sanctuary

The following year went similar to the first year. It was just that Tenno would be taught in the mornings together with other kids in a small hall how to control his abilities, but also etiquettes and such things that were important in the palace.

The same festivals were held, he met Sunset, trained with Mori and chatted with Ichigo and chief Bang.

The year want smooth. He turned ten years old, and when the third year rolled in, a change took place. 500 kids were dismissed from their jobs. Mori and Tenno were some of those kids.

They would still live with their guardians, but were told to come to a hall in the royal palace to receive their instructions.

Tenno had a hunch, however, he wasn't sure. He vaguely remembered that the king and Sunset had hinted at this change. That something big would happen, which would result in him being more involved with the people of the palace and even the royals.

"Are you scared?" asked Sunset as they sat in their usual place in the library.

"... A bit."

"Understandable."

"Mori asked me to ask you something."

"Okay."

"What do you think about him?"

"That's a hard question... He seems very kind and calm."

"Seems?"

"Well, I don't really know him. It feels somewhat superficial."

"So you're not interested in him."

She glared at Tenno, her face a little pale. Sunset had only grown very little while Tenno almost grew like a bamboo sprout. It looked a little strange when they stood or sat together.

"I am interested in someone else."

"Oh."

"... You won't ask?"

"Do you want me to ask?"

"No."

"Then I won't."

"Bur does it interest you?"

"Greatly."

"Then why not ask?"

He scratched his head. "But you said... I... I want to respect you chices and opinions."

"Wow, that sounds so mature. Are you really only ten and a bit?"

"The soul age can be different."

Sunset pursed her lips.

"Do you play an instrument?"

"I tried many, but most aren't that fun. And you?"

"It's a small flute called koudi."

"Oh! I hope I can hear you play sometime."

"Mhm."

They chatted a bit more before Tenno went back to the apartment. He always enjoyed talking with Sunset.

The next day, Tenno went to the hall. The entrance was a gate with two golden dragons above it and heavy, blood red doors. The inside was made out of black marble with golden bits and pieces, the high ceiling was held up by red pillars and decorated with more golden dragons.

All the kids had entered when a clear voice sounded from the door.

"I am the 6th prince of the kingdom of Cure, Ray Endeavor Cure. You will be in my care."

The man that stood in the entrance was tall with board shoulders and a slim waist, wearing a black uniform with red and gold. His hair was pitch black but his eyes were of a gentle brown that contrasted the sharp lines of his jaw and eyebrows. He looked similar to king Midnight, but at the same time not.

"The purpose for this... education is confidential, if you perform well, you will eventually be informed. Now, first things first. This is the hall of the golden dragons. Since we are relatively close to the center of the royal palace, the energy here is very pure. Sit down in a comfortable position, close your eyes and feel the energy. Let it flow through your bodies and meditate, empty your head of all thoughts. This will be your first task."

The prince closed the doors and leaned against them, carefully watching the children. They were all of special races, very sensitive to energy and born with a lot of potential. Now, they only needed the skill to develop further.

One kid in particular caught the eye of Ray. Tenno. Not because he was outstanding, but because July had told him that the kid was close with Sunset. He couldn't hide the coldness in his eyes as he thought 'This will end with both sides suffering...'.

Tenno felt the heavy eyes pressing down on his shoulders and crawling up his back, he really didn't like it, but instead of opening his eyes, he concentrated and imagined a shell around him, keeping the energy away. The frown disappeared and made place for a peaceful expression as he sunk into the meditation.

He concentrated on his breathing, let the energy of the room go to his toes and fingertips, envelop him like a blanket and be absorbed by his body.

Time went by in a blink and Tenno and the other kids learned how to use their abilities, strengthen them and manipulate the energy around them.

After five years under the guidance of Ray Endeavor Cure, there were only 25 children left training in the hall of the golden dragons. The others had gotten high ranks in the palace and were well respected along their peers.

Tenno, with 15 years and a bit, had gotten tall. His back seemed wide, with slightly broader shoulders, long legs and a good and healthy figure. The facial features were very good looking, with lips that seemed to smile, soft eyebrows and big dark eyes.

Similarly, Mori had gotten tall and slender, with a beautiful but manly face, sharp eyebrows and thin lips. He reached a hight of almost 190 centimeters, 10 taller than Tenno.

The two youths were still good friends, helping each other develop.

The 25 youths had gotten used to prince Ray and he had also allowed them to get close to him. Even he noticed that he liked this bunch. He was like a teacher and they were the class, learning from someone who had lived close to 4 thousand years.

It was a day in spring, like the one when they had first arrived in the palace, but there was something different.

Ray stood in front of the wall opposite from the red doors, his back facing the youths.

