To the nobility, this is just another social season. But for the rest of citizens that lives throughout the Realms, this dictates the rest of their lives.
With the Era of Selection being so imminent, the common folk is worried about their next Monarch's motives, what they will do, their programs, their 'propaganda', what their plans are to make their realms prosperous, as well as dealing with unfinished business that the previous Monarch was not able to fulfill, and problems of their respective realms that were unresolved at the time of their passing.
Regina de Oro, the Realm of Light, constantly beams and provides radiance and warmth across all the realms. And as a Monarch of Light, one's status and title should be proven such, through their unwavering bravery against all odds, their light-bringing demeanor, as well as their ironclad optimism.
These qualities, how puritanical they might seem to be, preserves the Light that shines across the Seven Realms, one sliver of weakness and the Monarch, shall face consequences, as is their predecessor, Citrine, failed to do so in their prime.
--
This year's Era of Selection has no short of illustrious candidates, from the bright Nobles of Liwanag, the Esoteric Clan of Swang, and the scintillating members of Bintang. All beautifully manicured families of wealth, power and light.
But this year's wildcard? The Sinclairs. A family not being originally from the Realm of Light stood upon their rock and built their name from the trenches. Having been this year's newest family to join the social season is something the Realm has never seen before in decades, nay, centuries, even.
Genesis being the limelight of having the most controversial personality really helped the family's business and name. But is her unique jaded personality enough to prove herself before the trials of the Golden Sovereign?
--
Scene 1: the Sinclair Manor
"Elias, I believe I have already changed into 27 dresses. Why haven't I found the perfect one yet?"
"Maybe you are just having a tense moment perhaps, milady?"
"You could be right, I could use something comfortable."
"Something, or.... someone?" Elias, suggesting with a smug look on his face.
"What are you suggesting?" Genesis said, with a raised eyebrow
"I don't know milady, perhaps taking it slow for this social season is the key?"
"But Elias, I cannot lose from my peers." "I have literally nothing to give if I don't take the risk and put action to my campaign." Genesis frowned
Elias kisses Genesis's knuckles. "Maybe if you allow me to accompany you through the trial, it would be better?"
Genesis wanted to say yes, but hesitated, as part of her wanted to forget her societal role and just marry Elias immediately to settle down. But for the survival of her alien clan, she had to take the part.
"I'm afraid I would have to turn down the offer, Elias. I must show them that I require no companion to fulfill my duties as a future Sovereign. But I promise you, you will be by my side on the throne when all of this is said and done." Genesis looked back to him, as she clouded her expression with a stern exterior, only to pine for him, with every single moment passing
"Yes, milady, I shall be once again, your shield, if you ever need protection. My affection will always be yours."
"Thank you for the offer Elias, but I need to be sure I can do it myself." Genesis said, hesitantly.
Pain is felt through Elias's eyes, but he still kept his radiant smile to comfort Genesis through this stressful time. The two of them prepared to leave the manor for today's first trial.
--
Scene 2: Palace of Sarimanok
The candidates of each noble house approached the palace one by one, with Genesis, looking among them all. People from different districts, and even the seafaring dwellers, decided to witness one of the most well awaited events across all of Sylvannia.
"Fairies, mermaids, and elven common folk," Singha stepped into the scene once more, as officiant. "I, Singha, am blessed by the Yellow Sovereign Apolaki to oversee this week's trials, to see which of you will reign supreme as this Era's successor to the late Citrine. May their soul rest in peace."
"May their soul rest in peace" everyone responded, bowing towards a statue of Citrine, former ruler of Regina de Oro.
--
Singha walked on an elevated platform as she stood tall from the audience, with the common folk in awe of her radiance.
"Now, as one might ask, how could I be worthy of Apolaki's crown, you say?"
"As a potential ruler of this realm, one must hide the darkness from all of the realms."
"As the potential ruler of this realm, one must possess light-bringing qualities, impose qualities that are both physical and magical in nature."
"As the potential ruler of this realm, one must not. succumb. to the ever approaching darkness. EVER."
Her words were as sharp as a sword albeit soft as an ethereal force, her stature towered but her glow diminished all fear that is to be felt, as if she was demonstrating the power of Apolaki.
She ended her demonstration in a flux of light rays emanating throughout the entire palace coming from her palm, with rays of rainbow reflections, bouncing off of the palace's marble and golden, lotus-etched, walls.
"Let the Golden Sovereign Trials, begin!"
The crowd roared in applause as Singha instructed the candidates to step forward and speak their names.
"Lady Indira of Swang the mighty."
"Lord Hoang of Bintang, the enlightened."
"Lady Altaria of Liwanag, the illustrious."
"Lady Adarna of Kislap, the wise."
"Lord Suvarna of Adulayej, the powerful."
"Lady Isabela of Anthara, the golden depths."
"Nanami, Princette of Anthara, the golden depths."
"Lady Nishwara of Anthara, the golden depths."
"Lady Genesis of House Sinclair, the lightweaver."
Everyone looked at Genesis in shock as if the whole place were graced by an abysmal horror. Genesis decided to not care and just started at everyone back with displeasure.
--
The crowd concedes as the candidates approaches a private hall for them to prepare for their first trial.
A cheerful Indira approached Genesis as she tried to make acquaintance.
"So you're THE GENESIS, Genesis?! I've heard so much about you! It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm--" Indira got cut off immediately with Genesis, killing the chance of being met.
"NOT interested in small chit-chat, scram, you pretentious light source! Get out of my way and just prove yourself before the crown, will you?" Genesis eyes rolled, looking away.
