April 12th, 2044

Medical Wing, Illea Palace.

"It's been a week since Sythe's fifth birthday and he has yet to get his abilities yet!" his mother screamed at the doctor. Sythe watched from behind his mother's emerald dress that was down to her knees. He held his hands to his ears to muffle the sounds, but he was still able to hear the yelling his mother consistently made towards the doctor, who was trying to open her mouth and say something.

"Your Majesty, please calm down." The doctor spoke, but little did she know that would only anger his mother more.

"Do not tell me to calm down, Doctor! I want answers and you're going to give them to me right now." His mother spat. Sythe tried to hide but it was hard in a room that didn't have any corners he could run into.

The doctor took in a deep breath, her hands shaking slightly, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid there might be a possibility that your son… was born without any abilities."

"...What?" The Queen spat, snarling her teeth slightly.

"I know it's rare, Your Majesty, however there is a chance-"

"Don't explain it to me like I'm stupid!" His mother screamed, "I know that 10% of the population does not have any abilities. However, there is no way that my son - a Schreave - does not have abilities!"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty… but he's not showing any signs-"

"I want you out of my sight right now before I order a guard to gut you like a fish." His mother spoke, now calmer than actual screaming. The doctor immediately ran out the door. His mother took a deep breath in before spinning around to look at her son.

"Momma-" Sythe began to speak before his mother grabbed him by the wrist and started to drag him across the palace.

"Ow momma you're hurting me-" Sythe cried. His mother didn't speak a word, she only held his wrist tighter. Sythe held his eyes shut, tears forming.

Only a few days ago she was showering him with presents and toys and praise. Why was she so upset now? What did he do wrong?

Sythe heard the opening of a door and opened his eyes to be thrown into his fathers study. His father looked up, not at Sythe but at his wife, Vita.

"Darling what-" The king started to speak, but his mother cut him off.

"Your bastard son is showing no signs of abilities." The queen spat, "The Doctor said there is a chance he's powerless. Useless."

Sythe wanted to cry. His father sighed, the mug on his table sliding over into his hands where he took a sip. It was silent for a few seconds. Sythe relaxed his shoulders.

He relaxed too soon. He started sliding against the floor towards his father.

"What a disgrace." His father snarled at him.

Sythe tried to close his eyes as he got closer to his father. He was shaking. He knew his father could be mean to his advisors, but Sythe had never seen him so angry before towards him. He was truly scared of his father at that moment. Scared of what he might do.

"Can't believe my first son is powerless." His father spat as he bent down. His father grabbed his chin., "No one will love a powerless child."

Sythe sniffled, forced to look his father in his eyes, "Dadda that's not true…"

"Yes it is. I'm embarrassed to even call you a son." His father spoke, calmer than his mother, who was pacing the room.

"What will the public say. They cannot know that he's powerless!" The queen mumbled.

The king laughed, "No, darling, they will know. They will know how big of a failure he is. They will know that he should not be called a Schreave. He's lucky to still be a royal at this point." The king let go of Sythe. He fell to the ground, sobbing.

"Get out of here, now Sythe." The king spoke, "Me and your mother have a lot to discuss."

Sythe didn't hesitate to get up, running to the door. He left behind his mother and father, crying. He was only five. He was only five. He was only five…

April 5th, 2065

Sythe's Room, Illea Palace.

Sythe woke up in cold sweat. The sweat beaded down his forehead. His breath was staggered and fast. There was knocking on the door before he could react to his dream that much. He quickly took a breath in and out before getting out of bed.

The knocking continued as he grabbed a shirt off of the floor, "Give me a second." He called, yet the knocking still continued.

He pulled the shirt over his head then quickly walked to the door. As he opened it he saw Rune, his sister, on the other side.

"Took you long enough. Mother and Father want you." Rune simply said.

"What's the reason?" Sythe asked, perplexed on why his parents of all people would want to see him.

"I have no clue." Rune replied, "Whatever it is, you must have done something wrong to warrant both parent's presence."

Sythe sighed, "Thank you, Rune."

"That means you owe me something in the future." Rune warned, then without another hesitation, turned on her heels and walked down the hall.

"She sure is a strange one." Sythe's bodyguard, Allure stated.

"She's my sister. Our family is always strange." Sythe replied, "I'll be ready in a moment. I just need to wear something that will please both my mother and father…"

"Good luck with that, Your Highness." Allure joked.

Sythe chuckled, then shut his door and immediately panicked.

His mother never liked the blue suit on him. Blue never fit his skin tone. Red also would never do since his mother liked to wear Red on Thursdays. Today was a Thursday.

The Black suit made him look too Princely, his father always said. He did not want to be associated with a Prince since he was powerless.

Green also was never a choice since it was his mothers favorite color to wear and if Sythe wore it, there would be hell to pay.

Gray would do for today, not to royal but it also didn't make him look like 'trash' as his parents say. Or maybe a dark purple suit…?

No, dark purple was too royal. Gray would do.

He ran into his closet, grabbing the first Gray suit he could see. He looked at it closely, it had to many wrinkles, his father would not be happy with wrinkles.

