19th, June, 1238 TNW
The king sat in his council looking at his ministers and general, who all had a grim expression on their faces. "Has everyone received the invitation for the event?"
"Yes, your grace, we have sent the invitation to all the dukes, counts and barons to be here; many are here now."
The king nodded as he supported his head with his hand; he felt the heat leaving his forehead; he grabbed a glass of water, drinking it in a single motion as he leaned back in his chair. "I wish this burden would have not arrived in my time."
The ministers looked at their king struggling under the burden. "Prime Minister Vaughn, are we certain this will work?"
The Prime minister looked at the table as he nodded. "Yes, your grace, this will work." "You are certain that this will be our last hope." "Yes, your grace we all think that this is the only chance we have."
The general leaned forward, placing his hand on the table, "Your grace, the prophecy spoke that Evil shall rise after the 108th cycle of the Twin comet, nineteen years ago came the 107th cycle, the night of 24th June will be the 108th and the prophecy spoke that the hero who will save our world will arrive with the passing comet."
He then looked at everyone in the council as he swallowed the fear and anxiety in his heart. "The hero is yet to reveal himself if he came during the last cycle. We cannot risk losing this last opportunity, hence, we came up with this method."
The king nodded as he looked at his empty glass. "If God does not send the hero, we will bring the hero here ourself. Is that it?"
The king looks outside the castle, watching the sunset before turning to the royal guard. "Where is the princess?" "Out in the flower fields, your grace."
"Bring her back." "Yes, your grace."
In a field of flowers, a woman was running from a man, giggling and looking back to see if he was still following her. "Catch up, or else I may run far away from you." "I don't think so."
As he drew closer, her fluttering gold hair hit him in the face as he struggled to see what was in front of him.
He collided with the woman as the two tumbled down into the flowers. The two rolled on the flower bed. Once they stopped, the boy found himself above the woman as he gently brushed the golden hair off her face and looked into her blue eyes.
"You are as beautiful as ever."
The woman placed her hand on the man's cheek as he melted with into her soft hand. "You are just as lovely as ever."
The two chuckled as the man turned over, lying beside the woman as the two gazed at the star filled sky. "Kanah, which star is your favourite?"
Kanah turned to look at her as she matched his gaze. "Your sky-blue eyes are the only stars I wish to watch my entire life."
Aurelia sat up and rested her head on her knees, looking at Kanah, who stood up, dusting his clothes as he held his hand out for Aurelia, helping her up.
He held her close by the waist, swaying left and right like a slow dance with just the two of them under the night sky.
They stayed like this for some time as Kanah looked Aurelia in the eyes and held her hands; his face hardened as the ever-present smile disappeared. "I am leaving." "What? Where? Why? Are you leaving me forever?"
"No, I am not leaving you; I can't ever do that. My grandfather's health has worsened and we intend to take him to the Solara Islands. He wanted to spend his last moments there."
Aurelia looked down at her feet. "When are you leaving?" "On the 24th."
She looked up at his face as tears filled her eyes. "Why did you not tell me this beforehand?" "I wanted to spend the day just like we always do. I did not want today to be any different because today might be the last day we get to see each other."
Aurelia enveloped him in her arms as he held her. "Won't you see me again before leaving?" "I would love nothing more, but we both will be busy these coming days. I have seen the lords flocking to the capital. What is, father intending to do?"
Aurelia gazed at the main entrance of the city as carriages were entering it one after the other. "The crown intends to summon the hero. They cannot risk facing evil if the hero does not appear as prophesied."
"I see, so when are they going to do the summon."
Aurelia rested her head on his chest. "The comet will pass on the 24th. They intend to summon the hero during the banquet that night."
She then laughed silently. "What is it you find amusing?" "You were born the night the comet last passed. Are you sure you are not the hero foretold?"
Kanah chuckled, cradling Aurelia in his arms. "Maybe I am."
Aurelia laughed lightly as she took a deep breath. "When will you return?" "I do not know, but I give you my word; I will remain by your side."
