The plaza of Nairon buzzed with life. Laughter from children running through the streets blended with the lively chatter of traders and the sharp calls of people haggling over fresh wares. The crowd ebbed and flowed between market stalls and the busy streets, each face animated with the energy of the city. Today, like any other, the heart of Nairon beat to the familiar rhythm of its bustling Plaza.
Among the crowd was a girl with an unforgettable scarlette hair, Shera. like any other day she is out in the streets making ends meet, though she detest stealing from others, she has no choice if she wants to live in this ever busy city. with thoughts of who to steal from Shera roams the ever busy street...
"Hmm... it's a little livelier than usual, is there something going on?." she wondered aloud in a curious tone, Just then, a guard's voice boomed from a nearby platform, cutting into her thoughts.
"Hear ye! Hear ye! People of Nairon, let it be known that the royal family and the Faith are about to hold open discussions here, at this very plaza. Let the people gather and listen to the voice of our Third Prince, who shall speak on behalf of the royal family!" announced the energetic guard, his voice carrying above the crowd.
Shera's eyes widened in surprised, the last time the Crown and the Faith held public discussions, it led to an assassination attempt on the first prince, Shera was thinking that if the Crown and the Faith were to meet now, it must be something urgent. intrigued, Shera couldn't help but wonder what the discussions would be about, even more so that it was the third prince who will be speaking.
Shera who was lost in thought, was suddenly grabbed by two men. with her head covered in a sack and her hands were being held tightly by the two men, they then went into an alley where the chatters of the people are getting farther and farther away.
"You have been avoiding us Shera, you know the consequences of owing us money, remove the cover." before the cover was removed, she was punched in the gut. Shera was kneeling on the ground, groaning and holding her stomach.
"What the hell did you do that for!?." screamed Shera, who was still lying on the ground.
As Shera looked up she sees the man behind the gravely voice, It was none other than the Infamous crime boss, Mr. Hess, a body built like a bear, His face, never showing a smile. he was known for taking joy in personally dealing with people who did him wrong. with his organization having a powerful backer, and with pockets so deep, Mr. Hess' organization became feared and they were not the one to make enemies of. unless you were Shera, who not only borrowed a ton of gold but also stole one of his precious relics.
With fear running through her heart and mind, Shera quickly looked to her surrounding, only to find that there are now Five men surrounding her, armed men with swords at their hips. That's it, I'm done for, what the hell did I get myself into???". As Shera was thinking on ways she can get out of this, Mr. Hess suddenly spoke.
"I am a generous man, miss Shera. I help you, you help me. that's the kind of man I am Shera, But you?, you repaid my kindness with theft!." said Mr. Hess with an irritated voice. then, a loud smacking sound can be heard, Shera was slapped in the face. normally, a slap would have been fine, but this is a man who's physique was built like a bear, and his force is likely the same as one.
With Shera barely staying conscious after his hit, she spat out blood. then as if to add fuel to the fire, she then mockingly said.
"For a man of your size, you sure hit like a girl." as she looked at him all she could see was the red faced Mr. Hess, who's face is obviously getting irritated after what she said. still, Shera managed to sneak in a smirk, and with that, Mr. Hess finally snapped. he yanked her hair and said to her face.
"You think this is funny Shera!?, I have your life on my hands!, I would've let you go had you been obedient, but now, you just had to open your mouth, you there!." Mr. Hess pointed to his subordinate and back to Shera, he then made a gesture of slicing his neck. as the man was about to draw his sword, a shout can be heard across the alley, as they all turned to look, it was only a boy, standing brazenly, with clothes adorned with golden trims and a sword at his hip, with ancient symbols carved into them, he then said.
"I am sure that this is not allowed to happen no?, for you to kill her out in the daylight, you criminals sure have been bold as of late." said the boy, Mr. Hess let out a laugh.
"HA-HA-HA, you've made a fine joke boy, it's best you leave it at that before I'd have you killed too." said Hess in a cold and threatening tone.
however the boy showed no fear, nor did he break eye contact with him, then the boy walked towards them slowly, exuding an air of royalty around him, with the armed thugs realizing he's getting closer, they unsheathed their swords, ready to strike. the boy did the same and unsheathed his sword, upon drawing his sword, it wasn't a shabby sword nor was it blunt like the armed thugs, it was a majestic sword, illuminating the sun, along the hilt was the crest of the royal family, two black swords underneath a golden crown, etched in the blade, was ancient markings, the boy then chanted a few words, only for the markings to glow in a beautiful light. the boy then aimed the sword to Mr. Hess and sternly said.
"I will not warn you again.... sheathe your swords for Evil will not prevail in the capital, not today, not under the rule of the Valence Family in this city." with a voice of unwavering determination, and eyes of fiery resolve, the boy stood firm without budging an inch. A sudden urge of chills ran down the spines of Mr. Hess and his men, having felt no fear for the longest time, it is vexing for Hess to feel fear, especially in front of this boy.
"Who... are you boy?, and what gave you the confidence to say such things in front of me?, knowing you are outnumbered six to one?." Hess asked the boy hesitantly, only for the boy to put up a smirk. before the boy can open his mouth, a dozen knights ran through the street, Knights covered in Golden armor with red capes along the back, and two swords each on their side.
"My prince, there you are, we should head back to the plaza now, the people are waiting, who are these people, my prince?." said the panicked knight, as the knights looked around, they saw the armed individuals and quickly unsheathed their blades covering the prince.
"I'd drop the swords if I were you, for you are in the presence of the third prince, Claude Tariel Valence, who are you to point your blades?." said the Knight.
As Hess was thinking of fighting back, he then recognized the sigil on their crest, A shield with the crown in the heart of it. seeing that sigil, he can never forget them, they were the royal knights of the Royal family, from the moment they were born, they were chosen to be trained, with each knight having mastered the art of bow, lance, sword and equestrian. each one of them could equal that of a dozen normal knights, and there are a dozen of them here. Hess knew better than to mess with them, then he was suddenly in a state of panic and fear, for he knows he could lose his head here and now.
Hess quickly knelt and so did his men, then he said "Please forgive me, my prince, had I known it was you I would have not drawn our swords, please spare my life." the menacing crime boss who was known as Hess, was nowhere to be seen now, only a man begging for his life.
"You're lucky I have a meeting right now, Knights, put them in the dungeon, and report this back to my father, he'll want to know about this." said Claude in a worried tone.
Meanwhile, Shera witnessed everything that happened, she could say nothing, for she has no idea what was going on. all she knew was that, she met this boy a couple of days ago. with all the shocking things happening to her right now, she looked at Claude, seeing him in that armor and the air of royalty he exudes, she could only think. So this is royalty huh.....