The sky was stained red from fire, the clouds are darkening from rising smoke. my eyes were fixated on the macabre painting outside the large window. The sound of screams startled me. All i could smell was smoke and what smelled like rotten eggs. People cried out in fear, some loud, others echoed away in the distance. I stood feet planted, my knees buckling in shock, then i was still so small, a mere child. I didn't understand what to do, or what was going on.

"Princess Kluke!? Where are you? Come to my voice!" A deep voice cried out.

A man's voice was shouting, pleading for me to come out. The shouts only grew louder, until someone pulled me away from the window. I was being dragged for a few steps till i stumbled. Then large hand pulled me up in to large cradled arms. My head fell back and I gazed up at who it was. It was the father of my dear friend Jiro. He was the Grand Knight master of our kingdom, Leader of all of our guards. He was a tall man with a ster face, he always had big furrowed eyebrows, a large nose, and dark eyes I've grown used to calling him uncle. But in this moment, his face was weary and lined. his eyes slightly bloodshot, and heavy sweat poured from his forehead.

I felt so scared.

"Uncle, what's going on? wheres my mom and dad?" I whimpered to him.

"It's going to be ok Princess kluke, we are getting out of the palace to somewhere safe." He assured me.

I closed my eyes tight and hid my face into the crook of his neck.

"You!" a man bellowed "Stop in the name of the Grand Kingdom!"

I slowly creeped my head out peaking ahead, a large man in a dark mask, he wore body armour, black gloves, leather boots, and there, in the center of his chest, a red circle with horns, a black circle in the center of it.

the man drew a thick sword from its sheath strapped to his side.

"Hand over the girl and i'll let you keep your legs!" He shouted at us with a mocking tone.

"My lady, whatever you do not let go, hold on to me tight, okay?" he said in a soothing, calm voice, before shifting me into a one arm cradle, supporting my weight with his forearm and pressing me into his chest, i wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Atta girl." he soothed me, he gently, with his free hand ushered my head into the crook of his neck.

"keep your eyes shut tight, this will all done soon." he told me.

I obeyed and squeezed my eyes closed. Anxiety weighed my chest down. Who is this man? Is he the one with painted the sky red? Is he the one making people scream? What's the Grand kingdom. All i could do was squeeze my knightmaster and cry.

Softly, amongst the sound of chaos, the sound of metal softly scraped, the sound dragged long.

Quickly we accelerated forward, then resistance. I cried out as the sound of metal smashed close to my eyes.

"Give us the girl, Or you can join your King!" The scary man yelled, he was so close i could feel his breath, shivers rolled down my body. What about the King? Wait where's my father gone? don't take him! I fussed but was only met by being pressed tightened, one more lunge and then the sound of something falling.
Thud, clink, and the sound of a heavy ball rolling. Then we were running again

"Everything's okay now, just keep your eyes closed" Uncle assured.

We moved fast, i felt my auburn hair whipping around, i felt us go down some stairs, i could still hear loud booms that shook the ground.

after what felt like mere seconds i felt the pressure of being pressed up to a body release, i felt the cold air against my wet face.

"She's safe, your majesty." Uncle informed.

my knees were weak as a i was placed down on my own two feet. My knees gave way to my own body weight, but in that moment i was quickly whipped up again into a tight embrace.

"Kluke, oh thank god! You're okay thank god!" The sound of a soft voice, the smell of summer roses, and the feel or regal silk and fur. It was my mother who spoke to me. I felt safe again.

"Mommy, I'm scared, please tell me what's going on!" I asked looking around, we were underground, in a dimly lit large cave, the walls where gray and looked wet, there was a musty smell in the air. The walls were mounted with large torches, around me huddled men, women and children, they were whimpering.

"Where is Daddy?" I pleased, i gazed into my mother's eyes, she looked into mine, then they fell down, i felt chills from her broken expression. She could only whimper as her eyebrows pressed forward and her bottom lip quivered. There was a red smear across her forehead and he hair was falling out of her style bun.
"the man, from the grand kingdom said they took him!" i grabbed on my mothers fur shawl. "where is he!" i begged to her. i was only met with silence.

"Kluke, my summer sky. you're going to go stay with Jiro for a while." my mother spoke her breath full of holes, and shaken.

