"What was that? Ugh! My head hurts..."
The words barely left my lips, a whisper drowned by the pounding in my head.
The pain was relentless, a dull throb that pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat.
My eyes fluttered open, but the world around me was a chaotic blur of worried faces and anxious murmurs.
My body felt heavy, as though I had been crushed beneath an unseen weight.
"Ugh… my head."
Every breath was a struggle, and my chest rose and fell unevenly as I fought to gather my bearings.
"Prince Ken! Are you awake?"
Silva's voice rang out like a bell cutting through a storm.
Her sharp tone carried a desperate urgency.
I groaned softly as I turned my head toward her, my vision slowly sharpening.
Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed and brimming with unshed tears.
"Quickly! Report to the King and Queen!"
She barked, her voice like a whip snapping at the guards who hovered at the doorway, frozen with indecision.
They exchanged a brief, nervous glance before nodding in unison.
"Yes, ma'am!"
They scrambled down the hall, their footsteps echoing as they disappeared.
"Prince Ken, does it hurt anywhere?"
Silva's words came in a rush as she knelt beside me, her hands hovering just above my arm.
"Please, tell me what you feel."
" Don't hide it.
" You don't have to be strong right now."
I forced a weak smile.
"I'm alright, Silva. No need to fuss. See? I'm in one piece."
Her brow furrowed deeply, her gaze flicking over me as if her eyes could scan for invisible wounds.
"You collapsed!"
Her voice cracked.
"That's not 'alright.' You scared me half to death!"
"Really, I'm fine…"
Her hand trembled as she reached out to touch my cheek, her fingers brushing my skin.
"You were so pale. I thought… I thought we lost you."
I swallowed hard, her worry pressing heavily on my heart.
"I'm sorry,"
I whispered, guilt weighing my words.
"Sorry?"
She let out a soft, humorless laugh, tears finally slipping down her cheeks.
"You always say that. Don't you know how much you mean to us? To me?"
"Silva…"
Before I could find the right words, the door burst open again.
My parents, regal yet visibly shaken, rushed into the room.
"Ken!"
My mother's cry was filled with a mix of relief and panic as she dropped to her knees beside me.
Queen Ava was a picture of grace and strength, but now her composure cracked as she cupped my face with trembling hands.
"My sweet boy, my precious one…"
Her voice broke.
"What happened? Are you in pain? Tell me everything."
"Mother…"
I whispered, the tenderness of her touch bringing a lump to my throat.
She scanned me with frantic eyes, her fingers brushing over my forehead, down my arms, as if checking for injuries she couldn't see.
"You're so cold,"
She murmured.
"Lucas, look at him!"
My father, King Lucas, remained a few steps back, his eyes dark with worry despite the stoic mask he tried to wear.
His usual calm seemed frayed, and his fists were clenched tightly at his sides.
"Son, speak."
"What happened during the baptism?"
His tone was measured but laced with tension.
I opened my mouth, the weight of their concern pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket.
I wanted to tell them, to share the terrifying truth of what I had seen two figures of unimaginable power, gods who had bent the world around them with their mere presence.
But fear silenced me.
"Would they believe me? Could they?"
"I… I don't know," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
My father's eyes narrowed.
"You collapsed. That is not nothing."
Before I could respond, the door creaked open again.
"The Priest is here,"
A servant announced.
The Priest stepped inside, his long robes trailing behind him like shadows.
His face, weathered and wise, was a mask of calm.
His eyes, deep and knowing, seemed to peer into the very essence of my being.
"Your Majesties,"
He greeted, bowing low.
"Examine him,"
My father ordered.
"Tell us what is wrong with my son."
The Priest approached, his hand glowing faintly as he rested it upon my forehead.
A strange warmth spread through me, soothing the ache in my head and the tremors in my chest.
His muttered incantations were low, almost musical, as if he spoke directly to the elements themselves.
When he finally withdrew his hand, his expression was unreadable.
"Prince Ken possesses a gift of extraordinary rarity,"
He began slowly.
"What kind of gift?"
My mother pressed, her grip on my arm tightening.
"The ability to command all four elements,"
He said.
"Such a talent is seen perhaps once in a millennium. His mana pool has doubled, an astonishing feat for anyone his age..."
"But that is not the most remarkable thing."
"Then what is it?"
My father asked sharply.
The Priest hesitated, his voice lowering to a reverent hush.
"He has been touched by both Goddess Mudra and Goddess Soota. Their blessings reside within him."
...
Silence fell like a heavy curtain.
"Two blessings?"
My mother's voice was barely a whisper.
"That's… impossible."
"Not impossible,"
The Priest corrected gently.
"Unheard of, yes. But not impossible."
"However, the strain of such divine power… it overwhelmed him."
"His body, though strong, was not prepared for such a baptism."
"Will my son recover?"
Her question trembled with emotion.
"Yes. But only with proper training. I strongly recommend sending him to the Empire Academy."
"Their instructors are equipped to guide him, to teach him control."
"Without it… the power within him could consume him."
"Then it's decided,"
My father declared, his voice firm.
"He will go to the Empire Academy."
The next morning, sunlight streamed through my windows, casting long shadows across my room.
Servants bustled in and out, packing my belongings into chests.
The news of my personal tutors and impending journey to the Academy had spread quickly.
As I sat up, Silva entered with a tray of food.
"Breakfast,"
She announced, setting it down.
"Thank you,"
I said, my stomach growling despite the lingering tension in my chest.
She sat beside me, watching as I took a bite of bread.
"You're leaving soon,"
She said quietly.
"Yes."
A pause stretched between us.
"I'm scared, Silva,"
I admitted finally.
She turned to me, her eyes searching mine.
"You're stronger than you think. Don't forget that."
"But what if-"
"No 'what ifs,'"
She interrupted.
"You're going to be great. You have power, Ken. Power most people can only dream of. But more than that, you have heart.
"That's what makes you special."
Her words filled me with a warmth I hadn't expected.
"Thank you,"
I whispered.
"You don't need to thank me."
She smiled, her eyes glimmering with quiet pride. "Just promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"Don't forget where you come from. And don't forget who you are."
"I won't."
And for the first time since the baptism, I believed it.
This wasn't just the beginning of a journey, it was...
THE START OF MY OWN DESTINY!
_________________________________________
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.