My vision lingered on the duke's palace, my senses heightened as I listened in on the whispers of the courtiers and the rustling of the duke's advisors. I heard the soft murmur of the duke's voice, his words indistinguishable but his tone firm and commanding. I sensed the weight of his power, the authority he wielded over his dukedom, and the respect he commanded from his people.
And yet, despite his power and influence, I knew that he was not a man to be trifled with. He was cunning and ruthless, willing to do whatever it took to maintain his position and advance his interests. I had dealt with him before, and I knew that he was not a man to be underestimated.
However along the line he was widely regarded as the most brilliant mind in the Tenebrous Kingdom, a genius inventor and innovator who had revolutionized the way the kingdom's inhabitants lived and moved. His most famous invention, the magi-port, had replaced stairs and elevators in the towering spires and castles that dotted the landscape. Every duke, earl, baron, and even I had installed magi-ports in our castles, marveling at the convenience and efficiency they offered.
With a mere thought, one could transport themselves from one level to another, traversing vast distances in the blink of an eye. The magi-port had transformed the way we lived, worked, and interacted with one another. It had also greatly improved the security of our castles, as only those with the proper clearance and authorization could access the magi-ports.
His ingenuity had also led to numerous other innovations, from the luminous orbs that illuminated our cities to the advanced, medication systems that sustained our livestock and the spatial devices that came in different forms like rings, bracelets or small orbs, they could hold a vast number of things and still be as light as its original form. His mind was a boundless wellspring of creativity and problem-solving.
"Maybe he should be my successor afterall" i said..
The duke suddenly stiffened, his eyes snapping towards the window as if he had felt my gaze upon him. He looked directly at my direction, a smirk spreading across his face, and bowed slightly, his eyes locked on mine with a hint of respect.
"Did he hear me" i whispered, my brows furrowed by suprise.
I quickly disregarded the thought and released all my senses, my gaze landing on a part of the plane glass window Infront of me. My reflection looking back at me.
A sophisticated face, like that of an older but young-looking adult human with a sharp jawline, My long curly golden hair flowing down my sides, with a few strands loose and framing my face, the upper part of my hair styled in a caul. All the hairs on my face golden in color, created a contrast with my sparkling red eyes.
"I moved to lay on my grand, majestic bed, I couldn't muster the energy to summon my servants to attend to my extravagant attire. With a weary stretch, I raised my left hand towards the high ceiling, my palm open in a gesture of triumph. 'After years of trials and errors, I've finally succeeded in opening a portal back to Earth,' I thought, a mix of relief and exhaustion in my voice. 'Each year, I've managed to open portals to other worlds, but they were all desolate and uninhabitable – worse than our own world when we first arrived. It's ironic that the human world might be the only habitable one in all the realms.' But my celebration won't last, as I know I can't maintain the portal indefinitely.
My essence is depleting rapidly, but I can't show weakness. 'Kent should be able to establish a magi-port on Earth soon,' I reassured myself, 'but until then, I must keep the portal open. I can't show weakness.' With a whispered sigh, I closed my eyes, knowing that this might be my last rest for a long time."