The Emperor made his way in, calm and slow like he owned time itself, and right behind him came his son Draven. And honestly, that alone stirred up a soft wave of squeals from a bunch of girls standing somewhere behind Jasmine. She even heard one whisper a bit too loud, before one of the elders turned and gave them a sharp look that shut them right up.
Jasmine tried not to stare, but she couldn't help sneaking a glance. Even from where she stood, he looked... different. Tall didn't even cut it he looked like he was built to stand above everybody else. His whole stance was like a statue that had somehow come alive, like someone carved him out of something cold. There was something sharp about him, but not in a human way more like diamond sharp Unnaturally perfect.
His hair was a mess of black, midnight black. Not the shiny kind either, but the kind that eats light, like a void just hanging there. It framed his face in a wild, careless way, like he didn't bother with combs or mirrors, but still made it work somehow.
But the worst, or maybe the scariest part, was his eyes.
They were... just black. Not dark brown, not deep greyblack. Like pits. Empty ones. They didn't blink much, and they didn't shine either. Looking at them felt like staring into something that shouldn't exist, like a place your mind isn't meant to go. They didn't look at you they looked through you, and not in that charming, mysterious way either. It was silent, but the kind of silence that made your bones shift inside your skin.
She shook involuntarily at the thought of standing close to him, she was sure he would suffocate the very air out of her, with just a chilling glance from him, this made her clung to Micah unconsciously.
They stood on the highest platform, looking at the people present as they all bowed their heads to honor him.
"Long live emperor Thornegrave!!" The crowd chorused and Jasmine followed suit. The king raised his hand, and the hall went silent.
"We are all gathered here to honor the pact bestowed upon us by our ancestors, to eat of the same plate, drink of the same cup, walk of the same pact." He paused taking in every face. " Share the same joy and the same pain and ensure our people survive in this vast world where darkness is the most broad domain ready to consume us if allowed to. Descendants of the flame, of shifting stone, of fleeting time, of death's breath, and the living flesh..." his voice rang, not loud, but carried—like the world itself was listening.
The Emperor turned slowly, his eyes sweeping over each sovereign.
"For Aeons, we have stood apart—each realm tending its wounds, guarding its realm, keeping its people safe. But the storm that comes does not care for flags or oaths. It devours all—whole and indivisible. Our ancestors didn't want that. They decided the five realms needed to be united. "They offered not peace. Peace is a lie born of pause. They offered unity, forged in fire, sharpened by truth, bound by purpose. The Rift below the tide unites the heart into one. And only together can we seal it."
"And together they were able to bring upon the realm a world save to live in, a world of no fear, and exploring our greatest power in dominating and conquering darkness" he finished.
He picked up a goblet brought forward by a server. The goblet wasn't gold and shiny. It was black like it was made of metal, and it had patterns that looked bizarre, but on closer look, it seemed to form an unknown language, which Jasmine was wise enough not to utter.
The emperor raised the goblet and announced. " To the five realms"
The crowd echoed chorusedly. Also raising their glass of wine, "To the five realms," and they drank. Jasmine hesitated, not sure what was in the cup, they were all served the same content. Jasmine watched as Her family devoured it, which left her no choice. She swallowed the content, too, scrunching her face half expecting a bad taste to explode on her taste buds, but nothing came other than a tasteless liquid gliding down her throat, she frowned.
The people began settling around the dining tables that had been arranged across the great hall. There were five in total, like the five realms, but each one wasn't exactly strict—different realms were mixed together, sitting side by side, which honestly felt a bit weird but kinda cool too.
Jasmine ended up seated with Leo Qadir, the son of the Earth bearer chief. She'd only seen him from a distance earlier, but now he was right next to her... well, not next, more like diagonally across. And beside him sat the white-haired and quiet guy from earlier Malachi Tydros. Apparently, Leo had dragged him over. The way they talked and elbowed each other made it clear they were friends, though Malachi looked like he wanted nothing more than to sink into the floor and vanish. Still, he sat there, tolerating Leo's constant commentary.
They were across from her but close enough to make eye contact if they wanted. Not that they did. She wasn't expecting any attention really, but still... it was like her presence was just background noise at this point. The table was lively though others chatting away, tradin inside joke and teasing remarks. A couple of the younger kids were already arguing over who was being meaner, which earned a few loud snorts and an eye-roll from someone who clearly had no patience left.
And of course, Micah was gone. Again.
