OCTOBER 04, 4028 @12:00 0'Clock, Imperial Capital
In the capital city, although it was already midnight, Cars can still be seen on the roads, while in the streets, there are still vendors and strollers, and some establishments that are still open for late-night diners as Laugh, music, and the sounds of engines blended into the sleepless city.
But the moment the clock hit midnight, the familiar nightlife was shattered.
The original black sky devoid of stars and the moon, suddenly lights up in a brilliant golden hue.
A massive golden magic circle appeared, spanning tens of thousands of kilometers. Its sheer size covered the entire Imperial Region, Casting its golden glow in every corner of the streets.
While directly above the main royal palace, a swirling black vortex appeared, expanding very fast as it covered the entire Main palace in just a short three seconds.
The black vortex spun silently, absorbing the golden light of the magic circle. For the next thirty seconds, the vortex swirls steadily, and the moment it stopped spinning, it begins to shrink rapidly until it disappears, while the golden magic circle pulsed one last time, sending a final wave of brilliant light before fading instantly.
And the once starless and moonless sky of the Imperial region, A huge bright full moon can be seen and countless bright stars shine in the sky.
October 4th, Year 4028 - 12:01 AM
West Wing Main Palace, Imperial City of Imperial Region
Crown Princess Yin Zhi who is sleeping peacefully and nestled in the center of a grand five meter wide bed, suddenly frowns and her eyes flutter for a few seconds before finally opening. Those purple eyes look dazed at the unfamiliar ceiling.
For a moment, confusion clouded her mind yet instinct honed by years of survival kicked in as she immediately sat up, her breath sharp and fast yet quiet as she surveyed her surroundings.
"No... Did I..." She murmured, as her once quiet and steady breathing became disorderly as her heart pounded while still looking at her surroundings.
A spacious room with a size of over 180sqm, with elegant yet luxurious decor, showing how important and rich the owner of the room is.
Seeing the familiar room and the faint scent of orchids lingering in the air, Yin Zhi couldn't believe it! It was the exact same room she had lived in before the apocalypse.
Yin Zhi's heart skipped as she noticed the familiar setting around her. A seven meter tall ceiling, paintings and designs carved in the walls, with a floor to ceiling windows with white color silk-draped windows, where the soft glow of the moonlight illuminated her room.
Her gaze scans the entire room until her gaze stops at the clock on the far wall. With her sharp eyes, she can see that the time is just past midnight. Realizing it, Yin Zhi hurriedly threw off her blanket as she crawled to the edge of her bed, and seeing a phone at her bedside, she hurriedly took it and opened it.
The screen lights up, Displaying the date and time, 12:03 AM, Monday, October 4, 4028.
Confirming the date, Yin Zhi let go of her phone as she ran her hands over her face and arms, searching for the rough, scarred skin she got during the apocalypse, but instead, her fingertips touched a smooth, soft unmarked flesh. With her now trembling hands, she ran them through her waist length silver hair, finding it silky and soft, not brittle and chopped.
Yin Zhi took a deep breath, her heartbeat deafening in her ears.
"It worked." She murmured.
Today was her eighteen birthday, and there is still over a year, no, there are still 373 days before the apocalypse begins! The spell, her last desperate attempt she made when she was dying had succeeded!
A laugh escaped from her lips, wild and unrestrained, her vision blurring as tears spilled down from her bright purple eyes as overwhelming relief crashed over her like a wave.
Yin Zhi held her bed sheets tightly as she struggled to contain her flood of emotions. For fifteen years, she carried her responsibility as the Crown Princess of this country, endured everything that happened as she watched the people she cared about die one by one as they sacrificed everything for this country, yet to be only betrayed by the people she protected which left her heart empty, bitter, and broken.
But since she successfully returned before the apocalypse, she had a second chance to change everything!
"Thank god," - Yin Zhi whispered, her voice cracking as tears continued to slide down her face.
Relief, joy, disbelief, excitement, all of it spilled out in her laugh and mixed choked sobs as she buried her face in her hands, laughing and crying until her voice faded into a trembling silence.
After what seemed like an eternity, she finally grew still, her tears drying as calm settled over her.
Yin Zhi took a long, deep breath. Her puffy and swollen eyes roamed her surroundings with clarity one last time as her heartbeat slowed, steadying. Despite the cool hum of the air conditioning, she felt uncomfortable and sticky as her skin and clothes were damped with sweat.
Sliding off the bed, Yin Zhi moved across the room, her steps silent against the carpet, as she made her way toward the open door of her bathroom. Even with the stillness of her room, her instinct honed in countless years of survival during the apocalypse remains sharp.
As she steps inside her bathroom, she glances at the familiar surroundings. The floor is made from natural emerald Jadeite with intricate gold and white veining patterns while a large round pool of clear water occupies one corner that glistens because of the moonlight streaming through from the wall to ceiling windows.
For a moment, Yin Zhi stood still, staring at her bathroom. She hadn't seen such a peaceful atmosphere and luxury, in so long. Everything felt surreal.
With a soft sigh, Yin Zhi slipped out of her nightgown, her movements efficient and fast as she stepped into the pool, sinking into the warm water that instantly wrapped around her like a gentle embrace. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to be still, to let her senses adjust to the familiar warmth.