Early Next Morning:
Sunrise offers the most breathtaking view to anyone willing to catch the sight. Its vibrancy and gorgeous colors painted the dawn covered sky, temperatures varying dependent on the season. Many early risers appreciate the calm, serene atmosphere dawn presents most days, and today offered no exception to this notion.
Inside a rather modest home on the outskirts of civilization stood a thoughtful and focused male, his gaze directly on an open space within the plains, before shifting his attention to the orange ball of fire. Some conveyed him to be a misunderstood individual; silent when left alone despite intermingling amongst a boisterous crowd. The young man honestly didn't care for others' opinion on his personality or lack thereof. He did, however, embrace the underlying concept of respect.
It's earned, not given.
Youthful features betrayed his actual age, a number inconceivable to other races across the galaxy. His body was nothing short of a hand-sculpted masterpiece, deep ridges embedded throughout the midsection in a six-pack mountain of muscle, complemented nicely by his bronze skin. Both arms held a vigorous definition for each bicep tendon, an athletic physique Hercules would envy. The aura of a battle-tested warrior filled his spirit though you wouldn't know from the majestic robes he adorns; a fascinating mixture of bright coloration interwoven into sophisticated designs, the long sleeves pulled past both elbows with a moss bracelet on his left wrist and a black sash tied around the waist.
"Early bird finds the worm, Jai."
The young man's posture drifts towards the angelic voice from the other side of the kitchen, his brown eyes on a familiar face he's grown to appreciate through the millennia. One could effortlessly tell where his good looks originated.
His mother.
A respected elder throughout the land, Kiyana's wisdom gained prevalent esteem among contemporaries and nobility figures, hence why she heeds their call for assistance concerning pressing matters. For today, Kiyana wore a basic burgundy dress that filled out her anatomy with the same colored sandals, her hair's ebony locks showing an unquestioned radiance. She smiles softly at her child, taking small steps in his direction before lightly embracing Jai to plant a soft kiss on his cheek; the two remaining close since Kiyana's labor continuing into her son's growth into adolescence and eventually manhood.
Jai releases the hug. "Morning, mother. Your health is improving."
"Steadily as the days go by, my son," Kiyana affirms. "Apologies if your stay here wasn't comfortable. I would've prepared your old room sooner had I knew you were visiting beforehand."
The boy waves a dismissive hand. "My deployment was far worse than what greets me here." Jai then showed a grateful smile. "Besides, you perpetually await me here with open arms."
Kiyana returns the gesture. "You'll always be welcomed home until you're no longer walking our spirited soil."
"Your sentiments grow larger with each sunrise," a gruff voice interrupts.
Both Jai and Kiyana turn to see another recognizable face, one the young man wasn't particularly keen on seeing. Unlike Kiyana, Jai's father Solomon lacked the litany of ailments his wife endures due to rigorous exercise and daily mediation, thus resulting in keeping his youthful appearance in a slim black Dashiki shirt and a nice pair of leather pants. The zen-like practice Solomon partook in did little to quell his rather brash personality, however, gradually allowing Kiyana to join him after a scary episode less than a month ago.
During a rather humdrum afternoon, Kiyana tended to her garden outside their humble abode to ensure all her plants, fruits, and vegetables receive proper water and sunlight nutrition. However, kneeling on the ground for over two hours significantly altered her spine alignment as two vertebrae dislodged themselves out of place, rendering Kiyana motionless. Her pleas for help prompted a nearby neighbor to call for immediate hospitalization. Thankfully, Kiyana's recovery lasted only two weeks with the work of local healers though it didn't stop her son from excusing himself out of duty to monitor his mother's wellbeing.
Solomon's critical eye examines his son as he's done so many times before. Not one to back down, Jai stood his ground against his father's presence. Neither man yielded an inch in a quiet conversation about the boy's residence within Solomon's home from which the older gentleman built from the ground up with his own two hands.
"Nice to see you too, father." Jai snips. "Hope I'm not invading your private space."
Kiyana quickly steps between her two men. "Not now, you two."
