"Huh? Oh." Rori's eyes widened as her spine stilled.
A soldier grunted and forcefully took an arm, pulling up one of her sleeves to reveal her forearm.
Only when they saw a tattoo resembling a burning fire near her elbow did they nod.
"Follow the path, my lady." A guard said. "You can't stay here for long."
"Oh, sorry," Rori muttered, before standing up, overpowering her racing heart.
She began walking to join the crowd of moving women, while gaslighting herself. There was no chance that the bridge would collapse the very day and moment she was stepping on it, right?
She simply trained her eyes straight ahead not looking side ways. Or down.
"So that's why the old man made me get this thing." Rori breathed out, thankful that nobody else around knew it was fake. But how did Biborek know that she would need this? Had Zanister and the others plan this without her knowledge?
However she was still thankful that she had the tattoo, otherwise she would have been dead at the door.
Before she knew it, they arrived at a dome entrance with open gates. The chatter between the crowd of women grew as the sound of music became apparent, confusing Roriana a bit.
Flutes fluttered her ears in perfect harmony with the drums, creating a strange melody that made her feel a bit dazed. Like she was being drugged from the sound.
Upon entering the interior of the grand Dome structure, Rori gasped in amazement as her eyes drank in everything. Truly the palace to belong to giants! No where needed to be this big!
The ceiling was artistically sculpted with the design of two golden dragons blowing flames at each other. At every side, were tall statues of past royal warriors and generals frozen in powerful poses.
The culture, the art, everything! Rori's mind could not even comprehend, so much craft all in one place. Tempted, she was to sneak away and explore each and every part of the dome. Considering how big and complex the dome tower was, it could take her years.
She was in literal heaven
"No. Focus!" Rori mentally slapped herself. "Remember why you're here."
"Attention Ladies!" A female voice boomed. Everyone's attention was drawn to a woman standing on a large floating tile looking down at them with a hand behind her back. "I'm sure you are all excited, but, I must remind you that you only have four minutes of lime light, to dance before the Emperor. Unless one of you is picked, then it would take more time for the next group to go out. So give it your best. Remember no foul acts otherwise you will be beheaded irrespective of what family you come from." She had night black hair and dark red eyes.
Rori's throat tightened. The woman had red eyes? That meant she was an actual Royal blood. The highest and most powerful of beings. Even from her robe and hairpins, you could recognize that she was a high standing member of the Courts.
Roriana's palm became sweaty. She had never seen one in person before, a Royal blood Qira. Just by being in the same room with the her, Rori could feel an overwhelming aura of power.
The girls around Rori became silent as fear hung in the air.
"Now. You all will be grouped in twenty, and will go into the hall at different times," the Royal-blood woman spoke as women dressed in black with silver armour suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
One in particular popped out besides Roriana earning a squeal from her.
The soldier woman laughed, holding her stomach then moved on to perform her duty.
More soldiers continued to reveal themselves. It was as if they were coming out of a curtain of invisibility.
With the loud snap of a finger, the female soldiers began to group the ladies accordingly.
Roriana found herself in a group with nineteen other women standing in a line with a few groups ahead of theirs.
Rori remained silent throughout the whole process, thankful that she was not found out.
"Good. Now look at the Illusion Array," The woman commanded.
Roriana looked up only to see a screen of illusion illuminating a pink flower.
The girls at her side giggled like they understood what it meant. From the mummurs, Rori could hear whispers of 'poor girls' and 'such bad luck'
"After one group goes out to perform, the next group will be given a dance in accordance to the sequence of the playing music. Is that understood?"
Everybody mumbled yes. Except Roriana who was still confused. What dance? What music? All she saw was a flower.
Soon the screen displayed another type of flower. This one was deep blue with star petals.
Then the next group went out allowing her group to move forward in the line.
The woman was not exaggerating when she said each group were given only four minutes. Every four minutes the screen would change and they would have to move forward as girls flocked into dome joining the line behind.
The screen changed, revealing a new flower. A black flower with green hue at its tips.
It was time for Roriana's group to go out.
"Good luck. I have a feeling a queen stands amongst you," the red-eyed Royal woman said as she looked in the direction of Roriana's group.
Rori furrowed her eyebrows as she turned to a nervous girl at her side " what does she mean by Qu—"
Before Rori could finish her question, the beaded curtains rolled open revealing a new space entirely different.