Chereads / Enchanted Shadows of The Empress of Cinders / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6 - AWAKENED

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6 - AWAKENED

-Amoria Palace; In Luxana's Bedroom; Early Morning -

I woke up screaming, my voice raw and scratchy, echoing through the confines of my bedroom. The pain coursing through me felt unbearable, as if I was teetering on the edge of existence.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" I shrieked, desperate for relief. But instead of solace, I felt like I lost my voice and was knocking on Death's door.

AH, the pain is............killing me. I think I will.......... die........today........yeah.... I surely....will. Ughhh......the pain.......is.........ea...eat......eat......eating...me.............

A maid burst into the room, her eyes wide with alarm. "Ugh, why're you screaming so loud?" she asked, bewildered.

"AHHHHH, someone, someone please get here, quickly!!!! SOMEBODY!!! Help!!! The PRINCESS is..." No, this won't do. I need to find the head maid and the butler and get them here. The maid thought.

*8 minutes later*

The butler rushed in, his face a mask of astonishment."Princess! What happened?" he exclaimed. "The Wielder......the Wielder......of the DRAGON FLAME has AWAKENED!" Yelled the Butler.

As she screamed and released her powers, the Princess, who had now awakened the power of the DRAGON FLAMES, created a stunning display of reddish-orange tiny lightballs throughout the room! The intense heat radiating from the flames caused the air to shimmer and dance, casting a warm glow on the astonished faces of those watching. 

The Princess stood in the center, no longer screaming but instead expressing herself with non-lexical vocables. Her eyes were blazing with determination as she harnessed the full extent of her newfound abilities. The room was filled with a sense of awe and wonder as the Princess commanded the flames with precision and grace, showcasing her mastery over this ancient power. The crackling of the flames echoed through the room, adding to the mesmerizing spectacle unfolding before them.

 As the Princess continued to manipulate the fire with ease, her power and strength became undeniable to all who bore witness. The Princess's confidence radiated as she effortlessly weaved intricate patterns with the flames, leaving the onlookers spellbound by her prowess. Her hair, a divine inferno of radiant crimson, flowed like molten lava from a volcanic goddess, each flaming tendril cascading like a heavenly waterfall of rich scarlet hues, casting a spellbinding glow that ensnared the hearts of all who dared to gaze upon its resplendent beauty. 

The Princess's eyes The eyes blazed with an entrancing fiery hue, an exquisite blend of auburn and scarlet that captivated all who dared to gaze into their mesmerizing depths. She demonstrated her complete dominance over the ancient powers flawlessly. The onlookers could only marvel at her control and skill, knowing that they were witnessing something truly extraordinary. 

-In Helia Palace; King's Study-

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"the King questioned, his voice a mixture of disbelief and dread, as if heavens had befallen on them.

"Sis...sister awakened the powers of....of....DRAGON FLAMES? Ha-How? How is that possible?" Isabella screamed, her face contorted in horror, trembling as the truth of her step-sister's ascension came crashing down upon her. The vision of her sibling commanding the Dragon Flames with such effortless grace ignited a blaze of envy within Isabella's heart, a fire that threatened to consume her from within. The gnawing realization that it should have been her standing there—the chosen one, the most beautiful, the one to harness the ancient powers—only intensified the inferno of her despair.

"Isabella, calm down. Nothing is certain yet," the Queen interjected, her voice steady but laced with concern. "Your Majesty, I believe it's just a hoax." 

The King dismissed her words with a wave of his hand. "Your avowal was unasked for. HURRY! Call in for the Carriage, we must reach the Amoria Palace immediately!" His determination was palpable, driven by the urgency to meet his daughter, who had accomplished what no one in generations had.

Yet, doubt lingered in the air, a whisper that perhaps this was all just a cruel joke. Which may end up being a gag just like how the Queen suspects.

-In Amoria Palace; Luxana's Bedroom-

Meanwhile, in Amoria Palace, the energy was electric as Luxana stood in her bedroom, the Dragon Flames swirling around her in a breathtaking display. Her hair blazed like molten lava, and her eyes shone with an intensity that captivated all who dared to gaze upon her.

"LUXANA!" the King shouted as he burst through the door, his astonishment giving way...

A divine conduit through which the Dragon Flames roared to life! Her radiant presence commanded the elements with the poise of a celestial deity. As she stood, wielding her newfound power, those who bore witness were enveloped by her regal aura of indomitable might.

