The Heralding

The ceremonial bells rang loud and clear above the howling storm that swept curtains of snow across the palace grounds.

Occasionally, strong gusts of wind struck the dome-shaped barrier covering the grand amphitheater. Inside, nobles settled on tiered seats that rose in a broad curvature around a magnificent stage. Sacred relics lay upon the altar, among a delicate arrangement of flowers and candles at the center, while incense drifted along with the crisp scent of evergreen.

Even when winter besieged its walls, the Royal Palace endured as a fortress of worship. Traditional rites were enacted, then emerged an ensemble in embellished garments bearing the royal family’s emblematic motif. Hushed reverence descended on the audience. At the entrance of the gods' most blessed, the five Divine Vessels, the fabric of reality separating mortal and divine seemed to fray thin.

Aya looked towards the people who had gathered for the Threshold Crossing Feast.

‘It’s finally here.’ Her fingers curled around the hem of her sleeves. ‘The Heralding is different from the Anointing. This isn't just a performance. This is a ritual, a dedication for the new year. This is a prayer.’

Her heart beat loudly in the pious silence. She thought of all those who had been with her throughout the year—those who'd taught her when she didn't understand, those who’d encouraged her when she wanted to give up, those who'd supported her until the end. Her chest swelled with emotions at the memories. They came so naturally that she almost smiled.

‘Unlike in books, there are things in life that can't simply be put into words, so I pray…’

“Now and always, protecting you is my priority.” She remembered how Cassian had regarded her with a gaze bound by duty. “Do as you deem necessary. Whatever path you choose, I shall remain by your side and see you safely through it.”

“I am aggrieved that you should once again deal in deceit. However, it is the new year, after all.” She imagined the smile Romina would offer her out of genuine care rather than plain courtesy. “If this is to be the last, it ought to make it more meaningful.”

“Perhaps, nothing has to change,” Shade had told her when all had been said. “There is no shame in feeling scared, nor in aiming to be perfect. You will never be rid of those who tell you to be different, but you need not change yourself merely to satisfy their expectations. Should you choose to grow, let it be because you want to and not because you believe who you are now is unworthy. Be afraid, if you must. Strive, if you wish. Seek perfection if your heart compels you. Simply remember that you are no less deserving when you fall short. You are fine as you are, Aya.”

She took a slow breath, a faint smile touching her lips. ‘...So, I pray these feelings reach everyone.’

Music played, and she stepped towards the platform —

Rather, “Princess Hiraya” did.

With poise, with confidence, she graced the stage.

“That is...Princess Hiraya...?”

“My, she grows more beautiful by the day.”

“The Dreamweaver Princess…”

“Oh, how I wish I could see her magic again!”

Awed whispers rippled through the crowd.

No one knew it’s an illusion, and for now, that’s for the best. Aya, accompanied by Romina and Cassian, remained hidden out of sight. It’s regrettable that all those rehearsals had been for naught, but the situation demanded it. Besides, she still needed to practice to ensure compliance with the procedures.

‘If I were there, I would’ve been so nervous about a possible threat I’d probably mess up,’ she grimaced despite herself. ‘Everyone worked very hard. I can't ruin things for them, can I?’

The formation was flawless.

The Heralding had begun, and the Divine Vessels had taken their positions. In the stillness of twilight, a single, sustained note carried through the air. It wasn’t the sharp cadence of a chant, but a long, liquid harmony that flowed. Hiraya and the others had started singing the invocation. At the hallowed tune, the place itself seemed to bow and kneel.

The ensemble would serve as the divine pantheon embodying the fundamental forces of nature. They would not merely dance. They would awaken their domains.

Taking the lead was Gabriel, the Divine Vessel of Water chosen by Irsedaquor, whose transcendent form, Irosque, was the Harbinger of Spring.

He whirled continuously like a current, almost without stopping. Ahead of him, a column of green light manifested before curving into an arch.

Following right after was Enzo, the Divine Vessel of Fire chosen by Rhomignische, whose transcendent form, Hischer, was the Harbinger of Summer.

His movements were keen and commanding, mostly composed of percussive gestures. In his path, an arch of light sparked to life, shining red.

Next came Drystan, the Divine Vessel of Earth chosen by Thaeusmund, whose transcendent form, Dhesma, was the Harbinger of Autumn.

