Journey to Become the Zenith

The Voice of the Prince

Behind the stone platform, waves of cheers, conversations, and restless anticipation rolled through Fantom City like distant thunder. Thousands of voices merged into a single deafening roar that seemed to shake the very air.

Eon stood in silence.

His broad fingers tightened around the worn handle of his giant battle axe until his knuckles turned pale. A moment later, he forced himself to loosen his grip.

He had faced charging beasts, survived battles that should have killed him, and stared death in the eyes more times than he could count.

Yet somehow...

Standing before thousands of people felt far more intimidating.

He drew in a slow, steady breath, trying to calm the storm inside his chest.

”I... I don’t know if I can do this.”

Victor stepped up beside him without a hint of hesitation. His golden eyes remained calm, steady, and reassuring.

”You can.”

Eon turned to look at him, searching his face.

”What if they don’t believe me?”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Victor’s lips.

”They don’t have to believe every word you say today.”

He paused just long enough for the thought to sink in before continuing.

”They only need to believe one thing...”

”...that when everyone else abandoned them...”

”...you were the one willing to stand before them.”

The words settled deep inside Eon’s heart.

The anxiety that had been clawing at him moments ago eased, replaced by a quiet determination.

Victor continued, his voice calm but firm.

”Remember what I told you.”

”Don’t waste your energy trying to impress them.”

”Don’t try to sound like a king.”

”They already know who you are.”

”Speak as the warrior they’ve seen with their own eyes.”

”Speak with conviction.”

”That’s enough.”

Eon took another breath before giving a slow, resolute nod.

”I understand.”

Victor rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

”And one more thing.”

Eon’s eyes met his.

”Everything I tell you to say...”

”...say it exactly.”

”Word for word.”

There wasn’t the slightest hesitation this time.

”I won’t fail.”

Victor’s smile deepened ever so slightly.

”I know you won’t.”

He gave Eon’s shoulder a gentle pat before stepping away and turning toward Ramona Redcliffe.

The head of the Redcliffe Family stood waiting with quiet dignity.

She wore elegant emerald robes adorned with delicate purple embroidery that flowed like winding vines. Even with uncertainty hanging over the city’s future, her posture remained composed, graceful, and unwavering—a woman determined not to let fear show before her people.

The moment Victor approached, she lowered her head in a respectful bow.

”My liege.”

Victor met her gaze and gave a single calm nod.

”It’s time.”

Ramona took one final breath before walking toward the center of the platform.

As she appeared before the citizens, the endless chatter gradually died away.

Thousands of eyes turned toward her.

Some recognized her immediately.

”That’s Lady Ramona.”

”The former head of the Redcliffe Family.”

”What is she doing here?”

”Didn’t the noble families lose everything?”

Ramona remained composed.

She allowed the whispers to fade naturally before speaking.

Her clear voice echoed throughout the square.

”People of Fantom City...”

”I thank every one of you for coming despite your grief.”

The crowd slowly became silent.

”I know many of you have lost family.”

”I know many of you have lost friends.”

”I know many of you have lost hope.”

Her words caused many people to lower their heads.

Not a single person could deny them.

Ramona continued.

”But today...”

”...I ask all of you to look forward instead of backward.”

”We cannot bring back those we lost.”

”But we can decide what kind of future we leave behind for those still living.”

The citizens listened quietly.

No one interrupted her.

Ramona slowly raised one hand toward the staircase leading onto the stage.

”Today...”

”...I present someone whose return may change the fate of Skyfall Kingdom.”

A tense silence fell.

Every eye fixed upon the entrance.

Ramona’s voice rang proudly across the square.

”PEOPLE OF FANTOM CITY!”

”I PRESENT TO YOU...”

”...THE PRINCE OF SKYFALL...”

”...EON ASHDRAKE!”

Heavy footsteps echoed across the platform.

Thud...

Thud...

Thud...

Eon slowly emerged wearing the same battle armor stained from yesterday’s desperate war.

The enormous Giant Battle Axe rested upon his shoulder.

His towering frame alone silenced countless whispers.

Many citizens immediately recognized him.

”Isn’t that...”

”The Ox King?”

”The warrior who fought the undead?”

”What is going on?”

”He’s a prince?”

”Impossible...”

Confused murmurs spread throughout the square.

Some stared in disbelief.

Others frowned.

A few looked openly suspicious.

Eon calmly walked to the center of the stage.

He looked across the countless faces before him.

Victor watched quietly from behind.

Without looking directly at him, Victor spoke softly enough that only Eon could hear.

”Now.”

Eon understood immediately.

He lifted the Giant Battle Axe high before bringing its blunt end crashing against the stone platform.

BOOM!

The deafening impact rolled across the entire square.

The vibrations instantly silenced every conversation.

Even children stopped crying.

Every pair of eyes focused entirely on him.

Eon stood tall.

His deep voice carried naturally without needing to shout.

”My people...”

”I know that you are confused.”

He slowly swept his gaze across the crowd.

”To your eyes...”

”I may look more like a barbarian from the northern frontiers.”

A few awkward laughs escaped the audience.

Eon smiled slightly.

”As I am not dressed like a noble wearing expensive robes...”

”...many of you probably believe I cannot possibly be royalty.”

He firmly planted the Giant Battle Axe beside him.

”But I am...”

”...the Prince of Skyfall.”

”I am the son of the late King Willmot Skyfall.”

The entire square became silent once again.

No one interrupted him.

No one even dared whisper.

Eon placed one hand over his chest.

”I did not come before you today as royalty.”

”I came before you...”

”...as a warrior.”

The conviction in his voice carried far beyond the stage.

Even those standing near the edge of the square heard every word clearly.

Behind the platform, Victor quietly folded his arms.

A faint smile crossed his face.

Eon was speaking exactly as instructed.

The first step of the plan had begun.