Eclipsed

Chapter 57

The first impression of Ryouen's grandeur hit them like a wave as they stepped through the towering wooden gates. The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. Ryouen felt like an ancient kingdom, frozen in time, yet brimming with life. From the air, the scent of incense mingled with the earthy smell of wet stone and the faint tang of salt from the nearby port. Lanterns of red and gold swayed gently in the breeze, their warm glow reflecting off the walls of grand palaces and humble homes alike.

The streets were lined with finely crafted homes, their structures blending Japanese and Chinese influences—elegant curved rooftops, intricate woodwork, and dragon motifs carved into the beams above. The colors of the buildings—gold, vermilion, jade—seemed to draw energy from the fading sunlight, casting a soft, ethereal glow on everything. But it wasn't the buildings that captivated them most. It was the people.

They passed by soldiers, their armor a perfect fusion of cultures—sleek Chinese silk robes tucked under Japanese-style armor plates. Their helmets, intricately designed with gilded dragons and phoenixes, caught the sun's dying rays as they patrolled the streets with silent precision. Their eyes were sharp, focused, as if they were the kingdom's watchful guardians, poised to strike at any moment. They walked with an aura of quiet authority, their swords at their sides, making it clear that Ryouen was a place of strength and discipline.

"These soldiers... they're like nothing I've ever seen," Quinn whispered, his voice filled with awe. His gaze flitted from one soldier to the next, his young eyes wide with fascination.

Aiko, walking beside him, gave a small nod of agreement. "They're formidable," she murmured. "It's part of their culture. Ryouen has always been known for its elite warriors."

But it was Ren who remained aloof, eyes set forward, seemingly unaffected by the spectacle. His face, usually so hard to read, was unreadable now—distant, as though his mind was elsewhere. Despite the breathtaking sights around him, Ren appeared uninterested, his gaze scanning the crowd, his body tense and alert.

They walked for a while in silence, until the sound of drums reached their ears—a deep, rhythmic thumping that reverberated through the streets. The crowd ahead surged forward in a wave of excitement, and Ren's lips curled into a slight, knowing smirk. Aiko's eyes glimmered, sensing something significant. Quinn, completely oblivious to the meaning, tugged at Aiko's sleeve. "What's happening?" he asked eagerly, his voice tinged with childlike curiosity.

Aiko smiled gently at his enthusiasm. "A parade," she said simply. "They must be honoring one of their own."

As they approached the main square, the parade came into view—a procession of elite soldiers marching in perfect formation. Their weapons gleamed, their movements synchronized as though they were part of a single, living organism. The crowd cheered, their voices rising in waves, and there, at the center of it all, was the man who commanded their attention.

The leader of the parade was a tall, striking figure. His armor was more elaborate than the others, shimmering with silver and gold, and adorned with intricate patterns of dragons wrapping around the entire breastplate. His dark hair flowed like silk, caught in the wind, and his sharp eyes scanned the crowd with the precision of a hawk. His presence was magnetic.

The crowd's reaction was instantaneous. Women screamed his name, calling out to him like adoring fans at a royal court. "Prince Jin!" one woman cried, her voice filled with yearning. "Marry me, Prince Jin!" Another shouted, "You're the hero of Ryouen!"

Quinn, whose eyes had already been darting from stall to stall, was now fixated on the prince. His face was lit with wonder, the adoration in his gaze apparent. "Look at him! He's like a real-life hero!" Quinn whispered, almost reverently. "I bet he's got everything—money, power, and... everyone loves him."