Chapter 17: The Summit of the 5 kings 

12 years ago

2 figures clashed at the bottom of a large crater. In a mountainous terrain. The two figures were clouded behind a veil of smoke but when the smoke cleared. There stood a man with a long gray beard. 

The man was 12 feet tall and had a very muscular build. He only wore a black robe with a large gold necklace and an even larger golden crown with a red gem. But his black robes were stained in blood and his massive body was filled with scratches and even some injuries.

 The massive man fell to his knees and panted. He clenched his enormous spear in his right hand then reached up and wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeve using his left hand. 

“So powerful…. You are a true prodigy… Prince James... But I swear one day I will defeat you and take back my honor...” 

On the opposite side stood a young Prince James almost 16 years of age. He clenched his sword with a grin. “You're strong... I'll take you on anytime your majesty…” 

The prince said very tired but still able to stand proud. After hours of fighting Prince James managed to defeat the mighty Earth King who was known far and wide for his monstrous strength and power. 

The Earth King let out a loud laugh which shook the very ground they stood upon. “Hahaha…until we have our rematch, never lose to anyone… Because one day we will fight again… and I will reclaim my title as strongest. As well as my honor” The earth king said as he managed to stand up.

 Prince James nodded. “I promise... But I'm not planning on losing in the rematch either..” He said still holding on to that childish but confident grin. The earth king chuckled and raised his hand for James to shake. “I'll hold you to that ki-... I mean…young warrior…” He said then shook hands with James. This was the last battle that he enjoyed. Once James returns to his kingdom the only thing waiting for him at home will be pain and loss. 

Present-day

After a day of traveling by horse Henry and James finally arrived at the site of the summit. 

It was a snowy mountain range with a large, tall stone tower. They approached the entrance where two guards stood protecting the doors. “Halt who goes there?” The guards asked blocking the entrance. James put down his hood to reveal his golden crown and blonde hair. The guards bowed their heads and said. “Welcome your majesty please open the doors,” the guards said as they stepped aside.

 James approached the door and took off his crown and placed the green gem against the crack of the door. The door was enchanted to only open with the gem of the crowns. Each king has a gem on their crown that has many uses; one of their uses is a key. 

The door soon burst open and James and Henry walked through. They climbed the tower and once they reached the top. They opened the doors to reveal a large round wooden table surrounded by 5 thrones. 4 of the thrones were already occupied. 

There was only one throne left reserved for the king of the Varrethia kingdom. When James entered the room. The 4 kings bowed their heads in respect. One of the kings spoke up. 

“Welcome King James. We have been waiting for you.” He had a pale slim body; he wore golden jewelry and had long pointy ears. He was known as the elf king. As well as having the title of ‘master of winds’ since he was also a mage, a powerful wind mage at that. 

Then directly across from the elf king sat the earth king. He looked older than he was 12 years ago with more wrinkles on his face. But he was still the massive man with a long gray beard but was holding a cup of mead right now. The 12-foot man wore a similar black robe. But what remained the same was his large golden necklace and his even larger golden crown with a red gem. The man raised his cup of mead in James’ honor and shouted.  “High one! You finally join us! Better late than never!” He said with a large laugh.

 “I apologize I’m late your majesties, '' James said as he sat on his reserved seat James took off his crown and placed it in front of him. Henry simply stood on the left side beside the throne with an emotionless but hardened expression. 

James glanced over at all the kings. Each king had an escort knight beside them. The escort knights all wore shrouds and hoods to cover their faces. Henry was the only one whose identity was public. Most kings prefer to keep their escort knights a secret but it was almost impossible for Henry since he is famous for always being at James’ side. 

Then a calm and very young voice came from the throne on James’ right. “You are the high one, the great hero who saved us all. You don’t need to apologize King James'' said the person who sat on the throne. 

He looked very young. He looked even younger than James but the reality was despite his youthful appearance he was 2 years older than James. He had pale skin and black hair with red eyes; he wore a dark green crown with a purple gem. He is the strongest known necromancy user as well as the king of the Obriris kingdom which was located west of the Varrethia kingdom. He goes by the name of King Avanth Wyrm.  “You give me too much credit that was a long time ago. I’m just a king like the rest of you” James said in a modest tone. The earth king did not like James’ reply; he slammed his foot on the ground which made the tower shake. 

“Bah! Look around you there are plenty of kings here. But there is only one high one! I won’t tolerate the only man who is stronger than me to be so modest!” He yelled as the earth shook.

 Then suddenly a wave of fear washed over the throne room and the earth king paused. “Calm yourself Earth king. It is good to be humble. We are all aware of King James’ monstrous power; he doesn't need to rub it in.” King Avanth said in a dark and chilling tone. Despite his childlike appearance, his powerful aura radiated strength and fear. He was the king for a reason.

 The earth king cleared his throat and stopped. “Fine fine no need to rile up your aura” once the room was once again calm the elf king cleared his throat. “Now that we are all settled, why don’t we begin the meeting?” The elf king suggested.

