Prince StoneTooth was summoned to meet with the King of the Kingdom. The man who ended the wars on his planet by ruling with an iron fist and stone teeth. The Prince’s father. King StoneTooth.

Luckily, or unluckily, Kohn had been chosen as one of the few people from Earth to join the Prince as an escort to answer the summons. Even the ship’s Armorer was coming along, but he seemed more neutral or semi-excited by the whole ordeal. Like for him it would just be revisiting a friend he hadn’t seen in a while.

Kohn had every reason to be nervous about meeting the unknown ruler, but he thought it was odd that the Prince was even more nervous than him. From the moment he joined him at the bay doors of the ship, he saw the Prince shaking like a little boy that was caught red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar.

The oddity of it calmed Kohn’s nerves.

“Why are you so nervous your Highness?”

He must not have known how visible his nervousness was because he jumped when Kohn brought it up.

“Nervous? What would I have reason to be nervous about?”

“That’s what I’m wondering. After all, the Kingdom is your home right…?” Kohn suddenly realized that he didn’t even know the Kingdom’s name. “Actually, what is the name of the Kingdom?”

The Prince’s nervous jittery disappeared from surprise. “What? You don’t know the name of the Kingdom? How many months have you been on the vessel?!”

“Wha!? Everyone just called it THE Kingdom. THE Kingdom, like there could only ever be one or everything else is just a territory or something. Did anyone else find out what the Kingdom was named?”

Kohn asked the three other people from Earth that were joining him on this little trip to see the king. Prince StoneTooth understood that their training was a little lacking when he saw them shake their heads in denial.

“Don’t ever mention that before the King! In fact, if you don’t know something then don’t say anything. Or better yet, just don’t speak period!”

“Geez, fine. But what is the name of the Kingdom?”

“Etch this into your hearts and minds. The Kingdom that your planet has become a part of, the one that we all serve, is called the Agossomore Kingdom.”

“A-goss-o-more. Sounds like you’re swearing.”

“GAH!” The Prince yelled out, upset. “In my language it means final empire or last reign. As in, there will be no others after me.”

He stressed the alternate meanings, but his emphasis was returned with blank stares. “Fools! It is the King’s promise and threat all in one. A promise that he will not allow the Kingdom to fall into the same type of chaos that once nearly destroyed the capital while at the same time a threat that he will destroy all those who oppose his goals!”

“Oh! So what’s going to happen to Earth?”

Prince StoneTooth froze. “Huh?”

“I mean, is that why you took the World’s Heart? To bring the end to different forms of government? To bring unity to a divided people; order to chaos?”

The Prince was becoming more and more nervous as Kohn reminded him of what he had done on Earth.

“D-d-don’t men-mention that to my f-f-f-f”

“Father?”

“Yes. Him.”

The Prince went back to looking at the bay doors that were transparent and showing the growing capital as the ship drew closer.

“Hey, I just realized something.”

“What now?”

“What’s your name?”

“GAH!?” He made that same noise again. Like a sigh and explosive release of air all at once. “You don’t even know my name?” Looking around, only Kohn dared to meet his eyes. The others just turned their heads and tried to look busy analyzing the outside of the ship. “Just what have you been calling me this entire time?”

“Prince StoneTooth. Isn’t that common courtesy for one in your position?”

“When formality is required that is exactly the proper address for me, but outside of those few times it is more appropriate to address me by my rank and name.”

“Which is…?”

“Ah… Allow me to reintroduce myself.” His back became stiff and strong with pride before he spoke out in a deep commanding voice. “I, am Rear-Prince Agossliam, son of King StoneTooth and seventh heir to the Agossomore Kingdom.”

“Nice to meet you Rear-Prince Agossliam, song of King StoneTooth and seventh heir to-“

“No, you don’t need to address me with all those titles…” His glance seemed to say ‘are you really that stupid?’

“Oh, then uh… Nice to meet you Prince Agossliam. I am Kohn Lowson, uh, no titles or rank.”

“Yes, I know, but thank you.”

“You have Agoss in your name just like with the Kingdom’s name. Is there any significance to that?”

“My name as a secondary meaning. Something my Father seemed to promise my late mother at one point. It can be taken to mean ‘last son’.”

“Oh. So you’re the King’s last child?”

“No. Just the last son. No one’s sure how he does it, but ever since I was born and he named me, the King has never produced another son. Every time a daughter is born, the subject’s belief in the King grows even more. It almost has come to the point that if he were to say that he could fly into the Deep Dark without a vessel, the Kingdom’s subjects would believe him.”

“Wow. Sounds almost like he has a cult following.” Someone punched him in the back when he said that.

“Hmm. Must be another one of those words you Earthlings created. What does it mean?”

“Huh? Ah, nothing. Never mind. Don’t you feel less nervous now?” He quickly tried to change the topic. Saying the King with such power and control had a cult following would probably be a bad idea. If Prince Agossliam knew what it meant he’d probably have called for his execution out of sheer respect for his father.

“Oh, yes. Thank you for the distraction. I fear the King may punish me upon my return.”

“What? Nah! You’re his son. What father wouldn’t be happy to see the safe return of his… seventh son?” It was entirely by reflex and probably a little too forward of him, but Kohn gave the Prince a firm slap on the back sending the slightly smaller man a full step forward.

“Yes. Thank you for your sentiments Kohn Lowson.”

“I mean, it’s not like you broke some kingdom law or anything. Right?”

“Ughnnnnn…” Prince Agossliam gave out a pitiful groan as his face paled and became covered in sweat.

“Right?”