In a time long past; 200 years ago to be precise...
The royal assembly had gathered in anticipation in the grand hall of the Viper Clan's palace, their eyes fixed on the enormous egg placed at the center of the room. The atmosphere was thick with a sense of reverence, as only the highest associates of the Viper Clan were granted the privilege to witness this momentous occasion.
The royal assembly and council of elders sat in dignified silence, their hearts brimming with both excitement and awe. Their gaze shifted from the egg to the ornate throne at the head of the room, where Queen Zuki presided with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, sitting to the right of her betrothed husband, King Uzra.
A hush fell over the room as a gentle radiance bathed the egg, casting a soft glow upon the expectant faces of the assembly. The delicate cracks began to spiderweb across the shell, heralding the imminent arrival of a future ruler.
With each fracture, the tension in the room grew, and a collective breath was held in suspense. The cracks expanded, revealing glimpses of the extraordinary life within, a symbol of new beginnings and the continuation of the Viper dynasty.
With a resounding crack, the shell then split open and a blinding light flooded the hall. Gasps of astonishment and delight filled the air as the multitude bore witness to the birth of the crown prince, Liang, their future leader.
Emerging from the shattered remnants of the egg, Liang's form glistened with an ethereal radiance. His presence exuded an air of regality, as if he carried the weight of his lineage upon his shoulders. The room erupted in applause and reverent whispers, their excitement mingled with a deep sense of pride for their newborn leader.
As the royal physician stepped into the radiant light, carefully cradling baby Liang in his arms, he embarked on his solemn duty to examine the newborn and ensure his health. The room fell into a tense silence as all eyes fixated on the tiny figure in the physician's hands.
With a practiced touch, the physician examined Liang's tiny limbs, listened for the reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat, and checked the responsiveness of his reflexes. The assembly held its breath, their hopes entwined with the well-being of their future leader.
"Sss.... It's a male offspring" The physician spoke aloud as he examined between Liang's limbs.
Queen Zuki was overwhelmed and with relief, she rose from her throne with the king and the congregation standing, a sea of bowing heads, honoring the birth of their future leader. The scene was filled with a sense of divine significance, as if the Viper Clan had been touched by destiny itself.
In that moment, the hall resonated with the promise of a new era. The birth of Liang, the crown prince, marked the continuation of their legacy and the embodiment of their hopes and dreams. It was a testament to the power and resilience of the Viper Clan, whose influence would reach far and wide under the guidance of their new leader.
And as the assembly basked in the light that shone upon the birth of their future, they couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation for the adventures and challenges that lay ahead, with Liang, their crown prince, poised to lead them into a new chapter of the Viper Clan's history.
But as the physician gently turned Liang over to inspect his back, a gasp escaped his lips. He froze, his eyes widened in disbelief.
He whispered under his breath, "No... This can't be possible. Sss..."
The room stirred with curiosity, surging for apprehension as they noticed the physician's reaction. Concern spread through the assembly, their eyes fixed on the royal physician as they anxiously awaited an explanation.
"What is it, Physician? What's wrong with the prince?" inquired one of the assembly members, his voice tinged with worry.
To his astonishment, Liang did not bear the royal birthmark, the revered and sacred tattoo that had adorned the backs of viper clan rulers for centuries. Chai-yang, a symbol of power and destiny, was believed to be a companion and guardian to the born leader, a guide on their path to fulfilling their royal role.
The physician's hands trembling slightly, struggled to find the right words. "Th-the royal birthmark... Chai-yang... It's not there" he confessed.
Gasps of astonishment swept through the room, mingling with whispers of disbelief. "What do you mean the crown prince do not possess Chai-yang?" An elder of the Viper Clan said in the crowd.
A sense of doubt filled the air as the assembly grappled with the unexpected revelation. "But that's impossible! The birth mark has been a constant for generations. It's a symbol of our rulers' connection to their destiny" exclaimed another member of the assembly in shock.
Ominous whispers spread throughout the assembly, their murmurs carried on a current of uncertainty. The absence of the birthmark cast a shadow of doubt over Liang's legitimacy as the crown prince. The whispers grew louder, questioning the implications of this unforeseen deviation from tradition.
Queen Zuki heart sank in her throne. Heavy with concern, she stepped forward to cradle her baby in her safe hands. Her gaze flickered with anxiety as she contemplated the significance of this unexpected turn of events. The weight of the Viper clan's expectations bore down upon her shoulders, demanding her resolve.
"This raises questions, my queen. The birthmark has always been an assurance, a sign of the Chosen one. Ssss.... Without it, what are we to believe?" Elder Wang voiced out with concern.
