The next few days were all a blur to Sacri as he and Feli dealt with their grief in separate ways. As the funeral for the dead monarchs was arranged, Sacri spent his days ministering to his duties and preparing for his ascension to the throne and his nights chasing down all the names Oliven's blood had told him were guilty of the king and queen's murder.

He had refused the help of Ocutus, needing to kill the perpetrators himself. The thirst for revenge made up for the energy he lost for lack of sleep up through the day of his parents' funeral, after which he slept for one entire day before declaring himself to be fully functioning again.

That was the day he first took his seat on his father's throne.

Feli, Cyren, and Sacri were all assembled in the throne room, Sacri having just dismissed Ocutus after Feli's fit of anger on seeing another Black Elf on the site of the murders. Standing before the dais, the three held the tense silence for a long while, just regarding each other shrewdly. Each one wielded incredible power, and each one was favored by the deity of a different caste. And now the three stood together, brought here by the death of their monarchs, standing on the edge of a new beginning.

Whether that new beginning meant life or death for the peace of the kingdom, none of them knew.

"The ones who were responsible for our parents' death have been killed," Sacri spoke into the silence. "I ensured they all suffered greatly before their lives ended."

Feli looked at him. "And yet you allow one of those filth to be here, in the very site where they slaughtered our parents."

"Ocutus had no part in that," Sacri said sharply. "Only a small collection of the Black Elves participated in their murders. And I killed them and drained their blood. Revenge has been taken on the murderers."

Cyren held up his hands in an appeasing gesture. "The murderers may have been taken care of, but the consequences are still rolling through the country. We need to provide the people with a strong, united front here. Prince Sacri, Prince Feli, I know you have your differences, but you need to place those aside for now, to show your people the strength they need to see in you right now, to show them that your parents' legacy still stands."

Sacri and Feli glanced at Cyren as he finished his speech before turning their gazes back to each other. For a long moment, they regarded each other. Their animosity each towards the other had been carried for so long, perhaps too long.

"The people need leadership," Sacri said agreeably, but his eyes were piercing, staring into his brother's. The look was daring Feli to speak out of line, to dare to disagree with him. "And as eldest, I am the one their look will fall on."

Feli's jaw worked. Sacri watched his brother like a hawk, waiting for his reply to his claim to the throne. Peace wobbled on a dagger point, dependent on the younger prince's words. But he didn't say a thing, not yet; but Sacri knew he would. But for now, Feli knew the power his words would have on the state of Riko and refrained from uttering the damning words that were on his tongue.

Turning away from Feli's silence, Sacri cast his glance on Cyren. "The people do need our strength, not just now but always. They need guiding from the throne, to know that we will not let this horrible event destroy us. They need a king."

Cyren bowed his head and anger filled Feli's silence as Sacri turned his back on both of them, moving toward the dais. He ascended the steps and crossed before Lonus' throne to stand before Díer's, the white crystal structure lifeless in the darkened chamber. Running his fingers lightly but slowly over the armrest, Sacri smiled grimly before turning to face Cyren and Feli.

"And I am their king."