The Final Act [CLOSED, V1 Close]

[Jotari]

Black Star

With light step, she reentered Kiyer, her mind numb with recent events. Maybe she could love again? But he was a lord of Murate, a powerful one at that. He had a dark reputation. But Black Star cared little for this fact. She had felt his kiss, looked into the blood tinted eyes, and peered into the darkness of his soul. She had stared the demon in the face, yet she felt no fear. No, Black Star had lost everything because of others who had broken her trust. They were supposedly the good guys, but they had destroyed her. Perhaps it would be better on the dark side? Magrej and Murate were coordinated, orderly, they knew what to do and they did it. Maybe fear was a better path. But no, she was the Guardian. No playing with the bad boys.

Silently she passed the Blue Boar, headed for her current residence. The streets were dark, but there was an eerie silence only broken by the occasional sob. But the outlaw did not sense any of these things, her mind still on the day’s events. The fake Guardian, the one she had sworn to destroy, lay lifeless in Celeste Falls. He, Siarles, had given her this gift of a dead enemy. Her head warned her that playing with Siarles would end badly, but her heart told her otherwise. So the sad aura of the city went unnoticed until out of the darkness stepped several guards. Snarling she attempted to grab her precious dagger, but it was knocked from her hands by the angry men. Instantly, she felt weakened. Black Star’s arms were wrenched behind her harshly, making the woman grimace in pain. The leader stepped forward, “Outlaw, you are under arrest for theft, blackmail, assault, and the murder of our beloved King Crevan, may he rest in peace.” Before she could speak, something heavy hit the back of her head and everything went dark.

She awoke, light streaming in through the bars of her cell. Sitting up slowly she bit her lip as the blood rushed to her head. Looking around, she spotted a cup of water and a crust of bread. Devouring the bread like a savage animal and drinking the water, she slowly lay back to think of what had just happened. The King was dead? She was obviously blamed too. The outlaw queen was exhausted; her eyes were a dull grey. She could not sense the Sky Gem, making a sense of dread and panic fill her chest. But the outlaw did not have to wait long for company. Guards entered the room and dragged her to her shaky feet. Ebony hair hung limp as her head was bowed and shoulders were sagged. Chains were clasped on her wrists, waist, and ankles. Then, half-dragged and half-carried, she was brought out to the courtyard of the castle where a crowd was gathered. They were waiting for the queen to appear, to pass sentence and judgment on this vile murder.

Black Star recognized some of the faces there. She had helped some of them, but not their eyes were hardened in hatred. Of course they were, why should she have ever trusted any of them? Black Star would find no help in this crowd. Behind her she could make out a gallows tree, the executioner standing at attention. That was not good sign for her. But now, they courtyard was silent, awaiting the queen. Black Star bowed her head and sighed weakly, she knew that she awaited her death.

Darkness was Falling, No Hope in Sight

ooc- sorry guys, only specific chars in this one. This completed post will launch V2.

[Desperanza]

The day was going to be fantastic, the Princess already knew. She was eager, all too eager. She was thrilled in fact. Today, her step held a wild beat of thrill. She whistled down the halls all the way to breakfast that was otherwise silent it seemed. Alexa didn’t seem to exist. She was silent and white as stone and yet Abigail’s mood couldn’t be better. She was ridiculously happy in one solid word. Her cheeks were flushed pink with her elation and her lavender eyes held a wild sparkle of amusement and elation. Today, the outlaw would hang and she couldn’t wait. She would have a front row seat to watch that bitch hang. That raven haired outlaw deserved nothing more than to suffer, to suffocate all the way to the end. All knew that the point of the noose was to break the neck and yet quite often, it didn’t work, especially if the executioner didn’t tie the knot right so often people hung and simply suffered as they slowly suffocated and eventually, died. Chuckling quietly, the Princess grinned. She had already prepared her bags. She was ready to leave. She had plans to flee to Murate from the moment that there was the attack in the castle, the King dead, she was ready to make her final trip to Murate and yet she had not let on to her family that she would soon no longer be a part of the Ellsinora royalty but instead, she would be queen. Queen of Murate no less. She had told no one and when she was Queen, perhaps then she would tell her family. She had considered sending a letter and yet that did not seem cruel enough. The fact that she was gaining power, power over Alexa, power over her mother. She was going to have so much power. She held the heart of the Muration King and she would soon hold the crown at his side. She was satisfied, for she had given herself to the King of Murate. Everything she had wanted, he had given to her. For that she loved and followed him. Grinning, the wicked Princess settled her rubies once again to her alabaster skin. Her slender fingers settled the stones in her ears, the ruby necklace at her neck and the bracelet at her wrist. Today, she was dressed wildly within the brightest blood red to make a statement. The outlaw would be killed today, and she would be celebrating. The blood red dress was accented with nothing but gold with gold lining the front folds of her dress, the sleeves, collar, lower edge of the dress and the waist. There was a thick golden belt surrounding her feminine waist with a large gold buckle to the front. On her hands were adorned gold rings as well as a gold and ruby ring on her left with two golden rings on her right hand. She was flaunting the money, the evident means to the rich amenities of her life. Her raven hair fell in a wild mass down her back and pulled together with only a few strands that were braided together, lacing a trio of red roses into her ebony hair. Atop her head there was laid none other than a gold and ruby studded crown, the richest and most flashy crown that she owned. It could hardly be labeled as a tiara in all honesty.

