CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE PROPHECY

A bitter chill hung over the Spirit Kingdom, the harsh breeze from the south offering no respite. Under the oppressive grey sky, two cloaked figures made their way through the slum areas of the central town. The taller, broad-shouldered, older Spirit shielded the younger one from the glowing eyes that peered from dark alleyways.

Their path was a gauntlet of the obnoxious behaviour that plagued the town's depths.

Prince Makai kept his gaze on the ground, his dark emerald eyes avoiding any contact with the onlookers. He ignored their drunken taunts, his pace quickening at a whispered command from his companion, Leo.

"Brisk walk, Prince," Leo's deep voice murmured. Makai nodded, his focus unwavering.

Within ten minutes, they reached the edge of town, where an abandoned forest concealed a secret portal known only to the Spirit Royalty. This hidden escape route offered a swift passage to the Human World, a necessity when time was of the essence.

"Remind me again," Makai began, "why this elaborate charade? Wouldn't a simple portal be faster?"

Leo chuckled. "Her Majesty, the Queen, has her watchful eyes on you, Prince. Those 'bodyguards' she's assigned make it difficult to slip away unnoticed. We must maintain the illusion of a routine inspection."

"And this doesn't raise her suspicions?" Makai arched an eyebrow.

"Not in the slightest," Leo assured him. "To the Queen, this is just your Princely duty. However, it gives us the opportunity to investigate her motives in the Human World. Are you prepared for what we might find, Your Highness?"

"Don't underestimate me, Leo," Makai retorted with a faint grin. "I'm ready for anything. Though I must admit, you're quite the sly one."

Leo returned the grin. "After you, Your Highness."

Makai pressed a hidden button, and a red light turned blue as the portal activated. They stepped through, leaving the Spirit Kingdom behind. When they emerged, they found themselves in the familiar City of Eden. Makai's astonishment at the changes over the decades brought a smile to Leo's face. While the city had evolved, its essence remained the same.

Makai, however, soon returned to his usual stoicism. He led the way through the empty streets, his feet carrying him for two hours until he reached a solitary bench in a deserted park. He fell, his lifeless eyes fixed on the ground.

His mission to retrieve his estranged sister and restore his wounded pride was at the forefront of his mind, but buried memories of Eden tugged at his thoughts.

"The sunrise approaches, Your Highness," Leo gently reminded him. He understood the turmoil in the young Prince's heart. This city held bittersweet memories, the last remnants of a happy family before betrayal and loss had shattered their lives.

Makai watched the sun ascend, the memories flooding back: joyful laughter echoing through the castle halls, his sister's infectious optimism, the warmth of their father's love... and the dark cloud of the prophecy that had forever altered their destinies.

As the first light warmed Eden’s skyline, memories spilled unbidden…

***

The news of King Ferid's impending marriage to Lady Reza, a half-breed Spirit from the East, had electrified the Spirit Kingdom. It had been years since the tragic death of the late Queen during childbirth, leaving the young king a widower and the Kingdom without a mother for their treasured Princess Mika and her twin brother, the ill-fated Prince Makai.

The Kingdom had rejoiced at the prospect of their beloved king finding happiness once more. Preparations for a grand wedding had commenced, filling the castle with a flurry of activity.

One morning, tiny feet echoed through the castle's halls. Mika, a whirlwind of energy at six, raced to the kitchen's back door, eager to reach the Royal Manor behind the castle. She knew she'd find her favourite person there. She couldn't wait to share the fantastic news she'd heard from their nanny.

In the manor's dimly lit library, Makai sat immersed in a thick book, oblivious to the world around him. The light tapping on the door grew more insistent.

"Makai, open up! I know you're in there!"

Makai sighed, reluctantly setting aside his book and opening the door. Mika immediately launched into his arms, her infectious laughter filling the hallway.

"Alright, alrighty! That's enough, Mika," Makai chuckled, gently prying his sister off him. She skipped into the library, her usual chatter replaced by a sly grin.

Makai raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Are you excited?"

"About?"

"About the upcoming wedding, silly!"

Makai's shoulders tensed. Mika noticed the shift in his demeanour. "Makai, be honest. Are you against Father's engagement?"

"No," Makai sighed, his eyes drifting to a portrait of their late mother whom they'd never met; a female Spirit with a sweet smile, a beautiful yellow gown and a small crown on her head. She had long scarlet hair and light emerald eyes.

"Father has been working hard all these years to protect us. He deserves some happiness as well. Someone who can comfort and love and always be there for him…"

"But?"

"I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen."