Once everyone nodded their heads he proceeded to give the annual report about his kingdom. Followed by King Avanth every king gave their report except the earth king who simply said. “All is well in the earth kingdom!” And moved on to the next king.

 Once all the reports were finished the kings began debating borders, territories, military power, and international diplomacy. 

James remained silent, tapping his fingers on the armrest impatiently. He didn’t care about any of this; he only wanted the meeting to end so he could return home as quickly as possible. Once the kings finished debating. They engaged in casual conversation. Then soon the king of the eastern kingdom named King Dario Krauss began speaking. 

The eastern kingdom was the only kingdom that the Varrethia kingdom was on bad terms with. The Varrethia kingdom and the eastern kingdom have been rivals and sometimes enemies from the very beginning. It all stems from jealousy but there are political and personal opinions that play a factor in the rivalry. 

The king of the east then suddenly began speaking. “King James, I hear you're training a young woman to be the next court mage… an ice magic user no less. The court mage is the pride of the Varrethia kingdom. Did you give over the position to the woman just because you fancy her?” The king asked with a cunning smile. 

Henry looked visibly angry but James remained calm. “It seems things are too boring over at your kingdom. If you have time to pay so much attention to idle gossip then that must mean your kingdom is so boring that you must pay so much attention to my kingdom. So I’ll take that as a compliment to your majesty”

 James said with a smile to which the king looked flustered and angry. The other kings gathered began to chuckle at James’ sly remark. “H-how dare you! I have many things to attend…. W-wait that’s not what I mean! What I mean is….. ugh curse you, King James!” He said angry but he then remained quiet.

 Admitting he has a lot to do implies he neglects his job and saying he had nothing to do implies his kingdom is dull and boring. 

King Dario clenched his fist. ‘That arrogant brat! I need to think of something to say or else I'll be the laughing stock of the continent!’ Out of frustration and anger, King Dario remarked. “You’ll regret this king James. One day your mistakes will catch up to you! Just like 10 years ago! You expect us to trust someone who used to be best friends with the greatest tyrant we’ve ever known!” He yelled then silence flooded the room. 

“You’ve gone too far this time King Dario! I will not tolerate such disrespect to my rival!” The earth king yelled as he slammed his fist on the armrest of his throne. The room began to shake as the earth king exerted his aura. 

King Avanth then began speaking in his calm and cold voice. “King Dario. That was uncalled for. Even if you harbor personal grudges towards king James he is still the high one as well as a king. Remarks like those will only cause further diplomatic issues. Please apologize to King James. It won't be beneficial to you to make an enemy of the Varrathia kingdom”  Henry still looked furious. He placed his hand on the handle of his sword but James stopped him.

 “Enough!” James yelled the air became heavy as James exerted his pressure as well. “King Dario. If you have something against me that's fine. But leave others out of this. I'm warning you now. If you think of trying anything against my people then I won't stay quiet… This is my first and last warning… you would do well to remember.” James said clearly but with an overwhelming amount of pressure that exceeded both the earth king and king Avanth. 

Every in the room was forced to keep their heads down to avoid king James’ terrifying pressure. King Dario looked overwhelmed as he had his head down and clenched his fist. 

‘Such overwhelming pressure… this man is a monster.. maybe going after the woman was a mistake... I should have warned them about kidnapping the woman but it’s too late…’ King Dario thought then he smirked for a moment at the thought of James losing another friend he couldn't imagine how devastated it'll be and if the high one's spirits are shattered again it'll be easier to fulfill his plans. But right now he had to solve this diplomatic issue he put himself in. “….I apologize King James… I misspoke… it won’t happen again..” 

King Dario said with his head down he hated that he had to ask for the forgiveness of a boy whos so much younger than him. James had an emotionless expression as the pressure stopped he then took a deep breath and said. “How about we end the meeting here? I think we’ve all given our reports and said what needs to be said. There’s no reason to continue…” he spoke calmly and the other kings quickly agreed and ended the meeting. 

Then James stood up then suddenly he gasped, his eyes widened with horror. He began losing his balance and began to lean on the seat on the throne. “N-no! I-it can’t be…” he muttered to himself to which Henry rushed to him. “Your majesty! Are you alright?!” He asked, “H-Henry w-we need to return to the kingdom… now!” He said it's a shaken tone. 

“Your majesty please tell me what’s the problem…” he insisted as they dismissed themselves the other kings asked if he were alright. To which James assured them that it was a simple headache and he was perfectly fine. 

The meeting concluded and they promptly made their way out of the throne room. “For a moment I could sense.. dark magic..” he whispered to which Henry’s eyes widened. 

“B-but that’s impossible…” he objected to which James nodded. “Your right it is but I could sense it… maybe I’m mistaken.. shadow magic is similar it must be that…” 

James said as he took a deep breath and climbed down the tower. “Even if I am mistaken we must still return anyway” He nodded as they made their way down the tower and got on the horses quickly making their journey down the mountain and back to the kingdom.