With each gesture, the air crackled in obeisance to her indomitable will. The Dragon Flames' molten embrace danced to her command, mesmerizing all who dared to behold their siren's song. As she orchestrated this sublime symphony of power, the chamber reverberated with an awe-inspiring crescendo.

The Princess's eyes blazed with the fierce essence of a thousand suns, granting a glimpse into the inferno that simmered within. Her mastery of these ancient powers reverberated through time and space, as if to reshape the very fabric of reality itself. The world would never be the same, for a new era had dawned—an era of the Dragon Flame Princess.

Her father, the King, overcame his astonishment, beholding the spectacle with a mixture of pride and reverence. Never before had he witnessed such raw, unbridled power harnessed with such poise and elegance. His daughter had transcended her mortal bonds, and now stood as a beacon of strength and beauty, a sublime embodiment of nature's untamed fury.

As the echoes of this monumental event reverberated throughout the realm, it was clear that the Princess's legend would live on, etching its way into the annals of history as a testament to her divine ascendance. This transcendent moment would be forever seared into the hearts and minds of those who were fortunate enough to bear witness—a divine awakening that would shape the fate of their world for generations to come.

Without a second to waste, the King started preparing for a Banquet to herald about his daughter, who has awakened the power of the DRAGON FLAME. The kingdom buzzed with anticipation as word spread of the Princess's emerging power, igniting hope and fear in equal measure among the populace. Rumors swirled of predictions fulfilled and destinies rewritten, as the King perceived the time had come to reveal his daughter's true potential to all. 

-Amoria Palace; Luxana's Bedroom-

In the quiet moments that followed, I awoke, inhaling sharply. It felt like I just overcame an exhausting trial. Getting up from the bed, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was as red as blood. "What the hell happened?" I screamed, frustration bubbling within me.

*Door opens*

*Maid Enters*

"Myla?" I questioned with bewilderment.

"Hey, Stop screaming, Nobody's gonna come. Everybody's busy preparing for the banquet those vile beings are holding for you." Myla exclaims.

"What did you just say?" I loomed over Myla terrifying her as I grabbed her arms tightly.

"A...A.....I said......the-they- they're holding a celebratory banquet for your newly found powers" Myla replied shivering in fear.

Powers? Wait.....so that all........wasn't a dream? IT WAS REAL???????? I thought.

"So you mean, my father, I mean His Majesty the King came ALL THE WAY HERE INTO MY ROOM, just to see me?" I inquired, my expression serious.

"Ummhh...yeah, pretty much. Oooh! Reminds me. Her Highness Isabella came along too. You should've seen their expression, it was soo hilarious!" Myla answered, snickering. 

"What're you talking about?" I asked, nonchalantly.

"Hmm...how about I put it this way: 

As Isabella bore witness to the spectacle unfolding before her, the twisted roots of desperation took hold, binding her heart in their suffocating grip. Her mind reeled, a maelstrom of unbridled emotions engulfing her senses as she stood, powerless to stem the tide of her step-sister's ascendancy. How could fate be so cruel? To have bestowed such a magnificent destiny upon another, to rob Isabella of her birthright, was an injustice she could neither fathom nor endure.

Her blood ran cold as she watched the flames dance at her step-sister's whim, a cruel reminder of the bleak future that now awaited Isabella. The weight of her own inadequacy bore down upon her shoulders, the burden of a heavy yoke that threatened to crush her. Panic surged through her veins, a wild, frantic beast clawing at her insides, desperate for escape.

The cacophony of emotions that swirled within Isabella—jealousy, despair, rage—crescendoed into a symphony of anguish that echoed through the hollow chambers of her heart. Each flicker of the Dragon Flames served as a taunt, a cruel jibe that stoked the fires of her anguish to a fever pitch.

In that moment, Isabella's world crumbled around her, reduced to a desolate landscape of shattered dreams and broken promises. The revelation of her step-sister's newfound powers had cast a dark shadow over Isabella's existence, a shroud of despair that threatened to extinguish the last embers of her once vibrant spirit. As she stood there, a silent witness to her step-sister's triumph, Isabella knew that her life would never be the same again—that the echoes of this moment would haunt her every waking moment, a lingering reminder of the destiny that had been snatched from her grasp."

