《The King》


 Prologue: The Power to Control Time

    I stared up at the sky.


    ¡°Why me¡± I thought to myself as I continued to stare off into the sky. Clouds slowly drifted overhead as if in slow motion. I coughed violently and more blood splattered on my chest. I sighed, why had it come to this I thought.


    I had been minding my own business so why had I suddenly done it I thought as sirens could be heard approaching. My green eyes turned their gaze to the truck that was speeding away in the distance. Well at least it is over I thought. I began to laugh as if in delusion, it¡¯s not like anyone is going to miss me I thought. My family was gonekilled long ago and I had been sent to a new home. I had done my best to disappear in that new home the looks I received were testament to my new families feelings.


    After all I wasn¡¯t wanted, they only took me in for the extra money they would get from the government. That was it I was a forgotten boy it wouldn¡¯t surprise me if my family didn¡¯t even recognise me, and school I never attended school instead spending my days resting under my favourite tree in the park.


    That was it I thought I could finally get what I wanted, peace for all time. I smiled it looked like today wasn¡¯t such a bad day after all it seemed it was a good day to die. The sirens drew closer as a paramedic ran over. I could tell by his reaction, there was no chance. I smiled I could finally rest after all that was all that I was good for anyway. I wasn¡¯t smart or athletic the only thing I had were fairly handsome features. Though that had never done any favours for me in school and would have led to bullying had I ever actually attended school that is.


    I gazed up past the paramedic who was desperately trying to save me to see a white swan fly overhead. That was strange I thought, there¡¯s no water around here. Almost immediately as I saw the swan my consciousness faded away.


    ¡°Hey, Hey come on wake up¡± a voice cried before I was violently kicked. What? I thought as I slowly lifted my head to see a young boy standing there.


    ¡°Finally¡± he cried stepping back. ¡°You were sleeping for ages geez I was going to fall asleep myself¡± he complained before turning around.


    ¡°Seriously though are you like a professional at sleeping, I have been trying everything to wake you up¡± I smiled to myself. I was used to sleeping in a park, I could sleep through shouting, crying, rain and wind. I had gotten used to such discomforts and enjoyed them. No wonder the young boy had such a hard time waking me up. It was a wonder he had been able to do it at all.


    ¡°Now¡± he said kneeling down before me ¡°you probably don¡¯t know it yet but you''re dead¡± he said. I nodded.


    ¡°What!? Really that¡¯s all I get a nod when you just find out that you''re dead! What is wrong with people today¡± he said holding his head in his hand. As he didn¡¯t seem to have anything important to say I went to lower my head back down to go back to sleep once more.


    ¡°AHHHH!¡± the boy cried ¡°Don¡¯t you dare go back to sleep¡± he said slapping my face a few times to ensure I was awake.


    ¡°Okay now on to the point that I was trying to get at, you''re dead which usually means the end, however my friend from another world petitioned me, well more like begged me to send some more people over as his people keep killing each other so you just happened to die after he cried, uh I mean petitioned me for help, so since you''re the first I am going to give you special powers to get back at my friend for annoying me, so what will it be?¡± he said rubbing his hands together. I was bored and went to fall asleep before the meaning of his words hit me. Another world and any power I wanted. I smiled, I knew exactly what to ask for.


    ¡°Time, I want the power to control time¡± I said. The boy frowned at me.


    ¡°I want to be able to control time at will and be able to stop it ,slow it down do whatever I want with it and I want no limit on my abilities, I also want a complete understanding and control of my ability so I can use it as soon as I arrive to its full extent¡± I said sitting up, it was the perfect ability I could rest forever and no one will be able to interrupt me. The boys jaw dropped before he began to laugh.


    ¡°Perfect just perfect¡± he cried as he laughed.


    ¡°I never expected you to ask for a God level power¡±


    ¡°Will you give it to me?¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Of course, it is going to be priceless when my friend finds out¡± he said clutching his stomach as his laughter grew in volume till it echoed through the white room we were currently inside.


