EPISODE 121: GRAND CELEBRATION
— ???, Year: ????. Season: ????.
Two hooded, caped figures made their way forward and toward the large, impressive gate that guarded the outermost walls of the capital city. The gate easily covered fifty meters in height, while the wall itself rose by an additional twenty-five meters. Along the roadside, merchants’ pedal wares and food vendors traveled up and down, selling goods to the large influx of travelers entering. A festive atmosphere was overhead as the warm autumn air kept the temperature stable. Yet, a cool draft traveled through, reminding those that the Final Ending was not far.
The hooded pair remained close, but many magi-human eyes wandered to the taller of the pair. They’d been in line since the early morning—when travel into the city resumed. The pair seemed to have an aura that couldn’t help but attract attention.
“What’s going on in Edrya,” the shorter of the two asked. Their voice was husky, and those in their surroundings couldn’t tell if it was masculine or feminine.
“I don’t know of any holidays that should be taking place,” they continued.
The taller of the two stayed silent, but as a vendor passed, they gently grabbed the arm of the short lady.
“Oh, ma mistake good sire. Do ya wish ta purchase a chicki?” The short lady immediately began to present her wares, and the smell of roasted chicken skewers made their way underneath the hood—especially after the woman waved a piping hot skewer by the hood’s opening.
“One large copper will get ya two, but we’re having a special! If ya buy four—y’all get a fifth fa free!”
The large figure hesitated but produced the two large copper coins the vendor quickly snatched before wrapping five skewers in a parcel. She handed it to the large figure and turned to continue her journey—looking passionately for her next sale.
“ Wait. Can you tell me what event is being celebrated?”
The vendor paused in her steps, she hadn’t gotten a good look at the tall hooded man, but his voice sounded youthful. She gazed at him curiously, to which he only lowered his head—hiding his face.
“Well, ya musta traveled from afar if ya don’t know what’s happening! Don’t-cha worry, little ol’ Annie can tell ya everything,” she exclaimed excitedly, sensing a deal—she continued. “Would you care for some honeyed juice? It’s the stuff His Highness, Goddess bless His soul, produces—the honey that is—and its mixed with ma very own brew of course. It’ll be two large coppers an’ four small uns fa the both of yous.”
Another few coins were exchanged, but this time, a few extra coppers were passed into the hands of the vendor. Her eyes immediately brightened as she snatched the coins before stowing them away.
“Well, ya would have found this out anyhow, but His Highness the Prince is returning! The Queen, Goddess Madris protect her, is organizing a grand celebration fa his first victory! Every noble family in the kingdom will be in attendance fa the Grand Imperius Summit. Oh, the Goddess has blessed Edryan with his presence. Ya know, since his birth, Edryan has changed yearly—Goddess, I remember it clearly, I’m ninety-five at the start of the Final Ending…,” Annie continued.
It was only after several more moments that the vendor left—leaving both the hooded figures several coppers lighter, but with snacks and pieces of information to keep them company.
“So, the prince is returning victorious,” the large figure mused. “Interesting.”
“That’s not the important piece of information,” the shorter one began. “What’s this about a Grand Imperius Summit? Every noble family must be in attendance…?”
“We can find out more once we enter the city. For now, let’s just keep our heads low and make our way toward the noble quarters.”
It took them a few more hours to enter the city. The sun shined high overhead as it became noon. Their entrance into the city was standard but un-harassed as they presented two shiny medallions that verified their citizenship. It was the same for most magi-humans—as a new initiative had gone through the country in the past month. Every city, town, village… was required by law to give each citizen a [Citizen’s Mark]. A simple medallion that functioned as their identification—tied to their mana, energy, or chi signature.
Those entering the capital city would pause at the gate before activating their mana to remove a tattoo-like medallion from a part of their body. The guards would inspect it closely before allowing them through, as these medallions marked them as citizens of Great Edryan. The same could not be said for any foreign races. Their inspection took far longer as a series of questions were asked and documents were checked.
The hooded figures quickly found themselves on the public transportation the capital city of Edrya offered. These were decently paced rectangular-shaped objects that conductors called vehicles. They ran on golem mana batteries while being restricted to their own paths and roads. Those who could afford it, would take more magical means of transportation. Horses and carriages specialized for speed could take you halfway across the city and back within the span of two hours. The city’s borders expanded to a circumference of thirty miles after the Crown Prince took on the task of expanding it and traveling from one end to another could be a day event without the transportation. Of course, disregarding any skills that enhanced movement.
Most of the inner section of the first wall was farms that produced specialized goods that partially fed the great city. Some were ranches where cattle and other beasts of burden were raised. Truly, it depended on the district and how the prince’s people organized it. Signs of construction were everywhere, as large golems carried massive stones before crushing them to pieces. From there, mages mixed them with specialized building materials as [Workers] undertook the menial labor of putting it all together—their mana was used as flame to bind the materials faster.
