EPISODE 131: SHOCK AND AWE 3
— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR 7291. SEASON: COLOR FADING.
Tendra Lorde’s jaw clenched as brilliant light erupted around the [Chosen of Madris] cutting his speech off. Those around the Holy Prince were pushed directly back, not even the newly announced demigoddesses were able to stay within his presence.
The same could be said for the rest of the Great Houses present. Kabal and many around her were swept backward from the residual pressure the Holy Prince was releasing. She tumbled once before a hand steadied her and brought her to her feet. Right as she looked to see who steadied her, the second wave of power hit. This time, it was much more forceful than the last.
INTENT CHECK!
{Aura of Divinity} has inflicted {Suppress} upon you.
Kabal felt it sweep through her and shatter her Intent like fragile glass falling on a stone floor. It was the only sound she heard, and she opened her mouth to speak. As her eyes landed on Tendra, a look of relief shone within them for a single second, the next they were blank as she felt no more.
You have failed to resist {Suppress} and are being [Enslaved} by Lawruthian Edryani.
Tendra felt the same wave sweep toward him as he attempted to pull Kabal into his embrace. He was far stronger than her, but he still stumbled as the wave of golden-brown light swept past him. The presence of Goddess Madris was drenched throughout the hall, making those present who did not offer her worship feel suppressed.
INTENT CHECK!
{Aura of Divinity} has inflicted {Suppress} upon you.
Tendra braced and himself and his mental skill, (Prince’s Mentality) immediately offered help in resisting the foreign influence. He could feel a foreign power attempting to dominate him in all aspects, and the fourth prince of Lorde gave his all in resisting. A moment later, the wave passed, and a new notification appeared before Tendra.
You successfully resisted {Suppress} cast by Lawruthian Edryani.
You have leveled up. Please assign the level to (Prince of the Black Wave) or (Trident of the Depths).
You have leveled up. Please assign the level to (Prince of the Black Wave) or (Trident of the Depths).
You have leveled up. Please assign the level to (Prince of the Black Wave) or (Trident of the Depths).
Tendra paid these notifications no heed as he turned to check over the woman in his embrace.
“You should be careful, princess. It seems you’ve fallen outside your stewards protection and into my arms,” he joked as he turned his head down.
Instead of the witty response that was usual of Kabal, there was nothing but silence. Tendra’s eyes met the blank expression of Kabal, and his body shuddered. Gently, he shook her and called her name. “Kabal…? Kabal…??”
“(Examine),” he said urgently—others around him similarly calling out to their companions.
Kabal Alexandra Dioni — Level 73
{Enslaved} by Lawruthian Edryani.
Tendra eyes went wide, and he shook the younger girl once again. Instead, just as those around them did, the blank figures turned at once toward the sound of a voice.
“ Be not afraid. I will release them shortly. ”
Tendra’s jaw clenched, and the sun-kissed young man turned toward the speaker.
The Holy Prince of Edryan was shaking his head, one hand on his temple, as he hesitantly stepped forward. The moment he gripped the marble rail, it crumbled like powder under his touch. He stumbled forward, but caught himself. This time, as he held on to the rail, nothing happened.
‘He controlled his Power that quickly,’ Tendra questioned, shocked as his eyes narrowed. Tendra had never seen anyone control their Power that quickly, regardless of whether they were a high-leveler or not. Even he took several long minutes, sometimes more, to create the perfect balance within himself. For the Holy Prince to control his Power within seconds meant either the Edryani’s held some knowledge over Power the rest of the nobles lacked, or the Holy Prince was an exceptionally capable fighter.
Tendra watched it all, a vein throbbing on his forehead as he gazed at the [Chosen], his left fist clenched and the other held on to Kabal in a protective embrace.
“Prince Tendra, I thank you for helping our princess, however, I must relieve her from your hands,” a voice said behind the prince.
Instantly, his face cooled and returned to a more relaxed expression. Tendra’s mental skill reminding him that he was not home—a place, even now, he longed for.
Edrya was their new home.
“My apologies,” Tendra said, carefully releasing his hold around Kabal as one of her strong stewards stepped forward.
“We of Dioni thank you once again for your prompt rescuing in saving our Princess.”
“It is no trouble,” Tendra responded, biting the words he truly wanted to say. The man before him was no ally of Kabal. Instead, he was a man under the second concubine of the King of Dioni—sent to ensure Kabal never returned home.
He should have held more than enough power to save Kabal and himself, instead, like a rag doll, the young woman was tossed around until Tendra stepped up.
