STEEL BORN

CARA

"Raise your hand if you have read El luciferi", Mrs. Jonas was speaking. Cara was in her class in the place of learning with other Princes, Princesses and Noble children. She was flanked on the left by the Prince of Shoal and on the right, by the Princess of Meal. There were places of learning in the various cities of Xion, but non to be compared with the one Worth had to offer. Therefore, majority of the Dukes and chiefs of Xion send their children to the capital to acquire knowledge. The place of learning was built very large, it had living quarters for both students, teachers and workers, different rooms for different subjects, a recreational center known as the common ground, a huge kitchen, an administrative quarter, a library and a huge hall for dining. The different living quarters had their wash rooms and latrines, adjoining rooms for their various eunuchs and servants. The females were separated from the males. Slaves were not allowed in the building except to accompany the carriage when the Royal or noble child was traveling to and from Worth. Only the Royals and Noble Children attended the place of learning in Worth. Cara was distracted, "Princess Cara, you did not do your assignment?", She was brought back by the sound of her name. "I did Mrs. Jonas", "Why didn't you raise your hand?", "I'm sorry, I was distracted". Princess Sia, the daughter of the chief of Worth, a perpetual rival, chuckled. "Silence Princess Sia", Mrs. Jonas commanded. Such laws as to honor and respect was mildly observed in the place of learning. Princess Cara flashed at Sia with burning eyes. "Princess Sia, please come forward and share your views on the subject", Mrs. Jonas commanded. The eleven years old Princess stood proudly and began descending the stairs towards the front of the class. "As we all know, El luciferi is Latin which means 'the Lucifer', it was written many years ago, it was about the gods and goddesses of the underworld and the consequences of black magic", she concluded as the class clapped in encouragement. Far behind, her servant smiled in admiration. "Any contributions?", Mrs. Jonas questioned the entire class as the little Princess returned to her seat. "Well, tomorrow you will submit two pages of your thoughts on the book, thank you, that will be all".

The children began to rise leaving the hall, Mrs. Jonas approached Princess Cara, "will my Princess like to share what ails her?", she questioned. "We could talk a little if you please". "It's alright, Mrs. Jonas. I prefer to keep it to myself", "in that case, see you tomorrow and don't forget about the assignment". "Yes, Mrs Jonas", she responded continuing towards Amand who had been waiting at the entrance.

Princess Cara didn't feel like going to the Palace just yet, "take me to the library, Amand will you?", Amand opened the little window behind him in the carriage, he yelled to the coachman and the two guards seated at the top. The coachman turned the horses towards the road leading to the city's library.

Princess Cara took a seat at the library, the librarian brought the books she was interested in including El luciferi, she also intended to finish her given assignment before going home. She was researching a topic on her mind related to the dream that had disturbed her family few nights ago. She just couldn't take her mind off the occurrence. She studied a few books and some scrolls, began writing with the materials provided by the librarian - a feather pen and a small jar of oil ink. "Take me to the temple Amand, I wish to see the Priestess of light".

The temple was a large building, a huge golden ball sat on the top of the building. The building housed all the gods and goddesses of Xion. Each had their own chapel in the building. At the entrance were giant statues of different gods and goddesses, there was the god of the sun, goddess of the moon, goddess of fertility, god of death, the goddess of harvest and others. They stood at the large entrance of their chapel. The people of Xion worshipped many gods.

The Princess flanked by Amand entered the chapel of the goddess of light - Aura. Amand stopped in the entrance by the door where he stood with the chapel guards, the Princess approached the altar at the end of the large rectangular hall, the hall was empty, there where no seats. The sun cast a long ray through the window on the golden statue of Aura, making her glitter. The statue was made in the semblance of a pretty woman sitting on a golden throne, smiling down at her worshippers. On her feet were placed chalices and golden pots for different purposes. Flower and candle stands surrounded her, but the candles had not been lit. Cara sprayed the petals Amand had bought for her visit few minutes ago on her feet, knelt and worshipped.

"Greetings Princess Cara, my mistress is expecting you", one of the apprentices of the Priestess spoke, slightly bowing beside Cara. She was a pretty tall teenage black girl, she was dressed sparingly in white. White clothes covered her breasts and waist. The waist clothe swept the floor as she walked leading Cara towards her mistress. Her hair was as full as Cara's but scattered. When the goddess chooses a replacement for the Priestess, a white clothe would be tied around her head in anticipation of the regalia of the Priestess when she passes. The Priestess was standing at the end of the corridor they had entered holding an olympic flame torch, the apprentice took a different entrance after gesturing towards her without speaking. Cara approached the Priestess who slightly bowed and began leading her. They took a stone staircase going down beneath the temple. When they got to the bottom, she stopped, "you have finally found the prophecy in the library, there has been more since the past few days and I will show you". The environment they entered was dark, it smelled of many waters, there was indeed a river flowing somewhere bellow, Cara could hear the sound. The walls were rough and made of many stones. The Priestess pushed open a stone entrance and they entered, she got to the end of the compartment and raised the torch facing Cara. There were writings on the wall, it was written in a strange language.

"What does it say?", Cara questioned.

The Priestess began to speak still staring at Cara, hand still raised towards the writing. "A child shall be born to the King of Xion, she shall be called Cara, she has reincarnated from years to come, to preserve her people against the apocalypse". She finished.

"Does it say when this apocalypse will occur?",

"It has been revealed to you my Princess and you will be ready, you know the signs, you have seen it before, it had been the death of you and the end of your Kingdom... But do not worry, the goddess - Aura will not be taken by surprise a second time, she will guide you when it's time."