Lacuna

Dusks

"Father?" Corona whispered.

Reid coughed and pointed at Meir. "Run... p-protect her," he managed to say. Meir nodded, but before he did the request, he grabbed something sharp that was in their booth and stabbed the monster's leg. Meir then grabbed Corona's hand and ran for it. The monster screeched and let go of Reid. He fell and  landed in front of the elder. With the strength left within him, he reached for his coat pocket. The knights came in just in time to fend off the monster. Elder Hamal kneeled down next to Reid while listening to his wishes. "I..know," Reid coughed, "compass.. pocket w-watch.." before he could reveal what was in the pocket, his breathing stopped signaling that he was no longer with him. Hamal reached for it himself and whispered "Your wishes are granted." With that he closed Reid's eyelids and dragged him off to a nearby tree, away from all the chaos. The elder knew what he had to do, he heard Reid's wishes, and with that, he went after Corona.

Meir ran away while leading Corona to a safer place. She was still in shock, but her legs were moving as fast as they could. They got through the panicked crowd and avoided the terrifying monsters that attacked their beloved town. Meir kept hearing faint voices, but the strongest voice said "Find me and get to safety, please don't be hurt."  He never knew why he heard these voices because he always shrugged them off. He was only eight years old, but he still managed to distract himself from them. But these voices were more serious, and much stronger, so it was slowly effecting him; making him forget what the real objective was. He slowed down and stopped while Corona tried to catch her breath. A familiar voice called out to him and it caught his attention. "Meir!" Thats when he realized that the strongest voice was Elizabeth's own wanting them to find her. She ran up to them and lead them to one of the basements that offered more room to the citizens.

"Wait!" Elizabeth turned around to see her grandfather almost out of breath. "Elder Hamal!" Meir said running towards him. Elizabeth followed suit while holding onto Corona's hand. "Where's.. C-corona? I-is she... safe?" he managed to ask between breaths. "She very much is, grandfather." Elizabeth confirmed," Please stay with them in the safe place while I go help fight." Corona tightly held onto her hand as if she didn't want her to fight. "You can't!" Corona exclaimed," you can't end up like father," she said with tears beginning to fall from her eyes. "I'll be back safely, I promise, now please follow grandpa Hamal," Elizabeth said kissing her forehead. Corona nodded and went to safety even though she still didn't want her to go. Elder Hamal patted her head reassuring her that everything will be okay.

•••

After hours of hearing battle cries and never ending screeches, a knock came from the door that lead to the basement. "All is well! The battle is over," a knight said from outside the door. A citizen opened it and walked out reassuring that it was okay for them to go out as well. Everyone rushed out to see the aftermath of the battle. Some houses had broken roofs, windows, doors, and a few things got burnt down. A few knights were getting treated by healers while the rest helped carry the few that died in battle. Corona silently sobbed throughout those hours of hiding and finally seeing the outside made her feel a bit better. Meir patted her back and walked towards one of the knights. One of them took their helmet off and pointed at a pathway leading to the cemetery. Meir jumped a little but nervously walked back and told Hamal and Corona that Elizabeth was at the cemetery burying Reid. They walked towards the path that was filled with all sorts of flowers. Corona decided to pick some up knowing that they were visiting her father's grave. "It's convenient," Meir quietly stated. Elder Hamal flicked his forehead and opened the small gate. They entered and saw Elizabeth kneeling by a tree.

"Lady Elizabeth!" Meir exclaimed. Elizabeth stood up trying to wipe away a few tears. Corona walked up to his grave placing the few flowers she had. Afterwards, she broke down crying as Elizabeth hugged her and comforted her. Hamal looked down saying a few words like "He was a good man," or "He did his best raising such a wonderful child." The small speeches and loud cries were then replaced by silence. After a few hours of mourning, they left the cemetery to help out the townspeople. While walking back to town, Meir tried to lighten up the mood, and Elder Hamal would scold his every attempt. Corona slightly giggled, but she still didn't understand much. All she knew was that her father was in a better place, and that grieving too long would have made him sad. "Corona why don't you come stay with me?" Elizabeth asked holding her hand. Corona nodded and hugged her. "I'll help you pack," Elizabeth said hugging her back.

•••

A few days had passed and the news spread quickly about Reid. Since he was known for discovering the star's disappearances, King Aaron gave Corona a small gift and announced a speech in the square about Reid and his services to the kingdom along with the others who had died in the attack. As soon a they got home, Corona quickly opened the gift. It was a badge made of gold that had a picture of wings, and her father's name surrounding it. A letter was attached to the badge and part of it said "Your father didn't accept that badge when he first discovered the missing stars because he said he had already received the greatest reward of all." Corona didn't quite understand and looked up at Elizabeth. "I'm sure that he meant that you were his greatest reward, kid," Elizabeth smiled. Corona started crying and Elizabeth patted her back. "It's alright, Corona, he's grinning down on us somewhere up there." A knock came upon their door and Elizabeth went to go check on who it is.

"Grandpa, what brings you here?"

"We need to discuss some important matters," he replied.

Elizabeth nodded and motioned for him to come in. Corona noticed Elder Hamal, so she ran to him and gave him a hug. "Haha, hello Corona," he said, "heres some fruit. Meir picked a few of them today." Corona smiled and went to the kitchen to put them away.

"Where is that little twerp anyway?" Elizabeth asked. "He's at the orphanage helping with chores," the elder laughed. "Well his fault for sneaking out and worrying Miss Fawn during the attack." Hamal took a seat in the living room while Elizabeth made tea. Corona ran by and waved at the elder as she went upstairs to her room. "So what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Elizabeth said walking in. "I don't think its safe for you two to stay in this town any longer," the elder warned.

"Why not?"

"Those monsters that attacked are called Dusks, they only attack when the darkness reaches to a certain area, and that area is where this town stands." The elder firmly placed a pocket watch on the table. "This is for Corona," the elder said,"don't give it to her until she is older."

"Wait, I don't understand, what does that have to do with anything?" Elizabeth asked. "Corona is destined for something more and I'm sure Reid knew that too." Hamal explained, "These attacks won't stop now that the darkness has reached us, so please..." Elizabeth couldn't disagree with her grandfather. He was always creepily right about everything that has happened. Sometimes Elizabeth didn't understand so she would just follow his orders.

"What about you and everyone else in this town?" she asked a bit worried.

"The king plans on building a strong defense and strong walls to repel the Dusks."

"But that would take ages."

"Thats why I must stay and help," the elder sighed.

Elizabeth had no choice but to listen to him. She knew her grandfather was too stubborn to convince. She sighed and gave him a hug. "Be careful," she muttered. After that, the elder got up and walked towards the door. "Don't lose that pocket watch, so keep it somewhere safe," the elder said, "and remember this, once you move, there's no turning back. One day, a stranger will appear claiming knowledge of regaining the light, so keep that in mind." With that he left leaving Elizabeth astonished.