A portal suddenly bloomed in the air like a flower opening all at once. It just kind of unfolded, smooth and glowing at the edges. From it, a group stepped out, dressed in crimson and gold, and they looked like they'd walked straight out of a volcano.
The Fire Realm delegation Scorial Vale, Jasmine remembered—moved like they were part of something ancient and proud. Their clothes shimmered like liquid fire, with shoulders shaped like flames and little sparks that flickered off their cloaks. The symbol of their realm a fiery phoenix in a ring of ash glowed on their backs. She couldn't help but stare.
"Are those… molten lava?" she started to whisper, eyes wide, but didn't even get to finish the sentence.
Because right then, another portal opened. This one sounded like a mountain groaning—deep and low—and out stepped the Earth Realm folks, the ones from Verdant Mire.
Their whole look was the opposite—green and grey, robes covered in tiny crystals and twisted vines. Like they had just walked out of some ancient forest cave. Their emblem was a mountain split by a tree root, glowing faintly on their shoulders.
Jasmine blinked, still trying to take it all in.
"Okay, that's insane... No way." Her eyes were close to falling out.
"Less dramatic at least, the ones in the crimson are from Scorial Vale, their chief Raymond Raith and his daughter sophisticating Lillian," Micah said pointing to the father and daughter duo who had on stern looks like they were told not to smile even for a sec, not just them the entire Scorial Vale that just arrive was strict looking, which made Jasmine wonder how they operate in their realm.
"She looks...." Jasmine looked for a word to describe the lady. She had a sleek hair of black with a fleck of red, her eyes barely scanning the arena, and she was so beautiful it hurt to look away from her. "calm," she finished.
"Calm is a far word to describe Liliana, you don't want her to catch you describing her as such" Micah said.
"Why_" Jasmine was saying, only to be cut short by Micah.
"Don't bother with it you won't be meeting her, you are not privileged to," Micah dismissed, but it sounded more like an insult to her ears. She glared hard at him, and he ignored her.
"And that's is Sultan Harim Qadir chief of Verdant Mire, there is his son Leo Qadir and his wife Lady Jade, she was once from Dynara but was later married to the sultan." They all wore smiles, with his son greeting the ladies in a flirty manner, they all seemed so thrilled to see him. The air around the Verdant Mire people was friendly, unlike the Scorial Vale, who seemed they were marching to war.
Then came the Chorontide Realm—Veyr'Thal, Jasmine tried to remember stepping through a portal that shimmered weird, like water and glass and something else all at once. The air around it looked... bent, like time was being stretched too thin.
Their clothes were the strangest so far. Shiny, mirror-like fabric that flickered every time they moved. Some looked ancient, like they'd been pulled from a dusty museum, and others looked fresh off a designer's rack. Their cloaks shifted between those two states like they couldn't decide if they were from the past or future. Jasmine couldn't stop staring.
Their emblem, a cracked hourglass with stars leaking out, blinked gently on their collars like a second heartbeat.
In the middle of the group was a man with the most unreadable face Jasmine had ever seen. Calm. Cold, maybe. Beside him was another guy with a sword strapped across his back, walking like he didn't need to prove anything. They gave off that too-serious, "we've seen things" vibe.
And then… someone at the back caught her off guard. A boy not much older than her with silver hair just like hers. Same shade, same soft curl near the ends. Their eyes met for a quick second, like a pause button had been hit. She didn't know him, obviously, but for that weird little second, she wondered if maybe he knew her. Probably not. Probably just the hair.
They all stepped onto a floating platform, one marked boldly with their realm's crest, floating just across from the Fire and Earth ones.
Micah leaned in behind her, whispering low.
"Matriarch Ven Thrym and his Generals… Aevoros and Malachi. Lethal, super loyal to the Emperor. Imagine how insane it is to control time, they are the emperor's number one aid in times of distress."
Jasmine just nodded, eyes still on the silver-haired boy, a little chill crawling up her spine.
With a sudden crack of neon light, the portal for the Kinesis Realm Dynara burst open, scattering tiny streaks of electric blue across the air. Jasmine instinctively took a step back. Their outfits looked like something out of a sci-fi movie, sleek and glowing, lines of light running across their bodies like moving wires. their boots sparked little pop of electricity with every step like they were walking on cloud of static.
Their emblem the same one Uncle Grey wore was proudly displayed, glowing softly on their shoulders.
"Goodness," Jasmine muttered, wide-eyed. "Look at all that spark... I wouldn't dare hug one of them. I feel like I'd end up... electrocuted or vaporized or something."
