Solar Blood Masters

"Raphael?"

A gentle voice broke through the veil of Raphael's reflection and pulled him back to the present. He blinked and refocused his eyes on the figure standing before him. Butler Long held a neatly packed bag. He was a bit flustered.

"The princess's… undergarments." Butler Long spoke softly as he extended the bag towards Raphael.

It took Raphael a moment to shake off the lingering sorrow of his past. He stood up and looked up at Butler Long's kind face. He was shorter in comparison.

"Thank you, Butler Long." Raphael expressed his gratitude. It wasn't just for fetching the undergarments. It was for everything – for saving his life, for protecting him, for being the only source of warmth in this cold, unforgiving place.

Butler Long seemed to sense the depth of his emotions. His gaze softened, and a faint smile touched his lips. He had been close to Haleema, and he felt a deep sense of responsibility towards her son. Raphael was a constant reminder of the tragedy that had befallen the woman he had cared for like a daughter.

"Ok, I'll be going now before the princess gets upset."

Raphael turned to leave, however, Butler Long stopped him. "Raphael, wait." He reached into his robe and pulled out a small, intricately carved spherical device attached to an amulet. Deep within it had a red crystal.

Butler Long explained, "This is a Gyro Chi Sphere. It is imbued with protective enchantments and potent fermented blood. It will shield you from harm." He carefully fastened the amulet around Raphael's neck. "Wear it always, my boy. It may save your life one day."

"Wow, such a thing… Thank you, Butler Long."

Raphael's heart swelled with gratitude. This gift was more than just a protective charm. It was a symbol of Butler Long's unwavering care and concern for him.

While clutching the Gyro Chi Sphere close to his chest, Raphael left the mansion in high spirits and met up with Tajmani's group at the estate's exit. His prior lifted feelings faltered as soon as he returned in her presence.

"You're finally back, you lazy dog! Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting? Were you slacking off again?"

Raphael suppressed a sigh. 'Of course, I was, Princess. I was busy dreaming of a world where you weren't a spoiled, entitled brat.' He kept his thoughts to himself, knowing that voicing them would only lead to more trouble.

Tajmani noticed the flicker of annoyance that crossed his face and narrowed her eyes to slit till they resembled a fox. "What was that look, Slave? You dare to glare at your superior?"

"No, Princess," Raphael mumbled while bowing his head.

"Hmph! You better."

At the edge of the estate's grounds, a sleek, futuristic vehicle awaited them. It was a Psiphon Car. Resembling a carriage from a bygone era, it possessed no steeds but instead glided effortlessly on two large, red spherical tires – one at the front and one at the back. It had white modern-looking chassis and was powered by an energy core. This was a vehicle fit for royalty.

Standing at attention beside the Psiphon Car were two figures donned in silver armor. Streaks of blood-red patterns coursed through the intricate design of their armor, and each bore the Bloodthorne emblem on their chest plates.

As the princess and her entourage approached, the two armored figures stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Princess Tajmani. We are Gerald D. Bloodthorne and Tien Ha Bloodthorne, Silver Blood Knights assigned to ensure your safety on this journey."

Pleased by their subservient demeanor, Tajmani nodded haughtily. "Very well. Let us depart. I'm eager to see what challenges lies ahead." She clenched her fist with a snark. 

She and her friends glided towards the Psiphon Car. When she reached the entrance, Tajmani glanced back at Raphael. "You! Hurry up and load the luggage in the back!"

Already struggling under the weight of the numerous bags, Raphael gritted his teeth and began the arduous task of loading them into the car's rear compartment.

Tien Ha observed the young man's struggles with concern. He inquired politely, "Princess, why is your servant manually loading the luggage? Wouldn't it be more efficient to utilize a Nexus Plate?"

Tajmani scoffed. "He can carry them. Besides, it's good for him to learn some discipline."

Her true motive, however, was far more sinister. She enjoyed watching Raphael suffer, relishing in her power over him.

Sensing the princess's unwillingness to elaborate, Tien Ha wisely chose not to press the matter further. He patiently waited as Raphael, sweat dripping down his brow, finally managed to load all the luggage into the car.

Exhausted but relieved, Raphael attempted to enter the main passenger compartment where Tajmani and her friends had settled. But before he could even reach for the handle, Tajmani's sharp voice cut him off.

"What do you think you're doing, dog? You think you can sit with us? You belong in the back with the luggage!"

"Yeah, in the back you go, dog." Her two friends shared her sentiments with giggles.

Raphael's heart sank. 'Of course. I'm just a dog to them, after all. Not even worthy of sharing the same space as these pampered princesses.' He thought bitterly.

With a heavy sigh, he resigned himself to his fate. He squeezed himself into the cramped rear compartment alongside the mountain of luggage, secretly cursing Tajmani's cruelty and the injustice of his situation.

His body ached, his spirit felt crushed, and a burning resentment simmered within him. He longed for the day he could escape this suffocating existence, but for now, he had no choice but to endure. He would carry their burdens, both literally and metaphorically, until the day he could finally break free.

