“Glory to Kolothskia!” Soldiers scream.

I used to love those words every time I entered a room.

“Glory to Kolothskia!”

Those words brought power and purpose to my life, and for others who hear it, fear and terror.

Glory to Kolothskia! And Long live our Supreme Leader!”

But later in life, those words became numb to my brain, being no more than blobs in the back of my mind.

“Glory to Kolothskia!”

And Long live our…” *BANG BANG!*

But they would also be the last words I would ever hear before arriving on my deathbed. The deathbed of Godwin II, Supreme Leader of Kolothskia.

The Supreme Leader Godwin II falls over unconscious and bleeding heavily from gunshot wounds. He is brought to a state hospital and doctors rush in fear to try to fix him, however, they will fail. He wakes up a few hours later a dying man. His Children Eric, Edward, and Elizabeth stand by his bed, his wife also stands nearby crying. His advisors stand on the opposite side of the room, dead silent. He waves over his eldest son, Eric, who is his successor and is beloved by Godwin II.

He whispers in Eric’s Ear, “*COUGH* Eric before I die I want to say this, you may be a bit of a wimp, and may not care for your future, but I was always proud of your progress. *COUGH* I want you to do two things after I die, find yourself a wife to love and cherish, *COUGH COUGH* and find my killer, who is in this very building, who it is, I’m not entirely sure, all I know is just that it was co-opted by one of the advisors… *COUGH*

Shortly after, Supreme Leader Godwin II succumbs to his wounds, his family watching his final breath, but only Eric hearing his final words.

“Eric? What were his final words?!”, Eric’s Mother, Rosina sadly exclaimed.

“Yes… Brother. What were father’s last words?”, Eric’s younger brother, Edward said suspiciously.

But instead of telling the truth, Eric Confidently replied, “His last breath? Mmm, they were a wish of my longevity and a praise of his great nation.”

Weeks later, Eric would be ceremonious succeed his father as Godwin III, but it would only be the start of Eric’s new life. While this role, and wishes his father, he will gain friend, foe and lover. But distinguishing between the two can be hard when your Enemies are closer than your friends.

To be continued…

Written by: GA Thawn193