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Xeno is the prince of a great empire. He is ready to take on the role as the emperor
Stanley the chief commander of the empire’s army; whose forefathers have been serving the royal family for generations
Both of them have been in love since they were kids, never said it outright, but they knew it. Everyone that saw them together knew it.
Xeno enters the courtroom where unusually it is only the king and his minister present. He bows, “What is it that you called me for father?” “Xeno, there is something crucial that I need to talk to you about.” Confused, Xeno raises his head and meets his father’s eyes. “It is about time I step down as king and pass the baton to you. For that, according to our family’s tradition, you need to get married first. I have personally chosen a bride that is worthy to stand next to the future emperor.” Xeno puzzled and slightly annoyed “Father, is it impossible for me to become the emperor if I do not get married.” “Well, it is a tradition that has been passing down since the beginning of this empire, we cannot defy it.” Xeno’s face showed clear annoyance “then forgive me father, I do not wish for the empire, I cannot love another woman and break her heart, when I am already in love with Stan!” The king, angered “Enough Xeno! He is a mere servant, their family’s purpose is to serve the royalty, Stanley Snyder shall be your personal guard and nothing else. You shall not treat this as my request as your father but as an order from the emperor! There are some rituals that you must perform in, make sure you are well prepared for it. Now you may take your leave.” Xeno knows arguing with his father would take him nowhere and leaves silenty.
Xeno had many thoughts running in his head, many more emotions clenching his heart. Becoming the emperor was never his concern. All he was interested in was science and Stanley. All he wanted was to lead a peaceful life with him. Right now, he needs nothing more than his Stan beside him, he calls for his courtier. “Please call Stan to my room.” Minutes later, Xeno pacing frantically around his room, hears a familiar voice “did you call for me your highness?” There was Stanley standing with his head down and his right hand on his heart. “Please stop with the formal tone Stan, come in and close the door please.” As soon as the door is shut, Xeno runs to his lover and captures him in an embrace. Stanley, surprised, says "woah there my liege, missed me much?” when he hears sniffles from the man in his arms “hey what's wrong?” as he takes Xeno to his bed. Xeno, now lying on Stan’s chest, narrates the incident earlier in the courtroom and Stanley patiently listens. “I do not know what to do, Stan. I don’t want to lose you. Right, I have an idea, let’s run away.” “Are you joking right now?” Stanley asks with a chuckle, but notices the determination in Xeno’s eyes, which he finds endearing. He places a kiss on Xeno’s forehead “Let’s not make hasty decisions now. We still have time. What you need right now is some sleep. Rest easy for now.”
The next day, Stanley was called upon by the king, “how may I be of service, your majesty?” “Stanley, I have something to ask you and you shall tell me the truth and truth only.” Eyes still facing the floor, Stanley answers “Yes, my lord”. “Would you do anything for this empire and the emperor?” “It is my duty as the commander in chief to defend and protect this empire and you, my majesty. I am ready to sacrifice everything, even my life” Satisfied with his answer, the king continues, “Very well then, are you ready to sacrifice your love?” Stanley raises his head, his face painted with horror, “my lord?” “You heard me right, Stanley. Are you ready to sacrifice your love for Xeno for this empire?” the king said, his face still stoic. Stanley’s sad expression turned serious as he spoke, “Yes I am your majesty. Your wish is my command” The king now had a proud look on his face. “Very well. We received news that the enemy empire is planning to attack the mountain where the prince’s ritual will be taking place in a few days. Please make sure the security is tight and the ritual is not disrupted. You are dismissed.” Stanley bows and leaves without a word, his emotions a mess. “How should I confront Xeno? No wait. Telling him will only make things worse. It's better I keep this to myself and avoid him at all costs. That is what is better for the both of us” he thinks to himself as he stands alone in the palace garden, lighting his cigarette. Stanley is devastated, frustrated and defeated. He cannot imagine a life without Xeno. imagining himself standing behind Xeno as he stands next to someone else pulls his heart strings.
The next few days, Xeno barely catches a glimpse of Stanley. Even when he spots Stan, he is faced with silence. Xeno is puzzled. What happened to him? Why is Stanley avoiding him like a plague? Did father put any words in his head? Xeno felt confused and defeated.
