Chapter Seven - The Crowning

-In...out

Calm down

It was dark

So dark

It was quiet

So quiet

A heartbeat

That's all was heard

It was beating fast...was this a sign of panic?

Maybe

A faint sound could be heard...she could make it out as someone shouting...no...a group of people shouting

It grew louder and louder...it was not shouting but cheering

-Kirra...hey Kirra

She opened her eyes...thousand of people stood before her

The atmosphere was lively...the sky was bright red...large screens hovered in the sky for those who were too far away to see anything

These thousands of people stretched to the horizon...maybe they weren't even thousands but millions

All of them were focused on a large structure in front of them...it towered high into the sky...it was plated with a unique metal which made it shine under the red sun

The structure featured a very large balcony that was a few meters up in the air but was in clear view for thousands

A bunch of servants stood by the walls surrounding the balcony, there was a large door that led into the interior

In the center of the balcony were two structures...made with a diamond-like material...they were thrones...on them where two young girls both were dressed in royalty...they both wore ivory draped blouse and a full ankle-length skirt embroidered with floral patterns. The dresses sparkled in the sunlight and they both had lockets around their neck...as a matter of fact, everyone had a locket on their neck

Their hairs were braided in special ways...wrapping around their heads to form a crown

Kirra looked over to see the who had called her...and the girl on the throne beside her was looking at her

-You zoned out again

The girl gestured her hand indicating that she should look in front of her

Kirra then turned to see a man with his back turns towards them, he too was also dressed in royal attires and he stood by a podium, he seemed to be addressing the audience before them. His voice was amplified, not sure how, but he could be heard for kilometers

-Don't let dad catch you like that

She giggled and leaned in towards Kirra and whispered to her

-Unless you want no Fizzy Top

Kirra's eyes widened and she also leaned in, looking a bit concerned

-He can't do that to me

-Yes he can

They both looked behind to where the voice had originated from. It was a female guard, she bent over to them and whispered

-You are meant to be quiet

-Tye are you sure he can do that

Kirra said ignoring what she had just said

-I already said yes he can

A smirk appeared on the girl's face

-Is that another bet?

A cough was heard coming from in front of them, they both looked, the man in front of them had half of his face turned facing them. The look in his eye was frightening and the sisters and Tye both returned to the original positions quickly but they all looked like they held back a laugh.

The man turned back to the crowd in front of him

-As I have said today is added to our rich history...the beginning of the path to greatness for both of my daughters...as within one of them lies the ancient power of the gods and shall be the new ruler of this great empire while the other will stand by her side...all stand

Everyone stood in unity including his daughters, he then walked behind them and had his hand placed on both their shoulders...he pressed down on them a little indicating they both should kneel

They both had a knee on the ground and the man had his hands off their shoulders

-Yina De Casa, you will be by your sister's right hand

Yina replied

-Yes my lord

-And Kirra De Casa, the power bestowed by the gods flow through your very blood...and like the great kings before me, I declare you to be the next ruler of this empire

Cheers were heard from all over but it immediately faded to silence

The large doors opened slowly and out came a woman...she wore a long dress, so long it stretched across the ground and was decorated with tons of pieces of jewelry

She had a crown on her head...it was made with the rarest metal on the planet...Nephrite, which was highly reflective and sparkled under the sunlight. She came from behind the sisters who were still kneeling...the king even went down as she then stood in front of Kirra

She placed a finger on her chin, and slowly lifted her head so that their eyes could meet...the gaze...Kirra could see the anger...the frustration...the hatred in her cold red eyes. It was threatening and scary, she began trembling in fear...the pressure was too much. Then a faint voice was heard and pulled her attention away from Kirra

-Janna

Her name was being called by the king as he wanted her to snap out of it, to proceed with the ceremony

She took her deep breath and her whole expression changed. The frightening look in her eyes was gone, replaced with warmth and happiness...Kirra knew she was just putting up an act

-Citizens of Velia, we choose our leader today...as it has been for countless generations, the one who inherits the power of gods from me shall become queen...my heritage, my laws, my beliefs, my duties...my people, my power and my crown will be passed on to her...Kirra De Casa

There was a deafening silence...then

-But she can't become queen

Shock and dismay were in the eyes of the audience...the air was thick and the murmuring started, the king still down on his knees looked at her

-Now is not the time or place

Seemed she paid no attention to what he said as she was towering over her, she had a wide grin and stared in Kirra's eyes...the cold look, she was happy. She spoke softly

-Then when is right, when she is on the throne...no

She then turned her back at Kirra...took a few steps forward and addressed the audience...as she began talking the murmurs died down gently

-She is an outsider...and I will not allow an outsider to lead this kingdom

The king stood up almost immediately and he had anger in his voice

-She possesses the power of the gods

She turned facing the king and her tone changed...it became dark

-You dare not raise your voice on me, Lace

He then calmed down, speaking more softly

-She has the power of the gods

-Which is not rightfully hers since she obtained it through unconventional means

-What?

The two stopped, turning their heads to see who had interrupted them...she was standing now, tears had formed in her eyes

-What are you talking about?

Janna looked at her

-That is none of your business

-Mum please stop

Yina came up from behind and stood beside Kirra, as she pleaded to her mother to stop what she was doing...as they spoke the audience began their murmuring again

Behind them, Tye slowly reached for her laser gun which was strapped to her side

-She deserves to be queen, not me...I didn't get the power of the gods, she did...so please let it go, I am happy for her

-Yina...shut up

She looked surprised and had a glance at Kirra

-No...stop this right now

Now she spoke with a louder tone than before, trying to show reason to her mother

-I have had it...you are tearing up this family and I am going to fix just that

Janna had her hand pointed at Kirra...she was referring to her...her eyes then charged up with blue energy. The king shouted at the top of his voice

-JANNA NO!!!

It happened in the blink of an eye

Slow down

Her body turned white and pale...her breathing slowed down and her eyes became dilated

All the sound around her went mute and she closed her eyes

She had once again zoned out

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A scream was heard

What had happened???