The Viper Queen held Liang even closer to her chest, searching for answers. Her voice quivered as she stood firmly to protect her child "Believe in me, in us. This is my son. Regardless of Chai-yang, he is our future prince. He has the strength and potential to lead our clan".
The chamber fell into a heavy silence, each member of the assembly contemplating the implications of this unforeseen turn of events. Doubt lingered in the air, leaving them uncertain of the path forward.
Queen Zuki's gaze filled with determination, responded with unwavering conviction as she stood resolute, facing the assembly "We cannot let this setback define us. Liang is our crown prince. With or without the royal birthmark. We will find another way to guide him, to shape him into the leader our clan needs."
In the midst of the unsettling atmosphere, Queen Zuki's betrothed husband, King Uzra, shook his head in quiet disappointment. Without uttering a single word, he turned away from the gathering, his departure conveying his own struggle to reconcile the absence of the royal birthmark with their cherished traditions.
The weight of uncertainty fogged the air, leaving the Viper Clan standing at a crossroads. Their faith in their traditions tested, they would need to forge a new path, trusting in their queen's unwavering belief in her son and their collective strength.
__________***__________
The Viper Queen's heart was heavy with love for her son. She watched Liang grow with each passing day as she nurtured him, cherishing every precious moment they shared together. Liang was her shining gem, a constant source of joy and pride in her life.
One sunny day, Liang approached the king with his bow and arrow in his hand, eager to learn the ways of the archer. Recognizing he was only a child and wanted the opportunity to play, King Uzra agreed to teach him. They spent the afternoon playing, laughter echoing through the palace grounds. It was more like a father-and-son bond as little Liang was fond of the Viper King, Uzra.
However, when the king returned, a bitter storm seemed to have clouded his heart. He confronted Queen Zuki, his words dripping with venomous bitterness.
"Get rid of the child" King Uzra demanded.
"What has my son done? Was he being a naughty boy?" Queen Zuki inquired, not understanding what was going on with the king.
"Don't you see what calamity you have brought upon the entire kingdom? Liang is not my scale and blood." King Uzra emphasized further "...I thought I could turn a blind eye to the taboo you committed, marrying you with the pregnancy of your ex-lover. It was all because of the undying love I have for you that I have kept silent till this day. But no, no no no. The child is not even worthy of the throne." The absence of the royal birthmark fueled the king's resentment and his desire to remove Liang from the line of succession.
Tears welled up in Queen Zuki's eyes as she pleaded with the king, her voice trembling with sentiment. "Please, my king, reconsider. Liang is our son, regardless of blood ties or birthmarks. I cannot bear to part with him."
The king was consumed by acrimony. He responded with venomous words, his voice laced with agony. "He is not my son! I can see it in his eyes, the truth that you tried so hard to hide. He will never be fit to inherit the throne."
The Viper king's words struck Queen Zuki like daggers to her heart. She could not fathom the cruelty he displayed towards the young prince. Heartbroken yet determined, Queen Zuki shook her head, her voice resolute. "I have been faithful to you, my king. Liang is a testament to our love, our bond. I will not abandon him, no matter what you say."
The king's bitterness grew, his anger rising as he lashed out with further accusations. "Your lies have deceived me for too long. Sss.... Liang is a constant reminder of your betrayal, a stain on our royal lineage. He will never be competent, worthy of ruling the Viper Clan. Not when I am alive."
With pain etched on her face, the Viper Queen countered the king's decision with strong vocal "You have let bitterness cloud your judgment, my king. Liang possesses qualities that make him a remarkable prince. I will not stand by and let you strip him of his rightful place."
The king's voice grew louder, his anger echoing through the chamber. "I refuse to acknowledge him as my son! He will never be a true Viper Prince. That bastard, not possessing Chai-yang is a sign of his illegitimacy."
Queen Zuki's fixed the king with an unwavering stare "Do not call my son a bastard. Sss... He has a father." her resolute solidified "The birthmark does not define his worth or potential. He is my son, and I will protect him with every ounce of my being."
Their voices clashed and the chamber was filled with grieving tension. With a heavy heart and a mind clouded by conflicting emotions, Queen Zuki retreated into the depths of the palace, seeking solace and strategizing a plan to secure her son's rightful place on the throne and protect him from the king's wrath.
Hurt by the king's words, she knew she had to navigate treacherous waters to safeguard Liang and secure the throne. A fierce love burned brightly in her heart, fueling her determination to overcome the challenges ahead and protect her precious son from the storm brewing within the kingdom.
In the darkness of her contemplation, a spark of resolve ignited within her as she vowed to protect her son at all costs, shielding him from any harm that lies ahead even if it means silencing the king's mouth forever.