dancing in the dark
October 21, 2025 at 6:45 AM
In the Sindersfell Palace, which hides by a noisy river, music can be heard. Or so it seems at first glance. They say the ghost of the lost Queen wanders the palace. The planet Philos was left without its brave ruler, and only Xavier, the King of Darknight, and unquiet souls inhabit the palace. The only thing that has life is a lily flower, which Xavier tenderly waters, thinking of his lost love.
“One day, the Chosen One will set foot on Philos again, and our land will be bathed in light once more,” the voices of the unquiet souls could be heard.
“Cease this talk of what will never come to pass!” Xavier said loudly. “She is gone!”
“Don’t be angry, Your Highness. The spirit of Her Majesty will make itself known yet,” other voices were heard.
The King of Darknight used his Evol of Light, which was beginning to fade, to warm the flower. He used to give his Chosen One whole bouquets of flowers, and she would smile and hold them close to her heart.
“Rorie, my dear, I will not forget you…”
His beloved was lost in a battle with the Wanderers, monsters that showed no mercy, not even to the beloved of Crown Prince Xavier. Though she may not have been the foremost beauty of Philos, she was cherished…
The King of Darknight has long grieved for his lost love, searching for her everywhere the Wanderers were known to be. But the words of the unquiet souls gave him pause. They had not spoken of the Queen’s spirit for a long time. Could Aurora truly be alive?
***
She appeared on the bank of a raging mountain river, in a dress that had once been white with golden patterns. She bore little resemblance to the ruler of Philos, but her regal bearing had not left her, even after all this time. A crimson mask concealed her face. “The Chosen One has found the path to our souls peace!” the souls emerged from the earth and reached for Aurora, but she paid them no mind. It was too weak to react to anything. She moved closer to the riverbank, looking around for the location of the Sindersfell Palace. “The Queen is here!” the ghosts began to speak even louder. Aurora clutched her head. Was she losing her mind? “I am all alone here. Who are you and what do you want?” Aurora shouted, her voice carrying across the area. “His Majesty destroyed the Kingdom! He has no place on the throne!” the ghosts replied. “Xavier…” a sharp pain pierced her chest. She felt the ground give way beneath her feet as memories came flooding back. Flashes of light… Screams… A promise made to her in the final moments before she fell into the darkness. She needed to gather her strength to reach Sindersfell. “Your Highness, there is a boat nearby,” came the voice of an unquiet soul. “You are in a bad way.” “Is there no one here?” “Only our souls remain, Lady Aurora. Save us”, the voice of an elderly woman was heard. “His Highness has destroyed our land, and only you can help” “How do I reach the palace? I don’t remember anything…” “Your Highness, why have you covered your face?” “I can't let him see me like this,” the ruler said, shaking her head. The boat drifted directly to Sindersfell. Aurora left her golden hairpin in it because she had nothing else to give. She moved forward slowly, her bare feet carrying her toward the palace. There was no light here. Only an impenetrable darkness all around. “No one must know I’m here”. She approached the gates, which stood open. There were no flowering bushes, no signs of life in the palace, not even the chandeliers were lit. As she walked through the halls where she and her beloved once used to race, she saw no trace of the Philos that once was. She nearly stepped on a shattered mirror as she walked the path the unquiet souls had directed her to. “Watch your step, my Lady,” Aurora heard another voice of an unquiet soul. Xavier continued to listen to the music echoing through the hall, his gaze fixed on the flower, when suddenly everything fell silent. The flower, warmed by the King’s Light, suddenly bloomed. “What's happening…” Xavier wondered, astonished. The unquiet souls fell silent. A girl in a crimson mask entered the hall. She was moving on her last legs and stopped, ready to collapse at any moment. “Your Highness!” the women’s strength failed her, and she almost fell to the floor, but the unquiet souls caught her and held her up. “Do not dare mention Her Highness!” Xavier retorted. He did not approach his guest. A delicate fragrance from the flower spread through the hall. “I don’t understand anything”, the prince clutched his head. “It withered so many years ago!” Her lips trembled as she found her voice. “Xavier…” She pulled out a piece of the shattered mirror, sending a reflection of light dancing across the walls and ceiling of the hall. She and Xavier used to like playing with light like that. “Rorie?” The unquiet souls fell silent once more, watching the small spot of light flicker on the ceiling and walls. “Your Grace, do not misunderstand me”, Aurora began, her voice frail but clear. “I did not disappear by choice. The souls have led me back to you, so that I may help Philos shine again”. “That’s impossible!” Xavier shook his head and stepped back from the flower. The unquiet souls gently pushed Aurora toward the flower. As her fingers brushed against its petals, a brilliant light erupted from them. The girl winced as a pillar of radiant light exploded through the hall, forcing her to shut her eyes. The unquiet souls began to manifest as visible silhouettes. Throughout it all, the prince kept his sword at the ready. “It’s a hallucination!” the prince shouted. “The Chosen One shines upon her native land once more, and we can finally find peace!” the cries of the souls rang out. “Your Highness, remove your mask,” Aurora felt the silhouette of an elderly woman approach her. “He will not believe you until you reveal yourself.” She reluctantly lowered the mask. The same grey eyes, like a fog over the river. The silk of her long hair was gone, the jewels were absent from her body and hair, the lavish dress with its full skirts was absent too. The crown was missing. All that remained the Chosen One were her eyes, her round cheeks and the mole on her nose. “Her Highness, Lady Aurora!”, the unquiet souls bowed to the one they had lost so many years ago because of the Wanderers attack. The King stepped closer. “Rorie…” “Xavier!” Xavier rushed forward, wrapping his arms around her legs and burying his face in the folds of her dress. Tears clouded Aurora's vision. She couldn’t utter a single sound. The flower, which had been on the brink of death just moments before, now sent roots deep into the soil. Aurora sank to her knees before the King and embraced him. “Did you recognize me?” “I died back when I couldn’t find you.” “As you can see, I am here now.” “Where have you been?” “It’s a long story. I just want to dance right now. The music here is exquisite.” “I don’t know how...” “Neither do I. Shall we improvise?” Xavier rose to his feet and pressed his face against Aurora’s neck, breathing in a scent he thought he would never experience again. “The King and Queen are reunited to save Philos!” the unquiet souls murmured in a rising tide of sound. “My dearest Aurora…” she heard a sob muffled against her neck. “I know I don’t look my best. Forgive me.” The King encircled her waist, pulling her close as if she might vanish again at any moment. The flower in her hands bloomed even wider, and the chandeliers, which had been dark for years, seemed to ignite on their own. “I have found my light again”, Xavier whispered. Aurora smiled, and the King of Darknight’s heart seemed to melt within his chest. He smiled back at her. The music grew slightly louder. “May I have this dance, young sir?” “Why you? I should be the one asking!” Xavier scoffed, a familiar, long-lost playfulness in his tone. He offered her his hand, just as he had when Philos was still alive, when their dynasty stood unbroken, and the people admired their rulers.
