Very early in the morning before the sun could even be seen in the horizon the sounds of swords slashing through the air echoed in the palace grounds, the one who was training alone was the man who was hailed as the strongest of the twelve lords of humanity. This had been his routine for months now, his wife the beautiful Mira could only look worriedly at her husband from the balcony of their bedchambers.
Lord Lionheart could only do that preparing for what he believed was inevitably going to come, when he slept he was plagued with nightmares of that day. His sword slashes were nothing short of divine but he still thought, no he actually believed it was not enough.
(Was it really worth it then?) He asked himself, back then he obviously thought it had to be done but was ruling really worth sacrificing his brother? His tired face was now showing some wavering. Slowly he slipped back into his past to the day everything changed.
The two of them where the ultimate duo, when they were fifteen after Karlmine had returned from his training in the mountains, they had joined the Allied Black Corps, a group of very skilled people from around the world. He who was a genius from the house of Regulus and his brother who though he was not gifted with mystic arts had taken his swordsmanship to divine lengths. The two prospered for three full years there until the time when Raziel was to be dubbed the successor of the kingdom. On that day their relationship changed, it is more correct to say Raziel changed. Being second to his brother who was the best soldier of their generation was not a big deal. He called him brother because they grew together but he was in fact his bodyguard, there is a saying that goes like this, be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Raziel's coronation was postponed when on the day of his eighteenth birthday, the day he became of age the palace seer revealed that Karlmine who had been at his side for years was in fact his twin brother.
***
The golden palace was one of the most beautiful structures ever to be built by men, yes the dwelling of the other twelve lord were all beautiful but this one was the most beautiful, its walls were painted yellow, a shade that gave the impression of glowing when they caught the sun's rays, the handle and the other metallic parts of the furniture were made of pure gold. On that day the palace workers were busy moving to and fro trying to get things done before the appointed time. Since the prince was coming of age, many people were coming and this included the other Lords. All this was happening while the one for whom this farce was about was relaxed in the palace arena after a sparring match with his body guard.
"No wonder they call you the violence of mortals, you really are a monster brother."
He smiled wryly, the one he was talking to was a black haired youth with kind eyes and a considerably lean body.
"I am the first knight, I was chosen by the royal blade. In order to protect this place that you will surely rule I will become a demon to your enemies 8f there is need."
He replied to the prince who smiled back.
"Oh, I almost forgot Mira and Moira are arriving soon."
"That is to be expected after all, I bet Lady Mira is quite excited to see you after so long."
The body guard smiled wryly.
"You are one to talk, Moira is always excited when you are around."
Raziel nudged him a little with his elbow causing him to look away with an embarrassed face.
An hour later the two were now properly dressed and standing by the palace gate. In front of them was a silver carriage and from it alighted two beautiful ladies, they were almost fully identical being twins and all. One however had a birth mark on her left cheek and that was Moira. The moment the black haired young man saw her, his body became jittery and his temperature elevated.
"Look at this sister, two gentleman are waiting for us."
Mira the one who was more outspoken smiled and waved at the two.
"Lady Mira, Lady Moira. It is a pleasure to see you again."
The prince's body guard gave the two a splendid bow.
"You are still formal with us really?"
Mira complained at him but Moira was shyly averting her eyes from him.
"Hahaha, my brother is like that, may I?"
Raziel held out his elbow and Mira latched her arm around it.
"You really are an incredibly sly person, pulling of a shy act like that."
After the other two had left the body guard smiled wryly and approached Moira, the two were actually a couple. Since it would be kind off scandalous for her to fall in love with a person of low rank their relationship was a secret.
"Rather it will be correct to say this side of me is only known by you and my sister."
Moira smiled and the two started following the others at a walkable distance.
Until then everything was okay but then towards the sun set when the coronation was to be held everything went wrong.
"Seeing as I am now old, I have now chosen my successor."
It was true the golden haired sovereign was old, his golden hair was losing its lustre but he still looked fit in fact according to human lifespans he was very old having lived for over a century. That was the price of power I guess. Those who stood at the helm as sovereigns and their families were blessed with potent and vast amounts of mystic force, might and longevity but as if to balance all that the birth rate was extremely low such that this king despite having concubines he only had two children, the prince and the youngest being a girl of 2 years.
"The one who shall be the next vessel of the Lion king, the one who shall wield the golden blade, that will be my son_____"
Before the old man could finish, the room was filled by a powerful gust of wind that rattled the windows, a small tremor also followed then. This was a rare phenomenon in the golden city, it hardly quaked there.
"As I was saying, my only son Raziel shall inherit my place among the shining stars as such step forth and claim your inheritance my child."
Treating the earlier disturbance as nothing the old man proceeded, the prince stood up and everyone cheered and clapped their hands. As custom he first bowed before his father and then approached the altar of the lion, the golden altar. On the altar was a golden blade which was shining with splendour.
Standing before the altar he began.
"Oh glorious relic of the lion of light let your brilliance brighten me and make me a sheathe worth of your brightness."
This was a chant that had been done in high ancient as both an oath and a contract for the lion's vessel. During the entire procedure, everyone was quiet and watching with keen interest at the phenomenal happening. The prince proceeded to hold the sword and lift it up.
Immediately the hall was filled with cheer and applause for him, but that only lasted a few moments because in his hand the sword lost its splendour, the glow died down even the goldenness of the blade began to darken.
"…."
A moment of silence assaulted the place but the one most confused was the prince himself, he was sure he had done everything perfectly.
"Asula?"
The prince's father turned to a woman who had been seated quietly next to him and his wife but she too seemed confused. Asula was the lion's priestess.
"My Lord Regulus, I am afraid I also do not______"
She did not finish, her eyes gave a off a golden glow and his face tensed becoming serene and magnificent.
Child of light with a crown of obsidian.
She turned to somewhere and addressed someone else not the king, her voice was deep and more of a roar. Everyone followed her gaze and their gaze fell on the prince's body guard.
My sheathe and my vessel come forth, this day you who have been denied of your standing among your family shall be recognized for you are my one and only vessel.
After delivering that message, her eyes turned back to normal and she fell down. No one bothered to catch her but because they were all shocked. The silence was broken by the queen's steps. Lady Aurana who was the prince's mother came before the body guard and fell on her knees in front of him.
"P-Please forgive me my child."
She cried shocking everyone immensely.
"My lady why are you crying? There seems to be a mistake____"
"No, there is no mistake. You are my son Karlmine."
She spoke with a trembling voice. That marked the beginning of everything.