In the ancient history of the kingdom of Morvantar, where evil and darkness entwined. kindness and mercy were not virtues but death. For centuries, cruelty ruled over the throne, and the people bowed not out of loyalty not respect, but from the weight of fear and death. kindness and mercy meant weakness, but who could seek light when the wall is full of thorns?.
But someone did.
The day of the Prince's birth, the atmosphere changed, where all individuals felt hope and light into their hearts. The winds felt a bit strange as they all felt a weight has been lifted. The Queen named him Lucen. Her life was fading rapidly, and yet, she held her son as he was someone she treasures even more than the wealth they had. The baby cried in his mother's warm arms, as his mother finally spoke.
"Lucen.. my light.. Break the cycle of the cruelness your father had created." She whispered You will not be like him. And your soul.. may all the Gods lead your soul to the right path— to the light. She took a deep and trembling breath "May you seek the light in the world of full of rotten darkness."
Her final breath came out of her lips like a prayer was carried by the wind.. she died but with a smile, as if all burden she had from the world all faded..
Even the death of the Queen, not one in the palace mourned. They took her body, not to bury with prayers, but to burn her to ashes. What a cruel world. But one maid took better care of the lucen, she was called Amethyst.
She was once a servant of the Queen. Where she was treated like a person. Not a slave. To return the favor.. she took lucen as if he was her own son. She held Lucen protectively but with a feeling of sanctuary.
She whispered "oh, your mother wanted you to break the cycle. But everyone, even your own father would raise you to continue it. They will teach you to be cruel. To be evil. But let my words reach your heart. May your heart stay brave, carry the courage to follow the right truth and the hope to see it through, even in the dark."
Years had passed..
He grew but not older than 6. His tutors taught him the history of the kingdom, and even to properly enslave all individuals he wanted. His swordmasters taught him to cut, not to heal. A young kid, indeed. He trained everyday just to gain his father's approval, but he never did. Not once his father ever showed affection. Only expectations.
Lucen began hearing voices, full of questions. Dream or not, it's always the same. "Why was cruelty normalized?" "Why do they see me the same as my father?" "Why is being kind a weakness?". He thought no one would stay and love him, but the maid, Amethyst did. She would often leave books, read a story, and always taught him kindness, the right path to take. Lucen asked "why are you helping me? Why are you so kind to me even though my father is cruel?" Amethyst answered "Because I know you will not be like him. You are kind, and I believe you will change the perspective of this world. You will know the way, as they fear kindness and light, more than any sharp blade they made."
After 2 long years of training
Lucen and his brother Silas. They both have a different perspective in the world..
Now their father made them fight in the training yard. He watched with a cold and daring gaze and said "today I will see which one of you deserves my name.Begin." that was all he said, no encouragement, no love, and no guides.
Silas immediately lunged without hesitation, while Lucen only dodged. Silas kept attacking, cutting through the air. But Lucen never attacked his brother.
Silas spoke, "Why do you hold back? Father's watching, prove yourself."
Lucen spat "Why do we have to fight? We are brothers, we are a human."
Silas glared "No, we are swords for father to use."
Lucen said "I don't want to be a sword, I'll be better than that!-
With that, Silas attacked, the force sending him to the ground..
Their father interrupted
"You are showing something called weakness. It's a disease, let it not make you soft."
Lucen spoke, "then let me be sick!"
Lucen finally fought back to his brother but still held back, so he lost. He dropped the sword and walked away with bruises on his body.
Later that night
Lucen was sitting in his bed in silence. But he felt something in his heart, not rage, but awakened the determination to prove himself to everyone.