Sinner's Blood

[Nineteen years before current events]

In the heart of the Amberhelm, where cobblestone streets wound through bustling marketplaces and grand palaces loomed against the sky, a sense of anticipation electrified the air.

Whispers of a fateful day had spread like wildfire, and the excitement in the courtyard in front of the castle was palpable.

Citizens hurried through the cobbled avenues, eyes gleaming with curiosity and intrigue.

Banners bearing the Heraklion royal crest flapped proudly in the wind, heralding the arrival of an event that would leave an indelible mark on the realm.

Inside the opulent palace walls, a flurry of preparations was underway. Servants scurried to and fro, ensuring that every detail was perfect for the grand event that was about to unfold.

Courtiers adorned in resplendent attire exchanged hushed conversations, their expressions a mix of excitement and reverence.

The castle echoed with the enchanting strains of musicians practicing for the impending celebration.

In the midst of this orchestrated chaos, I stood by the towering windows of my private chambers, gazing out at the scene below.

My heart swelled with pride and a hint of nervousness, for this day held a significance beyond measure. The diviner's arrival was imminent, and with him, a revelation that would shape the destiny of my newborn son.

Solomon Herakles, my steadfast husband and the benevolent ruler of the kingdom, entered the room with a confident stride.

His presence exuded a sense of calm assurance, a balm to my restless thoughts. "Isabelle, my love." he began, his voice a soothing melody.

"The time has come for the diviner's arrival. Our son's fate is in the hands of the stars now."

I turned to face him, a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty swirling in my gaze. "Solomon, what if the divination reveals something...unexpected? What if our son's future holds challenges we cannot foresee?"

Solomon's warm hand enveloped mine, his touch a reassuring anchor. "Isabelle, whatever destiny may lay before him, we will face it together, as a family."

His words resonated deep within me, reminding me of the unbreakable bond that united us. As we descended the palace corridors, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the path that had led us here.

From the moment our eyes had met across a crowded hall, to the day he had pledged his heart and crown to me, our journey had been one of shared dreams and unwavering devotion.

The grand courtyard, bedecked in resplendent splendor, awaited our presence. Vibrant tapestries depicted tales of valor and magic, each thread weaving a story of the kingdom's rich history.

A soft breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers, mingling with the excitement that hummed in the air.

Amidst a sea of expectant faces, I cradled my son, his wide eyes curious and full of wonder. He was the living embodiment of our love, a testament to the union between a queen and her king.

Cradling my peacefully sleeping baby in my arms, I gazed down at his cherubic face. His eyes, like two sparkling gems, suddenly opened, fixing their gaze on mine with an intensity that melted my heart.

A pure connection of love enveloped us, and his tiny hand reached out, pointing toward me.

I chuckled softly as his tiny fingers brushed against my eyelids. "Not my eyes, sweetheart." I cooed, gently guiding his hand away. "Let's explore the world another way."

Solomon, the bearded king, who had been in the midst of a sudden peaceful slumber, was roused by the adorable commotion. "Huh? What's all this fuss, Isabelle? I was on baby duty already last night," he grumbled playfully.

With a mischievous smile, I handed over the wide-awake bundle of joy over. "Your turn now, dear. I've got to make a quick trip to the royal facilities." The king was dozing off with my life in his lap.

"Hey, wake up!" I called, nudging the bearded king. "Make your  way to the courtyard with Darius, I'll be there."

He yawned and stretched before realizing the situation. "Alright, alright. I've got this." he said, taking the baby into his arms. The treasurer called me over to discuss our payment for Darius.

Amidst the respectful bows of passersby, my thoughts remained solely focused on the baby and my husband. In this moment, nothing else mattered. As I returned from the brief interlude, a stream of well-wishers bowed in my presence, but my attention was solely on reuniting with my little one.

As I sat down on a cushioned seat, Solomon at my side, our precious bundle nestled in my arms, the diviner, Darius, stepped forward, his presence commanding attention.

The crowd hushed, their anticipation a tangible force. Darius' gaze held a depth of wisdom that seemed to reach into the very essence of our being.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice resonating with authority, "we gather here today to peer into the fate of the first prince of Heraklion, to unravel the threads that bind us to the stars themselves."

