Chapter 1
If the Sun wanted to,
It could stay in the sky forever.
Though imperishable the sun is,
It too needs to set.
-x-
The Sun rose, ever mirthful, as it set on its destined path. The start of its journey, the start of a new day. Well, the start of the new day did give rise to the chatter of life in Galax, as it did every day. Throughout the years, from the hesitant bloom of flowers waking up from a shivering sleep to embrace the new spring, to the ducks and swans cracking up to a few jokes of sparrows on a blazing summers day, to the sorrow filled cries of leaves on an autumn eve as they try to cling on to the last strings of life, not wanting to fade, to the sleepy whispers of the wind as it sing its lullabies to the hibernating animals in the midst of a cold winter; the Sun was there through it all. Watching, silently supporting all life in Galax; never letting sorrow burden their hearts; all in all, being Galax’s guiding light.
-x-
And so, while light was seeping into the corners of every home, people were awakening; Galax was awakening. Dawn brought about a major change in the kingdom; life was bustling with energy, ready for anything and everything. Birds were chirping their thanks to the Sun for its arrival. The people were getting ready for another day filled with activities. Farmers needed to tend to their fields while traders got the market prepared for the hustle-bustle. Children were getting dressed for half a day of information boring into their young minds. The guards on the day shift taking over from their nocturnal brothers, who trudged their way back to their homes for a good day’s rest.
Amongst all this organised chaos was one hooded rider; one of many riders. Wide eyed with wonder and filled with a passion for adventure, she rode her magnificent steed through the crowds, drawing gasps of surprise and pleasant greetings from all those she passed. Everyone seemed to know her, seemed to adore her. She had earned their respect a long time ago; just continuing to maintain it. She knew they would do so anyway, in fear of reproach. But, she didn’t want her status to demand the respect she had to earn. So for years together she worked hard, harder than any of her predecessors. Going from faction to faction, district to district and through every village in the kingdom of Galax solving issues, building trust and ensuring the people’s well being.
Someone threw her an apple, which she caught with ease, while her horse remained trotting to her destination. Her joyous laughter filled the air as she nudged her mare into her shed and pushed open the gates to her home. The guards welcomed her home and the maids fussed over her appearance as she tried to make it to the dining hall on time. Her mother and father were already there, waiting for her, their food already on their plates. She murmured her apologies and completed her breakfast just in time for her next set of duties. Before that, her mother placed a small but beautiful tiara upon her head, indicating that she, the princess, has arrived to serve her people.
-x-
A person sat in the dark, the only thing that lit their face was a spark of fire which was eating its fill of a sheet of paper. The person themselves didn’t seem to be affected by the increasing pace of the fire, inching towards their slim fingers. When the fire was nearly extinguished, the person picked up a metal object. The object was slim, light and sharp. A knife lay in the person’s hands as they innocently played with it. The person’s face was illuminated by a sly grin.”Looks like little Princess Diana is enjoying her day. But, what can I do? The Sun will have to set and give relinquish its place to Darkness”. And with the person’s gleeful laughter, the fire’s life was quenched.
-x-
