Scene: Inside the Grand Ashford Castle, London, England.
The Ashford royal family direct descendants of the First King had welcomed twin heirs into the world.
The kingdom roared with celebration.
The heavens themselves seemed to weep, a crimson aurora flashing across the sky, but none gave it heed. It was a time for joy.
Ashford gazed lovingly at their newborn sons.
The fire crackled warmly. The two boys, swaddled in fine silk, rested peacefully in golden cradles beside the royal bed.
Within the royal chambers, King Alistair Ashford and Queen Isabella
King Alistair: [gently]
"What shall we name them, my love?"
Queen Isabella: [smiling weakly, touching the nearest child's face]
"The firstborn... strong and fierce... Ronan."
King Alistair: [softly chuckling]
"Ronan Ashford. A name carved into destiny."
[He turns to the second child]
"And for this one?"
Queen Isabella: [gazing fondly]
"Draven. Draven Ashford. A soul full of mystery and grace."
Weeks later, the great day arrived.
The kingdom buzzed with excitement — the day the Ashford twins would be presented to the lords, nobles, and honored guests.
The throne room glittered with chandeliers and ancient flags. Lords and ladies dressed in their finest stood in neat rows, waiting.
At the grand entrance, King Alistair spotted an old friend approaching — a tall, sharpeyed man from Japan, wearing a black ceremonial cloak.
King Alistair (smiling widely): "Akihiko! You came all the way from Japan?"
Akihiko: "I came as soon as I heard. There was no way I would miss the birth of your heirs, Alistair."
Akihiko Mori, President of the GSSA Japan, bowed respectfully but grinned like an old comrade.
They clasped hands, and for a moment, the heavy air of royalty lightened.
Lady Isolde Fairfax, commander of the Palace Guard.
One by one, other noblemen came to offer their greetings.
Lord Benedict Hawthorne, head of the Royal Court.
And finally, Sir Cedric Langley, President of the GSSA England branch.
Sir Cedric: "Congratulations, Your Majesty. May these boys grow to defend our world."
The King nodded graciously.
The Queen, ever radiant, held the twins gently in her arms, basking in the glory of the moment.
Then came the sacred blessing.
Father Benedict, the High Priest of the royal chapel, was summoned.
A heavy silence filled the throne room as he approached the twins.
First, he placed his hand over Draven.
A brilliant light emanated from the boy — so pure, so radiant, that even the lesser priests gasped.
Father Benedict (smiling warmly): "This child... is blessed beyond words.
The gods smile upon him."
The court erupted in murmurs of joy.
Then, he turned to Ronan.
The moment his hand hovered over the boy's chest, Father Benedict froze.
A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Within Ronan... something stirred.
Something dark. Something ancient.
Father Benedict (whispering, horrified): "A... a shadow lurks within."
The court, sensing his alarm, grew deadly quiet.
She clutched Draven tighter to her chest, stepping back from Ronan
The Queen's face darkened instantly.
instinctively.
Queen Evelynn (furious): "A demon? In our child?! Unforgivable!"
King Alistair (firmly): "Calm yourself, Evelynn. Speak clearly, Father. What
do you see?"
Father Benedict (trembling slightly): "The presence is faint... almost undetectable. Only by divine sight could I have sensed it.
But it is there. Hidden within Prince Ronan a demon of the Monarch class."
A storm of murmurs swept through the lords. Fear. Confusion. Doubt.
Queen Evelynn (angrily): "We must rid him of it! At once! No demon shall be
allowed to taint this holy lineage!"
Tears welled in her eyes — not of sorrow, but of fear and rage.
The King, however, stood silent, his mind whirling with ancient prophecies he had once dismissed as myths.
He stared at Ronan — the innocent baby boy — and wondered what destiny awaited them all.
Outside the palace walls, dark clouds gathered unseen.
The true story of the Ashford twins... had only just begun.