It was a dark and stormy night, typically the regular weather in the Shadow Realm. I was summoned by my mother. I was told to come to the banquet hall. I wonder if it has something to do with my 16th birthday tomorrow… I’m very excited! Although mother says it isn’t proper for a princess to get excited like that.
I walk down the long dark, grey halls that I have never liked due to lack of color. Everything here is like that-dark, bland and boring, including most of the people. When I enter the hall all of the guests that came to celebrate my birthday stop talking. My mother stands and clinks her glass of wine with a spoon.
“Greetings and thank you to all who have came to celebrate my beloved daughter’s birthday.” She stumbles over the word “beloved”.
“Today I have an important announcement to make. As my daughter will turn 16 tomorrow, she is old enough to find a suitor,”
Mumbles of surprise run across the room. I, myself am too bewildered to speak. A suitor at 16?! What about freedom? What about fun?
“Ahem,” she continues. “May I present to you, daughter, your suitor, Count Arnold Felatiz!” Beside her stands the Count. He is a bald, tubby man with slicked back black hair. He wears an expensive suit. He is one of the most wealthiest and powerful men of the Shadow Realm, but he is 38! How could I possibly hook up with him?! Moreover there are rumors of him eyeing the position of king as my father passed away in an “accident” and I am suspicious that he was involved.
“Greetings Princess.” he says. He kisses my porcelain white hand. I almost gag.
“Rejoice! We have found a suitor for my daughter!” my mother says in a oh-so-fake enthusiastic voice. The whole crowd bursts into applause and start drinking. I run out of the banquet hall before the Count can touch me again. I run to my room, collapse on my four poster bed and sob. I mean my mother always neglected me and treated me coldly and unfairly, but THIS?! This is the last straw! I will run away!
After making up my mind I start to pack my things. No one will notice my absence in the roar of the party. I pack my smallest bag and stuff clothes and my shadow-stone necklace my father gave me before he passed. It is my most precious possession and I treasure it. I was told it has magical properties, but I have found none so far.
I open my wall to floor window and look at my room for the last time. Should I really leave all this? Could I? Then I think of how much I longed for freedom and dreamt of the outside world, outside the castle. I turn around and jump, relying on my powers to fly in the storm. I fly around looking for portals that lead to another world. I don’t find any. I keep looking until I hear an especially loud peal of thunder. Then everything goes black.
I open my dark, black eyes. It is bright, too bright. What is this brightness? I look up the supposed-to-be-stormy sky. It is clear, blue and… bright. I stand up quickly and gather myself. I must have fallen in a portal when the lightning hit me! The good thing is I have my powers and belongings. Unfortunately I am not sure where I am. It feels like a dream this place. And so full of color! I decided I liked it here and started flying and looking around.
It is very windy here, my long, silky raven black hair keeps whipping in my face. I don’t find anything for a while until I see a being collapsed on the ground. He looks like me with raven black hair just like mine. His skin is darker than mine though. A shadow creature like me? I think. I land and try to wake him. I use what healing powers I have and heal his wounds.
“AAAAAAAGHHHH!” he wakes up. “WHO ARE YOU?!” I chuckle. He is feisty. I don’t detect any power from him. He must be one of those humans I read of in a book in the castle library. He tries to scramble away.
“Hello, human. My name is…” I almost forget my name after being called “Princess” for so long. “Call me Kagehime.” that is Shadow Princess in one of their languages, I remember. “What are you?!” I realize I am still floating. “I am a shad- goddess.” why not? I think. His eyes widen and he gasps. “Please excuse my rudeness!” he bows down low.
“Do not worry, human.” I liked this human. “Why don’t you travel with me?” I didn’t have anything else to do anyways. “Travel with you? But where are you going?” I think for a while. Where AM I going? I hadn’t really thought about that… “I am going to… Explore this world! Yes. That’s what I will do. " “Explore the world… Wow! I would love to see the world! Strangely I don’t remember anything before you found me…” he says. “Hmmmmm… Amnesia probably. Well who knows what we’ll find on the way? Maybe you’ll find someone who knows you? Hmmmmm you don’t know your name do you?” “No, I don’t.” I wonder what to name him. I think about home, about what I did. “Your name will be Kyle. Kyle Kage, or Kyle Shadow.” My father’s name, I think. “Kyle Kage… Ok! I will follow you in your travels! Please guide me Mighty Kagehime!” “Of course!” I smile. Now lead the way to town. Wait before that…" I say. I think of the pictures in the books I read. “Could you build me a holy ground? A wonderful sparking gold one!” “A golden brick temple? Of course! That’s what all the other followers do anyways.” he says. I smile. He smiles back. On the way to town he tells lots of jokes. I like him very much and I laugh a lot. I think I will enjoy my time here. I just pray no one looks for me.
Meanwhile in the Shadow Realm…
“How dare she! Filthy, sneaky girl! Sneaking out of the castle! I was going to have it all! Me! The king! I didn’t kill her father for nothing! Then the little brat had to ruin EVERYTHING!” Count Felatiz shouts in his private quarters. He punches the wall using his powers, cracking the heavily fortified walls slightly.
“I will find her and when I do she’ll regret ever leaving the castle… Little birdies shouldn’t try to fly from their nests too early after all… It’s for HER well being not mine…” an evil smile creeps on his face…
We interupt this fictional story for a non fictional announcement…
This day, the 10th of November 2012, Kyle Kage has reached pure good! Her goddess is absolutely ecstatic, as she has also recieved the title of Officer in her wonderful guild, Hidden Shadows. Well done to me and Kyle! :D To be continued…