She expected her mother not to be all too pleased at the absolute position of the Princess, dripping head to toe with gems and rich luxuries and yet today, her mother would have no say. She cared not for any distaste her mother had towards her. Today, they were equal. Queen to queen for Abigail indeed would be queen very soon and then what would her mother have to say? Dark peals of laughter escaped her lips at the thought and she rocked against the back of the arched chair that she sat in from where she sat at her mirrored table where she had sat for years to dress herself with gems and where she would sit when maids folded her hair into thick braids or brushed it out. Sighing, she felt nothing. There was no stir of happy memories; there was no stir of sadness for she wouldn’t miss it for her veins were flooded with elation, with greed. She quite simply was getting everything that she wanted. The outlaw would be killed and she would be married to the King of Murate. She hissed with a grin and stood from the chair, turning to make her way swiftly towards the balcony. She shoved the doors open with a bang and rushed to the balcony, glancing out at the streets below as she gazed towards the streets of Kiyer. Out to where the gallows were standing. Out to where the crowd was gathered around the tree where the outlaw would be hanged. She could hardly keep from laughing at the sight and soon, laughter spilled into the air once again and she leaped on the spot, clapping her hands together in delight as she darted back inside once more and she hurried to the door, pausing for a moment to be sure that her hair was tucked into place and her skirts were smooth just right before the door swung open and she stepped out. Her lavender eyes were piercing, holding a dangerous glint to them and any maid that caught sight of the Princess within a mile radius within the castle was darting away faster than a mouse running from a cat. The castle held that strangely empty feeling. No one spoke, there was no chatter, no lightened mood. The king was gone, the eldest Princess was nothing more than a numb moving stone and the Queen well, it was hard to tell. The mood had shifted severely within the castle no doubt. Abigail was thrilled. It fed her ambitious and wicked side and as she glanced around, she spotted Alexa hiding within the throne room. She fed off of the stony silence of the older Princess. She fed off of the pain and the tortured emotions of the future Queen. She made it to the door of the throne room and inhaled slowly, “Come, sister. We shall arrive at the hanging of your friend with dignity. Aren’t you thrilled? That witch will finally die!” she cheered with a grin, giggling at the thought once more. She clapped her hands at the aspect and the maids that lingered silently within the throne room all pulled trembling nervous smiles and listlessly began to clap as well, rather frightened of what would happen to them if they didn’t go along with Abigail’s sudden change in mood and stature. Abigail’s mood only seemed to brighten further at Alexa’s desolate and pained expression, if that was even possible and now as Abigail turned towards the entrance to the castle, maids leaped forward to swing the doors open before she could clap impatiently. Grinning, the second Princess strutted from the castle and made her way towards the scene of the hanging.

