"Mistress, I bring news from Ame city," a knight covered in silver armor said as he kneeled before the king.

A woman wearing a heavy black fur cape stood up. She pointed her opal-covered golden scepter at the knight. "Speak, young knight."

"We have received word that the son of your cousin is on his way to Ame city. Apparently, he's looking for the chosen of the Topaz Clan. In addition, the rebels are also preparing to take Ame city in a matter of days, their forces have routed ours for the past week, with their side gaining no casualties whatsoever. General Yamato is asking for additional forces to push back the rebels."

The queen scoffed, "Those rats are actually advancing on us? Tell General Yamato that I won't be providing him with any more reinforcements." 

He tapped the white marble floor with his scepter. 

"I'll be going to personally quell the rebellion. As for my grandnephew, I'll be sending my brother to Ame city. Both of these threats to our national security must be put to a halt before they reduce this nation into a corpse of its former glory."

"Right, Mistress. I'll inform General Yamato about your decision."

The queen raised her hand, preventing the guards at the black oak doors from opening them. "One last thing, young knight. I would like you to locate the chosen of the Citrine clan. Once you've found him, kill him. The same goes for the Topaz's chosen."

"Right, I'll do as you command, Mistress. Is that all? What about the chosen of Your Majesty's clan?"

The queen placed her hand against her chin as she sat back down on the throne. "That'll be all. My brother and nephew will ensure the death of my cousin's oldest, thus eliminating our clan's chosen." Her laughter echoed across the throne room. "Those rats don't know what awaits them if they do somehow survive."

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed this prologue to the 'Astora Part', I'll be going back and forth in this book between several different fractions on the continent the Chosen Ones inhabit. Hong and Co.'s is the 'Sanuri Part'.**