His curly hair just grazed his shoulders, clad in his conscription attire; military regalia with a sash across his chest, the imposing youth strutted across the street. He had never been to the capital and knew not where the Academy orientation was taking place but he did not need to, the streets were in a buzz as a long line of people made their way towards a certain direction. Amidst these people, some were dressed in clothes very much like those of Azrael, they also wore the same face veil he did or covered their faces in different manners; it was part of tradition as the emperor's new men.
The Muscat empire conscripted soldiers of age and of sufficient talent or sufficient nobility into it's ranks specifically to become apostles. These apostles would then fight in the name of the empire as well as the two guardian deities that ruled over the empire; known only by their respective domains of War and Justice. After service lasting 3 years where most found themselves dying in the borders of the East, apostles were allowed free reign depending on their power but they had to respond to the empire if so called upon. Of course this did not apply to the Crowned and those stronger. At that level, they were offered amazing benefits or coerced in some other way.
Despite how different the populace of the capital looked, they did not show much displeasure towards the darker toned Azrael walking amongst them. He was an Apostle! Furthermore, people felt a paradoxical gravitation and reverence to the young man. It overrode their prejudice. Of course it had been many years, perhaps a century or two, since the surrounding nations fell to the Empire in conquest, so they had had their fair share of living with the barbarians. Especially with the upper echelons of the churches of Justice and War as well as the emperor being eager to assimilate the people and push for a holy war; they had to hide their biases.
Azrael passed through the crowded plaza through a route cleared for the soon to be apostles. They were differentiated from the masses by the regalia they received when they got the order to present themselves. Throngs of people had come...why? They hoped to see the gods among men that would soon be walking amongst them. Of course some came in hopes to acquaint themselves with the Empire's new arrows - it was an event that happened every 4 years. At least on a scale as large as this. But the biggest reason they showed up was in hopes of seeing his Majesty the Emperor.
In the middle of the square plaza was a large gothic cathedral with a dark spire that rose up against the heavens. The building was larger than life, more than 300 metres wide and far longer. The doors of the grand building were closed and laid out before it rows and rows of chairs with many already filled. Azrael sat down as soon as he found an empty seat. Many abhorred the burn from the sun but Azrael thrived in it. He enjoyed its embrace. The apostles to be were enclosed off from the crowd by a fence of soldiers wielding guns.
Azrael checked his watch, there was about 20 minutes before the ceremony officially began. He leisurely reclined on his chair. The man beside him, likely in his twenties broke the silence.
"You must be excited...huh? I know I am. " he bellowed with a laugh turning to look at the girl beside him who nodded perfunctorily in response.
" Yes I am very excited" Azrael said curtly
'Excited for what. Being forced to fight. I swear I can never do what I want. Although I have been waiting to start using my blessing.'
The man was about to say something else before he heard the sounds of trumpets. All the people cast their gazes to the sky, atop the spire. The airships in the sky almost blotted out the sun as they hang above the plaza, a sweet relief to some.
" The Emperor has arrived ! " A voice sounded as a dark figure outlined itself against the spire. Everyone bowed. Not out of respect, it was an intrinsic reaction. It was the responses of their mortal bodies before a grand existence. A crushing pressure swallowed the plaza. This was the difference between their orders of life!!!
It was surely a bit ironic that people came to see the emperor only just to bow their heads in reverence. But the people seemed to enjoy it.
' I'd wager the emperor puts on this whole show for that very reason - admiration'
Azrael was no different he too had his head buried. He could not resist it and he did not intend to do so either way.
' Let's hear what our dear tyrant has to say' Azrael cheekily muttered to himself