2 Years Ago...

It was this fateful battle, where the Crimson Prince would have to fight the woman who has cared for him ever since the passing of his mother. The one who taught him to live. To laugh, no matter how hard the situation was. She was like a big sister to the young man.

When she had to leave the castle, Aeneas quickly returned to his old self. He was at the age where he truly needed family, but yet, no one was there for him. Even his father, whom was a good and reasonable man, was always away, for ruling a country takes responsibility and dedication. He only had his trusted friend, the one who fought with him.

And together, they had to take down Aeneas's Mother figure, for she, had her reasons to stand against him.

Ever since then, Aeneas always had the same old dead fish eyes. He could drink or train at any day, but the memory would never leave his mind. To lose 2 family members, even if one was not related to him...

They completed the pieces that constructed Aeneas's heart. To miss a piece was fatal to his mind.

Present Day

Aeneas remembered....and felt nothing but guilt. He wished he could have done something. He then recalls his real mother.

"I remember that day….years ago. My mother was killed by dragons... from the Empire. They wanted to eliminate the royal family...No, looking back, They probably wanted to take out my mother because of her influence and how close we were to peace and understanding. And thanks to that...They were able to halt so much progress. So much so that...I remember seeing that body, in the village too.”

Reinhardt knew what he was referring to, and had a horrid expression on his face. He then looked at Aeneas and asked, 

"Do you...hate Dragonkind for what they have taken away from you?"

Aeneas weakly chucked. "No...I don't hate anyone. How can I hate them? Did you already forget about Marida? The Empire is to blame for this...and thanks to that attack, The Public changed their stance here drastically on the Dragons. The majority of Dragonborns living in Calydon were sent back to the Forbidden Realm...What we saw was merely...one of many impacts it had on this world.

"The Forbidden Realm...My Ancestor Ashura’s so-called "Divine Law", "The Dragon-Siphon Decree"  gave birth to it over 3000 years ago. A law where Dragons and Humanity must be separated, and that the dragons will be sent to this realm where outcasts, unknown tribes, and others live. It's...pretty much seen as the underworld to all of us. She even established a harsh caste system, where it's designed to be impossible to see freedom. I have heard tales of some dragons escaping the Realm to different countries...some escaped here...Mother wanted that gone but..."

Aeneas then got up from his chair and started talking. After given the reality check, he was determined.

"The Dragons deserve their freedom. Mother, and Marida showed me that. Yet, knowing this, Our Citizens continue to hate blindly...and have forgotten really fast. It's so scary seeing how easy people forget."

Aeneas then got up and gave Reinhardt a hug.

"I'm so sorry for being so selfish...and Thank you for being here, for me. I...I was so scared coming here, in all honesty. Seeing my hometown after many years...feels different. Yet, I haven't forgotten what we saw...and I cannot. I won't forget what we had to do either last year. I won't let it happen again!"

"So, What do you propose we do to stop the Empire of Thabes?"

Aeneas then thought to himself, "Stopping the Empire...If that was really the Empire in that vision..."

"Mmm...I want to see if there's a way where no conflict is involved. I mean, sounds dumb, BUT...One thing is certain: There will be no war with the Empire," Aeneas then shook his finger in disapproval. "All of what they're doing is bad, Yes...But Listen..."

Aeneas then whispered his idea to his best friend, to which he then turned to him with a startled expression.

"You really came up with this just now?"

“I won't let Marida's death be in vain. Not her...nor my mother. We have that government meeting later today, right? I’m pretty sure it’s going to be about my position….perfect timing. I’ll surprise everyone. Perfect timing that you told me this today. I think It's time we announce to the world our intentions. We must relight the Flame my Mother has left behind. And This Deal? There's no way the Empire can say No. I...have what it takes.” Aeneas was smiling.

Later in the Afternoon

The Government Officials were entering the large Hall.

On the front, Above the High Council Tables, were statues of Notable Leaders that not only changed the country but changed the world as well. In the middle, was the statue of the Founder of Calydon, A Young, Beautiful Woman named "Ashura Akari"...the mastermind of a cruel law.

Then There was Chancellor Chagall, The Head of the Parliament, who was the de facto Head of Government….until today.

“And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, The meeting will now begin. But Before We start, A moment of silence for our Queen Aurelia. Today would mark 8 years since her passing.

For 1 minute, No sound came out of the Council Room.

"Alright, Lord Reinhardt, you may start first.” said the Chancellor.

Reinhardt stood up. “Thank you, Sir.”

