Most of city structures and infrastructures were intact including the LRT (Light Rail Transit) system. Taking a ride on the LRT train will able to enjoy the scenery of the old city.
The historical icons like Twin Towers, KL Tower, Ancient Court House and many holy structures around the city can been seen by riding the LRT train. Kristen and Princess will not miss going for the ride when they dropped by to visit me every year.
We boarded the train.
Princess was busy looking at the scenery through the window. I always treated her like my sister instead of Princess.
Kristen sat next to me and took a deep breathe of relief.
I looked at her.
“What?” I asked.
“You seemed not so happy this time…” she said.
“You know… I am already eighteen and qualified to join the Imperial Academy. But dad doesn’t allow me to join… I will never leave this place…” I grumbled.
“What wrong with this place…? This is place has many beautiful sceneries, islands… tropical forests, waterfall and so peaceful. I can do what I like here and no one will notice me… not like back in the Imperial Capital,” she said.
“You know… that is not what I meant. I want to experience the world and be useful and serve the country…” I replied.
The train turned towards the Twin Tower area and dived into the underground tunnel. Princess Emily stopped looking at the windows as the sight turn dark.
“I like here too… not one knows I am a Princess…” Emily added.
Kristen gestured her hand to Emily to prove her point.
“I don’t have many friends as well…” I said.
“We are your best friends…” both of the girls replied.
I nodded and smiled.
I stared at Kristen for sometimes. She liked the feeling that she was being stared by me. She always blushed when I did that. She was always so beautiful even when I was young I thought she was an angel.
I started have a crush on her since I was in my teenage years. Somehow, I didn’t confess to her as I felt inferior. She was popular in the Imperial Academy and many young knights and royals always court her. She has not even impressed or interested in either one of them.
We always discussed about this topic as I believed that she treated me like her younger brother. So I never dare to confess that I like her… although we treated each other like best buddies.
Suddenly, Kristen hit my arm lightly.
“What are you day dream about…?” she asked.
“Nothing…” I replied.
“Don’t be sad… come I treat you ice cream at the KL Tower reserved forest…” she said.
“I want… I want…” Emily added.
I smiled at her.
We left the train and walked towards the observation deck of the reserved forest area. The place was a hill at the center of the city where the tropical forest was well maintained for visitors On top of the hill was the KL Tower.
The air was fresh and the sound of birds chirping all around the tall and large canopy trees.
I sat on a bench of the deck while Kristen bought some ice cream for us. Emily was running around the deck area looking for some monkeys at the forest ahead. Again I stared at Kristen small hourglass figure with her light blue summer dress. She had one button loose on her dress that shown her cleavage.
She smiled at me which immediately melted my heart.
“You look very nice… and beautiful…” I said.
“Huh… only now you noticed. I thought you will never compliment me…” she teased me.
“She is even more beautiful in her glamour dress…” Emily added.
“I guess many guys will stare like some hungry wolves… heheh” I added.
“Ha… too bad… I don’t usually dress up like that in front of them…” Kristen said.
“I wish I could see that…” I said.
“For you… I am dying to show you…” she replied.
I didn’t know that she would want to dress up for me. We stared at each other for a moment.
“Do you want to see?” she asked.
I was speechless but nodded. I was wondering is there some feeling between us. I could sense some sparks between us but neither of us admit it.
“Let’s go for dinner… I am hungry…” Emily said.
Both of us just nodded in front of Emily.
CHAPTER THREE
The night scene of the city was dazzling.
The latest marvel of the city was the hanging garden mall on top of the Klang River. Stretching along the river for 5 kilometers, the mall structures were covered by glass including the floor of the mall was transparent all the way. Visitors could see the beautiful river underneath.
The buffet dinner in the mall was fascinating.
Danielle, Kristen and Emily were having a good time at the dinner. Most of the food served was their favorite dishes. Admiral Woo and Cross enjoyed the company of those three. Once those three have done with their dinner, Kristen pulled Danielle for a walk.
As the two left the restaurant, Admiral Woo shook his head.
“What’s wrong?” Cross asked.
“Both of them are close… and in fact too close…” he sighted.
“They are like buddies…” Cross added.
“If that simple… I won’t be worry about Kristen…” Woo said.
“You meant Kristen like Danielle…?” Cross asked.
“Well… the point is she won’t have the freedom to choose who she want to be with… she was just appointed as the Blue Star,” Woo commented.
