(Five Years Later)
(Castle, Kingdom Of Tempest)
"Time really flies. I'm eight years old now, yeah."
Looking into the mirror, I saw a handsome boy staring back. I leaned closer, touching the cool glass, confirming it was me.
"Well, well, well. Would you look at that?"
"I'm so handsome~"
"Prepare yourselves, ladies, your prince charming is here!"
I grinned, pushing my messy black hair back dramatically with one hand, striking a confident pose. My reflection smirked back, matching my playful mood.
As I admired myself, a knock at the door snapped me back to reality.
"Prince Ken,"
Silva's calm, familiar voice called from the other side of the door.
"Ahh! Yes?"
I answered, turning my head quickly toward the door.
"The Queen and King are waiting for you outside. Please follow me,"
Silva announced.
I glanced one last time at the mirror.
"Another time, my beautiful reflection,"
I whispered dramatically before stepping away.
The door opened, and there stood Silva, her silver hair cascading like moonlight over her shoulders, her eyes calm but sharp, always observant. She bowed slightly before gesturing for me to follow.
As we walked through the polished halls, the marble floor reflected our steps like a watery mirror. The tall windows allowed golden sunlight to bathe the corridor, the light catching on the delicate carvings of dragons and ancient battles etched into the stone walls. The grandeur of the castle never ceased to amaze me, even if I lived here.
A strange feeling tickled the back of my mind, like a whisper I couldn't quite hear. Something felt… different.
"Silva, are you coming with me?"
I asked, casting her a hopeful glance.
"I'm sorry, my prince. I cannot answer that; it depends on the Queen and King,"
She replied with her usual composed smile.
"But you're my personal maid, aren't you?"
I replied with pressure.
"(Chuckle) Don't be silly. "
Silva said softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
When we reached the royal carriage, my mother beamed as I approached.
"Oh my, my handsome baby has become even more handsome!"
she exclaimed, eyes filled with motherly pride.
"Stop it, Mother..."
I muttered, heat rising to my cheeks.
Father chuckled softly from his seat, watching the exchange with quiet amusement.
"Silva, come in. You are Ken's personal maid! Always be by his side, okay? Now come in,"
My mother urged, waving Silva into the carriage.
"Thank you, Your Highness,"
Silva replied, stepping gracefully inside and settling into the seat beside me.
I leaned over, a sly smile on my lips.
"Told you. "
I whispered.
She chuckled again, a soft sound like bells chiming in the distance.
Father cleared his throat. His deep, steady voice filled the space.
"Son, are you ready?"
"Yes, Father,"
I said, sitting up straight, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders.
We were on our way to the church for my baptism. In this world, a baptism wasn't just a ritual—it was a revelation.
The priest would analyze the magic I could wield and the capacity of my Mana Pool. If the gods favored me, I would receive their blessings and perhaps even gifts of power.
"If I remember correctly, there are only two gods in this world,"
I muttered.
"Mudra, the goddess of life and nature, and Soota, the goddess of destruction and time.
" But... Why are there so many gods on Earth?"
The royal carriage glided smoothly along the cobbled streets, the rhythmic clatter of wheels creating a soothing backdrop to my swirling thoughts.
I gazed out at the passing landscape. The towering spires of the city blurred as we moved further from the heart of the kingdom, toward the sacred grounds of the church.
Silva sat quietly beside me, her hands folded neatly in her lap. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. There was something calming about her presence.
"You seem deep in thought,"
She observed, breaking the silence.
I shrugged, a grin tugging at my lips.
"Just wondering what kind of magic I'll have."
When we arrived, the church stood like a mountain of carved marble, its white stone glistening in the midday sun.
The towering spires stretched high into the heavens, their sharp peaks seeming to pierce the sky.
Stained-glass windows depicted ancient battles, dragons breathing fire, and divine beings with eyes that seemed to follow you wherever you moved.
As we stepped inside, the vast hall greeted us with an air of solemnity and reverence. The cool, crisp air was heavy with the scent of incense, and my body felt lighter, almost weightless.
A priest approached, his flowing robes adorned with intricate symbols. His eyes, sharp and knowing, met mine with a look of quiet reverence. He bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Your Majesties, Prince Ken."
His voice was as calm as still water.
I nodded politely as he led us to a circular platform, its surface etched with glowing runes that pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Kneel here, young prince,"
The priest instructed.
"Now, close your eyes and open your mana pool."
I knelt, feeling the chill of the stone seep through my clothes.
The priest began to chant, his words ancient and powerful, resonating in my bones. The air around me shifted, thick with magic.
The first god invoked was Mudra, goddess of life and nature. Her name rolled through the room like a gentle breeze, and I felt warmth bloom in my chest.
