Severed Crown

Hope

Sometimes in tragedy, you find hope. 

Screaming echoed among the village. Hot orange flames rose from buildings, spreading slowly but destructively. Water splashed onto the flames, in an attempt to stop the fires, but the fires only rose and burnt everything in its path.

"Princess Estelle, what do we do? It's only a matter of seconds before the castle burns!" A royal subject frantically called to me, panting and panicking.

"We must evacuate. Grab every civilian as possible and bring them to the top of the hill." I calmly instructed the royal subject.

I was panicking, internally though. My kingdom can't see my fear, for they will have fear, and it will seem like there is no hope. So I stayed calm, so we could all stay hopeful, and stay alive.

I gazed back outside, the flames only becoming bigger.

"Then, Princess, you must get out first. Come with me." The royal subject told me, still frantic, but calmer now that there was a plan.

"No, get the civilians out first, they must survive before I do." I told the royal subject, still peering down below, the flames inching towards the castle.

"But, Princess-" The royal subject started.

"Don't worry about me, please, get everyone out, trust me." I looked at the royal subject, putting a hand on his shoulder. I smiled calmly, finally taking my hand away. He hesitated for a moment, but started running and gathering all of my people together. I watched them head up to the top of the hill. I looked at the flames for a moment before I heard ear piercing screaming. Picking up my dress, I ran out of the castle, onto the cobblestone bridge that lead to the village. I looked up to the top of the hill, seeing my people being slaughtered by a dark figure. I dropped my dress, feeling tears sting in my eyes. Heads from my people rolled down the hill, into the hot flames. Tears finally seeped out of my eyes, rolling down my cheeks onto the ground. My legs finally gave out, and I was on my knees, holding my body up with my hands. Pain filled every part of my body, overflowing finally when I screamed as loud as I could. I screamed for my people, my kingdom, that was now all dead.

Although it seemed as if there was no hope, there still was.

All my pain was finally let out, and all there was now was anger, and an itching for revenge.

Running into the weapon room, I grabbed my sword, crafted with powerful crystals and an insanely sharp blade. I tore off my dress, frantically putting on a white bell-sleeved blouse with brown leather pants and knee-high leather boots. Along with a brown corset, that I didn't have time to take off. Grabbing my sword, I put it into a pocket in the pants that were meant for swords. I finally took off, running away from my kingdom.

I traveled until I finally saw the sun rise above the horizon. I seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, where there were no trees, life, hills, or even grass. I was incredibly thirsty but there had been no water in sight.

Hours upon hours passed, until the day was at its hottest point. I was starving, hot, tired, and thirsty. I frustratedly kicked a rock and screamed once again. I finally laid down on the ground, hoping my life would come to an end soon.

I closed my eyes, hoping I would wake up to a whole new life.

"Hello? Miss?" A deep voice called. I finally opened my eyes back up, a dark-haired boy looking down at me.

"Oh! You're alive!" The boy smiled at me, backing away and extending his hand down to me.

"I can get up myself." I snapped at him, attempting to stand up, but I fell back down. Scoffing, I tried again.. And again, and again..