Earth was in celebration.
All the people were rejoicing the birth of the new princess, but no one was more joyous than the King and Queen themselves. The Intergalactic Council had decided to visit Earth for this occasion, and as the Head of the Council, King Owen gladly welcomed them.
Earth was the heart of the galaxy. Its flowing waters and lush forests had appealed to many travelers from distant planets, and its unity under one leader made it a safezone for those seeking safe harbor. As such, the planet's King had assumed the role of the Chancellor of the council.
So the princess's birth was a special occasion for all planets.
Finally away from the busy crowds, Queen Marina rocked her child slowly in her arms. She sang her own hand-written lullabies, her soothing voice calming the child until she slept. Queen Marina rarely missed the days before she was Queen, back when her heart was in her music. But the lullabies helped her connect to her past, and it was worth it to see the smile on the princess's face.
Setting the child gently into the crib, Marina sang the sweet melody of a her newest song.
Colors weaving through the sky238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92SIZQKBG7
Little princess close your eyes 238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkRwhbzqsm
Diamonds wrapped around your name238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxQzbvkF4t
Glimmer like a peaceful flame
Sleep, little one238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6teHYN7Nuj
Dark, till morning come238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77gaCbJw3G
Sun, touch the sky238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX01XuYE8aL
So you can open up your eyes.
She'd only gotten to the second verse when a shadow loomed over her. With a gasp, the Queen whirled around, seeing the face that had haunted her for the past sixteen years.
"Lilith." Marina whispered, face pale.
"That would be me." The demon said with a cruel smile. "I was hoping you'd keep singing. It was very lovely." Lilith sneered.
"Do whatever you want to me." Marina said, breathing heavily. A wave of fury washed over her. "But leave my daughter alone."
"As much as I would love to do that," Lilith continued, still smirking. "I came here for revenge, and I will get it."
"If you hurt her..." Marina hissed, hiding a worn-out knife behind her back. "I will hurt you too." She raised the knife slowly.
"Hmm. I like you, so guess I'll spare you." Lilith said. "But I can't risk you ruining my plans. So you will never move again." With a wave of her hand, Lilith cast a spell on Marina, slowly petrifying her.
Unable to lift her feet, Marina looked in horror as stone began to spread across her legs, freezing her until she was nothing but a decorative statue.
"You took sixteen years from me." Lilith said. "So I believe it's only fair to do the same to you. More specifically, your daughter."
The magic sparking from her hand began to take a new form. A crystal hourglass, elegant, but dangerous.
"On the child's sixteenth birthday, her world will go dark, and she will never wake again." Lilith planted the Hourglass in the Queen's stone hands. "You can use this to count the time."
As the Demon Queen disappeared, the echoes of her cackle filled the halls, freezing anyone close enough to hear it.
But no one could warn the King.
Lilith's plan was finally coming together.
The unsuspecting guests gathered in the great hall. King Owen sat in the throne, waiting for Marina.
Two stunningly radiant creatures approached the King. The Oracles. Beings of divine power, whose species had been decimated by the Demon Queen all those years ago. The sisters were all that remained. Sybilla, the oldest, was calm and understanding, her wisdom incomparable. Sandra, the youngest, was bright and creative, able to lighten the mood of any room just with her presence.
Both had infinite knowlege of the future, and both were very loyal allies of the council.
They'd come to the celebration to offer gifts to the young princess, and unique insight into her future.
After Sandra offered the gift of courage, Sybilla's gaze fell to the ground. Bad news.
Tense, King Owen let in a shuddering breath. "What did you see?" He asked, hiding the shakiness of his voice.
"There is darkness in young Aurora's future." Sybilla whispered.
"What sort of darkness?" King Owen asked.
A sinister laugh pierced the room as all of the candles in the room suddenly went out, their flame coming back as a threatening purple. A familar shadow was cast through the entrance as Lilith walked in.
"Me." Lilith answered, murder in her eyes.
Owen had to warn his wife. Where was she?
"MARINA!" He yelled, turning towards the hall.
"If you're planning on telling her to run," Lilith sneered. "I'm afraid that's beyond her current range of movement."
"Lilith." Sandra hissed, clenching her fists. Sybilla held her back gently.
"Didn't there used to be more of you?" Lilith said mockingly.
Sybilla hushed her sister, taking her to the princess's room;
"What have you done?!" Owen demanded.
"I have punished those who deserved it." Lilith snarled. "And because of you, your daughter won't have a future."
"You monster." Owen hissed.
"I have come to offer a compromise." Lilith said, calming. "Give me some of your people, and I will undo the curses on your wife and daughter."
"I will not allow you to kill any of my people for your petty vengeance." Owen snarled.
"Kill them? No." Lilith said with a laugh. "I want to turn them into my army. My subjects. Think of it as an improvement. They'll be very grateful."
Owen was too afraid to speak.
"I will return at midnight. You have until then to decide."
Owen had refused Lilith for the last time. It was midnight already and he was making a very pathetic attempt to change her mind.
He had not satisfied her with any of his offers, and he would be punished.
This time, he would not be able to stop her.
"You have failed to meet my reasonable demands." Lilith said, glaring contemply at the King. "And your daughter will suffer for this."
"You are a vile creature," Owen spat, seething. "And for that, you will always be alone."
Lilith laughed. "Oh I'm quite alright with that," She said with a smirk. "But you? You will never be able to trap me again."
"We'll see about that." Muttered Owen.
Still smirking, Lilith harnessed her power, letting it flow into her palm. "King Owen, you have abused your power long enough. So as of this moment, you no longer exist."
The power traveled from her palm, flooding into the King, stripping him of the ability to fight back and transforming him into something horrific. Rounded ears were replaced with blood-red horns, and pale skin with midnight-purple scales.
The first subject of her new nation, but more importantly, her puppet. Her toy. She was going to enjoy playing with him.
She turned away from the mindless creature before her.
"Right then, let's get to work."
"Sister," Sandra said, voice barely a whisper. "Earth has fallen. We must take matters into our own hands."
Sybilla glanced at the infant princess, still sleeping peacefully. Completely unaware that everything she had was gone. Sybilla took a calming breath. "We must raise the princess ourselves."
"But sister," Sandra whispered. "We don't know how to raise royalty."
"That may be true Sandra." Sybilla said calmly. "But the universe does not need a princess right now."
She looked back at the princess one last time.
"It needs a warrior."