The day was bright, warm. The sun glinted down upon the platform that would drop out, the platform that would drop the outlaw to her death. The crowd that surrounded the tree and the stage all held looks of hatred, chilled and cold looks. They did not smile for this outlaw any longer. The only stared, silent. She clapped her hands as she approached and as people turned to stare, they backed out of the way as the Princess strode forward with a grin, “Oh fabulous day, fabulous!” she chimed, her upbeat mood seeming a bit out of place among a face of silent, desolate and even angry stares. She made her way through the crowd and came to the front, coming to glance towards the outlaw that awaited her fate. She grinned, inclining herself before she glanced back to the outlaw once more, approaching the silly outlaw as her fingers reached out, lifting the chin of the outlaw as she turned and motioned into the crowd, “Look, look at this! This is the face of shame! The face of a cold blooded murderer! This is the woman that has ended the life of your King!” she called out to the crowd, rather enjoying making this all the bigger then it already was. Already the people expected and waited for the hanging of the outlaw that had supposedly killed their King. She adored the thought of watching the raven haired woman hang. It would be a simple death and yet, she would still die and that alone was satisfying. She was aware of the fact that Black Star had not been the murderer. No, it had been one of Magrej’s trusted assassins and yet, Black Star was an enemy and had been of the royal family for years. Her death would still be satisfying. When she had fled to Murate just after her father’s death, the truth had been revealed to her, and she returned knowledgeable of the truth. Her hand traveled around the back of the outlaw’s neck to entangle her fingers within the limp strand of now dull black hair, pulling the outlaw’s head back sharply to expose her throat as she laughed darkly once more and murmurs rang through the crowd as the sunlight glinted from the gems that studded her skin and head, “This is the face of crime, the face that must be eradicated. This wicked criminal shall live no more!” she called out, roughly shoving Black Star’s head forward as she released her hair once more with a chuckle, “Enjoy your stay in the noose, darling.” She muttered with a sickly sweet tone as she looked upon Black Star’s face before she turned on her heel and descended the platform, a grin plastered across her face now as she strode among the crowd, now anticipating the entrance of the Queen now, awaiting the beginning of the hanging now as she waited for sign of her fiancée, Magrej.

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[Deidra]

The ageing queen stood in her room peering out a window off into the distance, there was nothing there really to look at but she wasn’t looking to enjoy the view, for she really didn’t see it at all. Her mind was on her husband, her deceased husband. The Queen was not one to cry no her face was still as hard as it had ever been though deep down she was broken inside. Liliandil was far from showing her weakness though, no she was still a Queen and elegant one at that and she still had people who needed her, people who awaited her outside at the very hanging of the person who had left her husbandless and her children without a father. The wretch Black Star was finally getting what had been coming to her for years now and Liliandil would be damned if she wasn’t there to watch it happen.

A servant hesitantly walked in and approached her ”Ma’am th-they are w-waiting on you outs-side.” the maid spoke cautiously hoping not to accidentally upset the Queen. Liliandil only nodded before turning towards the bed where her red Irish Setter lay upon the bed and petted the dogs elegant head. The servant brought in the Queens gown, and after a moment of waiting for the queen to undress with adverted eyes she helped Lilaindil into the smokey black silken gown. It was not at all simple in design, there were no straps of any kind to hold the dress up yet it stayed perfectly upon her body held in place by her breasts. The top perfectly cupped her breast and had a slight v in the center that was incrusted in tiny silver beads. The bodice was tightly fitted to the queens small figure and had a silver beaded belt along her waistline. The skirts were silver and billowed out from the waist down and had intricate black patterns adorning the fabric. Underneath the elegant gown there were three layers of tool making the gown poof out more that it normally would. Finally Liliandil shooed the servant out of her room and walked to a mirror appraising her looks before adding the last final touches, a smoky quartz necklace and earing set and a black veil to set atop her white hair and then her smokey quartz crown went on top of that. She was in mourning, but that certainly did not mean she had to look like shit to do so effectively.

She turned back once more to her dog and called for a servant to dress Azell in her own black custom made cape for her dog was to come with her to the execution of Black Star. The servant nodded hurriedly and took fast steps to the dogs own wardrobe picking out the inkiest black of cape for the dog and gently fastened it upon her before running back out into the hallway. The Queen nodded satisfied and called Azell to her side and strode from her bed chamber, out into the lengthy mazes of hallways. Several servants followed at a fair distance behind her but Liliandil did not acknowledge their presence nor did she ever unless they were needed. It was only minutes before she was limping past the throne room and out into the courtyard off to the gallows that had been set up especially for the outlaw queen. An evil smile crept upon her face as she spotted the outlaw upon the contraption but then it faded as she watched her second daughter, who was quite boldly dressed in blood red, step upon the platform and speak to the people. Liliandil was still a little too far out of reach to understand what her daughter was saying but was quite confused by what her daughter was doing. She looked down at her side for a moment at her dog , smiled, then looked back up her face becoming a hardened mask once more as she reached the crowd surrounding the gallows.