A shiver of excitement rippled through the assembly. The divination was a rare occurrence, a glimpse into the mysteries of the cosmos that had captured the imagination of our kingdom for generations.

Darius' hands moved with deliberate grace, arranging his implements—a wand, an orbuculum, tarot cards, and mirrors. The stage was set, the atmosphere crackling with an intangible energy.

He turned his gaze toward me, his eyes a swirling pool of ancient knowledge. "My Queen, are you prepared?"

I met his gaze with a mixture of determination and trepidation. "I am ready." I affirmed, my heart pounding in rhythm with the momentous occasion.

Entering the courtyard, I found the diviner already present, a sense of reverence surrounding him. He rose from his seat as I approached, extending warm greetings and congratulations for the birth of my son. The weight of the occasion was palpable, as he acknowledged the privilege of divining the future for the kingdom's newest prince.

"Darius, the moment has arrived. Please, share with us the insights you've gleaned from the stars," I urged, a mixture of anticipation and curiosity dancing in my eyes.

Darius, his friendly demeanor momentarily replaced by a serious countenance, began to prepare his divination tools.

"Let us commence, my Queen," Darius declared, his focus unwavering. "I beseech you to answer my questions truthfully."

As the questions flowed, the scene was set for a mystical revelation, an encounter with the unknown. Darius' quill danced across the parchment, capturing each piece of information with precision.

The exchange culminated in a chant, an invocation that seemed to weave a tapestry of magic around us.

"O Brigantia,

In this moment, I entreat thee,

Bestow upon me vision, bestow upon me power!"

"In this moment, I implore thee, God of Divination!

Grant me vision, grant me power!"

As his eyes glowed an otherworldly green, a sense of unease crept over me. The baby's cries echoed through the courtyard, adding an unexpected layer of tension. Yet, we remained steadfast, trapped in the moment.

The air shimmered with an aurora of magic, enveloping us in its ethereal embrace. Solomon's unease mirrored my own, his gaze locked on the unfolding spectacle.

Darius' once gentle countenance transformed into an enigmatic visage, the weight of knowledge etched into his very being.

Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the incantation ceased. Darius slumped in his chair, a dazed expression on his face. Solomon's vigorous shake jolted him back to reality, and he blinked, as if reawakening from a dream.

"Darius, what did you see?" Solomon's voice was laced with urgency, demanding clarity from the mystified diviner.

Darius hesitated, grappling with the enormity of his revelation. "Your son, my lord, possesses an unparalleled and exceedingly rare horoscope. One in millions. A celestial pattern reminiscent of the legendary Demon Hira."

The gravity of his words sent a shiver down my spine, the implications too profound to fathom. Solomon's disbelief was palpable, his features contorted with a mix of astonishment and trepidation.

"The Demon Hira? The ancient ruler who gained invincibility through a divine pact?" Solomon's voice and he was visually taken aback., the weight of history bearing down on his every word.

My heart dropped.

I could not believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. "The mythical demon Hira??" was all I could muster.

"In the annals of time, the name Hira resonates as an ancient marvel," Darius declared, his voice heavy with history. "Ruler of a mystical realm, Hira undertook a grueling penance, a symphony of devotion to entreat The First, architect of creation. It was a trial that tested his very being, a dance with the divine few dared to even try."

A hushed reverence settled, the audience captivated by Darius' words, a narrative as intricate as constellations.

"A cosmic harmony formed between Hira and The First, defying mortal bounds. The First descended, bestowing a boon unparalleled—an invincible shield against death's embrace."

"Neither sun's radiant gaze nor night's enigmatic cloak can claim him. Blade or bludgeon, hand or talon, all falter against the veil of immortality Hira possessed."

In the midst of Darius' mesmerizing account, my grip on the baby unconsciously tightened, a reflexive response to the awe and uncertainty that swirled within me.

The room fell into an echoing silence as the weight of this revelation settled upon us, everyone lost for words with silent hushes among the audience.

Solomon's gaze held mine, his voice unwavering. "Isabelle, our son is our son. No prophecy can change that. We will raise him with love, shield him from harm, and let him forge his own path."

A tender smile crossed my lips, gratitude swelling within me for this steadfast king by my side. "His name, Solomon. We should choose a name that embodies his spirit."

Solomon's eyes twinkled with a mix of determination and affection. "Eduardo. A name that carries strength and warmth, just like you."