I am different. Not like everyone else. Immediately when I was born my mother could tell. First off, I am the only child who has inherited her dark coloured skin. Not dark, really more golden. All my elder siblings took after my father, the king of the Juto kingdom. I know, not a very impressive name. Juto was a land of riches, with beautiful landscapes and wealthy residents. It was also very peaceful, at least to outsiders.
My father doesn't like that I am different. For one, I never once attend his banquets. I just can't find a place in my heart, soul or body to be there. It is all eating, laughing, and making a bunch of useless noise. My siblings go, like I said, they are exact copies of my father. They enjoyed all that he enjoyed, maybe, they just did it to gain his favour. But I was his son, I need not beg for my own father's favour. I don't know why they can't see this.
All over the entire world, people had abilities, great ones. Everyone was born with a particular ability. No exceptions. These gifts always manifested in children when they reached the age of 15. They would then be trained at various academies to learn how to control the incredible abilities bestowed upon them. In various parts of the world, where people worshipped different gods, they paid tribute to them and thanked them for their abilities. Some even held celebrations in honour of this. In Jotu we paid homage to our patron god, Orenad, in the month of the dark moon to thank him for giving us our abilities. My eldest brother, the firstborn child, could manipulate fire, just like my father. My sister, who came right after him could control water. I wasn't yet of age so my abilities still hadn't manifested. I'd come of age next week, then, I'd have them.
My mother could control ice, which was a rare ability in itself. Her royal blood made it even more powerful. And I'd seen her make something out of ice that lasted for days and wasn't easily breakable. She wasn't one to mess with. She's the reason my father still sat on his throne. The people feared and revered her. My father would've been six feet in the ground if he hadn't married her. No one told me this, it was clear as day. My father, obviously couldn't see it. He thought his people loved him. He is a fool. Only Orenad knows what's blinding him from seeing the truth that's right in front of him.
In other kingdoms, people had more exotic abilities, like controlling the weather, being able to grow plants and magic. Actual magic.
Mages, as they called them were so feared across the world in olden times because of the versatility of their abilities. They could do almost anything if experienced enough. And, as human as the world is, fearing something they couldn't fathom, they hunted these mages and killed a whole lot. Of course, some of the most powerful ones escaped. They were rumoured to be in hiding, waiting for an opportunity to punish the world for what they did to them. That was a very long time ago though. And of all the world's kingdoms, Narč̣î, the kingdom up north, where my mother grew up was the only kingdom that didn't partake in that mass homicide. At least I'd have a safe place to be in case of any turn of events.
The main palace of my father was located in the kingdom's capital city, Jorûd. It was huge, too many rooms to count and was made of black tourmaline, a precious dark tone that was abundant in Juto. The palace was stunning in the daytime, the tricks it played with the sunlight made it even more appealing to look at. And that was where we all were currently, preparing for my coming of age, where my abilities would officially manifest. I wondered what ability I'd get. Every now and then a new ability popped up, like controlling wind. It was quite rare. I don't want that though. I want something more rare, something like.... Ael!! My dad shouts my name, disrupting my thoughts. He's close, I think he's right outside my room. I go to him.