Chapter 10: The Royal Decree
700 Words
The storm arrived before nightfall.
Thunder rolled across the skies of Azul, and rain lashed against the palace windows as servants hurried through the corridors with anxious expressions.
The atmosphere felt… different.
Even the guards spoke in hushed voices.
It was as though the kingdom itself sensed that something had changed.
⸻
Azul stood alone on the balcony outside his chamber, watching the rain pour over the capital.
His mind refused to rest.
The Endless Stream.
The crystal beneath the palace.
The prophecy.
None of it felt real.
Yet he had seen it with his own eyes.
“You’ve been avoiding everyone.”
Azul turned.
Bashan leaned against the doorway, his arms folded across his chest.
“I heard you were summoned by the King after the council.”
Azul forced a faint smile.
“So you’ve started listening to palace gossip?”
“I listen when it concerns my rival.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The rivalry that had once been fueled by pride now felt… uncertain.
Finally, Bashan broke the silence.
“Tell me something honestly.”
“Did you feel it too?”
Azul didn’t pretend not to understand.
“The power?”
Bashan nodded.
“I’ve been stronger since we left the forest.”
“So have I.”
The admission surprised them both.
Neither had wanted to be the first to say it aloud.
Bashan looked toward the dark clouds gathering above the city.
“Whatever happened at that stream…”
“It changed us.”
Before Azul could reply, the palace bells rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then a third time.
The sound echoed throughout the kingdom.
“The Assembly Bell,” Bashan said.
“They’re calling everyone.”
⸻
Minutes later, the Grand Hall was filled with nobles, generals, royal advisers, and commanders from every province of Azul.
The King entered wearing ceremonial armor instead of his royal robes.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
No king wore battle armor unless the kingdom faced an extraordinary threat.
The King raised his hand, silencing the hall.
“Yesterday, our kingdom witnessed an event unseen for centuries.”
He paused.
“The Forbidden Forest is no longer safe.”
Whispers swept through the gathering.
“Effective immediately, the forest is placed under royal seal.”
“No citizen may enter without my direct permission.”
Several nobles exchanged worried glances.
“But Your Majesty,” one minister protested, “the forest supplies herbs, timber, and game for half the kingdom.”
“I am aware.”
“Then why—”
“Because I will not sacrifice lives for resources.”
His voice carried through the hall with absolute authority.
The minister lowered his head.
The King continued.
“Furthermore…”
“I hereby establish the Royal Vanguard.”
The hall fell silent.
“It will consist of the kingdom’s most gifted young warriors.”
“They will train directly under the Crown.”
“They will uncover the truth behind the disturbances in the Forbidden Forest.”
“And if necessary…”
“They will defend Azul from whatever awakens there.”
Excitement rippled through the younger nobles.
To join the Royal Vanguard was an honor beyond compare.
Then the King spoke the names of its first two members.
“Crown Prince Azul.”
Every eye turned toward him.
“Bashan.”
A wave of surprise swept through the hall.
The rivals looked at one another.
Neither had expected this.
The King wasn’t finished.
“You may compete.”
“You may challenge one another.”
“But from this day onward…”
“You will stand as partners in protecting this kingdom.”
Bashan frowned.
“Partners?”
Azul looked equally unconvinced.
The two boys had spent years trying to outdo each other.
Now they were expected to fight side by side.
As the assembly came to an end, neither noticed the hooded figure watching from the highest balcony.
Hidden beneath a dark cloak, the stranger smiled.
“The pieces are moving.”
A silver pendant hanging from the stranger’s neck began to glow with the same blue light as the Endless Stream.
Far away, beneath the rushing waters…
Another ancient chain snapped.
- Writer