Boom! a large tremor shook the walls interrupting us, debris and water fell. People screamed and knelt down in panic. my Mother pulled me in close, her arms where shaking and her heart beat so fast i felt it against my cheek.

"I love you." she whispered into my ear.

My mother placed me down on me feet and crouched down to eye level.

"Mommy I don't understand, why can't stay here with you?" I pleaded with her.

"My lady, my wife has a carriage prepared outside the east exit, we have to hurry her out of here." My Uncle informed my Mother, his stearn.

"Yes," My mother hugged me tightly." Be safe my little phoenix." my mother kissed my forehead and took out from her pocket a necklace with a crystal birds feather on a gold sting, it was small, it reflected the torch light in a beautiful rainbow of reds. She slowly placed it over my hand around my neck. she brought the crystal to her lips and kissed it.

"keep her safe, phoenix." she quietly prayed into it."It was a gift from your father to me when were first met, it's a good luck charm, it will keep you safe." she stroked my cheek.

Uncle lifted me and started to run down the hall with me. I reached out to my mother and shouted to her. She was smiling at me, but then it faded into a sob as she fell to her knees. I reached my hand towards her!

"Mommy!" i cried in vain.

Down a cave path we ran, there was barely any light, i could faintly feel more tremors and sand dripped down from the ceiling. My eyes hurt, and i felt light headed. We ran for a while, My knight, unspoken the entire time. Farther and father, till a dim light was at the end of a small hole, Jiros father crouched down and passed out. we came into a forest clearing. I could still smell smoke, but there was no screams. no birds or crickets.

"Dear!" a woman's voice broke the silence. i turned and looked straight ahead, there in a small buggy, there was a dark brown wooden carriage, two seats at the front and two at the back. in front where two large black horses. in the front seat was A women. It was jiros Mother, i call her aunty. She had short hair she kept back with a bandana, and i small curl fell across her face.

quickly i was ran over. She had been crying.

"Thank the heavens you're both unhurt. I was beside myself with worry." she said. "I-"

"Princess Kluke!" a voice interrupted her, it was my only friend, Jiro his head poked out from a dark hand mand quilt. His short brown hair, almost grey, was in disarray and his mild blue eyes were wide.

I cried and reached towards him and i was placed next to him in the back seat. He quickly wrapped his quilt around me and hugged as i bawled.

"we have to get moving". Uncle ordered. as he smacked the writings of the already spooked horses and we took off. i turned to look back. off, far away in the distance. a large Black mass stood over the red castle. it wasn't a cloud. I squinted. There on the side was that mark on the mans chest. The red insignia. Grand Kingdom.


That's all i recall from that night, It had been almost 5 years. Jiro is now 11 years old, i follow him closely im 10, soon to be turning 11 that is. Since then we rode many days and nights away. We now live in a small village. Since that time Aunty and Uncle had a small daughter. she was only 3 years old. But she was a good and quiet girl, who liked pretty flowers, and hated snakes. Since that night i had learned the grim truth.

The Grand Kingdom isn't another land, but an army. They are lead by an evil man. His name is used by people in Fear. Nene. He is a cruel and evil man, hell bent on destroying this world. He wants to enslave the human race. He attacked my home because of its large military power. He may have taken my father the kings life. But i was told My mother the Queen lived. That night when the shells first fell it was said Nene Stormed the Castle himself. I was told my father died saving my mother. That he died a hero.I walked towards my room mirror. And stared back at myself. I was small. My hair kept up in a ponytail, My hair was my fathers colour. My mother used to say how beautiful it was. my eyes olive green, her colour. sometimes i stare into them and i see her. my eyes began to water.

"Kluke!" i voice broke my deep thought. "Kluke are you almost ready?" Aunty called for me. Since leaving my home, no one calls me princess anymore, its being kept a secret, now even the Grand Knight Master and his wife only call me Kluke, their daughter has been raised not knowing i was a princess. its because The grand kingdom was looking for me that night. I won't let anyone else get hurt because of me.

"Yes ill be right there!' i answered

i came out the door sliding in my socks on the wooden floor. down the hallway and turned the corner quickly and was met with an impact.

"OWCH! What did I hit?" I asked myself out loud.

