The Golden Throne

Chapter 40: Independence Day

The sounds of loud trumpets filled the atmosphere, along with the voices of thousands of people. Sylon City was beautifully decorated for tonight, with traditional Merrilean lanterns being hung across the streets and around the city plaza. A massive throng- both Odaran visitors and Merrileans crowded the immense city plaza. Both groups were dressed in their traditional costumes for this momentous occasion. The ceremony was about to begin.

Hilbert, Hilda, Kye and Zeno squeezed their way through the crowd until they were at a comfortable spot where they could see the stage where the Emperor, his wife, Ripley and the soon-to-be Merrilean leaders were seated. The two ladies were dressed in beautiful ceremonial robes with intricate patterns, as a symbol of the grandeur of Odaran beauty, while the Emperor wore a robe with pointed shoulders and a long cape, as a symbol of the imposing authority of Odaran leaders. This was a show of tribute to the old ways.

The opening sequence of the ceremony began with a spectacular air show. The planes did a number of stunts that left the crowds breathless. And to spice things up, highly trained stuntmen on their Flygons joined the planes in the air for a dazzling show of flying tricks not even the most experienced Flying-type trainers would ever dare to do. Needless to say, the spectators were thoroughly entertained and were applauding for the unforgettable performance.

The Emperor walked up to the podium of the stage, followed by the crowd's instant silence. Two giant screens were set up on both sides of the stage to show a zoomed up, live image of the Emperor. He spoke into the mic.

"People of Merrilea. Tonight is a very sacred night. For nearly two millennia, the Odara Empire has been a symbol of power and unity. It has also been a symbol of ruthlessness, of jealous greed, of death and destruction. It was not until the signing of the Clover Concordat with the United Regions that we stopped treading our path of darkness. We may never truly wash the blood off our hands, but we will do our best to atone for our past mistakes. Merrileans, for too long has your birthright been robbed from you. Tonight, I on behalf of all Odarans, return the right to rule your homeland back to you.

"The age of Empire has come to an end. May we all learn from our past mistakes and embrace a new era where we will bury the carnage of the past-"

An ear-piercing, screech erupted from all the speakers of the plaza, interrupting the Emperor. Everyone covered their ears in pain. Suddenly, the live image of the Emperor on the giant screens blinked out and was replaced by a live video transmission of several armed men wearing black masks. Everyone began gasping in panic and confusion.

In the live video, there was a man standing very closely to the camera, blocking everything behind him.

"What is going on?!" the Emperor shouted to the technical crew.

"Your majesty," the man in the video spoke in a distinct Merrilean accent. 

The Emperor screamed at his guards in frustration, "find out who's behind this!"

The man in the video continued speaking, "do not think that Odara is forgiven by giving us our independence. Odara will never get away with what it has done. You think, that through this independence, Merrilea- no, the world, will forget everything the Empire has done?! All the husbands, sons and fathers who were murdered, all the young girls who were forced to became comfort women for Odaran soldiers, all the children who were forced into slavery and worked till their deaths!

"NO! We demand proper reparations. Which is why..." the man stepped away, revealing the Emperor's four young children. They were huddled against the wall, their eyes swollen from crying in pure terror. Cries of distress broke out from the crowd.

"Your majesty!" a guard shouted at the top of his lungs as he ran towards the Emperor, who was frozen in shock. "We just got word from the palace- your children, they're missing!"