    ¡°You really are perfect¡± he said wiping the tears from his eyes. Before a new light appeared in them and he clapped his hands together. He suddenly stabbed his hands inside him. I stared in wonder as his body parted like water to allow him to bring out a glowing orb. He smiled as he thrust the glowing orb inside my chest.


    I gasped as heat exploded through my body. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as my mind was filled with information. The origins of time, how it worked how to stop it, how to slow it all the information I could have wanted was circulating through my head. I gasped as I came back to see the young boy staring at me.


    ¡°It feels good doesn¡¯t it¡± he said as he stared at me. I nodded as he continued to smile at me.


    ¡°Now that¡¯s done, shall we send you to your new home?¡± he said once more clapping his hands together. This time an image of a hill with a tree could be seen. I smiled it was just like my favourite place at the park. I began walking forward, I turned to see the young boy standing back smiling, was it just me or had his face softened.


    ¡°Good luck¡± he said ¡°and remember to say hi if you meet my friend, he¡¯s tall and looks like a hero, tell him I sent you¡± he said before I entered the image.


    Gildor gazed at the back of the teenage boy as he entered his new world. His smile had softened as he watched him leave and love could be seen in his eyes. He had been watching over Patrick attentively in preparation for this day.


    ¡°I hope you can find yourself once more, big brother¡± he whispered just before he too disappeared along with the room.


    Sunlight streamed through my closed eyelids as I awoke. I blinked slowly as I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. I lay under a tree which stood atop a small hill covered in grass. The wind brushed over my face as I smiled happily. Satisfied I closed my eyes once more and attempted to go back to sleep.


    However a roar that reverberated through the air woke me up. I sat up what was I going to do I thought. I had a perfect position right now so who was trying to hinder my sleep I thought as I sat up. That was when I saw them. A group of soldiers came rushing out dressed in uniforms that appeared to be from the napoleonic era. I saw two men turn kneel and fire off their rifles before they turned around and continued running alongside their comrades.


    That was when the creature came bursting out of the trees. It was a horned ape that towered over the retreating soldiers. What a bother I thought as I raised my hand.


    Immediately the ape and the soldiers stopped. A flock of birds overhead had stopped as well. He smiled he had stopped time in this area. To understand what I had done just think of a cube. For the area inside the cube time had stopped however outside it continued on. He could stop time for the entire world of course. But he didn¡¯t see the need to bother with such drastic measures.


    With the disturbance gone he closed his eyes once again and began to drift off. Suddenly his eyes opened wide. ¡°Damn it¡± he muttered to himself that brat had placed a certain trick on him. He couldn¡¯t use his abilities and sleep. He grimaced as he started time again. Suddenly time seemed to speed up as the ape and soldiers moved quickly before they reached the correct position for the time.


    ¡°Oh¡± he muttered. He should have just changed their perspective of time and stopped them. That would have been simpler and would have been less of a bother as well. The soldiers and ape continued running towards him as if nothing had happened. The officer in the front caught sight of me.


    He frowned in confusion before he gestured at the ape and for me to run. I sighed there was no other choice then. I walked forward as the soldiers staring at me ran past. The ape came following close behind. I raised my hand and clicked my fingers. Almost immediately the ape grew larger before shrinking and becoming skinny before finally it burst into a cloud of dust. I yawned turning around to go back to my resting place.


    It appeared I was still gaining control of my powers. The ape should have turned to dust immediately however he went through the stages of his lifespan that remained. He should have aged him quicker I thought maybe next time I might try to make them younger instead of older.


    The soldiers were still running away as they disappeared into the distance. They were really fast I thought as I lay down once more and attempted to go to sleep. I cursed violently. After all that had happened I was wide awake and unable to get back to sleep.


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s time to do some exploring¡± I said to myself. Usually I should be scared however my power was god level and so I had no fear as I began to walk in the direction the soldiers had run off in.


