Magique, The blood of the world, seen to some as the moving force for everything around them. Others view it as a gift and protect it just as a king would their gold. Those born with the innate ability to use magique are upper citizens in the grand empire of Creedia. Anything less are seen as second class but still serve their purpose dutifully for the emperor. Across the indomitable Tempest range magique is used in such a shameful way, allowing even the non gifted races to prosper as our own do. This way of life cannot be allowed and those who follow it must be enlightened on their failure to live life as true magique blooded individuals...- Emperor Kranzel
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A morning sky filled with soft hues of pinks and oranges hangs over the sprawling city of Ajamar like a soft blanket. Gently rousing the residents out of their slumber for the day. Morning rays of light reflected off of the glorious golden and red towers closer to the center of the city. These were where nobility and the scholars who taught them resided. If one were to have a birds eye view of the city they would clearly see the city segmented by walls within its own borders. While much larger walls protect the outside smaller walls keep the city districts in their proper places. Looking further from the center you would find the lesser parts of the city lacked the gold and red but rather adorned silvers and blue to signify where the still magical but non-noble population lived, this was shared with large wealthy businesses and market areas. Past these colorful buildings the outermost circle of the city has buildings that shone of dull bronze and the rest-stone. These are for the non-magical races of the city, although it's not the grandest of places to live for them, facing the outside world and all of its cruelties is much less preferred. This last circle for the second-class citizens had its own markets and businesses as well, how ever most were with the intention of serving the city with less exotic products and services.
The morning slowly releases its hold and the sky turns into a clear blue with a large sun in the sky motivating anyone working outside to move faster to remove oneself from the heat. 1st and 2nd class citizens intermingle as the work day takes place, children run in the streets, carriages and carts move around the roads. Ajamar is the beating heart of the Creedian empire as any capitol should be. In the center of this grand city a large palace shining of gold and purple stood , it's size rivaled that of entire smaller towns found through out the empires domain. Inside the monster of a building a man dressed in a very well kept sliver and black coat with pants to match. His dark boots polished well enough to see ones reflection clicked as he hurriedly made his way through the hallways of the palace. The walls having heavy banners of elaborate designs made of the finest materials while the hallway floors and ceiling were adorned with simple but beautiful displays of masonry and carpentry. Luke Gratman, the young princes advisor briskly made his way through the halls , servants and lesser members of the palace bowed as he moved by. Returning with a warm smile Luke kept walking, he was known for his kindness and great knowledge of the magique arts. Unlike a fair deal of his rather, uptight peers he didn't feel the need to exert his prowess or authority.
" The one day he sleeps in , the one day ....."
Luke continued his pace till he came to a large and wide stair case with 4 heavily armored Violet and black armored knights. These were the elite of the elite soldiers and purely existed to guard high nobility and have more then proven their worth in combat and magic alone. Upon the sight of the Grand teacher to the prince the guards saluted, one hand over the heart with a clasped fist, Luke responded in kind. These soldiers , no , these scholars in armor as he liked to refer to them more then deserve even the emperor's respect. Luke stepped up the 50 steps to the two large dark stone doors. With more magical wards then even an imperial cloud cutter and twice as thick as the inner walls. Luke grabbed the large metal ring on one door that only he and a select few others could grab and rang it against the door 3 times, the sound would be enough he was sure to wake the young, very late prince. Luke mumbled something to himself and after some more time had passed he rang the ring one more time. The guards turned to watch now as the prince was never one to not respond to his callings especially from his own door ring. The closet guard was now fully turned his cloak behind him now and his hand reaching for a small sigil stone on his belt. Luke held his hand out to the guard.
" No need for that sire , I will enter, thank you for your concern" the guard nodded and returned to his original position .
