Arise

Chapter 2 Absolute Love

As night drew in, the others had arrived. Heka and Pervade had arrived together, seeming that they were one of the allied clans. I never knew that the people of the north could look so fare. They also held this pride to them yet a strong kindness, it was so odd to see. They looked me in the eye without judgment or disgust. I wanted to speak to one of them, for once I started feeling the burring to want to make a friend. Yet I wasn't allowed to leave my clan, so all I could do is stare. Yet that's what the boy with auburn hair had been doing for a while now. I would glance over at him and he would just turn away with a red face. I wasn't sure whether to feel angry or annoyed, in all it was a little bit of both. Though my gaze was pulled away from him when I saw the final clan join us. The absolutes carried a strong presence with them and a great amount of pride. It was as if they had no fear and not even god could strike them down. It was odd though, all of them were different looking. Some were dark, some were light, some had grey hair and brown eyes, others had black hair and even pure blue eyes. The person that stood out was the Emperor and his only child. His eyes were like from my dream, a dark red, along with his hair. I felt my heart race a bit at seeing him, I wanted to know the name of this boy. He suddenly looked over at my, the flicker of emotion that went through his eyes was arrogance. How old was he? Eighteen? Twenty? I wanted to know. I wanted to know more about him than any other person I've met. His father looked over at his gaze to find me, smiling lightly. His father had different eyes from him, they were a pure white. "No wonder he's the Emperor.." I mumbled, Nou suddenly noticing my gaze as well. She frowned and smacked me hard on the back on my head. "Don't even think about it, you job is to help me! He was probably staring at me anyways!" This girl..It was so odd how we got along when we were younger. Though at the same time I can't blame her much. The adults, that are now elders, treated me like this when I was young. So I suppose she picked up the same treatment. I rub the back of my head and lower it away from her, glancing back at the man who's gazing made my heart beat. His eyes now showed anger. Was he mad that she hit me..? The Emperor also seemed upset, but his face said it more than his eyes. How come every clan rejected me but them..?

The crescent moon was upon us now and the Emperor was in the center, speaking with a booming voice. "People of the six clans, I welcome you to this odd tradition. Normally this is only performed by allied clans but I have a son who seeks a wife that matches him. Strong, beautiful and fearless. I also know you men have been eager for these four years to pass. Well, not only is my son entering to find his future wife, but a few of the ladies in my clan have decided to join. When your clan name is called, the Javars will come up and say your name. Then you will either raise you hand or call out where you are. After this our first game will begin." He then paused for a moment, shaking his head. "No, not game. Your first trial will begin! I expect great things from some of the faces I see today. Though in the end, there will only be three winners of each sex. So the first will be the clan that is a dear friend of mine, they're sign is that of the crow. Pervade, come up!" As he said their name, the leader look as if he were a crow himself. His hair was darker than the night sky, his eyes matching his hair. He voice was deep and powerful, announcing his members that were participating with pride. "First off, my two daughters will be in this. Ateret and Fanetta, they are one half of the heart of Pervade." I looked and they stood out, twin girls raising their hands. Both dark eyed like their father and it also looks like their mother. I suddenly felt a bit of envy run through me, they had parents and a proud life. What kind of life did I have? I shook my head as I needed to get these thoughts out. Once the Pervade was done talking I seemed shocked, I had blanked out the rest of the names without a second thought. I can't do that, I need to pay attention to see who was going to be entering. Though from the next person going up, it seemed to be the Theron. "My friends and my acquaintanced clans, I'd like to say that this will be a great opportunity to show where we each placed in this world. The woman entering this year will be my daughter, she just turned eighteen years. I hope the man that picks her will be easy on her." He spoke of her lovingly and light heartedly. A father who enjoys the company of his daughter, it must be nice. "Then we have the daughter of the merchant family, along with the widow of the silk maker. It was a shame that he had died the way this man did, I never knew a killer lived among my clan until I saw a needle within his chest." He rambled on another other members that didn't catch my eye. Though I would love to meet them, just like with the Pervade clan. Yet when he mentioned his son, I was a bit dumbfounded. He looked so bashful, how could this boy even place third?