Cross looked shocked but eventually calmed himself down.
“What? She will be the future queen and marry to Prince Hook. I can’t believe this…” he said.
Emily looked at both of the uncles. She knew what was happening and she was reluctant to accept that new either.
“Kristen has voiced out her disagreement about the arrangement. She never liked Prince Hook either but it is an Imperial order.”
“She is going to regret for the rest of her life… and it is his majesty decision?” Cross said.
Woo shook his head “No… it is Hook who has fallen for Kristen.”
“That spoil brat…” Cross commented.
Then there was a silent.
Both were interrupted by the waiter who refilled their tea cups.
Woo took a deep breathe “I wish Kristen has the freedom to choose but Prince Hook is the heir to the throne. His majestic the King has no prince to take over the throne and Hook is his nephew.”
“The royal family… never fond of them. That is why I quit the knights.”
The night was warm.
Kristen was walking along the mall garden along the river bank. I followed her from behind. It seemed that she has something to tell me and it was troubling her.
“You got something to tell me?” I asked.
She looked at me and struggled to find words. She was thinking.
“Danielle … there is something troubled me…” she said.
“You have been sharing your trouble with me… we can discuss it…” I said.
She took a long time while looking at the lights in the mall.
Then she voiced “It was about some martial problem.”
I knew she was avoiding the issue. I just nodded.
“I don’t think you can help me…” she said.
“Yayahhh… I don’t know martial art that why I can’t help…” I said.
I was trying to make her felt better. I knew she will eventually tell me what is troubling her. Somehow, we were interrupted by Emily rushing towards us.
Both were caught up by the moment Emily running towards us that we didn’t realized a sudden plasma bolt hurl from our back.
It caught Kristen’s shoulder and she instantly felt to the ground.
“Kristen!!!” Emily shouted.
Kristen rolled over and stood up again. She turned on her Ion Sword, a weapon that every Imperial Knight carries around. I moved away as she stood in her defense position, a standard skill knights trained.
The bald man in his forties stood two meters away from Kristen. He was wearing a black sun glasses that totally covered his eyes with black trench coat.
“Girl… you can’t stop me. I want the Princess…” he said.
“Well… you have to go through me… by the way who are you?” Kristen asked.
“I am Blind Eagle… you young knight didn’t know death is upon you. Let me show you… then you can beg me for mercy..” he said.
He jumped in an eagle stance. It was high and over Kristen. His claw liked stance grabbed Kristen shoulder and swing Kristen body up in the air. Kristen tried to break away from his grip by using the swirling stance but it was useless.
She felt to the ground hard.
Blind Eagle fired another plasma bolt. Kristen rolled away as the orange bolt hit the outer glass of the mall. A large portion of the glass busted out and scattered.
People were screaming and some were running away from the scene.
Blind Eagle turned to me as I stood in front of Emily covering her from his sight. He generated another orange bolt and hurled it toward me. Kristen jumped up and blocked the bolt.
“Kristen!!!” Emily and I shouted.
Kristen felt on the ground and passed out.
Blind Eagle shot another bolt towards me as I pushed Emily away from me. I caught the warm bolt on my chest. I felt on the ground.
“Die…!! Young man…” he said as his hands gesture another bolt.
He was about to hurl his bolt out but suddenly stopped as two strips of wave energy slashed on the ground near him.
“Energy sword…” he said.
Admiral Woo and dad with their armed Ion Swords stood a few meters away from him.
“Stop it…” Admiral Woo said.
“Imperial Knights… guards…!!!” he shouted.
A group of young Titan Academy students rushed towards Admiral Woo and dad. They armed their Ion swords as well… the swords ion plasma were in blue color indicated they were from Titan while the knights were using ion white plasma.
The students attacked Admiral and dad… they using energy sword stances to against dad and uncle Woo. Energy sword stances were skills from Titan Academy which were no other academy could match them.
Dad and uncle Woo were the champions and legends on those skills. The attackers were deemed for a defeat as they were no match against both legends skills. Dad and uncle Woo’s energy swords were far long and powerful compare to the attackers.
In a few stances, the students fell down and retreated.
Blind Eagle began his attacked by blasting his bolts at both legends. The legends moved swiftly to avoid the attacks. The bolts were blasted on the grounds and creating lots of pot holes.
