The country was waking up, but not everyone did so in the same way.
In the factories, the roar of the machines echoed before sunrise, swallowing the laughter and dreams of children and women who worked until their hands bled.
In the red-light district, the lamps were still lit, and the fake laughter from the night before still hung in the air, while the nobles' carriages went back and forth.
And just a few streets from the central square, where the marble fountain gleamed and the gardens looked like something out of a storybook, dark, damp alleys began, crowded with people who could barely afford a loaf of bread.
Yet, in the lower districts, a small voice called out enthusiastically.
—Kael! Kael!
The boy woke up groggy, trying to focus on who was calling him. What he saw in front of him was a beautiful young girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a big smile, looking at him with excitement.
—Eva… is that you? —the boy asked, rubbing his eyes.
—Yes, it's me. Who else would wake you up so early?
—Well, you're right about that. You never leave me alone… what do you want, Eva?
—What's wrong, shorty? Are you so sleepy you forgot your own birthday? —The young girl handed him a small decorated box—. Happy birthday. I hope you like your gift… and well, if you don't, I don't care.
The boy opened the box and pulled out a handmade necklace with a blue stone that glowed faintly.
—Is that a Voltis gem?! They're so hard to get… where did you find it?
—I know you want to become a great soldier and a magical knight. I want you to use this to develop your magic once you reach that level… so you'll remember me when you become someone.
Kael hugged his friend tightly, aware of the high cost of magical gems.
—I would never forget you, Eva. You're my best friend.
—Come on, come on. You're 11 now, you're too old for that sentimentality. Besides, it's your birthday. Let's walk around town; maybe we'll find something fun to do. Follow me, shorty!
—Shorty? We're the same age, you're only two months older than me.
The two walked through the streets, noticing the growing inequality between the main city and the lower districts.
—It gets worse every day… do you know why this is happening, Eva?
—According to what Mr. William told me, the royal family trades with nobles and other countries for their own benefit. And well… we don't give them anything, so they don't care about us.
—Now that you mention it, Mr. William hasn't appeared in days.
As they walked, they noticed people gathering in the square.
—Do you know why everyone's gathering? —Kael asked.
Eva only shrugged subtly in response.
They pushed their way to the front, where a soldier shouted:
—Today we are here to bring justice to these traitors of the great Empire of Kuisuva! The condemned will be brought forward in the order I announce.
The soldier cleared his throat before shouting:
—Jack Smith, guilty of attempting to steal from the castle!
—Albert Alfonse, guilty of attempting to escape the kingdom!
—And finally, William Ether, guilty of spreading rumors and tarnishing the honor of the crown!
Out came a young elf, a beast-man, and a human, pushed by the soldiers. Their bodies were covered in wounds and marks of torture. The first two screamed and tried to resist, but the last one, an elderly man, walked without resistance.
—Any last words, traitors?!
Jack and Albert only shouted that they were innocent, but William remained calm. He knew there was no escape and accepted his fate.
—SOLDIERS, FIRE!!!
The soldiers raised their bolt-action rifles in line. The sun glinted off the barrels with a bloody shine.
The old man stepped forward fearlessly, took a deep breath, and shouted:
—This empire is built on blood and lies! DEATH TO THE CROWN!!!
—FIRE!!!!
The gunshots echoed through the city, and lifeless bodies fell to the ground.
Eva grabbed Kael tightly, trembling with her eyes closed. Kael clenched his fists with rage at the sight of the old man's lifeless body.
[Is this true justice? Is this right? Do I really want to be part of this?]
These were the only thoughts in Kael's mind.
—Kael… I don't feel well… let's go home, please…
—It's okay… calm down, we're leaving. Everything will be fine.
As they exited the crowd, they bumped into a group of four people; it was their parents.
—Kael, son, so you were here. We were worried —said Martin, Kael's father, a tall, imposing man covered in sweat and dirt from his work in the fields.
—Son, what happened? You look pale —said Teresa, approaching her son and hugging him to calm him down.
—They probably saw the execution. I told them they shouldn't attend soldiers' gatherings; this isn't a place for children —exclaimed Gabriel, slightly annoyed since this wasn't the first time they were found there.
—Eva, dear, are you okay? —her mother asked with concern.
The little girl trembled and cried nonstop, stammering:
—Ma… Ma… they killed Mr. William…
—Hmm, that old fool… I told him that if he kept saying those things, he'd end up in trouble —said Martin, bringing his hand to his head.
—Well, we'll talk about that later. Come with us; the king will come to address everyone —said Gabriel, taking his daughter's hand.
The two families walked a bit and positioned themselves at the front to wait for the king's speech.
The square was full of people. They knew that if the king was coming, it had to be important, as he rarely visited the city.
The sky lit up with golden light; trumpets sounded throughout the city, soldiers and nobles clapped proudly, and citizens did so with fear. Almost divinely, the king and the crown prince descended above the crowd, slowly letting some of their white feathers fall.
The king was imposing, with white hair and four majestic wings. Beside him, Aezel, the prince, a young man with long white hair, slender, with a look of power, and two wings.
—Dear people, great news: my son Aezel's first pair of wings has grown. As you know, the number of wings reflects our power. My son got his first pair at 14. Soon he will surpass me, and I will find him a wife; he will become king.
The prince looked at everyone with absolute disdain… until his eyes met Eva's. Then he slowly descended.
—You… the girl with golden hair… Father, I want her.
—Son, she's street trash… but I will let you have her as your personal possession. It is a special day.
Aezel tried to take her by force, gripping her arm. She screamed and kicked while tears fell.
—Father! Mother! I don't want him to take me! Help!
—My daughter… I'm sorry… —said her father, powerless.
—Kael! Kael! Help me!
Kael tried to strike the prince, but he grabbed his hand.
—You worthless insect… how dare you? —A golden glow covered his fist and struck Kael, sending him flying several meters.
Kael's parents ran to help, but the king ordered:
—OPEN FIRE!
Bullets rained down. Kael's parents tried to shield him, but some struck them.
—I hope this serves as a lesson. Remember your place, scum —said Aezel, carrying Eva away.
—E… Eva… —Kael whispered before losing consciousness.