[Desperanza]

The eldest Princess had not been seen in days. She had remained hidden within the town, staying within the upper level of the healer’s home and place of business where there were beds upstairs. She had taken the only bed in an empty room hidden away at the top level. The healer had retrieved cloth dresses for the Princess and had fed her happily for the days that she had been there, understanding the heart ache and pain that the Princess suffered at this moment in time. She had been denied her own marriage, her lover had disappeared without word of his location and her father had been murdered. The world was crashing down atop the Princess and the healer took pity upon the poor woman. Now, as the Princess perched on the edge of the bed, she stared down solemnly at her fingers. Her blue eyes were sad and her expression desolate. She sat in stony silence but without a hint of anger. Her features were pale and she was thin. She had not eaten much and she had not come out of the healer’s home for the few days that she had been hidden here. She had never felt worse. She felt as if her life was in shambles, she had been hiding from her own family and then her father turns up dead. The world was falling into darkness, and the Princess knew it. Had Black Star not warned her? She sighed. Black Star had showed her the sight of Murate, the scarred land that the wicked King had created in his wake. The outlaw had shown her the error of their ways and now her father was dead. What was next? She winced at the thought and closed her eyes. She turned as the door to the room swung open and the healer stood there, “Princess Alexa, a maiden from the castle to see you.” She murmured softly to the Princess who nodded slowly in reply and stood from the bed. Today she was dressed simply in a plain cotton dress that hugged her slender form. Her eyes were downcast as she wandered from the room and made her way downstairs where a maid of the castle waited at the door. The brunette haired young woman smiled, the old maid that attended to Alexa when the Princess had lived within the castle but the smile did little to lift Alexa’s spirits as she offered an empty smile before it fell once again as the maid spoke, “Time to get back to the castle, Princess Alexa. It is time for the ceremony of punishment.” She stated softly to Alexa who only nodded silently in reply and bid the healer fair well, thanking her gently before she turned and made her way out into the streets of Kiyer.

As she walked, she scanned this way and that, glancing to the faces of men that glanced at her from every direction. Women and children looked her way as well but it was the men that she looked at though she wasn’t looking at them for any other reason other than to find one face that she was looking for, Erech. However as she traveled back to the castle and with each glance the fact that none of them were him was slowly depleting the slight hope that she had harbored when leaving the healer’s shop and finally, she stopped looking and averted her eyes once more. Her walk was still elegant however, even in sorrow. As she made her way down the street, she simply folded her hands in front of herself and followed. Her feet were bare and her hair fell in a mass of honey brunette down her back. She had kept herself fairly kept up. She had bathed and combed her hair and changed her dress each day but it had not been with much care that she had moved about or done much of anything. She had not eaten more than a bite of bread here and there and her slender waist was ever more so at this point. Her steps carried her slowly after the maid that paused every now and again to check and be sure that the Princess still followed and when they reached the gates the guards swung it wide and allowed the maid and the Princess through.

The castle did not seem inviting to her when she walked through the gates. The place held an eerie and silent stature and the faces of the maids were plastered with frowns and sorrowful glances. It didn’t do much to help Alexa as just days before she had sat there at the fountain weeping as Erech rode away on the white steed and now she returned to the death of the King. Sighing, she lifted her chin slightly to glance over the stature of the walls of the stone built castle and as she passed through into the shadowy interior, Abigail passed on her way out. Alexa blinked at the color of Abigail’s dress and the rubies that dripped from her skin as she passed on her way out through the doors, pausing to make a snide remark to the eldest Princess before she continued on her way. At the moment, Alexa simply passed it off as Abigail’s means of mourning but oh how she was sorely mistaken and soon enough, she would find out. Despite that fact Alexa climbed the spiraling stair case to her own room where the maid led her and pushed the door open before Alexa passed through.

The Princess raised her gaze as the door swung closed behind her and the maid passed to slide the curtains closed over the windows of the balcony doors before turning back to Alexa with a smile, “Princess.” She stated, motioning to the dress that hung upon the stand off to the side. The Dress held a rather fine black satin that fitted from the sleeveless top to the bottom that fanned out a bit over the slight tool beneath the satin. The dress held nothing special other then the jeweled belt that would wrap around the slender waist of the Princess but she simply cast a brief glance towards the gown before looking away. The gown itself was truly beautiful, dazzling in fact but it held no beauty for her. It held nothing special. It was just a dress like any other that she wore. The occasion for which it was worn brought the purpose of the dress down. She held her breath as the maid stripped away the cotton dress, more or less moving like a bit of a rag doll. About an hour later she sat at the mirrored dressing table once more, now dressed in the satin gown with her hair braided down her back. A tiara was placed upon her head, holding a black veil in place. The tiara was studded with black diamonds, onyx in color with only a slight glitter but she wore nothing at her neck or fingers. This was going to be as simple as possible.

