...

[Kaiser Ayreon]

As I wander through the imperial palace (I have yet not gotten to know how to get around) I find myself entering a large hall with five-metre tall windows on both sides. Beginning clockwise from where I stand, statues of past rulers of the Empire stand. At first there is Raynor, the one who fought Rrakanychan, and lastly Hasan, the one who upon his death gave me the throne...

I continue my walk in the hall. Passing Kaisers and Kaiseresses, I get a sense of belittlement. These men and women created legends! Myths! But, I, what am I in this world? What have I done? During my reign nothing good has happened. I haven´t saved Shireroth from Rrakanychan, nor have I helped in securing peace and prosperity for my people.

Will the next Kaiser, after my death, commission a statue of me as well? What would it look like? Would it carry stone from Mount Yaanek where my Elwynn rests? Would I be pleased with the result? How would others look upon it?

I go up to my room, my own room. I so want to be at home. Shirekeep is too alien. The people here speak foreign, they are strange. The officials, the regalia. It´s all too much. It does my head in. I don´t want to be kaiser. I never wanted to... I just had to fulfill my promise to my mentor, the one who took me from the capes of Farewell to show me the might of an Empire, the greatest of them all.

He took him by my side, showed me what politics is, what struggle for power is, and what power can do to you. I never wanted the power to rule over life and death. But here I am... And I can´t have it this way anymore. Nobody must know of my doubts. I shall leave as a strong kaiser!

But how? Shall I abdicate? No... I can´t. Then that would be a sign of giving up. I must die.

I call upon my truest servant, who served Hasan as well. A young man, maybe of 25 years of age. He adores me. He´d do anything I ask.

"Krim" I say.

"Yes, sir?"

"Hypothetically..." And we begin a sinister conversation.

---

My testament, I write:

MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

Ayreonst Sacred Lady Elwynn, Kaiser of Shireroth, Prince of Hvalafell, Count of Shirekeep, Earl of Nes Farvel, Lord of Cape Farewell, Guardian of the Heart of Elwynn, Supreme Sovereign Master of the Orders of the Imperial Republic, to the Gods of Cedrist Might, to the Lords and Ladies of the Realm, to subjects dear and despised, to all belonging to the Two Worlds, greetings:

Should I die, this is my last will and testament.

1. Funerary arrangements

Within one week after my death by the Shirerithian calendar, a rite for the passage of my soul to the Afterworld shall be held in accordance with the traditions of the Church of Treesian Unorthodoxy, but I plea the officiants of such ceremony to include the goddess I have grown closest to during my life, Elwynn, with prayers to her, and to have her watch over the ceremony. I also ask that all Lestic rituals and symbols be left out, for I have grown a great fear for Lest and his voices that enter my head, pouring evil in my mind... Rituals from the lands of Hurmu, from where my forefathers and -mothers hail, may be included.

2. On the County Nesfarvel

It is my will that all rights to County Nesfarvel and all my assets shall pass to Rai Avon-El.

3. On the succession to the Imperial Throne

Notwithstanding any laws on imperial succession, I name my successor Jacobus of Maraguo to be the true, legal and divine heir to Ayreon, Kaiser of all Shireroth.

Signed by my hand:

Ayreon of Kalir

Witnessed by:

Krim Yngvarson

Posted to the Imperial Throne Room.

---

Krim and I go to the cliffs by the mighty river. We talk a bit. I am crying. He is crying. I want to give him a hug, but that´s out of order. I am a kaiser, I am divine. No one touches me... or so my mentor told me... the kaiser is all.

"Krim, time is here."

"But master, please, reconsider!"

"No, Krim. It is time. Follow this order. Now!"

Krim bows, kisses my hand and lets a tear go.

"May Elwynn go with you. May the Sun bless you, my Lord, and my the EarthYes, may the Earth hold me in its deep embrace. When I´m dead and found."

"Putta i mi nu!" I say, me too with tears in my eyes, in my native tongue. "Putta i mi..."

I want to regret this. I reach up to the night sky, see the stars. I know... "Krim, nei... ai har ångrat mi..." I whisper, but he doesn´t hear.

----

I fall. Into the waters.

---

I take a breath. And water pours into my lungs, burning them. It feels as if they are torn into pieces. And I keep on breathing, and yet more water keeps flowing into my inside, burning, and the pressure on my chest is hurting, making all my attention focus on the pain. I know I am dying.

I pray. Or at least I try to. My eyes hurt. It feels as if they´re exploding. "Elwynn, come, take me..." one prayer goes.

"Gods... bless Krim. Show him love. Know that he was loved."

