The Earth After Rebirth

The news of a new King travelled faster than the news that Azazel was not only defeated but he had died in battle. People were also gossiping about the disappearance of the castle on the hill. Nobody knew what happened, and Hubris refused to indulge them.

There were way less people mourning and more people celebrating. The whole city was out on the streets, the festive mood wouldn't die down for a couple of weeks. Jobs were tossed aside, more hounds travelled to Halo, to see with their own eyes the rightful heir.

Halo City was widely known as the Rebel city. Not one being there was mourning the death of their dead king, mead was made in record time. As the celebrations continued. There was suddenly more meat than the city usually had.

Young and old, it didn't matter. Everyone was out of their houses, in celebration of their newfound liberation. The soldiers who went to war, were treated with much respect. They would no longer be looked at as normal citizens.

"Man, these guys love their meat and alcohol." Kiro said taking a swig of his hell whiskey. He didn't get to taste it the last time, he'd be damned if he missed it again.

It tasted very smooth to the tongue, the chaos started when you swallowed and it reached your insides. The burning sensation wasn't uncomfortable, but it burnt more than anything Kiro had ever eaten, and he loved spicy foods.

The burning sensation came with a warmth he couldn't explain. Since the Underworld had high temperatures already, it made his armpits itch.

Hubris on the other hand had learned a terrible lesson, he wasn't drinking. Only eating the meat. Besides, he didn't trust that everyone here had good intentions, someone could take advantage of the chaos and try to assassinate his drunken self, again.

He didn't quite believe that everyone left didn't have any lingering loyalty to Azazel. He wasn't paranoid, just extra cautious. He promised to be a smarter King than his father, and a kinder King than his uncle.

The people needed someone who was in-between, someone who had a firm hand but was also merciful. Of course mercy was only for lesser crimes, anything treasonous would require death without a second's hesitation.

"Hubris, you should drink a little, come on, you're an ancient hound. Surely you can handle and hold it down?"

Hubris laughed a little. His master absolutely out of it. He wasn't sure if he'd be useful if anything happened. He had to be the sober one.

They had originally been made a table of their own, but refused it to sit with the rest of the town. There wasn't a table for them per se, they just sat in the streets, striking conversations, laughing. Doing everything happy people do.

They have been through so much, they deserved this happiness. Hubris wished he could freeze the moment, so it lasts forever.

"Sire, the celebration has gone on long enough. Your coronation should be held soon, we are currently without a King." Belial whispered in his ear.

"You don't think they deserve a little bit more time? They've been through so much already. Let's give them another day." Hubris told him, hiding the fact that, he himself wasn't quite ready to lead a Kingdom.

"At your command, Sire." Belial bowed, and was about to leave his side when Hubris gestured for him to sit.

"I couldn't, sit with you Sire? That's, unacceptable!"

"Who decided what's acceptable and what's not?"

"The royal family Sire."

"That's right Belial, me, now sit."

He took the command with a grain of salt and sat beside his future king. He didn't say anything for a while, they just say there in silence, watching the festive happening.

"What do you think?" Hubris finally broke the silence between them with the question.

"About what Sire?" He asked confused.

"The spectacle in front of you, what do you think of it?"

"We've been oppressed for so long, especially in the Rebel City that it's utterly strange seeing this. I know it's a happy moment, I'm supposed to be happy, but we've been carrying heavy burdens for so long that I think we don't even know what to do with joy.

"We don't know how to show it. We've been numbing ourselves with whiskey or mead for the pain we've suffered, that we don't exactly know how to act when it's coupled with alcohol."

Hubris looked at him mesmerised, "you're quite the depressing guy."

experience-MVLeMpYr

"Haha, I'm sorry Sire. It's just the truth. If you see anyone acting awkward, don't be too alarmed, we're just a people used to suffering, transitioning will take us some time."

"You're smart too, have you drank at all these past couple of days?"

"I'm drunk as we speak, but as I said, we're used to it, it doesn't knock me out, like it did to Sire."

Hubris smiled a little. He didn't know it felt so good to be teased by someone who looks up to you, his master always pretended he didn't like it, so he decided to do the same.

"Quit teasing me!"

Belial could tell his tone wasn't hostile so he chuckled.

He noticed that a lot of female hounds would pass by them, some would do it twice even three times. He looked at his Sire, who was oblivious to the obvious flirtatious behavior.

He felt sorry for him, he had a big job to do, if he died now, his line would end with him. He had to fulfil the job of restoring his line. That would obviously need him to take a queen.

But with how clueless he was, it would be difficult. He sighed deeply. He would have to be the guy to force it, he'd be his wingman, to make sure the royal line continued on.

"Belial, you're very smart." Hubris abruptly interrupted his train of thought.

"You overestimate me a lot Sire, but I thank you very much for such a high compliment. Knowing you think highly of me, grants me great pleasure." He beamed.

"You should be my advisor, what do you think?"

His eyes almost fell out of his skull. He didn't feel worthy, yet he couldn't say anything. He didn't want to refuse.

"Yes," He said softly.