"Me, dummy!" Jiro yelled at me rubbing his chin "Mother wanted me to tell to come grab, she made lunch." he said with a bitter tone in his voice

"Yeah." I said rubbing my head where i had wacked into him it throbbed., Jiro lifted himself back up then reached down his arm to help me up. Jiro has become less of a friend and more like a brother, he in secret still calls me princess. every day at sunset he trains with his father. he can already wheeled a sword. something i only dream of. He's grown taller he keeps his hair parted three fourths and his bangs tucked to the sides. he wears a green tunic and a dark undershirt.

"It smells nice" I told Jiro

"Mom is making a cake for the festival tonight," he paused "And your birthday."

"My birthday? It my birthday today?" i asked out myself outloud.

"Yeah how could you forget your own birthday?" jiro said making fun of me

"because i try to forget. The princess birthday is today. I'm just Kluke, if people found out they would be in danger. What if they got hurt?" i asked my voice starting to crack from my sadness.

jiro stopped walking. and grabbed my hand.
"I will always follow you! And you will always be the Princess to me" He said to me, i looked at him his face was so serious, "Klu- Princess, I."

"Are you two coming?" Aunty called up to us. startling me and Jiro.

"Yeah!" we answered in unison.

we raced downstairs, there was Aunty making lunch, our house was small but cute, two stories a 4 small bedrooms, a small kitchen and pretty entrance. The house had a wooden foundation with brick walls, we hung hand made paintings. we walked towards the table together when we heard a knock at the front door.

"Oi!" a young boys voice called.

I knew who it was right away. I smiled and ran towards the door. On the other side was my friend Shu. a ruff and brash boy, a Native to this village. He had large crazy spiky bangs, and tried to keep the rest tied back into a pinecone like ponytail.

"Hiya Kluke! Happy birthday!" he greeted me with a big grin. "Can i come in?" he asked.

"Aunty its Shu! can he join us for lunch?" i asked.

"Of course, i was kinda expecting it at this point." she said to me

We walked back to the table and all sat down together, Aunty kindly brought us all some food.


Let's be Frank, i don't really like Shu. I esspecally don't like the way he talks to the Princess. I've known her way longer than he hes, and he decided that they are already friends so quick.

"So Kluke" Shu said then taking a bite of his sandwich, chewing then swallowing "It sure is cool that your birthday is the same day as the princesses, there is already a party you can hitch a ride on!" He said to Kluke taking another bite, I watched Kluke hold her breath lightly

"Yeah eh?" She smiled, taking a bite of her carrot. The conversation died, I looked at Kluke, her eyes seemed hallow.

"Food taste great, ya?" i tried to break her Silence.

"Yeah of course!" she said with a fake smile and fake joy.

and we ate in almost silence after that, except for the sound of Shu's poor table manners. If only i was stronger than i could make Kluke Happy.

"I got you something, for your birthday Kluke, I'm sure you will like it. My grandpa and I picked it out." Shu announced to Kluke.

"What did you get Kluke? Eh Jiro" he asked me

"I made it, and it's a secret." I informed him, I looked over at Kluke, she smiled at me and i felt embarrassed and looked away.

"The festival starts at twilight right?" Kluke asked Shu.

"Sure does, are you excited? Shu chirped.

"Yes." she answered. i clenched my first under the dinner table, My true goal for today was to make Kluke forget her worries, i wanted her to enjoy tonight.

My mother worked on a dress all month for kluke for her birthday. She had to work at night because she wanted it to be a surprise, she showed it to my last night. it was a pretty pink dress, with a white ruffle petticoat, a white button collar. and a yellow lacy bow around the waist. I knew she would love it. And i was excited to see her try it on.

Kluke finished and got up to go use the restroom.

I turned to Shu.

"You should go get your gift for Kluke soon, i'm sure you forgot but we are having her birthday party for her here first, before we go into town." I informed Shu, my tone stiff, I would not have reminded him, but Kluke wanted him there. So that's the only reason I did. he scowled at me for a moment, then nodded at me.

"I need to get ready anyways i'll be back at the dinner hour is that cool?" he asked me

"yeah." i replied.

