1 Prologue.
A dark sky painted itself over the gloomy forest, withered and black trees point in multiple direction.
A mysterious hooded figure sprints through the dead woods, weaving between the trees, their breaths ragged and desperate.
Glowing fingertips spreading a line of light as shadows finally catch up with them. A bright light emits from their fingers, a canonball of light whips through the trees, hitting nothing but air.
After multiple curses they come to a cliffs edge with a close skid, barely stopping before the drop...the figure slowly begins backing up from the drop. Before the sound of mechanical whirs brings them from their focus.
Their mask emmiting a white steam with heavy breaths, their hands raising in defence as the creature slowly emerges from the shadows.
A dog like monster creeps its way towards the figure, its face half melted, barely hanging together with metal attachments, a fiery red dot in its left eye.
Blood dripping from all of its wounds and holes, its growl a cry for death.
Shaking in a deformed manner as the caster gasps in shock, backing closer to the edge.
Time thinning as its whines grew angrier with each step, the trickle of sweat fell from the figures forehead, landing on the floor with a single drop.
Without hesitation the monster leaps at the caster without fear, a disgruntled groan coming from its target.
Beautiful blue flames shoot from the casters hand in desperation, putting the thing down swiftly with a single spell.
Its thrashing corpse slowly halting as it dies in a dishevelled hump.
A sigh of relief leaving the mages mouth, pulling down their hood and mask to breath...distracted, their back to the forest.
After a few breaths, a murky green chain wraps around their ankle, pulling them to the ground roughly...blood stained the floor, slowly losing conscience.
Dragged away back into the dead woods, being enveloped in a never-ending shroud of shadow. All thats left of them, is their howling screams.
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"What happened next mommy?" A little girls voice interrupts the story, hiding under covers and shaking with fear.
Her mother closes the book gently and places it by her bedside table, staring into her daughters eyes with a gentle smile.
"Perhaps reading these stories is a bad idea...why dont you read your fairytale books anymore Alana?" Her mother asked concerned.
Alana snaps out of her fear, crossing her arms in a puffed out manner, her cheeks turning a blazing pink.
"Mommy those books are so boring...their all the same...that book has cool magic and scary monsters!" She exclaimed excitedly, getting from under her sheets.
Jumping up and down jovially on her bed.
Her mother lets out a small laugh before retucking her back into bed.
A tiny kiss on Alana's head, grazing her fingers through her daughters hair delicately.
"Those are just stories and clichés my love, real magic comes from the heart...and how strong it is" she whispers to her.
Alana grins with delight as her mother slowly begins to leave the room.
Waiting until the perfect moment.
Counting down the seconds and footsteps until shes 120% sure her mother had gone far away.
Shooting from her covers towards her window with exceptional speed for a 10 year old, opening her window with great conviction as she leans out into the autumn winds.
A wide smile spreads on her face, closing her eyes for a few minor seconds.
Unaware of the faint glowing light slowly acending to her from the bushes. Opening her eyes as the light wavers in her face for a second.
Small tingles of bells could be heard, sending the girl into a giggling fit.
"Hello fairy friend!" she tries her hardest to keep quiet, whispering to the tiny ball of yellow light.
It tingles more bells as it swirls, leaving sparkly trails, Alana placing her hand out as the fairy lands on her palm lightly.
Her thumb grazing over its fuzzy light, chirping with happy sounding bells...but the heavy footsteps sent Alana into a panic.
Throwing the fairy out of her room and diving into bed, hiding under her blankets and duvets, leaving a lump of fabric sitting on her bed.
Her bedroom door opening, her eyes close shut quickly pretending to be asleep...but whoever came in immediately shuts her window.
A clicking sound as her windows were locked shut, leaving the room once more.
She sighs with relief but looks at the window with a defeated pout, shuffling over to her windowsill looking out for her little friend, unable to see his light.
She didnt know if it was a girl or boy, but Alana didnt care. She knew she'd made a friend.
But her patience ran thin quickly, feeling her eyes slowly shut due to drowsiness...passing out on the floor by her window.
Blissfully dreaming of what other wonders were out there.
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Excited twinkling echoes through a grand hall, solid gold and platinums lined the walls...the tiny ball of light whips through the halls.
Zipping through corridors until reaching a massive door, incessantly tapping against it...the twinkling getting louder.
"WHAT?!" The door opens to reveal an old looking man. His one eye glowing a darkish colour.
A slight peek into his laboratory.
The fairy rises up and down as if its rambling nonsense, but nevertheless the old man understands him regardless.
"You've found her Nix?...Where?" He asks angrily, getting close to the fairy with an evil glare, the light surrounding it becomes a low blue.
"Great...our plans on a completely different world...I need to think, LEAVE ME!" He bellowed through the hall before slamming the door on Nix's wing.
