The entire Origin academy was thrown into chaos the moment they saw the Royal Army in the school. It was supposed to be the day they were to start heading to their homes. What could have happened? The headmaster was alerted and he personally welcomed them incoming army of around 50.
He waited as they landed one by one before him.
"May I ask what is the purpose of you uninformed visit?" The headmaster asked. It was not common to have the army. Let alone without a prior notice.
"General Morris here. It has come to my attention that Princess Aurora is missing. I am here as an envoy of the Fourth Prince to inquire about her situation. We would like to see her and make sure she is safe," the general said calmly not in the slightest afraid of the the intimidating headmaster's gaze.
"I have not received any report of anything that has happened out of place," the headmaster said his face plain showing no changes.
"Then it is not an issue for us to see her," the general said and the headmaster nodded in return as he led the way into the academy.
They reached the headmaster's office in no time and they found a kid with reddish black hair around the age of sixteen. It appeared he had something to report something. But his issue was dismissed as a more important guest was there.
He left reluctantly and as he was about to leave, the headmaster called him by name.
"Reynolds, I want you to call princess Aurora for us. Make it quick," he said and Rey turned to look at them who then glared at him. He dared be disobedient.
Rey felt his legs shaking and it was difficult to keep his calm at the presence of the two with unfathomable strength. He stuttered as he tried his best to keep his calm.
"They have been missing since last night. I think they were running away from someone. They were weird and before they left, I peeked and my friend was injured and before I could inquire, they disappeared," Rey said taking in a deep breath.
The silence that followed felt like a mountain on his shoulder. The atmosphere was stifling and he could not even breath. He could feel their glares at him. He was about to go down on his knees when the headmaster spoke again.
"Why are you reporting this only now?" One could hear the hidden rage in those word. Rey thought he was saved but he fell down on his knees and it became even harder to even raise his head.
He almost lashed out at them. Were they not the ones who had sent him away? The headmaster had just arrived and he already had a guest.
"I was here the entire night," Rey managed to squeeze out the words as the pressure he felt suddenly disappeared and he quickly stood up.
***
What happened next was that the school was closed. Those who were ready to leave for home were startled when they heard no one was going to leave until Princess Aurora was found.
The search party was released and even the most powerful students were released for the search. The trails all led to the forest and as they combed through the forest, they found nothing in the first day.
The second day was somehow fruitful and they found bodies in traps. This was a shocking incident. It was obvious that these were not traps to kill wild animals but were specifically designed for those inside them. Their bodies were pale but were yet to start rotting as they still preserved some energy.
The news was reported to the headmaster and then information was later sent back to the palace. When the fourth prince learnt of this information, not only was his entire chamber destroyed, but also the rumbles were turned to dust!
This scene was shocking. The emperor was also alerted and was forced to make an appearance. The fourth prince glared at his father.
"You won't stop me this time. I must go look for my daughter," he said and walked past his father who only raised his hand and the fourth prince was stopped. He felt his legs leave the ground and an invisible sac-like barrier was lifting him up.
"I will send you to seclusion for two years so you can reflect on your mistakes," the emperor said and this aroused the Fourth Prince's anger.
"Father. You are not going to stop me this time!" He shouted and closed his eyes.
There was a sudden surge of an invisible wave of power that surrounded the entire palace and there was the sound of glass shattering. It was the barrier that cracked and he landed on the ground with his eyes closed.
The First Prince who was right behind his father was shocked.
"The Fourth Prince... He..." Not he alone was shocked. Other onlookers were shocked more than him. After all, it was commons sense that the emperor was the most powerful in the palace.
The Fourth Prince shattering the barrier was unexpected. Just how strong had he grown? The First Prince was the most shocked. His brother was too powerful and had surpassed him. But everyone knew that fighting back against the emperor was the same as rebelling.
Even the emperor was slightly shocked as he glanced his son, a smile appearing. It appeared that soon the Fourth Prince was going to be the strongest person in the palace and probably the empire!
The Fourth Prince raised his head and his eyes appeared to have a red glow in them. Those who met his gaze instantly felt suffocated as some even fell on their knees.
"Apologies Your Majesty but I will be leaving without permission," he said and started started levitating.
"You have taken the right path but you are still far from matching you father. I will be punishing you into seclusion for ten years so you can reflect on your mistakes," the Emperor said with an Icy tone that sent shivers down everyone's spine.
He raised his hand again and the Fourth Prince was dragged into the Emperor's hand as he held him by the neck lifting him up like he weighed nothing. The Fourth Prince stared at his father with different emotions.
Rage, fear and of course, helplessness. Which all turned to one pleading look.
"Please, I am begging you Father. I need to find my daughter," he said helplessly hoping using the paternal word could pull his heartstrings.
The Emperor was expressionless as he waved his other hand and in an instant, the Fourth Prince was sent flying to a faraway mountain where he was going to be banished for ten years.
His voice was loud as he screamed calling his father but none of his pleas reached the emperor. This was the Emperor. Among the most powerful in the Empire. He just proved just how he easily dealt the the intimidating Fourth Prince and the onlookers could only take in shallow breaths not to alert him. He whispered something to the Crown Prince and then left unbothered.
As they watched him walk away, only his lonely back could speak something. They bowed and he later on disappeared.
***
One week passed and there were no more trails in the forest. They had even followed the fake trails Alaric had left but they were useless. Some fell for the traps getting heavily injured. Luckily, no one died. There was only one possibility as they concluded. They were no longer in this place. It was the first day of the second week when they decided to move on to the nearby regions.
Rewards were offered for anyone who knew any whereabouts or any usefeul information. The picture of Alaric was spread and also of Aurora. And by the end of the first week, it was obvious that everyone knew of the two missing teenagers.
At the same time, the information reached a veiled lady with orangish eyes and fiery hair. She stared at the image of the two and the reward was huge. Even providing any information could give someone a reward.
All those in the room were waiting for her decision and she agreed to give the information to the local authorities. She smiled as she tore the picture into two symmetrical parts. She wanted to throw the girl's picture away but she decided against it.
Later, she put the two pictures on a wall in her room. She could not help but take a look at the two. The girl was especially beautiful even rivaling some immortals. It was only factual that she would get more beautiful as she grew older and stronger.
The guy was different though. He sure was one day going to be the most handsome man in the future. When she realized that her thoughts had trailed off, she could not help it as a blush creeped on her cheeks. Luckily, the veil was covering her cheeks no one could see it. She alone in the first place.
Why was she even thinking about such. She locked the door behind and left to have a break and take in some fresh air and distract herself. As she walked out, she could not help but mutter some words beneath the veil.
"If we Have fate, we shall meet again soon. I will not look for you."