Reason

Her heels click loudly on the floor causing goosebumps to break out on my damp skin. My eyes were glued to the floor as the queen sautered into the throne room.  

The throne room was beyond beautiful, a vast hall, with towering ceilings and intricate carvings. The walls are lined with golden tapestries, depicting scenes of heroic deeds and great battles.

A massive throne sits at the end of the hall, made of polished obsidian and inlaid with precious gems. The throne is flanked by two massive stone statues of dragons, their wings outstretched and eyes glowing with an eerie, green light.

Everything in the room is gigantic and intimidating.

Head were bowed in reverence as she walked past, her powerful aura suffocating the room. The elders shifted uncomfortably as she walked past them. My hands were sweaty as I placed them firmly beside me. 

"Rise" she commands her voice cold and sharp as a blade cutting through the eerily silent room before positioning herself on the throne. Everyone rises standing tall before the queen.

My eyes flick to Elder Yan standing nervously on the other side with the elders, she looked scared. 

Her fears were evident last night as she ushered us to our rooms absentmindedly. She was silent as she watched us whispering to one another.

Everyone was pretty shook yesterday, we were grouped into two people each to share a room. My brother gripped my hand tightly as he kept Insisting to stay in the same room with me. Elder Yan was definitely not in the mood to argue as she just left it to us before letting her wiggly legs carry her to her room.

The room was beautiful just like every part of the castle we've been to. Huge, decorated with paintings and ancient artifacts. I didn't really take my time in admiring the room as I threw myself on the bed.

It took quite a while before I could fall asleep, tossing around uncomfortably. It was harder to fall asleep as Titian kept trying to cry himself to sleep, disturbing my train of thoughts. The scene kept replaying in my head as I tried to sink myself in the soft and comfy bed.

The bloody scene kept replaying in my head, causing me to wake up covered in sweat due to a nightmare after a few hours of sleep.

Yesterday was just not it.

I thought everything would be over soon since we would be leaving today. But Elder Yan gathered us in her room early in the morning, telling us the main reason for the sudden ball.

The moment she dropped the bomb the tension in the air couldn't be thicker. I could feel a large lump in my throat making it difficult for me to swallow. Shivers ran through my spine as the moments of my life played before my eyes. The queen wanted three boys to join the meeting. Why on earth did she want  any of us to join the meeting?

Elder Yan didn't wait for us to digest this shocking news before stating which one of us was picked. My face turned pale as she listed the chosen three.

"Tyran, Shane and Devin were chosen" Gasps filled the room, a few boys comforting the two others that were chosen. My brain  couldn't think straight as her words cloaked me. "Devin_Devin_Devin". She chose Devin, she chose me. Why? A hand rubbed my back in comfort as I slipped into a panic attack. I was devastated.

"I hope you enjoyed the rest of the ball, Elder Yan" the queen said sweetly as her eyes flicked towards the wiggly elder.

"Yes your Royal Highness" Elder Yan stated her voice not cracking once, eyes glued to the floor. It's surprising how her voice could be so confident not matching her body posture. Physically she looked pale as the moon, her hands slightly shaking as it was pulled into fists beside her.

"Wonderful" the queen stated as her nails thumped on the arm of the throne. My nails instinctively pick on my trousers as I try not to look up at the sound she was making. I never thought I would ever be so scared to look at someone.

The chill of the throne room cut through my bones like a dagger. The cold seemed to seep into my very soul, and I could barely stop my teeth from chattering. I sat still, trying to hide my discomfort from the queen. I was one of three youths who had been summoned to the throne room, and I had no idea what for. The queen's icy voice broke the silence.

"Let's talk about the reason for the meeting, shall we?" My heart pounded in my chest, and I tried to compose myself, but my hands trembled with fear.

"We're here at your service, Your Majesty," one of the Elders said his voice shaking. I looked up to look at the shivering man, I'm sure everyone looked pale.

My eyes flicked to the queen only to see her eyes already on me. My soul left my body as the queen fixed her gaze on me, and it felt like she was staring into my soul.

"You three have been selected to become guards in my kingdom," she said, her words echoing in the vast chamber. My heart leapt in my chest, and my mouth went dry. A guard? Me? I could barely believe it.

"Your training will begin tomorrow. Be ready to devote yourself to the protection of my kingdom." She finalized her nails thumping on the arm of the throne.

The weight of her words bore down on me, and I felt a sense of duty settle over me. I would be a guard, a protector of the realm. But what did that mean? Why on earth would she chose us .

My eyes flicked nervously around the room to see everyone looking dead. Was it always like this ? One word echoed in my head, "My family"What was going to happen to them. How would Titian feel to return home alone. What about everything I would I have to give up?

" That is going to be all, you may leave"she commands leaving no room for any contribution. I pushed those thoughts aside, and stood when the queen dismissed us. I filed out of the throne room with the other two youths, my mind racing.

What did the future hold for me? I had no idea, I suddenly feel the urge to disappear. Maybe I am overreacting. How bad could it be? My lips trembled as I walked slowly behind Elder Yan and the other two boys, I knew I would have to be strong, brave, and ready for anything.

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