He stood up and walked up to the front.

“Now Before we talk about our new "Prince Regent", What I would like to speak about first is the current situation between our nation and the Empire of Thabes. According to the reports I’ve received, Intell informed me that there were Thabean Traders leaving our seas. It’s most likely that not only did the country violate one of our deals, but they ignored the embargo and ended up trading with someone here from one of our businesses….This is a serious issue. Not only are they taking advantage of the fact that they can trade with the foreign continent, but they think they're cocky enough to illegally trade with us. We will ensure that whoever traded with Thabes is punished.”

Members of the parliament were in shock.

“This is ridiculous!”

“Outrageous!”

“ORDER!” The chancellor slammed his hammer down, and then The hall fell silent. The Chancellor, looking around the room, replies to Reinhardt: “Proceed.”

Reinhardt takes a sip of water. “Right... While we are in an era of peace now, all that can change in an instant. We used to be a Continental Power. Everyone admired and followed us. But We have to face reality now. While We have the advantage in experience and strength, The Empire now surpasses us in wealth, and soldiers and now they're getting better even in technology thanks to trade and many other facts in history. In fact, since Queen Aurelia left us, They've grown so strong! How could we have allowed this to happen?” Reinhardt then slammed his hands on the table. “How are we going to deal with the Rising of the Empire??! How will we stop their advance?! Just what is the plan?”

Everyone paid attention to him. The room grows tense.

“The one who will answer that….is not me. His Highness and Prince Regent, Aeneas Ludo Arcadia...He shall explain to you a grand plan that could put Thabes on their knees.”

Everybody was mumbling and whispering, wondering what the Prince’s plan was. Some laughed.

There was Aeneas, walking in the Hall, walking towards the top of the High Council Table, where previous Kings of Calydon once spoke.

The Chancellor looked over to Aeneas and looked at him in disdain.

“Yo.” Aeneas smiled, with confidence.

“.....” The Chancellor said nothing and gave him an angry glare.

“Is….this true, Chairman Aeneas?” said Politician Ferdinand.

“I know, You all must be thinking, “He’s probably just going to do and say his usual stupidities.” But today, I’m very serious. It is as Reinhardt says, If anyone realized it, The Empire has grown powerful since my mother's passing. All according to their plan...and since my mother's passing, Our Country has...grown weaker and weaker.

"Weaker? However, do you mean? It's not like we can't wipe out their Navy or the such," Ferdinand then raise an eyebrow and leaned in.

Aeneas then cleared his throat and began to speak.

"No...When I say Weaker, I didn't mean in terms of Military Power...I mean in terms of unity."

Ferdinand then chuckled. "Oh? Well then...Please continue...Enlighten me on How could the World's Greatest Power in History is struggling to bring together its own citizens?"

"Bringing together its own citizens....Yes...Yes, You're absolutely right. Not only that...We're killing them too, Which is why I sincerely believe this plan might not just save us, but all of Odgard...we can restore order!"

The Politician then backed away, startled. "Killing...our own citizens?! What madness is this?!"

 "That's right. That's why, One day," Aeneas then glanced at Ferdinand. "We will once again become the very country that will maintain order to Odgard. We can even restore relations with all of Vallia together. But The way we are now, We are no superpower. The People right now are hardly united, with uncertainty rising everywhere...as I witnessed for myself."

Ferdinand then asked, "If I recall, You and Lord Reinhardt recently came back from a Journey of over...5 YEARS?! You may have saved the people of Puebla Chica, but That's no excuse!!!" The Politician looked at his papers, reading the information presented by Reinhardt before everyone sat down. 

"I almost went off-script...but I never heard of a Prince that has left his country, let alone on a journey for self-discovery. Is...this man...serious? Did he...really see all of this outside of the capital? It's just like her..."

 Aeneas then continued, "We together must forge a world, not filled with fear and corruption, but with law and order...and most importantly, peace. A world with true equality. Dragons and Humans...Us. Together. Just like how my...mother would have wanted 8 years ago. A world where we don't have to hate each other! Why must we continue to hate?! We're killing our own people! Our Calydonians!”

Everyone in the room was in awe. They couldn’t believe their own ears.

One council member then yelled, "How the hell do you plan to even unite the 2 races together?? No...How do you even plan to bring peace to Odgard?! I...admired your mother, I have endured her death, believe me. And I know that you are hurt more than anyone. But since you left us that day, We have grown weary and fearful of the future. Now all of a sudden, you return out of the blue at Puebla Chica, returned just last month, drinking literally last night, and have all these bold claims?! Your mother would be ashamed!!"

