The Sacred Empire

Chapter 2: Crisis

The ascending emperor expected this to happen.

Prince Howard brought large killing machines and was about to enter the front gates. Each engine releases smog that ascended above covering the sky and turning it into a gloomy day.

Prince Evan stood in the distant heights and looked down, seeing his older half-brother together with his whole battalion.

"Madman," Prince Evan utters. This encounter made him very pissed.

"I think you don't know what is insanity," he said.

"Let me show you," he said with narrowing eyes, raising a signal to attack.

Shadows of men passed down swiftly.

All of them possess different types of sacred weapons. Either an elemental manipulator type, defense-attack reciprocal type, attack enhancer type, complex manipulator type, and so on.

And Prince Howard releases his warriors as well and the war between the sacred weapons begins.

"YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A B*ST*RD CRAP!!" Prince Howard shouted in full abhorrence.

"If you want the throne, COME AND GET IT!!" the emperor exclaimed.

"YOU...!!" Prince Howard with his seething untamable hysteria jumped out of the machine, attacked, and killed all the soldiers that were blocking his way.

'The Noctis umbra (meaning night shadow) is a sacred weapon that can accelerate and enhance all movement and skills.

It is capable of increasing physical strength, agility, speed, and coordination. Its main domain is under the defense-reciprocal type rather than attack type yet not a manipulator type.

It is a strong sacred weapon yet in the hands of a weak threader, it is useless.

The only possible way to defeat it is not by the weapon itself but through the threader.

"My father's perfect son, the Castle's Brightest Star (Prince Howard's Royal title). Your weakness...

is yourself." The emperor muttered while looking down at him.

One of the second prince's strongest and most loyal elite assassins pinned him down on the ground.

Alas, a threader owning a Complex manipulator-type sacred weapon.

The prince met him at the age of fifteen and Alas was only ten years old, when the prince unwillingly helped his father to colonize three other countries that are now part of the empire. Alas was an orphan and a thief taken to serve him.

Alas' sacred weapon the Macromonia, is a black beaded onyx bracelet and by the time that he began to use it, it grew black branches crawling reaching his right eye. Macromonia is a manipulative psycho-invasive weapon that results in the inhibition of the enemy's attack by the use of the enemy's negative memories or experiences. It is also known as the "Weapon of Nightmare ''.

The first prince being pinned down on the ground is subjected to treason. Everyone knows that it is a major offense not only to their ruler but to the whole empire itself and those who are found guilty are punished by either execution and their corpses are left hanging outside the city walls rotten and eaten by vultures.

Not unless pardoned by the Emperor itself.

If the new emperor will be considerate enough to spare his life the same as what happened to the mother of the imperial princess, Lady Sylvia might help but...

It shall be another RE-consideration for the first prince's case.

Prince Howard is not living in the Center kingdom anymore. He was already exiled by the previous emperor because he had already committed the same crime before.

A few minutes later, all the other ships started to collapse one by one because the system had been invaded and destroyed.

The first prince is now defeated.

But still, he uses his sacred weapon and manages to escape. How?

His sacred weapon the Noctis Umbra has a reciprocal defense-attack ability, a Mirror effect that absorbs the attack of the enemy and returns it five to ten times stronger for defense.

So, with the use of its own power, the first prince attacks himself while being pinned down and makes the weapon reabsorbs it and then releases it in a form of an explosion.

He was freed from being pinned down and ran off to escape.

All the assassins around were to capture him but the Emperor gives a signal to just let him go.

Probably, it was the second prince who is being considerate to his older brother's life but who knows what is in his thoughts?

No one ever knew him for he was always kept away by his father, the former emperor.

He commanded to get the people from the evacuation sites right after the elder enchanters finished the reconstruction of the area.

In addition, he also summoned the healers and priests to cure the wounded civilians.

"I want it done before sunset". He uttered.

"Don't mention anything about what happened today, just tell them the first prince forfeited." he directed.

