Silhouette of the Labyrinth

Chapter One

Authors Note:

The only characters I own are Nova, the King, Vela, and Jace. This story is rated R for future reasons. I will post a warning before every chapter that contains R rated material. This one, however, does not. Do enjoy! Xx

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And they danced. The shadow king stands tall at his thrown, watching the marvellous party prosper in front of him. Pride fills his eyes as his loving gaze falls on his beautiful daughter. She twirls, causing her black dress to flow out around her. Nova is beautiful, there is no doubt. Her dark locks frame her pale face perfectly, her full figure is eye catching, and her voice is like a never ending melody that anyone would be blessed to endure. She is a gift to the Shadow King, and a perfect silhouette that all the young girls of the kingdom look up to.

"Nova!" Cries a small blonde silhouette. The Princess turns with a smile on her face, recognising the voice of her little sister. Vela jumps into her sisters arms, giggling.

"How are you enjoying the party?" Asks Nova, kneeling down in front of Vela. A wider smile forms on the latter's face.

"It's beautiful!" She cries. "I just wish the other kingdoms could be here to enjoy it." Nova's smile falters a bit, but she's quick to cover it up.

"As do I." She says halfheartedly. She has always admired Vela's hope that all of the kingdoms will unite in harmony, and she hasn't the heart to tell her that it is a hopeless dream. "Go on, my dear. Dance the night away. Merlin knows there will not be another party for at least one year." Vela nods her head and scurries off to a group of small girls.

"Princess, you are needed in the main hall." Says a deep voice, making Nova stand up a little straighter. She turns around to see one of her father's most trusted knights, Jace, looking at her with a certain authority.

"On what grounds?" Nova asks, tilting her head slightly.

"I was not told, forgive me." He says. "I will demand the visitor to leave the kingdom immediately."

"Visitor?" She stops Jace just before he turns away from her. Nova has not had a visitor since her mother was alive.

"Yes, my lady." He responds.

"Thank you, Jace." She nods, exiting the ballroom in sort of a hurry. Visitor. Who would be here to visit her? Nova stops just before entering the main hall and runs her hands down her dress, an attempt to rid any wrinkles. She then pushes open the double doors and walks in slowly, as if she was not just running through the castle. Nova looks around to find no one. She looks behind the doors, around every corner, she even looks behind the small plants that sit against the walls. No one. She clears her throat. "Hello?" Her soft voice echoes through the empty hall, only for no one to respond. A huff then escapes her pink lips as she returns to the elegant ballroom with intention of telling the knight Jace that he caused her run all of that way for no apparent reason. She pushes open the ballroom doors and stops dead in her tracks. Tables are flipped, the King's thrown in torn apart, and her father lies in the centre of the room with his arms over his head, as if protecting himself from something. "F-father?" Nova stutters, running to the distraught man. "Where is everyone? What's happened? Where is Vela?" Her voice comes out panicked as her surrounding begin to engulf her emotions.

"They.. They all left when he came."

"He? Who's he father?"

The King then rises and points to his destroyed thrown. Nova notices a note has been left on the rubble, and it has her name written on it in elegant hand writing. She runs to the thrown and grabs the folded parchment.

Precious Shadow Princess,

As you may have noticed, you've had a visitor on this fine evening. You also may have noticed that your darling sister is no longer present. She is with me, safe and sound; do not worry. Although, If you wish to have her back, a certain silhouette must run my labyrinth. I will see you in exactly one hour.

With love, The Goblin King

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Short chapter, my apologies. The story will progress within the next few chapters. Please tell me what you think so far in the comments and any suggestions you have to improve my writing would be appreciated. Thank you so much for reading.

- SH