Over Again

2

Gasps are heard in the noble faction of the crowd. "This can't be true..." Murmured a few people. Along with other exclamations about the matter. They hushed down again before the King spoke.

"Now the real Elizibeth is here to say something to you all." He announced. The crowd cheered and applauded. She smiled 'sadly' and began her speech.

"Now, as you all know my identity was stolen by that wench!" She points in the direction of my substitute. "But, you must also know of her other terrible deeds!" Everyone sits in confused silence.

"That woman killed her family, then hid from authorities. She stole many things from my family, including the jewelry, carriage, and dowry which I was to use for the king." Her angry voice resonated through the crowd.

There was complete silence for a while before the crowd roared in outrage. People began to chant for the guillotine to be dropped. "Kill her! Kill her!" They repeated.

Thirty seconds later, the blade was dropped and her head was detached from her body. Screams of frantic joy spread. Cheers and laughter rung. So many people were so happy. The body was dragged through the square.

The guards faces were slightly lifted, and would lift more every time someone kicked the corpse they were dragging. I silently left the castle, a ghost of a smile on my face. My cheer was obvious, though not shown.

I ran through the streets, dressed as a boy. My slightly smiling face lifted more and more as the wind blew through my short hair. My hood slid off and my laughter began to fill the air. I laughed for the first time in so, so long, that I had almost forgotten how it felt.

It felt like a dam had been broken, allowing all of my emotions to spill out. The leak increasing in size until my being was flooded with feelings. Tears streamed down my face as I sped up. My joy was almost uncontrollable.

****

The townspeople smiled at the boy whose laughing was so light and rich. Some people's hearts clenched in joy, while others felt uplifted. They all had one question, who was the boy that laughed so heartily? No one ever saw his face, but they saw his petite body and strangely elegant run.

That day, everyone who heard his laughter felt a little less burdened, and decided to celebrate the day. Every year after that, they'd celebrate with the best food and drink. Presents were passed around, and everyone was always happy.

The day eventually became a holiday called Joyful Solstice, where everyone was free from duties and burden. Nobody ever knew who the boy was, or where he went, but he became a symbol of joy, freedom, and fertility.

****

As my breathing became ragged, I rested in a forest. I had left the capitol city hours ago, but still didn't feel safe until I made it to the forest. I looked around and heard water trickling in the distance.

Following the sound lead me to a beautiful stream. I looked at it to decide if it had any obvious parasites, but it was clean, clear, and hopefully safe. I kneeled down and scooped some water into my mouth. It tasted like heaven, and so I decided to set up camp. I went a bit upstream, to a pool of water, setting my camp up.

I summoned a blanket, a pillow, and a bit of bread. As I chewed on the bread and relaxed into sleep, I smiled. "It's been so long..." I sighed. My vision blurred and faded as I fell asleep peacefully.

****

I awoke to thick forest and shrubbery around me, holding me down. My body panicked and convulsed. I pulled at my limbs, ripping and tearing at the roots and vines. Deep, soft laughter resonated through the forest. My struggle stopped at the calming voice.

"Cince, we shall rejoice, for you have escaped." I started, confused at the words. More joyous laughter resonated through the valley. Confusion rolled off of me in waves. These newly refound emotions felt strange. My voice slid up and out of my throat, forming a question.

"Who are you?" I shouted loudly. The laughter immediately stopped. "What did you say, Cince?" The voice asked carefully. "Who am I?" The voice said slightly forcefully. I flinched at the pressure applied to my life force.

Dark laughter replaced the lightness of the tone. "Corruption has caused you to lose memories, and they will unfortunately, never be recovered." His voice was heavy with emotions. Silence encased us for a moment. "No matter."

The ground rumbled, and trees sunk into it's twisting jowls, replaced with tall, dry grass. The mountains, now bare and rocky, broke from the surface, floating slightly. I stared at the fog between the broken mountains as a figure emerged.

A lurching, yet elegant body appeared. It's smooth form slithering from the fog. Moonlight streamed behind it. The body was so familiar, and I probably knew him before I lost my supposed memories. I could not make out most of the features, just a sihlouette and peircing eyes.

"Now I have a task for you." The voice said.

I shook my head. "I will not." I said stubbornly.

The voice paused. "And why not?" The voice asked, genuinely confused.

"I am finally free from people forcing me into things, I'm free from the shackles that held my emotions down, I'm free from the endless loop of lives and the subsequent deaths."

I stopped talking for a moment, swallowing before I continued. "That is why I won't, I'm done doing others bidding, I'm tired of the pain. I will no longer endure it." I concluded my speech firmly, and the being sighed.

The sigh had a dreary weight to it, and I felt regretful about losing my memories. Maybe I'd have a better understanding of what was happening if I had them.

He seemed so sad, and I wanted to comfort him. "You've changed so much." He said sadly. "I suppose time has changed you as well, huh?" His voice was that of a greiving person, who lost someone dear to them.

"Go, explore, be free for a while." He said as I felt myself be pulled awake.

****

I gasped as I sat up. My body was light and energized. It seemed that I traveled to a special place in my sleep, and it restored my body. I was surprised at my lack of hunger and thirst.

The biggest grin I've ever had split across my face as I set off for my new adventure.

[It seems I've left you with a shorter chapter this time...😅]