Legend of Callistana

"That is nothing but foolishness and idiocy!" Emperor Remenov's baritone voice was full of menace as it echoed loudly inside his office. The maids who were on the corner flinched while their head were bowed and fear crawled down their body. But the oracle in front of the Emperor stood still, as if she was already used to his terrifying remarks. "That is the truth, Your Highness. How many oracle have you refused to believe? Even if you ask all of the oracles in this whole world, in the end, we are all going to say the same thing to you because there is only one way to obtain that prosperous destiny of Ruana." The emperor's jaw tightened when he clenched his teeth out of frustration then he chuckled sarcastically. He rested his back on the chair as he tried to think. The woman in front of him was the sixth oracle that he consulted only to hear the same exact thing. But he can't still believe it. His eyes were burning with anger when he looked at the oracle. "Destiny? It's absurd that the prosperity and successful future of Ruana will be on the hands of a mere... woman," he uttered through his clenched teeth, and disgust was very evident on his tone especially to the last word. The oracle in front of him almost shook her head. She wanted to react to his insults but she stopped herself because she knew that with one mistake, her head would be ripped off from her head. She also want to glance at the servants behind her who were surely hurt from the belittling of the Emperor to their kind, but she chose not to. "Why should I trust you? You are a woman and your kind are just stupid and lame! And why are all oracles woman? I don't know if I should even trust all the things that you said." He slammed his hands on the desk while his face was turning red due to the rage as he stared at her. "Tell me, are you and the other oracles are planning something against me? Did you talk to each other and agreed to fool me with such prophecy?" The oracle shook her head. "We will utter nothing but the truth because the gods and goddesses are going to curse us if we lie, Your Highness. We will never anger them," she explained with her calm voice. "That is the prophecy, and that will not happen under your ruling." The emperor's teeth clenched again then he closed his fist tightly. He's left with no choice but to follow the advice of the oracles in order for the prophecy to happen. He had consulted them a lot of times for different reasons and all of it were right. The things that they said came true as exactly as they told. When they told him that a plague will happen, it really almost happened and because of the oracles' warning, they were able to get ready and stop it from spreading. When they told him that there will be a sudden drought, he immediately instructed his people to store food and water that is why when it came, their empire didn't suffer badly. There were countless of bad events that Ruana was able to avoid because of the help of the oracles. The Emperor never had a problem with them and he always followed them but in this prophecy... he's having a hard time because it's against his ego and principles. He inhaled sharply then slowly exhaled, trying to calm himself and be logical about the situation. "If that is the case, what should be my next step?" he asked. The oracle slowly raised her head then stared at the emperor. A small smile curved in her pale and chapped lips. It seemed like the emperor suddenly had a change of heart after remembering how the oracles helped the whole empire. "The whole prophecy is still vague but one thing is clear, it has something to do with Celestes. You are going to need their help in order for the prophecy to happen." Remenov went silent then fell in the deep well of thinking. The prosperity of his whole empire is on the hands of a woman based on the prophecy. In able for the woman to do that, she has to have a power over the whole Ruana. Meaning, he will need a perfect woman who is going to be the empress of the empire. She will be ruling Ruana along side the next emperor. 'Is that it?' he thought. A sly smile was drawn to his lips when he realized that he must be right. He's going to follow the prophecy. He was going to believe that the prosperity is on the hands of a woman but nothing had changed. He will still look down to women and deep within him, he can't still believe that a mere woman will be the one to bring Ruana to the top and success. He also had this ambition for his empire which is to rule the whole Eawa by conquering the other continents and dominion. Why would not it happen under my ruling? He remembered what the oracles told him. What is the connection of it to the Celestes? Celestes is a small continent which is believed as the home of the gods and goddesses. All of the people who live there are all kind, peace-loving, and are always praying. Life in Celestes may be simple but its citizens never had any problem. They never experienced famine, destructive storms, or any tragedy. That continent is known for being peaceful and safe. The emperor's face slowly relaxed when he suddenly realized something. "I think I finally know the connection of Celestes to the prophecy," he said and a smirk was drawn to his lips. The oracle closed her eyes then slowly bowed her head. Hope crept into her heart. In the world ruled by men, where women were being belittled, things might change soon as the prophecy will take place. She's happy about that thought even she knew that she's already gone that time. What important is, the next generation of women are not going to experience the same misery and struggle that they endured. She can't help but to smile when she remembered the face of the woman in the prophecy. "I NEED a messenger