BTS Imagines

The tenth chronicle: Broken Crown

Story based on the lyrics of ''Broken Crown'' by Mumford & Sons. Listen to the song whilst reading this for the optimal experience.

The big hall always seems to be shrouded in a tangible sinful dusk, but nobody seems to notice that. Many voices speak about the choosing of the new king, but the young man in the corner of the room touches his mouth in uncertainty. He is already here against his will, but it is either this or execution. All that for telling a mere truth.

After pondering whether or not to speak up he decides it is better to hold his tongue.

I'll never be your chosen one.

The mere thought of it makes him almost retch with disdain. He would rather be home, safe and tucked away. Yet, that has not been an option for a long while.

No matter the effort the emperor will put into choosing his successor, he cannot tempt the young man if he does not see the day. One more day in the darkness and he may give in despite his resistance.

The hall becomes loaded with a heavy silence as the monarch, dressed in a gorgeous embroidered red vest over a hellish white shirt, enters and ascends his throne. The boy knows what the lock hanging from the silver necklace around the man's neck means. It keeps the people trapped. It is the source of his power. Over all he looks as magnificent and powerful as a lion.

For reasons unknown, the sovereign exerts a certain kind of pull and the boy finds himself drawn to the man on the great chair. This power, this hold over him, stifles his choice of never being the next in the perverse royal line. He pays for his stubbornness with the air in his lungs, which slowly seems to be pressed out of them.

Better not to breathe than to breathe a lie.

Although, is it worth the price? A life is more valuable than a position, or so one would think. However, this lad will do anything to not be thrown in a life without passion.

The agony becomes too great and he surrenders, opening in his body to the king and breathing in a lie. The lie of living when you are dead on the inside.

'Do you see now? You cannot outrun me. You cannot hide from fate. You are destined to be the next,' the emperor proudly growls as the boy falls on his knees, panting laboriously in order to regain his composure. The man stands up and squats besides his destined inheritor. 'Do you understand? You will commit the same crimes as me, but the people won't know they are mere puppets and we the masters. The gods are disgusted by it, but someone has to do it. Mankind needs to be controlled, but it is considered a sin. However, as you will do this as well, you cannot speak of it. So you will shut up and no longer try to spread the truth as you have tried for so long, Jungkook.'

The game is over, the young man realizes. It has been ever since the guards plucked him off the marketplace where he was spreading word about the corrupted government.

'I will not speak of your sin, Namjoon.' The surrender comes out in ragged breaths. This is the way out for him. One gets away and the replacement pays the price. Now it would be his turn to live every day like a dead man, devoid of all emotions but disgust and an uncontrollable lust for power.

Nobody can see the ideals of their king, for the great mirror in which Namjoon looks every day when he rises and prepares himself for court does not show that his values are all shot. It is now the boy's to look upon and see his own twisted self.

But the successor's heart is flawed. He knows this weakness, a fear of the shadow that looms ahead. This is a terror a king cannot have, but nevertheless it instills a chill in Jungkook's bones.

Hope, thou knowst this fear of mine. So hold my hand. Consign me not to darkness.

The prayer to the god of Light gives him the strength he desperately needs.

Scrambling to his feet, the young chap is able to defend himself once more and avert himself from the blackness of sin. 'No, I'd sooner crawl on my belly 'til the sun goes down than that I shall wear your broken crown. I will take that road, no matter the hardships it brings with it, for I know I will be able to withstand it all.' He spreads his arms. 'In all my years I have been walking this path, so I know what I am speaking of.'

The last rays of sunlight filter through the stained windows and cast the grand hall in an orange glow. The faces of all those that are attending have an expression of shock on them. Nobody goes against the king. Those who do are punished by death, everyone knows that. A loud murmur carrying that rumour spreads over the present public.

Namjoon's appearance, that had a certain kind of calmth to it, has contorted with aggravation. 'Think of the grace you are denying yourself. You can be a god!'

'In this twilight, how dare you speak of grace?' These last hours should form the dawn for a new era in which man is no longer victim of their leader's perversion. They deserve to be free and only somebody with true grace can grant them that. This imposter has not even a sliver of it within himself.

'Think about what you are throwing away. I can grant you a new life, away from the dirt poor streets. This is your chance, boy. Your chance to walk like a wolf among sheep, live like a rich man.' It comes out through clenched teeth and makes the rightful heir more determined in his choice.

'No, my lord,' he mockingly replies. 'I will stand my ground. As I said before, if I have to I shall crawl on my belly 'til the sun goes down, for I will never wear your broken crown. This is the path I choose for myself and I shall walk the entirety of it. There is nothing you can offer that will change my mind.' Jungkook casts a glance past the meaningless attendants to the world outside of which he hopes it will one day be granted mercy. Only time will be able to tell when that is to happen. Though, there is one other thing that plays a role in the longed for change. 'But in this twilight our choices will seal our fate.'

The young man turns around and moves through the sea of bodies, pushing aside all who stand in his way. Behind him the king is left in bafflement, never having been refused. Yet he is amused, for one of his puppets finally has spoken out against him after centuries of silent suffering.

'My lord, do we need to go after him?' the broad-shouldered captain of the guard asks the emperor as he comes running towards him. 'We can send the hounds ahead after him.'

'No, leave him be.' With a nonchalant gesture of his hand, Namjoon waves the idea of pursue away. 'I am curious to see what that kid can accomplish in the future. He may be no king, but he can get the people behind him. He has the gift of speech after all.'

'But, my lord-'

'Seokjin, truly, it is quite alright. The next time we shall see each other, a battle that will start a war will ensue. I will prove then that the crown is not broken and that he is mistaken. Until then, we wait.' The king turns away and sits down on the throne once again, regarding his puppets and making them dance according to his strings.

Outside the dusk introduces the darkness of the kingdom of Sin, but where Jungkook walks the world is lit up by the God of Light. Everything His rays touch will someday no longer be corrupted. Nevertheless if one looks closely, one can see that the black is already retreating.

The boy with a god by his side is invincible, and this feat will be necessary in the impending war.

Until then he walks on, glad not to be wearing a broken crown.