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Two years after the search had begun, the Latrian Intelligence agents returned to the palace with word that Zannia was rumored to have perished in an attempt to cross into Ventil. The search was never officially called to an end, although there was little hope of finding Zannia or her child. Mikel concentrated on Sari as her father became gravely ill. His heart became diseased and although the Empathic Healers worked on him constantly, it was too weak and could not sustain itself. As the young couple's second anniversary approached, the King perished.
Sari assumed the throne, with Mikel at her side. They ruled the mountain country together. Mikel convinced Sari it was time to introduce their way of life to the rest of the world. Latria had been their only trading partner for nearly a century. Treborelan scientists had perfected the Solar Gem System a clean efficient energy system. These sparkling gems were only found in the Treborelan Alps and had the retentive and refractive power of 1000 lanterns. Treborel had so much to offer the planet. It was time the world was introduced to Treborel and its Empathic Healers.
In the years that followed, Mikel and Sari turned Treborel into one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. The Gem System proved virtually self-sufficient and the simplicity of the Energy System made it difficult to resist. The Gems collected and absorbed the sun’s rays, even through the dense layer of clouds that covered the sky. The gems energy would be intensified into a laser powered hydroelectric system, more powerful than the solid fuel generators of the past.
Although the gems were not indestructible, once installed they lasted for nearly 2 decades. Most of the planet had converted over to the Gem System. Encouraged by this, Mikel and Sari sent the Empathic Healers to introduce their form of medicine to the world. Eager to comply the Healers went forth in high spirits only to return home after being met with ridicule and hostility. They were not allowed to practice and were accused of quackery and falsehoods.
On the eve of their return Mikel received news that overshadowed the Empathic disaster. The Latrian capital had been destroyed. Ventil attacked during the night using several squadrons of large military helijets and land vehicles armed with laser cannons. The palace was destroyed and the King was dead. At the news of their father's death, Mikel’s two older brothers had commanded the large laser cannons be turned on Ventil. They foolishly allowed the military forces to continue their attack on the city, while they sought their revenge.
When the battle was over, Latria and Ventil were in ruins. Ventil issued its surrender, although Latria could not enforce its acceptance. As Sari sent massive aid and dozens of Healers, Mikel mourned not only the death of his father, but the loss of his two remaining brothers as well. All that remained of the Latrian Royal family was Mikel and young Gwenna.
Mikel had not seen his sister in nearly 5 years. She had just celebrated her 18th birthday, which had caught him completely off guard. The crowds cheered Mikel upon his arrival at the Latrian Harbor assuming he had returned to rule in his father's place. Arriving at the ruins of the palace, he found a shaken and tearful Gwenna. She threw herself into her brother's arms and sobbed uncontrollably telling him of the horrors she had witnessed. Then gathering herself together the young bronze haired princess informed Mikel that the Eastern Providences were massing troops on Latria’s Eastern border.
Mikel sent for the Treborelan Naval and Coastal Air Forces. Feeling he had no choice, he assumed control and ordered the military to patrol the borders and destroy any armed forces that attempted to cross into Latria. Never had he dreamed that he would be forced to leave Sari in Treborel to defend and rule Latria. Neither had he desired it.
The smaller providences withdrew at first sight of the large Treborelan forces. The government offices were relocated to the Summer Palace in Southern Latria. The small palace had sustained little damage during the final conflict. There was a great need for housing in the Latrian Capital of Rian. The small section of the palace that remained intact had been converted into a medical complex.
The people of Latria called for Mikel to be crowned King. His only wish was to return home to Sari and Treborel. He did not wish to rule if it meant separation from his wife. Yet to leave Latria without a competent ruler was insane. The only heir to the throne other than he was Gwenna. How could he turn the crown over to an inexperienced child? How could she begin to understand the responsibilities of a Queen? How could he stay? He could not ask Sari to give up the throne of Treborel. His heart would always be with Sari and Treborel. It was just too difficult to continue seeing each other for only a few days at a time every few months. She had come to see him briefly, only two weeks ago. It seemed like years. It had been six months since his father's death and the war still raged.
Was this his destiny, to give up his happiness and the woman he loved to save his homeland? Was this the true calling he had been destined for, the call of a King? His entire life had been spent admiring his eldest brother, Oliver. He was the heir to the Empire. There had been countless times that he had wished as a child that he had been first born. Fighting the jealousy he felt, when Oliver was taken aside and groomed for the Crown. Even his two elder brothers had been prepared for the throne. Never in his life had he imagined that his brothers would have succeeded him to the afterlife at such a young age, leaving him to rule.
Now the throne was being thrust upon him, just as he had once wished. Yet Mikel could think of nothing worse right now than his childhood dream coming to fruition.