1 Chapter 1 : The Broken Torch
The moon shone as clouds hung over the arches of the great castle amidst it all a giant tower stood with a huge torch bowl on top. It is said that Prometheus lit the flames before the gods disappeared as a final hope for humanity. The Flare city was still bustling with activity despite it being an odd hour. In the top reaches of the tower against the harsh fire of the forge, a young boy struggled to lift his hammer to strike the hot iron. Yet despite his best efforts, he struggled to lift the giant hammer and strike the red hot iron. As he wipes the sweat from his brow he hears a knock on the door
"It is time, young prince", said an old man as he entered the room.
"I am not ready Alfred, its too soon. I can't even lift this hammer let alone craft complex weapons ", said the young kid. Black veins could be seen running all across his arms as he rolled down his sleeves.
"I know the accident where the frost-snake bones poisoned your arms took a toll on you, Young master Williams but the emperor needs your presence. You have to be there as your forefathers did, on his sixteenth birthday."
Williams smiled halfheartedly and replied "Yes, my ancestors have all served the Nyx empire well. I have already sacrificed my arms and my father for it What more does it need from me, What more can I give?"
"Young prince now is not the time to grieve, Our families survival depends on what you do "
"So what ? should I rot for the rest of my incompetent life slaving away in their dungeons until they realize I am of no use and force me to do the impossible as they did with my father? "
"There is no use arguing, Young Prince, the emperor has promised to heal your arms or replace them using alchemy"
"I am sorry Alfred, can you get my tools and prepare the carriage? " Williams said as he disrobed and walked into the bathhouse.
"Yes my prince ", the butler left after placing the neat ornate clothes of the prince on the table.
The medicine country Veni was founded when the son of Apollo and the daughter of Hera got married and decided to settle down. It was said to be the peak of alchemy in all of the Nyx empire.
Inside a storage room, a small boy could be seen searching through various boxes.
"Where did I keep experiment 72? Leo can you find it for me ?" asked the young boy.
"My prince you burned all the experiments 1-250 because you thought they might be contaminated"
"Is that so? can you find my journal then? the one marked with II?"
"Prince Carl? ", the assistant called as he handed the prince the journal
"Do you think you will be alright in the Dawnbreak fortress? I have heard many strange tales from there since the young emperor welcomed Seline"
"Leo, that only increases my desire to go and satiate my curiosity"
"But Prince His majesty said that you don't have to go this time, The young emperor is weak, and the gods are long gone. No one can force us to work there anymore "
"Leo, maybe there will come a day when you will understand why the empire functions the way it does. As for my father, he has always been jealous of my skill and only wants a sufficient reason to kill me ".
"I don't need a reason to kill you carl. Don't think your poison will me stop my actions"
"Your majesty, "said Leo looking shocked.
"Dear Father you only need to tolerate me for a few more days and you will soon meet your fate after all when I leave to the fortress no one will know how to cure my poison "
"My son, the capital won't be as forgiving as I am when it comes to how you use your craft please take care," The king said, taking out a dagger.
Warmblood started flowing from a small slit in the king's throat. He smiled as if he was happy to welcome the sweet release of death.
"Clean that up, Leo. I don't want his foul blood to contaminate my precious experiments. Why do
they always choose to die in my room don't they have the rest of the castle to do it? Although it is true I did ask my mom to come here. But she could have chosen a less messy way to die couldn't she ?"
Leo started cleaning the area and moving a large number of boxes away while being afraid of the child standing in front of him.
Carl slipped into his comfy pajamas as he stretched and got ready to sleep
In what looked like a cathedral a small girl with white eyes could be seen kneeling, there was no statue in front of her and no one knew to whom she was praying to. She stood up quietly and stumbled across a table that held a candle. she almost fell when a young knight caught her he said "My lady Sylvie please be careful "
"It's alright Ralph, I still have my arms and legs and my eyes have long become accustomed to the darkness they see "
" If only those damn Luxurians didn't try to attack you, you could have even become the emperor's consort "
" Ralph if the emperor desires he can still do anything my crippled body can still serve him well, "she said as she slowly touched her face
"My lady it's time we left for the Captial our borders have long become weak after Kaisers the third's death "
"Alright, Prepare the carriages. Let me inform the head priest that I am leaving tomorrow. If only the gods could see the destruction they would cause maybe they wouldn't have left but who knows maybe they knew and yet chose to leave or maybe they left because they knew we will never know as long as the gods don't return. "