"I told you Indira, there's no point on getting to know that scum of a person. and to think of all things that she could be worthy of? I can't even imagine a foreigner waste of a person could be worthy of Apolaki's blessing-- it's just no use." Adarna said, having been turned down by Genesis, prior.
"What in the Seven Realms did you say?" Genesis squinted and furrowed her brows, her audible stomps approaching Adarna silencing the room, with the girl being intimidated by her stance, albeit being short.
"Cease, at once! Apolaki is waiting for you on the trial grounds, now come along and don't waste your magic on useless chitchat!" Singha halted the heated conversation.
The rest of the candidates followed along, with poise. Genesis however, is not amused.
--
Scene 3: Wat Arun, (Sun Temple) The Trial Grounds of Apolaki, Platforms and Pools
THE FIRST TRIAL
Singha reads through a scripture on a podium in which she projected a somehow holographic footage of a person solving a gigantic light puzzle.
"The first trial must prove someone's wit and ability to outsmart their opponents in a short amount of time, as a virtue of Apolaki is being quick-witted with his gift of illusory magic through light."
"Just like the element of light traveling through incomprehensible speeds through space and time, one must finish this massive giant light puzzle in a limited amount of time while confusing the enemies, as this was one of the forgotten arts of the old."
"Will our candidates pass the first test?"
--
"Here are the rules. One must not get hurt through physical means, but illusions are allowed to stun your opponents. Falling from the platform or through the light ring at the back of the pool will get you eliminated."
--
"Is everyone ready?"
A unanimous nod of agreement was seen amongst candidates. It was time for the first trial.
"Very well then, the commencement of the first trial, begins..."
Tense looks amongst fairies and mermaids were seen. the light orb in Singha's hand exploded, the challenge commenced.
"Now!"
The Light Puzzle trial started. Indira attacked Genesis via illusions, in which Genesis blankly stared back, trying to shake off the trickery that was placed upon her sight. Mirrors of Indira appeared, towering over Genesis, trying to intimidate her with colors of overflowing light and darkness.
"Do you think you're so clever, Genesis? let's see if you can shrug my illusion magic off!"
Indira chuckled mischievously as if she was sure she got Genesis under her trap, not knowing that Genesis had trained years for her light magic to be at the back of her fingertips.
Scene 4: Flashback, Sinclair Manor
Genesis closed her eyes as her mind went back from years ago when a younger Elias and her were practicing on how to channel Genesis's power.
Elias tuts as Genesis tumbles and sighs heavily again, failing to regain composure. A look of exhaustion and defeat is readable in his face already.
"Now, mi lady, focus on your own mind, do not let the illusion magic get into you! Channel your inner light!" Elias's voice echoed into Genesis's ears
Shadow illusions started to creep towards Genesis as she start to tense up and uncontrollably sob. "Channel your inner light, Genesis!" the voice echoes again
"Channel... your.. inner.... light" Genesis gave up as the illusions dissipate and she was overwhelmed by the sensation that was enveloping her. She sobbed as Elias tried to comfort her, patting her on the back.
"Elias, I'm a failure."
"How can I represent House Sinclair if at the first sight of danger I would already crumble?" she said, weeping as she receives comfort.
"We can always try again, my liege, you can do this. You're a powerful fairy, you just have to believe in yourself. You just have to look within."
Flashback ends.
Scene 5: Continuation, Temple of Wat Arun
Genesis continued to pant, struggled to fight off Indira's illusions as Indira slowly gains on Genesis, trying to levitate her off of the platform.
Genesis tried to rely on her strength by calling upon her most powerful magic known, spreading her fingertips to the platform as she grasped the surroundings around her.
"Phantasia...." her eyes open with a beacon of yellow-purple light "Swarm!"
a barrage of butterflies slowly covering up a prismatic dome shield broke out the illusion, as it exploded into a blast of light that sent Indira a little bit close to where the platform ends, with Indira's posture being interrupted.
"How come?!...."
"Yes, you underestimated me, wench!"
Genesis sent out more light illusions to get herself a head start against Indira, immobilizing her further.
She got her first cube into the puzzle as Indira tries to shaken herself up from the illusions.
Indira was furious and decided to spread her arms open wide, palms facing outward.
"Oh no you don't!" Light orbs manifests from both of her hands and tries to send it off to Genesis to throw her off balance but Genesis picked up fast and evades, albeit almost falling off the platform again due to how fast it was.
"WOAH! good throw, wench! Too bad I already got my first block!" She grinned mischievously
"Yeah right, I'm going to wipe that smirk off of your face to put you where you belong, alien!" Indira blinked and disappeared, only to reappear to Genesis in a barrage of iridescent clones that circled her. Genesis hesitated to step a foot forward which made her trip and flinch and gave Indira an advantage to put her first block into the puzzle.
Singha interrupted.
"Remember to not harm your opponents physically!"
Genesis sighed out of frustration. "Damn it, you shouldn't have let her get away! Stupid lightweaver."
"So, is that all you got?" Indira smirked, savoring her small victory while being preoccupied with the thought, as Genesis mentally manifested Indira's platform to crumble through illusion magic and made her tumble, which gave Genesis another advantage to put her second block.
"Curse you, Sinclair!" Indira charges in with rage as she threw blades of light to shoot Genesis more illusions, this time, manifested the ground Genesis steps to be somewhat melting, with Genesis feeling the illusion as if it was real. Genesis felt her feet getting somewhat toasty because of the illusion.
"This is against the rules!" Genesis muttered internally and decided to retaliate by clenching her fist to mentally break the illusion, and charged towards with a shield that pushes Indira away gently but the then-focused Indira lost her concentration and flinched, which gave Genesis another chance to outwit her opponent and swiftly end the first trial, with Indira losing the first round.
TO BE CONTINUED
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