The Phoenix King

Concubine, War, and Love

After the meeting, I asked Venus if she could tell me where to find Selene. Venus took me to an old looking building on the other side of the hill. It had three towers and looked like it was made out of gold. I saw Selene kneeled down in front of a wall covered in fire.

"Hey," I whispered.

"Hello," she whispered back. It was so quiet. I was afraid to speak. "Hold my hand." I grabbed ahold of her hand and felt this incredible power flow through me. The wind started to pick up but it never put out the flames. I looked around and there was water flowing throughout the room.

"What is this place?" I asked her.

"This is the sacred trinity spirit church," she said. "The temple is where we learn to fight using our spirits, this is where we pray and become one with our spirits."

"It's nice and calm here," I said.

"Very, I love coming here. I feel whole and at peace," she said. "I have to thank the spirits for helping me find you and bringing you back here." She looked into my eyes and I felt all her emotions pierce my heart.

"It's called the sacred trinity spirit church, so is it for you," I asked.

"No, anyone with a spirit ability can come here but yes maybe I feel a bigger connection here for holding all three spirits in me. As do you," she said. I can't deny I did feel something strong come over me.

"You should spend some time in here before you go off to battle," Selene said. "It might awaken your phoenix spirit."

"As long as you come with me," I said. We sat there for a little while longer before we left to go look for Hunter and Sam.

 Turns out they were having fun exploring the palace.

"Dude, you're rich," Hunter said while slapping my arm. Several people looked at him like they wanted to kill him. I had another council meeting to go to so I left Tauran to show them around some more.

"Everyone is wondering what you will do about your friends," Paul said.

"I said my piece," I told him.

"Sire, I am sorry to say some are concerned that they hold no place in the palace or on this planet," Maze said. "You could make Hunter your guard and make Sam a handmaid." I didn't answer him right away but did eventually say I would think about it. I decided to walk outside and think for a bit.

"Sire, are you in need of anything," Noctis said.

"No, I am fine," I said.

"You looked troubled," he said.

"I need to find a place for my friends here at the palace," I told him.

"Well, you did make Cloud the 1st guard because he was Selene's friend so perhaps you can make Hunter the 3rd," he said.

"Oh, yeah and he can stay by Selene," I said. "She can protect him, but what about Sam."

"The young lady, you could make her a handmaid," he said.

"No, I can't ask her to be a maid and do things for me like she is below me," I said.

"She is very beautiful, you could make her your concubine," Noctis said.

"Why does everyone keep suggesting that?" I asked.

"You have had many concubines in the past sire," he explained.

"Oh, but she is my friend not my," I couldn't get out the last word.

"You could just make others believe that she is, it is just a title after all," he said. I did stop to think about the idea. Pau didn't seem okay with it but if I told him Sam was my concubine then they would leave that issue alone. I didn't actually have to sleep with her or anything. I considered it for a moment.

"I hope I was of help to you sire," Noctis said. He had a confusing expression on his face but I was glad I had his guidance at that moment. I ran back inside to look for Selene. I wanted to get her advice too and see if she was okay with this. I was stopped by Paul who had Hunter and Sam cornered in a room.

"Your friends were in a forbidden area of the palace,' he said. He looked annoyed and angry.

"The palace is mine and nothing is forbidden to them," I said.

"Selene told us about your condition sire so I know you have forgotten a lot but make no mistake we are here to serve you and know what is best for you," Paul said.

"Hunter will be my 3rd guard and protect Selene as Cloud does, and Sam," I hesitated to finish my sentence. "Sam will be my concubine and I demand everyone respect her." I could see Sam's face in the corner of my eye. She was shocked and confused.

"You're what," she said studdering.

"DUDE!" Hunter said loudly.

"But sire," Paul said.

"I have spoken," I replied before he could finish. Paul left and I ran to Hunter and Sam and tried to explain everything. Once I finished Selene entered with Venus and Cloud. I was about to explain it to her when Noctis came in cheering.

"I wanted to be the first one to kneel before your new concubine," he said. He walked up to Sam and kneeled before her. Some of his men came in with him so they did as he did. Selene stayed looking at us but remained calm. Paul came back in.

"Selene, may I have a word," he said.

"Of course," she said and walked away with him. Cloud looked pissed and didn't stare at me for long. Venus looked sad and it was the first time I saw any emotion on her face. Everyone but Sam and Hunter left the room.

"So what the hell," Sam said. "You couldn't find any other title for me."

"It's going to be okay, I told you its just a title, it's not real or anything," I said. She rolled her eyes at me and said " Yeah, ok." She walked away and headed back to her room.

"Dude, I hope you know what your doing," Hunter said.

"I'm protecting you guys," I said. He smiled and tapped me on the shoulder and headed back to his room.

  I bumped into Selene a while later.

"Hey, so I wanted to tell you something," I said.

"Paul isn't happy with your choice," she said.

"Oh, yeah but I wanted to tell you," I began to say but she interrupted me.

"I understand," she said.

"You do?" I asked.

"Yes, I truly do, it is okay," she said. She sounded so neutral and indifferent.

"Um, okay," I said softly.

Later that day, I was preparing to address my people on my return and the war. I was worried about speaking to so many people. It was going to be transmitted to the entire galaxy, not just Callisto. I wanted to sound like a king or like the king they remembered. Paul and the others in the palace knew of my memory loss but they never told the people. They wanted to keep the hope that with my return the war would be won and peace would return to the galaxy.  I was done preparing my speech and was told to meet Paul in the council room before we head out to the steps of the palace city.

"So, are you ready," Paul said. "You will give the speech and then head out to the planet Nix and help your men take back the capital city.

"Okay," I said hesitantly.

"Selene and your concubine will stand next to you," Paul said.

"Why Sam," I asked shocked.

"She is your concubine, we will give her the rightful place by your side," Paul said. "If that is what you want of course."

"Um, yeah, it's fine," I said.

And with that, we headed out. The time to really play the king has come.