“Perhaps after… this…,” Tendra gestured around. “…is resolved we can meet in the Zaydon Parlor as the sun sets,” Tendra called before the man was too far away.
“As long as my Lady has recovered and is fit to attend.”
Tendra returned his attention to the [Chosen of Madris]. The golden-brown corona that radiated from him slowly withdrew its presence from its large range. The Holy Prince’s eyes were closed, and he seemed to be under intense mental pressure as small drops of sweat dripped down his forehead.
‘Hmph, still human,’ Tendra thought to himself. ‘Never a bad day to spill blood…, huh.’
He’d never forgotten some of the first words the [Chosen of Madris] said to him and Kabal upon their arrival to Edryan lands. They had not yet known their stay in Edryan would be on a more permanent basis, and expected to make friends with the young prince. It was not their fault in arriving late, as the fault lay in the hands of their stewards.
“My prince are you alright,” a faux irate voice said.
Tendra turned and beheld the speaker. Kabal was not the only one with troubled individuals in their midst. “It is fortunate that I train daily, I was only just able to resist the (Aura of Divinity),” Tendra responded.
“Thank our God! The blessing of Ynir is with us. His protection kept us safe.”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Tendra internally scoffed but offered pleasantries of his own.
“Inform the others of a meeting at Zaydon Parlor once the sun begins to set,” Tendra commanded. Whatever was going on in Edryan, regardless of whether it was a demigod, new law or abstract order, it was his responsibility to ensure it didn’t affect his home.
Multiple gazes began to return to the Holy Prince as he stood straight, seemingly recovered from the ordeal of his blessing. To all present, it was blatantly clear the Goddess watched but not just watched, she approved of all that was ongoing. The Imperius Grand Summit was an event held in Her honor under the direction of Her [Chosen].
Behind the Holy Prince was his mother and the rest of the [Seven Heroes]. They’d returned shortly—each shocked at the display of power Lawruthian showed. They, however, did not approach and allowed the prince to recover by himself.
The [Mages] who were sending images and sounds of the event to multiple halls picked themselves from the ground. The broadcast sent by them ended from the influx of power displayed by Prince Lawruthian. Now, they began chanting and connecting with their counterparts to reestablish the connection.
“ Be not afraid, ” the [Chosen of Madris] repeated. “ Release. ”
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“ DO YOU FEEL HER? ”
Carine’s mind went blank. The very presence of their Goddess seemed to invade the palace grounds, originating from the left of Lougan Hall.
It returned to him a second later as the voice of their [Chosen] asked again.
“ DO YOU FEEL HER? ”
“ YES, ” the crowd in Lougan Hall exclaimed. The very foundations of the hall shook from their unified voice.
To an outside observer, the unified Hall could appear eerie. The inhabitants held widely opened eyes and all seemed to reach toward the left in a hope to grab at something… anything… as they could feel the promise of their Goddess.
To guide them through life and death.
For after their mortal life was extinguished, they would begin anew in the Astral as a member of the Promised Land. For this, they worshiped Her. For this, they fought for her. For this, they sacrificed.
The inhabitants seemed to all be under the same effect. Their eyes took on a bright ecstatic look. Their arms reached leftward as far as they could extend it and then some. There was only one thing on their mind as they mentally chanted the name of their [Chosen].
“ OUR GODDESS WATCHES CLOSELY—EXPECTANT AND EXCITED FOR THE CHANGES TO ARISE IN EDRYAN. SHE IS HUU-, ” the [Chosen of Madris] voice cut off. At the same moment, the inhabitants that seemed to be under a spell were abruptly ejected.
Light returned to their eyes as they gazed around confused, unsure of what exactly just occurred. To the inhabitants of Lougan Hall and many others, they could barely recall the last few moments as their minds were completely lost.
“Waa-?”
Carine’s throat was dry, and his voice abruptly cut off. He looked toward the area where the large images of the [Chosen] once were, only to see nothing but a blank space. The mages that were beneath the area where each of the screens once were remained calm and that reassured many of the Edryans present. Dried murmurs echoed through Lougan Hall as the inhabitants returned to their senses.
Moments later, the mages chanted and released dozens of (Mage Lights) that reformed themselves into the once large black screen. It only took a few short seconds for the vision of the [Chosen] to appear.
Carine sighed in relief, glad and assured at the safe sight of the Holy Prince. Many in the hall held similar reactions as they accepted drinks from the servants who’d returned shortly.
Many hushed whispers were exchanged between close parties, and a feeling of closeness seemed to settle over most of the inhabitants within the hall—like they were all in one giant secret others didn’t know. The strong and reassuring appearance of their Goddess in the form of Her [Chosen], a thing only shared between themselves.