Then came Soota, goddess of destruction and time. Her presence was sharp, like a blade slicing through the air.
Magic swirled around me, the four elements—fire, water, wind, and earth—dancing in a circle of power.
Gasps filled the hall.
"What the...!?"
"Seriously??"
"Oh my!"
I grinned, my heart racing with excitement. I had always known I could manipulate all four elements, but seeing it confirmed felt like a victory.
Suddenly, both my hands began to glow. In my right, a brilliant yellow light formed, warm and radiant. In my left, a dark, blood-red light pulsed ominously.
The priest's eyes widened.
"Blessed by both gods… Impossible!"
Father stiffened, his eyes sharp with surprise.
Mother clutched her chest.
"My son…"
Time itself seemed to stop.
The world faded to black and white, and two figures appeared before me. Their forms shimmered with divine energy, their eyes blazing with ancient power.
"You…"
Their voices were like thunder, shaking the very air.
Every time they say a word my body feels like it's going to burst.
Blood spilling from my mouth.
"We have been waiting for a worthy human."
"But... You..."
They said.
My heart pounded. Their gaze was unbearable, like staring into the heart of a star.
"You..."
"You seem familiar, human. "
They said again.
The gods' presence filled the room with a force that bent reality itself, and I, a mere child, knelt before them—trembling with fear.
The air felt heavier, as if a giant hand pressed down on me. Every breath burned in my chest, and the figures before me, the gods, radiated power so immense that my body trembled under it.
To my left stood Mudra, her presence calm but commanding. Her eyes were deep pools of wisdom, her voice gentle but filled with strength.
"You, a child of fate, stand in my light,"
She said softly, her words flowing like a melody into my mind.
"I sense life, growth, and harmony within you."
Her brow furrowed, her gaze narrowing as she peered deeper into me.
"But there is more… a strange force, one we did not give."
To my right, Soota's dark form shifted. Her silhouette moved like shadows under twilight, and her piercing gaze seemed to reach into my soul. Her voice was smooth but cold, like thunder softened by silk.
"I see time wrapped around you,"
She murmured, her eyes narrowing further. "But something else… dark power already stirs within. It does not belong to us." Her lips twisted into a curious smile. "It bends to no divine will."
They both looked at me with deep curiosity, as if I were a puzzle they couldn't solve.
"Have you already touched the divine, child?"
Mudra's question carried a note of concern, her calm demeanor cracking.
"I… I don't know!"
"I… I don't know."
"I haven't…"
"I didn't—"
My voice wavered, confusion swirling in my mind.
Soota's grin faded.
"This balance within you… it predates our blessings."
"You are more than just fate's tool."
" You hold the weight of something older."
Their words crashed over me, filling my mind with questions.
"T... Tool?"
"Why... me?... "
Mudra's hand brushed my forehead, her touch warm but uncertain.
"Because the world bends when it must."
"And you were chosen."
"A rare soul of boundless potential."
Soota let out a dry laugh, her voice quieter now.
"Or you are just another piece in the game of gods. "
My fists clenched as I stared at them, determination hardening inside me.
"I don't... Want to be a piece in anyone's game..."
"If... This power within me... Is that powerful..."
"... I'll use it for myself."
"For... For my family!"
Mudra's eyes softened, though her worry lingered.
"We grant you our gifts, but beware human... "
Soota leaned forward, her voice sharp as a blade.
"Power comes with a price."
"And eyes are watching from the dark."
Suddenly, the pressure in the room grew unbearable. My head felt as though it might split open. My vision blurred, my strength draining—
I coughed violently, my knees hitting the cold floor. Blood sprayed from my mouth, pooling around me.
"Ken!"
Silva's scream rang out as my body gave way. Darkness swallowed me whole.
The last thing I heard before the world went completely black was the panicked cries of my mother and the heavy footsteps of my father rushing toward me.
Everything faded...
Leaving me in silence...
_________________________________________
MUDRA
- Sex: Female
- Age: timeless
- Powers: divine power, nature, time, life
- Species: Divine Dragon
- Short Story: One of the two main gods in this world, known for her kindness and benevolent nature. She is depicted as a gentle, nurturing figure, radiating warmth and compassion.
SOOTA
- Sex: Female
- Age: timeless
- Powers: dark power, time, destruction, decay
- Species: God
- Short Story: One of the two main gods, known for her wisdom and balanced approach. She is often portrayed as a figure of strength, capable of time manipulation and destruction.
PRIEST
- Sex: Male
- Age: Unknown
- Powers: divine magic, Healing magic
- Species: Human
- Short Story: A devout and experienced priest, skilled in ancient rituals and communication with the divine. He possesses a calm, almost serene demeanor, but his eyes hold a depth of knowledge and understanding that belies his years.