The once-bright mansion, where warmth and love had flowed like lifeblood, now stood dim and forlorn. Not because it was empty or lacked light, but because today marked the end of an era - the final day of the mighty Emperor's life. The conqueror of lands, the vanquisher of beasts, and the ruler of resources lay on his deathbed, worn and weary. Seven young men, each bearing a resemblance to their powerful father, knelt in a semicircle around him. With a labored breath, the Emperor spoke in a low, measured tone, "My sons, the time has come." The room fell silent, and he continued, "My kingdom shall be divided into seven realms, each entrusted to one of you, as is your birthright."
The princes remained still, their heads bowed in respect, not daring to move or speak. Even in weakness, the lion's roar still commanded reverence. "As you grow in power, turmoil will arise, but remember, a true monarch reigns with control."
As the Emperor's voice faded, the princes lifted their heads, one by one. The eldest, with piercing black eyes, spoke up, "Father, I shall take the reins from here and unite our kingdoms once more."
The prince at the far left end sighed and reassured, "Do not worry, Father, we will not disappoint you." The Emperor's gaze lingered on each of his sons before shifting toward the door, as if expecting something. Suddenly, the door burst open, and fifteen men clad in gleaming silver armor marched in. They formed a semicircle around the standing princes and knelt before the Emperor, their armor glinting in the fading light. All except one - Carl, the leader of the knights. His piercing gaze swept across the princes, conveying a silent message that needed no words. The princes understood the unspoken cue and stood, their movements slow and deliberate, before filing out of the room.
As the door closed behind them, Carl turned to the Emperor and knelt. "I see darkness in some of their eyes, my lord." Carl observed. "Did I fail as a father?" the Emperor asked, his voice heavy with regret.
"You were a just and fair ruler to your people, my lord. Family matters were never your primary concern." Carl replied, his tone firm and reassuring.
"At least I was there for you, my son." the Emperor said, his voice filled with paternal warmth. From the shadows, a woman emerged, her beauty radiant in the fading light. Her brown skin glowed warmly, her black hair cascaded down her back, and her deep, dark eyes shone with unshed tears. Beside her stood a boy, likely eighteen winters old, with short black hair and deep brown eyes that mirrored his father's. His skin, a warm brown, seemed to glow in the dim light. As they approached the Emperor's bedside, a gentle smile spread across his lips. He reached out a trembling hand to touch the woman's smooth cheek. "I want you both to live a life free from worry. Please, forgive me for not being there to watch you grow, my son." he whispered, his hand resting on the boy's head. With those final words, the Emperor's body relaxed, and he let out a soft sigh. The great ruler, once full of life, now lay still and silent. The boy's gaze lingered on his father's lifeless form, his eyes frozen in shock.
The room remained hushed for a long moment before Carl, the knight, stood up and approached them. "There's a carriage waiting for you outside, at the rear of the palace." he said gently. "It'll take you out of the empire, where someone will be waiting to help you start anew. You'll have enough resources to begin your new life."
As Carl turned to leave, a soft but anxious voice halted him in his tracks. "Is it true?" the boy's mother, Pearl, asked, her words laced with worry. "Was his last order to annihilate his sons and destroy the bloodline?" Carl's silence was palpable, and he turned to face them, his gaze lingering on the boy before meeting Pearl's anxious eyes. "His final order was to find a worthy son to rule." he said slowly, his words measured. "That includes those not the crowned prince. He paused, his expression grave. "Pearl, I advise you to hurry." With that, he departed with his men, leaving Pearl's heart racing.
The fifteen knights, each a formidable force capable of leveling cities, now seemed like a ticking clock. She clutched her son tightly and hastened out of the room, taking a different route. Meanwhile, a large carriage rumbled through the palace gates, making its way down the forest path, accompanied by a man and a woman on horseback, riding close behind. Inside the carriage, the teenage boy and his mother sat in silence, the only sound the creaking of the wooden wheels. It wasn't until they had traveled for a considerable distance that the boy finally broke the silence. "Do you think they poisoned him?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
His mother met his gaze for a moment before turning away, her silence speaking volumes. "I don't know." she finally said, her voice laced with uncertainty. "None of this makes sense."
The boy pulled away from his mother and gazed out the window, lost in thought. His father, the mighty Emperor, was renowned for his unparalleled strength and resilience. It was unfathomable that he could succumb to death so suddenly. Memories of his mother's stories about his father's life in the remote village flooded his mind. How his father had fallen deeply in love with her and chosen to keep her hidden away from the world, visiting her under the guise of travel excuses. As he grew older, his father would spend more time with them, living a simple life, free from the burdens of the empire. But fate had other plans. The arrival of Carl, the imperial knight, had brought their peaceful life to an abrupt end. Now, as they journeyed to start anew, the boy's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden halt of the carriage. Pearl's face turned deathly pale as she peered out the window, her eyes wide with fear. The boy followed her gaze and saw a group of warriors blocking their path, with a man sitting atop a horse, grinning from ear to ear.
"Pretty rude, if you ask me." the man sneered, flashing a smile. "Ditching family without so much as a farewell. Shameful, cousin. Step out and give your dear cousin an ethical hello." He chuckled, his voice dripping with malice. "Come on out, Xaidon!"