"And you still protect him like he's a newborn, Kiyana," Solomon lightly scolds. "He's a grown man who can take care of himself."
"But he's still our child," his wife reiterated, not backing off her firm stance. "A place will always remain open here for Jai no matter how old he becomes. Need I remind you that he's your superior?"
That statement halted Solomon in his tracks, dissatisfaction written over his facial features at the perception of his spouse taking their son's side rather than his.
Father and son rarely agree or act in good faith whenever in close quarters mainly because of Jai's decision to not follow Solomon's footsteps into the political domain, opting instead to venture towards a different avenue – the Edenian Knights. Additionally, Jai's athletic and studious background blended perfectly with the Knights' rigorous curriculum along with their acclaimed sports teams.
Reluctantly, Solomon wisely ceases his actions though he maintained a perturb stare on their child. Jai did the same to appease his mother's wishes, wishing to stay in her good graces.
"This quarrel must stop as it has gone on for far too long, and I grow weary every time you two feel the need to prove a point," Kiyana voices in displeasure, her tone anything but pleased. "Why is it neither of you can be civil?"
Silence followed for the next few minutes between the somewhat broken family, no one uttering a single word after Kiyana's frustration finally boiled over. Jai understood for his mother's sake that he should make a better effort to get along with his father, easier said than done with Solomon unrelenting for any compromise. Still, he must look past all the arguing and find common ground before serious consequences befall on their household.
"Apologies, mother," Jai broke the deafening muteness, conceding his innate urge to prolong the disagreement. "I believe it's best I should be on my way. The King and Queen are expecting my arrival before joint instruction and training this afternoon."
"We'll cease this bickering for now," Solomon maintains his position. "But we're far from finished with this conversation."
A sigh of reprieve blended with resignation left Kiyana at her husband's statement. That was the best she could hope for and will have to accept until a more plausible resolution made itself known. She excused herself to step outside, obtaining two apples fresh out of the garden.
"For your trip to the palace," Kiyana announces. "Please send my regards."
In a rare sighting, both Jai and Solomon nod to the family matriarch, gently taking their fruit as they each bid farewell to Kiyana. They made their way out the door greeted by an astonishing scene.
Their grand home of Edenia.
Edenia is highly considered a borderline paradise resembling the Garden of Eden due to its endearing qualities such as infinite pastures and wildlife contributing to a robust ecosystem nearly unmatched in the vast cosmos. It's government consisted of a feudal monarchy, a political and economic system founded from the ninth to around the fifteenth century; based on the holding of all land in fief or fee and the resulting relation of lord to vassal and characterized by homage, legal, and military service of tenants and forfeiture. Many eras have come and gone through the millennia, but the basic principles of partial and just rule endured through the ravages of time.
Of all the planets, Edenia mirrors Earthrealm in environment, appearance, and population. Rain regularly falls, giving plenty of saturation for its wondrous wooded areas. Both realms foster a mutual relationship along with being jewels of the cosmos, thus deemed important universal power nodes for ambitious tyrants looking to expand their outreach. As a result, Edenia's security lies in the hands of a God named Argus, the most powerful Edenian deity alongside his wife Delia, a sorceress who harnesses the ability to wield fire and envision the future. Each divinity watches over their home with keen eyes, equipped to aid their people by any means necessary.
Its inhabitants, known as Edenians, strike a similar resemblance to that of humans on Earth but are direct descendants of the Gods themselves, resulting in generous benefits: Longer life expectancy where most individuals live to be over thousands of years old, as well as more gradual aging process and possessing more significant affinities with sorcery. Many people revere Edenians for their exquisite features and various skin complexions ranging from light to dark, primarily when referring to their women. Though peaceful by nature, Edenian citizens take tremendous pride in defending their land from foreign aggressors.
Jai was no exception to this approach as he expressed interest in joining Edenia's elite military, which blossomed into a full-out passion for protecting his people and loved ones. As expected, each of Jai's parents held varying opinions on their son's choice of profession. Though apprehensive at first, Kiyana eventually warmed up to the idea of Jai laying his life on the line to ensure peace within their sacred homeland, seeing so much of herself in their lone child as she also served in the militia in her younger days. On the other hand, Solomon vehemently opposed his son's election, hence why they aren't on favorable speaking terms.
