After getting back to the penthouse, I was not the only one having difficulty sleeping as everyone was scattering around looking like they were in deep thought. No doubt considering what we just witness and if their evidence of this 'Power' beforehand. I was on the balcony looking down on the lights of the city.
The rhythm of Addis Ababa was still going strong into the night. To me I couldn't think of any signs of my parents displaying such a thing as Focus. If the telltale signs I just witness were the signs that the power was being used then I do not recall such a thing happening. Queen Mariam mentioned that the Queen Mother was the most proficient at using this, so of course I would not notice anything.
However, there will always be a sign. I noticed that in her wording, that it was not possible to completely erase the effect. Thinking about it now, Baako would know about this right? He went through the fellowship years before me so he would know how to use Focus.
Come to think of it around that time his body got a lot tougher, and I never put two and two together but there was a heavy pressure I felt every time we sparred. Maybe it had something to do with that. Another thing that just dawned on me what if-
"What if the teleportation device we used to get here was powered by Focus?" I looked to my right to see Sanna approaching me. She seemed to just get out the shower, she was in modest sleep wear, but her curves betrayed her.
Her hair was slightly damp, the skin on her neck and face seemed to reflect the lights down below, and she smelled amazing. I diverted my gaze, she personified the word beautiful.
"I was just thinking that same thing, when I went through that process it felt like every cell in me was broken down and put back together instantly. I can't think of any process scientifically that could guarantee that we would still be alive." She smiled at my observations, and I tensed up. My nervousness multiplied at that point.
"If the power of Focus powered the device to teleport actual humans across the continent you wouldn't just need a way to break down the specimen. You would also need intent and guidance to a certain location. Is that power something you can direct in that matter?"
"The other side could be emitting Focus as well to be used as a beacon. There's more potential in this then we realize."
"It seems like your smarter than you let on, rather than being quiet you were being observant."
"There is no need to comment on things that are already understood." after that she just stood by my side for a minute in silence observing the city down below deep in her own thoughts.
I was getting anxious standing next to her, so I turned to her to excuse myself but instead I found her already looking at me full in the face with a guilty look.
"I would like to apologize for my brother's words to you earlier today, it seems that he feels threatened by you for some reason. His concern is the family, and the success of our family is put forward strongly so if he was rude to you please do not take it personal." She then bowed her head deeply to me.
"The last thing I want is a grudge between the imperial family and ours." I did not think much of Femi's words to me earlier because they did not align with any of my desires. Her gestures to me sobered me up from her beauty and the diplomat in me responded in kind.
"Please raise your head, your brother's words did not affect me negatively. Just misplaced words to someone who finds no meaning for them. The intent to rule and the ambition behind his words aren't for me, second in line for family head.
Even if I was first, I don't have any interest in that. Everyone here is on equal footing as far as I'm concerned, he's more likely to be the next emperor then me. So please raise your head, I am not some pompous prince that has earned that type of respect." She raised her head and gave me a quizzical look.
"Now this is interesting, your words are sincere. Some of them however are naïve. The Askiya name is synonymous with this empire. Since its inception an Askiya has never not been on the throne.
You and your younger brother both seem to be interested in other broader things. If I heard that from Talib I would believe him immediately, from you it's different. Where does this lax nature come from, I wonder."
I considered her words. I guess it was easy to see that all Talib cared about was the advancement of his own technology. Me, I did not know what I was passionate about really. I was hoping experiencing life outside the palace would tell me something. That didn't bother me because there was no rush to find my calling in my eyes.
What gave me pause was that it was not obvious to my peers, what do they see that I do not realize. Zalika alluded to this as well. They were wrong, although I competed with my older brother there were no doubts or wariness about his birthright. I was fine with that, and I had all the confidence in the world that he would do well in that role.
"I believe you are mistaken; there's no reason to doubt my words. My lack of political ambition comes from my confidence in my brother Baako. He is more than qualified to usher in the next generation." She again bowed her head.
"Please do not take it as a jab at your character, I am just stating my observations, please do not take it to heart." She paused and stood still, I again went to pull up her head, but she raised it herself and looked at me with confidence.
"I will say this, we have met your older brother before, we have spent time with the emperor, and we have witnessed many videos of the past rulers. There is no Askiya that emits the aura of the Fore Father more than you. If you would please excuse me."
With that she walked away back towards the bedrooms leaving me confused and conflicted. The Fore Father huh? More commonly none as The Founder. There's not a lot of data on him, I have to admit I haven't been that interested to look into him that deeply either. I just know basic information. I tapped my temple to power on my contacts to look up the Founder.
'Thylonius Askiya, leader of the tiny nation of Sierra Leone founded the Askiya Empire after bringing the continent of Africa trade agreements under his singular banner, in the midst of the ongoing World War III. This gave the Empire pull enough to stabilize the Eastern Hemisphere and in turn the Western hemisphere as well. Effectively ending World War 3.'
This is a very vague description. There doesn't seem to be any videos online for public consumption, not even photos.
"Deep in thought?" Now it was Sekai that joined me. That made me relax a bit and I started to lean on the railing. I felt like I've been on edge for far too long. "Long Day?"
"Doesn't it feel like it? Too much new information to digest. I feel like a week of my life has passed." I should stop thinking of unnecessary things and only concentrate on things that interest me.
"So, cousin, what do you think of your mom becoming something out of those old manga books." She rolled her eyes at this.
"Amara and Imari were asking me the same thing, but I think it's the same for everyone else. I don't think I've ever noticed something strange like that occur with my parents. That's the first time I've ever seen my mother's eyes get that cold." She shivered. "I thought I've seen her mad whenever I snuck out but seeing that slap she gave Zalika I have not seen anything close to her worse." I chuckled a bit.
"It won't be the first or the last time we get surprised by our parents." We stared out into the night in silence, I tried to let my mind wander but what Sanna said to me was bothering me. "Say cousin, do you any idea of what you want to do with your life?" Sanna raised her eyebrow at this, to her it seemed like a dumb question.
"Unlike a certain someone. I'm an only child, so I'll probably have to try and keep the family legacy going. Which is honestly fine with me. From what I can gather, this region is not hard to govern. We are religious centric, so the different religious leaders take care of themselves, and they know not to step on each other foot.
At the same time if the people chose another leader it would still be my duty to support that leader. That in itself is not a bad thing I believe, the best possible leader should lead and become 'Royalty'."
"That doesn't bother you that your destiny is set? That you have no say so in the matter?" She looked straight ahead, stared out into the city lights, and smiled a bit.
"No, it actually doesn't, because I love where I live. If I can preserve that anyway I can ill be happy. I've seen the alternative." The alternative? I gave her a confused look. "You don't get out much, since we been given freedom give me your time tomorrow morning and I'll show you what I mean."