The festive evening grew livelier as the grand hall of the Malacca Noctrel palace filled with noble guests dressed in their finest attire. Gentle music flowed from harpists and violinists positioned in the corners of the room, while the aroma of fine wine and exquisite cuisine wafted through the air. Graceful servants moved effortlessly, carrying trays of drinks and delicacies, ensuring every guest's comfort.
Amid the bustling crowd, Raviena stood still. Clad in a black gown that radiated elegance, her presence felt distinct. She seemed to be the center of attention, though not due to warmth or admiration. The gazes of the guests often carried a mixture of curiosity and fear. Her undeniable beauty was captivating, yet everyone seemed hesitant to approach. Even the warmest smiles faded when they remembered the strange powers Raviena possessed.
Raviena knew exactly why. Her mysterious abilities, inherited from her mother's bloodline and not fully understood even by herself, had long cast a shadow over her life. The power to glimpse someone's death in fleeting visions, often involuntarily, was a heavy burden that made people keep their distance. Each unintended prediction of death spread further rumors about her, deepening the fear surrounding her.
Not far from her, Aurelian stood, unable to tear his eyes away from his closest friend. Raviena looked stunning in her gown—more than usual—but Aurelian saw beyond her physical beauty. He knew that beneath her composed facade lay an emotional weight she never voiced. He wanted to approach her, to offer words of comfort, but even he felt the invisible distance that was hard to breach.
"Everyone is looking at you," Aurelian finally murmured as he stepped closer. "But it's not because they're afraid. They're... intrigued, perhaps even in awe. You look extraordinary tonight."
Raviena turned slightly, offering a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I know what they're thinking, Aurel. They're afraid of me. They always are. I can't change that."
Aurelian wanted to argue, to tell her it wasn't true, but he knew she had felt the weight of others' fear too often to believe otherwise. All he could do was stand beside her in silent support.
***
Meanwhile, on the other side of the kingdom, a mysterious young man and his crew had arrived at the gates of Malacca Noctrel. The towering gates, adorned with the royal emblem glinting under the moonlight, stood firm before them. The gentle night breeze carried an undercurrent of tension. The young man gazed at the gates with determined eyes, while one of his companions, a burly man in a dark cloak, stepped forward.
"It's time," the man said flatly, patting their weary horses. "This long journey is finally over. All we need now is the signal from inside."
The young man nodded silently but said nothing. A faint unease lingered in his mind—a vague premonition that had haunted him for some time—but he couldn't afford to let it distract him now. With a steady gaze, he and his crew began moving closer to the gates, preparing to enter the kingdom.
***
Inside the hall, King Valerian appeared slightly restless. Though his expression remained calm before the guests, his eyes frequently darted toward the grand doors at the far end of the hall, as if awaiting something—or someone. The nobles around him were engrossed in conversation, but Valerian paid them only half-hearted attention. He tried to pass the time by introducing new forms of entertainment for the guests, yet his mind remained consumed by a nagging sense that something significant would happen tonight.
Dancers took to the center of the hall, mesmerizing the guests with their graceful movements. The musicians quickened their tempo, filling the room with livelier melodies. However, nothing could quell Valerian's unease.
From her spot in the corner of the hall, Raviena watched her father intently. She rarely saw him this worried, and though she seldom asked about matters of state, she knew something big was happening behind the scenes of this celebration. Even from where she stood, she could sense her father was waiting for more than just a successful evening.
"Raviena," came a soft voice beside her. It was Aurelian. "Do you see your father? He looks different tonight."
Raviena gave a small nod, not wanting to draw attention. "Yes, I see it. I can feel that something is unusual. Whatever it is, I just hope it doesn't involve us."
Aurelian gently touched Raviena's arm, his concern evident. "Maybe it's just the nerves of hosting such a grand event. There's a lot at stake tonight. You know how the neighboring kingdoms always watch us closely."
But Raviena remained silent. Her gaze stayed fixed on her father, the bad feeling creeping into her heart growing stronger. She could only stand there, waiting for what would happen next, just like everyone else.
The nobles, though tempted to approach Raviena because of her striking appearance, lacked the courage. Her unpredictable powers made them hesitant, fearing that even speaking to her might thrust them into one of her fatal visions. Though many were intrigued, their fear outweighed their fascination.
