Shadow of the Empire

Finally finding the motivation to leave my apartment, I closed the burly door behind me. I could still hear the loud crowd outside, and after an hour since Sabian had left, they had only gotten louder.

I started to walk down the hallway, the creaking floors and the trembling glass reminded me of my current living conditions. Though it was better than those in the out-most outer rim, so I was thankful to at least feel safe from gangs or thieves.

Walking down the stairs, I could see the 'lobby', which was more just a couple of boxes and a counter, was empty. Not even a clerk could be seen. Not that I had left my room much, but this was quite unusual. The only people I could see, were those slightly visible through the frosted glass of the windows.

Finally, I opened the door. Stepping out of my small apartment building, I'm bombarded by the sound of cheering crowds and the sounds of drums and mechanical machinery.

I lifted my arm to shield my eyes from the blinding sun. I stepped onto the paved walkway and push through the crowd huddled on the sidewalk, squished together tightly in a loose formation.

Unable to see due to the sheer number of people, I push and squeeze through until I'm finally at the front of the crowd. Many people were gathered to witness the grand event, and the only thing blocking them from piling onto the road was the City Watch Officer, the City's law enforcement branch.

One of these Officers was on my right, he close enough to me for me to see the device he held, a small blue round object the size of a palm, emitting a transparent blue field in front of him. It spanned across the front of the crowd for about 10 meters until another of his colleagues was using a similar device.

Though it acted as a shield, the energy and weight of the crowd was not transferred onto him, as was evident by the lack of force exerted on the Officers, merely holding it as if it was weightless. An interesting technology this world produced, it derived off nothing except a small blue crystal the size of a fingernail inside, acting like a sort of battery. Technology had come a long way since the Emperors' time, and its rapid advance threatened the magical world's dominance.

'I guess all those nights of study weren't for naught.'

Buildings of similar build of mine were built across the street. Every building around here seemed to be of a residential nature, and they were all mostly made of wood. Out here, it would be considered working class, so a lot of the buildings used cheaper materials compared to the brick and plaster of the of the Outer Rims wealthiest, and the marble and metal of the Inner Rim.

Though the street was empty, I could hear large mechanical thuds on my left where there was a turn in the street, with the repeated drum patterns reverberating through the air. Slowly but surely it started to drain out the sound of the crowd and I too began to wait expectantly instead of leaving, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Looking to my left at the corner street, the first thing to appear was drummers, dressed in deep blue uniforms and large drums in front of their waist hanging from their necks, their melodic patterns invoking a sense of militarism and professionalism. They were soldier's, Imperial soldiers.

Next came the Infantrymen with rifles in their hands, adorned in a similar type of uniform, except being a light blue grey, they paraded down the street in perfect synchronization with the drum beat and each other, with their heads held high and pride in their march.

In rows of 12 each, as wide as the road could accommodate, I counted at least 250 men, all young adults ranging from the age of 18 to 30, pride evident from the look in their eyes, further fueled by the cheers of the crowd. This would be one of tens of marches across the city, all with only the most promising and elite of soldiers participating.

After the last row of tightly knit soldiers came, next came the officers. Unlike their bunched-up subordinates, these men came in rows of 4 on horses, brandishing long silver swords on their right side, the swords tinged in blue radiating the bright reflection of the sun along their length. Dropped in a deep blue uniform adorned with medals on the right side of their chest, it was clear these men were of high standing in the local garrison. By the end I counted 12 of them had appeared. Unlike the recruits, whose pride was worn like a badge, the nobles carried themselves with an air of entitlement. They looked down on the onlookers, and I felt it wasn't just in the literal sense.

For the first time since the deafening sounds of the drums had announced their arrival, the cheers of the crowd overwhelmed all other noises, as the ground started to shake periodically to the increasingly faint drum beat in the distance.

What appeared around the corner was a large metallic structure in the morbid shape of a human. This faceless giant, standing at 12 - 15 meters in height, loosely the same body structure as the fleshy creatures that stood before it, with 4 limbs and paved in such a dark blue it appeared black, moved around the smooth corner one step at a time. I wondered, looking at its size, how it didn't destroy the pavement under its sheer weight, and at the same time wondered about its true capability for warfare, since its creation dated before the discovery of magic.

Holy shit, that's so cool.

After the first 2 of these Titans passed, what greeted me was a small floating podium with 2 more Titans following it. A singular man, draped in a blue cloak and a mask, speaks into a squarish device, his speech being played for the crowd.

"Citizens of the Taciturna Deus Emperium, today we celebrate the founding of our nation by our eternal Emperor Baldwin, and on a more personal note, the liberation of our glorious city. Today is a day to take pride in our troops, and to show our resolve to our Holy Emperors' verdicts. Make sure to keep your heads high, for..."

Ah, gotcha. Forgot today was the anniversary. No wonder he called me up today. Has it really been a whole year already?

Rubbing my eyes, I feel regret that my memory still remains awful after all this time, despite my apparent young age. Pushing my way through the crowd, I make my way to the train station, the only viable and secure way to get to the inner noble district from where I currently reside in - the outer district.

I just hope he doesn't plan to do it in front of everyone, I'm not a big fan of loud and obnoxious crowds...

I wondered if someone from home saw this, how would they react. Maybe as fascinated as me? Or maybe they'd be scared? God knows I was.

Albeit, it feels a bit lonely to think like this.

Smiling wearily at that thought, I continue on my way.

.

.

.

.

While Damien was attempting to traverse through the crowds, another man was also facing tribulations of his own.

In a dark room, a man sat in a chair praying, a single candle illuminating his bright blonde hair, and his young face not a day past 25. After five minutes of stillness, the young man slowly lifted his head, revealing aquamarine eyes and an exceptionally handsome face.

With a mere wave from the man, the candle is snuffed, and the curtains of the room are raised, revealing the city around him. Unlike the small wooden apartment Damien had been living in, this man was surrounded by large mansions, the bright white of his mansion standing out, especially in its Victorian style.

Standing up, the young man stares out his third-story window, a contemplative gaze adorning his face, slight worry evident in his expression, almost expectant. Just as he was about to sit back down, a knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

"Sir, the message has been delivered. Should we expect his presence this time?"

A small smirk formed on the young man's face, his expression relaxing just a little bit after hearing such news.

"Yes, he knows the importance of today, and he also knows that today would be the most opportune time for him. Make sure he is fully accommodated for tonight, Sabian."

"Yes, sir."

Hearing the butler's steps slowly getting quiet, the dashing man returns his gaze to the window. With stern eyes the man watches the clock tower in the distance, the hands showing 30 minutes until midday.

"I wonder how things will turn out from here? As long as he plays his role well, things shouldn't get too out of hand, after all, he has done well so far..."

Picking up a glass from his desk filled with an exquisitely deep red liquid, he lifts the glass up to his mouth and takes a sip, a small smile forming on his face.

"I expect much from you, my friend..."