Prince Orinaz stood at the balustrade with mixed emotions as his gaze swept through the awaiting crowd.
Large hologram screens stood in the air beside their balcony. And above the crowd were floating drones which displayed everything on those screens.
At the moment, it centred on Orinaz's face.
The prince's thoughts were muddled up together for a moment, but with time and the cool wind, he began to gain clarity.
'Where do I begin?' He thought to himself as he felt his family's gaze on his back.
For most of his life, he was always subjected to their watchful eyes.
Eyes that always hid their true thoughts.
Well, it was to be expected since Orinaz himself was no stranger to composure and slight manipulation. He often indulged himself with their predictable reactions, but at eighteen years and being one of the few Royal members who was yet to go through the Trance, he had begun to think differently.
Not so much that he would venture far from their customs, but enough to question certain things.
Orinaz couldn't help but grimace at the fact that he was a small-time rebel.
'And that is why I believe Father didn't set this kind of celebration for a mere eighteenth birthday.'
He frowned slightly, but widened his shoulders and stood straight. Maintaining the same air of indifference as he always did.
'I have a feeling though…'
His gaze shifted from the courtyard to the far glass buildings ahead– the state which had been left unattended, simply because of his birthday.
'... I will find out soon enough.'
He cleared his throat as a practised smile formed on his regal face.
Then he reached for his ear and tapped a shiny blue dot on his lobe– an earring.
It shimmered with blue light running across a circuit system before a microphone materialised from the ear towards his lips.
He tapped it slightly and the microphone hummed with a vibrant tone.
"Should I start with a good morning or a good night?" He began and a small rubble of laughter ran through the crowd.
"Or perhaps a bit of both?"
The laughter erupted again.
"Well, why should little details matter at such a grand occasion like this?"
The silence that followed was palpable.
'Well…' He glanced slightly to his right where his father sat.
'Since the man had told me to put up a good show, then I must.'
"We come here to celebrate life, perhaps mine, but our unity at this moment represents more than that."
A smirk grew across his face.
"It shows what truly matters– togetherness. Family, friends and loved ones."
He looked around slowly.
"I'm sure with the growing tides of the Abyss beams and the invasion of the Null Creatures, we've come to an understanding of the dangers that lurk in our world… yet, you leave your homes, trusting in us, and join us in my celebration."
His smile spread further.
"Not only am I grateful for this, but I marvel that we still find time to stand together despite our losses. It shows our strength in moving on."
Something visible had begun to stir within the people at that moment.
The crowd after all were filled with the common folks. Most of which, when compared to the Royal and Noble Houses, were Non-egoists.
They knew of the dangers and many had lost close friends and family to it. These people were not new to pain and loss.
The majority of the common folks find that being a non-egoist is a better blessing.
But in the grand schemes of things, power meant everything. Strength to protect what we wish not to lose.
And unfortunately, not everyone could have it.
'One more year.'
For Orinaz, this celebration was merely a painful reminder that he alone in the present Royal Household was the only Non-egoist and that now… he no longer had time.
'I no longer know which gods to pray to… but hear me now, gods of the Abyss… and grant me my prayers.'
He bowed his head slowly, and the crowd seemed to do the same.
But in a flash, he lifted it back up.
"And so we shall move on." He said with vigour.
"The path is riddled with thorns, but we are not ones to fear the path, but rather to surpass it! And we will do so."
The hearts of the people began to rise with his words.
"We are the heart of the world. As long as we exist, there is always a tomorrow."
His smile turned into a grin as he leaned forward.
"With the leadership of the Royal Household, and the guidance of its Circle, the Abyss… will be Conquered and death will be no more."
'Absurd!' The word boomed in his head, though, he pushed it down.
The majority of the Egoists who dealt with the Abyss knew its nature. It was a relentless glutton that was beginning to break down Earth Supreme.
In fact, a solution was yet to be found… and alliances to address the problem were in shambles.
The true nature was hidden from the common people and those who choose to live in ignorance.
'But they need these words… more than anyone.'
He chuckled lightly. 'Even the Emperor Regent.'
"I only hope that the people will continue to support our cause. Our land. Our soil. Our planet."