As the two separated sounds of horse drew closer until the royal guards arrived, stopping a short distance from the two.
The captain of the guards stepped off his horse and knelt in front of Aurelia. "Your Highness, his grace requests your return to the castle."
Aurelia turned to look Kanah in the eyes as she held his fingers. "Is this Goodbye?" "For now, yes."
"Return to me when you can; I will wait for you."
Kanah smiled at her as he nodded; Aurelia let go of his fingers and walked towards the carriage.
He stood there in the field by himself, watching the convoy head towards the city as he began walking back to his home.
Aurelia entered the king's chambers finding her mother and father sitting at the table. "Father, you requested my presence?"
The king looked at his daughter as he nodded, motioning her to take a seat at the table.
Aurelia sat to her father's left while her mother sat on the right. The king himself sat at the head of the table, lost in his thought supporting his head with his hands.
The queen looked at the two as a grim sensation filled the room, so she tried to shift the topic to a happier one. "So, what did you and Kanah do today? Is he okay? He rarely visits anymore."
Aurelia looked at her mother as she smiled, filling the room with positivity. "We went to the flower fields, ran around, fell down and gazed at the stars while lying on the ground. It was good."
The king looked at Aurelia looking at the ceiling as she smiled, lost in her memories. His lips curled up upon seeing his daughter smile.
"Do continue about Kanah."
Aurelia snapped out of her daydream as she straightened herself out. "He is as well as ever. He told me to greet you in his stead and he apologises for not visiting."
"Did he acquiesce to the invitation?"
Aurelia looked down at the table, unable to meet her father's gaze. "I did not get the chance to ask him; before I could, he told me he was leaving the Kingdom and heading to the Solara Islands."
The king stood up, knocking his chair over. "WHAT! How could he possibly fathom committing such an audacious and reprehensible act?!"
Aurelia and the queen were both shaken by the king's outburst. The queen stood up, holding her husband.
Aurelia stood up and too held her father. "Do not fear, father. He is merely journeying there to honour his grandfather's wish of residing there in his last moments."
"Oh."
The king calmed down as he lifted his chair up, sitting back down. "Forgive me, my beloved, and my beautiful daughter. This fever has been making life difficult for the past months."
He then took hold of both Aurelia's and the queen's hands. "When I heard of his departure, my mind showed me a glimpse of my worst fear. Your heart being broken. I feared he intended to cut ties with you."
Aurelia smiled as she got up, hugging her father. "Do not fear, father. Our love is everlasting. He will never leave me."
The King stood up from his chair as he walked over to his bed.
"That puts my heart at ease. Return to your room and start the preparations for the banquet. I wish to rest."
"Yes, father."
Aurelia bowed slightly before leaving the room.
24th, June, 1238 TNW
The City of Rine was decorated every street, house, square, shop.
As today was the day of the twin comet, the last cycle mentioned in the prophecy.
All the Important individuals in the kingdom had gathered for the occasion and they all flocked to the Castle White. At the far end of the city.
The castle was a staggering seventy meters in height. Its outer walls, thirty meters in height, with 3 layers of walls.
They made the castle from Moon Rock a rare and strong material that fell from the moon during the Great War. It gave the castle its name, Castle White.
There were four towers on the castle at the corners of the main hall.
At its back was the Arena. Used for trials fought with more than just words.
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A bald man sat in his carriage alone as he gazed out the window, seeing the gigantic city spreading out over thousands of acres of land and at the end of it all the castle that has stood the test of time for over a thousand years.
Soon, the carriage came to a halt as the man stepped out. Anyone who saw him bowed down in respect, as he was none other than the last living male relative of King Belreid.
The Duke of the west Galreid.
As he walked through the castle, he found himself at the doors of the Main Hall.
As he stepped through the doors, The Hall was filled with the counts, barons and the other 3 dukes were also present.
Galreid walked to the centre of the hall but stopped once he saw a giant circle drawn at the centre of the hall.
He shifted his gaze up as he saw it: The Black Throne made from the heart of the meteor summoned by King Istreid at the Great War.