    ¡°Argh, I¡¯m exhausted¡± I complained as I continued to walk forward. It must have been hours no days since I left the hill. I was so exhausted I thought I was going to collapse. I dully did laying on the ground I gazed up at the sky. The sun is too bright I thought to myself as I lay on my back. My throat was parched and my belly grumbled for food. Why had it come to this I thought as I covered my face from the harsh sun with my arm.


    I moved my arm and stood up to continue my great journey. I turned back to see what great distance I had covered. My face went blank as I gazed behind me. Standing there was a hill with a tree on it that was similar, no identical to the one I had passed before. It even had the dust of the ape before it.


    I wonder who did that I thought to myself before I turned to continue walking. Wait a minute, I turned around quickly. That was the same tree and hill. I had only walked about 500m. Tears appeared in my eyes. I couldn¡¯t do this, I wouldn¡¯t be able to make it.


    I lay back down but I could not sleep. ¡°Argh!¡± I cried as I lay there. When I heard the sound of a carriage approaching. A mischievous grin appeared on my face. I stood back up and waited. As the carriage approached I could see just how gaudy it was with its gold coverings and wooden sides. I smiled and waited and waited. Why was it so slow, I complained to myself.


    Finally the carriage drove past and I stopped time quickly sitting on back I started time again and we sped off. I smiled as I lay on the back of the carriage. The rhythmic swaying and creaking acting almost the same as a lullaby as the carriage trundled down the dirt road. I yawned as the exhaustion from my efforts reached me. It looked like it was time to sleep.


    I snuggled against the wood getting comfortable before placing my head on my arms and closing my eyes and as such I drifted happily off to sleep. Completely unnoticed by the occupants of the carriage and their driver.

 Chapter 1: The City

    I sat happily on the back of the carriage as it continued to trundle along the road. The scenery hardly changed as I slept most of the time. We had passed through some villages however for some reason I had seen no inhabitants.


    As we came to what I believed to be the third or fourth day of my journey we arrived at a city. Huge walls surrounded it so that you could not see inside. As huge canons could be seen standing sentinel atop the wall. I gazed up in wonder. It was so different to what I had seen in my world. We approached the gate before turning off following a different path.


    Hey wait, where are we going. Aren¡¯t we going to the city I thought in confusion. I was wide awake now as I continued to marvel at the huge walls that stood beside us.


    Then we turned towards a small gate that stood with two guards standing to either side.


    Oh no I quickly thought to myself as I hid myself inside the trunk of the carriage. I felt the carriage stop and heard some words be exchanged before the carriage set off again. As I heard the gates close behind us I gave a sigh of relief and peeked out of the carriage trunk.


    I was shocked to see mansion after mansion standing to either side. We must be in the rich district. Which means I have hitched a ride with someone important. I stayed hidden as the carriage continued to move down the road. When we reached what appeared to be a market I stopped time and stepped out of the carriage. It was annoying however I needed to find out more about this world.


    Starting time once more the carriage shot off towards wherever it had to go leaving me in the city. I smiled to myself this was going to be fun. Exploring a new world, I felt like a child again. I immediately set off walking along the side of the road that ran through the heart of the city. As I passed by a set of windows I took some time to admire myself.


    I was dressed in a white and gold uniform fit for a prince, no a king I thought before moving on. I yawned as I walked. I was getting rather tired with all of the effort I was putting in. Soon I came to a palisade in which guards were stationed. I walked forward and as the guards saw me they nodded my clothing allowing me to pass through with no major issues.


    I exited the rich area of the city and made my way into the central hub. People from all walks of life were wandering around the shops that were set up. I decided to have a look. Wandering from store to store I admired the clothing and jewellery on display.


    When I found myself at a weapons dealer. Entering I gazed at the all of the different swords, shields and spears. I was most interested though in the rifles, and bows. I smiled to myself they were the best weapons. Minimal effort for maximum damage, just as I liked it.


