As the midday sun shone over the palace courtyard, the people of the Land of Angels had already filled the grounds for the ceremony.The crowd had even spilled beyond the palace walls.
The people waited with great excitement, eager to witness Michael's blessing.
For the ceremony, the entire royal family had taken their places upon the marble steps—princes, princesses, and nobles alike.
All eyes turned toward the throne at the top.
The king rose to his feet.
With a dignified smile on his face, he raised his hand and addressed the crowd:
"Today is a sacred day! Today, we reaffirm our devotion to Michael's light. For thousands of years, the holy spear has protected us, increased our prosperity, and kept demons far from our gates. And today… my daughter, Koharu, will swear her oath of loyalty before Michael. Once again, Michael will bless these lands."
The square erupted with applause and prayers.
The king continued, his voice filled with pride:
"My people! These heavenly lands are a gift, a sign of Michael's satisfaction with us. The oath made today will rise to him… and he will not withhold his light from us!"
The crowd responded in unison:
"May Michael bless us! May Michael protect us!"
Trumpets sounded.
The courtyard fell silent in an instant.
The royal herald's voice rang out:
"Princess Koharu! Step forward before Michael's Spear!"
All eyes turned to her.
Koharu began to walk.
Her steps were heavy.
Her silk dress trailed across the marble floor, its golden embroidery catching the light.
But she…
Saw nothing.
She stopped at the top of the steps.
The spear stood before her.
The light… was blinding.
Yet something stirred within her.
A sense of unease.
She knelt.
Placed her hands upon the altar.
The cold marble…
Trembled, ever so slightly.
The high priest spoke:
"The first vow."
Koharu took a breath.
"My name and my lineage belong to the light…"
Golden rings formed around her.
The crowd murmured in admiration.
"The second vow."
"My hands and my shadow shall serve the peace of this land…"
The light grew.
Brighter.
Denser.
And then…
Koharu saw it.
At the heart of the light…
A tiny distortion.
Just for a moment.
So subtle it could easily be missed.
But she did not miss it.
The stain grew.
Slowly…
It twisted.
It moved.
This…
Was not light.
Koharu's heart began to race.
"No…"
She glanced toward the crowd.
No one saw it.
No one.
And then—
It separated from the spear.
Koharu's heart pounded.
"What… is that?"
She looked again.
No one.
No one saw anything.
The high priest shouted:
"The final vow!"
Koharu's voice trembled.
"My heart, my soul, and—"
She stopped.
The darkness—
Shot forward like an arrow.
And pierced her heart.
Her breath caught.
Cold.
Like ice sinking beneath her skin.
The crowd cheered in excitement:
"The princess is being blessed!""The sign has appeared!"
Koharu's eyes widened.
"This… isn't a blessing."
This…
Was a mark.
The high priest shouted:
"Finish the oath!"
The king stood:
"Complete it!"
But now, Koharu was certain.
This light…
Was not pure.
She pulled her hands away from the altar.
The light—
Shattered.
The golden rings broke apart.