Shattered

Prologue: When Light Touches The Earth

        A young girl, no more than nine, ran through the garden out in the castle courtyard that she and a friend so deeply loved. Her hair was long, and a golden blonde that shined perfectly with the rays of the sun. Her smile shined even brighter. She did a little twirl through the colored flowers that lay at her feet, a laugh singing past her lips, and had her arms spread wide on either side of her as if she were going to take off. Her small light blue dress twirled around her with every spin.

She slowed down and came to a gentle stop, gazing back towards the castle as a grin spread across her face. "Cyrus! Come on!"

        "I'm coming Starlit!" A boy of the same age came running towards her, a smile on his own face, an expression so young and glowing that the two could be thought of as the happiest children in the world.

        The boy's hair was short and the color of the night sky, and his eyes glowed silver like the stars that came with it. He wore a long-sleeve blue shirt with a sleeveless brown vest over it, and wore black pants with sandals. The girl waited patiently for her friend, and when he caught up the two ran together through the garden they have spent many a day at, together. They played tag, or hide-and-seek, or explored and discovered many new things. Each day was a brand new adventure to them, and they enjoyed every minute of it.

        By the end of the day, the two would sit at the small pond with it's own mini-waterfall coming out from the rise of the ground that made a small hill, a very narrow stream leading from it and all around the garden. They would watch the sun disappear from the hills beyond, and watch the sky be filled with the amazing colors that came with the sunset. Cyrus always loved this moment, listening to the trinkle of water hitting the pond and sitting next to Starlit, watching the setting sun as a smile crossed his face. But something different happened this time, for he felt something forced into his hand, and turned to look as confusion crossed his features. He saw Starlit holding his hand in both of her's, a grin wide on her face.

        "Happy Birthday." She said, and let go of his hands. Cyrus blinked, then slowly gazed down at his hand and turned it so the palm of it was facing up, uncurling his fingers that were wrapped around the object.

        It was a golden pendant of a thirteen-petaled flower in the feet of an Eagle, and it had it's wings spread wide on either side of it. Cyrus blinked a few times at the pendant, and turned it over carefully in his hands, examining it. Yes, it was pure solid gold, and it was in such great detail. It was almost like the bird was staring right at Cyrus, and he could feel the intimidation and challenge the predator carried. He had trouble holding it's gaze, which was rather silly.

        "What is this?" He asked, glancing at Starlit questionably.

        She smiled. "It's a pendant for you to wear, silly." She pointed at the flower. "This symbolizes goodluck and faith. The Eagle symbolizes leadership, confidence, and freedom. With them together, it will always lead you down the right path and help you move forward, no matter what situation you're in. I think it's meant to help you find the way when you are lost, to keep your hope from dying and protect you from dark thoughts. My mother gave it to me before she died, but I have this feeling that you'll need it more and that you should have it."

        Cyrus immediately shook his head and tried to give it back. "I can't take-"

        Starlit stopped him and pushed his hand to his chest. "No, it's mine and it's my choice, so I decide what to do with it, and I've decided to give it to you." She smiled.

        Cyrus lifted an eyebrow. "And if I decide to give it back?"

        Starlit gave one of her usual grins with a glint in her violet eyes. "Then I'll give it back. It'll just be an endless cycle Cyrus, you might as well take it." Cyrus looked at her curiously for a moment, as if debating it, then drew out a forfeit sigh.