Chapter 4 The Cube

MAGIC AND MISERIES: CHOSEN MATES

BY HEARTCODE

CHAPTER 4: THE CUBE

And now, let's get to the names. If you hear your name, keep step forward and enter the cube, let it decide your fate.

Miles had finished with the thirteenth batch and paused. He looked at the remaining number of participants left. Impossible, he whispered. How could this be? Something was definitely wrong, there were sixteen participants left and they meant two more batches.

Batch 15 was an abominable number, the last time they ever had a batch 15 was eons ago, and that brought total destruction to the land, and now history was repeating itself, it would have been better if his nieces and nephew had undergone theirs but they hadn't and they were on the last three in the list. The names were written there magically and he can't alter them, or face instant death, from the scroll.

He looked at the king and the queen who stared back at him with questioning eyes.

"Why the hell did uncle miles stop? My legs are killing me. Bella said bending down.

"Dummy, didn't you hear what batch he just called out? Parrish asked rolling his eyes, in anger.

"Duh, I did. Batch 13, so what, let him get on with the names, fortunately no one has died yet. Maisie said rolling her eyes.

"You still don't get it, do you. He is calling out batch 13 and that is the highest batch ever, we are 18 left, that means two more batches to go, and batch 15 is forbidden batch. It never happens, can't you see that everyone is apprehensive now." Parrish said in a low tone for all the participants to hear.

Some of them had begun to get scared, as some were shaking a bit, scared of their fate. Jasmine looked around and said

"Is what they say about batch 15 true, my great grand mum, and my grand mum, always told me bedtime stories of what their ancestors went through. And they told me that the worst thing ever is to be placed in that batch. That, it is cursed.

"Well, they did wipe out more than half of the two kingdoms, they were uncontrollable back then, maybe this year will be different." Meryl said shrugging.

Miles looked at the crowd, and saw that the crowd had started to murmur, he was stalling and he doesn't even know why he was stalling.

He looked at the king and the queen and they nodded, signifying that he should continue with the calling. He cleared his throat and called out the names.

"Anya, please enter the cube. He announced loudly as a timid girl, nervously entered the cube, as it slid shut and a blue light glowed.

After few minutes, it stopped glowing as the cube opened and the girl came out looking quite the same but this time with wings at her back.

"She's a fairy. A man announced as people started applauding and whistling.

The girl's parents ran to her and hugged her crying tears of joy, as they were grateful that their daughter wasn't dead.

After the jubilation had gotten down, Miles cleared his throat and called out the rest of the batch 14 and they were jubilation all through because it was successful.

Jayden, Maisie, Stasia, Bella, Parrish, Jasmine, Dylan, and Carl, all gulped when they realized that they were the last people standing. Everywhere turned to a grave yard as people shifted uncomfortably, murmuring. Even the sky turned gloomy, as dark clouds began to cover everywhere. The cube started radiating off a black light, before returning back to normal.

Miles looked at the frightened teenagers in front of him and shook his head, as he began to read the forbidden batch

Batch 15.... Dylan. He called loudly as Dylan gulped and entered the cube as it began to glow...

THIRTY-SIX HOURS LATER

This is simply outrageous; it just cannot be" Simon a member of the royal cabinet said.

"Why should such immense power be given to a child" Damon said

"You should realize, if you have forgotten, that child you refer to is a princess and last time that I checked, you were beneath her." Miles the king's best friend and brother to Queen Ashley said.

We shouldn't be talking about status right now, the fate of our kingdom has been put in a little child's hand. Damon retorted.

I will not have you disrespect my niece like that. Miles said in a fit of rage.

Silence!" King Charles thundered as the two advisors stared daggers at each other.

We can't possibly turn our backs on each other at a critical time like this. We need to work together to solve the problem. Queen Ashley said.

Ashley is right, as well as you both, such power shouldn't be given to a child, but that child needs to be treated with respect, too.

"Sorry, my king. I was only worried about the safety of the people. Yesterday's scenario wasn't funny one bit, and that is why I ask the royal cabinet to consider locking her up.

"What insolence! How dare you utter those words. You deserve to be hanged.

"Have you forgotten what her kind did eons ago, only twenty people lived to tell the tale.

"We are not our ancestors, who were ignorant then. We have learnt from their mistakes and will not make the same mistakes again. The cube didn't make any mistake, if it chose her to gain that power.

"Damn the cube, the same cube that exploded that day, because she transformed into a heinous creature.

"That creature, you say she is, has a destiny to fulfill. Miles said pointing a finger at him, in anger, from across where he stayed.

"Lick my ass, Miles, that prophecy is fake. Simon said.

"My king, what is your insight on this? Ashley asked, turning to face her husband, looking up to him for answers.

"I think that the best solution now is to call for Master Lynx. King Charles announced gravely.

Everyone gasped as the mention of the most dreaded name in Arcadia.

"I know; it comes as a shock but he is perfect for this. Batch 15 will be handed over to him, he will personally train them.