"ALRIGHT!" he yelled "I will be back in a bit, smell you later Jiro" he got up quickly and started to run towards the door.

"I don't smell!If anyone smells its you!" I yelled back at him.

He turned his head and stuck out his tongue at me, witch really ticked me off.

"That Shu, he dined and dashed again it seems." My mother said to me.


I ran out the door, down the forest path and through the clearing. Kept my pace clean through the village till I reached the front of my house.

"Gramps, I'm back, I had lunch with Kluke and Jiro!" I shouted as I panting heavily, i fell back against the closed door. "i bet he is probably working downstairs." I thought as I made my myself get back up and doon the way the hallway, then down the stairs. my house was an old stone home, that the front was refurbished into a small shop, the rest of the house was at the back just one bedroom for me, and my Grandfather who i live with has made the Basement into a workshop slash room for himself.

"Grandpa, you down here?" I called out.

"Oh I'm in here Shu!" my Grandpa answered back. I wandered into his work room, he makes chairs and tables, the odd toy.

"So Gramps, watcha working on?" I asked him jumping on a chair taking a screwdriver into my hands and fettling with it.

" Just fixing an old chair. "He said putting down the block of wood. "So did you wrap up Little miss Klukes gift yet?" he asked me.

"Ah crap I forgot!" I panicked.

"I picked out a box and ribbon earlier." He instructed. I ran back up the stairs and straight to my room, and grabbed Kluke's gift . I had placed it on my dest and got to wrapping.


Aunty is so kind, she hand made me the prettiest dress. It fit perfectly.

"Thank you, for doing this for me." I mumbled "It must have taken you along time to make this."

"Its no problem at all, it my gift to you, princess" she said to me gently, "princess" that word felt me with a mix of emotion. But i felt it was not right to sulk when the people around me are working still so hard me. I looked at myself deeply in the Mirror. Aunty started brushing my hair back. She pinned up in a bun and stuck in a bow yellow bow pin in the front side of the bow. She had a calm smile on her face, it reminded me of my mothers.
"There, the prettiest girl in the whole kingdom!" she said to me sweetly.

"Kluke, dear I want you-" she started "Never mind, have fun today ok?" she said cheerfully. Before she reached in her pocket grabbing a necklace, i had a flash back to that night all those years was The crystal feather necklace my mother gave to me. i thought i had lost it.

"where, when, how did you get that." i stuttered.

When you were younger looking at it used to make your cry, so we took it for a bit, but i know you're a bigger girl now, and i feel like its wrong to keep it from you." she admitted to me. At first i felt upset, but then i understood.
"Thank you for keeping it safe." i spoke to her. I giggled and turned around and hugged Aunty at first to thank her, then I melted into her warmth. She wrapped her arms around my little head. Jiro's younger sister started to call out for her Mother, she didn't say much, but is always smiling. While Jiro's Mom tended to her I looked out the window, the sun was lowered in the sky, It painted the sky a beautiful orange and purple, i could still see the yellow of the sun peaking through the tree tops. I looked down happy to be reunited with my necklace. I can't believe a part of me had buried its memories away.

As i made my way downstair, there in the living room everyone had already gathered, i felt she as everyone looked over.

"What a cute dress!" Shus grandfather said loudly, i felt myself blush, i felt shy with everyone agreeing.

The party had started and we were all gather round the dinner table, chairs pulled from other parts of the house for people to sit, we had roasted pork with all the trimmings, it was very tasty. Everyone was happy laughing. It made me forget about my own sadness for the time being. Jiro and Shu were bickering again, if they could just get by their minor differences they could be good friends. I'm sure of it! It took a bit, but soon enough everyone was done eating and dishes were left to soak in the sink, Jiro's parents put the food away, Jiro shut off the lights, and I felt that giddiness again, candles were lit and the cake was brought to me. Everyone sang the happy birthday song, and I blew out the candles, I blew them all out as everyone told me to make a wish. "I wanna see my mom." i closed my eyes and wished to myself. Everyone cheered and dug in.

"Well Shu, since you seem the most excited, you first!" Jiro's Father announced, bouncing the toddler on his knee, it giggling. while aunty whipped cake off her face.