who is going to relay my important message to the priests of Celestes. Bring me one, immediately, Asaro." That is the order of the emperor to his assistant who he trusted the most. The man immediately nodded and bowed his head then he left to follow the order of the emperor. Emperor Remenov then went to his room which was connected to his office. The sight of the servants who were taking care of the ill empress welcomed him. Empress Lissana was sitting on the bed, looking so tired and weak. Her frail body was losing its energy and she lost a lot of weight. She was so pale. Strands of her hair were falling from her head. She coughed consecutively then she looked at the emperor who just came. Suddenly, her face lit up then a beautiful smile plastered on her lips. "My Emperor, how's your day?" she asked enthusiastically then signaled the servants to leave and they immediately followed her order. Emperor Remenov faced the huge mirror then removed the buttons of his grand clothes. With his authoritative posture, cold demeanor, and dark aura, everyone was scared to him. "I am going to be busy for the following days. I have to do something together with the priests of Celestes." The empress' expression turned confused and even with her weakening body, she forced herself to stood to take care of the emperor. She carried the hem of her heavy gown in able for her to walk fastly towards her husband. "What is it that you're going to do with the people of Celestes?" she asked gently and stopped in front of the emperor. She then kneeled to remove his shoes. With her light hands, she carefully loosened the tie of his shoes while the emperor was busy removing his upper clothes. "I need them to pray to the gods..." he nonchalantly said. The empress stopped from what she was doing and her heart beat loudly. She looked up to the emperor while her lips parted in awe. Hope began to flutter in her heart. All throughout the years of their marriage, the emperor treated her like a mere servant. She's no different to the maids, only the title of her position because she's his wife. Even they got married, Remenov never loved Lissana. He treated her like a slave, decoration, and bed-warmer, just like how the leaders of other continents all over Eawa treated their wives. After hearing the answer of the emperor, she thought that it was for her. In her mind, Remenov was requesting a long tine prayer for the betterment of her health to the priests and priestesses of Celestes. She thought that it was for her recovery from the sickness that was slowly killing her. 'Is he finally thinking of me?' she asked in her mind, full of hope "Y-your Highness..." she whispered in delight while there was a smile on her lips. Tears began to build up in the corner of her eyes as she became emotional out of happiness. The emperor looked at her without any trace of emotion on his face. "They are going to ask for blessing for the next empress of Ruana. They will wish for a perfect woman for the next emperor of this empire." Her happiness turned to pain and misery. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She immediately bowed down her head to hide her emotion from the emperor. He didn't like seeing emotional people around him. "What—" She clutched on her chest when a pain struck her heart. She really thought that it was for her but it turned out, it was not. "All of the oracle that I consulted told me that the success of Ruana is on the hands of a woman. I still doubt it but I am still going to follow it. I need a woman who is blessed by the gods for my successor. She needs to have a perfect face, posture, body... everything about her needs to be perfect for the next emperor." Lissana smiled bitterly. "You are going to prepare the next empress while I am still here," she said, her voice was full of pain. She can't help but to react because it is just too much to take. Emperor Remenov laughed loudly and held her chin then he made her look up forcefully so their eyes meet. He even squeezed her chin that made the empress flinched. He looked at her, his expression was spitting of disgust and sarcasm. "You?" he chuckled then eyed her full of insult. "You are already useless! You can't even give me a child. I hope you die soon so I could finally replace you. What I need is an empress who could give me a boy and you could never do that because you are infertile! You can't even please me on bed, Lissana. Your time have passed a long time ago," the emperor said, without even an ounce of mercy. He let go of her face violently then walked away. Lissana's body weakened even more because of the emperor's hateful words. Her body shook as she cried silently. There's no hope left in her heart after that confrontation. She hugged herself, trying to find comfort in her own. She clearly knew how things work in that world. Women were nothing but bearer of children. Other than that, they were useless for the eyes of men. But as an innocent lady in the past, she dreamed highly which she regretted deeply. Women were already treated badly but her life became even more miserable when she failed to do the thing that was expected to her. She was not able to bear a child for the emperor. She failed to give him a successor. What a miserable life. "Quit that, now. I'm going to take a bath so I need it to be ready!" The emperor's voice thundered. Even with the generous light coming from the giant chandelier on the ceiling, Emperor Remenov's face was dark. His presence made the atmosphere of the place heavier. The knights on the surrounding didn't dare to make even a slight movement just like the emperor's order. Even the servants stood still like statues. They were standing in a straight line while their heads were bowed down, waiting