„Big brother Ray, what's the matter?" asked Will, a half siren, half human from the other side of the world. Like every siren, he looked very delicate and handsome. His voice was very melodious, leading the others to join in on him.

Ray sighed, but didn't say anything yet.

„Big bro, if you don't want to, you don't have to tell us." interrupted a wolf beastmen, Quinn. He was very big, but in a handsome way, with a strong jaw, dark hair and narrow yellow eyes.

Xiaoli, one of the few fairies that still existed, frowned, making her petite face look very cute. „Lord Ray, we won't be sent away, right...?" Her violet eyes carried a certain melancholy as she said this and hid her face between her dark green hair.

Mori and Tenno exchanged a glance. They didn't feel any of the concern the others felt, it seemed more like Ray was a bit... worried.

Finally, Ray spoke up. „In the last years, you have proven that it was the right choice to bring you here. You have improved and developed by a lot. You should really be proud of yourself."

Tenno silently gnashed his teeth. Without the system and its ability to analyze situations, he would've been long gone. It felt a bit like he had cheated to come this far.

„Today, you will see a place that most will never even reach."

He pressed his hand against the wall. A golden light began to shine, forming the form of a pair of masterly carved doors. The doors opened and light flooded the hall.

After the light dimmed down, one could see a narrow hallway. The youths exchanged a few looks, the followed the prince. The hallway was slightly tilted, leading downwards. On the walls were few lights. Tenno was surprised to find out that they were electric.

After approximately one hour, they reached the end of the hallway. There was white mist blocking the way like a wall.

„Those who can't pass this barrier will wait here. I will soon come to get you."

The youths nodded and tried to pass the barrier one after another. Xiaoli, Quinn, Will and Mori passed. Tenno took in a deep breath and also passed through. For a short moment, he just stood there in the white mist before moving forward again.

Emerging from the mist, he was stunned at the sight that offered itself to him.

He stood on a wild, luscious green field with grass and flowers reaching his knees. A soft breeze enveloped him in warm, clear air and the sun shone behind a mountain of snowy white clouds. In the distance, one could see a forest. Tenno even meant to see a few animals wander behind the trees.

Behind him was the wall of white mist, like a border. It stretched on for miles, with no end and no beginning in sight, just like the field.

But where the hell were the others?

Tenno was slightly irritated. For him, there was a certain problem: Puberty. No matter how mature the mind and soul were, the body was still in development, which meant that the hormones greatly influenced his brain and thinking. He felt like his niveau had sunk since entering puberty!

He sighed. Where the others also here? Was there a time difference, or did everyone enter a different place? Whatever the case was, the only way seemed to be forward.

When he reached the forest, he still hadn't seen anyone. It also took longer than he had initially thought.

„Ah!"

He jumped when he heard someone. There was the cracking of twigs. Someone had tripped inside the forest?

Curious, he went into the direction of the sound.

In a small field of yellow flowers beside a tree sat a young, small woman with brown hair, brown eyes and rosy lips like flower petals in a bright red dress that revealed her shoulders, showed the thin waist and wider hips, but also that she was flat and rather slim. The fabric seemed light and the skirt wasn't very big, just a bit long and not very suited for the forest.

It took Tenno a few moments to recognize the young lady.

„Sunset?"

„Hm? Oh, Tenno...!"

She rushed to stand up, lost her balance and almost fell over again. It looked a bit funny.

Tenno grinned as he came closer. „You okay?"

„Y-yeah..."

„When did you come back?"

„Oh, one week ago, but my family kept bothering me so I couldn't visit you. I'm sorry."

„Ah, it's fine. You're back, that's what counts."

The fourth princess smiled. Three years ago, she and her mother, a concubine of king Midnight, had left the palace and country. It was strictly confidential where they were, and no contact was allowed. Tenno could only wait, even though he felt a little lonely without her.

„May I know where you were?"

„Oh, well... We went to a country in the east. To reestablish relations. Also... You know I'm called the cursed princess, right?"

„I think you're blessed."

„Eh..."

Sunset dusted off her clothes and looked like nothing ever happened. Over the years, Tenno had figured out that she could play all day in the mud and still look like she just got dressed.

„Your attitude is still the same..."

„Not at all like a princess?"

„Yes. But I really like that."

She grinned, revealing cute dimples.

„Oh yeah, what are you doing here?"

„Ray brought us here."

„Ooh, so it's that time, huh..."

„What do you mean?"

„Come and you'll see."

„Princess Enigma, please speak clearly..."

She chuckled, but didn't say anything while leading him through the forest. She obviously knew where her goal was.

After walking for a while, they arrived at a small gate. It was a bit hidden by the trees and there were paper strips with Chinese writing plastered onto the doors, keeping it sealed.

„What is this place?"

Sunset smiled. „Our national treasure. Also known as: The sanctuary."