I was grounded since birth until I wasn't...

3rd person POV

IN THE JADE KINGDOM (TRIBE)

'I can do this.'

'It's not that hard.'

'I'll just be seeing the people of my kingdom, for the first time, in my life...'

That was all that Dae-Rim thought of as she paced around her room, giving herself pep talks to boost her confidence when her bedroom door flew open, revealing her aunt, Duchess Min-Sook, her older twin cousins, Bo-Mi and Min-Jun, and her younger brother Yeong-Yul along with her sparkling forest green dress with shimmering silver heels.

"Do you know how heavy these things are, Noona?" Yeong-Yul groaned out as he put the clothing on her bed.

" Don't blame me, blame Aunt Min-Sook and Bo-Mi Oppa for picking them out." Dae-Rim snapped back as she rolled her eyes at how dramatic he was acting.

Min-Sook clapped her hands as she glared at the both of them while the twins quietly giggled from behind her. 

" You are about to become the Jade Empress, Dae-Rim, and you're in your mid-20s. Stop acting like a child and sit at the vanity so we can help you get prepared." The elegant woman spoke, and everyone did as they were told.

MEANWHILE...

???POV

"Is it time already?" A tired-looking male I don't know asked the person who had just woken him up from his nap. I looked around and asked,

"Who are you?" with a scowl on my face

"Don't you remember, Unnie? We're not in our true forms yet, we're in the mortal realm still." A familiar voice spoke to me, but the face it came from was one I'd never seen before.

"Why are we here again? It's not like she can't handle it," the unknown male groaned as he sat up.

"We need to get there before they do, otherwise she won't be able to" I cut her off.

" I think we should not discuss this here, there could be eyes watching Celeste. They can't know we're here" I told her as I stood up and prepared a wormhole for us.

We waited until it was completely charged, but before we could walk through, a strange energy beam shot at it, destroying it.

A wave of shocked silence filled the room as I looked at the hole it created in distress and fear, and then I looked at Celeste and Jin-Bin, they too had fear and distress in their eyes.

"We might be too late..." Jin-Bin mumbled barely above a whisper. I immediately created another one and we jumped through it before that beam could destroy it too.

BACK AT THE JADE KINGDOM(TRIBE)

3RD PERSON POV

The main hall at the palace was full of people from the other kingdoms and the from the Jade Kingdom, as the waiter served them while chatted away and greeted each other, in an attempt to pass the time as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

One man in particular was standing near the throne as he conversed with the leader of the Angelite Kingdom.

" It has been so long since I've even stepped foot in this palace, how have you been old friend?" The Angelite Emperor, Shim Kyung-Ho said as he lightly hit his childhood friend, The Jade Emperor, Kang Dae-Hyun who chuckled at his pouty face.

"Sometimes, I wonder if you are 48, because you surely don't act like it, Hyung" he commented which caused Kyung-Ho to hit him at the back of his head.

"How dare you speak to me like that, next time, I won't go easy on you!" he angrily said, while Dae-Hyun laughed it off, causing him to roll his eyes at his childish friend.

Suddenly, the royal trumpets sounded as The Jade Duchess walked in, standing at the top of the grand staircase to announce the arrival of the future empress.

" Friends, allies, and devoted worshippers of the great Goddess of Nature bask in the glory of my ethereal beauty of a niece, the bringer of a bright future for The Jade Kingdom, Kang Dae-Rim." 

The guests clapped their hands as Dae-Rim walked in, looking like an angel with hair lovely brown hair tied in a bun, her long forest green dress that fell just above her ankles, and silver heels that delicately held her feet, while she walked to her aunt was standing with a proud look on her face. She handed her the microphone so she could give her speech.

The hall fell silent as she began, " Good day to you all, and thank you for attending my coronation. I am truly honored to be receiving such a position. I know that since my mother passed after the birth of my younger brother, I have not stepped foot outside of the castle walls, so it is the first time in 20 years that you are all seeing my face. But despite that, I kept on working hard to ensure that I would be strong enough to protect and serve my kingdom and I hope I can earn the trust of my citizens and allies as go on. Thank you." 

The hall erupted into applause and loud cheers of support for Dae-Rim, which caused her to smile in gratitude as the photographer took photos.

Her father walked up to her along with Yeong-Yul, Bo-mi, and Min-Jun so they could take a family photo. The photographer took the required pictures and left.

"That speech was fantastic, Dae-ah. We're so proud!" Min-Jun exclaimed with pride as he hugged her tight. The two of them had always been close since they were little.

" Thank you, Min-Jun Oppa. Honestly, I was so nervous..."

"Oh, we know" Bo-Mi snarked back with a chuckle, causing the others to laugh along with him while Dae-Rim pouted. Their fun was soon interrupted by the Royal Head Minister telling them that the crowning ceremony was about to begin in the throne room.

IN THE THRONE ROOM 

The guests were all seated and the royal family were sitting in the front row, patiently waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The royal trumpets sounded, and the red carpet was rolled out as the curtains back, revealing Dae-Rim standing with an aura of posture and grace. 

She walked up to the emperor's throne, where the minister was standing and all eyes were on her, but a particular pair of eyes were glued onto her, and she noticed the uncomfortable stare but brushed it off thinking it was just her being anxious.

The minister held up the royal staff that was passed down for generations and has been in their family since the godly ages (The time when the gods showed their true forms to the humans, before all conflict). Dae-Rim knelt and bowed before him. The minister started his pledge.

"Do you, Kang Dae-Rim, pledge to protect and serve the people and earn their trust in just ways?" " Yes, Minister" " And make them a priority greater than your own?" "Yes, Minister. Absolutely"

The head minister smiled and spoke, " Then by the honor vested in me and by the grace of our Goddess, I now dub you, the new Jade Empress!" The crowd cheered in congratulation as Dae stood up and curtsied at the crowd.

Then suddenly, the grand doors flew open, causing the crowd to go silent in surprise at the figure that emerged from the entrance. They let out a dark chuckle while slowly clapping and waltzing down the hall as everyone watched. Dae-Rim ordered the guards to take her but were stopped before they could get a chance to.

" Now, now. No need to get hostile, I just wanted to talk to you, Jade Empress."

With an authority lacing her voice, she replied, " And why would I, after you just ruined the ceremony and-"

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by her. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, child. I just awoke from my eternal sleep but now, I can end this"

Suddenly the ground started to shake as energy beams shot up from the ground. The floor split open as shadow demons climbed in through the trench in the middle of the ballroom. The Royal family immediately used their powers to save the people and themselves.

She smirked as they tried to save everyone when Dae-Rim charged at her, her fist engulfed by thorned veins and struck her with it, but she was able to stop it.

"Nice try, Your Highness but I'm much more-"

Suddenly, three figures appeared on the scene and teleported all the guests that were still in the area out of the palace, then they attempted to take the royal family with them while one of them fought her off.

"You don't have to do this!" The male said as they fought. She scoffed with a scowl on her face and said " She is the key to them awakening. Every single one of the royals is but she will lead them. The prophecy said-"

"Who cares what the prophecy says" he growled out.

The royals successfully made it out but were too shocked and confused about what had just happened.

"Who are you guys?" The young prince asked with curiosity. 

"We are the human alter egos of The Ten Virtues Elements of Power, or at least the ones who have awakened and the one who has just attacked you wields the power of the Goddess of Darkness.

"I thought you were going to awaken after the 100th cycle, but you're early."

"We'll explain later"

TO BE CONTINUED ; D