An overwhelming silence took the stage as he bowed slightly, ready to depart.
The people began to stir. Their hearts were set ablaze by his words.
"GOLDEN IRON MOULDS THY FEET!"
Someone suddenly screamed and as if the world had been programmed, the rest followed.
"WE GREET THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD!"
"GOLDEN IRON MOULDS THY FEET!"
"WE GREET THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD!"
"GOLDEN IRON MOULDS THY FEET!"
"WE GREET THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD!"
A chorus. A chant. A surge of adrenaline that now surged from thousands of folks who looked up with eager eyes.
Before them, their Prince and behind them, their Emperor Regent.
All remained in their positions in a regal splendour.
Calyx smiled from ear to ear.
'Hah… you've proven yourself again, Orinaz.'
But his smile faltered for just a bit.
'It is a shame, though.'
His gaze shifted away from his son and towards the far line of tall glass buildings.
He froze for a few seconds, but then, a grin formed. 'So you went back?'
Suddenly, a bright white light ignited in the skies. A yawning brilliance that caused everyone to turn their faces away.
Orinaz groaned slightly as he raised his hand in the air. He turned in the direction of the source– the air, towards the main buildings.
'An attack?'
The sound of glass shattering echoed in the air and his gaze, just as the light died down, found the source with widened eyes.
Before Orinaz, stuck mid-air, as if entrapped by a bulletproof glass, was a bullet. Long, thin and black. With a gust of purple energy dancing out from its body in a frenzy.
It was held by an invisible wall with cracks running along the bullet throughout its surface.
The man nearly staggered from the sight as the drones zoomed in.
The crowd gasped in shock, the Leaders? Furious.
Orinaz used everything in his power to stay composed, despite his confidence in his Father's strength.
How could he not?
'A bullet? From where?'
He wondered as he turned to the people below.
They had begun to grow with unease and he knew he needed to calm them first, but the following event stumped him.
The black bullet suddenly emitted a shockwave that blasted through the air, smashing glass and causing half the drones to collapse from malfunction.
Its body glowed with a crimson hue. Steam evaporated from the mix and immediately, Orinaz jumped down for dear life!
The explosion that followed was cataclysmic– Loud, sudden and immense.
A crimson glow that blasted with a shockwave within the Castle's grand compound.
It spread life wildfire, only faster and would have consumed everything if an invisible force had not manoeuvred its scorching tendrils and pulled it upwards.
A bellowing wind groaned as the civilians screamed at the top of their lungs.
Food stands shook, some even flying into the air like they were yanked off, while Men held their wives and children as they ducked under the furious breeze.
Orinaz was in no different situation. With his hands firmly grasping the balustrade, his thoughts churned.
'Wha– what's happening?'
He heard footsteps beside them, then silence.
The wind stopped. The crimson light dimmed and night returned.
In startlement, Orinaz turned to his right.
'Father.'
Calyx stood next to him, a frown on his face with his gaze focused in a particular direction.
Orinaz followed it and soon… his head clicked.
'Hah… I see.' He gulped. 'That assassination attempt was on me.'
"Valendor," Calyx called.
There was a slight strain in his once neutral tone. A testament to the man's mood.
Clearly, he had not expected that explosion.
Immediately, Valendor appeared next to him.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Calyx folded his arms as the crowd's unrest escalated.
"You see it too, don't you?"
Valendor hummed softly.
"I do."
"Good. Please go take care of it."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Streaks of lightning ignited around the precipice of Valendor's body. A glowing crimson that shuddered before he disappeared with a bolt.
The skies rattled and lightning ran through them in a jagged front.
Orinaz watched in silence, then he looked at his father.
"Your Highness, did you use me as bait?"
The Royal family, hearing his question, flipped their gazes between Calyx and Orinaz.
Though, the Empress, as if used to their antics, barely made a reaction.
Calyx smiled.
"The people are getting restless, my son."
His usual tone returned, buoyant as ever.
"Handle it."
Orinaz watched in silence as his father walked back to his Throne and sat with his legs crossed. Resting his face on his fist as he did so.
The young Prince turned around immediately, a crooked smile on his face.
'What a life.'
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