A Star's Life : Growing Up, Growing Old

You Did This

(Author here, Trigger warning of blood, death, and disassociation for this chapter.)

Suria considered herself a lucky kid. She had her mom, sometimes her dad, and even her twin if they had time. She had the whole kingdom more than willing to give in to her whims and wishes. While they didn't worship the ground she walked, they damn near did. They sang her praises and lullabies. They gave her hugs and good night kisses. Everyone returned her wave.
Suria was a fortunate teen. She'd conquered dark caverns and corridors with light spells. She forged her own blade with her own hard work. She's made a ball of light so bright it became a star of its own.
Suria had been so smart and strong. She always studied. She got every right answer. She aced every test. Won every battle. Memorized every word. She did everything perfectly. Perfect, perfect, a hundred percent, amazing.
But nothing could prepare anyone for this.

Suria was playing in the tall grass. She leaped through the cream plants with her friends. They'd slam into each other by accident and crashed to the ground cackling like rabid witches. Suria laughed with her whole chest as she hit the ground while Arden lay in the heavy grass coughing from the pollen but grinning like an idiot.
Dakota grinned as she lay down with Suria and Arden. The three sitting with their heads touching and their bodies splayed away. As they smiled the sun seemed to smile in return. "Do you think every day will be like this?" Arden broke the silence, his tone seeming odd. Suria didn't think before answering. "I sure hope so." She declared with a proud smile, reaching a hand for each of her friends only to find nothing. She sat up to see why she couldn't reach them.

No.

No no no.

No no no no no no!

Suria sat straight up. She realized she'd been screaming only moments later. Beside her Dakota stirred, looking up at the princess with a tired squint. "Suria, are you okay?" She softly questioned. Suria broke down sobbing, clasping onto the starlight-lit girl beside her. "I had a terrible nightmare." Suria sobbed, refusing to lighten up on her hold. "Do you wanna talk about it?" Dakota sleepily asked, rubbing the tired from her eyes to aid her startled friend. "Let's get some food first, the kitchen must have cookies or something." Suria decided, shoving Arden's shoulder lightly. The taller groaned. "What do you want?" He sleepily drawled, grasping at his wing to bring it closer. Suria huffed shaking him again. "We're going to get cookies. Are you in or not?" That surely woke the boy up.
Suria proudly led the way through the castle, her steps nearly soundless atop the marble floors. However, that didn't apply to the fullest for her goofballs. Suria nearly broke out in laughter at seeing the two run ahead. Unfortunately for them, Etheris had been home so there was a decent-sized patch of ice in the way which they both slipped on and got sent skidding. Suria was laughing. Till she saw-.

No.

Not again.

Suria gasped as it seemed she'd jumped into her body once more. "-Ria?" "Suria, are you there?" Suria blinked and settled back in. "Yeah, what were you saying?" She looked up at her uncle, gripping the sides of her skirt. "We'll need a second healer on the battlefield tomorrow. Get your spells solidified." He spoke curtly, with a snarl under his lips for stalking off. "Now off with you, the princess must have her rest." He paused letting the hurtful sting of his tone set in before disappearing into a different room.
Suria sighed, ducking into her room. Dark and empty, yet so full at the same time. So empty as the lack of people to share the room with. There were chairs and a little loveseat, a desk, and her expansive bed. The same bed she flops down upon. The blankets scratched at her skin when just a few nights before when she shared them with Arden and Dakota the blankets were softer than even the finest threads weaved by the elder gods. Suria stirred for what felt like hours before succumbing to sleep.

Suria woke up standing in the middle of a field. She glanced around only to see tents, tents, and more tents. There was screaming but she didn't know from where. She began a trek towards the screaming, trying to see if she could stop it or at least help. Soon enough she arrived. Though she wished she didn't.
There were so many people hurt, some propped up on large rocks and others attempting to shuffle away from the battle. One of the people limping away was the village healer, so Suria went to him first. Daktari nearly crumpled when she moved to support him. Suria didn't even ask as she let golden magic flow from her palms. With enough healing, Daktri began on his rounds as Suria went to collect the fleeing soldiers.
When everyone who might not make it was healed to safety she went to find a good vantage spot. That's when she saw it. Saw them.

Arden was splayed awkwardly upon the ground. Dakota was on the ground as well, cradling their mutual friend. Suria hoped their shirts had always been crimson. Suria moved quickly towards her best friends. Tears stung her eyes as she thought the worst. Sura shook their shoulders, watching their chests in hopes that she'd just missed their rise and fall. Nothing, no pulse, no breathing. Nothing.
Suria stood up, stumbling back. No. No no no! This wasn't supposed to be this way. They promised they'd always be together. She'd be queen and they'd be her advisors. Best friends till the end. Suria gripped their cooling corpses and sobbed. Sobbed for all she was worth, for all she'd have to be without them. Sobbed for them and their families.

Suria lazily looked around. She noticed she was tied, not fully restrained but enough to keep her from escaping. She looked up at her horrified home and saw their terrorized faces as her uncle spoke. She hadn't been listening to his speech, but she saw the large sword in his hands as he walked back and forth in front of her. By the time she realized what was about to happen, she felt the swift sharp cut of the blade.

When she came to, it was dark. A tall pale woman with a cow skull for a mask and giant black wings was the only thing in her sight. "I'm sorry my poor sunshine." Fate spoke with an echo that didn't appear to come from their environment. "But it is time for you to rest."