RAIWAN AGAINST THE DIVINE

Chapter 3: Royal Decree

Vision was one of Lisa's powers, though no one truly considered it an ability, for she didn't need to expend her energy to use it.

Every living being required energy for daily activities—walking, talking, even breathing.

Ability users needed energy to activate their powers, though this energy was distinct from what they gained from food and air. It was also different from the energy magicians harnessed for their magic.

This was why a common saying existed: No energy, no work. No energy, no magic. No energy, no life.

It was a universal law.

Yet Lisa seemed to defy that law, using her vision without expending a single trace of energy.

The only price she paid was pain. When her visions came while she was awake, they brought her unbearable agony—a torment she never experienced when asleep or when willingly touching someone or something to glimpse the future.

This was why people called her ability a blessing. They understood how draining it was for others with similar powers to peer into the future. Most would exhaust themselves completely just to catch a fleeting glimpse of what lay ahead, let alone gaze into the distant future.

Today, Lisa had a vision.

And what she saw was far more painful than the physical agony of experiencing it.

It was the most agonizing thing she had ever seen.

She foresaw three possibilities, each one bearing the weight of death itself:

She could save her family, but it would lead to the destruction of their town.

She could save her son, but it would cost both her life and her husband's.

Or, she could save herself, her husband, and the town—but at the cost of her son's life.

For many, this would have been an impossible choice.

But not for Lisa.

She was wise, noble, selfless. She knew what would happen if she ever became selfish.

Other people in other lands could afford to be selfish.

But not the people of Subraata.

In Subraata, only the ignorant could afford to be selfish.

To sacrifice thousands for the sake of three was against her very nature. She could never bring herself to do it.

And that was without considering the consequences.

'poor Lisa...' Rahiq thought. 'Not only must she bear the burden of knowing the future, but she is also forced into making cruel decisions, ones designed to make her suffer no matter what she chooses.'

Now, he understood why she was in this state—a condition he had never seen her in before.

But what could he do?

Only what she wanted.

He knew his wife too well. Lisa always chose what was right, no matter how absurd or impossible it seemed.

It didn't take long for her to regain her composure. When she did, she explained her vision to Rahiq in detail.

"Dear husband," she said softly, her voice so soothing that it made him want to lay down his life for her.

Rahiq took her hands in his, caressing them, kissing them. Tears welled in her eyes once more.

They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment, saying nothing.

It felt like they could stay that way forever.

But they didn't have even a single day to spare.

The beautiful moment was shattered by the cruel reality they faced.

"You don't need to tell me what choice you made," Rahiq finally said, his voice heavy with emotion. "I already know it."

Lisa chuckled softly. "You know it better than me?"

It was a bold claim—to say he knew her decision better than she did.

But if anyone could, it was Rahiq.

"Of course…" Rahiq started to speak but suddenly stopped.

Both he and Lisa turned their heads east, as if drawn by an unseen force.

He inhaled deeply.

"They're here."

Lisa nodded.

Rahiq exhaled, his expression hardening. "Fetch Raiwan and bring me the necklace of blinding light. I will summon djinn Idaam and present him to Raiwan."

Lisa didn't hesitate. She stood and left the room.

Rahiq closed his eyes and began chanting in a strange, unrecognizable tongue. The air trembled. The room grew heavy, suffocating.

Light dimmed until all was swallowed in darkness.

Then, in the blink of an eye, everything returned to normal—except now, a strange creature stood before him.

It was humanoid but dwarf-like with green skin, earless with small holes in their place. It had hooves instead of feet and two large horns curving from either side of its head.

Despite its odd appearance, the creature was strangely beautiful, almost enchanting, with an ethereal, mystical quality.

The djinn bowed low.

"Holy greetings to the Almighty Master! How might this lowly servant serve you?"

"Rise, Idamm. I—"

Rahiq's words were cut off by Lisa's return.

She wasn't alone.

Raiwan stood beside her, already dressed despite the short notice.

Lisa carried a small box in her hands, no larger than a book.

"Here. Take it," she said, handing it to Rahiq.

Rahiq opened the box, revealing a necklace forged from white steel, shaped like a star with a lion's head carved at its center.

He whispered something under his breath, and the lion came to life. Its eyes glowed. Its mouth opened.

"Come here, Raiwan," Rahiq called.

Raiwan approached.

Rahiq withdrew a small knife from his waist.

"Let me see your hand."

Raiwan extended it without question.

A small cut. A single drop of blood.

The lion's mouth absorbed it instantly.

Rahiq closed his eyes and spoke with command.

"Oh, Blinding Light, I, Rahiq, hereby order you to shield Raiwan from all senses. Blind his enemies, no matter how powerful their magic."

The necklace gleamed brilliantly for a moment before fading back to normal.

Rahiq knelt and clasped the necklace around Raiwan's neck.

"My son…" His voice trembled. "Today, we must part. Not because we want to, but because we have no choice."

"Father, what's happening?" Raiwan asked, his voice filled with confusion. "Why are you speaking like this? I… I don't understand."

Rahiq felt as if a blade was carving through his heart. He turned to Lisa, silently pleading for help.

Lisa nodded.

She knelt beside Raiwan, pulling him into a warm embrace.

When she pulled away, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Raiwan."

"Yes, Mother?"

"Do you trust us?"

"Of course, I do."

"Then accept this."

She handed him a small, glowing orb, its aura pulsing with mystery and power, as if it did not belong to this world.

The moment Raiwan laid eyes on it, he felt as though he were staring into an abyss.

"This orb contains answers" Lisa continued. "Every question you will have—now and in the future—is within this. You will know how to access it when you are ready."

Raiwan had countless questions.

But he shoved them aside.

He trusted his parents. And he refused to defy them now.

He opened his mouth to speak—

But the booming voices of the king's heralds interrupted him.

"Royal Decree! Royal Decree! Royal Decree!"

"All citizens of San Raza are ordered by His Highness, King Kaixin the mighty! to gather at the east gate, clad in their battle suits and ready for war!

Males and females alike, save for children, the elderly, and the sick, will be escorted to the safe hall until after the war!"

The time had come.