Uncle Woo swing his Ion Sword creating a stream of energy sword that slashed the Blind Eagle. He was hit and felt on the down.
“Go and see Kristen… I will handle him…” Woo said to Cross.
I stood up and dad examined me.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Don’t worry… minor attack won’t hurt me… I am protected by the scroll skills…” I said.
Emily was shaking Kristen. Both of us rushed to aid Kristen. She slowly regained back her conscious.
“Are you… okay?” dad asked Kristen.
“Pain but… manageable…” Kristen was limping as I held her up.
“How about you… Danielle? Must be very pain…” she said.
“A little…” I lied.
From a distance, uncle Woo was still fighting with Blind Eagle. The energy sword swing by Uncle Woo was deadly but Blind Eagle managed to avoid the attack. The vehicles around the road side were damaged by the energy wave of the stance.
Blind Eagle was light and good at leaping here and there.
Uncle Woo turned off his sword and chased him. The Admiral’s leaping skill does match the Blind Eagles’. He struck a palm stance on Blind Eagle’s shoulder and immediately Blind Eagle felt on the ground.
Both of them were in hand to hand combat till Uncle Woo pushed another blow of energy stance on Blind Eagle abdomen.
He rolled down and swung a few claw strikes on Uncle Woo. Uncle Woo unable avoid his attacked and felt to the ground.
“Repocical Stance…” Uncle Woo blasted a five cyclical rounds plasma bolt to Blind Eagle.
The round cyclical plasma hurl toward Blind Eagle. He tried to block the attack by his own plasma bolt but it was too powerful. Blind Eagle was hit and swung in the air about ten meters away from where he stood.
He felt on the ground and growled.
“I will be back…” he said as he stood up.
With a swift leap, he left the area.
Uncle Woo walked toward us.
“Those students are not from Titan… their skills don’t looked like trained from our school…” Admiral said.
Dad nodded “Something is not right… and they are coming for the Princess…”
“They will strike again… I need to go to Lhasa immediately to investigate the issue…” Uncle Woo said.
Titan Academy was located at Lhasa, the highest region of the world where the Gathering will be held in two days time.
“Can we go?” I asked.
Emily and Kristen nodded their heads.
Dad looked at Uncle Woo who was waiting for dad reply.
“Alright… I think is safer that we tagged along to protect Emily…” he said.
I could believe what I was hearing but the opportunity to visit Lhasa and Titan Academy was like a dream come true. In my heart, I was joyful.
CHAPTER FOUR
Lhasa, city of the world roof top.
The city was rebuilt back since the third world war. Many of the ancient structures were destroyed even the heavenly ancient palace was completely ruined. A new palace was build on top of the site of the previous palace. The new palace is the famous Titan Academy palace where housed hundred of Titan students and the great Grandmaster Varda.
Titan Academy practiced devotion of the ancient religion of Buddhism.
There was very few left practicing ancient religion after the war. Among them were clans from the Euro Unions who practicing Christianity and the Central Region who practicing Islamic. The world has preferred and focused on science and technology than believing in the old ways.
Therefore, Titan holds an annual gathering among the ancient believers to share knowledge and strengthen each other relationships.
***************************
During this time of the year, Lhasa was packed with visitors from other regions of the world. The gathering was one day away.
The sky was roaring as the clear blue sky of Lhasa was slowly filled with a large Imperial Sky Cruiser. The cruiser was accompanied by an armada of sky battleships.
The oval slightly rectangular curved submarine shaped cruiser powered by six ion quantum technology propulsion engines slowly hovered on top of the Titan Palace. It was black in color with red stripes and the three golden circles icon indicated it belongs to Prince Hook of the Royal family. The cruiser was large with a hanger in the belly that able to accommodate a shuttle transport and three fighters.
Soon the shuttle took off and landed on the Titan Palace yard with two battleships.
Two groups of Imperial Knight Guards and 10 units of elite assault armies rushed into the main hall of the palace. The hall was soon surrounded by armies and knights, Hook slowly walked into the hall.
The few religious leaders and senior disciples of Titan greeted the Prince. Soon Grandmaster arrived at the hall and welcomed the Prince.
“Your highness… it is an honor to have you…” Grandmaster said.
The young man in his mid twenties in his Imperial suit smiled. His fair white skin with slightly long shoulder length hair stood in the middle with his hands placed on his back.