    I continued browsing gazing at all of the weapons and armour before I had seen it all. I left and continued wandering the streets. As I passed by the food vendors my stomach growled. I thought about using my power to snatch some food. Until reaching into my pocket I found a bunch of coins.


    Looks like I had been taken care of I thought wandering up to a stand. The shopkeeper was surprised to have someone as well dressed as me arrive.


    ¡°Can I have your best¡± I said. He nodded quickly before I sat down. Soon he brought out a steaming plate of meat and vegetables. My mouth watered as I quickly dug in. I produced a gold coin and threw it at him. He caught it a glint in his eye before I got up and made my way out.


    I stretched, I was getting kind of sleepy after the meal. I walked along until I came to a Hotel. A very well to do hotel by the look of it. Yawning I wandered inside. To find a well dressed woman standing there.


    ¡°A room¡± I said as I came to the counter trying to stop myself from falling asleep. I should have just stayed on the carriage it would have been much easier.


    ¡°That will be five silver for one night¡± she replied.


    I gave her a gold coin as I didn¡¯t really have anything but gold coins.


    ¡°You will be staying two nights?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± I replied. She nodded before calling for a footman. I didn¡¯t really remember what happened I think I may have fallen asleep climbing some stairs and the footman had carried me to my room. It wasn¡¯t like it really mattered though as I fell into a deep sleep.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Meanwhile in the dungeons below the keep of the main castle a beautiful young girl lay in chains. She sat up as a guard passed her by. How had it come to this she thought to herself, she had been a princess and a member of the Imperial military.


    Now she lay half naked in chains all to ensure that she could calm down an old man who was having a tantrum. Her father was responsible after all her mother was a low born noble. Who her father had forced to marry him. She had taken her life recently and in his anger he had held her responsible and so she now prepared for her execution.


    A woman walked up clutching the bars of her cells window.


    ¡°Ariana¡± she cried. Ariana smiled up at the young maid. There was nothing that could be done.


    ¡°Make sure that they don¡¯t attempt a rescue tomorrow¡± Ariana said. She knew that the commander of the regiment she had been attached to the thirty second foot guards Colonel Alexander Hildegard would attempt to mount a rescue with aid from his friends. That could turn out to be seen as a rebellion and he stood no chance anyway against the army that was stationed within the city at the moment. It had been sent to stop exactly that, an attempted rescue.


    She knew Colonel Alexander had about 3,000 men. The army that had just arrived numbered well over 30,000. He would never stand a chance. She wouldn¡¯t drag her friends into the mess she found herself in. All that could save her now was a miracle. A miracle that lay fast asleep in his bed at the moment with no intention of getting up for at least a week.


    Ariana watched her maid run off tears still in her eyes. Ariana herself wiped away her own tears. When she walked out tomorrow she would be resolved to her fate and so she prepared herself well into the night.


    I woke up around sunrise due to the large amount of noise that was passing by. I groaned why could I not sleep in peace ever since I entered this new world there was always something to get in my way whenever I tried. Unable to sleep I decided the best course of action was to see why I had been woken up all of a sudden. Groaning I left the hotel and made my way outside to see the streets clogged with people.


    ¡°I heard they are going for a burning¡±


    ¡°Really that¡¯s going to be a spectacle¡±


    ¡°Well I heard the reason why their doing this is because the princess attempted a coup¡±


    ¡°No way¡±


    ¡°I heard she was part of an underground cult¡±


    ¡°Well I heard that she was sleeping with some foreign prince¡±


    As I walked through the streets I caught snippets of conversations. However never enough to figure out why my precious sleep had been disturbed. If it wasn¡¯t for a good reason I would be very perturbed. I was quite happy with myself using such big words, and so I made my way along with the crowd towards the large courtyard of the castle that stood at the centre of the city.


    I frowned there was a platform that had been placed there with a lot of twigs wrapped together in bundles around the base and a large pole sticking out of the centre. Are they having a bonfire I thought. To be woken up for this I thought as I began to get very annoyed.