He grabbed another Gray suit, this time it was a darker gray, but it had no wrinkles. Perfect.

He quickly put it on. He always had trouble with his tie. His father never taught him, so he had to learn it himself. Of course Allure helped him in anyway possible, but even she had never conquered the difficult task of putting on a bow tie.

He sloppily put on his bow tie. He was already late, and he couldn't afford to be too late. His parents hated tartiness.

He ran his fingers through is blonde hair, looking in the mirror and doing a quick check to see if he looked decent enough. He sighed to himself.

"It'll have to do." He murmured as he walked over to the door and opened it wide.

"Thirteen minutes and twenty two seconds." Allure said. She had a habit of keeping track of how long Sythe spent getting ready.

"Thirteen minutes too late." Sythe sighed, "Let's go, I have a feeling mother isn't going to be happy." Sythe said as he started walking, knowing Allure would follow exactly five footsteps behind him.

Walking to the dining hall was the longest walk of his life. With each step, time grew slower and slower. His breath shortened as the double doors of the Dining hall appeared.

He stood in front of the doors, unable to open them.

"Good luck, Your Highness." Allure whispered.

Sythe nodded, grabbing the handle and slowly turning it.

The noise was loud as laughter rang through the dining hall. Sythe saw his father laughing along with his mother. His three siblings, Rune, Conji and Etheri were sitting down at the table, enjoying their breakfast.

Sythe normally didn't eat with his family. It's not that he didn't want to - no he desperately wanted to eat with his family.

It's just that his father forbade him.

"Another stupid riot in Allens today." his father stated, "This time over work conditions!"

"That's ridiculous." his mother replied, "They are only complaining because they want more pay. They get plenty enough as it is!"

His father looked towards the door - towards Sythe - and immediately stopped laughing.

"Sythe. I didn't hear you come in." his father said.

"Sorry sir, I'll try to be louder next time." Sythe nervously stated.

"Nonsense!" his mother spoke up, "we don't want you to be too loud." his mother turned in her chair to look at him, "Your bow tie is crooked." she simply said before looking at her plate.

"I didn't realize." Sythe lied. Of course he knew his bow tie was crooked. He was the one dreading the conversation with his mother about it.

"Come, sit. We have a lot to talk about." his father ordered.

Sythe moved his feet on his own, walking to the chair next to Etheri - his youngest sibling. She gave him a small smile before returning to her food.

"Let's cut to the chase here, Sythe. We are going to host a Selection." his father stated.

Sythe nodded, "One for Conji?" he asked, "It's about time he got his Selection."

"Oh no, not yet." his mother answered, "Your Selection."

Sythes heart stopped, "My Selection?" he asked, bewildered his parents would even think about his selection. All of his life they had thrown him away like trash. He tapped his middle finger and thumb together in nervousness.

"Don't sound so stupid. Yes, Your Selection. Rune was your age when she had hers, so now it's your turn." his mother said.

"I just thought…" Sythe started.

"Well don't." his father replied, "Don't think about anything. Leave the Selection up to your mother and I. We'll arrange everything."

"Why?" Sythe had to ask, "Why me though? I'm powerless?"

"Oh we are aware." his mother laughed, "Powerless in a Powerful world. How Ironic."

"We thought this would raise public's spirits. A good Selection always does. We'll announce it tomorrow during the Report." his father simply stated.

Sythe wanted to ask more. He wanted to know how it would be held. Hell, he wanted to run it if he could. But he knew his parents would never agree to it. He would just mess it up. Make the royal family look bad.

Like he always did.

"Alright." Sythe murmured.

"Speak up. No one can hear you when you murmur." his father sternly said. Sythe nodded, but didn't speak up again.

His parents continued to talk about nonsense that Sythe was not interested in. All he could do was stare at his plate.

A Selection.

His Selection.

It was a miracle he was getting one. He had to wonder why his parents were giving him one. Surely there was some other motive…

His parents always had another motive. There was no way they would give him this much freedom…

Right?

So I have been working on a Secret Project for a while and well, here it is! I'm so excited to write this story and I can't wait to get characters.

Speaking of Characters, Here are some Rules/Guidelines:

1) This Selection is for Girls between the ages of 21 and 29. Unfortunately I don't think Sythe's parents would be down to have boys at the Selection... :(

2) No Mary Sue's please! Make some interesting characters! Give them TRAUMA! Give them stories. Something that makes them Unique! I want to be able to write a well thought out character!

3) Deadline will be a month from now (06 - 09 - 2022). If you need an extension that's FINE. LET ME KNOW.

4) You can submit up to two (2) characters! If you do, please make them different and not the same character!

5) The Caste system is still here (sorry for all of the people hoping for a non-caste system.) And the Castes are a little different (Check my profile for the changes!)

6) Have fun! I can't make a fun character if you yourself aren't happy, so add silly jokes, make headcannons! I love any and all support (even if it's just a single word like "Wow!").

This story is going to have some dark themes, so if you aren't comfy with that I understand! It will be rated T but I'll let you know if anything triggering will happen during the story.

Have fun, and I can't wait to see what characters I can get!

(MORE INFO ON MY PROFILE!)