The Starless Kingdom by
@Nymian ✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧*✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧
If you find yourself alone in the dark, beware - for you might just find yourself in Starless Kingdom. A place where the lost find themselves, and where suffering finds the lost. It wasn’t always so - for it used to be named Starlight Kingdom, where the stars seemed to shine just for them. Starlight Kingdom used to be a lively, bustling place - stars dancing in the sky, lighting the way. See, the stars were their only source of natural light. You have the sun, the moon, and the stars. They just had the night sky, and the stars to guide their way. Under the stars, the people were happy and safe. The kingdom earned its name when Galixi, God of the Stars, took back their only light source when his own had extinguished. The light in his life, a star called Lumses, had vanished. Lumses was rumored to glow so brightly her energy soaked into those in her presence, lending great benefits. Though the powers one would possess were just whispers, it was said that they could do great things. Angry, Galixi punished Starlight Kingdom - for he knew that the king, Icas, had stolen her.
You have taken my light, so I shall take yours.
The stars began to flicker brilliantly before disappearing. Soon the last one fluttered out, letting darkness spill across the land. Only a soft glow bounced in the distance.
“Where are you taking me?” Lumses cried out, as Icas dragged her along behind him, latched onto her wrist.
“Somewhere you’ll be safe.” Icas replied, trudging further along. “Somewhere Galixi will never find you.” It was Icas’ intentions to hide her away in a room he had built underneath his castle.
“You realize that he will destroy your kingdom searching for me.” Icas stopped and turned to face the star.
“That doesn’t matter. The one that possesses you yields great power, or so it is told. As long as I have you, I can do anything. I can destroy Galixi.”
“You fool. You can’t stop Galixi, and he will not stop until he gets what he wants. He is a god. You are but a king. A mere mortal.”
“But with you, to my people I will be a god. I will hold unimaginable power, and no one will be able to stop me.”
Lumses tried to come up with a rebuttal. She wanted to stall him, distract him to try to get away, because she feared what was to come. Her power in the wrong hands could corrupt the wielder.
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
Thunder echoed in the distance conveying Galixi’s fury. Lighting danced across the sky. Icas dragged Lumses what felt like miles below the castle. Finally reaching their destination, Icas threw Lumses in a room, tied a chain made of silver around her ankle, and left shutting the door behind him. The door, Lumses noticed, locked from the outside. She looked around the room, which only qualified as a room in the sense that it had four walls and a ceiling, and noticed that they were so far under the castle that there were no windows except for a small, barred cutout in the door. The only things in the room were herself, and a bare cot. She knew Galixi would find her if he could see her shine.
Lumses centered herself, and tried to unleash her power - hoping that if she shined bright enough, it would penetrate the walls, the earth, everything. She started to shine but it fizzled out.
Icas watched from the other side of the door.
“You can try all you want but your powers won’t work down here. The chain tied to your ankle is of a special kind. Binds anything tied with it, and any powers those bound by it may possess.”
Lumses looked down at the rope and tried to remove it. She looked for the knot so she could untie it, but couldn’t find anything.
“My dear - it’s an enchanted chain.” Icas chuckled, amused. “You can’t simply untie it. I bought it from a traveling witch in Stormhold. With word being that some witches are tricksters, I was worried I was sold nothing more than a silver trinket. So far, I feel it is a very useful purchase.”
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
King Icas had a son, Prince Keiren, his only child and next in line for the throne. The queen died during childbirth, and the king never remarried - leaving the king to rule alone and pass on this legacy to his son. After the queen died, King Icas’ heart grew cold and he sought to fill the rot that begun to take over. As he raised Keiren to be fit for the throne, he found ruling with terror and flaunting his power to be fulfilling. A terrorized, submissive kingdom proved to be much easier to control. But not nearly easy enough. He needed more. From then on, he set out to find anything said to bring him power. When Keiren reached a suitable age for understanding tales, Icas would sit him down each night and tell him stories of how one could possess the utmost power if they managed to catch a star.
“A real star? Like up in the sky?” Asked a young Keiren.
King Icas chuckled. “Yes, a real star. And one day, you will have one for yourself to rule with, for we will find one and I will pass it onto you once you take over the throne.”
“How do we get a star?” Keiren asked.
“You have to wait for one to fall. Or, steal it from a god.”
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
As the years passed and Keiren grew, the staff grew to loathe him, for he was nothing but a spoiled, entitled brat. There were no consequences for him, being the prince, and the king overlooked any wrong doings. He wreaked absolute havoc throughout the castle, becoming a nuisance. As he got older, he took to evading the staff looking after him and exploring the castle. One afternoon, as he was exploring the dungeon, he discovered a tunnel. Peaking his curious, adventurous nature, he followed it. The tunnel went on for what seemed like ages, and it seemed to be going further down below the castle. Finally, he reached a large room, with a door at the other side of it. He crossed the room to the door and peered in through the barred window. A woman with long, golden blonde hair in a pale blue silky dress lay on a cot with a silver chain attached to her ankle.