“ Our Goddess is pleased with the start of the Imperius Grand Summit. Rejoice, let today be a day of celebration. Make merry, find new friends, allies and more—for Edryan is on the cusp of a great change. I announce the start of the Imperius Grand Summit! ”
Like a trick of the light, the [Chosen of Madris] disappeared with those final words. At the same moment, thousands began to cheer and chant, immediately following the words of their leader.
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I stumbled onto a couch, breathing heavy from the mental strain and exhaustion I felt from what just occurred.
The Sage blessed me.
The Sage blessed me?
The Sage blessed me.
But…, why?
A moment later, my mother appeared in her smaller form. “My child!”
She rushed over, concern written all over her face as she scurried around me like a mother duck. She inspected me for damage, and I chuckled at her antics. I was fine, in fact, I was better than ever as I checked my HUD and gazed at the duration of the blessing of {Wisdom’s Embrace}.
HP: 2,700/2,700 (+600)
SP: 2,655/2,655 (+720)
MP: 3,150/3,150 (+720)
“I’m fine mom, just a bit mentally fatigued, but it’ll disperse shortly.”
There was only one question on my mind after my abrupt blessing. Why now? And specifically… why those effects. The presence of Goddess Madris was still present, in fact, it was the strongest it’s ever been since her descent upon my birthday. To me, her presence felt like a blanket wrapped around me. I’d always been able to feel it, but most of the time it was kept as a gentle reminder in the back of my mind. It was like breathing, subconsciously it was a task always happening, but most never thought about it in their day-to-day activities. I’d grown used to it since my birth, but that aura, that presence, was why the people of Edryan offered me prayers. They could feel her, stronger than any [Priestess of Madris] could radiate, within me.
My mother sighed in relief, before sitting gently next to me. She began to stroke my hair softly as I sat there, my eyes closed.
The summit officially began with my closing words. Now, for the first time in days, my schedule was free. There was nothing I needed to do until the morrow. I smiled, it didn’t matter what reason the Goddess cast her blessing on me. It didn’t matter that the Sage was happy with my actions for some reason.
Tomorrow I could return to work. Several important meetings would be taking place and the students I summoned from Imperius Academy would arrive first thing in the morning. They, however, were only a small thing on the list. Laura Lance was still in the dungeon underneath War Throne Palace, alongside Thraag Volkensha. This change, my ideals brought to Edryan… they could not be halted. The reason I wanted to gather more noble support instead of forcing my new way of life onto the nobles of Edryan was simple. On the seventh day, during the Council of Nobles, the very first vote for the Class-Based Constitutional Monarchy would be held. If a majority voted yes, then we would begin to use my new system on a national scale. Power would be consolidated, far greater than anything Edryan has ever seen. Yet, most importantly, the people would receive an opportunity to become more than what they once were. To rise from the status of [Common].
The opening of the Imperius Grand Summit was a success in my eyes. My body grew more comfortable as my mother continued softly to stroke my hair as my mind faded with plans of the future upon it.
***
Titiana Edryani smiled at the soft snores of her only son. To her, he would always be that child, that baby she held for the first time. Even now, that memory had inserted itself into the core of her being. She could recall it as if it were yesterday. When the royal physician handed him over. The way not a single cry nor tear made itself known to the world, yet his wide, big red-gold eyes stared at everything curiously. She’d fallen in love instantly, her indifferent demeanor warming for the briefest of moments before the High Queen handed him back.
He was smiling now, and Queen Titiana vowed to herself once again to protect that smile.
“Shadow,” she called softly as to not wake her son. Her shadow wiggled, and a figure emerged sitting comfortably next to the Queen, yet there seemed to be no indentation in the couch. The beast-woman yawned and stretched, feline-like, as her tail waved lackadaisically in the air. Two cat eyes constantly twitched as if able to pick up the lightest sounds.
“My Queen,” came the reply from the felion.
“Ensure you retrieve any plans those who get in the way of my son may have this summit. The nobles should be meeting shortly—I want to know everything. Everything. ”
The Queen continued to stroke her son’s hair as she spoke. Never once did she turn to gaze at the felion.
“Yes!”
The Queen did not have to look to know her shadow was already gone. Instead, she slowly stood, pulling a blanket from one of the many spatial rings kept on her person, before using it to cover Lawruthian.
Change was swiftly approaching Edryan and while she was still here, still present to protect her son, it was her responsibility to ensure none got in his way.