Mercinia was a small town in the East Kingdom. The Kingdom was very peaceful as King Lucas Abraham took the responsibility of taking care of his empire.
The Kingdom was truly in harmony.The all four factions were in a well balanced position and the power was equally distributed.
"Are you doing well,Sebastian?" A man asked
"Yes,As long as the business going on well i am doing well." Sebastian answered.
"Well thats true for everyone in the market,haha" the man laughed and brought some items.
Like Sebastian and the man,Everyone was in peace under the king's rule.They were preparing for a festive named Usma.Everyone was quite busy in marketing too.
But the kingdom's situation suddenly worsened because King Lucas Abraham became suddenly cruel and the complete opposite of his former self. He suddenly raised the taxes and farmers were about to go into ruins. If someone said anything,He executed them without any other second.His dictatorial rule and stubborn refusal to retire from kingship led to unrest. Because of this, the chain of military forces were totally torn apart, and crime rates increased rapidly. Riots, thefts, and pickpocketing became regular events in the streets.In the worst scenario,Military began to nose in affairs. The factions,that were supporting the king, saw this moment as a golden opportunity and all factions joined in a room.They started to make plan to uproot the fox from the throne and seize power with the excuse of his dictatorship.
As the kingdom was getting heated up with the rumours that there is a conspiracy is being made behind the curtains, the kingdom feel into a deep mess.
However,this couldn't hamper a couple then living in the corner of the town.
In the night hours,when Sebastian was doing his work,suddenly someone wrapped him from behind with beautiful hands.
"What doing my husband?" a lady around 23-24 age asked.
"Just doing calculations." Sebastian said.
"Its been a whole week that we together went out."the lady said
"Menah,its been a hectic week.You know that we are now in our selling season as the Usma Festive coming!"
"So what? Just for 1 hour please please..."Menah said
"Ok then" the man,Sebastian said and hugged his wife.
Professionally,they were both merchants.They took their dinner.Sebastian made the bed while Menah washed the dishes.They were really a happy couple.And after a long day, they laid their bodies in bed. In the middle of the night,Sebastian, rolled to the side and opened his sleepy eyes. He couldn't see his wife. Panicking, he searched for her madly. After a while, he found his wife sitting on a bench on the balcony of their house. He sat beside her and looked at her face. The scene he saw was heartbreaking for him; it was as if some poisonous arrows had pierced his heart and shattered it into many pieces. In the light of the moon, the tears that were about to drop from his wife's eyes glittered like pearls, and he could see that her focus was on the stars shining in the clear sky.
"Why can't we have a star? What sin have I committed in my past life?" Menah, his wife, said.
This time, Sebastian couldn't hold back and took his wife into his chest. She cried loudly, covering her face in his chest. The couple had been married for four years, but due to certain problems, Menah's lap was still lonely. Sebastian somehow managed to console his wife.
"Have faith in God. He must have a plan for us," Sebastian said to his perfect half. This pain haunted them every night as they dreamt of a fulfilled, happy family.
Next day they both went out.Sebastian brought her wife a gown that was chosen by his wife herself.The smile of his wife made his heart to skip a beat.
***
Nearly 25 days later, the king was killed in the kingdom square by a shining sword. The person that was killed,was more like a demon than a king. People in the square were astonished by this incident.
"Do you think you will get away after this? What are you waiting for kill him!!" The commander shouted.
The imperial army was deployed to kill the sword. But people remembered what was they were going through.They reminded themselves that,this sword did that what was important for the kingdom and the people.Of course,It was the INDEPENDENCE from the king's dictatorial rule.As the people saw that armies were swarming in to kill their saviour,they threw themselves before the army.The footsteps were halted.Commander realised that it was a moment of the birth of a new king and now he has a Revolutionary army of his own.
"Commander,we have to retreat.The people has gone crazy!" One soldier shouted from the frontlines.
The Commander then ordered the troops to retreat.
After this chaos,The people showed their utmost respect and recognition to that warrior. They started shouting his faction's name and his name.Who was the new King,was decided in that square that very instant moment.
Sebastian was returning home as usual after his work hours.That moment,he saw many people were running towards the square.He also went there.There was a Huge Crowd there and everyone was hailing the sword's name.
"What happened? Why is everyone so fired up? And who is that man? Why he is all red-blooded?" Sebastian asked to a man.
"That warrior broke our shackles and like that moon,he lighted our path with his shiny sword.He killed the tyrant with that sword and his dogs.It's a night of freedom and new air!!" The man answered to Sebastian.
Sebastian understood everything then.He,then returned to home.
A group of men gathered around some distance from the square.They were watching the warrior getting showered with all praise and recognition.
"Tsk Tsk.Wherever we go,His name,His faction's name.First it was his father.Now its him." A long bearded man said.
"That doesn't mean its over.We can do something but it has to be as soon as possible." An old man with an scar said
"I agree.It has to be as soon as possible.To me,we have eliminate him before he ascends to the throne.Else we wont have chance against him.Specially all weapons are on his side." A man with a red ring on his finger said.
