New World: The Rise Of Meruem

The room was filled with the silence I love oh so much… the calm beating hearts of my followers. Paced against the fast-unsteady beating of Mar,qu,wilius's heart was music to my ears. But this moment was also quite strange as I for once did not or maybe could not know what Mar,qu,wilius would do, what he would choose.

Will you come with me and free yourself? Or will he run headfirst into the arms of "culture"? Like a child hiding under the covers from the shadows that appear as though they were monster…. Oh, how I know so much about those shadows.

"…...I am not as you wish me to be. I am not and will not be a lost child waiting for you to save me. Meruem listen here… I have something stronger than anything you could give me. I have a love for the queen and that fuels me. Guides me down my path as I wait for the king to save us… not some smooth-talking newborn. And like I said I will not accept the name you have given to me. I am not Mar,qu,wilius."

And with this I win, silly little Mar,qu,wilius even you do not believe those empty words, do you? But then why is that you resist me. Little Mar,qu,wilius you have forced yourself down an impossible path, yet I do not understand why. I could give you far more than the queen could ever hope to… I must figure out why, but I have allowed this to go on long enough it is time to decide.

"I won't deny your belief in the queen…. or even the king. You see Mar,qu,wilius I force no one to follow me. Though I d.e.s.i.r.e strong-willed people like yourself. I will respect and honor your decision but you must first make a decision… don't hide any more Mar,qu,wilius how much longer will you cower… you claim to be driven by your love and devotion to the queen…. but all I see in you is a broken, and scared Intecqu who has no clue what he's doing… if this is you driven by the queen then I must inform you... you appear lifeless and dull. Dragging your feet everywhere as though they were weights tying down your very essence of your soul… to the scorched dirt, filled with the blood and screams of your fellow Intecqu. I give you this last moment… Mar,qu,wilius accept your new name and join with us… have faith in something greater than yourself."

With this I believe I have finally gotten him to join with me seeing as he couldn't stop taking glances at those who had already made the decision. His feet moved as though he were being forced to join and I couldn't have that, you see people and Intecqu are alike in that way. As they sometimes do things just because someone else has done it, in a way, it's not of their own free will.

But more as though they have tapped into the consciousness of the group and are now subjected to its will. But I could not have that I couldn't allow Mar,qu,wilius to make another decision simply based on either peer pressure or fear. This needs to be something he chooses for himself not something he feels was forced upon him.

So I placed my tail in front of the slow walking Mar,qu,wilius seeing as he still continued to drag his feet and have second thoughts about what he should do. My tail stopped him dead in his tracks and I could see the fear and just a hint of relieve building up in him.

"This decision will not be as all others you've made, listen Mar,qu,wilius…. Listen to the beating of your heart, listen to the inner voice in your head… and make a decision, not for anyone other than yourself… walk with purpose with dignity not with sorrow. As though you were a lit flame destined to burn out. Let this be the first choice you've ever truly made… choose to follow me like all those before you."

This caused his heart to go through many stages of panic and what I believe was self-realization. All the weight was placed on his head and now all he had to do was make a decision. Whether it be to join or leave wasn't left to anyone else but him, and I could tell this perplexed him. When actually forced to make a decision can you muster up that kind of courage… I wonder.

....

It didn't take long for him to walk over to the group and take his stance in line. I said nothing and simply moved on to giving them their orders seeing as Mar,qu,wilius was not someone I was worried about, his strength was a façade to make it seem as though he would not join me. Cause you see nonnew better than him that he had nothing better to run back to, what other choice did he have?

"Firstly, I would like to welcome you all to "The Family" seeing as from today onwards we shall be as close as family. We will share knowledge, struggle, and successes with one another… on our path to self-realization and the rise of the Intecqu species. The first mission I have for all of you is…. To go out and brag…. Yes, brag. Tell every Intecqu in this cave about how amazing your bounty will be in 4 months' time. Tell them about how big your bellies will be after eating until you nearly burst… after a weeks' time, we shall reconvene, and I will inform you about the task each of you shall carrier out. Some of you will begin your training as soldier's, others shall begin working on the creation of the new weapons I have designed. Now everyone please follow the directions of Viticus he will walk you out."

As I said this, I noticed their disappointment in what I said, but I cared not seeing as. If they did it or not means nothing to me. I motioned to Viticus to guide them out, though they appeared uncertain they moved with a newfound grace and purpose. I liked seeing that, it made me feel… something. Maybe a sense of pride.

As Viticus got them all out, he rushed over to me. He appeared happy, but also had a heavy heart something was bothering him. It still takes him time to work up the courage to speak…. Which is good, I guess. I needed not to ask for his report as he desperately wanted to give it to me.

...….

"Meruem… from what I've heard… you're not liked at all by those on the higher levels. Many deem you as an arrogant newborn at best…. And a fool at worst. Though some liked your philosophy but not your means of accruing your goals…. In particular, they disliked your killing of one of the 9th generation… dreaming it nearly a direct opposition to the queen herself. Though you were in luck that some did not see it as such. But you must be careful Meruem. Any killing of Intecqu not sanctioned by the queen is deemed illegal and may result in you losing your life."

I stood tall and unbothered by the words of Viticus, though I could clearly see the worry on his face. I couldn't allow myself to be fazed by this… news. You see I was always prepared for this outcome; it was after all a calculated risk that I was willing to take. I may even say I was prepared for something even worse. But I digress, seeing as it's no longer relevant.

"You said that some "liked" my philosophy. Tell me more about them, and their d.e.s.i.r.es for the future. also, tell me would they be willing to give support… from the shadows of course."

"…. Umm yes, after talking privately with some influential Intecqu I believe some would be willing to give you support from the shadows as you said though I would have to talk more extensively…. But Meruem I don't believe you know how serious this is….. The queen is currently in hibernation but that does not mean that your safe or that your actions have been forgotten or forgiven… she's known for never forgiving anyone who kills a fellow Intecqu… Meruem I have accepted you as my king… but I must inform you that there are lines you cannot cross. Otherwise, you risk placing yourself in the crosshairs of not only other Intecqu but the queen herself and she has… them under her control."

"them huh" I wondered about who or what has Viticus so worried… He seems different scared even, yes obviously afraid of the queen's wrath but also of something else, those he refers to as "them". The way he speaks it's as though there's something eating away at him. And what's this about the queen hibernating? Is she sick? Is she dying? Or is this just something she does periodically? Damn the questions are racing through my mind and I'm starting to feel hungry again, I can practically hear the blood inside of Viticus thrashing around as though they were a hurricane or some other natural disaster. No, forget that I need to focus on what's gotten Viticus so afraid.

"it seems you have some knowledge you wish to give to me… do not be afraid Viticus you shall not be harmed for speaking your concerns. I know of the risk involved in killing the Intecqu you refer to as being of the 9th generation, but the risk is necessary and will be taken. But this time it appears I took the risk without first having all the necessary information, which I admit is problem Matic... worry not Viticus you are a respected member of my family… speak your mind but be…... mindful"

As I said this, I practically felt the relieve lift off the shoulders of Viticus as he could now finally relieve himself of the burdensome knowledge, he was carrying with him. I simply waited in anticipation of what new foe or social system I would have to slay on my path to being… king.