"This is from me, me and Gramps." Shu said excitedly as he got up and carried a gift over. He handed it to me and I thanked him, I had a big dumb grin on my face. i looked down at the small wooden box he handed me, it seems hand made, it had a deep reddish brown with a glossy finish, around it was a silky yellow ribbon.

"You can wear that to tie up your hair, if you want." Shu informed me.

"I will, thanks." I smiled at him again, i then slid the ribbon end and removed it, folding it neatly on the side of the table, then i slid the lid off the box, inside was some candies polished rocks, and in the center. A dagger. i felt drawn to it, it was a sleek small blade, silver and reflective, the hilt was a small feather shape.

"Wow" I said "this is cool" I held it up tilting it , making the light shine on it.

" It's just for decoration really, a young girl like yourself has no need for a weapon." Shu's Grandfather said sternly. Uncle nodded.

"i'll give you lessons" Jiro leaned in and whispered to me to his father's disapproval.

"Thank you, Shu." I told him one more time. I put the knife back into the box and put it aside. Jiro stud up next, he had a small pouch. With a draw string keeping it closed. Here walked over to me, quickly his face flushed, I could not help but giggle. Make his face go a bit sour.

"H-here Kluke, I made it myself." he said handing me the pouch.

"Thanks, Jiro" smiled at him too, I loosened the string and opened up pouch. Inside it were some pretty seashells, and a small flat wooden red bird. I placed the pouch on my lap and took out the bird and stared at it, it was little and clearly hand made.

"It's a hair clip, for your bangs. I made it myself." Jiro told me. "Here." he took the clip from my hand and clipped it in my hair

"Thank you Jiro, it's very pretty" I smiled looking up at him. touching it with my hand

"Your welcome, Kluke." he said to me smiling while looking into my eyes, his face was still red.

It was not long till group was making it towards the town Uncle carried a little wagon behind him with the youngest having a joy ride in it, Aunty close behind incase she went overboard. I started to run with excitement. Jiro and Shu close behind me. The three of us split of from Jiro's family and Shu's Grandfather,

"don't get lost from each other! meet us at the clocktower hill for firework!" Aunty shouted to us.

"Okay!" we all shouted back

The festival was fun, there were games like catch the goldfish with a little paper net. There was a ball game, where you take a heavy ball and toss it into cups, if you get it in you win a prize. The town was bustling with people having fun and enjoying the evening. Each home had lights strung up. All in the celebration of the princesses birth, oh there it is again, that hindering sadness. i closed my eyes, bumping into a man.

"oof!" the man said "watch it kid where are your parents?" she asked me in an upset tone. i felt my arm yanked by Jiro.

"careful Kluke." he said pulling me out of the situation. we walked off to the side and he looked me in the eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked, before i could answer Shu interrupted my thought.

"Come on kluke i wanna try and win a prize!"

"Kluke can decide where she wants to go for herself, she does not need you to drag her around" Jiro yelled at Shu.

"You where literally just dragging her!" Shu argued back at Jiro.

"She does not seem to have any problem with it right Kluke?"

"Can you stop fighting for one minute? Honestly" I scolded them for acting so stupidly,

"Besides we have to get going to meet up with everyone, it's almost time for the fireworks." I told them, then started to walk away abruptly. The shouted at me to wait then ran to me, we walked together but two large men cut me off from them, by time i squeezed by i had lost sight of them. There were so much people I got separated from them I called out for them be my voice was lost in the crowd. I pushed my way out into between some stalls, i looked around and then noticed something, there was a small path leading to a little tent purple tent. It had a small purple lantern at the front, there was a sign but i couldn't read it from so far away, i walked towards it."Zola's Fortunate" it said, a fortune telling booth? That's kinda a neat. But i don't have time should find the others.

"Please come in, child." a female voice called from within the tent. I gulped before slowly and turned, against my better judgment i felt myself drawing inside. i moved the curtain and entered.


"Kluke, where are you?!" Shu shouted into the crowd. "Where could she have ran off to Jiro?" Shu asked me, my head was flustered, we had to find her, what if someone kidnapped her? What if they know she is the princess and is going to use for leverage above the war, what if they kill her?! I was panicking. I darted off leaving Shu behind. I asked vender after vender if they had seen Kluke, but with no luck.

"Kluke!" I shouted out into the crowd.