Neither male spoke during the long walk to their shared destination, the stone pathway serving as a trail leading up to the famed Kingdom both serve faithfully in their specific capacity. What seems awkward to most was typical for father and son this dawn. Jai subtly glanced at his father and tried to conjure a decent conversation.
Nothing left his mouth.
Frustrated, Jai redirected his focus back on the pathway, unhappy with how their relationship has deteriorated over the past hundred years or so.
"Don't think I detest nor think lowly of you, son," Solomon's words caught his offspring by surprise, their pace never breaking stride. "I believe you're wasting your ingenuity serving with the Knights."
'Stubborn as ever,' the son thought internally. "You are entitled to your viewpoint, but with all due respect, I've chosen my path. Being a Knight is what I envision myself doing."
Solomon predicted this answer and left it at that as the duo reached the main gate patrolled by two guards adorned in battle armor, weapons at the ready against anyone brazenly foolish enough to storm the hallow grounds.
One of the patrolmen steps forward. "State your business."
Jai reaches into the parchment latched on his back and pulled out an official scroll sent to him three days ago by the King himself, his signature along with the Queen's neatly legible at the paper's bottom portion. He hands it to the guardsman who analyzes every detail to ensure no forgery. No such violation caught his eye.
"Greetings, Lieutenant Jai. The King and Queen are awaiting your presence," he informs before turning towards the man's father. "A pleasure as always, Adviser Solomon."
"Likewise, gentlemen," Solomon replies with a small smile. "I trust your shift throughout the night didn't produce any wayward occurrences?"
"None of significant importance, Sir, though Ambassador Vincent and the others aren't in agreement with an accordance proposal from one of our neighbors," the second guard interjects.
The name mentioned by the guardsman sent a wave of annoyance and indignation over Solomon: Vincent, a man who's ego knew no bounds with a temper to match. On more than one occasion did the two aristocrats collide over differing perspectives for Edenia. Solomon wanted to keep Edenia a peaceful nation that only fought when the stakes were highest, a beacon of hope for bordering realms. Vincent's philosophy represented an entirely adverse outlook. His line of thinking stuck to the belief that every living being in the universe should fear Edenia because of its immense power and influence. Despite his extremist position, the Ambassador's wealth of knowledge concerning politics and diplomacy loomed essential for discussing treaty conditions
"Another case of poor judgment, I see," Solomon muses. "I appreciate you being forthcoming with this news."
"Of course," the guard responds before he and his fellow soldier moved aside and opened the palace doors.
What awaited Jai and Solomon behind the double doors laid the very foundation Edenia proudly stood on, the main hall lavished in the finest of silk fabrics, taking the appearance of a festive gathering; curtains draped over every window sill as flowers from the outside garden added to the scenic landscape. Pearl tiles align throughout the Palace floors, creating a sense of perfection within Edenia's central alcazar.
As father and son traverse into the structure, Solomon halted himself, his son doing the same. "If you're not too busy at mid-day, I would like for us to sit down for lunch."
Jai raises an eyebrow at the invitation, curious as to why he wanted to speak in private. "Something else troubles you?"
"Discussing here isn't ideal. Only you can know about what I intend to reveal," the older man briefs. "Understood?"
Noting his father's urgency on this distinct matter, Jai accepts the offer with a slight nod. "Very well. I'll search for you during combat intermission." With that, he hastily made his way towards the Throne room to not risk being late for his appointment.
Solomon regards Jai's retreating body down the hall before continuing to his gathering with the Royal Assembly, his veiled speculation coming to the forefront. 'His reasons for defending the motherland are noble, that's beyond questioning. However, I know deep down my son's real intentions for affiliating with the Knights.'
Arriving at his scheduled meeting, Solomon concluded as to why Jai shunned the bureaucratic branch. 'That girl...'