Somehow, something did not seem right in the air. Something felt amiss and strange. She had no idea who it was that was meant to be hung, she had only heard word from the healer that the King was dead before word got around that the culprit was thought to be Black Star. At the moment, she stared into her expression in the mirror. She had gained some of her color back by this point. Her skin smelled sweetly of lilies and roses and she was looking more like herself dressed in the ebony gown and as she stood and smoothed her skirts, she nodded slightly to the maid and hugged the fellow woman with a slight smile, beginning to feel a little less dreary as she recovered her stature quite a bit. She thanked the fellow woman and slipped her a rather large handful of coins for her trouble and for her friendship before she turned and hurried down the halls of the castle, realizing that the castle now stood empty. The remaining royals were there, at the hanging other then Tryphena whose bum was planted in her room as she had decided not to leave her room due to her late months of pregnancy. As the eldest Princess descended the stairs swiftly she made her way outside. She trailed the courtyard on her own at this point as she traveled out towards the gallows platform where the prisoner awaited his hanging and yet, when she arrived, it was not a he at all.

Gasping, the Princess stopped short, her eyes wide. Her hands flew to her chest and she felt her jaw run slack for a brief moment. She nearly screamed in surprise but she quenched it and quickly she pressed herself through the crowd to the front, frowning at the sight of her sister on the platform, making a mockery of the outlaw it seemed. She grit her teeth and darted up the few steps to the top, quite literally seeming to push Abbie out of the way. Her gaze became averted to Black Star, her eyes still wide and alarmed. What the hell was happening around here? “Black Star? Black Star!” she hissed fervently as her slender hands lifted, hovering along Black Star’s cheeks as she slowly slid her fingers to the beautiful raven hair, smoothing it down the outlaw’s back and lifting her chin a bit to gaze at the woman’s features, “What the hell is happening?” she whispered with a frown, panicked. She realized that she was part of the reason for the Grellon disappearing. She remembered that the last time she had seen her, Black Star had been furious with both herself and Tryphena but at the moment she quite literally didn’t care. This was impossible. Black Star being hanged for murder? She knew her reputation but this couldn’t be possible! She was panicking but within a few moments, shouts of rage and accusation flew into the air, “Get off her! That criminal is going to die! The bitch killed our king!” the screams filled the air. Abigail’s words seemed to fuel the hatred for the outlaw and tears touched Alexa’s eyes but didn’t fall, “Black Star.” She murmured worriedly. The woman’s dull eyes and worn appearance frightened the Princess and she winced. She felt a pang of uneasiness. She had no way of knowing who did and did not kill the King but she didn’t want to believe anywhere that it had been Black Star. She heard the bustle of guards and winced, casting a brief glance over her shoulder before she turned back to Black Star as small tears traced her cheeks and she cupped the woman’s face again, pressing a quick kiss to the forehead of the outlaw before she felt the rough hands at her back and shoulders, pulling her with short tugs from the prisoner of murder. She screeched, screaming as she was pulled from the platform, “Sorry Princess, but we must proceed.” One of the guards muttered gruffly. She screamed in anger and fear as she cast a last glance to the outlaw with a wince and finally quit fighting, tugging herself free from the guards before she darted back a few paces, casting a glance to her mother and Abigail who had her fixed in a piercing look of amusement, a cold smile plastered across the raven haired Princess’s face as she watched her older sister. Alexa sent a heated glare before glancing back to the platform once more to Black Star as she winced. This was all too much. First her father dies and then Black Star too? With pain in her bright blue eyes she folded her hands against her chest as small tears traced her cheeks again, “I’m so sorry.” She whispered, realizing that the outlaw couldn’t hear her now but it didn’t matter as she watched though she didn’t want to, the scene unfolding before her.

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[Jotari]

Black Star

Black Star did nothing. She said nothing to Abbie’s remarks, to the queen’s acts and behavior; she did nothing until Alexa approached. But until the eldest princess made her appearance, head hung limply and shoulders remained as if a great burden was place upon delicately formed shoulders. Yes, she was an outlaw and the Guardian, but she was a mere twenty-three years of age. She had carried her burdens for years now, becoming the Guardian at an extremely young age. Age had never been an excuse for failing in her duties. But still, the physical form was exhausted and almost welcoming the coming sleep. Mentally, she was tired of trying to save the world. The world had destroyed everything; anything she cared about was torn apart or taken violently away. The outlaw queen had been betrayed numerous times. Perhaps an eternal sleep would be better, perhaps then she would be able to finally rest? But Black Star had a feeling that if she died, Araxes would make sure her afterlife was an unpleasant one.

Now I will tell you what I've done for you
Fifty thousand tears I've cried
Screaming, deceiving and bleeding for you
And you still won't hear me, going under

Why could she never have a normal life? Kasheem and Jahanarwa, together they would have ruled Kai and quietly slipped into the depths of time. Perhaps they would be remembered as good rulers, but eventually their names would have been forgotten. Instead, he was gone. She herself would not be forgotten, for with her would die the sky gem would it not? No, she knew she needed to pass the gem’s power to someone. Pulled from her thoughts, she looked up to see Alexa. The princess showed great kindness and loyalty, something that made Black Star stop and actually make her feel something, she felt a sense of friendship and almost trust.

