Light and Shadow: Prologue

Light and Shadow: Prologue

From stardust sown, a luminescence shall bloom,

An Imperial scion, dispelling spectral gloom.

A heart of sun, a mantle woven bright,

Luminous’ aegis strengthened by her light.

The birth of the princess brought immense joy to all Elementalists. At the same time, a prophecy emerged, foretelling the immense power of her divine light, a power destined to one day vanquish the dark forces trying to destroy the Luminous Realm.

Her light, the prophecy proclaimed, would become the Luminous Realm’s ultimate protection. However, just as everyone believed their hope had finally arrived, another prophecy emerged, casting a shadow over their brief period of joy.

But when the heavens mark her natal day,

A shadow stirs, to claim the radiance, and quence the sacred light away.

From void, it crawls, with tendrils dark and deep,

To silence the song that Luminous would keep.

***

Third Person’s Point of View

Today was a day of joy for the Elementalists, for it marked the birthday of Luminara Kingdom’s princess. Even while still in the Queen’s womb, she was already beloved by many. Time passed swiftly, and now the princess was celebrating her first birthday.

Just as the Elementalists celebrated her birth, they released lanterns into the night sky in every corner of the realm. As the lanterns illuminated the night, a grand banquet was also held within the Imperial Palace.

Royalty and nobles filled the hall, while commoners celebrated in every corner of the Luminara Kingdom. Joy spread through the atmosphere; laughter and dancing filled the air. However, unbeknownst to them, their joyous celebrations were about to descend into tragedy.

Their celebration abruptly ceased when a loud explosion echoed through the air. Everyone froze, and one of the king’s generals rushed towards the King and Queen, delivering words that instilled fear in all present:

“Your Imperial Majesty! Shadowfells infiltrated the palace!”

Panic swept through the crowd, but the queen’s fear was the most intense, her thoughts consumed by her daughter’s safety. She knew her two sons were well-protected, but her infant princess was far more vulnerable even though she had a lot of guards protecting her.

Driven by terror, she rushed to her daughter’s room, only to witness a horrifying scene: a familiar man, killing her child. The servants and knights who had been guarding the princess lay lifeless on the floor.

“No… no…” the queen whispered while still in denial.

The queen froze, witnessing her daughter being killed at the hands of her sister’s lover. Her knees weakened while she stared at the crib where she had left her daughter. She stood there horrified as the king arrived and attacked the man.

“You will pay for this!” The king shouted in anger as he attacked the man.

The two men fought fiercely until the king finally managed to kill the intruder. However, a pall of gloom descended upon the palace with the princess’ death. Her birth had been as bright as the sunlight, but her death was as dark and sorrowly as the night sky.

Everyone’s happiness changed into grief, especially the queen. Her pain quickly changed into bitter resentment towards her twin sister, the very person who had betrayed the entire Luminous Realm by falling in love with an enemy, and the same man who killed her princess.

And so, everyone can’t help but conclude that she helped her lover. Instantly, she was hated by everybody as they blamed her for the death of the Luminara Kingdom’s beloved princess.

“You will pay for this, Amethyst…”

***