First Portal

"Eureka! This is it," he exclaimed in delight.

"Just one step to go!" he came out of his laboratory holding stone tablets in his hands. Sleep couldn't move him away from his work. He had been immersed in ancient records to find the way to reach Luciana.

"All that needs to be done is to undo the portal's seal." he closed his right hand into a fist.

"Don't cause a ruckus in the hallways idiot." Canute slapped his head to silence him.

"Canute you ought to have helped me out in this. How could you leave me to do all of it alone?" he grumbled rubbing the back of his head where Canute had hit him.

"It was your responsibility so it is up to you to complete the task...However, if a problem arises. I will aid you."

"I'll gladly take up the offer." he grinned.

"You're here early?" he asked him looking at his older brother.

"I need to finish my work and leave early today. Akari has her due time at noon."

He sighed.

"Somebody is going to become a father?" he mocked him.

"Yes...It's about time." he smiled.

-"What is he smiling for so much?" he backed away creeped out by his unusual smile.

"You should come back to the Arcea Palace. The alchemists have worked for the show to celebrate the new heir of Arcea," he told him and left.

"I wonder who will that kid take after." he wondered recalling that his sister-in-law was a lot like Luciana. Except for her eyes which were deep red like a pair of priceless rubies. And when she lost her temper, she could be worse than the most dangerous devil that ever existed.

She had once made both brothers beg for their lives after they made rude jokes. Nevertheless, he cherished her, and it was inevitable. She was blessed with the ability to flame and to nullify other elements.

She came from a branch family of Caelus and was indirectly related to the late empress.

"I have to hurry up to the imperial palace." he took flight from the nearest arch leading out into the sky.

The sky was clear and blue. The sun was up showering warmth over Amanécerian lands.

The imperial palace was leagues away but the closest place to the alchemist towers.

The forest behind the imperial palace was forbidden to everyone except for the authorized personnel. The secret was only shared between the top three alchemists of the previous generation and the Emperor. He picked his pace as the majestic towers of the imperial palace emerged before him.

The empress' palace was just beside the main palace that was given to Luciana after Aphrodite.

The imperial gardens showed off vivid colors of thousands of flowers blooming for the coming spring to shower the blessings for the new solstice. The festivities would commence in the coming blooming period.

He alighted on the cream-colored brick pavement.

The guards confirmed his identity and allowed him entry into the imperial gardens. He was guided to the Imperial greenhouse by the lake where Helios sat on a couch under the grapevines shaded by wisteria flowers.

-"The grand chamberlain is with him." he looked up where Rudilf stood beside him discussing something over the papers he held.

The butler announced his arrival when Helios looked up expectantly.

"I greet the holy light of Amanécer." he bowed to give his greetings.

"Ah yes! My boy." he stood up putting down the yellow scroll on the small table laid with some pomegranates and grapes. Some goat cheese was served later on.

"Your majesty..." he glanced at Rudolf who stood with his stern mask worn as he always did.

"Rudolf... I wish to speak with the boy alone. Please excuse us for a moment." he commanded a private time with Cornelius.

"But your majesty-! " he insisted that he stayed with them when Helios looked at him expressing his discontent.

He said no more and left the greenhouse glaring at Cornelius.

-"Amusing! He finds me as a potential threat." He smiled mischievously.

He took out a small round object and threw it up In the air. The green circles infused with ancient glyphs appeared all around the greenhouse.

Helios stared at them in awe.

"A new creation of the alchemist tower your Majesty." He introduced the new invention.

The brief introduction was soon replaced with the topic of concern. He explained his discovery of the ancient language that was used and practiced as a part of ancient sorcery. However the alterations in the glyphs was a sensitive matter that caused the disruptive outcome. Hence it resulted in the awakening of dark arts.

After listening to his discovery. He lost himself in thoughts for some time. Cornelius feared that his efforts did not pass through Helios. He felt his stomach churning.

-"He finds flaws in it...I anticipated that it would come to this." He grimaced as his expression turned sour.

"Come...child," he got up and headed out of the greenhouse. He followed him into the the forest. The eastern parts of the forest was only open to the imperial family. He walked without a word said. Only other sounds were the birds chirping and singing, rustling of leaves and sighs of the occasional breeze as the branches danced with the wind.

He stopped midway and allowed Cornelius to approach him.

He looked up where trees stood on either side. On the first glance they looked like ordinary trees. However, the way they rose higher than other trees around. They looked older than the others.

"This...is the first portal of Amanécer." He announced.

He turned to look at the youth that was an inch taller than him.

His face serious and mind concentrating.

The first portal's existence Cornelius had briefly come across in the ancient manuscripts. But the location remained a mystery. No one could locate the portal the used the lost arts of sorcery. The second prophet begged the divine entity for the secure path to convey divine message to the human realm.

Helios placed his hand on the old tree at the left. The trunk glowed as the golden light escaped the cracks and entered the opposite tree.

The patterns on the trees glowed.

"The portal can only be activated using ancient arts. As you can see these patterns create a seal on the portal. The key has been lost. A new key is required to be formulated. As such it has no physical appearance." He grimaced.

The young alchemist stood speechless.

"It requires at least two ancient arts users to conjuring that key or revive the first ancient key."

He could feel the challenge the emperor has set up for him. But the reward was Aria's hand in marriage.

"I..." He pursed his lips and then continued.

"I will do everything in my power and beyond to assist with the mission, my Holy Light of Amanécer."he knelt and pledged.