Date: Present Day

Location: Kingdom of Trykar: Mountain region in Northern Arla

Day after the Arlan Biannual Delegation Meeting

Opulent and gilded. Frightening and intimidating. Those are the words one would use to describe the Kingdom of Trykar—a grand kingdom occupying the entire mountain forest region located in Northern Arla. For millennia, the God of Madness and Chaos, Trykar, Father of First Beasts, ruled over these mountains—mountains unkind to outsiders. Torturous and blood thirsty, they are.

These mountains are special, able to sense wickedness, as ordered by Trykar. They are capable of dispatching, slowly, of those they sense don’t belong. Those who don’t have faith.

Just days ago, they claimed another victim, in fact. A lost boy, from the Outside, as dictated by his floral clothing. The mountains didn’t like his presence. So as he began trekking up the eastern point, his temperature began rising. He didn’t notice, so he just kept going—to who knows where. But as he kept going, he became hotter and hotter. Flushed face, sweaty hands. Pupils dilating. The mountains began chipping away, at his body, then his sanity. The voices he began to hear grew louder, drawing him to an edge that has lured many.

No one still knows where that lost boy was headed, or why he was even there. His secrets were now resting with the mountains.

***

Outsiders fear the mountains and the Kingdom of Trykar. This kingdom houses several of Trykar’s hidden secrets—secrets where an Outsider would rather choose death than see their kin again, but an Insider would kill for. To be welcomed here requires sacrifice and ritual. Blood and affliction. Devotionand loyalty.

Today, the Kingdom of Trykar is divided into three provinces, connected by swinging bridges.

First, there is Paiġe, home to the general population. They refer to themselves as Rynaros, Arlan word for Insiders. They reside in timber constructed homes. Upon waking, they pray to Trykar and his Incarnate, the Sovereign Crown, while they drink Nectar, a golden liquid that can be found throughout the mountains. A liquid of ecstasy, created by Trykar. By Midday, they fish and forage for dinner. And at night, they dance to the haunted hums heard throughout the mountains.

Then, there is the province of Wast, home to the Royal Court and their families. Originally, these families were the most loyal to Trykar, his favorites. He enjoyed talking to them…mingling with them…and having them. He wanted them separate from everyone else, so they were placed in what is known as Wast, the westernmost region of the mountains.

And finally, there is Reņt—the former residence of Trykar, but now the official home to his Ascended Incarnate and the Sovereign Crown: King Jamos and his family.

Today, in Reņt, one would find three palaces for different uses. One for the Crown and their consort, another for the children, and one for royal duties. The Crown palace, in particular, was known as Majes Palace. A very ornate palace with a dozen rooms, an impressive self replenishing garden blessed by the Goddess Fer, and a mystical, healing thermal spring blessed by the Goddess Skyra.

Upon immediately entering Majes Palace, one is met with a narrow hallway with emerald-colored walls, holding up a row of gold framed, haunted mirrors on each side.

Today, the Majes Palace is visited by their favorite visitor: Princess Mesyla, the heir and only daughter of King Jamos. The King’s Gem.

Only 24 years of age, Princess Mesyla was as tall as her father, but different in so many ways. He was reserved, she was bold. She adored the spotlight, he preferred the shadows. He loved the Dawn. She loved the Dusk. But despite their differences, they were forever pinned to each other. Not just by blood, but also by the painful memories that continue to eat them from the inside.

***

“Father.” The young princess shouted, as she opened the heavy door.

Upon entering, she made sure to cover her face with the white, velvety veil she loved to wear everywhere, shielding herself from the row of haunted mirrors.

Today, to accompany the veil, she was wearing a long, beige trumpet gown adorned with white round gems around the neckline.

It wasn’t like Mesyla to be at Majes Palace so early in the day, but she was very eager to ask her father about the delegation meeting. She even came by the palace late last night but she couldn’t find him. So she went back to her chambers, alone, with her troubles. Drifting. Again.

Now here she was again, searching for her father, moving throughout the palace, searching and shouting for him. Looking for him in his workshop, in his chambers. The dining room. And yet again, she was met by silence…until she heard a crash followed by a high chirping sound. Her father.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Immediately, she raced up the winding staircase, which was adorned by a golden runner with artwork depicting the First Beasts of Arla—Trykar’s personal creations.

Following the sound, she found her father in his favorite room in the entire palace: her mother’s old workshop. And there standing below her, at her bare feet, was a scarlet bird.

“Hello, father.”

***

Shapeshifting was no easy task for the Incarnates of Trykar. The endeavor required both great will-power and strength. The stronger you are, physically and mentally, the easier it is.

For the past couple of years, Mesyla had been dreaming of shifting into almost every living thing that has lived in these mountains.

The melodious sea green hummingbirds.

The agile, fearsome black cats.

And her mother.

But for her father, transforming into a scarlet bird was his favorite. Because it was her mother’s favorite, Danar. Jamos didn’t understand why, but Mesyla did. It was a secret between mother and daughter. A secret she would keep to her death.