He manages to pull it out but the light surrounding him turns a deep red, storming off down the hall. Flying hurriedly to a side room.
The castle was huge, so its no secret that there are secrets everywhere...hidden doors, traps and even artifacts hidden from stupid kings and queens.
But Nix was a servant fairy, hexed by his master to do their bidding...he'd want nothing more than to blind his master, but hes bound by magic.
He sits on a pillow on a huff, steaming with red fury, looking into the huge mirror in his room...
Scowling at it as he pathetically punches at it, failing to break anything.
"My my, Nix you should calm down before you hurt yourself" the soothing voice of the princess interrupts his fit, leaving him to bow in her presence.
"And dont bow, a fairy of your intelligence shouldnt bow to anyone" she says with a sympathetic smile walking from the darkest parts of the room.
Nix gets up with a nervous face, his light shifting to a baby pink colour, her voice graces the room with warmth as she chuckled.
Sitting down at her desk where Nix sat down, looking up at her with an unsure face.
"I need your advice about something, just between us ok?"
Nix nodds his head vigorously.
"Good, I know what hes planning...and I cant allow it, what do I do?" The princess asks with confidence and dignity.
He shuffles around in the air for a moment before putting up his finger, tracing his words over the mirror.
A neat handwriting accompanied by a gold glow, spelling out a message on the glass.
Break the hex, I cant do anything like this.
"Youre right...but im no witch, who would be strong enough to stand against him like that?"
I dont know, but this castle has many ears and eyes, be careful.
"I will...thank you Nix, for everything" and with that, the princess leaves the room.
Walking down the hallway towards her bedchamber as shadows stir from behind her. Unaware however, she proceeds past the rose garden, the moonlit sky shines bright on the flowers.
The pretty stars illuminating her dress perfectly, shimmering in a purple and blue hue.
Relecting onto the cobble stone fountain and its water, miniature rainbows come and go in seconds, beautiful bright colours.
Leaning on a balcony, peering out into the lit up city, Caspia. One of the richer castles in Aspendria aside from the Scarlett Reach.
And for a moment, it was quiet.
But just for a moment.
"Your majesty, what are you doing this late out at night.. you should be in your quarters"
The Princess turns her head to see her royal guard, Commander Major.
"These are my gardens, nobody comes through here but me"
"True, but it is my sworn duty to protect you and keep you safe"
"I can handle myself Major, a diplomat is never without a weapon~" she chirps as Major lifts a little smirk in response before holding his arm out.
"Let me escourt you to your chambers my lady"
She sighs in defeat.
"Ok Major, but can we take the long route instead?"
"I dont see why not"
Major was a complete army man, spent his 20's fighting for the kings army, his 40's protecting the king himself and now he protects his daughter, Princess Camilla.
His life revolves around royalty, but his respect for the princess was immeasurable, he'd die for her before anyone else.
As they walk softly back to her room, she enters, with a final look towards him.
His rough feautres soften for her as he stands back to the door, Camilla enters her room and begins getting unready...maidens sweep into the room to help her.
Her face contorts in discomfort, sitting still until the process was done, her long straight hair a fiery orange, brushing it lightly as she waits for everyone to leave.
Smoothing some powder on her face, dusting over her freckles lightly.
A faint knocking coming from her door, startled she approaches.
"Who is it Major?" Camilla asks as
The door opens as the man from before steps in, his one eye searching the princesses face with great accuracy.
"Camilla" his voice a deep tone, and incredibly intimidating, she crosses her arms, discontent of his presence.
"Camus, any particular reason your snivelling backside is in my bedchambers?" She hisses at her brother.
Genuine hate seeping from her words as Camus smirks towards her.
"No reason other than to tease you little sister, daddy cant save you now" his voice was condecending in the worst way
"Correct, daddys dead and now youre angry little experiments wont live to see the light of day..."
His face shifts from a smug outlook to a seething ball of anger, Camilla however was used to this crossing her arms in defiance to him.
"Youll see, just keep sitting in your pretty garden and keep your mouth shut!" He spits, storming from the room in a tantrum.
Using his cane as support, a rhythmic tune coming from his shoes and cane, letting everyone around hear him.
Smashing into his lab with a fury, damaging multiple equipment with his cane...
What she said was true, without the king, his little habit will cease to function...unless he was to leave. A scheme boiling in his mind, genious thoughts swirling through his head as his hand seperates his ginger lockes.
"Underestimate me...at your own peril..." he whispers to himself, staring out the castle lab as the rain clouds thinder and crackle with lightening.
Camus composes himself as the stare slowly turns into a smile, a devilish smile that could only anticipate a terrible future...
Everythings slowly coming together.
For better or worse.
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