Among all the glances directed her way, only Aurelian's gaze held sincerity. He had never feared Raviena because, to him, she was more than her misunderstood powers. Yet tonight, even Aurelian couldn't shake the unease that cloaked the grand hall.
And outside, beyond the majestic gates of the kingdom, the mysterious young man and his companions moved closer.
**The grand doors of the hall swung wide open, and the steady sound of footsteps echoed across the marble floors of the Malacca Noctrel palace. All eyes turned toward the mysterious young man striding inside. He wore an unusual black outfit with a long cloak trailing behind him. There were no family crests or noble insignias on his attire, yet his aura alone left everyone feeling intimidated.**
The young man walked unhurriedly, as if every step he took was measured with precision. His sharp eyes glimmered, like sunlight peeking through dark clouds. The nobles, who had been chatting casually moments before, fell silent, none daring to speak as he approached. Only the faint rustle of his clothing broke the oppressive silence, which grew heavier as the tension in the hall mounted.
Raviena, standing in the corner, watched the young man with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. There was something deeply unfamiliar about him, something that unsettled her. She scrutinized his every movement, as though searching for signs of danger. Although she had never seen him before, Raviena felt an inexplicable sense that something was amiss. The mysterious power coursing through her whispered a warning she could not ignore.
The young man stopped in front of King Valerian and offered a respectful bow, though his movements appeared slightly formal, like someone unaccustomed to royal etiquette. King Valerian inclined his head in return, his gaze sharp and full of scrutiny as he regarded his guest.
"Welcome to the Malacca Noctrel palace," King Valerian said, his voice warm yet firm. "We are pleased you could attend this event. Please, join us at the table."
The young man nodded before proceeding to the seat prepared for him at the long table reserved for nobles. The guests, who had been engaged in lively conversations earlier, now fell silent, their attention fixed on this enigmatic figure. An unspoken tension filled the air, as though everyone was awaiting an explanation for his presence.
Seated, the young man regarded King Valerian and the surrounding nobles with a calm yet meaningful gaze. "Thank you for your invitation," he said, his voice deep and resolute. "My name is Solaris. I have no family name. I come as a representative of a distant kingdom, a land where the sun rises and sets in harmony unlike any other in this world."
A faint murmur rippled through the nobles. A name tied to the sun? Without a family name? Such an introduction was unheard of among the aristocracy, where lineage and heritage were paramount. Suspicion and curiosity swirled among them, though none dared to ask questions directly.
Raviena, listening intently to Solaris, felt a strange sensation creeping over her. There was something familiar yet elusive about this young man, as if she had encountered his presence or energy before. What troubled her most, however, was the aura of power emanating from Solaris. It wasn't ordinary magic but something older, deeper—a force that set her instincts on high alert.
King Valerian studied Solaris with keen interest. "Solaris," he said, "an intriguing name. Do you come from a kingdom in the Dark Continent? I have heard that the realms there have unique relationships with the power of the sun."
Solaris nodded, his smile faint yet layered with meaning. "Indeed, my kingdom lies far from here, in a place where day and night are more than mere cycles but integral to a grander existence. However, I am not here as an adversary but as a messenger. I bring news of a future that may prove very significant for your kingdom, Your Majesty."
Solaris's words heightened the tension in the room. The nobles, listening intently, quickly realized that this young man was no ordinary guest but a bearer of critical tidings from a faraway land. Raviena, still silent in her corner, couldn't shake the feeling that Solaris harbored secrets far greater than his cryptic words revealed.
"What message do you bring?" King Valerian asked, his voice calm but tinged with anticipation. "We are always open to hearing news from distant lands."
Solaris fixed the king with a piercing gaze, as though carefully weighing each word before speaking. "This message," Solaris began, his tone growing graver, "is not just for your kingdom, Your Majesty, but for the future of the entire world. There is something stirring in the shadows—something that will shift the balance of power across the continent. I am here to ensure that your kingdom is prepared for what lies ahead."
A collective gasp rippled through the hall as Solaris's words sank in. What did he mean by a great upheaval? Was this a warning—or a veiled threat? Every pair of eyes in the hall was now riveted on the enigmatic young man, including Raviena's, which were filled with mounting suspicion. Deep down, something in her told her that Solaris was far more than a mere messenger—he was part of something much larger, something that could change her life and the fate of the kingdom forever.