Zor

Prologue:

Optera's skies were just hitting their color peak in the mid-late afternoon. Her sunsets always consisted of the most brilliant schemes imaginable. It was also at this time that the stars became visible. The Invid would remember this day as one of the most beautiful sunsets in Optera's recorded history. But the heavenly splendor was only part of what made this day memorable for the Invid; the real showcase was the royal wedding that was taking place on this day. The Invid Regess was marrying the Invid Regent; and event that would crown them King and Queen of all their people.

The Invid were almost like insects in their appearance. They had dark drab colored skin tones ranging from grey to brown to black. They were tall in stature at an average of seven feet and two to three times the width of a humanoid being. Yet there were a highly evolved, sentient species. They had existed for several millennia off of the energy of the "Flower of Life." The "Flower of Life" was vegetation that grew all over the surface of Optera. It lived and gathered its life force from the planet itself, yet at the same time it reciprocated the energy back to the planet causing a cycle that was in every way conducive to living organisms. The "Flower of Life" blossomed year round with "pollen" and "fruit" that the Invid collected and used for nourishment and a stable energy source. In this way the "Flower of Life" was less a metaphor and more a reality.

After thousands of years of prosperity, it was only in the last few centuries that the Invid had begun to develop technology. Technology allowed for expansion and exploration uniting the entire globe as one group of people instead of tribes and nations. It created new methods of harvesting and cultivating the "Flower of Life" transforming it into energy cells to operate machines and sophisticated computers. This new manifestation of the flower was known as Protoculture. However, all of these advances led to problems that had not previously existed. Some people desired modern conveniences; some found them an unsacred hindrance on the use of the flower which they worshiped. Some started to re section themselves into factions and argued over distribution of the flower. War would occasionally break out and the devastation was beginning to affect the planet.

But there was one thing that all could agree on. A select few Invid in history were endowed with a special aptitude with the flower. These people had special abilities and powers that they drew from the flower itself. In all cases these people were called to lead, and on this day the only known two were to be married. Their union would mark a new age of peace and restore order to the Invid home world.

The Regess felt nervous on her wedding day. Even though this was supposed to be a joyous occasion, she felt empty inside. She was going to marry someone that she did not love. For that matter she did not even know him.

In the center of the ceremony was the legendary "Flower Garden." This was where the most potent and plentiful blossoming of the "Flower of Life" grew. Some believed it was where the first flower ever grew. There were winged Invid who flew across sun colored sky leaving behind trails of glowing energy, creating a spectacle for all to see. Invid gathered for miles around to see the event that was about to take place. The Flower Garden grew in a large canyon and extended from hundreds of feet in the ground to hundreds of feet into the air. The crowds of people seemed never ending from the bottom of the canyon to the edges of the cliff peaks and beyond.

The Regess and Regent were located at the foot of the Flower Garden that was in bloom for the season of harvest. They were both dressed in red ceremonial robes as they began to partake in their vows. They stood just a few feet apart from each other as they recited their lines. "I, regent of the Invid, take you Regess as my one and only mate." (The Regess and Regent Surrendered their birth names when they received their titles). The Regess responded, "I, Regess of the Invid, take you Oh great Regent as my Lord and Master. And I will be loving and loyal and submit to your will as my mate and Regent." The Regess cringed even as the words escaped her lips. The tradition of Patriarchy amongst most Invid tribes and Nations never sat well with her. And with the advancements of the modern age, it didn't sit well with many others either.

The next order of business was for the couple to partake in the eating of the fruit of the flower. The Regent removed a small piece of fruit from his cloak and showed it to the crowd. He then took a large bite out of it and handed it to the Regess. As she nervously reached her arm out, her shakiness got the best of her and she dropped the fruit in the transition. All people who could see this gasped in horror. Traditionally, dropping the fruit during the ceremony was considered a very bad omen for the marriage. As the Regess retrieved the fruit from the ground, the Regent expressed his impatience with grunts of annoyance and disapproval. The Regess quickly wiped the fruit off on her gown (leaving a stain) and ate of the fruit. The crowd cheered causing an uproar that was nearly deafening to the newlywed couple.

The Regess tried to believe that she had done the right thing but something felt out of place. She knew that the Regent was nothing but power hungry and greedy and she feared exactly what this marriage was going to entail.

(To be updated)