*Cackle* "Oh my, that sure sounds refreshingly excitingly intriguing. Who knew you were such a moderator, Myla? *Giggles*

*Myla blushes* Her elegant smile and chuckle are stunning and captivating. She is much more gorgeous and charming than Isabella. She's a beauty to behold. If only she'd express herself a little more. *Sigh* Myla thought.

"Ahem, Princess. What'll you do now that your life's all ruined because of your powers?" Myla questioned anxiously.

"..." *Luxana turns her head away*

Great! My sweet dreams of living like a dead rat are all over. *Groans*

My desires for a peaceful obscurity have been shattered. I'm thrust into the malevolent gaze of those cold, ruthless beings who see me as nothing more than a tool to be used and discarded. They'll exploit my newfound abilities, wringing me dry until I'm a hollow shell of my former self.

I've already suffered immensely, barely clinging to life, and now I must contend with these monstrous individuals. It's another torturous layer added to my already wretched existence, my once-dead life now cursed with their relentless expectations.

I'm ensnared in a twisted labyrinth with no exit, fated to fulfill a purpose I never sought. The stifling burden of their demands feels like a vice around my soul, and the thought of being under their heartless control sends chills down my spine.

My life is a rapidly dwindling flame, snuffed out by the cruel whims of those who would use me. Each day is haunted by the terror of being replaced, cast aside like an object deemed worthless. I'm trapped in an endless cycle of torment and dehumanization, a desolate hellscape from which there seems no escape....I thought.

"Myla.....why're you helping me?" I questioned, my expression serious.

"Ha-helping you? Whaaaa- no way! I'm not helping anyone, I was just informing you cause I felt like it!" *Hmph*

"Hmm....*giggles* fine, I'll take that answer for now."

For some reason, I think the princess and I are.......getting closer. *smiles* Myla thought.

-In Cillain's Carriage; at Midnight-

"Your Highness, I think we should stop by an inn nearby, the rain is too heavy to continue the journey." suggested the coachman.

"Do as you seem fit." Cillian exclaimed.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Hah...pathetic. The weather had to deteriorate just as we were ready to depart. Ugh, I just want time to pass quickly. Cillian thought.

*30 minutes later*

"We've arrived at the Inn, Your Highness." informed the coachman.

"..." *CIllian gets out of the carriage*

Hah.....guess like I won't be reaching Elmir anytime sooner......Cillian thought, looking up at the crying clouds.

*THUNDER*

"Woah....what's going on with the weather?" Cillain muttered.

*People Chatter inside the Inn*

Ugh, It stinks here. And those annoying loud bugs. All they know is to drink, nothing more, nothing less. Cillian thought in search of the Innkeeper in disgust of the surroundings.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! THE PRINCESS HAS AWAKENED HER POWERS!" shouts a drunk man.

"I KNOW RIGHT, Who knew an abandoned Princess even existed in the Annex?" another drunk man adds on.

"IF I HAD KNOWN, I would've seduced her! HAHAHA" he replies.

*Cillian grabs the drunk man's collar*

"HEY HEY YOUNG MAN! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE YOU DOING????" the Drunk man questions stumbling around.

"What did you just say about the Princess?" Cillian inquired, his expression serious.

"PRINCESS? AH, SHE AWAKENED THE POWERS OF THAT DRAGON SOMETHING~ I DON'T KNOW MUCH BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE PLANNING TO HOLD A PARTY FOR HER!"

"By Princess, which one are you referring to?" Cillain questioned.

Right now, we're about 6 hours away from Domino. It won't be hard to return to Domino if something were to happen to Luxana right now. If Princess Isabella is the one who awakened the powers then it doesn't really matter, but if it's Luxana then I won't spare another minute. Cillian thought.

"Princess Luxana" answers another man. "Her Royal Highness has awakened the power of the DRAGON FLAME."

"..." 

The rain poured down in relentless sheets, drenching me as I rushed out of the inn, my heart pounding with urgency, but I had no time to waste. The moment I reached the carriage, I began unhitching the horses, my hands moving swiftly despite the downpour.

"Your Highness, what're you doing? Where are you going?" the coachman shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the rain as he hurried out of the inn, confusion etched across his face.

"To Domino!" I declared, my voice firm and resolute.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?" His eyes widened in disbelief, as if I had just announced I was going to fly to the moon.

To be Continued...