Don't want your hand this time, I'll save myself
Maybe I'll wake up for once
Not tormented daily, defeated by you
Just when I thought, I reached the bottom

Making a sudden decision, the ebony haired woman suddenly jerked forward. As she had been nearly lifeless since her capture, it startled the guards. They were pulled forward as life suddenly seemed to reenter the thin frail looking frame. Black Star’s eyes flashed scarlet with violence and anger. “Do not do this foolishness, Queen. You have already seen my secret, and I assure you I would never hurt King Crevan.” The guards yanked her back again as a low snarling sound erupted from her throat. Sighing her head hung again. No one was going to believe her. “Alexa, for your kindness and loyalty, you are granted the blessing of the Guardian upon yourself, but not to your wretched family members. Even now I can sense that the darkness will engulf Ellsinora. I also charge you with one matter, that in my death you will take my dagger at all costs to the Temple of the Goddess. If you do not, then Magrej will win and there will be no new dawn.” These words were only through a great effort on her part. Black Star had been separated from the sky gem for some time now and both Guardian and Magic were fading. But Black Star had at least given the Sky Gem a new person, at least if she died.

Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies
So I don't know what's real and what's not
So I don't know what's real and what's not
Always confusing the thoughts in my head

But the outlaw queen knew that she should not be able to move at all, where was her strength coming from? Black Star sensed that the sky gem was nearby, but could not sense exactly where. Silently, she began searching the crowd with her eyes, which were tinted slightly pale blue with the grey now. Something was keeping her alive. Then she saw him, faded into the crowd was the dread lord, Siarles. He was extremely well disguised so that she could only see the glint of his scarlet eyes and his familiar frame to know who it was that had the dagger in his belt. Somehow, Siarles’ spies had managed to snatch the dagger and he currently sheathed it as his own. But though Black Star was rather pleased to see her charming new friend, her heart sank. Black Star knew exactly who Siarles was currently slaving for, and she knew that Ellsinora’s twilight was about to fade into the night. She knew Magrej was coming, but still chose to keep silent. They would pay at least for their stupidity. But, pulling as much energy as she could, Black Star telepathically contacted Alexa with one word, “Flee.”

So go on and scream
Scream at me, I'm so far away
I won't be broken again
I've got to breathe, I can't keep going under


I'm dying again, I'm going under
Drowning in you, I'm falling forever
I've got to break through, I'm going under
Going under, I'm going under

[Desperanza]

Alexa’s eyes stared ahead at Black Star from where she stood within the crowd. Her hands remained folded against her chest, pain seizing her at the sight of Black Star there at the platform to be hung. Though the town and the royals seemed certain that this was the criminal that had killed the king, she somehow could not bring herself to believe this. She could not believe that the outlaw that had strived so hard to protect others, especially her people, would kill her father. She felt the salty sting of tears once again and winced, lifting a hand to brush the back of her hand across her eyes with a heavy sigh as she shook her head a bit and returned to attention as the outlaw stirred and began to speak. She cast a glance to the Queen and Abigail as they watched the outlaw as well, Abbie with a sharp look of anger and sweet yet dark satisfaction plastered across her facial features but after a moment, the outlaw addressed her and Alexa gasped, her eyes wide as she glanced back to the woman once again. The beautiful outlaw addressed her, telling her things that she had never in her life expected to hear and as she stared, wide eyed she rather suddenly began to think, wondering where on earth she would find the sky gem, the outlaw’s dagger and only weapon at hand. It was not the first time that the Princess had returned the dagger to the outlaw Queen and she certainly would not lose the outlaw’s trust or friendship by letting her down now. She felt panic roiling deep within herself yet again however, fearing the scene that would erupt within a few minutes. The dropping of the platform and the sight of the outlaw hanging, dying upon the stand. She winced and closed her eyes tightly, nodding to Black Star’s words quickly.