Mika's hand rested on his shoulder. "I feel it too. But I trust Father. And I think Mother would be happy for him. So we should be too."

Makai envied his sister's optimism. As the future Queen, she had a clear path ahead of her. But the prophecy surrounding him, a dark cloud over his future, cast a shadow on his heart.

Makai pushed aside these thoughts, reminding himself of his father and sister's love. Before doubt could creep back in, he flicked Mika on the forehead and bolted towards the door.

"Hey!" Mika cried, chasing after him. "That hurts, stupid!"

"It's your fault for not dodging it, slowpoke!" His laughter echoed through the halls. "Keep up or else we'll be late for dinner!"

***

King Ferid cherished his family above all. Though duty had forced him to live apart from his children, he insisted on sharing meals with them at the manor, accompanied by his trusted bodyguard and friend, Leo.

One evening, Ferid was unusually quiet during dinner. Leo noticed the king's unease with his silver hair and easy smile.

"Your Majesty," Leo inquired, a hint of concern in his voice, "You seem preoccupied. Is everything alright?"

The twins' eyes darted between their father and Leo, worry etched on their faces. Ferid met Leo's gaze with a faint smile.

"Children, I want to assure you again that my upcoming marriage won't change anything between us. We will continue to share our meals, won't we, Advisor Leo?"

Leo winked at the twins. "Only if the prince and princess desire my company."

"Of course we do!" they chorused, their worries momentarily forgotten. “You’re family, Uncle Leo!”

"Well, you heard them loud and clear," Ferid chuckled. “It’s an order.”

Leo smiled warmly at the twins. "Then, I shall continue dining here as always."

The conversation shifted to the wedding, and the twins' excitement contrasted with the underlying tension that lingered in the air.

***

Their first meeting with Lady Reza had been pleasant enough. She had been kind and attentive and had treated Makai with the same warmth as Mika, a stark contrast to the cold reception he often received from others due to the prophecy. Makai dared to hope Reza could be the mother figure they both longed for.

The wedding day arrived, a grand affair filled with celebration. The twins were happy for their father, and Makai was relieved that the prophecy hadn't overshadowed the joyous occasion.

However, as the days turned into weeks, subtle changes began to appear in Reza's behaviour. Her kindness seemed to fade, replaced by a coldness that sent shivers down Makai's spine.

A week before the twins' seventh birthday, Makai's unease grew as grand preparations were underway for their celebration. The disparity in gifts between him and Mika, the lavish attention showered upon the princess while he received only a few tokens from those closest to him, fueled a growing sense of resentment.

One morning, as the twins sat at the breakfast table with Reza, Mika eagerly asked,

"Reza, may we please go to the town after breakfast?"

Reza looked down at her, eyes icy cold.

"Why would you want to mingle with the riffraffs in town? You're a Princess. You should act like one and be associating with those of your own stature."

Mika's excitement deflated. "But… but I want to visit the kind lady at the bakery. She always gives us free treats whenever we come…"

Reza slammed her spoon on the table, her voice dripping with disdain.

“A princess does not fraternise with the lower classes,” she snapped. “You sneak off to mingle with street rats—do you know how disgraceful that is? From now on, you are forbidden to step outside of this castle and must concentrate more on your studies.”

Mika's eyes welled with tears, and she clung to Makai's sleeve under the table. Makai, his protective instincts flaring, glared at Reza.

With a huff of annoyance, Reza rose from her seat.

"Spoiled brats," she muttered, before storming out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Makai comforted his sister as best he could, hoping Reza's harshness was just a temporary lapse in judgement. But deep down, a seed of doubt had been planted.

***

The day of their seventh birthday arrived. While Mika was swept up in the excitement of the castle's festivities, Makai remained in the shadows, his unease growing with each passing moment. The parade through town was a stark reminder of his isolation. He marched at the back of the procession, surrounded by guards, away from his father and sister.

Makai knew his father opposed this arrangement, but the council insisted on it for everyone's safety. The prophecy had painted Makai as a potential threat, and they couldn't risk anything happening to the king or princess.

As the evening wore on, Makai was alone in a corner of the grand ballroom, surrounded by his ever-present guards. The sound of laughter and music reached him, but he felt isolated, a stranger in his home.
Leo approached, his warm smile fading as he noticed a damp spot on Makai's tunic.

"What happened, Your Highness?" Makai looked away, shame washing over him.

"It was an accident," he mumbled. "Someone spilled their drink on me."

"Let's get you cleaned up, yes?" Offering his hand, Leo led him away from the public, with trails of the Prince's knights following behind them.

