It has been 20 years since that incident. The day I lost everything. The ones I vowed to protect, my reason for pursuit of strength and the last speck of humanity left in me. Losing myself to my anger and hatred, I waged a war on a continent which was the home of the ones that manipulated me to satisfy their goals, taking millions of lives in the process. Just the thought of being responsible for the deaths of those innocent lives left a bitter taste in my mouth...

"And that concludes our discussion over the preparations for the 20th anniversary of King Grey's coronation. The meeting is now dismissed."

I was brought out of my thoughts when one of the councilmen concluded the meeting. My emotional state being at an all time low, I came to a decision that I should've done a long time ago.

"No."

My apathetic voice echoed throughout the room and was followed by silence until one of the councilmen decided to speak up.

"What seems to be the problem my King?" he questioned.

"The ceremony will happen, but for my retirement instead." I calmly stated before getting up from my seat placing the crown on the table and walking out of the room leaving the wide eyed councilmen behind before they could question me more about my decision.

The voices from the room died out as I strode through the long eerie hallways occasionally running into maids and soldiers who bowed slightly. Ignoring them, I diverted my attention to the portraits of my predecessors grandly displayed on the wall in the chronological order of their rule period, who without exception were clearly worthy of the title. A monarchy with a modern political twist. "Hah" I scoffed before reaching the last portrait.

"King Grey" I muttered.

How ironic,a colourful title for the name which screams anything but colourful. But suits for a hollow shell of a person like me.

I wonder what happened to Nico. One of the only two people that ever mattered to me. I can't even think about calling him my best friend considering what transpired all those years ago. Only if I had listened to him, I could've died knowing I didn't cause suffering to others, as there was no way we could lose the trail of two governments.

Reaching my bedroom after a long walk, I was greeted by a maid who opened the doors for me. Entering the room, I dismissed the maid and made my way over to the huge glass window overlooking the capital. The ruler's actions usually reflect the nature of people of that country, at least that's what it is perceived as by the outsiders when they are wronged. So, I not only have destroyed a continent but have also depicted the people of my country as savages.

"I'm sorry...for everything" I apologised, knowing all too well I wasn't any different from the ones who killed Headmaster Wilbeck.

I made my way to the bed and laid down.

"If there is an afterlife, I hope we can meet and I hope you forgive me for everythin..."

I couldn't continue as I felt my body grow heavy as if something huge was resting on me. My vision began to lose colour. An odd feeling enveloped my lungs as if being drowned and the last thing I remember was seeing something akin to a butterfly, translucent purple in color, resting on my nose.

"I'll see you soon, my friend."

*****

"Welcome to our world King Grey, we will meet again after a few years." The man with the horns whispered with a smile before I was consumed by the darkness again.