She did not know if the outlaw Queen had seen her nod or not. She wasn’t sure if Black Star understood that Alexa had heard her and with everything within herself she would do this. She would find the dagger and take it to the temple of the goddess indeed. She inhaled slowly and quite suddenly there she was, speaking within her mind, telling her to flee and within this moment her icy blue eyes fluttered open, glancing to the outlaw at the stand. Now she had to run, she had to escape. Something terrible was about to unfold and she could not wait here for it to happen. She could not be taken out like the fools her sister and mother were. She had a dangerous and very important task and at first, she hesitated. She didn’t know where the dagger was, but she needed it. She glanced among the crowd but she recognized only a few faces from town and that of course of her mother and sister. Sighing, the future Queen glanced back to Black Star once again, nodding slowly in return as she made a motion at her chest, a simple mark of prayer for the beautiful outlaw Queen before she touched her fingers to her lips, bidding the outlaw Queen a final fare well and prayer before she turned swiftly and ducked her head. Her right hand lifted swiftly to catch the onyx studded crown at her head as she pulled the metallic combs free from her hair, her tiara flying through the air to hit the ground with a clatter, the precious jewels shattering into multiple pieces on the ground. It stirred a few people who circled around the piece from the Princess’s head, the veil still attached as it fluttered to the ground and the crowd murmured and shuffled like a group of cattle for a moment and as they did, Alexa clutched the top of her dress and bent forward, dipping her head beneath the top of the crowd as she weaved in and out through the people before finally pulling herself free. She left her slightly heeled shoes behind and ran bare foot, her feet pounding the ground as she raced.

She ran through the cobbled courtyard, edging towards the shadows that the walls of the castle provided here and there. Pausing for a moment, she cast a glance back for a moment as her hands pressed to the stone of the castle walls, glancing back to the crowd once again. Heads were turning, glancing around in confusion, others were pointing at Black Star and screaming that her death come faster. Abigail’s cheeks were running red as rage filled her face once again and she stormed closer to the platform, motioning for the guards to prepare the noose about the outlaw’s neck faster. Alexa sighed, shaking her head. She knew that things were about to change, that her life was about to take a rather sudden turn. She inhaled slowly, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment before flitting open once more but she didn’t want to wait, she couldn’t. Not for the sight of the outlaw to be hung. She felt a sharp tug within herself and she clasped a hand over her mouth to keep from crying at the thought. The thought that she could soon be the guardian was wildly swirling around her mind and her eyes scanned between the trees and the streets of town. Where would she go? She furrowed her brow and her hands flew back to twist her hair quickly into a braid and with one last glance back at the scene, she turned and darted away once again, disappearing among the shadows as she edged her way further from the scene and further from the castle as well as the Princess finally slipped into hiding.


Abigail’s eyes remained riveted to the sight of the outlaw. Her eyes were narrowed and her vibrant lavender eyes were blazing with rage. What were these ridiculous words that she laid on Alexa? If it was some sort of wicked power, then she wanted it. She hissed and threw her hands in the air, motioning to the guards that stood up there with Black Star, “Take her in tighter! Tighten her chains and prepare the noose! The witch will have no more power here!” she screeched as she skirted to the edge of the platform once more as she climbed back onto the platform once again, striding forward as she landed a rather prompt slap across Black Star’s cheek with a narrowed look, “You little bitch! Whatever you should of, you ridiculous wench just shut up! You will be getting what has been coming for far too long now you little beast!” she hissed, her eyes narrowed and dark with a sharp glint in her purple eyes. Her right hand lifted and came forward to clench the jaw of the outlaw, her nails meant to dig in to the skin of the beautiful woman, “Tell me, if you must speak so much, what is this, Sky Gem? What is the guardian? What is it!” she demanded of the outlaw with a narrowed gaze. She turned as a sudden bit of commotion reacted within the crowd and she stepped to the side a bit as she glanced through the crowd as a man lifted the crown with the shattered gems and the slight glint caught Abigail’s eye and she frowned with a huff, scanning quickly for Alexa who by this point was out of sight and further away, able to see Abbie but Abigail could not spot her, “Where is she? Where is that little bitch?” she hissed as she scanned for Alexa before she screamed sharply. And turned to pace back along the platform, casting a furious glance to Black Star as if blaming her for the whole thing despite the fact that she had no clue that Black Star had told Alexa to run. She grit her teeth and quite suddenly slapped Black Star across the opposite cheek this time out of pure fury before she motioned for to the guards, “Get it done! Get the noose nice and tight around her neck!” she demanded with a furious glance as she cast a look to the guards before she glared at Black Star as she backed away a few steps.

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[Jotari]

Death, but for who?

Black Star was once again silent, but a snarl erupted from her throat as she reeled from the slap. But at least Alexa had obeyed. Closing grey eyes, she sighed and tipped her head back, feeling the wind rush across her skin. But then pain shot through slim frame as the outlaw queen was dragged back and lifted to stand on the gallows’ platform. The noose was roughly placed upon her neck and tightened. Using her last bit of energy, Black Star spoke her final words to Ellsinora. "It is a pity that you suffer because of your foolish leaders. Ellsinora is cursed and will not see the new dawn until stripped of all its beauty and death rules here. I said that Ellsinora would fall before the first snow. Now I tell you that even now, many of you will not survive to see another dawn and those who do survive, will only see despair." Her eyes searched for Siarles, but he too had disappeared into the crowd. Bowing her head, she awaited the jerk that would steal her life.