for the order from Remenov. "Your majesty, the messenger you sent to Celestes just arrived and said that they accepted your request. The priests and priestesses are going to expect the offerings for the gods and goddesses." Emperor Remenov chuckled, not in joy but because of irritation. "Why do they need offerings from us when we are going to pay them for their service? They believe that the gods live there but they never showed themselves! I'm sure that they are not in human form so they don't need food and golds." Asaro bowed down his head before speaking. "They believe that the gods and goddesses would love offerings because it would mean that they are loved and valued. That's what the priests and priestesses do everytime they are wishing for something." The emperor shook his head then clenched his jaw. "Then give them what they need," he ordered half-heartedly. "They need the offerings for the whole nine months while the baby is still in the womb. They are going to start the ritual tonight together with the chosen parents of the kid that were blessed by the gods and goddesses." Emperor Remenov didn't like what he heard. He clenched his fist in rage then punched the armrest of his throne. That is too long, their supply will be badly affected. "Those oracles must be right about the prophecy. If they are mistaken, I am going to hunt down their whole race! I am going to write this as an order. The next emperor will going to kill them if all of these failed and that will happen, even I am dead or alive," he announced angrily. He glanced at his most trusted assistant. "Asaro, inform the famers and miners about this. They need to work hard even they die out of exhaustion. They need to sustain that offerings. If they refuse, cut off their heads." WHEN they finally received a message from Celestes that the chosen carrier of the baby was finally pregnant, Remenov's empire began to give offerings. And since then, the priests and priestesses of Celestes prayed non-stop to the gods and goddesses. They started praying the moment that the baby was conceived and it will keep on happening until the baby is born. Giving tons of offer happened for nine months that was why it reached to the point that Ruana can't sustain it anymore because of the changes of climates. In addition, the citizens of the whole Ruana needed those products, too. "They need to find a way to sustain the offerings and stop complaining for fck's sake!" Emperor Remenov shouted without any trace of mercy on his voice after hearing the news from Asaro. He pushed the farmers to provide crops and fruits even it was already too hard for them because of the unsuitable climate. They slaughtered a lot of animals for meat and when there was a sudden shortage of it, they began slaughtering even the young animals. The miners sacrificed their lives just to get golds and some of them died because the soil eroded due to heavy rain that never stopped. A lot of the workers' body gave up and demanded rest but after refusing to work, their head flew out of their body as the knights killed them like what the merciless emperor ordered. Blood shed terrifyingly, a lot of people lost their lives, and tons of family mourned for the death of their love ones but their tears and cries never stopped the emperor. He didn't care. He thought of nothing but for his wants to come true. When Ruana already failed to produce fruits and meat, Remenov didn't have a choice but to buy from their neighbor continent, from Eldora. And since the soil on that continent was not that fertile, the fruits and crops there were really expensive. They also had debts when they began to import gold from Eldora that Remenov promised to pay as soon as possible. When the the baby was finally coming, the emperor began to celebrate. He didn't care anymore to the loss because all he cared about was the beautiful future of Ruana. "THEY are expecting that the child will come out this week, Your Majesty," Asaro informed the emperor based on the message that was relayed to him by the messenger that they sent to Celestes. Remenov smirked victoriously then he sipped on his wine. "It is something to be celebrated, right?" he asked. Asaro nodded silently. The emperor laughed in delight and excitement. He raised the wine glass he was holding while a wide smile was plastered on his lips. "For the victory of Ruana!" he announced. The knights on the hall raised their swords in unison while the servants bowed their heads then kneeled on the cold floor of the hall. A one week grand celebration took place in the palace. Wine flooded the place, jewelries are scattered everywhere, and a lot of food were served. The whole palace of Ruana was filled with laughter and joy. The emperor also invited the leaders of the other continents. The emperor of Eldora, Adaraha, and Agnaram came. There was a cold war between Eldora and Agnaram but during that time, Emperor Remenov requested to postpone that for the mean time and just celebrate with him. The rulers of the continents in whole Eawa was almost complete if only the leader of Celestes came. The leaders of the four continents were all together in the long table that was full of wine and food. They were surrounded by beautiful women who were wearing thin and revealing clothes. They were entertainers "What are we celebrating for, Remenov?" Matias, the emperor of Eldora asked then stared at him. "I suddenly remember when you imported food and golds from us. It never crossed my mind that it will ever happen because Ruana is a wealthy and prosperous empire!" The other two leaders looked at him too, waiting for his answer. Remenov just smirked and raised his wine glass. "I just really want us to gather together and celebrate!" he answered. The leaders nodded then laughed. Emperor Remenov looked at them one by one as his smirk grew wider. 