The bells of Ravelinora rang. Trumpets blared. The kingdom cheered.
For today, a new child was born Lyriq Raveline, the supposed Child of Destiny.
His father, Zaren Raveline, proudly lifted the baby.
"Look at him! My son! My legacy! The world will tremble before—"
BOOOOM!
The castle shook. Soldiers screamed outside. An invasion had started at the exact second of Lyriq's birth.
A creepy hooded lady in black robes stepped forward, her eyes glowing faintly.
"Fear not… the Child of Destiny has arrived. The heavens have chosen him."
Zaren Raveline glared.
"Chosen?! He was born two minutes ago and already someone attacked the kingdom!"
The creepy lady spread her arms dramatically.
"That… is destiny."
"…Destiny looks a lot like bad luck."
The lady leaned closer to the crying Lyriq.
"This boy shall be feared across nations. Even cats will tremble at his footsteps."
Zaren blinked.
"…Cats?"
"Yes. Cats."
"Woman, the kingdom is on fire and you're talking about CATS?!"
The lady ignored him, raising her voice:
"He shall wield time itself! He shall bend fate! He shall—"
CRASH! A window shattered. A fireball flew inside.
Zaren ducked, shielding baby Lyriq.
"You said he'll bend fate! Why is fate bending us right now?!"
The lady smiled.
"Because… destiny requires struggle."
"…Destiny also requires a roof. And ours just exploded."
Meanwhile, in another chamber of the castle, Zaren's brother Cricus Raveline was celebrating a peaceful birth. His wife had delivered a daughter, Rinclaya Raveline a future beauty, strong and sharp.
Zaren groaned.
"See?! My brother gets a daughter born in peace and quiet. My son gets explosions and cat prophecies. Tell me, creepy lady, is that destiny too?"
The lady nodded seriously.
"Yes. His life will always be difficult. "
"…So basically my son is cursed."
"No, no… not cursed. Just… excessively bullied by destiny."
Zaren stared at his wailing son.
"Great. First sound he hears in life is BOOM. No wonder he looks like he wants to crawl back inside."
The creepy lady clapped her hands.
"Cheer up! One day this child will conquer kings, destroy gods, and—"
BOOM!
Another blast shook the chamber.
Zaren roared:
"CAN WE FINISH ONE PROPHECY WITHOUT THE CASTLE GETTING ATTACKED?!"
The creepy lady, deadpan:
"…That too, is destiny."
Zaren rubbed his temples.
"Fine. Whatever. If he survives long enough to even hold a sword, I'll call it a miracle."
And thus, under fireballs, collapsing ceilings, and suspicious cats staring from the windowsills, Lyriq Raveline was born the boy who would one day become legend.