Imperial Dynasty

Inspired by switching's threads from "The Royal Succession" created by crunchyspag

In an alternate universe, nearly a millennium ago, numerous warring states vied to consolidate their power during the Feudal Era. Chief among them was the Holy Hayashi Empire, led by the popular patriarch, Scott, who was finally making a name for himself. Unfortunately, the Emperor suddenly passed away due to disease, leaving his widow, the newly promoted Grand Empress Dowager Katherine to take over the reigns until their heir, Ethan, came of age. Assisted by her royal advisors, Elena and Erin, Empress Katherine lead the empire into an extended period of stability after this great transition, leaving any major expansion efforts to her young son. While Katherine was granted regency until Ethan came of age, he was simultaneously trained in the priesthood along with a formal education under the guidance of his tutor, Monica Carrera, to prepare for his eventual ascendancy.

Now 19, Ethan would soon be installed as the new head of the church and state, with his coronation ceremony soon underway. Under the Empress Dowager, the empire experienced an extended period of peace that lined royal coffers and the pockets laypeople alike, which left the question of whether or not citizens would accept the rule of a new, young Emperor, let alone go to war for him, open. In contrast to his more jovial parents and sister, Princess Jocelyn, Ethan was much more of a stoic figure, reserved and shy unless you got to know him for a while. These were the central challenges the new emperor would face as he pursued his question to find a wife, create an heir, and expand his Holy Empire, all while learning the ropes on the fly. Luckily for him, he held a court of numerous experienced, trusted advisors, including his mother (Katherine) and her advisors (Elena and Erin), the princess (Jocelyn), his tutor (Ms. Carerra), and Marcus McGregor, his personal valet. Moreover, the Chief Priest himself was somewhat fond of the young man, his close relationship to Ethan's father transferring down to him.

With coronation day finally here, the Empress Dowager made sure to pull out all the stops, not just for her son's sake, but for legitimizing his rule. Katherine, anxiously shifted in her seat to the right on an empty throne, her daughter, hovering above her, rested a hand on her shoulder in assurance. In addition to her nervousness, the Empress Dowager was beginning to sweat profusely, the many-layered ceremonial kimono doing nothing but amplifying the humidity. Her luscious hair, styled into a topknot characteristic of royalty, compounded upon this heating effect, while her daughter, normally one to wear her hair down in private, wore a similar style, albeit one for younger, unmarried women. The turnout was even greater than that of Scott's coronation or their wedding, with many eager to catch a glimpse of the young Emperor-to-be, having lived his life mostly behind church or study walls. The loud bass of the taiko drums reverberated throughout the valley, signaling the arrival of the procession. While Ethan would also technically be the head of the church in addition to his role as Emperor, this was much more of a ceremonial title, with a Chief Priest actually performing most of the administrative duties. This Chief Priest, a man in his early seventies, led the procession, followed by a few other priests and the new Emperor's cabinet, however, the body was largely indistinguishable from that of the Empress Dowager's cabinet, with the continuation of the family line there was little reason not to retain many of these figures. At the very end of this procession was Ethan, a young man of decent build and stature, only flanked by a muscular, 6'3 man and his two assistants, also sumo wrestlers.

Comparatively a giant for this time, the man was none other than the reigning Yokozuna, Chiyomatsu Moriemon, the winningest rikishi known for his impressive technical throws. The Emperor-to-be's black haori coat contrasted greatly with the Yokozuna, who was half-naked, exposing his rippling muscles, only wearing a ceremonial apron and his lily-white braided hemp rope around his waist, with one loop around the back meant to represent a turtle, signifying his allegiance to the attack and defense-minded unryu style. As the lower priests and cabinet members took their seats in front of the stage, Ethan, the Chief Priest, and the three sumo wrestlers joined the princess and Empress Dowager on stage, the drums suddenly stopping, leaving a deafening silence in its wake. After announcing the names of the three sumo wresters, the Chief Priest began his chant, surprising everyone with his ability to project his voice despite his age and small stature. While the priest continued his chant, the three wrestlers began their part of the ceremony, the two attendants squatting on the ground as the Yokozuna stomped his feet, rising from his own squatting position like the Sun, one hand jetting out to the side while the other was angled towards his stomach. Both the Chief Priest's and Yokozuna's ceremonies were meant to purify this sacred place and the important people in attendance, protecting them with good luck as they ushered in a new era.

Ethan stood tall, doing his best to maintain his stoic posture despite his nerves, as he looked on upon the ceremony before him and the massive crowd anxious for his impending rule. Before long, the chant and the Yokozuna's ceremony was over, the three wrestlers left the stage, leaving the Chief Priest to begin the ordainment. Getting onto his knees, he first bowed to his mother and sister, holding this kowtow for several second, eventually shifting back to face the Chief Priest. As the Chief Priest finally declared him the new Emperor, Ethan did his best to regulate his breaths before standing up to take his spot on the throne. Once he grew into his new role, his mother and sister joined the priest in front of the throne, all three getting on their knees to bow down to the new Emperor. Suddenly, a loud echo consumed the silence of the space as the entire audience followed suit, bowing down in unison.

A new dynasty had begun.