Skyrise

Aftermath

Princess Lilith

     My dad was dead. I just couldn't believe it. I remembered just a few minutes ago, him running off to join the fight, telling me to stay safe. I did. Immediately after helping the enemy, that is. The Skyrisians took all hope from us once again in the form of our king. Cerberus called a family meeting, but nothing was accomplished. The boys never stopped arguing. I managed to eat something, somehow, but the boys... I know for a fact Mephiles didn't, and I don't think Cerberus did. Oh, Spectre? Yeah, I helped him out. I feel more... respect, I guess...for him every time we run into each other. There's just something about his big brown eyes, and his blonde hair, and his cute little accent...you know?

     "GUYS!! COME HERE!!" Cerberus bellowed. I only sighed. Couldn't he just let us mourn quietly? However, he's the new king. I kinda have to obey, don't I?

     "Brother..." Mephiles's voice sounded exhausted. "We can't retaliate. Not yet. We have literally no soldiers."

     "I'LL GO OVER AND EXACT REVENGE MYSELF!!"

     "Brother, aren't you glad Father is gone? You're the new ruler. Isn't that what you always wanted? And... Dad was suffering. You know that. Has it ever occurred to you that he may have wanted to end his life like that?"

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?!"

"Look, I'm just saying..." I heard a crash and rushed in.

When I got into the room, Cerberus was the only one there. "What happened? Where's Mephiles? I heard his voice..."

"HE MADE ME MAD, SO I THREW HIM OUT THE WINDOW."

"W-What?" I couldn't believe it. "Isn't one dead family member enough? Aren't entire regiments of dead soldiers enough? We don't need more casualties!" I screamed. "How could you?! We're family!" I sank to the floor, sobbing with anguish. He may have just killed our brother. "How could you? How could you...?"

"WHO ASKED YOU, SISTER? GO TO YOUR ROOM, WHERE GOOD LADIES BELONG!"

"NO. I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME." I felt my eyes go dark.

I suddenly received a slap across the face. "GO TO YOUR ROOM, YOU LITTLE--!" I wasn't about to let him insult me like that. I attacked! He deflected and ran me out of the room. "YOU'RE NEVER LEAVING THIS CASTLE AGAIN! YOU HEAR ME? NEVER!" I ran down the hallways, furious tears blurring my vision. I'd never see Spectre, or Mephiles if he was still alive. I'd never get married or have kids with anyone. I'll just be stuck here with my... Wait, oh God... I thought. He needs an heir... What's going to happen to me? He wouldn't... Would he? It can't get any worse than this, right? ...oh God...

And that's why I resolved to leave the castle. I snuck out with little resistance. "Mephiles!" I whispered as loud as I dared. "Mephiles!"

"I'm here, Lilith. How did you escape?"

"It wasn't hard. Are you okay?" I asked, finally locating him in the dark.

"Eh... I'm alive."

"I'm so sorry! I just stood there. I could've helped you, but I didn't. I just let him--"

"It's okay. Look. He's dangerous now. We need to get to Skyrise and warn them."

An idea suddenly occurred to me. "What if we didn't need to warn them? Can't we just fix the barrier? The only reason we can get to the other side is because the barrier cracked. If we can get there and reseal the barrier behind us, Cerberus wouldn't be able to follow us there."

"Good idea, but will it work?"

"Yes! I researched it. We only need two members of the royal family. All we have to do is limp there and we can escape!"

"Won't the water on the other side hurt us?"

"We have metal from the armor interlaced in our clothes, remember?" I said, pointing to my battle suit.

"Oh yeah!"

"Come on!" I shouted, smiling.

"Lilith, keep it down or--"

"LILITH?!" We heard a voice from a window above us.

"Run! Go!" Mephiles whispered. I slung his arm over my shoulder. I hope this works. Please, let this work...