“I came here to get my cousin sister the Imperial Princess Emily. I believed Titan students had kidnapped her….” he said.
“We are not aware that the Princess is missing?” Grandmaster answered.
The rest of the senior disciples and guests were mumbling about the Prince claim.
“We found out that the Titan students were attacking our knights and took away the Princess… I will not tolerate that Titan practice energy stances and act against the innocent….” Prince raised his voice.
The old Grandmaster looked calm in front of the Prince. At the age of 70 years old, he had encountered many incidents and seemed too much to be afraid of the Royal family. His white short hair and white bread made him look a little younger while wearing a gold framed glass. His simple plain brown clothing made him looked like a humble man.
However, Grandmaster Varda had trained many students including the legendary Admiral Woo and Black Knight Cross. Both legends were his best students not just by skills but by attitude and moral.
He smiled and replied the Prince “We didn’t take the Princess and please don’t threatened us. Titan will be happy to receive the Royal family as audience for the Gathering but if you are planning to cause trouble … please leave.”
Prince Hook looked angry and frustrated.
“Last chance …old man. Hand over the Princess and all of you suffer…” he warmed.
An aged man wearing a pointy hat spoke “We never care how the government or Imperial acted.”
The man is the Norman Clan leader from Euro Unions.
“It seemed that the ancient clans were given too much freedom by the government and act above the law… today we need to teach you all a lesson!!!” Prince shouted.
“Prince Hook please be rational. Like I told you… we didn’t have the Princess. Also I wanted to remind you that his Majesty never interferes with our academy… you are his Majesty’s nephew and his majesty the King’s brother, Prince Richard’s son also the Heir to The Throne. You need to set example to our nation…” Grandmaster advised him.
“Nonsense… guards attack!!!” Prince Hook ordered.
The knights turned on their Ion Swords and the elite squadrons armed their weapons. The Titan students in the main hall armed their Ion swords as well… the other clans disciples were ready to defend themselves.
Prince Hook began his first strike at the Grandmaster.
Grandmaster swayed here and there to avoid the Prince attacks. He didn’t return attack on the Prince. At the background, the clans and the students were fighting with the knights and the armies.
Soon, another battleship landed on courtyard and more armies joined the fight.
Pillars on the palace were destroyed from the blast of the armies. The students were slashing the armies and the knights were attacking the clans’ disciples. Debris was everywhere.
CHAPTER FIVE
The Lhasa central station was in chaos.
People were fleeing from the city. There were panic everywhere and people were rushing to board the high speed maglev trains to leave the city.
Admiral Woo and Cross have just step out of the train. People were pushing them away as they rushed to board it. I gripped Emily’s hand tightly.
“Stay close to me…” I said to Emily.
She nodded her head.
Kristen followed me from behind and the station was packed with people.
“We need to leave the station…” I suggested.
Emily pointed at the small exit door on the other side of the platform. I nodded and it seemed a better solution than going through the arrival hall. With this kind of chaos, no one will notice us using the emergency exit.
Soon, we were on the streets of the Lhasa.
“Danielle…” Kristen pointed at the sky above the Titan Palace.
A few ships were hovering above the palace and smokes were coming out for the palace as well. Emily and Kristen looked worried as well.
“It is an Imperial Cruiser!!” Kristen shouted.
Emily hugged me closely. I patted her back to smooth her.
“Danielle… I am scared…” she said.
“I am here… I won’t let you go…” I told Emily.
She nodded “I wish you are my brother…”
“I am always your brother… dear,” I replied.
Kristen suddenly hugged me and kissed me. It was my first kiss; she has pushed her tongue into my mouth as her tongue was playing with mine. I was still stunned with her action.
“Mmmmmm” she moaned.
We broke off the kiss and Emily was giggled at us.
“You are sooo cute..” she said.
“Wow…” I voiced.
“Wow… what? We better move…” she said.
She took my hand and held it with hers. We walked towards Admiral Woo and dad who were standing at the corner of the street.
“Good… you found us…” Admiral said.
“Dad… what is going on? The palace… and grandpa…” Kristen asked.
“Okay… Uncle Cross and I will sneak in… you enter Titan using the usual
way…” he said.
Kristen nodded and witnessed her dad and Cross rushed towards Titan palace.
******************************
The palace was surrounded by Imperial armies and knights.
