Chapter 23: The Destined for Everything

  The scene opens with Scarlett desperately trying to revive Juan. His trembling hands pressed the young man's chest while his tears fell on him.

  Scarlett: "Let's go! Breathe, damn it! Breathe!"

  Suddenly, Juan inhaled deeply, his throat dry and his body trembling.

  Juan (weakly): "Who... who died? Me?"

  Scarlett couldn't help but let out a choked laugh between her tears.

  Scarlett: "Idiot! Don't joke about that!"

  Juan, coughing and feeling his chest shrink, tried to get up.

  Elizabeth, with her face still full of tears, put a firm hand on his shoulder.

  Elizabeth: "Don't get up... don't do nonsense."

  But Juan, despite the pain, pushed himself up.

  Juan (smiling weakly): "I'm not going to miss the best part."

  ?

  Scene 2: The Way of the Ruler

  As they advanced back to the place of the debate, Valtherion carried part of Juan's weight, who could barely stand up. In his path, the crowd began to react. First, it was a few people who knelt. Then the side spread.

  One by one, the inhabitants of the planet bowed to Juan. Those who watched from their homes through interplanetary transmissions also did. The crowd was a symphony of reverent whispers:

  "The ruler..."

  "The king of the biuniverse..."

  "The one destined for everything..."

  Juan, visibly uncomfortable, tried to smile and asked them to get up. But no one did it.

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  Juan (looking at Valtherion): "No... I can't let them do this..."

  Valtherion, with a firm voice, whispered:

  Valtherion: "This is not something you can decide... This is what they chose."

  Juan took a deep breath and separated from Valtherion, staggering as he stood up by himself. His legs were shaking, his body seemed to be about to collapse.

  Juan (shouting in a firm voice): "Get up! I don't kneel before you, nor you before me! The true ruler is by your side, not above you!"

  The silence was total.

  Then, what no one expected happened. Instead of getting up, everyone knelt in unison. There was no pride, no submission... only absolute respect. Juan clenched his fists, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

  ?

  Scene 3: The Announcement of Destiny

  Counselor Azarath, with a solemn expression, approached the podium in front of the crowd.

  Azarath: "John... for your acts of courage, sacrifice and compassion... in the name of the Heavenly Council, I officially appoint you..."

  The echo of his voice echoed all over the planet.

  Azarath: "The Ruler of the Biuniverse!"

  The rumble of the applause felt like a wave of power that shook the place.

  Juan, still incredulous, smiled. Not because he wanted to be able to, but because he had understood something: if he could bring hope... then it was worth it.

  The scene cuts his mother, Yessy, watching the transmission from Earth. His eyes were full of tears.

  Yessy (touching the screen): "I'm so proud of you, son..."

  In another part of the world, his 22-year-old brother Coby was at work. When he saw Juan on the screen, he smiled proudly.

  Coby (in a low voice): "You did it, brother..."

  In the United States, his cousin Tadeo was at a family reunion with Michelle, Mateo and Joshua. When they saw the broadcast, they were speechless. Michelle broke the silence.

  Michelle (surprised): "Is he... is he our cousin?"

  ?

  Scene 4: The Weight of Truth

  Juan, feeling that his strength was running out, tried to continue standing. But before he could speak again, his body finally gave in.

  Juan (falling to his knees): "Sorry... but I need... to rest..."

  He fainted.

  Valtherion, firm as always, advanced to the Council.

  Valtherion (with a deep voice): "Give him her powers... he needs to recover."

  Counselor Dorian, still disgusted with Juan's victory, approached with a crooked smile.

  Dorian: "Powers? What powers? Nothing was taken away from him."

  The revelation fell like a bomb.

  Dorian: "Didn't they know...? He... has no powers. Everything he did was only by his own strength."

  The silence was sepulchral. The crowd was stunned.

  Scarlett, with a proud smile, murmured:

  Scarlett: “Incredible...”

  ?

  Scene 5: The Destined for Everything

  Back at the mansion, Juan slept soundly in his bed, with bandages all over his body. His friends watched him from the door.

  Lightning, arms crossed, he chuckled.

  Lightning: "That bastard... it's impossible."

  Charlotte, with wet eyes, smiled.

  Charlotte: "That's Juan... the one destined for everything."

  The camera moves away slowly, showing the mansion surrounded by a starry sky and a gentle wind that seemed to whisper a single word:

  "The ruler..."

  End of chapter