Reset

King Jonathan's reign had been an impeccable one - in forty years of ruling, not one tragedy had befallen his kingdom, the land had flourished, and the streets ran rampant with gold. The people were happy. The kingdom was rich. They were set to flourish for generations, and while their army was rarely utilized, it was expertly managed. The soldiers were strong and fast, the generals were masterful tacticians, and the few times they had been sent into combat, they had returned victorious and with minimal casualties. Jonathan watched over it all, dictating with remarkable accuracy how the kingdom should be run, ready and willing to change the course of their lives in an instant, but always in such a way that it benefited every member of every class.

His advisors had tried early on to advise his actions, but had learned quickly to take a step back unless asked to speak and let their king do as he will. They watched in awed silence as he ran the kingdom past its limits and into new prosperity that they had never thought possible. At times, they tried to understand his decisions - to analyze the state of the land, the changing winds, the turning of the stars, the ever fluctuating powers of the neighboring kingdoms. But they could never fully understand how he came about his decisions. It was as though he could simply see the future.

Jonathan sat in his throne, staring out the window at his kingdom, deep in thought. He was nearing his sixty second birthday, and he knew that he did not have much time left. His brow furrowed as he stared at the land. His assistant watched on in an uncomfortable silence; the king had never looked so frustrated in all the time they had been together. "Your majesty?" the assistant asked quietly, not wishing to disturb his lord. "Is something wrong?"

The king turned slowly from the window to his assistant, eyes clearly focusing on the man as though they had lost focus only moments ago. "It is still not good enough."

"What is not good enough?"

"My kingdom."

The assistant was taken aback by that. In all of history, no one had ever seen a kingdom so immaculately run. "What is not good enough about your kingdom?" he asked. "What could you have possibly asked for more in your time as king? Your people could not be happier. The soil is rich, and so are you. I have never heard of success so great as yours."

"But it could have been more."

"I... I don't understand, your highness. What could have been better?"

Jonathan shook his head. "I have learned much. It is time to try again."

The assistant went to speak, but then he was gone. Jonathan stood in the blackness of the void, waiting as time rewound. He could feel the grayness leaving his hair, the wrinkles on his face smoothening, his muscles returning. Youth filled him once more, but he remembered his age, and everything he had done in his reign.

A thousand lifetimes in his mind. A thousand kingdoms. A thousand mistakes and successes.

Each better than the last. Eventually his kingdom would be perfect. Infallible. Impenetrable. Immaculate.

But there was still more to be done. To be learned. And to be reset.