Then, for those soldiers that were captured, they can choose if they will be executed with their honor or continue to live with an existing disability inside the center kingdom to avoid any internal attack. They will be like captives, they are not allowed to leave. Any reignition of another revolution or any ruckus is prohibited.

If they commit one, they will be executed.

They heed the instruction of the emperor and head to their mission.

"Alas," he called.

He turned around and began to walk.

"Investigate the Land of Fidelpia" he commanded.

The huge country of Fidelpia, the land of warfare and military weapons, is also the center of defense for the whole empire whether it is for land, water, or air.

Either way, It explains the machine-engine ships that the first prince has.

The reason why it was still needed was because not all humans were threaders so some humans still use other materials for warfare and defense.

Princess Cherish, Prince Howard's mother, was given for political marriage to Emperor William for the sake of alliance, peace, and unity. There is an existing treaty between the Center kingdom of the Silver Crest empire and its branch country, the Fidelpia.

It will be at risk if war occurs.

The soldiers were all scattered over the place.

The enchanters, healers, and priests were doing what the new emperor commanded.

Meanwhile, a hooded female archer, after shooting, hid herself to avoid being exposed and suspected as an outsider or an enemy.

She leans backward on the corner and holds her panting breath.

"The first prince forfeited?" two civilians having a little discussion.

'The First Prince forfeited?' She thought as she sealed back her sacred weapon.

It is all clear she can return.

She went back to the palace up to her room. Her butler Vladimir is waiting for her and ready to assist her in climbing.

Among all her servants and attendants. Vlad is the only one who knows that she was a threader.

"The emperor already gets rid of them" she uttered in a tone of an "as expected" phrase.

The palace sounded a loud trumpet blast declaring that the first part of the coronation is now finished, it is the sharing of the oath with the Heavens.

The second part, the big parade was canceled due to prioritizing the safety of the people.

The elders wanted to reschedule the 2nd part of the ceremony for tomorrow or the day after but some people in the council declined because other ceremonies will take place after the coronation.

Still, the final event of the coronation will occur tonight.

The new emperor went to his room to have a little rest while everyone was still preparing for the next event.

He closes his eyes and relents himself from stress and anxiety.

"Nothing but trouble, old man." He mumbled in monolog. It is obviously for his father, the former Emperor.

"You are not dead yet, aren't you?" He pinches the skin on his glabellar area (the area in the middle of the eyebrows)

He sighed deeply.

"Noctis umbra" he murmured then covers his eyes with his forearm.

A light rain visits the center kingdom in the middle of a gloomy afternoon.

The sound of the rain brings solitude and ease to the weary. So much that it also washed his thoughts and emotion to ease.

Since he was the favorite son, his older brother holds a big grudge against him and usually beats him before with the use of the noctis umbra, sacred weapon.

But he never fights back.

Why?

"Don't use your weapon against your brother or I'll be your enemy!" the former emperor always warned with a dominating aura.

but that's not the reason why he didn't fight.

"I know I can win," he muttered.

First, he thought that his brother doesn't have anything to do with the conflict between him and his old man but now another situation arises and he is in that box.

'It's the time to deal with you' he thought. 'but first'.

'....'

The pause makes the atmosphere the rain sounds louder and more relaxing.

"Try to stop me now" he murmured, obviously directing it to the former emperor.

At first, he was dragged here when he was a child. He ends up losing things, being hated, forced to Kill, and even oppressing others.

All the blame has fallen on him yet the only one who is at fault is no one but his father, the former emperor.

He fell asleep.

He is no longer that mere young boy but a lost murderer living amid of war and surviving.

It's hard.

Either you kill or be killed, is there a choice to forfeit and run?

There is no one that you can rely on.

'Why on earth am I even here?' his thoughts.

The bloodstained hands and the sound of the clamor of a loud war cry and all the pleading that was heard directing to him. Then, coldly marching back and being locked up just to see the same scene all over again.

Again and again.

People try their best to live and survive but why does he have to kill?

They are not accountable in how you live but you are now accountable in their death.

