Fantasmical 2023 Entries

An Inevitable Choice

When my head hits the pillow, my eyes slam shut. I take a deep breath and fall into a luxurious slumber where nothing exists but me and my deep inhales and exhales.

A dream begins to take shape in my consciousness, at first nothing but a swirl of dust and glitter and thoughts. The tornado slowly turns into a white, gleaming portal. I only take a step closer, but an invisible pull sucks me in and then I'm tumbling down a winding tunnel. My head spins as memories flash before my eyes.

No, not memories, I think when I see an image of me wearing the crown. I'm seeing the future.

Confusion swarms my mind. I watch as my future self curtsies elegantly. Someone places a majestic crown on my head, decorated with diamonds and rubies and emeralds. An audience applauds as I turn to face them, my blood red off-the-shoulder gown whirling at my feet.

The glimpse fades as quickly as it appeared, and soon I see myself in a crook of the castle, my head buried in my hands. Wet tears trail down my cheeks. My face is adorned with wrinkles, making me look older and more withered than I really am. At my feet lies a crown - but this one is different. This one is black and broken in two pieces.

I see myself in the red dress again. A few seconds later it changes to the glimpse of myself sobbing endlessly. They keep switching, and I run my forehead, weary and exhausted.

"What type of dream is this?" I wonder aloud as I watch the events play out. One of me being a leader, and the other of me being a coward.

They're showing me my options, I realize as the clip of my "crowning" plays for the hundredth time. The two entirely different scenes keep switching faster and faster until my head turns into a literal washing machine. My screams echo throughout the dream space, agony crushing me with so much pressure I physically crumble and fall to my knees.

The scenes soon fade into the white space surrounding me, and I cautiously get to my feet. In its place lies a red, glowing stone. Sharp crystals pop from its smooth, glassy surface. In wonder I reach out to touch it. Its beauty leaves me speechless - and that's saying a lot. I don't allow myself to indulge in ordinary cravings. Giving in is weak.

Something tells me I shouldn't, that even the slightest touch will result in a consequence. Immediately I retract my hand and ball it into a fist, conflicted between what I want to do and what I should do.

Tears of frustration collect in my eyes. How am I supposed to decrypt this message, the future and the stone my only clues?

Think, Nyx Ambrose, an eerie voice whispers in my mind. Think about what you could be, and how you could fail.

And as if on cue, the puzzle fits together perfectly in my mind. My lips turn up triumphantly in a slight grin. But it fades when reality sinks in.

"I could be Queen," I whisper to myself, shocked.

If I really wanted, I could be Queen. I could put my father's corrupt reign to an end. All I'd have to do is seize the stone. I glance at it through my peripheral vision; it practically radiates power.

But there's also the downside. Being a ruler means being there for your people. It means being trustworthy, righteous, and confident. And I'm none of those things. Years of my absent father has made me a lone wolf. The concept of "together" has no meaning to me. If I end up as a ruler, I'd probably mess everything up.

Yet at the same time, the thought of my father being the King makes me sick.

And it isn't to late to learn, right? I'm going to mess things up, no doubt - but I can learn from those mistakes. I can grow to be a better Queen for my people.

Suddenly, I know what I have to do.

I reach out and grasp the ruby stone in my hands with the smallest sliver of hope in my heart, praying that this won't be the cause of my downfall.