Turning Wheels of Fate (Utapri)

《1》

Hello! I didn't think I'd be publishing a new story but here I am! I've always wanted to write a medieval themed story so here it is! The update won't be regular since I'm still working on it.

And today is Eiichi's birthday! Happy birthday, Eiichi!

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How could this have happened.....

The whole empire was blazing, abolishing human lives and also everything in it. The night sky didn't have a single cloud. Yet the stars were hidden by the smokes. The once proud capital of the Otori Empire had now crumbled into ruins.

The crown prince, or rather, former crown prince, Eiichi watched with horror how the city was burning, taking away people's lives and possessions.

I've failed...... I've failed to protect my people......

"Your Highness, the 2nd order of Saotome kingdom is also arriving! At this rate...!" Nagi, the son of the late Prime Minister, exclaimed.

"I'll go." The soft yet firn voice belonged to the 2nd Prince, Eiji. Eiichi snapped his head to look at his younger brother beside him, unsheathing his sword.

"Eiji-"

"I'm also a prince, nii-san!" The reflection of the burning city in Eiji's honest and pure purple orbs tugged at the crown prince's heartstrings. It was a reminder that he had failed to protect the innocence of his brother. "I'll go with whatever knights we have left to hold them off."

"I'll go with you too, Your Highness. I'll use all my knowledge to help you." Nagi, a mere fifteen year boy, proclaimed.

No.... wait... if you go....

The stern look disappeared, and Eiji smiled. That angelic smile he always used to wear. "I'll be back, nii-san."

N-No.... you won't.....

"Me too, Your Highness Eiichi." Nagi forced a bright smile.

Not Nagi too....

The two young boys bowed their heads to him in courtesy before running off without giving Eiichi a chance to stop them. Eiichi's outstretched hand couldn't reach them.

"N-No..... come back......" The lump in his throat prevented him from uttering anything else. The kids he had basically raised...... would he not be able to see them again?

"Your Highness, we should retreat to the castle." His right hand man and his most loyal knight, Kira, said from behind him. "As long as you're alright.... we still have hope."

"What hope, Kira?" Eiichi whispered, his glasses glaring. "Do you really believe.... any hope left?"

"Your High-"

"Don't you dare say that!" A gruff voice from behind them shouted. The voice of the intruder alerted Kira, and he gripped his sword, ready to attack. Kira didn't understand how he couldn't sense the intruder's presence.

But when Kira saw who the person was, he relaxed. One of the strongest knights there was, Yamato.

"Who are -" Eiichi got cut off by the brash knight covered in blood, supposedly the enemies'.

"All of us are risking our lives for the crown prince! My buddies still believe we can defeat the Saotome kingdom. That's why they're not afraid of dying. But for what?! A cowardly crown prince?! Don't make me laugh!"

"You don't understand! Have you seen how everything has turned out to be?! The emperor has been killed, too! No matter what a ruthless emperor he was, he could have countered the occupying forces!" The prince raised his voice.