"Don't worry,Old men.Doing too much worry will hamper your health.Just leave it to me.He will also face the same as his father did." A man who had a sign of sword in his right arm said.
"You never change,hahahaha" laughed the long bearded man.
After that,the group left the square. A lightning struck and it started raining,delivering a message that the game they played together was meant to kill the fox.But it has now turned into a game to checkmate each other.
***
Sebastian returned home and told everything to his wife.
"Now,what will happen next? As the throne is vacant,wouldn't there be another bloodbath?" Menah asked
"I don't think so.People already chose their king."
Sebastian answered.
"I hope this doesn't mess with our peaceful little life."Menah said those words with an anxious expression.
"Don't worry,dear." Sebastian said and pulled his wife closer to him. And called it a day.
But little did they know that Menah's anxiety will come true.As Laws sharpness broke,that night crime rate peaked.There were many robberies and burglary happened.And the couple wasn't an exception.A group of burglars trespassed into the merchant couple's house and stole everything. It was a devastating blow. They lost everything that identified them as merchants. To them, it was like a full-grown healthy tree suddenly fell to the ground. The couple found themselves in a confusing situation. They decided to migrate to the West Kingdom as they thought this time their wealths were stolen but their life also doesn't have a guarantee.Their decision was finalized as they sold their house, and on another moonlit night, they left the East Kingdom.
****
The East and West Kingdoms shared a desert, used only for traveling between the kingdoms. Both kingdoms had forests near their border gates. The couple started their journey on horses. As the horses became tired in the forest, Sebastian found a well. He and Menah took their horses to the well to quench their thirst and give them rest. Suddenly, they heard footsteps. Looking forward cautiously, they saw a lady huffing.
"Are you in trouble, M'lady?" Sebastian asked. The lady looked up and saw both Sebastian and Menah. Sebastian noticed she was heavily injured.
"Who are you?" the lady asked.
"I'm Sebastian, and this is my wife, Menah. We are going to the West Kingdom," Sebastian replied.
The lady examined them and saw their belongings. She understood they were merchants with a significant amount of money. The lady seemed worried and confused about something.
"Are you worried about something, ma'am?" Menah asked.
The lady again examined both of them.As they said they were going to the West,she got curious about something.
"Do you not have any children?" Lady asked
After hearing this question,The couple's expression darkened.
"No," Menah said with that expression.
Then the lady also saw the expression on Sebastian's face by the corner of her sharpened eyes.She saw Sebastian was maintaining a posture that was simply hiding a pain that was eating his heart away.By judging the situation,The lady quickly knew what is the story of this two.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" the lady said.
"No, no problem at all," Sebastian said hurriedly.
The Lady smiled and called Menah beside her.
"Here, take him," the lady said, bringing out a baby boy from her lap and giving him to Menah. "Take good care of him. Go to the West and please relay my apologies when he learns about me. When he learns the truth, tell him to conquer the Sun." While saying this,The lady dropped a few tears as she went through all memories she had with that baby and thinking that it was the last moment with her baby.
The tears of the lady didn't missed Menah's gaze.She took the boy with much caution from the lady.The lady quickly wiped her tears as like she wanted to hide them.
Sebastian asked, "What is his name?"
"Owen Li-" The lady's reply was cut short by the sound of multiple footsteps approaching.
"We don't have time, go!" she said, pushing them away and starting to run. The couple, with the baby, hid behind the bushes and saw imperial army officers running after her. They then got on their horses and started running toward the border. The immigration officer checked all their information and records and saw the baby boy. Somewhat confused, the couple said it was their son. The officer permitted them to enter the West Kingdom, and they boarded two camels to cross the desert. Soon, they entered the land of sand.
"Did you see the boy?" one soldier said to another.
"What?" replied the other.
"I think I saw a sword sign on his left arm."
"Nonsense. Do you know what you are saying? The Arm-Sword sign belongs to...."
"I know, I know."
"Then, what are you blabbering about? Also, today is the execution night."
"Yeah, the operation Devil-Hunt," one soldier said, and they both laughed as the forest turned red.
The couple traveled through the desert. Sebastian took out a map and marked a place to camp for the night.
"My wife, we will tent here. Just hold on-" he said, looking at Menah.
It was a stark contrast to the previous moonlit night on their balcony. She was laughing and playing with the boy, who looked at her with playful eyes. Sebastian didn't want to disturb them.
As they traveled, Sebastian thought about his wife's face. He decided that as they were going to start anew, he would give the baby boy a new identity. A thorn pierced his heart, reminding him that it would be very difficult for the child when he learned the truth. But Sebastian steeled himself and moved forward.
"My wife, let's name him Owen Sebastian," he said.
"But-" Menah was interrupted.
"No buts. It's a gift that God gave us. He granted our wish and fulfilled our dream of a happy family," Sebastian said.
"Okay," Menah replied with a smile.
The couple then reached the West Kingdom border. It took them three nights and two days to get there. After completing all formalities, they entered the West Kingdom to start a new life.