Every time another body fell on the floor lifeless and bleeding. It will be a new record of nightmare of seeing himself in their place begging not to be hit by the murderer's hand.

Another way around? 

It haunts him all the time.

In that cage where he was brought in.

__________________________

"By the way, what's your name?" Hidelga asked while the young man was in deep thoughts while she was changing the bandage.

"Leon," He said briefly, concealing his identity.

'It is better if she will know lesser things to preserve her life,' he thought.

She gave her a sweet smile and stood up transferring the basin on the table.

"Can you walk? Let's go to the market to get some food together?" Her invite.

Evan has a fixed stare at her when she suddenly reacts.

It's stupid to roam around in their area because it is not safe.

"Just kidding, I know you should be resting for now," she added followed by a burst of playful chuckle.

"I'll be back before it gets dark, don't go outside, especially at dusk." She said before she left.

There are random raids around the city and the young lady is afraid to go outside.

A few minutes doesn't leave him at peace. The sound of war echoes inside his head like an imaginary noise that creeps with the silence of the room.

However, the expression of that woman interrupts and breaks that delusion.

The things that hunted him staggered for a moment and the details of that girl came to him.

He stood up.

__________________________

The Final part of the coronation has just begun.

Everyone brought their greetings to the New Emperor having no other choice but to accept the new heir in power.

The introducer announces from time to time in a clear, loud voice every noble that enters one by one to the Royal gathering.

"From the Wintersfields Capital of the Northeast Countryside!! Duke Oliver Canon!!"

Everyone was surprised at the arrival of one of the most famous nobles.

An official to be precise.

The imperial princess' pure cousin and Siegmund's childhood friend.

The future prince to be. The one who is currently engaged to the princess of the Peninsula of Gemma, Princess Minerva. The center of business and trades within the whole SilverCrest empire and also the land of crops and grains.

The crowd started mumbling as he entered, leading the atmosphere to change and become alive.

Then he went to the Emperor to greet him and give his salute.

A few minutes later.

Duke George Sheldon from the country on the South West coast arrived. The capital site for the fishery, salt production, and woods had arrived.

When he entered he started looking for the imperial princess rather than greeting the Emperor first.

He seems to have sharper senses in relocating the princess than the princess's cousin.

"Nothing seems to change" Oliver gave him a manly hug (actually strangling him playfully from behind). "Go greet the emperor, loverboy," Oliver added, pushing him away.

Duke Oliver follows Duke Sheldon hoping that he might bring him to his cousin the Imperial Princess.

"Hey Lizzy" he greeted meeting the imperial Princess Lizobelle as he finally found her in the crowd.

He offer his hand and guides her to the balcony so they can chat personally.

"How's mother?" She asked after bow greeting him politely.

"She's fine," was his brief answer.

"And?" She is waiting for more information

"Short-tempered as usual," he said with a jolly expression.

She chuckled sarcastically. "Seems like you're getting used to her," she said as she stopped and pulled her hands while he continued and went leaning backwards, anchoring his elbows into the cemented rims of the balcony fence and then he relaxed.

"Every official worries about this event." He said as he was enjoying the breeze that gently caressed his hair.

"Actually, the nobles gather for this concern. You know that No one wants that guy on the throne" pointing with his thumb to where the new Emperor is.

"They are on the watch and are very expectant. Everyone knew that the previous emperor is not an id*ot to make such decisions and throw his empire into trash" He said with a solemn tone.

"I remember your face when you saw the incident years ago, It's hard to believe what you were saying even you have your hands and voice trembling at that time but then I saw the future Great Emperor being pinned down to the ground by ten elite threaders of the empire" His eyes turn directly to her.

"Unfortunately, I can't convince anyone and I don't want to do it and I know I don't have to do anything about it anyway," he smirked.

"So they're coming here to test him if he is worthy enough," he said in a jolly tone and wide grin.

The introducer announced four other names of Nobles and Royalties.

Princess Beatrice Caroline from the Northern Capital of Windsphere, The land of electricity and energy.