'All of you will be under my power soon. That is what I'm celebrating for,' he uttered in his mind. The emperor of Agnaram shrugged his shoulder. "Then let's celebrate until we are tired!" "But wait..." the emperor of Adaraha said. "Is this fine if your empress just died this afternoon, Remenov? I just heard it from the people around." His remark made Emperor Remenov laugh loudly. "Isn't it another reason to celebrate, is it?" He then shrugged. "And why isn't it fine when it was just a woman. Here..." he pointed the entertainers around them that he invited. "...there are a lot of them. They are all the same so Lissana wasn't a loss because she's easy to replace!" They all laughed together after Remenov's words, agreeing to him. Then they raised a toast again to begin the celebration. The empress had finally falled because of her sickness. No one mourned for her because everyone was busy for the celebration in the palace. They immediately forgot her. Empress Lissana's cold body was still on the bed, alone while everyone was downstairs, having the best night of their lives. AFTER the all night long celebration, the emperor left early in the morning with his few knights to go to Celestes. Anytime, the chosen carrier will give birth to the baby. The ship sailed towards Celestes, a neighboring continent of Ruana. After hours of the travel, they finally arrived at the place. They immediately noticed how different the clothes of the people there as well as the designs and architecture of the buildings. In Ruana, the people used different colors of clothes depending on their social status but in Celestes, everyone was wearing white clothes. The buildings and houses were all painted with white color, accented with color gold details. The continent of Celestes is known as the 'Paradise of Eawa' or 'Land of the Gods and Goddesses'. Emperor Remenov and his knights went to the temple at the top of the mountain. As they became near the temple, they heard the priests and priestesses singing their prayers that made them shiver. The place was so peaceful and quiet that whoever stepped there would lose all the courage to be mad or even shout. When they finally reached the top, Emperor Remenov scanned the place. The beautiful temple was tall and huge. It's painted with white color and the few decorations were made of gold. It was believed that the gods and goddesses live there at the temple. He glanced to the people kneeling in front of the temple, singing their prayers with their heart. Their clothes were all the same. They are the priests and priestesses, known as the holy people of Celestes. They all remained unmarried and they devoted their lives to the gods and goddesses. "Your highness..." Remenov looked at his side to look at the man who called him. It was the keeper of the temple. "I am Ivoc, and it is such an honor to meet you." He bowed his head. The emperor just nodded and stayed silent. He's known for being a merciless and strict ruler but in that peaceful place, he can't seem to find his ruthless character because there was no place for that. "You came in the right time. The chosen carrier is now giving birth to the child that we have bene asking from the gods and goddesses." Remenov automatically glanced at the temple. As soon as the singing of the priests and priestesses stopped, he heard the voice of the woman who was giving birth. Her cries were full of pain. Then the priests and priestesses sang again that drowned her painful shouts. He remained on his spot, standing while watching them praying as he waited. When the prayer stopped, the place was filled with a defeaning silence then the giant golden door of the temple suddenly opened. A woman with a delighted expression showed up. "The baby is finally here!" With big steps, Remenov walked towards the temple. Ivoc immediately followed him and he was about to tell the emperor that he need to remove his footwear but Remenov was too fast. He directly went to the room where the chosen carrier gave birth to the baby. "The gods and goddesses heard our prayers. The baby is a girl!" said by a woman who was carefully carrying the newborn. The baby was covered in a golden silky cloth. The other people there were about to surround them but a sudden blinding light enveloped the baby. They all closed their eyes, even the emperor and the woman who was carrying the baby. After a few seconds, the light slowly subsided. The witnesses at the back of the emperor suddenly began to pray because of that. "She's really from the gods and goddesses. She's enchanted!" a man commented. Emperor Remenov walked towards the baby. When he looked at her face, he was shocked in awe. He didn't even notice the woman who was unconscious on the bed after giving birth to the baby. A lot of the people in the room took a glance of the face of the baby. They all gasped in amazement then the silent prayers intensified. The newborn baby slowly opened her eyes and she looked at Remenov. "Definitely, a blessing from heaven." "In the whole Eawa, she's the only one who possess this golden hair. Her eyes are just the most beautiful, just like the healthy soil where golds and diamonds are hidden. Her skin are snow-like with a tint of rose. Her face... it's definitely not for this world. She is perfect!" Ivoc said, astonished just like everyone. Remenov slowly nodded, still shock in amazement. The gods really granted his request. "Can we have the honor to name her, Your Highness?" the head of the priestesses politely asked. The emperor who was lost for words just nodded. "Then..." She walked towards the baby and look at her with a teary eyes and bright smile. "We will name her Callistana."