Upon the throne sat King Belreid with the Twilight Sword in hand, the crown on his head and the robe of Light over his shoulder.
On the King's right sat the Prime Minister and on his left, an empty seat for his heir.
Who was nowhere to be seen as Galreid studied the room.
"Brother Galreid! Oh, the joy that fills my heart upon your arrival. The journey was not perilous, I hope."
Galreid turned to face the King who had come down to greet his brother. "No, your grace, the journey was as peaceful."
The king looked at Galreid's empty hands. "No one offered you a drink on this occasion. We need to procure a glass of wine for you."
Far away from the city at the edge of the forest and the crop fields, a man travelled on a horse beside a wagon.
He stopped to look back at the city one last time.
His heart wanted him to stay, his soul wanted to stay, but he could not.
Just as he looked away from the city, he heard the wind rush as he looked back.
Aurelia stood before him, a vision of effortless command and quiet grandeur. The long white tailcoat framed her figure with precise elegance, its pristine fabric cascading behind her in sharp, dramatic folds. Gold buttons lined the front in disciplined rows, catching the light with each subtle movement, as if they too acknowledged her presence.
Beneath the coat, a fitted waistcoat hugged her torso, accentuating the regal poise with which she carried herself. The ivory fabric was a stark contrast to the deep crimson of her high-collared blouse, the ruffled edges at her throat and cuffs softening the sharp lines of her tailored attire. The colour bold, unrelenting was a statement in itself, a rich undertone of fire beneath the pristine white.
Her hands, clad in white gloves that fit with perfect precision, rested lightly at her sides. They bore no wrinkles, no slackness, just a seamless extension of her presence, as if the gloves had been made for no other hands but hers.
Strapped to her waist, a sword rested against her hip, its hilt and handle gleaming in white to match her ensemble. It was not merely for decoration; the careful way it sat against her frame, the ease with which her hand could find it, spoke of practiced familiarity.
She wore fitted trousers, tailored to complement the sharp lines of her coat. The fabric clung just enough to flatter her form but allowed for movement, a balance between elegance and purpose. Tucked into sleek black boots, polished to a quiet shine.
His gaze traced the fine details: the gleam of the buttons, the way the coat swayed ever so slightly as she shifted her weight, the contrast between the dark leather of her boots and the purity of her coat. She had always carried herself like this; poised, unwavering, untouched by the weight of admiration. And yet, as she stood there, unaware of his silent reverence, he couldn't help but think that she had never looked more like herself.
"What are you doing here? You are supposed to be at the banquet."
Aurelia frowned at the man's word as she walked closer. "I risk the wrath of my father to come say goodbye and you are asking me why I am here instead of holding me."
Kanah dropped his head, smiling as he jumped off the horse, embracing her in his arms. "I love you." "I love you too."
Aurelia then broke the hug as she handed him a box as Kanah looked at her, puzzled. "A memento to remember me by."
He opened the box and inside was a ring made from Moon Rock.
He smiled, looking back at her. "You didn't have to give me this just to remember you. You are the only thing in my mind and heart."
Aurelia reached out her hand, placing it on Kanah's cheek as he melted with her touch, his eyes closed and a smile on his face. "Goodbye and happy birthday, my beloved"
As she retracted her hand, he opened his eyes and reached forward, taking her face in his arms as he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Goodbye, my love."
Kanah backed up to his horse; as he got on, he heard the wind flap as he looked back to see Aurelia gone with the wind. "She is getting faster."
He smiled, looking at the moon, seeing the comet colour the moon.
He turned the horse around, heading into the forest towards the distant wagon.
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Aurelia marched through the corridors of the castle until she reached the Queen's door. She opened the door, entering the queen's balcony.
The queen looked down at the hall below. "What did he say?"
"What I needed to hear."
The queen held her daughter's hand. "Go join your father down there." "Yes, mother."
Aurelia looked down before exiting the Queen's balcony.
She travelled down the stairs and emerged from the passage behind her chair.
