Ruler

"I am Emperor Fang, undisputed ruler of the five kingdoms and wielder of the Stars of Elysia. I demand that you let me pass!" Fang's resounding, imposing voice rang out in the middle of the Wild West amusement park, eventually fading into canned gunshots and the whooping of children. The bored cowgirl between him and the best rollercoaster in the park looked down from her iPhone.

"Sorry, buckaroo, them's the rules. Gotta be taller than five feet to ride the Rodeo Express," she said before returning to her gacha game.

"Do you have any idea what you risk by denying me?" the Emperor seethed.

"I risk losing my wages because I fell for some middleschooler's prank. Now please, you're holding up the gatdamn line." Fang stomped away in a huff.

---

The history books would call it the Seven Day War. The Stars of Elysia rained down upon the armies of mortals, leaving only disintegrating husks. The queen and her court scrambled to surrender. The emperor, cloaked in stardust, had only one demand.

The day after the end of the war, the cowgirl once again looked down at the emperor.

"You know, you could have just built your own Rodeo Express," she said contemptuously as she opened the gate to the Rodeo Express.

"It's about sending a message," retorted the Emperor, a wicked grin on his face.

Fifteen minutes later, the Emperor was dead, having slipped from the restraints and fallen five stories to the ground.