“What is it now, Icas?” She called, uninterested as she stared at the ceiling with her hands clasped atop her stomach.
“Who are you?” Keiren asked, trying to piece together what his father done.
Lumses sat up to look through the window to see Keiren staring at her.
“I should ask you the same thing. The only one that comes to see me is King Icas. My name is Lumses. And you are?”
“Prince Keiren.” He replied sternly. “Why does my father have you so far down here? What have you done?” He asked.
“What have I done?” She asked, taken aback. “Your father stole me and brought me here. He chained me to this cot with this enchanted silver chain, and has kept me down here for many years. I have done nothing.”
“Why did he bring you here?” He pressed further.
“He stole me from a god and hid me down here so no one would find me.”
“Why did he steal you from a god?”
“Because I’m a star. Anyone who possesses me hold great power.” She told him quietly. Keiren looked down, and then back at Lumses. He started to remember the stories his father would tell him when he was a child. So the stories were true.
“I’m going to find a way to get you out of here.” He told her. Currently, he had nothing to unlock or break this door. Surely his father had a key, he just had to find it.
“I’ll be back.” Keiren announced, turning to head back up the tunnel in search of something to free the star.
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
His next stop was his father’s study. He sauntered into the study, checking to see if his father was there. His father must’ve been out, as it stood empty. He checked the hall to see if there was anyone there. With the coast clear, he checked his father’s desk. Nothing but scrolls, quills, and ink sat atop the desk. He noticed a single drawer, and pulled it open. A small gold key, and a knife lay in the center. He hastily snatched up the items, shoving them in his coat pocket, closed the drawer and made his way back towards the tunnels.
“Ah, Keiren, there you are.” Boomed King Icas from the end of the hall, behind Keiren. He was headed to his study. “I’ve been looking all over for you boy.”
Keiren turned around “I’ve been out on the grounds milling about.” He said, which wasn’t unusual for him. At this point he had uncovered every nook and cranny and had found every good hiding place for when he wanted solace.
King Icas nodded and cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I need you to do something for me. Now that you’re of age to go out on your own, I need you to run a note over to a friend in a nearby kingdom.” He gestured for Keiren to follow him back to his study. He rounded his desk and stood in front of his chair, reaching for a tied scroll on his desk.
“Please run this over to Asterin. Here’s a map to take with you.” Icas handed him both the scroll and a folded map, which Keiren placed in the same pocket he stashed the key and knife in.
“The journey should take you no more than a week there and back. Staff should have your provisions ready in the stable with your horse prepared. You should leave immediately.”
Keiren bowed his head. “Yes sir, I will.”
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
Keiren made his way down the hall from his father’s study briskly. Once he was far enough away, he ensured there was no one around and made his way back to the tunnel. He rushed down the tunnel and into the large room, throwing the key into the lock.
“I’m back, but we have to hurry. My father wants me to take a note to a friend of his in Asterin.”
“Asterin? That’s where I’m from! But why would your father send you to Asterin?”
Keiren had entered the cell and took out the pocket knife, cutting the chain around Lumses’ ankle.
“I’m unsure of that myself, but if you want out of here this is your chance.” He took the chain and wrapped it around her waist, and the other end around his.
“You’ll need to stick behind me. This is simply to prevent us from getting separated, but we’ll have to move quickly. I’ve been instructed to leave immediately.” He wasn’t going to drag her behind him, but they needed to hurry.
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
Keiren made his way to the stables with Lumses in tow, making sure no one was following. Once at the stable he loaded his horse with the supplies that had been set aside for him, and threw Lumses on before climbing on himself. They set out for Asterin.
Once they were far enough away from Starless, Keiren stopped to pull out the map. A note fell out.
I know you found my star. I am proud of you, my boy, but if it’s power you want you’ll have to fight for it.
Years ago when you were but a boy, I stole the star from Asterin. Galixi, angry, took our stars away. I ruled with great power for a long time, but without someone to share it with it is useless. I miss your mother. I would give the world to share this with her.
In your gear the staff packed for you, you should have spied a sword. This is not any sword, this is the sword to defeat gods. You’ll need it to vanquish Galixi. Vanquish Galixi, and the star will be yours completely. The knife, as you’ve come to find, is a special knife. It pairs with the chain. Unless you’re a witch, the knife allows the holder to cut the chain. Otherwise, the thing bound by the chain is bound until death.