Just as Aurelia entered the hall, The King stood up and gathered the attention of all. "Lords and ladies, honoured guests, hear me now!"
The king's voice rang clear through the grand hall, steady and rich with authority. "It is with great pride and solemn joy that I present to you the heir to the noble Kingdom of Istreid, my daughter, your future sovereign, Princess Aurelia Reid."
The hall erupted in applause; the sound reverberating against the stone walls as all eyes turned to Aurelia.
Aurelia's lips curved into a gentle, practiced smile, the kind meant for royal courts and grand halls, not for quiet moments with her family or Kanah. It was a mask.
With a slow motion, she raised a hand, offering a measured wave to the gathered guests. The subtle gesture was neither overly warm nor distant, but perfectly balanced—acknowledging their presence while maintaining the poise expected of her.
She walked to her seat with steady, unhurried steps. As she settled into the ornate chair, she leaned back, crossing one leg over the other in a relaxed yet dignified manner. She showed no sign of discomfort, holding herself with the calm assurance expected of her.
The King looked up through the glass ceiling, seeing the comet passing overhead.
He leaned to his right. "Begin the preparations."
The Prime Minister bowed towards the king. "As you command!"
He then motioned to the mages in the hall as the doors were closed and all the candles blown out, leaving the bi-coloured moonlight as the only source of light.
The King stood up and walked a few steps forward as the mages stood around the circle, placing a piece of paper in the middle.
"Guests of the Crown, we have all heard the prophecy, the tale of a hero destined to rise and deliver this world from evil. It was foretold that he would appear on the night of the twin comet, a beacon of hope in our darkest hour. And yet, tonight marks the last cycle of the comet, despite that, the hero has not come."
His gaze swept across the hall, his expression firm. "We can wait no longer. Our kingdom, our people, the world itself our very future hangs in the balance. If fate will not bring the hero to us, then we shall summon him ourselves."
A heavy silence followed, thick with anticipation. "Tonight, before you all, I will call forth the hero who will save us from the coming darkness. Let the summoning begin!"
The mages raised their hands in unison, their voices rising in a rhythmic chant, weaving the ancient language into the very air. A thick blue mist unfurled across the grand hall, swirling with a life of its own, pulsing with raw, untamed power.
At the centre of it all, the symbol began to glow, its intricate lines pulsating as if drawing breath. The ground trembled beneath it, a deep rumble echoing through the chamber.
Beyond the castle walls, the sky darkened, consumed by rolling storm clouds that churned with an unnatural fury. Thunder roared in the distance, and bolts of lightning slashed across the heavens, striking the mountains with a deafening crack.
The mages pressed forward, their focus unwavering, their magic surging as they poured everything into the spell.
Then, with a sudden, blinding flash, a bolt of lightning tore through the sky, crashing through the glass ceiling in a brilliant cascade of shattered light. Everyone shielded themselves, but the mages stood firm, untouched by the storm's wrath.
At the heart of the ritual, the sacred paper ignited instantly, its surface consumed in mere moments, reduced to drifting ash. For a breathless instant, silence reigned. Then, defying all natural order, the ashes began to rise, drawn upward by an unseen force. Higher and higher they climbed, swirling together, twisting and merging until they coalesced into a single sphere of shimmering black dust.
A burst of radiant light exploded outward, engulfing the hall in brilliance, forcing all to avert their eyes. And then, as quickly as it had come, the light receded.
Where the ashes had been, there was now a man.
He was clad in sturdy brown boots, fitted black trousers, and a weathered brown jacket. Black gloves covered his hands, and upon his head rested a smooth, white helmet of unknown material, concealing his face.
Beside him, an enigmatic construct of gleaming metal hovered for a moment before crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. It bore two wheels; one at the front, one at the back. Its purpose was unknown, its very presence foreign to all who laid eyes upon it.
The man landed lightly, his feet finding solid ground as he gazed at his surroundings through the visor of his helmet.
A hush fell over the hall. Then, a slow grin spread across the king's face, his thick beard shifting with the motion.
"Behold our hero!"