Halo Of Temptation

Chapter 1 - A Day Like Any Other

      There is a ring. A ring of power, a ring of destruction, a ring of temptation. Whoever withholds this ring would be the most powerful person in the world. Though, it would eventually end up driving them mad and destroying them and everything in its wake. At least, that's what the legend says.

"Faye... Faye!" I wake with a start, blonde waves of hair falling in front of my face and look up to find the royal tutor glaring at me. I hear my siblings Willow and Aaron laugh at me from both of my sides. My cheeks burn and I glare at the both of them just to have them laugh at me even more. I hear Jerad, the tutor, clear his throat before saying, "Your Highness, about how many times are you going to fall asleep during my lessons? I mean, you're already 19!"

I look down to find the Virtual Reality glasses laying on my desk. "As soon as you can find a way to make your history lessons a little more interesting." Ok so I'm a little smart with my teacher sometimes.

Jared's face twists into a look of anger and exasperation as he says, "People 100 years ago didn't even have devices like these! They had to actually read books and write on paper!" This makes a smile spread across my face.

"Well, Jared, that sounds much more interesting than these glasses. Would you by any chance be able to obtain a book about our history?" He glares at me, probably just wanting to be done with today. Everyone knows after the war between all the countries for power, that there were no more books. At least, not easily obtainable ones.

A few moments of silence and a notification pops up on the board saying, "class is over. Please head over to your rooms to be fitted for your outfits for tonight's ball." I quickly hop out of my seat before having Jared stop me to remind us that we must know some history thing before next class. I nod my head as if I understand all of this and go running to my room.

Tonight's the Royal ball and Prince Ryan is coming all the way from the neighboring country, Ramifria. Now you have to remember, a lot has changed throughout all these years and countries had been renamed. So, what was once a part of Australia, became Ramifria. My parents, the king and queen, told me earlier that they heard Prince Ryan is going to come to the ball and is looking for a possible wife!

Now, I know it's crazy to get all ooey gooey over a guy I've never even met. Though, if one had seen those news posts about him, I don't think they would disagree with me.

I run down to the kitchen and grab an apple because I know the fitting is going to take forever. I've gone through them about a million times and every time I find myself standing to the point that my legs feel like they will fall off. It's just a ball like any other, just a day like any other. Thought even more exciting because this could be the night when I meet my future betrothed.

As I am thinking of all of this, I reach my room and swing open the door. I find something quite, well, unexpected. My mother, father, Willow, and Aaron are all standing in my bedroom by the kitchen I got for my birthday a couple years ago. Willow and Aaron both look at me with a confused look and my parents look very depressed and frustrated. As I stand there confused, my mother starts.

"Darling, I called everyone here because I have some very unfortunate news." At the site of my mother with tears pooling in her eyes, I start to feel sick. I have never, not once, seen her like this. Not even when the baby, my little sister Anna, died on her first birthday. "I called your siblings over here as well because we don't have much time."

I look over at them, scanning their faces for any type of answer, but nothing. When I look back to my mother, I see her take out a RimiPad. These were the devices we used for movies, games, messages, calls, etc. She clicked one of the messages on there and the holograph lit up in the middle of the room for everyone to see. It was one of the guards who patrols the outer gates. But they only send these in case of possible breakthrough. No one's ever gotten past the guards in the outer walls.

"Your majesty, I have received terrible news. A few of my men went to spy on the Shinui a couple days ago and they sent back one man today in pieces." Just looking at the image of him saying all this, I could tell that this person had meant a great deal to him. His eyes were red as if he'd been crying for the last hour. "There was a message on a small piece of paper sent back. It said, 'we're coming to take back what's rightfully ours.' Do they really know you're majesty? Oh no! They're here! Your maje-" the video cuts off right then.

We all stand there with an eerie silence lingering in the air. I look over to mother and father, fear filling their eyes. Without wasting another second my mother grabs some clothes. "You all get changed into these."

"But mother, these are commoner clothes." I stare at the drabs, wondering what in the world is happening.

"Just do it!" Hearing the urgency in her voice we all run to the bathroom and take turns throwing on the clothes. I have a maroon tee with ripped jeans and some sneakers with my long wavy blond hair braided down my back. My siblings wear similar fashion. Willow, with her beautifully brunette wavy hair tied in a high pony is wearing a navy blue tee with jeans as well. Aaron with his casual blonde hair that meets to his ears, messes up his hairstyle, and is wearing a black tee with ripped jeans.

Before running back out to mother and father, we all share a fearful look with each other. As we head out of the bathroom, mother is already looking over and telling us we must leave now. I ask her why but she doesn't answer and drags me over to the side of the room. She very quietly whispers, "Do you remember that legend about the ring, Faye?"

"The ring? Oh! Yes b-but why are you bringing that up now?" She reaches down and lifts up my right hand

"I wasn't lying Faye. When you were born the ring was inherited to you. This ring has been passed down many generations now." My stomach churns as I try to process what is happening.

"What do you mean? This is the ring? Why are you telling me this now?" She hushes me before I can say anymore.

"Faye, there are many people who will kill for this ring. These people coming know about it and will do anything in their power to possess it. I need you to take care of your siblings and get out of here. Remember, trust no one. Nobody else can handle the power of this ring except for you." Her eyes well up with burning tears, but she continues. "I truly wish I could've explained this to you in more detail, but it is too late now and you must get out of here."

"But mother, I don't want to leave! I don't understand what's happening! Where will we go?" Though, without saying anything, she grabs my wrist and brings me over to the secret compartment in the wall. Willow and Aaron are already in there after talking to father. With sad eyes my mother has me go in there and closes the door. Not before whispering though, "I love you all so very much and don't you ever forget that."

As soon as the secret path in the wall is closed we hear a slam on the door and men yelling. Willow grabs me and covers my ears. Even if I can't hear anything though, I know what's happening when I feel the tears of my older sister fall against my cheek. I hold in the burning in the back of my eyes and try to block out the muffled noises as best I can.

Finally finding strength to walk the other way, we find our way out of the passage. It is pitch black dark and smells of mildew. As soon as we see the shred of light on the other side, we sprint for it. Reaching the cool and crisp air, we run and are out of the kingdom. 'Run straight ahead' is what our mother always told us in case we ever had to use the passage. So that's what we do.

Running, wind slapping my face, tears scorching down my cheeks, I think, How did this happen? Wasn't this supposed to be just a day like any other?

A/N Hey guys!! The first chapter of Halo of Temptation is out! I hope you guys like it! If you do, feel free to comment or vote and if you didn't like it then just feel free to comment! Haha