in Archmage Sedridor, and in the World Guardian" Saradomin spoke, turning to the blonde man in his Elite Tectonic armor.
Then, he turned back to his daughter.
"You must organize a formal coronation in time, but I will make an official proclamation to ease this transition. I will speak to the people, but it will take the last of my strength" Saradomin spoke, taking a deep breath.
"Father, I-" Adrasteia objected.
"Rule with the conviction that I held, and the wisdom to which I aspired, Basilissa" Saradomin replied, growing several feet taller as divine power filled him.
Then with a voice that expanded out across the very planet, to every being that inhabited it he laid forth his declaration.
"People of Gielinor. The threat of Zamorak has been averted, but at a great price. To keep you safe from the Lord of Chaos, I must leave this world and battle him eternally in the planes beyond. My daughter, Adrasteia of Hallow, serves as Basilissa with my blessing. Show her the unswerving loyalty you have shown me, and our kingdoms will continue to prosper in unity.
Do not fear, for I have not abandoned you, nor will I ever.
Neither will my daughter.
Ever"
Then, a blazing green flame swallowed Saradomin, and he grit his teeth til it died down.
"It is done. I must go now" Saradomin spoke with sadness and sorrow as he looked to the stars above.
"FATHER!" "Kyrios!" Adrasteia shouted right as Zilyana shrieked in terror. The two no longer holding back, desperately jumping towards the God, only to be greeted by empty space as Saradomin disappeared from the world.
The edicts had done their job. Yet none in that silent throne room could find the result acceptable.