Micah let out a snort, clearly amused. "That's Lady Maevira Dravik," he said, nodding toward the woman at the front of the group. Her posture was perfect, sharp like her cheekbones. "She's the Chief of Dynara. Behind her the guy in silver with glowing visor? That's Lieutenant Arcwell. And the one next to him…"
His voice dipped slightly, and Jasmine followed his gaze. "That's Camilla Arcwell," he said, like it meant something. "Her niece. Gorgeous, right?"
Jasmine had to admit, she kinda was. Camilla was tall, real tall at least from where Jasmine stood and she moved like water, smooth and without hurry. Her hair was dark blue, almost black, tied into a long braid that ran down her back like a living ribbon. Her eyes were black too like obsidian. Shiny, but somehow still hiding everything inside.
The Dynara group walked to their floating platform, positioned right next to Veyr'Thal's. Jasmine noticed how the two chiefs Lady Maevira and that Matriarch guy from before exchanged a simple nod. Nothing big. But it felt... heavy. Like they were saying a lot more than hello.
Jasmine folded her arms, still watching Camilla as the girl took her place, back straight like she was born knowing she belonged there. She didn't smile. Not even once.
"Yeesh," Jasmine whispered. "Talk about intimidating…"
Micah just grinned like he agreed but wasn't gonna admit it out loud.
The hall was still bustling as usual, the emperor was yet to be announced, the guests mingling, a lot of surprise gasps and shock from not seeing their acquaintance for a long time.
Micah was whisked away by some boys who seemed excited to see him, aunt Morrigan and Uncle Grey had long disappeared into the crowds of guests, the place was large enough to contain everyone present and more, and there was enough room to spread out. Jasmine felt totally out of place. She felt like a speck among gods. Quiet ironic, although she had learned to adapt to telekinesis, she still couldn't grasp the power well and hadn't advanced to any level, which made her an average user. She could cause a fair share of damage yes, but not like her uncle or aunt or even the youngest Micah.
Jasmine sighed as she stood in front of the drink table, eyeing the fancy crystal cups lined up neatly like they were some kind of display instead of actual refreshments. She reached for hers finally, something to cool her down after the chaos of the entrance but before her fingers could even wrap around the glass—
"That was mine," she said, blinking in disbelief.
Liliana had already tilted the cup back, gulping down the whole thing like she hadn't heard a word. The girl wiped her mouth with a perfectly manicured finger and handed the now-empty cup right back to Jasmine without a shred of shame.
"There you go then," she said casually, like she'd just returned a borrowed pen. Her heels clicked as she turned to leave.
Jasmine just stared at the empty cup in her hand, her brows slowly rising.
Oh no. Nope. She wasn't about to let that slide.
"Uh—yeah, no—" Jasmine stepped forward, her voice sharp enough to make Liliana pause mid-step. "You should learn to ask, it's more polite that way," she said, placing the useless cup down with a light clink. Her tone wasn't loud but there was no mistaking the irritation in it. "That was so not cool. You straight-up snatched my drink and gave me back air. What, am I supposed to say thanks now?"
Liliana turned slightly, her expression unreadable either she didn't care or she was just used to getting away with crap like this.
Jasmine didn't care who she was. Princess or not, that kind of attitude was whack.
Liliana gave Jasmine a quick once-over, her eyes flashing with that familiar kind of judgement. The kind that didn't need words to say you're not good enough but she said it anyway.
"I didn't realize commoners are allowed in here, not to talk more of speaking to me. Aren't you a server?" she said smoothly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Jasmine's frown deepened, her brow lifting as she stared at the girl like she'd just grown two heads. Did she really just—?
If Jasmine was to guess, Liliana wasn't even older than her. Maybe a few months, tops. And looks? Please. They were on the same level. So what the hell was this whole "server" thing? That was straight-up reaching.
Jasmine folded her arms tight across her chest, biting back the laugh that wanted to come out just from how ridiculous this was.
"I didn't realize I looked like one," she said flatly, her tone dry but clearly annoyed.
Before things could pop off any further which, judging by the look in Jasmine's eyes, was about ten seconds away two other girls suddenly stepped in from behind the crowd.
"Excuse me, Liliana, but your father seems to be seeking your attention", one of the girls from Scorial Vale said, she seemed to be part of the noble's house. They momentarily took Liliana's attention away from Jasmine.
"Yes I heard him too" the other girl from Verdant Mire said nodding, Jasmine was surprised on how they were friends, the two were from different realms with different abilities and they seemed to get along just fine.
Liliana gave Jasmine one last glare before striding off as soon as she was gone, they signed in relief, both of them turning to look at Jasmine, who stared at them with a questioning gaze.
"Can you block out flame because I see you were ready to block out one?" The girl from Verdant Mire said.
"Nobody likes to cross Liliana, she doesn't follow the normal etiquette code, so you should probably stay away from her and don't get in her line of sight again, she holds a grudge," The one from Scorial Vale said. Jasmine stares at them. Seeing as Jasmine kept mute. "Oh! Right My name is Grace and this is Kristen.
