Chereads / Children of the Aura: Air / Chapter 5 - Exposition: The Bow and Crown of lightning

Chapter 5 - Exposition: The Bow and Crown of lightning

The year is XXX31

Aquarius returned to her room from her Mother' throne room. In her hand was a copper bow, though it was missing a string. On her head was a crown of copper, with runes etched into it. Plus signs and minus signs and glyphs of lightning had been carved into both objects. They were both pristine, well kept despite how old they were.

Her mother, Emperor Haethora, had given her the two weapons as a reward for her loyalty to the Empire. Apparently being sent to deal with the rebel leader was a test. And like always, she passed.

"This is the crown of San Jupero," her mother said to her directly. Aquarius knelt like the knights behind her, balancing on one knee. She bowed her head as a High Priest placed the crown on her head. It fit loosely at first, falling around her pointed ears. Then it began to shrink, matching the shape of her skull. It fit snugly now. It was warm, heavy even. "The great mage San Jupero was a mage responsible for bringing storms upon those who blasphemed against the Light. With a surge of lightning, he could read the thoughts of anyone who wished to harm the Light."

The High priestess whispered for her to pour her aura into the crown. The room fell silent as they waited for the nine year old girl. 

Imagining the violet aura around her body, she pooled it around her skull. In an orb that surrounded her head, she imagined tiny holes in the crown. The pores drank her aura, and she felt the crown heat up.

It didn't burn, but it felt like direct sunlight on a sunny day. Hot, yet bearable. 

Her mind opened wider than usual, feeding her the thoughts of the others in the room. She could read the curiosity of the Knights behind her, the interest of the High priest and priestesses before her. Still, her mother's mind was shielded from her. The princess didn't mind, though. Her telepathy had been increased, displaying to her the thoughts and memories of anyone in the room without her having to call upon her aura. The crown hummed with her energy as her mother continued.

"This," holding out the stringless bow in two hands, a High Priest offered the weapon to the princess. The emperor continued her description of the tools: "This is the bow of San Jupero. After reading the vile thoughts of anyone who threatened his deity, the Light, the great mage Jupero would hail lightning upon them." The High Priest made an exaggerated display as he ran his fingers over the bolt of lightning that was carved into the Bow. On either side of the bolt was a plus sign resembling the positive charge of electricity and subtraction sign for the opposite. "Scorching his foes with white hot bolts from the heavens, San Jupero maintained order for the Light. I give these weapons to you, my daughter, since like San Jupero himself, you maintain order through divine punishment. It is you, Princess Aquarius, that I trust with these tools, and the duty of San Jupero."

The crown on her head felt heavier as Aqaurius accepted the Bow. A jolt of energy ran up her hand, creating a current of energy between her hand and her brain. Not energy, a current of electricity!  Aquarius' aura circuits opened, making it easy for her aura to travel down her arm from her brain. She switched hands, holding the bow in her left hand. She didn't feel the path of open energy any longer. 

It only works in my right hand, she noted. A curious requirement for a weapon. 

"I am grateful for your gifts, Emperor Haethora." Bowing for her Emperor further, Aquarius laid the bow out before her. "I accept the tools of the great San Jupero as well as his duty as peacemaker."

The room chanted ominously, "Those who walk in the Light never falter from the grace of the Emperor."

On her trip to her room, Aquarius repeated the line to herself.