Rhapsody Legendia

                    A woeful tale of myths and magic by: Richard James Russell

An oft-used phrase to begin a story of years past is “once upon a time.” However, it is this story in particular that one feels had a lasting effect and morals that still affect today. So it is with this story that one will not say “once upon a time”, but will begin the story with “in bleaker years” to describe the despair and darkness of the story setting that one remembers even to this day. For to one such as I, it seems as only yesterday.
In bleaker years, there was a kingdom. The kingdom of Rhapsody, as it was called, was a large kingdom ruled by a princess with a fair, but firm, hand. The Princess’ name was Marin, and she was, without exception, the fairest maiden within the boundaries of the kingdom. She had long ebony hair and dark brown eyes that appeared to look directly into your soul. Her cool head and fair judgment had kept her kingdom strong through famine, and merely her sight boosted the morale of troops during the war seven years previous.
However, it would be at this time that a new threat would surface. The threat of ever-pervading darkness; darkness by the name of Thrall. Thrall was the ruler of the neighboring kingdom, and had access to and mastery over shadow magic. His magic was strong, and grew continuously without end. He was a large man who, in fits of paranoia, convinced himself he constantly needed to wear a large suit of enchanted armor. Indeed, Thrall only removed this armor to bathe, and not even to sleep.
“Get in position, men!” a general clad in shining armor screamed, rushing to the front of the throne room to protect his Princess. Fifteen or so soldiers, including the general, lined up to the entrance of the throne room, awaiting contact from the enemy. The ‘twilight’, as they were referred to as, had taken over most of Castle Rhapsody from the bottom up. Swiftly pervading to the top of the structure, they had killed every man, woman, and child that dared to stand in their way. “Men...here they come…be at thy strongest!” No sooner had the general spoken these words than a dark cloud of mist entered the throne room, bursting open through the gigantic doors.
An ebony beast sprang from the darkness, grabbing a singular soldier with large, black fingers. This beast was skinny and lanky, with a black body and a disturbing and arcane red symbol on its underbelly. The head of the beast was peculiar, as it was almost entirely flat and circular and had long strands of shadow, almost as though hair, sprouting from it. Seven beasts then shot out from the dark mists, laying waste to the soldiers that were the last line of defense. Princess Marin, holding a small sword in her hand, watched the scene from in front of her throne, absolutely horrified. She did, however, stand her ground and ready her sword to fight until the end for her kingdom. Thrall, suited in his magic battle armor of choice, stepped out of the mist with grandeur. He approached the throne calmly and slowly, and upon reaching the throne, mocked a bow to Marin.
“It is time for you to choose Princess” Thrall uttered from behind his helm, his voice as harsh and guttural as hell itself. “To live…or to die. You may surrender and I will see no reason to continue bloodshed…or you can fight…and you and your people will die. It is your choice, Your Highness” Thrall finished, almost spitting the last two words out with incomprehensible malice.
Marin hesitated for a moment, but bowed her head to the suited man and dropped her sword. Almost instantaneously, the shadow beasts roared and Thrall began to laugh maniacally. Thrall grabbed hold of Princess Marin and cast her aside, sitting on the throne himself. The moment he touched the throne, an overwhelming amount of magic burst from him, escaping out of the castle and covering the entire castle town surrounding Castle Rhapsody in a blanket of Twilight magic.
In the Castle Town itself, a young boy named Animus was very near to realizing his destiny. At the ripe age of 17, Animus was a merchant’s apprentice, and ran jobs to retrieve and deliver goods. He was a handsome boy, with auburn hair and the blue eyes of a beast. Being of slightly above average height and muscular build, Animus was a constant object of affection for the town girls. However, he was born without parents to call his own, and was taken in by the merchant himself. The only difficulty was Animus’ inability to speak. He was born a mute and as such, was used to taking orders, not giving them.
On one particular errand for his master, Animus returned to the Castle Town only to find that a mist the color of the twilight sun pervaded it.  Puzzled, Animus approached, but did not stray into the mist. After a minute or so, curiosity got the better of him and Animus reached out to touch the thick fog.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you…” said a husky voice from behind him. As Animus whirled around in shock, he was relieved to see the merchant himself standing there in front of him. “I’ve always told you, boy. You’re either incredibly courageous, or immensely stupid.” The merchant took in the sight of the Twilight. “Looking at what you were about to do, it is very apparent which one prevailed.” Animus shot the merchant a glance of surprise, however the merchant ignored this. “I had a feeling this day would come, and I am prepared. Did you get the order from the place I specified?” Nodding his head, Animus drew a long wooden box from strapped to his back. “Ah, good, good. Open it up. It was for you.”
Animus clicked open the two locks on the box, and removed the contents. A shining sword with a royal blue hilt glimmered in Animus’ left hand. Animus, shocked, looked at the Merchant, his eyes full of questions. “That blade is magical,” the merchant explained, surveying the Twilight yet again. “It has the properties to protect you from the Twilight, and is the only known weapon capable of killing the shadow beasts that Thrall employs. You do know of Thrall, don’t you? A few days ago, after I sent you out to collect this blade, the neighboring kingdom invaded. It is because of Thrall that this deadly blanket of darkness exists. With this sword, you must destroy him and bring Princess Marin back to the throne. You must.”
