"AAAHH! HNGHH! AAAH. PLEASE. SOMEONE—HAhhh... Hahh.. Huhh?.. Uhh... Did I die?.. Wh-What? What's going on?"
By some illogical form of cause and effect in this mystery of a world, a body of a young kid with dark hair and skimpy clothes materialized out of nowhere in the 'desolate' streets. Sam coughed rapidly a few times before opening his eyes slowly, and then a bit more. The sight that surprised him was of the clear blue sky and the blinding sunlight. He tried to move about but he still felt a bit weak.
"W..What is this feeling? Wasn't I just going to burn in my apartment.. Did someone save me??" His doubts and overthinking worsened as he tried to sit upright and assess his own situation. "What the.. What are these small hands?! My Feet.. No it's my whole body! Have I turned into a little kid now! What? Is this A Dream? Or... that fantasy like Transmigration thing?? But where is everybody else in this... whole open area?"
As much as the amount of novels or manga Sam has read in his past life, his present situation still seemed baffling to believe. However he could somehow feel instinctively that it was not a dream, or also from the hard and rough texture of the crooked stony pavement he was laying upon. He slowly stood upright, adjusting to his new acquired muscles. No People, No activity, Just the Lifeless Houses sprawled out in the long street with the Young Sam standing in the middle of it. Fortunately Sounds brushed past at their usual slow speed with respect to his sight, and the faint murmuring and chatter of people from far away, resonated in his ears.
"Phew.. I thought I was in some sort of simulation or dystopia or something, man those novels go pretty hard at it huh. Anyways... what kind of world have i transmigrated into? It looks too... Like a Medieval Fantasy with all these Rural and Old Houses... Or is this just the past? But how am I a kid now? Urgh! I don't understand.. whatever.. gonna have to just follow those voices.."
After a few minutes, Sam stumbled upon the multitude of people gathered in one big crowd for something. They were either chit-chatting with each other in high-end debates or most of them just looking up. Sam joined the back of the rows and nudged towards someone towering over him. "Um.. Mister.. Could you tell me... Where am I? And What's Going on?"
The middle aged man turned around and replied. "Oh.. A kid? What are you doing here alone? Did you get lost from the crowd? Hm.. You don't look like them from the other continents or much less like ours.. Hmph.. Must be one of the southerners. No matter, stay put and listen to the announcement, after that you can find your.. whoever is with you when the crowd spreads."
"Uh.. What? Continent? Announcement? Um.. I'm sorry Mister... I still don't understand." Sam asked persistently, somehow understanding clearly every word from the man, even when the man seemed visibly irritated.
"Ugh.. Why did I show up so late and got stuck at the back... Kid, Listen Now. I ain't here to tell all your worries, So just wait for whoever is with you after the announcement. Just to tell you so you don't go wandering off. We are in the Capital City of the Empire, Got it? And this Announcement or per say.. Speech will be from the Emperor of Our Continent about your people.. uh well if you are from one of the other lands.. Anyways.. Don't bother me now, We all want to see it... you know.. Just wait till the castle descends from up there."
Sam's gaze followed the man's and pretty much everyone else's in the crowd, to up in the skies. Brushing past the fluffy clouds draped by the sunlight, was an enormous upside-down-mountain of a rock.. Just Floating in the skies, The air beneath it radiated some sort of energy. The main attraction was above that rock, the Luxurious and Even Bigger Castle. It's intricate structure and designs were shining brightly with the sun, and it held the rightful place for everyone's attention. The Outer Pillars of the castles were hooked with some sort of chains for anchoring, and those enormous chains were connected right at the ground, being as big as any building near it. The ground right below it was just.. Empty, Like a Big Crater, A Hole.. for the castle to descend into. The crowd was encircling this space, as it went pretty deep down, and the people spanned out across almost half of the City, as Sam couldn't even make a sense of the situation upfront. The chains dangled with big shattering sounds, and the Floating Castle started descending. Everyone was in awe of the sight, as it happened ever so rarely in this Big Empire.. Or well the Continent. It came closer to the ground Until it somehow got fit right into the crater like space beneath it. The Castle was still too Big for anyone to even notice the activity within its courtyard. Suddenly, Many Holographic Screens popped up all around the capital city, and as the swarm of people converged towards them like bugs, which made the crowd controlled and eased up for some squished in the middle of it all.
'What the hell is going on? What kind of world is this.. Old buildings but they have these holograms too?? Urgh I don't understand anything of this transmigration. Why am I even here?!' Sam thought as he joined in the last ranks of one of the crowded groups and somehow managed to get an apt look at the screen.
The screens flickered to show the zoomed in courtyard of the castle, which could only be faintly observed from this far in the capital city. It looked lush, green and luxurious, until the image moved onto a towering figure. Imposing, big, strong, powerful, heavenly, deathly... All of these words couldn't even manage to form an idea of the man's structure. He stood at an impressive height, with a face as manly as possible, his rigid jaws having faint dragonic scales and his gaze appeared domineering with those deep dug in Golden Pupils. His clothes were even more luxurious, adorned with gems and jewels, giving everyone a slight reminder of the decades of battles and sovereign. His seemingly endless cloak had the imprint of another Dragon which fluttered without touching the ground as he walked. The most important thing was that when his presence entered the courtyard and just with his heavenly aura, everyone, except a few who managed to, but the whole city felt an immense innate pressure that they had no choice but to bow a little as to endure it, including Sam. His voice was as commandeering and deep as well deserved and he started speaking.
