The rudeness of the sun seeped through my window starting the day I would finally leave home without my parents for the first time. I rolled over and stared at the singular duffle I packed. I was told to be selective about what to bring. In my mind I packed a couple of weeks' worth of clothes and all things hygienic. I figured if there was something I needed, I would just make it happen. I didn't know what to expect. Baako never really talked about his fellowship, all he said that it was 'Enlightening', whatever that meant.
Being that there was only one other heir in his generation it must have been not much to say. This time will be different, from what I gathered there are eight other heirs in our generation. Having to navigate personalities and egos is going to be a pain as it is. I have trouble just dealing with my brothers. I would rather avoid being nice and social. Getting to know people is something I don't enjoy doing. At least my cousin Sekai will be there. That makes two people I don't have to dawn on a mask for.
I finally got out of bed, prepared to leave, and headed down to the dining room for breakfast. It seemed I was the first to arrive to the table other than my parents, who were waiting faces buried in paperwork. Most likely debriefs of the daily happenings of the empire and the world.
"Good morning, Mama and Baba." This was the only time that I shed the formalities with my parents, and we acted like a traditional family. They both smiled to me as I entered and sat down, plate of hot food waiting to be eaten. "Seems like Ko and Talib are dragging their feet this morning." Mama looked up from her work.
"Your brother has departed for Cairo a hour ago, he wanted to get started working as soon as possible. As far as your little brother if he continues to dawdle, he will feel it from me." This made me frown a bit. I never expected Baako to leave without saying goodbye. I understand one being focused on his duties but who knows when we will be able to see each other again. Baba never said when he would come back.
"Maybe we should make it out to the training grounds. AFCON is coming and I want to check out the team's condition." Baba had a passion for football; it didn't matter to him if he was the ruler of the entire empire. If he was going to go to a match, he was for sure going to enjoy it and be an ultra for the West countries.
"If your so enamored by the sport maybe you should have let Rah try out for an academy, all the more incentive to enjoy a match. Too bad he's too old for that now." Talib just walked into the dining room dragging a couple of bags with him.
"For that smart comment we'll be preparing to leave now." My brothers face fell into despair at my mother's words.
"Mama! I haven't eaten anything who knows when I'll be able to-"
"You should have thought of that before you decided to come down so late running your mouth. The future leaders of this empire being late is shameful. Rahjah! Come along."
I got up from the table shook my father's hand and followed my mother, bag in tow. My brother dragged his bags behind me grumpily. Everything about his luggage didn't seem 'selective' but the sound of metal sliding across the floor, gave me an idea of what he decided to pack rather simple clothes.
Instead of heading towards the front door and the cars like I expected, our mother led us downstairs toward the Emperor's conference room. I kept thinking to myself she must have forgot something because I had no clue why she didn't just tell us to wait for her by the car. However, I never dared to try and correct this woman.
I blindly followed, looking back at my brother who was looking just as confused as I was. When we got to the conference room it was pitch black and my mother spent some time trying to find the light switch.
"Lights On!" said my brother trying to help my mother out.
"Child, this room doesn't respond to such laziness, thank god." Said my mother in a slightly annoyed tone. After fumbling around in dark for a few seconds she finally found the switch and flicked it on. For a second nothing happened while the darkness still surrounded us, then my mother started flicking the switch on and off rhythmically. Then lights came on showing a regular but dated conference room. However, after a couple of seconds the room started moving itself around replacing the table and chairs below the floor with an octangle platform.
My mother let the room settle before flicking the switch again to provide power that you could hear and feel the buzzing of the platform. The energy from this plate felt like nothing I've ever experienced before. I've been around the most advanced technology our empire has to offer and I knew what was in front of me made all that child's play. I think the advancement of our empire and how far ahead of the world the empire is, has been greatly understated.
"What is this! The energy this is giving off is other worldly! I can feel my skin tingling just by standing next to it. What is powering this?" Talib was in a frenzy, I could see his excitement trying jump out of his clothes, his mind trying to figure out how it was possible to make this and what its function even was. My mother didn't respond as she started pressing buttons on thin air, but I could see the slight grin on her face.
"No time to explain, you will learn with everyone else once you get there. Get your bags and stand on the platform." I followed my mother's instructions but when I stepped on the platform, I felt an old feeling. I felt fear. The amount of heat and electricity kept the hair on my body standing up, constantly feeling like it was in danger of flying off my body. I saw the wide grin my brother had on disappear when he joined me on the platform. The same fear was etched on his face as he studied his own body trying to anticipate whatever was about to happen to us. Our mother didn't join us on the platform as she continue to push buttons on what I assumed was the interface. I called out to her.
"Mama, are you sure about this? Are you not coming with us?" she finished fiddling with the interface and faced us with a dignified but sad face.
"No, I will not be joining you, your father and I have much to do. From here on out you're on your own. Uphold what's expected of you. You are royalty, direct descendants of the Askiya. Act accordingly, be proud, and be mindful. Baba and I will miss you and we love you." She gave a customary bow and flicked that switched once again. The energy in the room intensified tenfold.
"Wai-"
Then the room disappeared. For less than a second, I felt extreme pain, way beyond anything I've ever experienced. As quickly as the pain came was as quickly as it left and then there was nothing, just black nothingness. I looked down to see my body; my hands, my feet, my legs, all were intact. Well, I think they were, they all looked pixelated like I was looking closely at a photo. I looked up to see a person sitting down in the darkness.
I yelled out to her to get their attention, but no sound came out. Perplexed, I walked toward the person sitting, hungry for information about where I was and what was going on. As I approached, I realized that this person was a full-grown woman. A very attractive woman at that. Her eyes were closed as she sat with her legs crossed and arms on top of her thighs. Hands were clenched in fist however, the only difference that could made with how she was sitting and how you would see a picture of Buddha meditating.
As I got closer, she was indeed a beautiful sight to see. She was wearing simply skintight shorts and a crop top. Revealing and showing off her flawless milk chocolate skin. She looked as tall as my mother if she stood up based on her long, thick, and powerful thighs. Her hair was styled in an afro puff that was evenly round all around her head. her abs disappeared and reappeared as she rhythmically breathes in and out. Her arms were well built but not too much so to overtake her feminine figure. Her breast sat up perfectly without the support of any under garments which I could tell she lacked. She had soft features and full lips that would make any man cave if this woman was a seductress. Her eyebrows were perfectly done. There was no make up on her face so I could only guess that her beauty was all natural. It was all her.
As I studied her, I couldn't help but feel like I knew her. She felt so familiar. I inched closer; I didn't know what I was doing. Like getting closer would sedate this feeling I had. As I moved closer to her, the eyes that were closed shut unaffected by my presence opened with an abruptness that made me jump back in surprise. Her eyes were a thin oval shaped, slightly slanted. The eyes you would see on an Egyptian hieroglyph. It was her pupils that made me recoil slightly. Her pupils were a deep crimson, like they were dripping in blood.
She stared at me for second, her face emotionless. She then cocked her head to the side a bit as she continued to watch me. Her face showing me curiosity and then she spoke. Her voice was dominant but soft. It whispered sex appeal, it said control, but it screamed confidence.