A huge number of angels start to gather in a square in front of Basilius’ castle.

Soldiers fly in formation, making two straight lines in front of the castle balcony. On the balcony itself resided Leo and Apis, who were quietly looking down at the crowd.

Apis decides to break the silence by questioning Leo.

-Leo, do you know what your majesty plans with this speech?

Leo

-Silence, the king approaches.

The balcony entrance led to a hallway, from which steps could be heard as Basilius walked down the hall.

He was accompanied by Salus and Luscinia, who followed him just a few steps behind.

Basilius slowly reached the balcony, and then he procced by approaching the edge to look at the crowd ahead of him.

Upon seeing their king, the angels start to murmur and talk between themselves.

-What is he doing?

-He must be just looking at us with disdain, up there he doesn't have to worry about anything.

-Will he talk about the incident at the fountain?

- Was that really the being that the prophecy spoke of?

-I'm more worried about the food...

-Ugh, true, if we don't recover the lower lands...

Salus speaks to Basilius.

-They are making a lot of noise, your majesty, do you want me to silence them so that they properly hear your speech?

Basilius stays silent till he starts whispering to himself.

-So that's the distance between a monarch and a commoner...

Salus

-Huh? Your majesty?

Basilius

-There's no way my voice can be heard from here.

Basilius lifts his four wings and throws himself off the balcony.

Salus

-Majesty!

Apis just looked at the king action completely surprised by it.

Luscinia on the other hand, followed Basilius almost immediately. With Leo going to him right after her.

Apis, after seeing them both, decides to imitate them, and she jumps soon after.

Salus

-Tch!

Salus was the last one to follow Basilius.

Basilius starts to flap his wings as he approaches the crowd.

The people look at him in silence, not knowing what to expect.

Flying just above the crowd, Basilius raises his arms, trying to make a grand, welcoming image, as he begins his speech.

Basilius

-Listen, my people! Don't think for a moment that I looked away or ignored your suffering, all this time I've thought of a solution that fitted with what I have been taught, but this is not the time to think, it's time to act...

Basilius

-So I ask, no... I beg the sons and daughters of this land to rise, lift their wings and their weapons! Let's recover what was taken from us! Drive out the usurpers who rest on our land! The land stained by the blood and sweat of our ancestors!

Basilius pauses his speech to fiercely face the crowd, his eyes alert as he expected something, but nothing happens.

The people after a period of silence start talking to each other.

-Hmm, so his first speech was just another call to war...

-Well, he did say some really cool things, but no way am I going down there.

-He just wants to sacrifice the people to solve his problems.

Salus thought

-What a shame, you're embarrassing your title, Basilius.

Apis thought

-Seriously? All this just to promote enlistment?

Leo thought

-How stupid.

Luscinia thought.

-They do not understand… they do not know the kindness and all the effort that their king has, your speech falls on ignorant ears Basilius.

Basilius falls silent with his head down.

Everyone looks at him, waiting for his next move.

Basilius reaches for a small bag attached to the waist of his armor.

Basilius speaks as he unties the bag

- I know perfectly well that I can't just ask you to fight for me, I haven't yet earned your respect or your trust...

Basilius drops the contents of the bag into his hand.

Basilius

-That is why…

Basilius puts a ring on his finger and raises his hand. The ring was adorned with the crystal of the firmament.

His raised hand shone brightly under the sunlight, with the clear sky and his imposing castle behind him Basilius spoke

-I will fight! I will guide you! And together we will take back what we have lost!

Everyone looks at him stunned.

-The treasure of the kings!

-Wasn't it forbidden to remove it from the castle?!

Salus opens a huge smile.

Apis

-With the power of the Firmament, we have a real chance...

Luscinia thought

-Basilius, are you really going to go against the wishes of your ancestors?!

Basilius lifts his hand even more, and then closes it into a fist.

Basilius screams

-JOIN ME, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! LET'S GO TOWARDS VICTORY! DEATH TO THE INFERIORS!

The people finally react, a scream echoes through the crowd.

-DEATH TO THE INFERIORS!

Basilius smiles as he keeps his fist clenched, the crystal in his hand warmly glows.

END OF THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER.