For a kingdom that strongly focused on homey tranquility, it was relatively impressive how efficient its citizens became on the forefront of war.
The thunderous clash of thousands of armed soldiers rushing about boomed throughout the entirety of the palace.
He tried his best not roll his eyes. His family spent massive fortunes on gear and amour for their military. Unnecessarily might he add.
Cancerians naturally have almost impervious skin due to their kinship with crabs, not to mention ninety-seven percent of the cancerian population have some form of the barrier ability. Yet his parents were adamant that they couldn’t have the only army to not have some form of armour in war.
He could imagine it, a full scale war with deadly projectiles, explosions, and death, all the while half of the opposing forces were fighting in causal clothing or better yet, in the nude. Might as well for all the good armour did. He supposed if anything, it would only slow a cancerian warrior.
There are only a few places on their bodies that were softer than the rest and of those, only one is actually in danger of being hit in combat. He sighed inwardly. He still thought it was costly and redundant. A good warrior would never leave his belly exposed to be slashed and gutted like a fish.
The young prince burst through the doors of the war room, his vibrant sea green eyes dark with worry. The guards snapped to attention as he gracefully zipped through the spacious room.
Dozens of generals and high lords stood at the kingdom war table. His Father and Mother were at the head, their brows twisted into knots as they studied the diagrams.
His mind was racing as he tried to process the onslaught of overwhelming emotions from the crowded area. Worry. Anger. Bloodlust. He gritted his teeth and steeled his resolve as he approached his parents.
His mother noticed his presence and tried to give him a reassuring smile. It might have worked if it wasn’t for her eyes. They could not lie. Not to him. Her sea glass green, so alike his own, were too easy to read.
“What happened?” He asked.
A weary sigh from his father. “A scout relaid to Headquarters that a sizable unknown force is hours away from reaching the outermost wall of the capital. Follow-up reports back the scout’s findings.”
Silence was met between the three royals as the information sank into his mind.
“Do we have guesses on what or who is behind this force?”
The tension grew thicker. The generals glanced at each other uneasily. Clearly no one wanted to acknowledge this threat.
“They were able to spot...sea drakes among the forces numbers .”
The prince gave his father an incredulous expression.
“But...that would mean...” He couldn’t bring himself to say it. Saying aloud would make it real. Too real.
He father nodded. “Another Pantheon of Zodiac are declaring war with ours. Because of cancerian’s special shield abilities we have always been the first and greatest defense of our patheon. By taking us out first in the war, it will severely weaken the rest. A sound strategy.”
The King gave his only child a sorrowful smile before he continued, “And because of this, we are sending you away, immediately-,”
The prince opened his mouth to protest, however the shattering waves of regret and heartbreak seeping off his two parents kept him from lashing out in rebuke.
“Aibek...” His mother called his name softer and more full of love than he could ever recall. He hated it. He hated how his mother, his sweet and kind mother who always saw the goodness in everyone, was so broken. So...hopeless.
“You must leave. This war...will take many lives, maybe millions, however today is not the day for you to fall. You must endure. You are special my son. I know every mother says that about their child, yet I’ve known from your very birth, that your destiny was to be great. We were so careful to keep your very existence a well kept secret, never to leave the palace walls. It seems that choice has paid off.”
“After today...” Her voice wavered and pearly tears pooled in her eyes, “After today, you will have to go into hiding. If the opposing pantheon find out your royal heritage and your abilities, they will never stop searching for you.”
He looked between his parents, finally understanding why their hearts were bleeding. They were saying goodbye. This was his last moments with his family. He desperately wanted to fight against their choice, but he knew...deep down he knew that his parents, his stupidly compassionate parents, were making the correct choice. Not only for him, but also for their people.
It was because it was his parent’s last wish; to die knowing their son lived on to protect their people, that he did not bother to waste time arguing, and simply brought the both of them into a deep hug.
He ignored the soft sobs from his mother and the wet spot forming on his shirt from his father’s silent tears. He would cherish this moment for many years to come. It was a small miracle that he didn't breakdown. Maybe it was because he knew his parents were depending on him, maybe it was because there was a room full of people listening, trying their best to ignore them and failing, or maybe it was because deep down, he always knew this was how his future would be.
It was a few moments before they broke apart and wiped away all evidence of emotion.
“Luckily you won’t be going alone. Alice and Jasper will be accompanying you. They will remain as your guards and as any other role needed for the remainder of their lives. They have swore an oath to never leave your side.”
Aibek turned around to face his two bodyguards. He knew them. They were part of an elite royal task force dedicated to the protection of the royal members of the family. These two had been assigned to him years ago, however their placement was never needed since he has yet to ever leave the safety of the palace walls.
Scorpios are known as the best assassins in the world and well... they also had the temperament and patience, of well, a scorpion. They were not the type to ask questions first nor are they the kind to be on their bad side. Although many would agree that they didn’t have a good side to begin with.
Jasper, a tall handsome man with raven hair and matching pitch black eyes, took a step forward and bowed his head. “I know you are under a vast amount of stress, but if we are to gain the upper hand, we must leave now.”
The prince gave his parents a watery smile and gave them one last tight hug. “Thank you...for everything...”
He gripped his bident till his knuckles were stark white as he left behind his family and kingdom, following the two scorpios into the deep caverns underneath the palace.
He felt Alice glancing back at him every few minutes. She wanted to comfort him, but lacked the words to do so. He silently appreciated the effort as they quietly disappeared into the darkness.
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