Hearing this, Aeneas grew furious. But before he could, He noticed the Council Member's Eyes. These were not the eyes of ridicule, but those of a concerned man, who did indeed, care and respect his mother.

Aeneas smiled to himself, and then yelled:

“I care too!! I have a heart! And I know where you're coming from! I...had to leave my home for a while. I was stupid...but Loyal Reinhardt was there for me. That's why I went on that 5-year journey...so I could see why Mother fought for Dragonkind and loved everyone in Calydon. I wanted to know why! Then, That monstrousity at Puebla Chica...The blood in my hands...Those weren't dragons. Those were my own people I had to kill! They've had families!! The worst is...I've known one of them...and I had to kill them."

Many Politicians gasped in shocked. The Nation could never forget what happened in that remote town...the lives lost, some of the them even lost family on that day. Then One Member replied snarkily: "Why are Dragons considered Calydonians all of a sudden?!"

Aeneas kept his composure after receiving such a disgusting comment. But that wasn't in his nature, and so he responded back:

"Why is someone like YOU Calydonian then? If you really believe that, then you might as well be a traitor."

Some of the council members laughed in amusemen, in approval of the prince. Some showed disgust at the him.

"And...My mother wasn't killed by Dragons!! She was killed by THABEAN PLOTTERS TO DESTROY our unity!! THAT'S WHY WE'RE STUCK HERE AT EACH OTHERS THROATS AFTER THOUSANDS OF YEARS!"

The room then went silent.

"Don't you just want this pointless war of hate to stop? Do you want a future like that for our children? We are better than this. Have we forgotten what Queen Aurelia said?! My own Mother said it herself:

"No matter who or what they are, they have their reasons for hating us. That's no excuse to return the favor because that can always stop. Bringing Hate to the table only brings more and more pain for both sides, and only you can stop it. And the way to stop it is..."Compassion."

You all remember our own mothers. Did they ever leave you behind? NO! They made damned sure you were well fed and had clothes and a home to live in! Meanwhile, Dragonkind had NONE OF THAT! They get no love, And yet we're allowed to live? As human beings, we should be ashamed of ourselves!!! We're demons for allowing this. There are things I care about, We all have something that we want to protect. They have families as we do!! Together we are stronger. Together, we can fight against Hate!! What happened at Puebla Chica didn't have to happen!!! That is why I need everyone’s cooperation...”

Aeneas then stood up on his desk. "HEED ME, MEN AND WOMEN! HEAR MY OWN DIVINE DECREE: WHEN I BECOME KING, I WILL UNITE HUMANITY WITH DRAGONKIND, AS IT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED 3000 YEARS AGO! MARK MY WORDS! DRAGONKIND WILL BE FREE. DRAGONKIND AND HUMANITY...WILL PROSPER TOGETHER, AND PAVE THE WAY TO THE FUTURE!"

The Whole room went berserk, with mixed responses...but the applause could be heard barely overcoming the jeering. The Fafnir Council Member smiled.

"He's impolite, but he got his mother's spirit. He'll be just fine." he thought to himself.

Aeneas then yelled out:

“NOW FOR MY NEXT DECLARATION TO COUNTER THABES, Will you all hear me out?!”

Ferdinand was in awe, unexpected of Aeneas’s true feelings, and had misjudged him. He did not disapprove of his decision.

He thought to himself, “So He still has a bit of his mother in him after all. Lady Aurelia…”

Then a female senator spoke up. "Let our Future King Speak! Give him a chance! He is no fool!"

Another senator stood up. "I've...No, I'm sure we all misjudged you!! Please forgive us!!"

"I don't want my children to die! I want to see them have a bright future...I say We start giving the dragons a chance!"

"The Second Coming of Puebla Chica shouldn't happen! Our Prince went through enough!!"

"I...once supported the Queen. Ever since her death, I lost track of my faith, and let hate drive me. I feel so disgusted at myself...Bring us back to Love!"

"Let him speak!"

Everyone then demanded that the Prince speak up.

After some thought and silence from the chancellor….he spoke up.

“ORDER!"

He then took a deep breath. 

"Starting right now...I am no longer your de facto Head of Government. I hereby declare that Prince Regent Aeneas is the next Head of Government. I will let him speak, as our Prince- No, as the Future King of our country!"

Everyone in the room then cheered.