    Meanwhile Ariana had readied herself she had been dressed in rags as she was led out of her cell and made her way towards the execution grounds. Whistles came from the prisoners as she walked past and spittle flew hitting her on the arm. The guard stepped over and smashed the bars with the hilt of his sword. They immediately quieted down, however she could see the grin on the guards face as he admired her body.


    She had been declared to be just as if not more so a beauty then her mother. The beauty she cursed for it had brought trouble to her family with the emperor forcefully claiming her mother because of it.


    Soon though she stepped out into the sunlight. She was forced to raise her hand to hide her eyes from the sun. She had been locked up too long she thought to herself. There it was standing before her the platform where she would be burnt to death.


    The piles of twigs had been prepared as a man stood with a flaming torches. She walked forward as whistles, shouts and all manner of things came out from the crowd. As the guards forced a path members of the crowd reached out and touched her as she walked on.


    She was thankful when they finally reached the platform. Ariana was tied to the stake as the guard copped one more feel before walking off. She was disgusted by his filthy hands as they wormed their way up her leg.


    ¡°Oi¡± a cry sounded and with a reproachful look his hand fell from where it was just before it reached all the way. The guard shrugged before he turned away and walked back to stand at the foot of the stairs that had been set up at the rear of the platform. She took a deep breath as the executioner approached.


    He held the flaming torch high for all the spectators to see. As she gazed across the gathering of people her eyes fell on a boy who stood in a white and gold uniform. A uniform similar to the emperors except the boys was more elaborate.


    She turned her gaze back to the executioner before turning back to the boy. However she could not find him anymore. She took a deep breath and prepared for the end.


    It was by this stage that I knew that this was an execution. I sat and waited watching the crowd before the girls gaze fell upon me. Those eyes seemed to see right through me. I quickly turned and made my way away from the grizzly sight that was about to unfold. Before I stopped suddenly.


    A memory came unbidden to mind. It was of me and my little brother. I tried to force it back down along with all of my emotions and memories. However it was not to be defeated. It rose and blossomed in my mind.


    I sat alongside my little brother in the park. When my brother saw a young girl getting bullied. I immediately stood up even though it was a bother and walked over. The boys ran away as the girl turned to look at me. She gave me a smile, a smile that made me happy. When I came back my brother asked me why, why did I help her.


    I simply replied that the feeling you get from helping someone is far greater then any other feeling. He nodded saying he wished to be just like me. I questioned what he meant. He replied by telling me he wants to be a hero just like me. I shook my head I was no hero. He stopped me saying no matter why you do it you still help people.


    That me had died long ago when I had failed to save my family. Why was it coming back all of a sudden.


    I couldn¡¯t shake it and with my mind made up I turned around and headed back towards the crowd.


    Above Gildor watched this scene unfold. ¡°You can¡¯t stay away from your true nature, can you¡± he said a smiling.

 Chapter 2: The Lazy Hero

    The crowd was thick with people, however, they where all from one particular walk of life, not a single noble could be found. I slowly made my way forward pushing through the thick crowd of people, it reminded me of the old bible story and how Moses parted the red sea, a slight smile appeared on my face as a single tear fell from my eye, such memories should be for another time, a change had begun.


    Though it could be called a change it was more a reversion, I quickly scanned the area, a guard by the sides, 10, above more guards 15 walked the parapets above, ten seconds that was how long it was for them to walk from one gun to another, another guard stood by the platform, suddenly I tripped and was spread-eagled on the ground.


    The heat of the sun had warmed the stone to a stage where they were just the right temperature ahh so warm I went to close my eyes, a nap would be just perfect right about now. It would be perfect, and after all, it would take her approximately half an hour to burn properly, they weren''t going for a death by smoke inhalation but by burning, this should give me some time.


    I am so tired this should be all right, suddenly my heart beat, it beat again as if telling me there was something that I should be doing, alright I muttered as I came to my feet much as a resurrected corpse might. I straightened my clothes, my heart beat once as if telling me that I was doing the right thing, I continued advancing forward towards the platform.


