First Light of a New Age

Austronesia People's Empire, Imperial Maharlika, Manila, Central Plaza.

2nd Year of God, Monday, 1st Week, Month of Adam.

The entire city of Manila was decorated into a festival of color and sound, bathed in flags of reds, blacks, and golds.

Every street was packed with dancers, musicians, and performers spinning and leaping through the falling snow with their laughter blending with the thrum of drums and the high notes of flutes.

The aroma of sizzling street food was in the frosty air, mixing with the faint scent of fresh snow and fireworks smoke.

Above, fireworks burst here and there in brilliant blossoms of color and rain glittering sparks across the skyline as they were celebrating the New Year. The entire city had paused from factories, outposts, even the busy ports, and those who could rushed to join the celebration, filling plazas, streets, and balconies

Only the essential personnel stayed behind to make sure that the city's lifelines kept running quietly in the background.

On the grandest balcony overlooking the central plaza, Queen Melian stood hand in hand with Emperor Maximo as they waved wildly at the ocean of thousands of citizens gathered at the plaza. Cheers and cries of joy rolled up like waves crashing against the palace walls.

Suddenly, the air trembled with the roar of engines as Phoenix fighter jets flew past in the sky in tight diamond formations, trailing colored smoke. The crowd gasped and pointed to the sky as the jets broke formation into aerobatic stunts, leaving intricate ribbons across the heavens that wowed the crowd.

"Look at the sea of people!" Melian laughed as she waved enthusiastically at the masses and her cheeks were flushed pink from the cold and excitement. "Thank you! Thank you, everyone!”

"Why the thanks?" Maximo asked with a teasing grin and glanced sideways at her as he lifted a hand now and then to the adoring crowd.

"If it wasn't for you helping me... helping my kingdom..." Melian's voice softened as she leaned closer to him and her golden eyes glistened. "We would not be standing here today. Not like this."

Maximo chuckled and shrugged modestly.

"Technically, it was the Liberation Army who saved your kingdom. I just happen to be the one sitting on the throne, reaping the rewards!"

Melian turned her head with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh? So you're saying I should marry one of your soldiers?"

Maximo stiffened as a bead of cold sweat formed on his temple. "I... was just joking!"

"Hmph!" Melian huffed playfully and crossed her arms but her smile betrayed her teasing. "Good to know. I have options now, you know."

"Wha-what?" Maximo was speechless, completely thrown off guard as he stared at her giggling which was sweet and melodic above the background music.

"So you want to play, huh?" he muttered under his breath with mock annoyance and switched on the microphone clipped to his lapel.

The speakers around the plaza popped, and his amplified voice cut through the festivities like a blade. The music faded, the drumming quieted, and the hundreds of thousands packed into the plaza turned their attention toward the balcony with expectant eyes.

Maximo cleared his throat and straightened up. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, citizens of the Empire!"

A massive roar of cheers answered him before slowly dying down into eager silence.

"Today marks a new chapter in our lives," he declared, "for we celebrate one full year since this empire, your empire, rose from the ashes of chaos!"

Projectors across the country displayed his image on temporary banners and walls, allowing even those in the farthest districts to witness the speech.