"People of the Empire and of the 4 Continents, Today I humbly regard all of you with grace for attending this important announcement about the Fate Selection, as the Emperor of the Central Continent, Xander Tarragon. Now, all of you must have already heard talk or noticed brazenly the developing changes and improved relationships with the other continents, that we have been started taking on in this Empire for the past few years. I hold this speech to testament, that we should disregard any form of discrimination or prejudice some of us might have against the people of the Other 4 Lands, And instead we form better and Friendly Relations amongst all of us as just People. I hereby announce that our continent will become open with all Four Continents surrounding ours, and I am allowing them all to freely explore, trade, diversify, and support our Empire as a Whole with the continued and improving Acceptance amongst us all. Now, The Four Continents also bring Great Gifts, Weapons, Knowledge, technology, and More Importantly the People Coming over to guide our Continent's Fate Selection and help every Youth be more prominent with their respective Destinies. Let us be familiar with the Impressive Four Masters, well versed in their continent's Destinies, and well known amongst us all."
The Emperor nodded to someone as the screen flickered towards another figure. Draped in a gold lustrous cloak from head to toe, the old, aged but not frail, looking man had a divine aura which was amplified by the mysterious staff he held as it even flickered in the image. He started speaking with his voice amplified by the screen, "As our Benevolent Emperor says, These Four Masters from the Four Continents are well known for their own respective accomplishments in The Four Great Destinies, and they affirm to help our Empire reach even new heights with their Prowess. As the humble Grand Priest of the Empire and as Allowed by Our Emperor, Let me introduce and Make Everyone be known of their Greatness."
The Image moved with the old man. He stood behind another towering presence who took on a rigid stance, with his hands on top of each other. "The One Hailing from the Western Continent. Well Versed in the Spirit Cultivation Destiny, and Knowledgeable about its Great Techniques and Skills. Known by everyone as The Strongest Phoenix Soul Warrior, is Master Zhu Xi Ping! He will aide our Empire with the Spirit Cultivation and its techniques, and help us achieve even greater heights in its destiny." The man had a great figure, he paled in comparison to the Emperor, but he was still impressive. His muscles were out in the open with the skimpy clothes he wore, probably to show off. His hair looked like on fire with their deep red colour, and his face took a scrunched expression naturally as if to look intimidating.
The Grand Priest moved behind another Man. He merely took a respective stance and bowed as it showed in the image. "The One from the Northern Continent. Mastery over many Different techniques, styles and attributes of the Demonic Weapon Destiny. Well Known as The Ghost Sword, is Master Jiro Fujimoto! He will share the most powerful and wise techniques and styles of their destiny and also provide our continent with a multitude of Impressive Demonic Weapons." This man had a slim body, but still well-toned muscles. He was covered in dark grey robes, with his face hidden partially behind a cloth, and a conical straw hat to cover it more. He had a misty looking sword by his side that flickered the screen, and his eyes held even more strength.
The Elder Priest Moved Behind a Woman This time. She swiftly, gently and gracefully bowed showing her respect on being there. "Coming from the Eastern Continent. Well Versed in all the knowledge, deep involvement and research regarding the Magic Destiny. Known as The Great Sage, is Miss Ivory! She will enrich our Empire's knowledge in Magic Even more, and help us be more prominent with it." The Elf Woman Was Aged, But her Face didn't show any wrinkles and instead looked beautiful. She was in dark clothes hiding the artifacts fitted seamlessly, and wearing a witch like hat. She looked Kind, and even Sam felt relaxed looking at the Woman.
The Last Man that the Old man introduced from behind. That Man didn't even move. "From the Southern Continent. Renowned for his great accomplishments, records, inventions, theories, and countless titles. Known as The Genius Void Maker, is Master Ego Smith! He will hail our Continent in a new age of technology and Help us become more prominent with their Continent's Enlightenment Destiny with Mysterious Powers and Knowledge." His eyes were dug deep from the countless nights he didn't sleep. He had a slim and tall figure, with a deathly aura, that the kids watching the screen started crying. His hands were in the pockets, like he could care less about being there.
The screen flickered once again showing the courtyard with the impressive people, the focus being on the Emperor. He started speaking again, "These Four Renowned Figures of the Four Great Destinies will be mentoring our Fate Selection and Even Help the Youth With their respective Destinies subsequently. Given our improved relationships with the continents, I hereby proclaim that Youth from the 4 Continents will also be allowed in our Continent's Fate Selection, and they will be given equal treatment and care without any form of discrimination, the Empire will assert for it from now on. That's all for this announcement by your humble Emperor, and I hope all of us engrave it into our hearts to be appreciative and welcoming of each other. May this Bring Glory to Our Empire."
As the Emperor started to leave, the 4 Masters also did so, and the Priest spoke in an excited manner. "We Have all been graced by our Emperor's Heavenly Presence, and His words dictate us all from now on. The Fate Selection will be held starting now within the castle itself. Everyone, be mindful and respectfully start sending the youth through the ground entrances, and the youth from the Other Continents can also mix in and enter. May this Bring Glory to Our Empire!" The priest then left into the courtyard and the screens disappeared. Meanwhile the usual hushed chatter and debates ensued within the scattered crowds, while the kids mingled and formed separate crowds slowly.