Chapter 1: Death of a King

## Chapter Chronology

**Death of a King** is the 1st chapter of **Armageddon: Death of a King** and also the 1st chapter in the Armageddon Series. **Death of a King** sets the stage for the competition between the two houses, Caelestia and Terreus, and introduces the characters and conflict that will be explored throughout the rest of the series.

## Summary

#### ***The Palace of Zaidan***

*"Father please hold on,"* cried Terr. *"You can't leave us,"* yelled Cael. Cael shared the same sentiment as his brother Terr when it comes to their father but while Cael wanted to improve the military, Terr wanted to be peaceful and go with an economic approach. The Emperor spoke for one last time *"I want you two to fight together as brothers and not as enemies."* The Emperor died not long after that. Cael and Terr started to argue about who would get to inherit the throne as the glue that once held them together is now gone.

Both princes drew their swords as they got ready to fight for the throne. The fight starts with Cael performing **Chōjisenpō** (丁字戦法) but was countered by Terr's **Nōgyō** (農業). **Hebi Mendax**, one of the Emperor's retainers, stepped in and used a summoning called **Nix Palatium** covering the room in ice and ending the fight.

Hebi suggested that they should hold Armageddon instead, *"Each side has to choose fifteen fighters to represent them in Armageddon."* With both princes agreeing to the terms, they went their separate ways and met up with their strategists, not knowing Hebi's plans and true intentions. After picking all fifteen of their fighters, both princes met up with the Royal Blacksmith, **Uma Laboriosi**, to make weapons called Cursed Artifact to assist their fighters in the upcoming tournament.

#### ***The Snakes' Plan***

A flashback then shows a meeting that happened a year before the start of Armageddon. The meeting was held because some of the retainers disliked the shift from a militaristic nation to a commercialistic nation. The Emperor dismissed their concerns so the disgruntled retainers formed a secretive coalition, the Laplace Liberation Army, and held a meeting. Their plans were simple, assassinate the Emperor and overthrow the current Royal House. They all agreed on the idea of Armageddon and planned to coerce Cael to join them.

Hebi revealed to be the Leader of the Laplace Liberation Army, went searching for the Five Heavenly Artifacts (**the Black Grimoire**, **the Holy Grail**, **the Codex**, **the Akashic Records**, and **the Book of the Damned**) so that their plans could go smoothly. Hebi and **Kitsune "Alchemy" Alchimia**, the Royal Alchemist, are seen retrieving the Codex from Kitsune's Lab and the Black Grimoire from a vault named **Pandora's Box**. With the other Heavenly Artifacts too heavily guarded, Hebi ended his search quest there.

#### ***The Day of Armageddon***

On the Day of Armageddon, both princes got into their carriages and made their way to the colosseum in the city of Megiddo where Armageddon will be held. Three hooded figures can be seen observing from atop the city walls. As the princes arrive, figures from throughout history can be seen cheering for their respective princes. The princes then got escorted to the colosseum and as they made their way to their respective balconies, Cael said *"You and your businessmen will not be victorious, I have all of the good generals on my side and I have picked the best of the best."* Terr unphased by what Cael said replied *"It's not only about having the power but also the skill and character."*

The silhouettes of all fifteen fighters for both sides are revealed. Both Cael and Terr then started thinking about who to send for the vanguard fight of Armageddon. Before Round 1 gets announced the two brothers are set to duel, and the winner gets to choose the announcer for the event. Cael draws his sword and performs an attack that is faster than light, **Shock and Awe**, creating a huge dust cloud. The two brothers fought in the dust, wanting to win, albeit for different reasons. As the dust cloud settles, Cael can be seen knocked unconscious by Terr. Terr ended up going for the Legendary Rider, **Paul Revere**. Revere gets transported to the colosseum and is briefed on what he would do as the announcer.

Uma enters the **Akashic** **Lounge**, a place where the fighters can stay to wait for their turn, and gives each fighter a ring that contains their respective Cursed Artifact. The silhouettes accepted their rings and chose to either spectate from the crowd or from the lounge itself. One of the silhouettes made their way to the roof of a watch tower to observe the fight. The vanguard fighter for House Terreus is seen talking to someone near the gates of the arena.

###### ***Announcement***

Revere declares the start of Armageddon and announces the vanguard that will represent House Terreus. *"His strength unmatched, his skill was one of the catalysts that started the Neutral Country, the man rumored to be able to move mountains. Father of Switzerland and Muscle of Uri, **William Tell**!"* Tell walked through the arena gates, readying himself for the fight to come. *"His pride unmatched, self-proclaimed destined ruler of his people, the man to realize Papillon's vision. Father of the Haitians and Tiger of Haiti, **Jean-Jacques Dessalines**!"*