The floor fell from underneath her feet, but her neck did not break. Instead the outlaw struggled and gasped like a fish out of water. Hands chained behind her, she did not have a chance. Black Star attempted to summon her phoenix flame to try and burn away the rope, but she was simply too weak. Dizzy, she suddenly heard many voices. But these were not living voices, but voices of the dead. Death was coming. “Rest Jahanarwa”, “Come home little one”, “You played your part well”, “Others must carry your burdens”, “Sleep little one, let it come”, the voices all telling her that it was okay to die. That she had done everything she had meant to be. But Black Star did not let go yet. But eventually, darkness clouded her mind.

As the outlaw queen closed her eyes and went limp, a warrior suddenly darted forward and a silver dagger snapped through the hangman’s rope and into the supporting beam. Black Star’s body fell in a heap below the gallows. The tall figure, in strange black armor, stalked forward and grabbed the dagger. In its hilt was a sky blue gem. Stalking over he deftly picked up Black Star. Evading the guards by leaping with surprisingly agility, he now stood on the gallows’ platform. Giving a harsh whistle, a Friesian mare burst from the back of the crowd and the man soon rode upon her, still caring for Black Star. It was Siarles, General of Murate, who cradled the unconscious woman. The courtyard was silent and frozen in fear as he was clearly a power Muratian. Laughing, harsh and evil, he raised his gloved hand. Instantly the Muratian army swarmed the courtyard.

Magrej was Approaching.

Ellsinora was Doomed.

[username]

Magrej...

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It was time.
Time for Magrej and death of Elsinora.

His power was undeniable, and it was coming. As his new right hand man, Siarles, had given the instructed orders, his troops now swarmed the Ellsinora grounds, killing anyone in their way, making the pitiful country-side burn to ruins. Its landscape now looking like his own, and all the other villages Magrej had taken over. A smile danced on Magrej's pale red, sinister lips, but many could not see it as his masquerade slept about his facet, making his expression enigma. His long powerful yet elegant body moved towards the scene, eyes now wandering upon him, fear filling creatures insides. However on the inside of the tyrant king, feelings of enjoyment and relief fluttered around. The older male had awaited so long for this day to come, for himself to rule over all lands, in every air-pocket, in every crevice. His dream is now coming to life, forming right before the King of Murate. Magrej could feel his victory, could taste it, making him unusually cheerful, adding a little swag to his step as the male reached the important gallows.

"Sorry to ruin the party." Magrej spoke, his signature laugh erupting thru his throat, "But I could not help but to interfere." The male continued, "This women, you had first trusted, calling herself Black Star, a rebel leader." Magrej snorted a laugh, running one of his pale hands threw his ebony hair before picking up his speech once again. "But in actuality she is just Lady Jahanarwa, who failed at being the guardian. As well at failing to gain your trust, but instead you all believed she killed your sad excuse of a King." The king grinned, "No, my orders killed King Crevan, and they will kill her as well, but not until you hand over the sky gem." Magrej said, the end of his little episode narrowing towards the limp female. Giving a slight nod to Siarles, "Take her back to the castle, and have her locked down in the chambers." He ordered before looking around to all the prior Elsinora villagers, before laughing lightly, "Welcome to my world."

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[Jotari]

Epilogue

Darkness Has Fallen

As the Guardian had predicted twice before, Ellsinora did indeed fall that day. Though the soldiers fought violently against the Muratian horde, Magrej's well trained men easily defeated Ellsinora. The Queen of Ellsinora was locked away in a dungeon. Princess Alexa fled, hiding for her life. The Princess Tryphena went into shock and gave birth to a son who she called, "Erobus" meaning "Darkness and Shadow." Princess Abigail showed her true colors and quickly became a clear candidate as Magrej's queen.

But as for everyone else, those who survived, they fled and scattered away from Magrej, as far as possible. Eventually, Magrej and Abigail's engagement was announced. But what of the daring outlaw queen? She survived, secretly cared for by Siarles himself. But Magrej regularly tortured the young Guardian, trying to make her break and obey his orders. For as before, there was the problem that the Sky Gem and the Guardian could not work separately. But though she did not break, darkness began to creep into the Guardian's heart.......

Death of the Light.....

......Rise of the Night.