Sleeping Nightmare

Prologue

He looked on helplessly as his people were slaughtered, left and right. Sweat trickled down his brow, but he made no effort to wipe it away, his eyes fixated on the desolation that he had brought to his kingdom.

How could it have gone so wrong? How could he have let this happen? It had been his responsibility, and he'd failed. He hadn't been able to keep his people safe.

But he could save one.

Ignoring the ache in his heart that begged him to reconsider, he tore down the halls of the palace, bursting into his daughter's bedroom. The young twelve year old princess was huddled in the corner, her hands over her ears, trying her best to block out the sounds of the war raging outside.

The sight of his frightened little girl broke him even more. "Gina," he whispered, crossing the room and bending in front of her and gently prising her hands away from her ears so she could hear him. "Gina, listen to me. I have something to show you."

She shook her head, her eyes wild with fear. "I'm scared, Father."

"Me too. It's alright to be scared. It is what makes you stronger," he replied, easing her to her feet. "Come with me. We must hurry."

Together, they dashed down the hallway, past the panicked guards and maids, jumping over a pile of debris on the floor that was a broken window. He could feel his daughter's pulse from where he gripped her wrist, beating rapidly.

She panted as they ran. "Father, I can't - " She broke off as he bent down to swing her into his arms and kept running, just like that. A loud rumble was heard as another tower collapsed, and he felt her tremble.

"Nearly there," he forced a confident smile on his face, hiding his true feelings. Hiding what he knew was to come.

Finally, he reached a small, plain door at the end of the hallway. There was nothing grand about it, not like the rest of the palace. But that was what it was meant to be. It was meant to be overlooked, because what it held inside was not meant for the public's eyes.

He set his daughter down on the floor, and took out a set of keys from his pocket before opening the door.

It opened into a tiny, dark cavern, lit only by one sea anemone lying at the bottom of the shallow pool, glowing a radiant aqua. His daughter's eyes brightened with wonder as she leaned over the pool to gaze at the sea anemone, being careful to avoid the stalactites that hung from the ceiling.

"What is this, Father?" her voice echoed loudly in the cavern, and she slapped a hand over her mouth.

He chuckled at her expression. "This is my secret place." He glanced at the sea anemone. It was his secret place - to hide the sea anemones that had been a gift from an immortal sea creature a century ago. Each had been enchanted, infused with a unique power that had different effects. The secret had been passed down from King to King, and they had all sworn a solemn oath that the gifts would not be used unless it was absolutely necessary.

Now, there was only one left.

And it was what he needed. Tears slowly came to his eyes as it hit him - what he was about to do. What he could never take back.

"Gina," he said gently, coaxing her closer towards the pool, "Why don't you pick up that sea anemone?"

"Can I?" she questioned, her voice in awe.

He swallowed back the lump in his throat. "Yes."

Eagerly, too eagerly, she reached into the pool, cupping the sea anemone in one hand before bringing it up to the surface. She turned towards him with her arm outstretched. "Father! Look - " She didn't get to finish her sentence, for her eyes shuttered against her will, and she swayed from side to side, the sea anemone slipping from her grasp, its glow fading.

He caught her before she toppled over into the pool. "Gina?" he asked frantically, but she didn't reply, her chest rising and falling evenly. She was asleep.

The tears fell from his eyes then, as he could no longer them back. He hated himself for what he had done, he wanted more than anything to awaken her again, but he had to put her first.

He had to save her.

He closed his eyes and whispered a prayer. "Please, Holy One, if you can hear me, please. I honour you by offering my daughter, who slumbers as she is graced with your gift, to you. I...I am fighting a losing war. Please, find a way to keep her safe. Please."

He let the last word echo in the darkness of the cavern. Seconds passed. Nothing happened. He let out a sob. Was his sacrifice for nothing?

Then the sea creature appeared in a burst of light. The immortal that had watched over them for so long, the immortal that had never failed them, as long as they respected it. It was an alliance - no, a friendship - that they treasured.

The creature floated above the pool, regarding him and his daughter curiously. It was in the form of a sea lion, but with skin as white as a pearl. "I have heard your call," the creature said, reaching out a fin to gently caress his daughter's head. "I have watched you over the years, my King. You have made many grave mistakes."

His breath hitched, wondering what was coming.

"However, you have been a good man, and for this, I will do as you ask." His daughter floated away from his arms, towards the creature. "She will be safe with me."

He fought to keep his voice from wobbling when he spoke. "When will she awaken?"

"When the time is right." It was a vague answer, but it was enough for him.

"Thank you," he reached out to touch his daughter's hand, and nodded at the creature.

"Farewell, my King," the creature bowed, before another flash of light lit up the cavern. When it faded, both the creature and his daughter were gone.

He kept staring at the place where he'd last seen them, his past tears drying on his face. His eyes were dry now. There would be no more tears. She was safe, and that was what mattered.

She had a second chance.

He walked out of the cavern, locking the door behind him, with his head held high. He joined his people in the fray, drawing out his trusty, wicked sword. He would fight to the death. He would unite with his people.

For one last time.

"Goodbye, Gina," he whispered. "I love you."