Heads turned to watch the hooded pair as they gazed out the window watching curiously. Their postures were lax, and the taller of the two seemed primarily interested in the ongoings outside. Most busybodies minded their business after a glance or two—only, their eyes seemed to hold onto the taller of the two a second longer than necessary.
Once they arrived at the second gate and the boundaries of what used to be the previous outer wall, everything changed. The construction here, as they passed a secondary inspection, was heavier. Tall towers, some for mages, others as storages, houses, and more were being built. Underneath them was hollowed ground that not many understood the purpose of. However, these spaces held plenty of airways and freshwater sources.
Children were everywhere and the vehicle, called a bus by the conductors, slowed, allowing vendors to arrive at the windows of the bus to sell their wares.
The smaller of the hooded figures watched as small children conjured water and splashed one another. They ran around happy, content, and to them… life was good. Their bellies were filled and work was aplenty, so much so that even beggars on the streets were sparse. Laughter was aplenty in the city of Edrya, and decorations welcomed the [Chosen of Madris] everywhere. Red, gold, black, and white colored the city and vendors pedaled fancy masks with colorful displays.
The shorter one gazed from the outside and toward the taller one—watching them as they watched the outside. A large clock tower rang as two hours past noon arrived. The clock tower was clearly recent, perhaps a decade old at most, as much of the area was reconstructed. It was decorated in red and gold and held the figure of an owl as the background of the clock face. The owl’s wings would turn as the hands of the clock. On the clocktower sides, it read in bold letters: IMPERIUS.
“It’s peaceful,” they commented to the taller figure.
“Yes…,” he began, pausing. “…yes, it is… how unfortunate I must break that. ”
The shorter figure opened their mouth to say something but paused, slowly closing it back. There was nothing they could say.
Their traveling continued until they reached a half mile out from the wall to the noble quarters. Although there was public transportation that was available within the noble quarters, they were of a different quality.
Together, the pair began to join the short, but quickly moving line to enter the third wall of Edrya.
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— Edryan Queendom, Year: 7291. Season: Color Fading.
Emotionless eyes gazed through the bright day and down on the city of Edrya. Queen Titiana watched from a tower, the very one her child was born in, as a festive atmosphere overtook the palace and city. Decorations celebrating her child were everywhere but none of it provided warmth to the ice-cold demeanor of the Queen.
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[Grand Magi] Margret Musa and [Spy-mistress] Mariam stood off to the side, ready to deliver reports to the Queen once she finished her brooding.
“Has there been no sighting,” she asked eventually, her cold gaze still on her city.
Margret glanced at Mariam before taking a half step back—giving the floor to the spymaster. The woman let out an internal sigh before stepping forward to speak.
“There has been no sighting. My Lashes are in every major and minor city, and false positives have appeared in Drumia and the villages surrounding the Great Yiah Forest. Each was verified and confirmed not to be His Highness.”
The room’s temperature visibly decreased as Mariam spoke, frost emerging from her breath from the state of the Queen’s magic. Once she finished, she took a half step back to return to her previous position. Margret stepped forward next and spoke.
“The…,” Margret hesitated. She’d have to be meticulous with how she addressed the next topic.
“… look-alike is ready. It is a puppet I’ve refined myself and will hold no issues as I control it from afar.”
The Crowned Prince was returning to his kingdom, one way or another. It’d been nearly a month since the Battle of Starglow Valley, and the crown could not delay the appearance of the victorious prince any longer.
The Queen’s expression remained indifferent, but the chill in the room only intensified. There were several objects near her. Baby clothes, toys, tiny prototype batteries, and golems—all were things her son once played with heavily. Now they served as memories of his presence.
Edrya —served as a memory of his presence.
He hadn’t been in her life for long, but the joys of motherhood… of raising such a son… brought light to Titiana’s darkness. It eased the nightmares and nulled the pain of her past. It showed her a different type of love. Not a love for one’s countrymen, which she first experienced. Nor was it the love of a friend or one beyond that position. It was a simple, pure love —one between mother and child. A love that Titiana held no words to describe.
Now, wherever she looked, she was reminded of what she lost. In his short time with her, her child carved his very presence into Edryan society. His fascination with golems birth an entirely new industry. His love for life removed slavery and brought a quality of life the average Edryan citizen never experienced once before. A golden age was blooming, as within the first weeks of Operation Rail going live, trade and commerce evolved. Within a day and a half, a train could arrive at Ogun’s Sea—home of the Musa, and, within the same day… she could taste the fresh venison of the La’jakk Plains. Of course, she could have tasted this regardless within hours of it being requested but now so could her fellow countrymen. Innovations were being developed daily with the use of Imperius Mana Batteries. Currently, the small craft industry of air, sea, and land were figuring out ways to harness the power of the mana batteries to propel vehicles.