Leo's brow furrowed. He knew Makai was often the target of scorn and ridicule from the nobles who believed the prophecy. He led the young Prince away to change, his mind racing with suspicion.

"What exactly happened to you, Your Highness? Who has done this to you?" Leo asked, waiting for the Prince to change in the dressing room of his private chamber. The rest of the Knights were ordered to stand outside the chamber.

"I told you, it was just an accident," Makai began undoing his shirt and stripping. Leo reached for the new, clean shirt and handed it to the Prince. "A nobleman was laughing so hard when I happened to pass by. One of the guards accidentally knocked his elbow, and his drink spilt a bit on me."

Leo frowned deeply. Even if that was the case, it seemed very hard for him to believe that the nobleman was not aware of the Prince's presence, what with the heavily secured guards surrounding him.

What's more, if that nobleman was Lord Frawaltz, who bore a deep hatred toward the innocent Prince for his ill-fated prophecy. Amongst all the noblemen, Lord Frawaltz seemed to be the most provocative when voicing his opinion regarding the Prince, which led Ferid to make a desperate decision to separate their living quarters.

Sighing deeply, Leo turned to look at the Prince, who had changed into new formal attire.

The festivities continued, but the incident cast a pall over Makai's spirits.

***

The following days brought more changes. Mika was now confined to the castle under Reza's strict tutelage, and their time together dwindled. Makai watched his sister's Spirit slowly wither under Reza's harsh regime. He felt powerless to help her, trapped by the prophecy and expectations of being the ‘ill-fated prince’.

Tensions in the Kingdom peaked when Vulcan, the Great Oracle, the king of all birds, was summoned to the castle.

"We welcome you, the King of all birds, Vulcan the Great Oracle, to our humble land!"

Vulcan flew into the Audience Chamber and made a graceful entrance in front of the Royal members and the rest of the Royal Court Councils.

"Your Royal Highnesses," Vulcan lowered its head at them. "I am very honoured to be here. Thank you for inviting me over."

"Arise your head, Vulcan the Great Oracle," Ferid ordered with a wide smile. "Please tell us the future of this great Kingdom."

Lifting its head, Vulcan opened his colourless pale grey eyes. It then spoke in a gentle voice, in a riddle:

"A prosperous land, destined to bring greatness,
One child is born to fulfil a great destiny, another is born to destroy the world,
Like infants, they carried heavy fate weights upon their shoulders,
To the unknown world, filled with challenges and despair,
Destiny and Fate clash with the sound of metals,
What lies beyond one's reach is a mystery slowly unfolding,
Only with courage, bravery and a heart of gold,
Could One strive to achieve the prophecy's goal,
Knowing right and wrong, only then,
will the One be able to go to that place called 'Paradise'."

"Hold on!" one of the Councilmen rose from his seat. "What nonsense are you speaking of, bird? You were supposed to read us the future of this Kingdom!"

Another Councilman stood up. "That's right! Tell us this Kingdom's real future or else—"

"Silence! Both of you," Ferid stood from his seat, glaring at the rude councilmen who shivered under his sharp gaze.

Vulcan shook its head sadly. Slowly flapping its golden wings, the gigantic bird flew around the Audience Chamber, leaving specks of gold dust trails.

"Mankind's most tremendous lust knows no boundaries,
Faith and loyalty shall be challenged,
However strong a force is, the stronger it is in the hearts of those bonds over love and peace,
Live, and One shall die,
Choices are given, not made alone,
Bound together by a foretold destiny,
What lies ahead? Even the Great Vulcan could no longer predict,
However trials that were given,
fun should One experience them,
Life's lessons are in the palm of One's hands and in the hearts of bonds,
Not in the head, nor the book of Knowledge,"

After the last riddles were read, Vulcan, the Great Oracle, vanished in sparks of light and was never seen again. The prophecy earlier caused a great uproar of confusion amongst the councilmen. Everyone knew Vulcan, the Great Oracle, never lied, nor had he ever made any mistakes about his predictions.

As Ferid lay on his bed that night, many thoughts ran through his mind. One of which he recalled was a short riddle regarding the Kingdom that was read by Vulcan many years ago before the twins were born:

"This Kingdom shall be ruled by a prosperous and courageous King,
Combined two very different cultures into one,
Filled with fortunes and never-ending glories,
One who bore the responsibilities shall be born as a Female,
To achieve such accomplishment,
Prices shall be made,
To the never-ending glories."

Ferid, however, clung to hope. He remembered a previous prophecy from Vulcan that had foretold his destiny as a king who would unite two worlds. Though ominous, he believed this new prophecy could also hold a glimmer of hope for his children.

But Fate had other plans.