Saviors of Ark

The Monarch and the Witch

A flash of dark matter expelled from the castle, shattering the windows of the throne room, and with it came the youngest child of the royal family, Shard. They plummeted to the ground, their body landing with a heavy thud. As their vision fated, They heard a soothing whisper, one that reassured them of their safety as they fell unconscious.

Shard awoke as quickly as they had fallen it seemed. They were in an unfamiliar place, one with the smell of herbs and dim lighting. Countless bottles with strange liquid lined the shelves and tabletops, sounds of shuffling and clinking glass came from the other side of the room and caught Shard's attention. They tried to sit up, only to be struck by an unfathomable pain, they let out a short cry as they gripped their side.

"Now, now, dear. I wouldn't advise you to move so much. Your fall a few days ago resulted in quite a few broken bones, some ribs included. Why, I'm rather surprised you even survived." A young woman with a dark pointed hat walked over, her heels clicking on the floor with every step.

Her black dress and gold jewelry complimented her mature body, and though her face was partially veiled by her hat, Shard felt like they were being lured in by her breathtaking emerald eyes. Her silky, turquoise hair fell over her body and finished off her appearance beautifully. "Oh my, how rude of me, my name is Marina. I saw what had happened and brought you here just in time to help. I've been preparing a certain potion that will heal you immediately for the past few days."

Shard jolted a bit. "Past few days? How long was I out??" They asked, accidentally trying to sit up again. It hurt a lot more this time due to their sudden movement. Shard yelped, grasping at their sides as pain engulfed their body once more.

Marina shook her head slightly, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Your treatment should be ready soon. Just be patient and try your best not to move much." She said, returning to her work on the other side of the room. Shard tried to remember exactly what happened that day. All they remembered was that they were blasted from the castle and then they were here.

They thought for a while but Shard just couldn't remember anything, and before they knew it, Marina jabbed them in the rib, they yelled out in pain. "What was that for?" Shard asked, trembling from the sudden attack.

"I apologize, dear, but I had called and even pinched you multiple times, to no reaction. I did it as a last resort to assure you were still alive. The potion is complete, when you drink it all of your ailments shall disappear." Marina handed Shard a bowl with a swirling red liquid inside. They took a large gulp, and to their surprise it didn't taste like anything. Marina quickly took the bowl back and placed it on the bedside table.

Then suddenly, Shard felt pain again, but it came in big sudden waves. Their bones felt as though they were returning to the right places, but it hurt so much, much more than just moving with broken bones could. With every bone fixed, Shard screamed in agony, their body spasming and squirming about as it returned to new. When the process was finally complete, Shard was dry heaving from the pain and their body was sore.

"I apologize once again. I didn't tell you it would hurt when your body immediately heals because then you wouldn't want to drink the potion. Your body should be fully healed, but you will be sore for a short while." Marina said. Shard didn't really mind too much after she told them that, but it still didn't change the fact that that was the worst pain they had ever felt. They rubbed their aching body and realized they didn't have their claymore.

Shard searched around the room for it, thinking perhaps Marina had put it somewhere so it wouldn't get lost, but it was nowhere. They looked over to her work station where she had already begun containing the rest of the potion in vials and jars. "Um...you didn't happen to see my sword anywhere did you?" Shard asked.

"I'm afraid I didn't, You didn't appear to have any armor on either." She responded. Shard always dreaded the thought of their gear breaking. Though it was extremely durable, it was armory that only those of the Light Kingdom's Royal Family wore, so naturally, it was ridiculously hard to find materials to make it again. Not to mention the only ones who could make it was the Light Kingdom's most skilled blacksmiths.

Shard sighed. "Well...looks like I have no choice but to look for more materials and return to my kingdom." They got up from the bed, even if their body was still sore, Shard had to help their family and their people. No matter what it took, they needed to restore the peace that once was, but they couldn't possibly do it alone. Shard looked back over to Marina who was now storing the jars inside a cupboard, paying almost no mind to them. "...Hey, you wanna come with me?? It'd be a big help, even if you only help until I get some standard gear!" Shard asked.

Marina didn't respond, she was so preoccupied with her work, she didn't even hear them. "Marina?" Nothing. They thought for a second and wondered how to break her focus. They looked around the room, still covered from ceiling to floor with jars and bottles. Shard placed their hand gently against one on the table, slowly pushing it towards the edge. Before it hit the ground, it was enveloped in a faint blue aura and returned itself to its former spot on the table. Shard returned their gaze to Marina whose focus had shifted to the jar.

"Oh! I'm surprised you can stand after your treatment. Most fall asleep after such a method. Did you say something though?" She asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Oh yeah, I was asking if you wanted to go on a journey with me! I could use a skilled witch like you on my team!" Shard said. Marina was silent for a moment, perhaps thinking of an answer. She glanced at Shard who had a determined look plastered on their face, gleaming with courage and hope. She smiled slightly and nodded her head sharply.

"Alright then, I will join you on your travels. Perhaps I can get something from it myself." Shard threw a fist in the air, letting out a short cheer. "But I will need to prepare first." Marina added.

Shard nodded. "Of course, take your time!" They said enthusiastically, they were always glad to have someone with them on their adventures.