Heir of the King Chapter 2: The Awakening

[Location: Aiden’s Room, Night]

Aiden Malik

*sitting on his bed, staring at the glowing tablet*

Aiden Malik

What… what are you?

*The tablet pulses with a golden light, symbols shifting and glowing like they’re alive.*

Aiden Malik

*mutters to himself*

Aiden Malik

This is crazy. It’s just some old stone tablet…

Aiden Malik

Why am I even talking to it?

*The symbols begin to change, rearranging themselves into words he can read*

tablet

You are not alone. The Chosen must awaken

Aiden Malik

*eyes widen* What does that mean?

Aiden Malik

Who's writing this? Is someone watching me?

*He hears a knock on his door, his mother’s voice muffled through the wood.*

Aiden's mom

Aiden? Are you okay in there?

Aiden's mom

You’ve been awfully quiet

*Aiden quickly throws a blanket over the tablet, dimming its light.*

Aiden Malik

Yeah, Mom! I’m fine.

Aiden Malik

Just, uh… studying.

*There’s a pause. Aiden hears her sigh.*

Aiden's mom

Alright. Dinner’s almost ready. Don’t be too long.

*He listens as her footsteps fade away. Slowly, he uncovers the tablet again, heart pounding.*

Aiden Malik

*This thing… it knows something. And I’m pretty sure it’s connected to the dreams. But how?*

*He reaches out, hovering his fingers over the glowing surface. A cold shiver runs through his spine.*

Aiden Malik

Okay, if you're real, then...

Aiden Malik

Show me something. Tell me what you want from me.

*Suddenly, a blinding flash erupts from the tablet, and Aiden is pulled into a vision. He sees a golden city, massive stone ziggurats, and hears the deep, echoing chants of thousands of voices.*

Voice in the Vision

Heir of the King…

Voice in the Vision

Awaken your destiny

*Aiden stumbles back, ripping his hand away from the tablet. He’s breathing hard, drenched in sweat.*

Aiden Malik

*What the hell is happening to me?*

Location: Mesopotamian Desert, Midnight]

*Aric Holt kneels in the heart of a ruined temple*

*His eyes locked on the crown of Gilgamesh.*

*The crown glows faintly, whispering promises of unimaginable power.*

Aric Holt

*to himself* I’ve found it. After all these years… I’ve finally found it.

*He takes a deep breath and reaches out, his hands trembling as he touches the crown. Immediately, a searing pain shoots up his arms.*

Aric Holt

*gritting his teeth, refusing to let go* Come on…

Aric Holt

I’m not letting go.

Aric Holt

Not now.

*His vision blurs, and suddenly he’s no longer in the temple. He stands in a grand, golden city, staring at a massive throne where a man with molten gold eyes — Gilgamesh — sits.*

Gilgamesh

You dare claim my power?

Aric Holt

*stepping forward, bold*

Aric Holt

I do. I’m worthy of it.

Gilgamesh

*Gilgamesh rises, his expression stern and regal.*

Gilgamesh

We shall see.

*With a roar, a wave of golden energy blasts toward Aric. Instinctively, Aric raises his arms, and the energy splits around him. His veins glow with golden light.*

Aric Holt

*I… I can feel it. The power… it’s mine.*

*The vision fades, and Aric is back in the temple, gasping. The crown no longer feels cold; it feels alive.*

Aric Holt

*smiling, a dangerous glint in his eyes*

Aric Holt

Let’s see who dares to challenge me now.

[Location: Ashford City Library, Late Evening]

*Aiden, unable to shake the feeling that something is changing, follows his instincts to the oldest library in the city. The place is nearly deserted, shadows stretching between the rows of ancient books.*

Aiden Malik

*walking down an aisle, whispering to himself*

Aiden Malik

What am I even doing here? I should be home, sleeping this off…

*Suddenly, he sees a shadow move at the end of the aisle. He freezes.*

Aiden Malik

Hey! Who’s there?

*A figure steps out from the shadows — a man with a lean build, dressed in dark, weathered clothes. His eyes glow faintly, like embers.*

Strange

You’re far from home,

Strange

"Heir of Gilgamesh"

Aiden Malik

*heart pounding*

Aiden Malik

How do you know that? Who are you?

Strange

Smirking* "Someone who’s been watching you for a long time

Strange

You’re not as hidden as you think."

*Aiden’s grip tightens on the tablet. The whispers in his mind grow louder.*

Aiden Malik

*I need to be ready… This guy isn’t normal.*

Strange

There are others looking for you, boy. Others who want what you have.

Aiden Malik

*Stepping back, his voice steady* "Yeah? Let them come."

Strange

*The man’s smirk widens.*

Strange

Oh, they will. And some are far less friendly than me."

*Before Aiden can react, the stranger raises his hand. A flash of blinding light fills the aisle. Aiden stumbles back, shielding his eyes. When he blinks the spots away, the man is gone, leaving only a faint golden shimmer in the air.*

Aiden Malik

*breathing hard* What the hell was that? What is going on?

*He glances around, but the library is silent, empty. He knows he can’t stay here. Pocketing the tablet, he bolts for the exit.*

[Location: Mesopotamian Desert, Dawn]

*Aric stands on the edge of the temple ruins, his eyes fixed on the horizon. A sense of purpose fills him, the power of the crown thrumming through his veins like a second heartbeat.*

Aric Holt

* Someone else is out there. Another heir… or a threat. I need to find them.*

He smirks, his mind already plotting. The pull is undeniable, guiding him like a compass. Somewhere across the world, the game has begun.

Aric Holt

*To himself a low whisper* I’m coming for you, heir of Gilgamesh.

[Location: Aiden’s Home, Late Night]

*Aiden sits in his room, heart still racing from the encounter at the library. He knows he’s in over his head, but there’s no turning back now.*

Aiden Malik

*I need to figure this out. If there are others like that guy… if there are people looking for me… I need to be ready.*

*He looks down at the tablet, the glowing symbols still shifting across its surface. He can feel it now — the power inside him, the connection to something ancient, something… dangerous.*

Aiden Malik

*To himself*Okay. If I’m really some heir of Gilgamesh, then it’s time to find out what that means. And if there’s anyone out there who wants a fight…

He grips the tablet tighter, feeling a surge of determination.

Aiden Malik

…then I’m not backing down.

Outside, a cold wind howls, carrying with it the distant echoes of ancient voices, whispering of battles yet to come.

[End of Chapter 2]