The General stepped forward, his voice rising through the enchanted amplifiers that hung above the stadium.
"People of the Aquaris Naiadae Empire… rise."
A wave of movement swept across the capital as every citizen stood. Light shimmered across the massive crystal screens, focusing on the entrance archway. The entire city seemed to hold its breath as the glow intensified, casting ripples of blue light across the sky.
"First… behold the daughter of the rising ocean… the jewel of the royal line… the heart of the empire… Princess Aqualina Naiadia."
The door opened… but with a burst of living water shaped into a towering arc of blue light.
And through it, she stepped.