“I didn’t know you were coming by so early.” Jamos was changing behind the changing bench into his normal attire. An emerald robe where the sleeves stopped at the elbow.

“I came by last night too.”

Jamos was averting her eyes. “I wanted fresh air.”

“All night?”

“Like I said, I wanted fresh air.”

Mesyla knew he was hiding secrets. But she decided to let it go…for now.

Mesyla loved her father. He was her protector, and she loved spending time with him. They even arranged bonding times. On every third and sixth day, at dusk, they would have nectar in the palace garden, in silence and wrapped in velvet. In these moments, for Mesyla, she was free from drifting. And for Jamos, he was free from the nightmares.

***

“Take a seat, Mesyla.” Jamos commanded, once he was dressed. The King always believed he would be a nervous, anxious wreck when this moment came…when this conversation had to be had. But surprisingly, he was calm. And that was the sign he needed.

“I don’t know where to start.” Jamos whispered. He was nervously tapping the wooden table.

“What’s going on father?”

Jamos reached out for his daughter’s face, placing his calloused palms softly on her cheeks.

“You’ve grown into a fine, young woman. Your mother would be proud, my sweet gem.” Jamos’ eyes began to swell.

“You and I both know that’s not true.” She rebuked.

“You were always her favorite, Mesyla.”

“You are scaring me, father.”

Jamos withdrew his hands from her face, corrected his posture, and took a deep breath. “It is time to Ascend, Mesyla.”

Mesyla didn’t respond. Jamos thought she didn’t understand, so he repeated himself. But Mesyla still didn’t respond.

Jamos was waiting for a response…a look of elation…something. He reached out for Mesyla’s hand, placing her left palm inside of both of his. “It’s time.” He repeated.

“How do you know?” She finally whispered.

“It told me.” He revealed. “The essence has spoken to me. It seeks you now.”

Mesyla abruptly stood up from her seat and began pacing the room with a hand over her stomach. Neither knew what to say next.

“Xand is…” Mesyla started.

“No!” Jamos rarely raised his voice towards his daughter, but he really didn’t want to talk about Xand. The Golden Son.

“I’m sorry.” He apologized. “This is your moment, Mesyla. Be happy.”

Mesyla took her seat again. “And the coronation?” She asked.

“Everyone has already been invited.” He smiled.

Mesyla was feeling a lot of emotions. She couldn’t stop biting her inner left cheek. “And when does the Ascension happen?”

Before today, Jamos and Mesyla rarely talked about The Ascension—when an old reign ends and a new one begins…when an Offspring becomes Godly….when a new Ascended Incarnate rises.

“Two days.” Jamos confirmed.

The initial shock finally began to wear off Mesyla. It finally hit her that in two days, the essence will enter her. Consume her. Remake her. She would no longer be known as the King’s Gem but a Golden Queen. And then she broke out in tears..tears of joy.

She reached out for her father across the table to give him a hug, and told him she was going to go tell her friends. But as she made her way towards the door, her father spoke up again. “We also have to talk about him, Mesyla.”

“Let’s not.” She mumbled, as she stood in the doorway, her back turned away from her father.

“You’re just like your mother, you know?” Jamos teased. “Falling in love with princes you shouldn’t.”

Jamos wanted a reaction from his daughter, but she wouldn’t give it to him. “And it’ll be your downfall.” He continued.

“Just like hers you mean?” She blurted out.

Jamos had no answer, but they both knew the truth. Danar was never meant to be Queen of the Mountains. But sometimes, as they both found out, love could take you by surprise and to unfamiliar places.

“You will not leave Majes until the Ascension is complete.” He ordered. “And if he comes here, he won’t go back down.”

“Yes, father.” She conceded.

Jamos made his way to his daughter and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Now, what shall we eat to celebrate?”

***

Over the celebratory dinner, Jamos debriefed his daughter of what transpired at the Arlan Biannual Delegation Meeting, informing her of the new charges against the Desert and how Queen Sharra didn’t show. Afterwards, they toasted to new beginnings and Jamos gifted her a Fymae, one of the many gifts to come.

Now, they both sat in the palace garden, located at the back of the palace, drinking nectar. It was beyond dusk now, and the night sky was a crowded canvas of weaving, twinkling stars.

Mesyla loved the night sky.

What was a daunting entity for some, for Mesyla, the night sky was a comforting reminder that even light is capable of shining through the darkness.

But right now, Mesyla was feeling so many things at once.

Happiness.

Elation.

Sadness.

Guilt.

Mesyla really wanted her mother there with her. To hold her. To tell her she did the right thing. To tell her of the looks of disgust her brother throws upon her. Tell her how he became consumed by self destructing ambition. But she wasn’t there.

That night, she fell asleep under the stars. Thinking of her mother, her brother, her father, and of course him. Mesyla knew her father wasn’t wrong. She did fall in love with a prince she shouldn’t have. An heir to a Kingdomthat was an enemy of her people. Her father was right,

Love can take you by surprise and to unfamiliar places.

To be continued….