His strides had the inexorable weight of a mountain, his footwork slow and grounded. Before him blossomed a luminous arch of orange light.

Then entered Aiden, the Divine Vessel of Wind chosen by Lihnventhus, whose transcendent form, Eliuste, was the Harbinger of Winter.

He leapt and spun and glided, sweeping through the space. Right in front of him loomed an arch of light that cast a purple glow.

Lastly, as the Divine Vessel of Darkness chosen by Lumaianeia, whose transcendent form, Aunea, was the Harbinger of Dusk, Hiraya danced with the shadowy allure of a moonflower, bringing to existence an arch of black light.

“No single element brings forth life. It is born from the harmony of all five,” was basically what the ritual was about.

The arches of light symbolized the thresholds opened by the Divine Vessels to welcome the new year. Now, the ensemble had to pass through it and meet at the center. There, their individual movements would culminate into one unified choreography.

Aya controlled Hiraya with intense focus, a nervous lump in her throat. A constantly shifting illusion required grueling precision, though it’s hardly uncommon for her at this point. Romina and Cassian watched from behind, impressed yet again by the staggering intricacy of the magic.

“Try as I might,” the knight said, “I can never get used to this.”

“Quite so,” the maid replied. “You share the same sentiment as I.”

“Just how can it sing?”

“And dance like that?”

“How does it even move?”

“It does rather perfectly, too.”

Her familiar beamed. “My mistress is the Dreamweaver Princess, after all!”

‘...I can't concentrate.’

For some reason, Aya was starting to lose hold of Hiraya—a misstep here, a slip-up there. It’s inconspicuous, but still, she couldn't possibly be that distracted. It was not because of the background noise. In fact, she’d done this in far less favorable conditions. The illusion itself was somewhat off.

‘The stage…’ 

It was uneven. That was odd.

Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. Since Hiraya was a mirage, it neither noticed the veering lines that crawled on the ground nor sensed the encroaching danger as the stone fractured and collapsed into a deep chasm. She almost cried out as the platform crumbled.

Hiraya fell.

“HIRAYA!”

Aiden lunged for her as soon as he realized. Gabriel stood stunned for a second before taking off running as well. Both were the closest to her. However, the gap was too big, the stage too wide. She disappeared into the depths, as though devoured by the void, while chunks of rock rolled after her.

The music stopped abruptly, and screams of terror took its place.

“Her Highness…!”

“Princess Hiraya!”

“T-The princess is gone!”

“What is happening over there?!”

Palace knights launched into action, on high alert, while temple attendants scrambled to and fro. Enzo peered over the edge, then released a burst of flame that illuminated the pitch-black hollow. There’s no trace of Hiraya. Aiden, trying as well, summoned a blast of wind that cleared away the dust, but still nothing.

"Can you see her?!" 

"She is not here!"

“Where is she?!"

‘Oh no, oh no, oh no!’ Aya, who was safe and sound with Romina and Cassian, panicked as everyone searched for Hiraya without knowing the illusion had unraveled the moment its weak spots touched concrete. ‘This is bad! They’re gonna think I went missing!’

“Move away from there!” Gabriel suddenly shouted.

Another wave of shock and horror hit the crowd. A group of hooded men climbed up from the opposite side of the hole where Aya had fallen. The boys froze as the same people from underground with Chrysander showed up.

It was the Pureblood Covenant

“There are attackers! Protect the princes! Find the princess!”

Magic spells flew in all directions, and steel clashed against steel. Chaos erupted as the hooded men charged toward the audience seats. The royal guards, more or less, hauled the princes to safety. Drystan refused to leave. Aiden also wanted to keep searching. Enzo, aware of the danger, was about to protest when he noticed Gabriel staring at something overhead.

“It’s worse than last night.”

Dense, bruised clouds blotted out the sky while a mass of snow swirled into a gargantuan vortex that grew larger and larger by the second.

Then came a bolt of lightning so powerful that the entire place shook, and people fell to their knees as thunder rumbled. The barrier broke in an instant, plunging the Royal Palace into darkness. All that remained was snow, wind, and lightning, as though nature's wrath had been unleashed to rip the world asunder.

And amid the raging storm, Lorenz stood seething with fury.