"Gods... save me. Save Shireroth."

"Elwynn, guide Jacobus..."

And then... Then I see a great light in the midst of the waters. And I know. I am not alone. The pain subsides... I feel all relaxed....

I can feel you embracing me, holding me in your arms. I am safe. Your warm, thundering waters surround me. In your love, I die.

[Prodigy Almighty]

... well then.

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Kaiser Loki IV now?

[Erik Mortis]

III?

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

No, in Loki v. Hasan it was II, then in Loki v. Ayreon it was III (technically). This would be IV wouldn't it?

[Rai Avon-El]

I know I'm mad.

[Erik Mortis]

But III is not listed on the Kaiser list... Which is what we go by.

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Loki III then...

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Hmm...so apparently Jacobus is on LOA until October-ish...

...
...
...

STEWARD COREY I OF THE LINE OF VAN DER SLUIJS!

[Bayen]

Double preposition?

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Not when it's in a name

[Jess]

Um, I am executor of Jacobus' estate IIRCreroth. But, to clear anything up, I appoint Jonas to act in my stead.

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Sorry, I say no.

[Jess]

JONAS! KILL KILL DESTROY KOREYGAWA!

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

ENOUGH! I'm ruling Steward by law, and the law shall be obeyed!

Jess, you're putting yourself into a bad situation that I have the power to correct...forcefully.

[hypatias mom]

Excuse me, Gentlemen!

May I ask why there is no sorrow shown here? No dirges sung to Kaiser Ayreon's memory? Many of your reactions seem crass, and unworthy of those who served our dear, departed Liege Lord. I shall miss his kindness and his honesty with us and with all.

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Yes, I agree, a proper period of mourning is in order. But first I must hold my feelings and make sure the nation is in order. Ayreon has left us unexpectedly and appointed an absent heir, therefore it is my duty take the reigns for the time being, as sudden as the need is.

I'm preparing a nice eulogy, and then I'm hoping to get the Late Kaiser Ayreon a nice epithet.

[Erik Mortis]

Ayreon the controversial? The Unnumerated?


As a person who might be able to sort things out. The Steward would rule until Loki III could take the throne. Let's just say.. till he came of age.. sure... Thus would be listed on the Kaiser list and everything as a Steward ruler.

[hypatias mom]

I think a Steward Ruler would be ideal in the current situation.

I propose Aryeon the Kind, or Ayreon the Just, or Ayreon the Restorer. I would love to see a proper title befitting his character and deeds.

[Jess]

Liam cant rule...just no...

Ayreon the Nothingness (He wasn't around for long, and didn't do anything that big)

[Jonas]

No! Don't die! You need to do a lot of great stuff yet! Like burning the rebellious Kildarians their villages who were against you in the Civil War, Your Niftiness (it includes me)!

Ayreon the Repealed...

(Shirerithians just want controversy. Finally Jacobus is Kaiser but now he is temporary away )

I wouldn't mind that Corey rules until Jacobus is back BUT as I said before: we want controversy!

*Takes the Crown and prepares an army to take the power of the Steward*


(PS: I'm disappointed that our noble Kaiser didn't choosed for a Soloralist or Boomist funeral. But we can't refuse his last wishes)

[hypatias mom]

I'm glad he was specific in his requests. I am, however, saddened that our dear Kaiser did not stay with us longer. I think it important to remember that he did not expect to receive the crown, and found it a burden, as it has been to many reluctant rulers throughout time.

[b3n|<3r|\|]

That was such an awesome death/abdication post! Setting the standard for all eternity methinks.

As such I say we call Ayreon (not the first) "Ayreon the one what died well".

[Jonas]

He wasn't even murdered... that's an archievement!

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

I wouldn't mind that Corey rules until Jacobus is back BUT as I said before: we want controversy!

*Takes the Crown and prepares an army to take the power of the Steward*

All rebellion shall be considered rebellion against his Niftiness Kaiser Loki III, and shall be dealt with accordingly.

And I have discussed epithets with Ric, and an appropriate one has been chosen.

[Jonas]

All rebellion shall be considered rebellion against his Niftiness Kaiser Loki III, and shall be dealt with accordingly.

I'm sure he will forgive me.

The "Civil War for the title of Steward"

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe you can be both Steward and Prætor at the same time...

[Jonas]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe you can be both Steward and Prætor at the same time...

So you think I will win?

[Oroigawa Koreyasu]

No, I'm trying to preserve your spot as Prætor.

[Andreas the Wise]

Ayreon - he may not have done much, but he died like a true Kaiser ...