Come back alive, and I will give you the kingdom.
Your father,
King Icas
Keiren had spied a sword, but it was not common to go without one. He untied the scroll and opened it to see what he was sending to Asterin.
Galixi,
I, King Icas, stole your star all those years ago. Duped by a mortal! Oh, what joy that brought me. I’ve grown tired of her. How do you live with all her power?
I relinquish her to you.
I thank you for letting me borrow your precious trinket.
Yours truly,
King Icas
What a fool his father was. He was sending him on a suicide mission. He knew that Galixi would do anything to get back his star, including killing his own son.
“Keiren? Is everything okay? Are we lost?” Lumses asked from behind, still wrapped around him. Keiren handed her the note and the letter.
“Your father is a fool, but I told him as much the night he took me away. He’s sending you to die. You are no match against Galixi.”
“Yes but it says if I do, you’re mine. I can set you free if you’re free of Galixi.”
“Keiren, that’s a fool’s mission. You’ll die.”
“We have to try.” He grabbed the sword and slung it across his back, and they set off again.
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
After a day and a half of travel, thunder boomed off in the distance. They were nearing their mark. As they got closer to Asterin, it started to rain, getting heavier the closer to Asterin they got. Soon, it was raining so hard they couldn’t see a thing.
Lumses shrieked. “Let me go!” She was ripped from the horse. Seconds after, Keiren was ripped from the horse as well, still chained to Lumses. Some large brute had her slung over his shoulder, dragging Keiren along on the ground. He grabbed the knife tucked in his pocket and cut the silver chain around his waist, freeing him. The heavy rain blanketed the brute and Lumses and Keiren lost them.
“Keiren!” Lumses called out in the distance. He made his way towards her voice.
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
Once inside the gates of Asterin, the rain cleared. He made his way to the castle. Guards stopped him.
“Name and business.” The guard timbered.
“Prince Keiren, of Starless Kingdom. I come bearing news from King Icas.”
“The king of Starless would send his own son?” The guard laughed, a guttural laugh from deep in his belly. “Your father is a fool. He has sent you on a death trip. Follow me.” The guard motioned for Keiren to follow, leading him to Galixi.
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
Galixi sat in his throne, servants fanning him and feeding him grapes off a vine, lowering it into his mouth so he could pluck them off one by one, in true godlike fashion.
“Prince Keiren. So, your father has sent back my star. I’m so thankful for that. However, justice still needs to be paid.” Galixi waved off his servants, and rose from his throne. “Surely by now you understand, I have to kill you. This brings me no joy, but it is what must be done.”
Keiren grabbed the hilt of the sword strapped upon his back and readied himself.
With a simple snap of Galixi’s fingers, the fires lighting the room went out with a gust of wind, leaving them in darkness. A strike of lightning hit the center of room, filling it with blinding light, leaving Keiren unable to see. Keiren was knocked to the ground.
“No, Galixi let him be! He had nothing to do with any of this.” Cried Lumses
Keiren hit the ground hard, disorienting him after being blinded. As he gained clarity, he unsheathed the sword and got back on his feet.
Another strike. This time, he spun and parried, jabbing the sword out in front of him as hard as he could. Not being able to see, he had to rely on force. He hit something. Lightning struck again, and the fires reignited. Keiren let go of the sword, and Galixi, attached to the end of it, fell to the ground. As he gasped for air, his body shriveled and turned to dust.
Lumses rushed over to Keiren and wrapped her arms around him. “You saved me!”
Keiren leaned back to look at her. “You’re absolutely glowing.” He said. No longer in Galixi’s power, she had it back to herself again.
“My powers have returned to me, thanks to you. I am forever grateful.” She stared into his eyes, smiled, and then planted her lips on his. His eyes widened, but he leaned in and kissed her back.
“I give myself to you, as long as you’ll have me.” She said.
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
Once they returned home, they found that their stars had returned. The kingdom rang out with cheers and cries of joy.
When they arrived at the castle, the guards greeted them at the gate.
“Welcome home, King Keiren.” They said.
“King?” He asked.
“Aye, your father passed away the night you left. We’ve been waiting for your return. We’re all ready for the coronation.”
“Since we’re already having a grand event, why not make it a wedding?” He looked at his new love. She grinned, and glowed so brightly.
“I think that’s a grand idea.” She laughed.
“That settles it. Invite everyone, pull out all the stops. Starlight Kingdom has a new king and queen.
⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂
Together, King Keiren and Queen Lumses, rulers of Starlight Kingdom, vowed to keep the kingdom safe. They vowed to use their power for good, never letting temptation set in, knowing it would lead down a lonely path.
The kingdom never lost their starlight again.
Loksfjoer is a Contest Moderator.
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