Animus merely nodded, wondering at the blade. He had heard enough, and knew what he had to do. He was no stranger with a blade, practicing constantly so that he may one day become a soldier of the Rhapsody army. Animus swirled around and brought the sword back, slicing in a large arc through the Twilight. In a flash of energy, the Twilight parted to make a rip in the mist, allowing entry. Animus boldly stepped forward into the mist, and as soon as he crossed the threshold, the mist returned in place, blocking any hope for escape.
On the other side of the Twilight, all was normal, as surprising as it was for Animus. The natural color of the sun somehow reflected upon the world around him. Buildings were in place, and even the fountain in the town square was perfectly in its rightful position. However, something was amiss. There were no people, nor animals, nor was there anything to speak of to disturb the eerie silence that hung over the town. There were no animals, no smells of food from the bakery, and no distant clanging noises from the masonry. All that was in this forgotten town was the giant castle, looming in the distance.
Animus walked through the lonely town, making his way to the castle at a cautious pace, just in case anything were to jump out at him. However, nothing did jump out at Animus, and he reached the castle gates without a large amount of effort. Pushing the heavy gates open with his shoulder, Animus slipped in as soon as he had made a large enough crack.
The castle’s main hall was grand, with large chandeliers with real crystals and candles made of the finest wax. A long carpet was spread out along the floor, leading to a grand set of marble steps. Heading up the stairway, Animus looked at the family crest, which bore a lion, raven, and snake, which represented the trinity of the goddesses. Courage, Intelligence, and Vigor were the three qualities the three goddesses were said to possess. Each goddess had left their quality in one human being, or so the legend went.
Animus continued up multiple staircases with vigor, reaching the third, fourth, and finally the fifth floor of the castle. The throne room, as it were. Standing outside, Animus was shaking, fearing the battle ahead. He took a few breaths and steeled himself before kicking open the doors to the throne room, magical blade in both hands.
At the front of the room, in the throne, was no less than Princess Marin herself. Animus rushed forward, and Princess Marin lifted her head in surprise at the sound of footsteps. “Ah! Who are you?” she exclaimed, attempting to rise from her chair, but being restrained by shackles binding her arms and legs. Animus, motioned for her to pull up on her restraints so that he could get a clear shot, and he sliced clean through her shackles. Then, grabbing her hand, he turned around and began to make for the door. However, the princess would not budge. Animus turned to see what was wrong, and Princess Marin had a knife drawn, ready to run him through. In shock, Animus jumped backwards away from the Princess.
“…..Ha” muttered the Princess, a harsh and guttural voice overshadowing her own. “You foolish little mortal. Coming in here, waving that little blade around…hoping to save the princess…Pathetic!” The Princess, possessed by Thrall, began to circle around Animus. “And indeed…you might be able to. But I have merged our souls into one. To kill me…you’d have to run her through! And even then…my soul would just pass into the body of the one who killed my last host! You’ve got no choice, hero. No options” Thrall continued, getting ever closer to Animus. “This kingdom is mine, and mine alone. The sweet serenity that is Twilight is all that this world, and myself, need. So be gone! Leave me be…lest you wish to be torn from this mortal coil…”
Upon hearing these daunting words, Animus was again shaking. However, he solidified his resolve and brought his sword defensively in front of him. A task had been given to him, and he would see it through. Thrall only laughed, reaching down into his shadow and retrieving a blade from seemingly nowhere. “If this is truly the way you want to end your life, boy…” Thrall leapt forward, bring his blade downward. Animus swiped at Thrall’s weapon, and the light emanting from his blade dissolved Thrall’s instantly. As this threw him off balance, Thrall fell to the ground. Animus walked over to the princess’s possessed body and raised his sword. “Wait!” came a shriek from Thrall. “Remember…kill me, and the princess dies along with me! And even if you killed her, I would just go to possess you, as the murderer!” Animus hesitated, and that was all Thrall needed.
Kicking him to the ground, Thrall jumped on Animus and brought his hand to Animus’ throat, almost as if the cold grip of death himself was choking him.  With his life failing him, Animus thought of only one thing he could do. Utilizing the last of his strength, Animus brought his blade above Thrall’s body, and thrust it down, piercing through the breast of both of them.
Animus smiled faintly as his vision blackened, and the sounds of Thrall screaming slowly faded away. Outside, the Twilight mist faded away, and it was as though lifting a shroud. The people appeared and began to act as though nothing happened, for they could not remember it. The merchant stood outside his store, feeling forlorn, yet victorious. “That boy…he’s brave…I’ll give him that.” Inside the castle however, soldiers rushed to the throne room, only to find the body of the princess and the body of an unknown young man impaled upon the same sword, with a royal blue hilt. A new heir was found, the cousin of Princess Marin, and this new Prince ran the kingdom just as well as the previous ruler.
The threat of the Twilight was crushed, and the kingdom was saved. It is here, where one might say ‘the end’ or that ‘they lived happily ever after.’ But neither of these is befitting. But I will tell you, I was wrong about that boy. He was incredibly courageous…and anything but stupid.