Chapter II : The shadow of the Knight
608 Words
The kingdom of Auroria slowly awakened under the gentle veil of morning. In the castle's inner courtyard, servants were already bustling about, carrying baskets of fresh linens, aromatic herbs, and small baskets of fruits picked at dawn.
Elara walked among them, a calming smile on her lips. She loved this time of day when every stone seemed still imbued with the coolness of the night, when life settled into place before the heavy responsibilities of the day weighed upon her shoulders.
"Good morning, Princess!" called out a young gardener while trimming a rose bush.
"Good morning, Thomas! These roses are beautiful, as always."
He blushed, lowering his eyes with a shy smile. Elara continued her walk, stopping here and there to exchange a few words with the artisans and servants. Each familiar face brought her a bit more comfort, reassuring her of the stability of her little world.
Yet, as she turned down a shaded corridor, a strange sensation washed over her. It was as if an elusive yet undeniable gaze rested upon her. The air felt thicker, almost electric. She spun around abruptly. Nothing. Just the silence of ancient stones and a light breeze that made the torch flames flicker.
"That's ridiculous..." she murmured, shaking her head.
On the other side of the corridor, hidden in the shadow of an archway, Sans observed the young princess with a mix of amusement and seriousness. Clad in a dark cloak that partially concealed his skeletal appearance, he looked more like a moving shadow than a knight.
A light mist floated at his feet, giving his silhouette an otherworldly aura. His eye sockets seemed to glow with an intermittent cyan light, as if his gaze pierced beyond the veil of reality.
"Hey, you're going to scare her," murmured a voice beside him.
Sans turned slightly, revealing Papyrus, his younger brother, whose armor gleamed even in the dimness. Unlike Sans, Papyrus made no attempt to hide. His presence brought a strange warmth, like a campfire on a cold night.
"Relax, Papy. I'm just keeping an eye on things."
"Mom Toriel told us to remain discreet. You know our presence here isn't official yet."
Sans shrugged, his eternal smile never leaving his face.
"I know, I know. But... this kid has something special. I just want to make sure she doesn't stumble before things get serious."
Papyrus sighed, but a tender smile stretched across his lips.
"Fine. But try not to make too many waves, okay?"
Sans raised his hand in a mock solemn gesture.
"Promise, cross my bones."
Meanwhile, Elara had reached the royal library. She adored this place, with its shelves as tall as towers and the enchanting smell of ancient books. Sitting by the window, she opened the grimoire her mother had given her, letting her fingers glide over the mysterious symbols.
One page particularly caught her eye: a drawing depicting a skeletal knight, wielding a strange artifact resembling a gaster blaster. The illustration seemed almost alive, as if the very bones vibrated beneath the ink. Ancient letters, nearly faded, whispered secrets she could not understand.
"What a strange coincidence..." she murmured.
In the shadows, still invisible, Sans narrowed his eyes. He could feel the pull of magic emanating from the book. An ancient, dangerous magic... and perhaps linked to their presence here. A slight shiver ran down his bony spine, as if something—or someone—was watching through time and space.
As the sun reached its zenith, Auroria bathed in an apparent tranquility. But beneath the surface, the threads of destiny intertwined, and the story of the princess and her skeletal knight was only just beginning.
- Writer