Queen Titiana could not close her eyes and allow (The Queen’s Indifference) to dull this pain.
No.
…
No.
…
No.
It was far too raw, too soon. Daily, she prayed, assured by her Goddess of her son’s life. Yet, the strength of her prayers grew weak as her nights became sleepless. What assured her— and —held her back, was the knowledge that somewhere out there, Lawruthian was alive.
Titiana continued in her silence until the voice of Margret spoke once more. “My Queen… the time of the court session has arrived.”
***
“An official envoy of the Az’Dawn Empire has arrived in Laguu. It is led by Princess Allura Grasci Az’Dawn and is expected to arrive at the royal palace in a week.”
“The Federation of Farya has finished much of its consolidation over the lands of the former Principality of Ardon and the Merchant Republic of Koi. If we strike now…”
“The Warring Beastman Plains has increased its demand for small magical arms. Swords, daggers, shields, knives, they want as much as can be provided.”
“The Island Kingdom of Lorde has sent their congratulations to His Highness. Several scales of the various sea calamities have been delivered to his laboratory.”
“Preparations for the Imperius Grand Summit are nearly complete. Of the thirty Great Houses, only two have yet to arrive but are scheduled to be here by the day’s end. Nearly all minor Houses are in attendance.”
“The Kingdom of Dioni sends its congratulations to His Highness. They wish to discuss any potential marriage between His Highness and Princess Kabal…”
The voices of Queen Titiana’s court continued to speak. Mainly, they updated the Queen on the ongoings of the country and her surroundings, but in truth, Titiana barely paid it any heed— but, she did listen.
Her finger rhythmically tapped against the War Throne and the officials scurried to and fro as they reported. The atmosphere of the court was cold and frost was visible in the breaths of the officials.
No one understood what upset the [Iron-Blooded Queen] but they would rather not be a reason for her to lash out. Many of the court officials lived during the rise of Queen Titiana and the bloodshed that Edryan experienced. The memory was still fresh, as magi-humans could live up to an average of a hundred and fifty years without increasing their Vitality. However, once they did, each point would add a month of time to their lifespan. The highest levelers, especially that of the royal family, could easily double their lifespan to three hundred years or so. These numbers were different for nearly every race.
In truth, Queen Titiana’s mind wasn’t on anything. Instead, she was observing Edrya from her throne. It wasn’t through any of her mortal senses—but through Intent. Although it didn’t matter whether she used her Intent or eyes to see as the Queen could peer through both as if they were one and the same. During these court sessions, she’d like to watch the lives of her citizens. It wasn’t out of a malicious or perverse type of intent. No, the Queen found it enjoyable to watch the day-to-day activities of her citizens. At least in the areas anti-scrying wards didn’t halt her gaze.
“My Queen… regarding the events to take place during the Summit. We have scheduled…”
She listened half-heartedly, her gaze directed toward the noble quarters and near the walls. Since her announcement to hold a summit, faces she hadn’t seen in the capital for decades showed themselves. Some were friendly, old allies who supported her rise. Others… well… her enemies were all dead, so the rest could be considered nuisances at best.
“…do you wish to have the Challenger’s Ring on the fourth day or fifth?”
Queen Titiana remained silent—her gaze landed on a hooded pair of travelers.
“Hmm, it’s fine on the f-,” the Queen began in one moment. In the next, she disappeared—pink fluctuations appearing in her place.
INTENT CHECK!
Your skill, (The Queen’s Indifference), has been broken due to intense mental shock.
You have experienced an intense mental shock, you’ve lost control over your body’s state.
The Royal Court of Edryan stayed silent for several moments. Many stared at the War Throne in disbelief—some in shock, but a stunned silence settled over the court. That lasted only several seconds before a large uproar rattled the hall.
***
“Hood off, none are allowed into the noble quarters without showing themselves. Don’t care if you’re hideous, scarred, or all of the above, no exceptions,” the guard said as he carefully watched the next figure.
The tall hooded figure stepped up to the wall guard smiling, although he wasn’t a knight who protected the royal palace, the figure in front of him was familiar. Slowly, he began to remove his hood and prepare his medallion, yet his actions paused as the surroundings stilled.
Powerful spatial fluctuations appeared before him and he stepped back, a sheathed weapon appearing in the grasp of a shiny metallic hand—uncovered by his hooded cape. Yet, before he could unsheathe the weapon, the hooded figure found himself being tightly squeezed by a giant woman who stepped through space as pink fluctuations dispersed behind her. He’d barely received an opportunity to take a glance at his assailant before they grabbed him.
He began to resist but held still—relaxed, before returning the hug as he recognized the voice, presence, and smell of the figure.
“Welcome Home, my son… welcome home, Lawruthian,” Queen Titiana said.