Imperial Prince Arian Brook managed to manoeuvre the palace guards and slip into the bustling city.
He mixed in well with the commoners in his dark hood as he took a bus to the outskirts of the city where he takes his martial arts classes.
He slipped out his cellphone from the bag crossed over his chest and checked the time. It was 10am. Though he got an emergency call from his master, he still needed to be at his father's retirement speech. So he needed to be quick.
As he scanned the bus, his eyes met with one of the passengers in the bus. He smiled at the female teenager, then suddenly, she gave him a wide smile.
"Aren't you the prince imperial?" The boy beside him suddenly asked.
"The Prince imperial is here?"
"What! I can't believe that. Let me see for myself."
"Am sure of it. He's over there at the front row."
"..."
"Emmm..." Arian grinned and stood up, then turned to the passengers. "Well..." He gulped.
This happens almost everyday as he visits his master. He has always appeared elegant and noble, though he moves like a high schooler.
A fair skin, handsome face and jet black curly hair that set off his appearance as the true Prince imperial but what can he do? Since he intends to mix in with his subjects.
"Am not the prince imperial."
"What? Isn't this you?" The boy who was sitting beside him asked as he showed him a picture of him with his father.
"No, that's not me. People always mistake me for the prince imperial. I am only his look alike. In the world, there are seven people who looks like you. So..."
Sighs and disappointed gestures filled the air as people resumed their activities.
Phew! Arian sighed. That sure would not have been easy had he not done it a couple of times. Sure he can't hide his elegance as he was born charming. He drew his hood further on his face and sat back on the seat.
The bus stopped at the final bus station and Arian alighted. He took the shortest route to the imperial martial arts academy and slipped into his master's chambers. He always slips around and hardly ever gets caught. Hehehe! That's his specialty.
The door creaked as Arian slowly opened it to get a wider view into his master's large office.
"Master Mu." He called but there was no answer.
When he was certain there was no one in the room, he slipped in and shut the door behind him.
His eyes first went through the books on the shelves. He is a great scholar who has a thing for science fiction and fantasy works. He was expecting to see some great fantasy books on the shelves or maybe martial arts books when he saw a glowing pendant behind the shelf.
He stopped to take a good look at it. An egg shaped pendant with the image of a dragon. It's bright blue rays were dimmed by a dark glove that it will be hard to be noticed had he not decided to take out "The Orients" sci-fiction book.
He quickly dropped the book on the table beside him and stretched his hand to grab the glove housing the pendant.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Oh sh*t!" His heart skipped when he suddenly heard his master's voice behind him. He had no idea when master Mu entered the office. "You startled me. How did you..."
"Phantom move." Master Mu cut in. "A skill for grade ten martial warriors. You missed your last class."
"I was confined for a whole week."
Master Mu sipped the last content of his cup and dropped into a seat. He placed the cup on the table. "Sure he should. Who would believe the prince imperial slips out of the palace to visit a third class martial arts academy?"
"Best in service." Arian complimented with a smile.
"The students has been dismissed. Classes has been stopped." Master Mu continued.
"Why?" Arian asked. "Am still a grade five martial student. I need to reach the apex so I can fight off the bag guys."
"Bad guys?" Master Mu scoffed. "Your life just started ticking to its end. This is more serious than being a conventional martial student. Its an end game for me as well and I wish to choose a successor as soon as possible."
To Arian, his master was talking gibberish as he did not understand a bit of what he meant. "How do you mean?"
Master Mu stood from his seat and walked towards the bookshelf. "A student with strong perseverance and control despite his inexperience. A student who is hardly ever caught." At that statement, he smiled. "One the Phantom spirit has chosen. The protector of the Phantom relic. No one knows it's worth now but with time, it will control the world's economy."
"Okay, okay. This is an inexperienced student trying to understand the point his master is trying to make. Phantom relic?"
"You have passed all the essential tests Arian and it is time to pass onto you, the Phantom Dragon relic."
Arian was astounded. Test? When did he apply for a martial arts test?
He watched as his master grabbed the dark glove behind the shelf. The dimmed blue glow from the pendant circled around the glove like a fog when it was in full view.
"Wow..." Arian's eyes were stuck on this piece of mystery.
"The Phantom Dragon relic requires a successor at this point as I am too old to protect this wonder from looters."
"What makes you think I can protect it?"
"No you can't. You're just a fifth grade martial student. Nevertheless, your great mastery of skills has qualified you to protect this relic I guess. But the fact is that the relic has chosen you."
Master Mu handed the glove over to Arian. "Protect it with all your life, Arian."
"But..."
"Do not return to the imperial palace for now. Run as far as possible. That is my final advice to you as your master."
Master Mu had already heard of the king's murder and he was sure, Arian's life is in danger. Even with this, the rise of a tyrannical government was the least of his concerns now. He only wishes Arian can disappear with the relic until he is able to unlock it's hidden powers which he couldn't access because he was only a medium.
He had received the sign that Arian is the true wielder of the relic. The only one who can harness it's powers which even him is unaware of.
Arian walked out of the martial arts academy with the Phantom Dragon relic in his bag.
"Run as far as possible..." Why would his master ask him to run away? Even from his duties as the prince imperial. He can't be serious right? He has the highest security at his beck and call, why should he run away?
He remembered being asked never to separate the pendant from the glove.
"What happens if I separate it?" He had asked.
"No one knows yet but it may result to the existence of powers unfathomed. Do not let it break. It is the first rule." Master Mu had warned.
As he was walking to the bus station with the thoughts of his discussion with his master replaying in his mind, two cars double crossed him.
He stopped and tried to run but was roughly grabbed from behind by two hefty men and pulled towards the car at the front.
People around hid from this scene. Things like this always happened around the area and most times innocent people became victims. So they always took cover whenever such kidnap scenes starts.
He surveyed the men who were dressed in dark suits just like the imperial guards.
'Maybe father has sent them to come fetch me. I'll give them a tough one,' Arian thought and began to playfully struggle with them. It was one of his hobbies to stress the guards.
As Arian was dragged towards the car amidst his wild struggles, he fell forward on the floor and the glove broke. It's shattering sound registered on his mind distinctly.