The black clouds above in the sky hid the moon behind them, yet the expected rumbling of the thunder was not heard.
Beneath this imposing dark ceiling that gave the feeling of oppression lay a city. huge skyscrapers stood tall, and on the dark paved roads connecting one street from another intricately many cars could be seen moving along.
Only the people living here knew that these clouds were not naturally formed.
If one looked from a high enough vantage point, they could see that a dome-like transparent structure encircled the city, and outside this transparent dome was a huge forest that stretched over the horizon.
The trees in this forest were all red and gave off a feeling of savageness, with the howls of many ferocious beasts echoing throughout it.
But the people of the city were already used to this oppressive atmosphere, as they had experienced it since they were born.
In the middle of the city was another huge building, which was the largest and most majestic skyscraper in the entire city, and unknown to the populace of the city a huge event was taking place inside.
If one listened close enough, the sounds of people typing on there keyboards could be heard even from the outside.
If someone managed to peek inside the highest floor of the building, they would see the busy scene of many people walking around while carrying stuff, others were busy monitoring the screens, and some of the scientists in their lab coats were surrounding a huge pod.
This huge round-shaped pod was connected to many computers through wires and the Scientists were monitoring the screens of these computers and checking for any abnormalities.
The pod was white in colour, and a circular transparent window was present on its front. Overall, it was a very simplistic pod, but only those who developed it knew how many years it took to make this simple pod.
Suddenly, the huge entrance of the room opened, and all of the people halting their tasks looked at it.
A man who looked to be in his early thirties with raven black hair, a clean trimmed beard, and smooth white complexion walked in with a woman and six year old girl with the same pitch dark hair.
The man had a dignified, kingly aura around him, which was only enhanced by the black suit and cape he wore.
The woman, who also looked to be in her early thirties, was also a beauty in her own right. She wore a black dress with little accessories such as some Diamond jewelry, and in her hand she held a small bundle wrapped in white cloth.
The adorable six-year-old girl on the other hand was like a curious little fox, her eyes roaming around the place.
As the three of them walked by the people and headed towards the pod, people bowed and went back to their tasks performing them even more seriously.
Soon the three figures reached near the pod and stopped Infront of it,
"...is it ready?"
The man with a solemn expression asked without turning his head, one of the scientists who was bowing straightened his back and said with a serious expression,
"It is ready for launch at command, your majesty."
The woman looked at her husband with a sad and pleading look, but the man could only close his eyes and, with much hesitation shake his head as if refusing her pleads.
The woman with a downcast expression could only tear up and look at the baby that she held in her arms wrapped in a white cloth.
The man gritted his teeth as he wasn't pleased with his own decision either, but if he didn't do this then his son would also share the same fate as them.
The small girl looked at her mother crying and could only sadden up, although she didn't know what was happening she knew it was serious,
"Open the hatch!"
As she was going to go comfort her mother she heard the voice of her father. The scientists quickly started pressing some keys, and soon the front of the pod opened down.
The woman found it hard to breathe as she tried to control her tears, but she could only feel a lump in her throat as the tears streamed down her cheeks.
With shaking hands, she stepped forward and put the sleeping baby inside the wooden basket that was present inside the pod.
Caressing her son's soft cheeks for one last time, she stepped back and the hatch closed.
The girl on the side looked shocked and grabbed her mother's dress tightly, but said no words,
"....your majesty, the location?"
One of the scientists asked with solemness.
".....the third planet of the 27th solar system in galaxy 42."
The man said without taking his eyes off of the pod, and as the scientist took a look at the location, his eyes widened, his head jolted up as he looked at the man,
"But...but that...is a primitive world....are you sure, your majesty?"
If it were any other time, the man would have looked at the scientist coldly for asking questions, but today was different he just nodded with a saddened look.
The scientists gulped and soon set the location.
woosh!
The sound of the ceiling above their heads moving could be heard as everyone looked at the pod with expectations.
The wires attached to the pod started disconnecting and soon it started floating above the ground.
By now, everyone in the city had felt the change as they saw the ceiling of the king's tower opening. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked above.
The pod had by now floated up and was now moving above where the ceiling was as all the people of the city saw it, and although many could only see a dot there were some with inhuman eyesight who could see what was going on.
The family of three looked on as the pod flew up and up, its speed gradually increasing, and suddenly it took up speed and flew away,
"...goodbye"
The man said finally as he turned his back and the woman who had by now started choking on her breath fell down on her knees.
The girl supported her mother as the family wallowed in sadness.
Many days later, the news was released about what happened, and an uproar took place.
....The prince of the Surya race had been sent away to a distant planet...
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The green forest stretched towards the horizon as the first rays of dawn shone upon the forest and the river just beside it.
Almost all the tribesmen of the Ignisar tribe had woken up and come out of their wooden huts wearing the plain clothes made out of animal skin.
A man with dark hair and a muscular frame walked out of one of the wooden houses, accompanied by a woman with the same dark hair.
The fresh, rejuvenating smell of the forest entered their nostrils, and yet this did not make them feel any better.
The man and woman looked at each other and could only smile wryly.
They soon looked up and started walking towards the nearby river. Seeing their sad looks, some of the surrounding Tribesmen could only sigh depressingly.
The man's name was Zoryan and the woman's Solara, both of them were husband and wife.
They were a happy family, and Zoryan was even an intermediate warrior who could hunt beasts so they didn't have to worry about food.
The thing that was paining them right now was the absence of a child. They had always wanted a child even before they were married, but their wish was never granted, and now they were in their late twenties.
Soon they reached the shore of the river and stood upon the sand looking at the sun that was just rising above the horizon.
They both scooped up some water in both of their hands and let it flow down from their hands into the river.
Both of them closed their eyes and recited the prayers left by their ancestors.
The people of the Ignisar tribe worshiped the sun as their god and, in turn, sang prayers to it.
Zoryan and Solara had been coming here every day after their marriage eight years ago, everyday they prayed for a child and yet never received one. By now, they had also started to lose hope.
Soon, both of them finished their prayers and opened their eyes looking at the water body that stretched towards the horizon.
Solara turned and was about to leave with a downcast expression when she saw her husband frowning and looking at the distance in the river.
She turned her head and looked far, yet she could only see the sea,
"Is something wrong, Zoryan?"
She asked her husband, who was still frowning,
"There is something floating towards the shore."
Solara seemed confused, but then Shock gradually crept upon her face as her head jolted to the side, looking at the far distance.
After a while of Silence, she could finally see that something indeed was floating in their direction.
Zoryan's eyes widened as he quickly took off his animal skin shirt and rushed into the water,
"Zoryan!!"
Solara screamed as her husband bolted into the water, swimming toward the dot quickly.
There were many dangerous sea animals in the river, so Solara was quite scared. She wanted to rush towards the village and ask for help.
But she could only stay rooted on the spot, scared to take her eyes off of Zoryan.
Soon, Zoryan reached near the dot and placed it upon his head, holding onto it tightly.
Then he started swimming back, soon Zoryan was near the shore and could walk.
Solara rushed towards Zoryan and was about to scream at him, but then, just as she was about to scream, her eyes landed on the thing he had brought with him, and her eyes widened while the words she was about to utter were stuck in her throat.
Beside Zoryan lay a wooden basket, and upon it lay a small baby boy laughing and giggling as he looked upon both of them with his red ruby-like eyes.