The clearing surrounded by lush greenery with a few wooden quarters at the edge of the forest presented a picturesque scene.
It can be seen that a group of men were undergoing rigorous training like some kind of drill.
" Hu...ha ...hu ....ha" The synchronized groaning was getting a little louder.
But these top naked men didn't let the pain show in their faces. They kept moving their body like a machine.
" Halt!!!!"
An authoritative voice commanded.
Any form of movement ceased to exist.
The soldiers looked at the place from where the voice came with a straightened back.
Thak.Thak.
The sound of the boots was heard by a man with a sharp feature who used the wooden stairs to go up a platform.
He was the only man without any naked upper body as a light cloth draped over his body.
He looked down at the soldiers standing in attention as he uttered.
" At ease"
The bodies of the soldiers relaxed a little in relief.
" You guys are free to do whatever now"
" Ha"
The sound could be heard among the soldiers as their faces revealed a relaxed expression.
The man saw the soldier's happy expression and looked in the direction of the palace at a distance from the training grounds.
He came down from the platform as many soldiers made their way to the wooden quarters, some joked around in the training grounds itself and some waited for him to move so they can follow him from behind to the palace.
The man with the authority was none other than Tybalt Ernest.
He was a member of the Royal family and the Royal Guard captain of the king.
His only relationship with the royal family was through his grandfather, Leopold Ernest, who was the favourite brother of the then ruler.
That is why after being a collateral family they still resided in the palace and were not frowned upon.
But things were changing and he could smell a political plot brewing trying to oust him from the capital.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
" Good morning "
" Good morning "
He greeted back the soldiers as they wished him good morning.
He slowly made his way to the palace.
It was a little far but this walk to the palace helped him clear his mind of things.
'Not everything is over'
Tybalt reminded himself.
He was a respectable member of the internal security, The Royal Guard captain.
His position was envied by many but they respected him for his devotion to work and the splendid job he does.
He became an essential part of the Royal Guards and dutifully completed his tasks ensuring the safety of the royal family as the Guard Captain.
But a few days ago his position came under threat as his security was undermined by none other than his son.
The children of his age might not see through the ruse but every adult can.
He was ashamed as his son led a group of kids under the guise of playing and broke into the King's Court.
Not only that but he even touched God's Eye, a treasure of the royal family that couldn't be touched other than the Majesty himself.
However, since his son didn't have any aura he bypassed all the restrictions and had a near-death experience as he went into a coma.
For three days was he in a coma as Tybalt called in favours for his son's treatment.
He was ridiculed and his security measure was questioned as a child went inside the heart of the palace.
He felt ashamed and angry.
The more he thought about this, those ridiculing laughter and statements the more anger he felt.
The questioning tone of His and Her Majesty was piercing his soul like an iron rod.
" Huu" Tybalt let out a sigh to let his anger subside.
He reached the palace and made his way to the west side of the place where he resided.
Creak.
He pushed open the door.
His eyes were met by the glaring eyes of his wife.
" What happened ?"
He asked cautiously.
" Your son tried to enter the King's Court again?!"
She answered furiously.
Tybalt's expression darkened immediately.
" Where is he now?"
"Inside his room"
Tybalt immediately turned to his son's room.
------------------------------
Sebastian was basking in the sunlight as the occasional winds cooled him down.
He vividly remembered the dreams he had after he touched the golden ball.
Different scenes played in front of him haphazardly as his head throbbed with pain.
He couldn't understand what he was shown.
He saw bright colours and chaotic darkness coexisting.
He saw different warriors fighting gallantly.
He saw mages undergoing madness as they try to bend the rule of nature.
He saw abominations that couldn't be understood living like a human being creating a society, fighting, communicating with each other.
He saw creatures with powers that couldn't be measured, almost like a god.
These scenes flashed one after another.
And before he could make sense he saw many large structures.
They were simple with two columns with an arch and were stacked one behind another in such a manner that they couldn't be distinguished from each other with the naked eye.
These structures were full of patterns so ancient that they couldn't be deciphered on their surface.
Sebastian was dumbstruck he couldn't understand anything but soon a light from the centre of the structure entered his eyes.
He moved his eyes to look at the source of the light.
His mind went blank.
He could hear faint voices near him as he opened his eyes only to find himself looking at a white-bearded man.
Sebastian knew the man, as he was a renowned healer.
He later learned that he was sleeping for three whole days and had a very faint trace of life force.
After he touched the ball fell down and started convulsing only to be rushed to the healer as his father made contact with.
Sebastian felt he only slept for a few minutes and didn't knew such things were going in the awake world.
He felt a change in his body and mind like...
" Sebastian!!!"
He turned his head only see his angry father glaring at him.
And he saw a silvery hue surrounded by a faint brown hue mixing harmoniously rising from his fathers body.
This was the change he found in his eyes.
This was his newfound ability.
The ability to see aura.