Twisted Destiny

Part 21 - Sentiment

The Sun started its slow arc, rising over everybody, touching every area in Virago. It was beautiful, how it started to wipe away traces of darkness, painting the sky with color. A beautiful landscape, one that could never be captured by even the most masterful painter's brushes, or the most talented poet's words. Something that you could only experience seeing through your own eyes, and with it, the hope and renewal that it brought along with a new day. That beautiful, golden orb that would start its path in the sky, bringing along new life, new achievements, and new experiences. 

With the new sunrise, there would always come many new sentiments, filling up each person. On the era of this day though, it was going to be different. Everyone in Virago could feel it. The new sunrise, as it started to peak over the horizon instead brought dread, and fear of the day to come. It touched the deepest region of the people, as they knew what the new light meant. The new day meant war. The dreaded war, that had always been on their people's minds. The war, fought against the gods, with new leaders and tactics. One that mankind had never seen, one that would bring death and destruction. 

The people could feel it, and they felt the negativity surrounding it. From a lone princess, sitting in her window, watching the sunset, as panic and melancholy coursed through her veins. A war-torn, heartbroken general. Watching the sun rise as it brought the air of a new era, whether that would be for better or for worse. Knowing of the bloodshed, and tasks that he would be facing as the day fared on. A mage, looking out upon the bloodshed of her land, terrified of what was to come. Terrified, yet determined to fight back, to fight back for her people. A soldier in the army, knowing his duty, proud to fight for his land, yet fearful of what the day may bring. A commoner, living in the capitol, looking up to the castle, wondering what the day may bring. Wondering how the new ruler would sustain, and wondering if they were to be slaughtered. A deer usually seen gracefully prancing through the woods, stood frozen, staring at the sky like all other forest animals at the time. 

As the sun rose, the kingdom of Virago stood still, taking a moment to enjoy the final touches of beauty before the violence and tragedy was set to mark the day. Wondering if they were going to see another dawn, just as beautiful as this one, and unmarked by the horrible traces of war.

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When the final traces of darkness were wiped away from the world, Lantana knew it was time to prepare for the day. She knew time was short, but oddly, watching the beautiful sunrise seemed to take away all negative emotions, and fill her up with positivity for the day to come. Having the good feelings chorus through her veins, she felt that it was a sign that the day would not be as disastrous as the multiple scenarios she had painted in her mind. Feeling the good emotions, she knew that at the very least, they had the Goddess of Hope with them, and hope she was willing to maintain for the upcoming day.

Strolling down to the dining hall, even though the touch of nervousness was in the air, she could see that everyone else also felt the hope that had suddenly washed over her. Frantically rushing around the castle, there were still smiles and laughter, and it was an amazing environment to be in, the perfect environment instead of concentrating on the dreaded war. Smiling at the scene around her, Lantana tried to preserve it in her mind, wanting to be able to look back on it, even when everything may go wrong. She wanted to keep it in her mind, to be able to remind herself that even on the dawn of a catastrophe, people could always be happy, and could always look upon good, no matter how controversial the idea seemed. 

Greeted with rounds of cheer, and much appreciation going through the castle, it was able to greatly lighten Lantana's mood. She wanted to embrace these feelings, and take in one more good morning before it could all be taken away from her in a moment. Even little things seemed to glow with more fervor, and it looked as if the hope and happiness had spread to every single region in Virago, seeping into all the cracks and crevices, taking over the host just as the sunlight had swept over her castle not even an hour ago. Candles burned zeal, the carpets felt much softer than she had ever experienced them before, and the windows shimmered as if they were just polished and brand new. In a blink of an eye though, all the candles in the hall suddenly extinguished, and it was coated in a shroud of darkness. Lantana's pupils dilated, she quickly whipped her head around the room, just in time to land upon a giant stained window, covering from the floor to the ceiling. Dark storm clouds started to roll over the forests, and then, the window shattered into a million, sharp pieces, flying toward Lantana, and embedding herself in her body. Before she had time to panic though, she blinked again, and suddenly, the hall was cloaked in light once again, and looking around, there were no storm clouds, and the window was intact. Cold sweat started to spread over her body, and Lantana's breaths turned short and rapid.