Prince Caster Lohann, from the East capital of Coromfield, the land of Gold, mines, and petroleum.

Princess Shanon Winslet, from West Constantine land of the wide grassland and field for livestock.

Prince Orion Luce Della Sera, from the Southern capital of Fidelpia, the center of defense, warfare, and military weapons.

"They are here," he said.

"Do you want to watch a show?" Oliver said, offering his hand once again to guide her back inside.

__________________________

The marketplace is still very crowded but the people were really in panic buying their needs as well as the vendors rushing the sale.

If the next raid happens, all the goods will be stolen and the soldiers will check every suspicious item. They will also check every civilian and take men to be military volunteers for war.

'I have to hurry,' she thought.

Placing all the goods they needed in her basket.

A loud siren sounded and echoed all around the place then a big explosion followed exactly at the chapel nearby and the sound of the carillon was continuously heard along with the sirens.

A few more seconds later, the people started to move away causing a large group that went in one direction.

"The soldiers are here!" People are shouting near the area from where the explosion was heard.

A stampede was formed and now coming her way. If she will go against or either in another direction rather than the original flow of the people. She'll trip down and die being stepped on.

Like water with a large current, she was pushed forward when it reached her.

Where are the people heading?

On the walls of the city.

Almost everyone will die!

Due to a remaining metal cuff around her right foot. She almost tripped.

Back there before Evan stood up.

The thoughts of her flash in his mind while drowning about the things that haunt him.

He notices and recalls that she moved uneasily even though she tries hard to hide it and notices the remaining large metal cuff on her feet.

She asks for an acquaintance to go with her. It is simply a woman's language for 'please come, It will be harsh to go alone.'

Surely, after what happens at the central kingdom it will lead to other ruckus that will arise from the other parts of the empire.

Especially after the sudden disappearance of the emperor.

The whole Empire is currently without peace.

When she was about to stumble and fall. Strong hands pulled her and a cloaked-man covered her against the flow of the crowds.

He was struggling to fight against the force and the current because of his injuries but he was still able to move both of them away further to a much safer place.

He went back first wanting to conceal his actions of helping her while she was left all confused and eager to know who saved her.

When Hidelga got home. She found him sitting on the bed and waiting

"I'm home" Hidelga uttered and smiled.

She knew who that cloaked man was.

__________________________

He emerges from the waters.

The first prince takes a bath before he returns to Fidelpia.

Washing the dirt and blood of those he killed.

He is almost defeated. All of his subordinates and soldiers were captured and some of them were killed.

Now, he's going to start from nothing again.

He put his pants on and combed his soaking wet hair with the use of his fingers. He was a full-built man, made perfect for such fine movements that qualify him to his sacred weapon.

From the right chest to the right groin area, there is an existing tattoo and that is the Noctis Umbra.

"Sire" Jonathan uttered.

The butlers of the Seigmund family are also threaders. Jonathan has the Falcon's eye; he can relocate him from a certain distance.

He can track his master and other hidden objects or even enemies easily.

While Vladimir has the power of speed and agility and Stephen has the power of enormous strength.

"You're peeking," Howard teased.

"That's a cringy idea, sire" Jonathan said solemnly as he bowed and saluted his master.

Prince Howard chuckled. "I prefer ladies," he said.

Another teasing laughter came from the prince.

Apparently, his phrases and expressions were relieving for his butler.

He seems to have a brighter and calmer mood after what happened. No trace of hysterias or any unstable reactions. Probably, it was the after-effect of Macromonia, it seems to tame him down for a while.

On the other hand,

Back to the Center Kingdom, the arrival of the other Royalties and nobles brings an intense sensation that causes a thrilling silence.

All gave their salute and greetings to the new emperor and to the 4 other nobles.

"We have prepared a beautiful presentation that will take place at the Middle ground garden." Prince Caster said. The Middle Ground Garden is the widest receiving area in the palace. It has enough space for hundreds of guests.

Everyone went to the location to watch the presentation.

Prince Caster went to the center of the Middle Ground Garden and greeted the people and then released his sacred weapon as it began.