    My eyes were constantly scanning looking for ways that I might be able to use instead of just relying on my time powers, it was bad to rely on one specific plan of rescue, constantly observing the archway which led out the city gate.


    His eyes settled on a cart, that should be good, he focused moving the cart backwards through his control of time till it blocked the road leading from where he saw some soldiers exit. That should give me five to six minutes.


    Soon I had to focus upon the stand before me, I didn¡¯t want to use my time powers just yet, revealing your trump card immediately is bad. I came to stand just behind the first line in the crowd so as to wait for the right moment to strike, I arrived just in time to observe the obscene act conducted by the guard.


    I didn¡¯t really care a little obscenity and a little bit of touching wouldn¡¯t kill anyone, I must wait for the perfect time to strike, that thought was blasted from my head when I saw the expression on her face, the look of despair and hopelessness as she gave in to the inevitable, the look of pride had gone from before. I could no longer hold myself back as his tongue curled out and closed in on her.


    ---***---You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Ariana knew it she was done for she gave in, even as the guard, Geoffrey was his name wrenched her head around and brought his tongue and lips closer a glint of victory in his eyes, suddenly everything took an almost underwater look as he was hurled violently from the stage.


    ¡°A face such as yours should not be marred by such a look¡±, a voice muttered near her, she whirled to find a boy standing there dressed in clothes she knew well. The close cut uniform, her father wore similar clothes.


    However they did not bear the same pattern, the beautiful patterns appeared eerier than her fathers and they were gold, white and gold, a unique! She thought as she saw his eyes. Instead of pupils, he had small clocks, the rest of the eye was deep blue like the ocean.


    ---***---


    Damn I need to hurry I thought quickly, I didn¡¯t know why but I knew that if I didn¡¯t hurry, we weren¡¯t going to be able to get out of here.


    I turned my eyes upon the ropes that held her, as I locked eyes with her I knew that I had been right in my thinking, those weren¡¯t the eyes of a criminal, her aura had told me that but now I was thankful that the information the boy had given me was correct. I knew how to use my powers.


    But seriously why am I so weak, I could stop time completely for ten minutes at a time max, why didn¡¯t I have the power that the boy promised. Stop with the useless thoughts I muttered as I pushed them away, no use complaining it would appear that I would have to think of something. I waved my hand as if an afterthought and the ropes quickly fell away having rotted completely through.


    Now was the time to activate his ability, a bubble grew rapidly expanding quickly with me as its centre, I turned to the woman seeing her mouth open as if she was going to say something, it didn¡¯t really matter at the moment.


    I went to lift her, heavy! Why was she so heavy?! You¡¯re just weak, the voice in my head retorted, it appeared I was returning to my normal self, that reminded me why was I, I shook my head getting rid of that thought.


    ¡°Damn it, I¡¯m running out of time¡¯, I cried as I stood up the woman thrown unceremoniously over one should as I struggled down the steps quickly, well I say quickly but it was more like slow motion before making my way towards my exit.


    Six minutes left, I had already used up almost half of my time, no use dwelling on it as I finally reached my exit way collapsing into a pile the woman falling from my shoulder. I turned to stare up at the sky strange bubbles could be seen rising slowly all around.


    What am I even doing? Why would I be working this hard, it was as if something was pushing me on. You bastard you gave me something extra when you gave me these powers didn¡¯t you! If he had heard that Gildor would have burst out laughing.


    Three minutes left what the hell can I do anyway, I¡¯m just a pathetic nobody, aren¡¯t I? A lazy good for nothing nobody, two and a half minutes.


    I gazed up towards the sky as I slowly closed my eyes, at least I can die how I lived, ASLEEP!


    The counter inside his head ticked down, 3,2,1 his powers retracted like a bubble bursting and he was left there fast asleep, a beautiful woman beside him, this might not be so bad he thought before his consciousness completely faded.

 Chapter 3: Fiction

This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.