"Ahh, what an intriguing start to the day. Why should we go such far just to meet and greet? We are doing pretty well without these dumb play, aren't we?" Delish debated.
"He should've informed us immediately after his return. Now we have to pack our things in such a hassle. Even though practically speaking it's not us packing our things still...aah I'm so bored and annoyed at the same time." Alora joined the conversation with her brother.
Ryuu was quietly lying down on the soft meadows of the garden listening to those siblings complaining. The king had already left after his short speech.
Their mother was one of the most respected figures in the "Kingdom of Celestia." She was the daughter of the most powerful and influential Phoenix Clan. She was praised and admired in the Palace of Celestia as she was believed to be a protector of humanity from evil. Who would've wondered she would end up taming the furious demon king and turn him into a soft little teddy which led to the Kingdom of Celestia and the Kingdom of Ember signing a friendly treaty where one cannot invade another land and needs to provide aid if needed and vice versa.
Due to their mother's powerful background, her great admiration for the Kingdom of Celestia, and the friendly treaty that was signed making two kingdom allies, the descendants of the Embers for the first time in history were allowed to participate in the gathering and hunting tournament that held every ten years for three months.
Children from the royal and noble families including the chosen ones from different clans, elites from three nations, and the recommended ones were allowed to participate. Many claim to have elites in their respective territory, so this tournament serves as a competition as well for those proclaims which led to the rising fame of the nation and wide recognition for those who win.
"So we are going to represent our kingdom as well, huh? I thought it was just a meet and greet party among the nobles and some recommended trash." Ryuu closed the book that had detailed information about the tournament.
Alora who was listening to him reading stood up suddenly. " Then should we take Nyxii as well? She despite her position in this house is a noble. We can make her participate among elites. I'm sure she's gonna make our house proud."
" She's indeed good only at plotting and killing though. She's gonna bring shame moreover a book filled with her crimes and murder to be precise," Delish sneered.
"What about the recent torture you forced on her? Do you think she will bring grace to the family if you ask her, tsk?" Ryuu mocked her in his inner thoughts but didn't voice out.
They stayed up late in the library studying about the tournament and other families who were going to participate.
"If we were going, he should've told us earlier so that we can collect enough information about others. It's such a troublesome and hassle to find and learn about different nations and clans in one day. I'm tired." Delish yawned as he banged his head on the book in front of him. Within a second of him putting his head down he fell asleep.
Ryuu was still indulged in reading while Alora was meditating in a corner. She too fell asleep while meditating and slept like that. Ryuu noticed it and pace palmed himself as he didn't have any words for these siblings. "Like brother like sister." He clicked his tongue and continued his study.
The next day Ryuu woke up with the book he was reading, while Delish tossed the book in front of him in annoyance. The tossed book went straight to Alora and hit her face waking her up from her meditating posture.
Dellliiiisshhhh!!!
" You adopted disgrace of Ember family," she picked up the same book and headed toward him in anger while smiling at Ryuu on her way," not you of course my little ice prince."
"What a scary smile," Ryuu thought as he smiled back in terror.
"Come back." Alora was even more irritated seeing Delish run away from the library. She followed him outside the library while Ryuu was quietly witnessing the early chaos.
" These two, how old do they think they are?" He sidelined the books and walked outside.
A while after turning the palace upside down, Alora, Delish, and Ryuu were standing in front of their carriage. Maids were loading their stuff and the knights were on their horse on position.
Ryuu slightly moved the corner of his eyes towards Delish to check if he was fine but couldn't hold himself from laughing and ended up chuckling.
"What are you laughing at? Tired of living it seems, want to experience death for some fun?" Delish grabbed his collar with one hand while the other was icing his swollen cheek.
Ryuu was struggling to free himself while still holding his urge to laugh. He slightly froze Delish's hand but was immediately gone after he jerked his hand off from his collar.
"Tsk, icy beast." Delish clicked his tongue and without a second glance entered inside his carriage.
Ryuu followed him, and so did Alora. They were ready to embark on the new journey but instead of excitement, there was an unpleasant aura encircling them.
"Are they not going to bicker anymore". Ryuu was looking at both of them like he was watching a tennis match." Who cares, it's so peaceful." He subconsciously grinned.
Thanks to his luck nobody noticed. Delish fell asleep as soon as the carriage moved and Alora started munching snacks like there was no tomorrow.
"Alora, how old are you hmm? Look at your dress. It's all dirty and your hands and the seat...nom..nom. it's good." He gave up his complaining after getting his mouth stuffed with the delicious delicacy that Alora shoved in his mouth.
Traveling for almost two days, they finally saw the grand walls guarded by the knights. It was almost dusk. They showed their invitation and were granted permission to enter.
"Wah! Look at those houses and the clan's flag. There are street lights as well." Alora clapped her hands in excitement.
"Tsk, look at that grand manor in the middle of the city. Is that the Palace of Celestia?" Delish stretched his arms and looked outside the carriage pointing out the huge manor in the middle of the Kingdom of Celestia.
Ryuu:"..."
Alora:"..."
Delish:" ...What?"
They get down from their carriage. Ryuu pulled Delish to the side and whispered," It's okay if you don't remember the different clans and all but how can you not remember the Palace of your own mother's clan? Palace of Celestia is said to be in the top of the mountains we read it yesterday, didn't we?"
After hearing Ryuu, Delish swallowed his saliva and slowly turned around Alora with a nervous smile." It's just that we've never been out of our kingdom. So, I think I got confused hehe."
Alora rolled her eyes and entered the palace without losing her composure. "Let us go as well." Delish grabbed Ryuu's hand and went inside.
The huge manor in the middle of the city was the "Manor of Phoenix Clan." The most powerful clan to ever exist. The kingdom of Celestia was different from the rest of the other nations. Instead of the Emperor's palace, the most influential clan's palace was in the middle of the kingdom surrounded by four more clan's land. On the southern border was the Heaven's Dew specialized in manipulating water, the western border was the Land of Fireflies specialized in manipulating earth, the northern border was the Sworgiya Gale specialized in manipulating wind and last but not least eastern border was the Mountain of Spirits specialized in summoning the spirit while Phoenix Clan was blessed with the ability to manipulate and master any three elements.