"Atom Corpus," he said in sealing his weapon.

It is a tongue piercing that unleashes the power to transform into another form.

He turned into a beautiful phoenix that flaps its beautiful fiery wings. The wind that was supposed to hit the crowd was used by Princess Beatrice and made it into beautiful swirling tornados by the use of the Eastern Tempest, her sacred weapon.

Next, Princess Shannon uses her complex type sacred weapon, the Raven's Heart, and creates figures in the air that amuse the audience while Prince Caster retransforms himself into a vicious beast, Last but not least Prince Orion uses Metal Frost, his sacred weapon to create a perfect armor and weapon for the beast.

The final act was they had joined together to attack the Emperor.

Emperor Evan dodges the first attack and the second and the third.

They scattered, focusing on the emperor as their target rushing to kill him and break his body into pieces.

Sharp blades of wind fanned from the Eastern Tempest of Princess Beatrice while the beast continuously tried to catch him

Prince Orion provides chains and metal traps for him.

He manipulates metals and other materials and combines and merges them to create a destructible weapon or even release a whole new gear if he wants to. Metal frost is a blacksmith's sacred weapon.

Simultaneous with those attacks Princess Shannon makes little tricks to deceive him and those will direct the emperor to the prepared traps.

Everyone was amazed by what they were watching.

Sacred weapons really are a work of art in the hands of the right threader.

There is a loud applause, without even taking in mind that the prey was their own new emperor.

'Humans are the greatest beast' The imperial princess thought.

They made multiple perfect shots but still, nothing leaves a single scratch to the emperor.

"Leave the throne now" Princess Beatrice pointed the tip of her Eastern Tempest against Emperor Evan. Everyone united against him.

"How dare you point your weapon against me?" the emperor uttered.

"Whispering Paradox" he uttered, unsealing his sacred weapon.

The Whispering paradox is a rare type of sacred weapon.

"Gravity" he uttered and a strong force pulled the beast prince to the ground that he seemed to embrace and anchored himself to the floor. Prince Caster's weapon resealed back to normal and turned him back to being a human.

Prince Orion pulled a huge glaive and merged it into a blade for an ax hammer but before he was finished the emperor said. "Paralyze" and the young prince was unable to move.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Shannon saw this and were astonished.

The reason why the Great Emperor hid his second son was because he was his secret weapon.

He was the worst killing machine!

"Pain" he uttered and Princess Shannon shouted in extreme anguishing pain. She fell to the ground and cried for help.

Princess Beatrice is stunned with fear and falls on her knees trembling.

The Emperor walks towards her and pushes her head using his pointer finger.

"Sleep" and she fell unconscious on the ground.

"I won," he said and turned to leave.

Everyone was dumbfounded, not even one dared to speak.

"Sweet" Duke Oliver uttered with cold perspiration and weakening hands and knees.

No one dares to move or rather speak.

The imperial princess shook for a moment. "The New Emperor of the Silver Crest Empire..."

"The same power that almost killed father" she mumbled.

After a few minutes, the 4 nobles went to the 5th primary official.

"Oliver, You did not join the test," Prince Caster said with a limp body that is supported by Prince Orion. "We would have won if you helped," he said.

"No. We won't." The duke said.

"Besides, I already accepted him as my Emperor, eleven years ago," he said.

"I know, you wouldn't listen nor believe me if I told you so I let you see it for yourselves," Duke Cannon said and smiled.

Seeing him pinning down the previous emperor into the ground and being restrained by multiple assassins and threaders but still that was the first time that he saw fully what he is really capable of. It is all cleared and now he finally understands.

The party ended.

No one dares to speak anything or even tries to slander the new ruler.

Seems like the Whisper of the Whispering Paradox silences the uttering mouth of everyone.

The prince entered his room, he threw up blood but it was not from any wounds or injuries. It is from the usage of his sacred weapon. Such powers that no one can contain not even him and now it was lavish to mankind.

However, it is still incomplete and still not capable of it.