The Psiphon Car started gliding smoothly through the orderly streets of the Bloodthorne Empire. The city was quite imposing, with towering buildings and imposing castles reaching towards the sky.

Occasionally, individuals soared overhead on fantastical flying mounts or personal aerial devices, adding a touch of whimsy to the urban landscape. It was an energetic scenery.

In the back of the Psiphon Car, Raphael felt the subtle jolts and vibrations as they navigated the roads. He gazed out of the small window, taking in the sights of his homeland.

Dominating the cityscape was the Grey Sun, a celestial orb that hung suspended in the center of the sky. It was an artificial construct, created by the empire's most powerful Solar Blood Masters to provide a gentle, diffused light across the vast expanse of the Bloodthorne Empire, which stretched for millions of square miles.

The Grey Sun was positioned at the apex of the massive Dark Dome that enveloped the entire empire. It was this dome that shielded the Bloodthorne people from the full force of the sun's rays.

Millennia ago, when Gaia was plunged into darkness after the Solar Blood Masters' banishment, civilizations had crumbled and fallen into ruin. However, from the ashes of that dark age, the Bloodthorne Empire had risen. They had adapted to the darkness, thrived in it, and conquered other nations, establishing themselves as a formidable power. Their bloodline had evolved, granting them unique abilities that allowed them to flourish in the absence of sunlight.

But after 50 million years, the sun had returned. Gaia was emerging from its long slumber. Unfortunately, after countless generations had adapted to the darkness, the sudden influx of solar energy posed a significant threat to the Bloodthorne people. Their bodies were not accustomed to the intense light and heat, and prolonged exposure could prove fatal.

To protect their citizens, the elders of the Bloodthorne Empire had devised a daring plan. They created the Dark Dome, a colossal barrier that filtered out the harmful solar radiation, and the Grey Sun, a gentler, artificial substitute for the sun. It was a temporary measure, a way to gradually acclimate their people to the returning sunlight, generation by generation.

Despite the return of the sun and the emergence of other powerful empires, such as the Allucar Empire and the Earthling Empire, the Bloodthorne Empire remained a dominant force, holding its place among the top three empires of Gaia.

…

Raphael's gaze drifted from the Grey Sun to the street below. A regiment of Bronze Blood Knights marched in perfect formation. They were escorting a Psiphon Car, presumably carrying a person of high status, whose identity remained hidden behind tinted windows.

As the two Psiphon Cars passed each other, Raphael heard Tajmani's voice from the passenger compartment.

"Hmph. Bronze Blood Knights. They must be escorting some low-level official from a branch family heading to court. Probably a distant relative trying to curry favor with the main family." Tajmani concluded.

Lin tilted her head, intrigued. "Bronze Blood Knights? What are they, exactly? Are they any different from regular constabulary force?"

Tajmani explained with a hint of disdain, "They're the lowest tier of the Bloodthorne military forces. Then there are the Silver Blood Knights, like our escorts, followed by the Golden Blood Knights, and finally, the elite Platinum Blood Saints. Each tier represents a significant increase in power and status."

"Really?" Mei's eyes widened. "I've always wanted to see a Platinum Blood Saint in action. They say they can move mountains with a single strike!"

"They're practically legends," Tajmani agreed. "But even Silver Blood Knights are nothing to sneeze at. They're all highly skilled cultivators who have dedicated their lives to protecting the empire."

Her eyes sparkled with a hint of longing. "I wouldn't mind becoming a Blood Knight myself one day. It would be so exciting to wield unimaginable power and defend our people. The praises that they would give…"

"I'm sure you would make a fine Blood Knight, Princess," Gerald said encouragingly. "Perhaps you could apply once you've awakened your second Soul Orbital."

Tien Ha added with a slight hesitation, "Though, even with your royal status, Princess, the selection process is rigorous. Only the most talented and dedicated individuals are chosen."

Tajmani flicked her purple hair with a confident smirk. "Don't worry, I'll be more than qualified. I've already awakened my first Soul Orbital."

"Wow, that's amazing, Tajmani! When I was your age. My Soul Orbital was still dormant. It was only after I hit fourteen that it awakened." Lin exclaimed.

"Both of you are so talented!" Mei echoed.

Tajmani's smile widened. "Indeed. And once I've stacked it with enough Solar Consciousness, my cultivation will skyrocket. That's why I requested Mother to allow me to enter the Blood Forest. It's the perfect place to find a suitable host for my Soul Orbital."

Hidden in the back with the luggage, Raphael couldn't help but feel envious. 'With the Queen's backing and access to the best resources, of course, she awakened her Soul Orbital at such a young age. I'm older than her, and I still haven't even awakened mine.' He clenched his fists in frustration. "I suppose it's only natural for the gap between us to be so vast, like the distance between the sky and the earth. Life is so unfair. We're siblings, yet our lives couldn't be more different." He muttered under his breath.

Then a flicker of gratitude unexpectedly surfaced in his heart. "I guess… I should be somewhat thankful to the little princess for what she did back then."

Raphael's thoughts drifted to a distant memory; a flashback of a pivotal moment in his life…