The main road in front of the palace was blocked by two battleships landed on it. The main gate was partially damaged. Smokes were still coming out from the palace.
I could hear the sound of growling and screaming from inside the palace. Kristen rushed toward the gate as I followed behind. The knights guarding the gate immediately recognized Kristen.
“Ma’am, you cannot allow you to enter…. Prince’s order” the junior knight said.
“What is the Prince doing here?” she asked.
“His highness is looking for the majesty Princess…” he said.
Kristen moved aside and Emily stood in front of the knight. Everyone began to bow in front of Emily.
“Your highness…” the knight greeted.
Another knight ordered “Open the gate…”
Emily and Kristen walked passed all of them. It was glorious scene as all the knights and armies bow on them. I followed quietly from behind. Beyond the main gate was a yard that surrounds the palace inner wall. There were several inspection check points on the yard till we walked up the stairway to the second level gate. The gate was completely destroyed and some of the white inner walls were damaged.
Kristen walked passed the gate into the main yard of the palace.
It was a huge opened area where many ceremonies were held.
There were knights and armies in the area. A transport shuttle was landed in the middle of the yard and three battleships were on the yard as well. The main hall was just right ahead of the yard.
There were fighting in the hall and smokes were definitely came from the hall. I could see a group of armies blasting a student at the corner of the yard. Bodies were everywhere around the yard and in front of the main hall.
Kristen rushed to aid the student but it was too late. The armies stopped as soon as they saw Kristen. I accompanied Emily to the main hall.
The Prince was standing in the middle of the hall.
The Imperial knights and armies had surrounded the small remaining group of people in the hall. The main hall was huge about half the size of the main yard with many red pillars supporting the high roof. It was about three storey in height.
“Surrender… Grandmaster. There aren’t many students and clans people left…” he said.
“Huh…” Grandmaster disagreed.
“Most of the ancient devotion clans have fallen. I have their precious weapons the Lunar Knife, Golden Axe and Excalibur. We will wipe off all these filths from the face of the world….” Prince Hook said.
“We will avenger for our masters!!!” one of Islamic disciple shouted.
“Well… we rather die than lied under the feet of the Royal…” Grandmaster commented.
“So be it…” Prince Hook replied.
He already gestured his both hands with wave of energy. The red round energy ball slowly emerged on his both hands. The balls were encircled with dark mist and he hurled toward Grandmaster direction.
The two red ball joined as one with black mist tailed behind sped forward to Grandmaster.
“Imperial Death Stance…” Prince Hook shouted.
Suddenly, dad jumped in front of the path of the energy ball, blocking the attack to the Grandmaster. He took the hit of the energy ball and felt on the ground.
“Cross!!!” Grandmaster shouted.
Uncle Woo quickly rushed to aid dad. Dad was spurting blood out of his mouth. I rushed to dad as well.
“Enough… Hook. Don’t make me kill you…” Grandmaster said.
“Knights attacked them… leave no one alive…” Prince Hook commanded.
The knights just stood still instead of following the Prince’s order.
One of the senior knight voiced out “We can’t attack the Admiral… he is our Admiral.”
“I am here…” Emily said.
Everyone was stunned and looked at the Princess. Then they bowed to greet the Princess and Prince Hook followed as well. Prince Hook’s expression was full of anger.
“Emily… come..” he said.
“Sorry… I want to stay here for awhile. Uncle Woo and Kristen will take care of me…” she said.
“Fine…” he replied.
Prince Hook rushed back to his shuttle and returned to the Imperial Cruiser. Soon the sky roared as the Cruiser and the armada of battleships flew away from the Lhasa.
****************************
In the main hall, Woo and Grandmaster were trying their best to aid dad.
“Master… it is too late. This is the death stance… there is no cure,” dad said.
I was gripping dad’s hand.
“Danielle… it is time for you to let go….” he said to me.
“Dad… you can’t go… no one will take care of me…” I was sobbing.
“You are ready to be on your own…. Here, take this and pass it to his Majesty King privately… this is your last assignment. Promise me… do it and pass it to his majesty personally…. Promise me…” he was struggling to breathe.
I nodded “I promise.”
Then his hands loosen my grip and drifted unconsciously. Soon he stopped breathing. He has gone. I took a small scroll from his hand and started crying. It was the first time; I felt loss with no direction. I always wanted to see the world and it turned out that my adventure was not how I imagined.