' Left me alone like always,' she muttered under her breath, dragging her plate a little closer. That little traitor had whined so much about not wanting to attend the ball. "And now he's out here socializing like he's Mr Popular," she grumbled. "Slick bastard."
She didn't look up at Leo or Malachi again. They seemed busy anyway. And honestly? She wasn't in the mood to force a conversation. Not tonight.
A warm wave rolled in as the server came closer, carrying a tray that looked way too hot to hold. The food on it was still steaming. He placed it gently in front of them and Jasmine's eyes widened. Big ribs stuck on dark sticks, still sizzling. Beside them were these shiny root things, like potatoes, but glowing with a warm orange color. They looked kind of burnt, but in a tasty way.
Her stomach growled before she could stop it. She blinked and realized she hadn't eaten all day. Not since that rushed tea in the morning. Now it was already midnight and her body was like, 'feed me now'. She leaned forward a bit, catching herself before she drooled like a total fool.
The plate had the Scorial Vale—fire realm emblem shiny and proud like they cooked it with flames on purpose just to brag.
Then more servers walked in, this time from the Verdant Mire—earth realm. They were quieter, but the food smelled like herbs and campfire and something cozy. Jasmine watched them place round buns that looked like small rocks, and some kind of wrapped meat with leaves, all in stone bowls. It looked healthy. Like, forest healthy.
She leaned closer, frowning a bit. "Wait... is that a rock or is it food?" she asked without thinking.
Leo snorted on his drink, trying not to laugh. Malachi didn't even look up. "It's bread," he said kinda calm. "Tastes better than it looks."
"Ohh. Right." Jasmine poked at it carefully. "I just wasn't ready for bread that looks like you could throw it through a window."
Leo chuckled. "It's not that bad. Just chew slow."
She sighed and picked up her fork. "If I break a tooth, I'm blaming both of you."
"Go on, take a bite." he nodded as if he couldn't wait for her to have a bite from it.
She took hold of the stone-baked root loaves and bit into it, at first she expected her teeth to calve in and shatter as the loaves looked stone hard, but she was surprised at the milky drop that sipped into her lips and the softness of the loaves, she stared at it in disbelief.
She closed her eyes and let the taste melt in her mouth that was it, the spot. Pure goodness. Like her tongue just found happiness.
Leo soft chuckling made her snapped her eyes open, her cheeks heating up fast like she'd been caught dreaming in public.
"Delicious, isn't it?" Malachi said with a small smile that made her feel even more embarrassed. "That was exactly my face the first time I tried it."
He leaned forward a little, lowering his voice like he was letting her in on some secret. "One bite of that bread and I thought I'd just ate the forest floor... in the best way possible. Crunchy moss with nuts and whatever the hell else is in there. Kinda weird, but real good."
Jasmine blinked at him, then looked down at the weird earthy loaf again. "So... you're saying nature tastes better."
Malachi gave a light shrug, like you get it now.
Before she could reply, Leo slid a plate closer to her, the smell hitting her hard which made her stomach growl loud enough for them all to hear. She wanted to melt into the floor to just disappear am never be found.
"Have you tried the Inferno-skewered beast ribs from Scorial Vale?" Leo asked, all casual, like he hadn't just mentioned beast, seems the human world was rubbing off on her."You need to taste it. It Insanely good."
She gave him a sheepish look, her hand already reaching for the ribs like it had a mind of its own. "If I eat any more I might combust," she muttered, but that didn't stop her from grabbing one.
Leo just grinned. "Don't worry. That's half the fun."
"Go on princess all yours" Leo gestured to her plate, she didn't waste any time in devouring the beast's rib. and just when she was getting used to her meal they hit her with another mouth watering scent that seems to drift in the air like cool breeze.
"It smells like statistics" Leo complained eyeing the plate of food Dynara servers were bringing over.
"And this is??" Leo asked so staring at the bowl confused.
"It called the Plasma Coil Noodles" Jasmine was able to answer as her uncle and aunt were from Dynara they had show her the meal before.
Thin, glowing noodles suspended in a broth of charged mineral water, spiced thunderroot, and floating arcs of condensed current.
"The last time I ate something like this I was charged the next day, my entire room was filled with plants creeping the entire space I couldn't control my powers, it was energy surging" Leo said totally pushing the bowl away.
"I'll pass on this one" Malachi said also pushing the plate aside. The last thing he needed was getting stuck in a time loop for an entire day, it will be an eternity of torture.