the Rarity

Chapter 13

A/N: What is this madness? posting two chapters in one month!! Let's go!! - Hope y'all enjoy :)

-7 years earlier-

Through the long, marbled halls of Legion Palace, young Prince Caleb, only freshly turned 10 years old, struts down the corridors with pride and self-importance. The young master had a smirky smile on his face as he was holding onto that glimmering adrenaline from last night's festivities of his Highness's birthday celebration, then told afterward by his parents that the next day, at 10 am sharp he would be allowed to experience his first important event as an "of-age" royal. What this surprise event was, he was unsure. Perhaps a meeting about trade affairs, maybe even beginning to learn battle strategies for the army he has always looked forward to leading.

Young, naive, Caleb continues through the glittering pathways of his home with joy and excitement as he glances at the gold grandfather clock sitting along the ivory-toned walls of one of the main halls of the palace, the hands reading 9:52 am. He continues to make his way to the end of the foyer where the familial study is located and where Caleb has done most of his prior training. Caleb approaches the door, smiling happily at a blonde-haired servant girl who is using her elemental power to water the large flowers.

"Ah, Caleb." His father, King Jacob, says greeting Caleb as he enters the room, closing the door behind him. "Please, join us." He finishes with a soft, almost menacing smile.

"Are you ready, dear?" Queen Juliet asks kindly with a caring and exciting smile. "This will be a big moment for you."

"I'm so ready Momma! I can't wait anymore!" the young prince says quickly, jumping up and down.

"Well then lets go!" King Jacob says happily, and they all head out of the study and through the front palace doors to a waiting, all-black car. This confuses Caleb however. he thought that perhaps his parents would teach him something new about ruling within the Legion Palace ground, but nonetheless, he is still just as excited and curious as ever

***

The royal family finally arrives at a large, concrete building that appears to be only about 5 minutes away from their home. The building is tall, wide, and drab, having no windows or color besides the dark gray of the worn concrete. The structure's aesthetic sends an unnerving chill down young Caleb's spine, his excitement and anticipation slightly faltering with uncertainty.

"W-What is this place?" Caleb asks, a small fearful shake in his voice, yet curiosity getting the better of him.

"Oh. Just a sort of holding facility. Nothing for you, of course, dear. No need to worry." Queen Juliet replies, noticing the worried shift on Caleb's face. "Not to hold you." She laughs slightly, malice laced underneath, unbeknownst to the young monarch. "Just for... certain people." the Queen finishes.

"O-Oh... okay." Caleb responds, subconsciously convincing himself that there is nothing to worry about. The three nobles, walking side-by-side into the large ____ and through the halls, finally reach the center of the large prison, entering a large room with a window larger than Caleb had ever seen before. Once he was standing just behind the window, he could see out into the whole arena below. Wide, open... intimidating. In the middle of the unnerving amphitheater, sits a large, wooden chair, appearing to have what looks like straps on the arms and front legs of the chair. This makes a chill even more intense go down Caleb's spine, unsure how to feel about what he is looking at. All the dark grayish stone and concrete make the space eerie and uncomfortable.

"H-Hey, Mom..." Caleb starts by asking but before he can continue, two men in dark gray hold one other young boy, looking to be no much older than Caleb himself, wearing a dark indigo-purple jumpsuit walking out of the far right corner towards the center of the arena. Unable to break his gaze, Caleb looks hard and intently at the scene unfolding below him, noticing how once the young man in purple looks up and notices where he is, he begins to struggle and fight against the other two men - obviously Herculeans - who both appear to be completely unfazed by the young adult's struggles and tugs against them. they finally approach the large wooden chair, strapping the man to the seat by his arms and legs just as Caleb had thought.