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Dark clouds clogged the the sky like a thick ink in water, the only light barely reaching through from a desperate moon. Christoph looked around him, he was seemingly standing on some large stone tower made of pure black rock. What had used to be pillars around the entire edge of the tower were now no more then rocky stumps and the ground beneath him had large cracks along the surface. Christoph stepped forward some to the edge of the tower, it wasn't any wider then the large rugs in the palaces library, those weren't so small to him now anymore. He made his way to the edge and peered down some. A scene of a sharp coast line, rocks jutting out like blades against the harsh crushing waves, this must be the coast to the sea of daggers. Cold chills traveled up Christoph's back as he could suddenly feel the scene he saw before him, the smell of salt and a strong cold breeze blew in from over the raging sea. Christoph wrapped himself in his arms shivering some utterly confused and even slightly scared of his situation. If he had not known if for sure was a dream he wouldn't be so sure of his safety. Looking down still the young prince was sure he saw something moving under the water....something...no the water was moving, but not in its normal methods of moving. In front of his eyes the water itself formed the vague face of a man. A face the size of a giant itself , spoke, the face spoke.
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" Christoph, Find Yewlana, find the one who will remove the lies of this land, only you will have this chance"
As soon as the ocean spoke the sounds of the dream stopped entirely, the face spoke once more " The empire, it's not what it once was, its nothing like what it was, you can bring a new future you can br-"
A sound of smooth stone sliding over smooth stone filled the air, the face dissipated and Christoph was pushed by something off of the tower, a scream couldn't even escape his lips as he fell to the ocean's surface. Eyes snapping open Christoph bolted up right in his bed. Frantically looking around him for a moment till he realized his familiar surroundings. Calming down, the prince looked over to see Luke standing by this now closed again door his face showing clear worry as he approached the young man and placed his hand on Christoph's head.
" my prince I wasn't aware you were in such a nightmare , I knew you weren't one to ignore a day such as this. Are you feeling well my liege?" Luke asked calmly as he dabbed a cool wet towel from the princes bed side against the young man's for head.
Christoph just nodded slowly as his voice returned to him " It was a rather...peculiar dream, it wouldn't let me wake it almost seemed.....Wait what time is it?!"
He leaped out of bed running to his dresser pulling clothes out of it that he was to wear for his errands before the ceremony. Luke smiled and assured him it was only slightly later then ideal and they would be on time for it all. Christoph calmed down some as he dressed himself in the days choice of attire. Red undershirt with a soft black coat to go over , black pants with some matching boots. Nothing to princely but it was made in exemplary fashion and detail as all his clothing. " So Luke, I'm aware of how the day ends but how will it begin?"
His teacher smiled and replied " Well once you've eaten some breakfast, we can go and gather your very own magique sword, any good emperor has their own sword and it requires its owners touch. The rest is finished of course"
Christoph smiled, he'd finally get his own sword, a symbol that he would finally be named the next emperor. The great Ajamarian forge is a sight to behold and that alone would be a treat for him. Soon after being dressed and ready the two leave the room the guards saluting as before. Making their way down to the palaces one of many kitchens for some quick food on the go. Luke had tried and failed to persuade his liege to eat at a proper table but, when the prince is excited sitting at a table for food isn't a possibility. A short walk down the hallways and a quick duck into a side door to a large kitchen , pots and other kitchen tools floated around being lifted by unseen magical servants, it made kitchen work for the staff much easier. Food was laid out on a long wooden table for anyone who needed breakfast and worked in the palace. Both Luke and the prince grabbed a few items each, meat pies with eggs and some fresh fruit and cheese along side. Christoph ate as he almost floated down the hallway to the grand entrance room. Luke smiled at the sight and followed close by eating his own food quickly. Christoph knew the palace like the back of his hand taking 3 right turns and a left he arrived at the grand entrance, two large stair cases curved following the walls to the ground floor level , many staff and others walked to what ever chore or errand they had in mind. Palace guards lined the walls idly, the prince knew most by name at this point, he had lived 19 years in the same building for him not to know the staffs name wouldn't befit a prince. Teacher and student, Prince and scholar, Friend and friend walked out the massive door way into the day time. What a wonderful day under the sun, Luke sighed in content as his young student gave warm hellos and welcomes to almost all he passed, a new era was just around the corner and Luke could feel it.