The one who was Grace was from Scorial Vale and the other girl Kristen was from Verdant Mire.
"Nice to meet you both, am Jasmine," Jasmine introduced with a smile.
"Is this your first time here Jasmine?" Grace asked, she seemed unreal for someone who came from Scorial Vale where they are always in flight mood, how come she's so active?
"Yes, it is... I guess. The place_" she use her hands to gesture up. "It's gorgeous," she breathed out.
" I know right, just so right, and by the way this our second time here" it hasn't been captivating. Kristen said.
"Come let me show you around the hall," Grace said pulling Jasmine away while Kristen followed with a grin.
Jasmine looks worriedly behind. "Is that allowed?"
"Nothing is restricted in the hall except touching the heartstone," Grace said. Grace had ember-toned eyes and was dressed in a cloak of living flame. Kristen had leaf-patterned hair and a living vine curled lazily around her shoulder.
They came to a stop outside the hall and walked to a corner with a series of flowers, one of them was waving to the wind, and it seemed to be dancing along with the music playing in the hall, too. It was Reddish and some golden stalks they produced spore capsules.
"These flowers are a lot more peaceful than the flaming obelisks my realm set up." Grace leans down to stare at it, and they seem to shrink as she moves closer.
Kristen looked up with a grin. "Not at all! They're called glow moss blooms. They react to calm thoughts. Your cloak might scare them a little, though."
Jasmine laughed, seeing as the plant was shivering in fear, she also leaned down.
"Fair enough. I'm trying to keep it from flaring too much. Emotions get… expressive when you're made of fire."
"Oh, I get that. The vine on my shoulder? It tightens when I'm anxious. Earlier, when we were shooing Liliana off it tried to burrow into my collar." Kristen said.
"That's adorable and mildly terrifying, it could end up choking you once you get too anxious, maybe a little reminder that it wrapped around you. Does it have a name?" Grace asked.
"Ting He's kind of my some sort of pet plant," she told them. Jasmine stared at Kristen dumbfounded, plants were pets??
"Better than a pet lava, trust me," Grace made it sound like it was the most casual thing ever.
Tilting her head Jasmine asked. "You have a Lava pet?" they were no longer scaring the moss bloom but walking to the other side of the hall
"No, but my cousin does. He trained it to breathe rhythmically to calm himself. It's either genius or reckless. Still undecided." she said grinning.
Jasmine has never felt more human in her life, in fact she could proudly claim to be human because humans weren't insane.
"You Fire folks go all-in, huh?" Kristen said, chuckling, as she nodded her head to the sound of the song, they weren't inside the hall, but it still sounded clear like they were in there.
"It's the nature of the flame. But I like your realm's vibe, It feels… alive. Literally." Grace turned now, using her back to walk. She had a hit of sadness on her face, but it wasn't too clear to decide what it was.
"And I like yours. There's something honest about the fire. It doesn't pretend. It just..." Kristen try finding the right word.
"Burns" Jasmine completed for her, nothing is fascinating about fire..... But I guess we all have different preferences" Jasmine added not wanting to come out rude.
There was a sudden jingle of bell made the whole place vibrate, the music came to an abrupt halt, Jasmine wondered what was wrong.
"What's going on?" Jasmine turn to go back to the hall.
"The emperor is arriving we should head back in, every clan needs to stand with their own." Kristen said and they all rushed in.
Mr Grey had been scanning the hall earlier, eyes darting from face to face, and finally caught sight of Jasmine slipping back through one of the side doors.
"There you are," he said, his voice dropping low as she came closer. "Comewe need to stand with Dynara."
He didn't wait for her to answer, just gently took her arm and led her toward the rest of their people. Jasmine fell into step beside him, brushing her dress nervously and trying not to trip over the hem. The members of Dynara stood tall, lined in formation, and Jasmine tried her best to blend in and not draw more attention to herself.
Then the room shifted.
It was subtle at first. A hush, like the air itself had taken a breath and held it. Then came the ripplea strange eerie light that shimmered across the room like a sheet being pulled back.
The Emperor had arrived.
He stepped forward with this haunting kind of grace, like he didn't walk so much as glide. His coat was long, deep black, and it swayed behind him even though there was no breeze. A silver chain glinted against the dark fabric, catching the light just enough to shimmer.
And then there was the emblem . A crescent scythe wrapped in ghostly wisp-like smoke, carved sharp into obsidian medallions that hung over their chest. It was beautiful, but in a way that made your skin crawl just a little.
Jasmine felt herself hold her breath without even realizing it. The silence in the room grew heavier, and no one dared speak. She wasn't sure if it was fear or respect or maybe bothbut whatever it was, it was thick enough to taste.