"Come, brother. We shall have a feast for your return."
King Augustus walked down the hall. His cape flowed behind him with each step. His boots echoed against the polished floor. The sound was rhythmic.
Aldrich followed. But his eyes were scanning everywhere. Taking note of everything. The architecture high ceilings with golden designs. The guards positioned at every corner, hands resting on sword hilts. The paintings on the walls depicting battles and kings long dead. The exits three that he could see. The weapons mounted as decoration swords, spears, axes. All within reach if needed.
Solomon's instincts were taking over.He spoke with his new tone. "A feast for your disappointment, Augustus?"
The king stopped walking. He turned his head slightly, not fully looking back. A small smile played at his lips. "How about we have this discussion over some wine and good meat, brother?"
Aldrich didn't answer. Instead, he walked past Augustus enough that their shoulders nearly touched a power move.
King Augustus chuckled. The sound was dark.Like he appreciated the game they were playing. He turned and followed a few steps behind.
They walked through corridor after corridor. Servants pressed themselves against the walls as they passed, bowing low. Eyes downcast. No one dared to look directly at the king. Or at the dead prince who had somehow returned.
After a while, they arrived at a massive dining hall. The doors were twenty feet tall. Made of dark wood. Carved with the Aurelius family crest a lion holding a sword.Two guards pushed the doors open.They swung inward with a deep groan.
The room beyond was enormous. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each one holding dozens of candles. Their light cast a warm light across everything, making the gold decorations along the walls shine. Tapestries hung between columns, depicting the history of the Aurelius bloodline. Battles won. Enemies defeated. Kings crowned.
At the center was a long table. Impossibly long. It stretched from one end of the room to the other easily fifty feet. Maybe more.
Two chairs sat at opposite ends. One for the king. One for his brother Aldrich. Between them, the table was covered with food. Roasted boar, its skin crispy and golden. Grilled chicken seasoned with herbs. Steaks still sizzling on silver platters. Whole fish garnished with lemon. Baskets of bread fresh, warm, the smell filling the room. Bowls of fruit grapes, apples, oranges. Wheels of cheese. And wine. Bottles upon bottles of deep red wine.
Everything a king's table would hold. And more.King Augustus walked to the far end and sat. His throne like chair was elevated slightly. A subtle reminder of who held power here.Aldrich walked to the opposite end. He sat down slowly. The distance between them was vast. Too vast for normal conversation. But that was the point.
This wasn't a meal between brothers. This was a negotiation. A game of chess played with words instead of pieces.Aldrich hadn't eaten since his arrival into this new world. His stomach was rumbling. Demanding for food. The smell of roasted meat made his mouth water. If his personality was the same as before the delivery driver from Earth he would have devoured the entire table without hesitation.
But with Solomon's personality, he was different now. Calm, composed and arrogant. A royal who didn't accept anything below high standards. Who saw eating as a necessity, not a pleasure. Who never showed weakness. Never showed hunger.
He ignored the food. Instead, he reached for a crystal cup. He poured wine for himself slowly. The red liquid filled the cup halfway. Not too much. Not too little.
King Augustus watched him from the other end. He smiled. Genuinely amused. "Drink up, little brother. It isn't poisoned."
He laughed. The sound echoed through the empty hall.But Aldrich's response was unexpected.
"You've done that several times and failed at it, haven't you?" Aldrich said. His voice was cold. Like a blade pressed against skin. He raised the cup to his lips. "I am beyond the likes who die by poison."
He took a sip. His eyes never left Augustus. Never blinked.The wine was good. Rich.But he barely tasted it.
King Augustus stopped laughing. His smile faded slightly. He coughed once. Quietly. Then he waved his hand toward the two women standing silently by the door. "Bechi. Mira. You are dismissed. I would like to have a word with my brother. Alone."
The two Royal Servants exchanged a glance. Bechi's hand had moved toward her sword. Mira's fingers had twitched toward her daggers. They had sensed the tension. The danger.
But they obeyed. They bowed low and exited through the doors. The heavy wood closed behind them with a deep thud.Now it was just the two brothers. Alone in the massive hall. Fifty feet apart. Staring at each other across a table covered in food neither of them was touching.
King Augustus stood up from his seat. He picked up his cup of wine. He walked slowly along the side of the table. His fingers trailed along the edge as he moved. Casual and Relaxed. But his eyes were sharp.
"Well," Augustus began. He raised his cup. "First, a toast."
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "To your cleaver technique. Still as dangerous as ever. Though maybe next time, before you behead people, think of the mess you'd be creating, yeah?"
He took a sip. Then his smile faded. His tone became more serious. More curious.
"And now," he said slowly, "I intend to know how you survived."
He stopped walking. He stood about twenty feet away now. But still not close enough to be threatening. "And most of all, I want to know how a royal a prince of the Aurelius bloodline ended up appearing in the Realm of Souls."
He tilted his head. "Care to explain, little brother?"
Aldrich didn't respond immediately. He just sat there. He took another slow sip of wine. He set the cup down gently. The crystal made a soft clink against the table.
Then he spoke. His voice was even. "I cannot be killed, Augustus. My strength is way beyond your comprehension."
He leaned back in his chair. His eyes locked onto his brother. "Now answer my questions. Where is Father? And why are you sitting on his throne? Where is everyone?"
The room went silent. The candles flickered. Shadows danced across the walls.
King Augustus stared at him for a long moment. Then he smiled. That same dark, amused smile. He took another sip of wine.
"You see," Augustus began, his voice casual, "I had to do things after your death. Make moves. Secure power. Eliminate threats."
He started walking again. Circling like a predator. "I've always admired the throne, you know. It was intended for you, of course. Father made that very clear. Solomon, the perfect son. Solomon, the war hero. Solomon, the future king."
He stopped walking. He looked directly at Aldrich. "But I wanted it for myself."
His smile widened. "And as for Father?" He shrugged. "He died. Tragic, really. But these things happen."
He spread his arms wide. Theatrical. Mocking. "And who else would be king but me? His only surviving son?"
He laughed. Loud. The sound echoed through the hall. Bouncing off the high ceilings. "Isn't that incredible, Solomon? We fought. You died. I killed Father to secure the throne. I eliminated anyone who might challenge me."
He walked closer. Ten feet away now. His golden earrings caught the candlelight. "I bet you'd say how impressive I am. How clever. How ruthless."
He raised his cup. "To family, right?"
Aldrich didn't respond outwardly. His face remained calm.He showed no emotion ,But inside his mind, chaos erupted.
This guy is a complete psycho. He just admitted to killing your father. He's laughing about it. He's insane.
And then, another voice responded. Not the system.but Solomon the other personality within Aldrich body.
"He has always been that way," Solomon's voice echoed in Aldrich's consciousness. Calm. "Augustus was always ambitious. Always hungry for power. I knew this about him. Which is why I could never bring myself to kill him when I had the chance."
What? Aldrich's thoughts were racing. What are you talking about?
"Listen carefully, Aldrich," Solomon said. His tone was serious now. "What I'm about to tell you changes everything."