1 The Green Gallows (ACT 1, SCENE 1)

"The day the universe tore itself open was found in those ruins by the lake. Where a lone, dilapidated, old cobblestone railing stood, separating the endless waters and the land. The only thing remaining of this place."

- Excerpt from Emily Lune's Newfound History of Sun-Glint

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In the far away distance, I saw the kingdom coated in sunlight. The mist that rose from the lake parted, revealing the sun coming in. The waters that stretched before me shimmered, as if there were diamonds scattered upon the surface. The brown wooden bench I sat upon was right by a mossy white-stone railing, separating the land and the waters. Old and dilapidated as they were, with vines that coiled around them like snakes. The air was warm and light, the smell of freshly cut grass moving around me as the few grounds keepers of the Gardens of The Green Gallows tended to the overgrown foliage. Every so often they would sneak a glance at me and – though they spoke softly – I could tell they were whispering about me.

After all, I was their first visitor in over five hundred years.

I will cut this story short. My name is Lavy, I was born on Earth and lived there for twenty-three years before I died. I passed through hell, shortly, before waking up in some fantastical place called the Kingdom of Sun-Glint. I had spent most of my first week there in a comatose state. When the second week came by, I finally awoke but had only spent two days retaining complete lucidity. Most of that time was spent being irresponsive, due to the shock and trauma of having passed through literal hell. Naturally.

Irresponsive as I was, it didn't mean I couldn't hear what was going on around me. My ears, sharp as ever, were trained to hear even the lightest pin drops – a result of my upbringing on Earth. Therefore, I thought that I might as well start making mental notes of things to remember:

One, the Kingdom of Sun-Glint is not on Earth, but rather in a place they called the Universe of Planetarium. After much debate with myself about whether or not I was hallucinating, I concluded that I was somehow sent to a different world. Whether by purpose or chance was not something I was privy to at the time.

Two, the Kingdom of Sun-Glint was put under a curse that barred all people from entering or leaving. Which was why my arrival was such a spectacle. The entire kingdom and it's kings were dying to meet me, it seemed.

Three, the Kingdom of Sun-Glint had four kings. Their names were King Jude of the Green Gallows, King Stevather of the High Court, King Odette of The Three Towers, and King Raguna – Lord of The Sun and Gold.

Fourth, the people of Sun-Glint were not human. They looked like us, sure, but they did not bleed blood – instead they were filled with sand and they were immortal. They could also cast magic, be alchemists, all that stuff. They also did not know I was human, and I feared for the worst if they found out. So I decided to hide it.

This was the best I could do at the time, seeing as how I was still very shaken up by my death. I was still trying to get my wits about me, for my hands still shook every time I closed my eyes – wondering if this was all real. And every time I opened my eyes, I had that feeling that out of anywhere I could be – this was not a place for me to belong. Not with how the light dappled against the evergreen grass below, the calm sounds of the wind moving through the lake, the rustle of the foliage as small animals skirted around my legs – searching for food. So trusting of me, as if I were not who I was.

And most definitely, not the smile of King Jude, standing to my right with hands stuffed in the pockets of his rather raggedy pants. Not with his gentle voice, concern woven into his tone like the fine lace on the handkerchief a person had given me earlier. 'For your tears,' they had said before I realized I was crying.

"Miss Lavy?" he said, "It's time to introduce you to – are you alright?"

"My apologies, Your Highness." I said, rubbing my eyes tiredly. "Just some dust got in my eye."

"If you are unwell…"

"I am fine, I assure you."

"… are you sure?"

"I'm fine, Your Highness." I said in a firmer tone, still not looking at him – the white scarf wrapped around my head, hopefully, concealing my face. I had always been good at hiding expressions, but, again, this was a very peculiar time for me. I couldn't trust myself enough to not give away how I was feeling.

So I smiled, feigned ignorance, in fear of how they would treat me if they ever found out. Beyond being human, it was about the atrocities I had committed during my time on Earth.

Jude was silent for a moment while I could feel his stare, heavy on me.

"If you say so," he relented. "Come, your first day as an alchemist is going to begin."