Arrow Through the Heart

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

A dark, abyss-like void circles throughout the area. No sound, no noise, no voices, no movement, where two people stand rigid, waiting in a quiet vigil.

"Be careful," a woman's voice echoes.

"R-Right..." a shakier, softer voice replies.

"The prophecy will be here any moment. This is your first time receiving a prophecy, yes?"

"Um... yes, ma'am."

"You're wondering why I had to bring you here with me. As the Queen of the Kingdom of Stars, I bring a trusted advisor with me for important prophecies like these."

"I-I'm honored, your Highness, but what's important about this prophecy...?"

A bead of gleaming light forms between the two, slowly expanding and illuminating its surroundings in light. The figures of a tall woman with long hair and a smaller man with curly, messy hair

"That... is what we will find out now."

The light suddenly spans out in a wide, almost blinding flash, washing out everything.

"H-Huh...? Wh..."

"Stay calm. It's about to begin. Pay attention to every bit of detail."

The two figures fall silent.

Before them, a vision opens up, showing two figures. One, a tall man with longer hair that appears to be middle-aged, and the other that of a young teenage girl with messy hair.

"I-Is that them?"

"Shhh..."

The white space surrounding the two figures suddenly begins to warp, becoming twisted and dark, but the figures' light remains, even as millions of blackened figures start to appear behind them. Fire twists in bright orange embers within the crowds of people as streams of dark crimson blood trickles between their shoes. Suddenly, a voice echoes throughout the darkness, surrounding the two on the receiving side and wrapping around them like a boa snake.

"The spear of darkness will pierce through the peak, as balance and chaos begin to creak."

"The order of the kingdom will fade away, seeping this world of its bright, fun days."

"But one day, as the stars' stability falls,"

"Two strong souls will rise above them all."

"The noble arrow's strength will be guided by a heart of pure light..."

"...to fix the curse that is to come and stop eternal blight."

The vision, just as quick as it came, cuts to black like power in harsh weather. The two figures, one trembling, the other rigid, are slowly pushed back to their full consciousnesses.

"Ah!-"

The rigid figure opens her eyes as the fragments of her consciousness piece together. She briskly stands up, her onyx black hair stemming from an ornate hair tie falling in loose, wavy tangles at her waist. Her gaze moves toward the figure next to her as he slowly stands up, rubbing the tiredness from his eyes.

A small male with flaxen hair slowly pulls himself to his feet. "Your highness, what... w-was that...?" he whispers, his voice filled with trepidation.

"I am unsure," the Queen murmurs, "but I have a feeling that it will be very, very bad."

"Wh-What's making you feel like that?"

"I've had many omens about this, all of them with dark, malicious endings surrounding the kingdom's demise, starting with me."

"That's...!"

"Very bad, yes."

The man nervously looks to the side. "Wh-What are we supposed to do?"

"We will wait, but we must prepare for an outside attack. I'll tell our troops to prepare and to tighten security around the entire kingdom..."

"Th-That serious, huh?" he mumbles.

"As the Queen, I cannot just let this go. These are omens from our ancestors, understand. Usually, these prepare us for incoming diseases and hordes of violent animals, and they are always almost impeccably accurate. This is not a joke."

"I-I know, it's just so hard to believe. If those are really true, then... what'll happen to you?"

The Queen hesitates, seeming to not know what to do or say. She recovers just as quickly and takes in a small breath of air. "Whatever happens... we must not lose sight of what matters the most. Otherwise, everything will have been for nothing..."