My Zombie Family (MZF) BL

'Unforeseen Circumstances'

"Once upon a time, in a magical kingdom, there lived a king with three daughters and two sons. Although the Kingdom had been secluded from the 'outside', it prospered alone without the need of others. Happily, the king sought to share his kingdom's prosperity with the outside, but what he thought was genuine became his kingdom's ultimate undoing.

Upon exposing the Kingdom to outside influences, corruption began to taint what was once benevolent and kind. The citizens suffered while others only thought to take, take, and take! Until there was nothing left of their once glorious kingdom. What rose from the ashes of a broken dream was the 'will' of another. One invisible amongst her brothers and sisters, the king's youngest daughter.

Setting off with an ancient tome, she sought to rebuild her kingdom. But as time grew, it too became much to bear. No matter how much she tried, her kingdom would fall into ruin repeatedly as if it were an ill omen or curse. Mad with despair and ambitious for a hope, she journeyed to the 'Promised Land'. A heavenly place full of warmth and prosperity.

The grueling journey was treacherous, but the hope to relieve her kingdom of such a curse kept her going. Unbeknownst to her, the friends she made along the way began to notice her change. Traveling and fighting for so long began to dull her senses. She started losing herself to her ambitions until not even an ember of her former self remained. When she finally reached the 'end', she alone was left remaining.

Alone, she found what others called the 'Ender of Worlds' and slayed the beast, freeing her people from its curse. But by then, what had been was too late. What was the reason for her plight? Her tribulations and goals?

What remained was 'silent', for her kingdom had already 'perished' long ago..."

                                                                    ------------------------------

"Wow... What kind of story is that?" Noelle asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and excitement. Amari, focused and precise, carefully adjusted and cut the delicate strings that held Noelle's arm in place. It was late into the night, and the girls were home getting ready for bed. Amari fixed Noelle's string while Sophia silently brushed her hair. The night had been uneventful, making Noelle feel restless. Catching Sophia's attention, Noelle thus asked for a story to pass the time. 

"Noelle, stop moving! We don't want your limbs to snap," Amari scolded gently, though there was a hint of anxiety, careful not to mess up the string process. The moment Noelle stilled, Amari swiftly cut the string with precision. "There. But seriously, Sophia, what kind of story was that? It's so... sad," Amari remarked flatly. Sophia didn't meet her eyes, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror as she continued brushing her hair. "You asked for a story," she replied softly, reaching for the scissors to trim her bangs.

"Besides, it's just an old tale I heard from long ago. I can't even remember where or from whom, but it's always been on my mind..." Sophia continued, her eyes distant as if not being in the present moment. Sophia noticed Noelle's gaze and turned the mirror towards her, revealing the newly adjusted strings. "Beautiful, aren't they?" she asked. Noelle, instead of looking at the strings, stared at Sophia and nodded blindly. There was something about Sophia that felt ethereal, but Noelle couldn't point out what.

"Geez, Sophia, Manon's stories never end like that," Amari murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, hoping not to catch her dear friend's attention. Amari considered hurting Sophia's feelings the worst of the worst! Noelle then suddenly exclaimed, "Yeah! Manon's stories are always the best!" Earning Amari a slap to the face. 'Noelle! insensitive much!'  thought Amari to herself. Curious Noelle asked, "But why did the princess lose herself? I don't understand..."