It is the day of the ritual, the emperor along with his minister, Xeno, the head priest and Stanley were gathered in the courtroom. The head priest says, “Your majesty, the preparations for the ritual are ready, the only thing left is for us to start for the mountain, it is quite a long journey.” Xeno was not listening to a word that was being spoken, he was looking straight at Stanley, hoping he would spare a glance back at him. “Excellent. You may begin the journey right away.” the king says and the priest leaves first. The king notices Xeno who is still staring daggers at Stanley, clears his throat and speaks with a stern voice “Xeno. get ready for your journey, you must be there on time.” “Father before that,” Xeno gets up from his chair and walks close to Stanley, so close, their lips are almost touching.” Stanley looks straight at the wall, his face stoic. “Stanley Snyder, what do you say about this ritual? Do you think I should marry a princess?” Xeno speaks, with tears in his eyes, his voice breaking. Stanley’s breath hitches and he looks down at the smaller man. Xeno notices the glassy eyes, hoping for an answer he wants. Instead, Stanley takes a step back and puts his head down, “Your highness, I am a mere guard, my only purpose is to protect you from danger, so I am afraid that I cannot answer your question.” The king was wearing a face full of pride, while Xeno’s face lost all color, looking distraught. Xeno cleared his throat and spoke up, his voice still showing a slight quiver “Very well then. Get the chariot out. Let us set off right away.”
The whole ride, Xeno was sitting in his chariot, and Stanley rode on a horse right beside him. Xeno looked at him with longing, not saying a word, hoping his eyes send a message to the blonde man.
When they reach the mountain top, Xeno gets out the chariot and is greeted by the Head priest. “Your Highness, it is almost time for the auspicious time, we shall start the ritual right away. All you have to do is cleanse the deity’s idol with the seven colors in those bowls.” he says pointing to bowls lined up containing seven different colours. “Stanley, the guards’ job is to beat the drums as hard as possible.” “As you say.” Stanley bows and turns around, walking towards the drums, when he is stopped in his tracks by a voice “STANLEY! What I need is not all these rituals. I need an answer from you. What is my place in your heart? Please tell me the truth” Xeno cries, his voice shaking, making everyone turn their heads towards him. Everyone except Stanley. Stanley walks towards the drums and bellows, “the time is closing in! High Priest, please begin the ritual.” As Stanley starts beating the drums, the remaining guards join in.
Xeno wears a face of defeat, horror. He walks towards the paints, takes a bowl and splashes it on a huge rock that resembles a wall. Everyone is shocked. The priests stop chanting the prayers, the guards stop beating the drums, but Stanley does not. The sound of the drums makes him feel like he is pushing away the pain in his heart. Stanley keeps beating the drums, Xeno keeps throwing colors and rubbing them with his palms. Xeno turns around and walks to Stanley and snatches the dagger in his waistband. Stanley stops. He looks at Xeno and before he could even realise, Xeno ran his palm through the dagger, blood dripping from his palm, he goes back to the rock and places his hand print on what seems to look like a white dove. Xeno falls to the floor, out of breath, panting. “Do you know what this painting means? A great warrior who sacrificed his love for his duty. Stanley you may stand out in history as a great warrior but remember, every letter in it is written with my blood and tears.” Stanley looked horrified, what did he do? Was bowing his head to responsibility worth it? Was it worth it to see his love looking weak and defeated?
Just as he stepped forward to reach out to Xeno, there was a big blast nearby. When they looked towards the direction where it came from, it was already too late. It was the enemy, Sher Khan and his army of thousand men. Stanley had a fierce look, eyes full of rage “SHER KHAN!” “Ha! If it isn’t for the rumored great warrior Stanley Snyder! I’ve heard a lot about you and your valor. Protect your little prince and the empire and then I will bow my head to you.” “BRING THEM ON SHER KHAN! I won’t back out” Stanley cries. As he steps forward to the army. “Stan wait!” Stanley hears Xeno call out, “Let me fight with you.” he says with a face full of determination. “No my lord, you are unarmed and moreover you are injured, it is my duty to protect you.” Stanley replies without looking back at him and moving forward.
Stanley cuts, cuts and cuts hundreds of men, making sure not one man gets past him and towards Xeno, when he hears an agonizing scream. Stanley whips his head around to be met with a sight of horror. Xeno had a dagger stabbed in his abdomen. He was at the edge of the cliff, his clothes and hands stained with blood. Stanley felt the word stop. He could not move when he felt a sharp pain in his back. A sword pierced deep in him. But he couldn’t care less when he sees Xeno reaching out his hand as he gasps for air. “St-Stanley… speak the truth at least in these dying moments…reveal the love that you hid inside yourself. Accompany me at least when I’m dying.” Stanley struggling to step forward, with a look of pure love in his eyes speaks, “the air I breathe, my existence and my aim. My everything is you Xeno. I love you. I love you more than myse-” Stanley stops when he sees Xeno’s lifeless eyes, Xeno’s body slowly sliding away. Stanley jumps forward to hold him. But it was too late. Xeno has already fallen off the high cliff. Stanley’s expression turns back into that of horror. He gets up, taking slow steps, sprinting towards the edge and jumps after Xeno, his hand still reaching out for him