Rose Fall

Introduction

I was a princess made of ashes; there is nothing left of me to burn.

Now it's time for a queen to rise.

~Laura Sebastian, author of ASH PRINCESS

Note: This is inspired by City Of The Fallen by @diamondsandopals. The parts that are similar do not belong to us.

Once upon a time... these are probably the most magical words the world has ever known. They are a gateway into the greatest stories ever told, an immediate calling to anyone who hears them, into a place where everyone is welcome and anything can happen. Mice can become men, maids can become princesses, and true love's kiss can save them all...

But, of course, those are the once upon a time of a fairytale. A mere story, a tale meant to lull little children to sleep on stormy, noisy nights. The true once upon a time of actual stories are very, very different.

"Dong... dong...dong..." As the clock struck midnight- the thin, simple needle finally clicking back into place after a long day- tolling bells echoed and chimed, reverberating throughout the town and stirring awake any restless souls.

It was a deep, dark night.

The sky was a plain, never-ending canopy of inky darkness that would have swathed the world in shadows if not for the luminous orb of moon, a ball of fizzy light that was just enough to give the town a delicate, ghostly white hue.

There were the stars, too, birthstone-blue pinpricks of light like sequins sewn onto a mourning gown. Like beacons of hope for all the lost souls in the world.

And the young red-haired maiden racing through the eerie blackness certainly held onto that hope.

Everything else around her seemed to shun the girl for even trying. Seemed to scream at her to just give up. But they all knew she was far from such a thing. She would try and try and try some more until failure finally announced itself.

The lampposts were still flickering on, and the lingering warmth and brightness in the atmosphere made the darkness seem like it was breathing. A monster that would gobble up all the good guys. The Breeze swayed by her side, ruffling her skirts and hair, like a pesky child determined to shove her in wrong direction.

But yet the girl bolted her way in, her own fiery curls a personal red carpet. Breathless now, she panted like a dog- just without the tongue lolling out-and reached out unsteadily to slam her hand against the door.

The cottage that she stood in front of was, to say the least, sweet. It was built of a glowing type of wood, with flowers laced all over, some like a cloudless sky, some like a pale, muted sunset, some a dark, wine-red... Basically, the type of house that you would expect some good Samaritans to live in.

Newlyweds with radiant grins, maybe?

Or a young lady who had just become an adult?

But no. Instead, a witch flung open the door with an ugly, furious scowl on her face. "Who dares interrupt my peace and quiet?!" she growled, teeth bared ferally. When she caught sight of the redhead girl though, her face softened. "Well, well little Aveline! You should've removed your hood- else I would have left you out in the cold the whole time! Come in, now."

Aveline looked back impassively at the excited witch. "I'm sorry, Mother," she said, voice betraying her and making it evident that she wasn't sorry at all. "I only came here to tell you that I'm taking the challenge. Again."

The old hag stared at her eldest daughter with wide, astounded eyes. "Are you stupid, Avey? You barely survived the last round-you can't possibly-"

"Allison is my priority," Aveline cut in with a calm like stone columns. Her Mother, recognising the determination, shook her head. On the other hand, the young lady smiled triumphantly, sticking out a palm laden with goods- gold bangles, ruby necklaces... All the shiny things her mother coveted.

But to her surprise, the witch shook her head.

"I want something else this time," she demanded firmly. "What use are jewels to me? I want someone who can work, clean, cook... Someone I can love like my own."

Dread pooled in Aveline's eyes as her hand strayed to her stomach, that already carried the first stirrings of new life.

"I want your child."

Aveline felt as if someone had erased all the breath in her lungs, all the spring in her step, as she stared, mouth agape like a fish out of her water, at the woman who had raised her. "You...you..."

The old hag remained firm. "I named my price, Avey. Take it or no."

Allison is waiting for you.

"I-I'll do it, all right?" she gasped, one hand cupping her belly. "But you can die knowing I will forever hate you!"

Her Mother gazed at her with tearful eyes. "You never loved me anyway. You and Allison both."

Then she slammed the door in Aveline's face.

*

"I'm coming for you, Allison!" she yelled like a banshee, zipping through the tangled undergrowth and wild, scratchy thornbushes. Branches snagged on her clothes and crimson blood oozed out from more than one wound, but Aveline kept on going.

For five hours already, she had done what no simple human could do- survived a vicious video game, hunted down the world's strongest and scariest creature, battled with witches and wizards- and now she was at the final part.

Making her way to Allison and opening the slippery oiled glass door.

This was where she had failed previously.

She strained her eyes, desperate to see her sister's silhouette in the glass cylinder. The closer it was to sunrise, the more Allison would fade, and when the sun had reached its peak- Allison wouldn't exist any longer.

"I'm coming!"

I'm coming I'm coming I'm coming.

Her words echoed, annoyingly, mockingly. She scowled, trying not to pay too much attention as she finally slammed her hands on the door.

"You're here, Avey," Allison cheered weakly. Aveline's heart ached like it had been yanked into two at the sight of her Sister. Strong, fierce, and steady had morphed into simple fragile. She looked like even a mere Breeze could send her sprawling. "I don't feel too good, though..."

Aveline tried to lift the door up, her hands sliding, futile, against the eel-like glass. "I'm trying, Alli, but it's hard..."

Her hands slipped again, and she unconsciously let out a string of curses.

Again and again and again.

It was about an hour later when the door finally gave way, revealing just enough of a gap for Allison to escape through. "Alli, I did it!"she screamed, pumping her fist.

Silence was her only reply.

Then: "Avey...I don't think I'm destined to live."

Seconds later, despite Aveline's desperate cries, Allison Solamore left this world.