"Well now, Kluke come sit down." The lady called to me, she was young in her teens, she had crystal blue eyes and long white hair. She wore a black robe with the hood on. She sat behind a table with a blue cloth over it and a small blue ball on it.

"How, do you know my name?" I asked cautiously.

"now, now. I am a fortune teller after all, I am Zola. " she said to me i felt a bad feeling in my gut.

"please sit down." she told me i took a step forward and sat on the small stool in front of her aunsaumble.

She reached out and put her hand on the ball.

"Long ago, there was a great war, seven heros were chosen by the gods with incredible powers. Each Bestowed a legendary beast in order to stop the war." she chanted, the ball started to glow.
"But after the war had ended each Beast turned into a symbol passed down through the generations as a gift." she said he tone sounded ominous.

Then my neck felt heavy, it was my necklace. i went to life it lighted the sudden weight and it was hot. It started me so much i lurched back and i fell back off the stool. Hitting the dirt floor and took the opportunity to run out of the small tent.

"Princess Wait." the Zola called to me, i felt panic flood my mind. Did she just call me princess? what's going on, just who was that lady? what was she going on about? Beast and heros and war?

in a blind hysteria i bolted out of the corridor and smashed into someone. A pattern it seems. i fell backwards hard on my bottom . dirtying my pretty new dress.

"Kluke!" a familiar voice shouted at me.

"Jiro." I spoke lightly, his eyes shot open and he leached at me. Hugging me tightly.

"Fool why did you run off like that?!" he yelled at me. "It's my job to keep you safe. Idiot, i was so worried i thought i was gonna puke." he whispered to me.

"I'm sorry Jiro, I got lost in the crowd then this fortune lady told me she knew I was the princess and she told me a strange story! Jiro what do I do?" I pleaded with him. His eyes grew wide. He lifted me to my feet and dragged me through the crowd. Jiro's grip hurt my hand but he kept pulling we turned sharply and walk down to a food stand, Shu was standing there ordering food. Jiro continued pull me to him, Jiro's face was intimidating and his grip was vice, he looked away from me and pulled Shu over, who had a grilled meat stick falling out of his mouth.

"Ow Jiro, that friggin hurt. Oh you found Kluke! Hey my food!" Shu said.

"No thanks to you? You should be looking for her to but instead you just bought food!" Jiro yelled at Shu. "we just ate like an hour ago!"

"Hey don't get mad at me, you just ran off, I was looking for, so what if I stopped for a snack who cares, its thirty seconds god!" Shu snapped back at Jiro.

"Stop fighting! Right now, just stop it!" I yelled at them "We have to go we have to meet up with the others!" I needed to get out of this crowded, and i had to much going on in my brain to deal with them.

We wondered out the festival market and up the hill. We searched for Jiro's family and Shu's grandfather. They were up on the hill at the very top, in front of the tree line sitting on the blankets, eating candied apples and laughing.

"Over here! Over Here!" Aunty called after spotting us, I didn't look back at Jiro or Shu, as I made my way up the steep hill. I heard the mumbling at each other as the came up behind me. I took my seat in front of the group, Jiro sat on my left and Shu to my right. I glanced at Jiro my eyes full of worry, he met it the put is hand on my head.

"I will tell my father, we will have to leave, Kluke." Jiro said quietly, his eyebrows furrowed.

"No Jiro, please I like it here, let's keep it a secret, please I don't want to loose another home." I quietly pleaded with him, I had tears in my eyes. I was scared, I was selfish. I wanted so badly to stay here, I was afraid that I kept moving my Mother would not be able to find me?

"Alright, its are little secret, but from now on, I go were you go. Ill be like your personal knight, princess." He could not look at me when he said that, I know did not want to keep it a secret.

"Thank you" i said

"Hey guys! Its starting!" Shu yelled pushing my shoulder lightly. We looked forward just in time to see a firework rise in the sky. It climbed and climb till it reached the highest point than, bang! It burst, and fire rained down mocking a flower. More and more flew up, the colours, the sounds. the bangs reminded me of bombs. i felt scared then I felt Jiros hand on mine. It was reassuring. The bangs seemed it spook Jiro's younger sister, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. The show maybe only lasted 10 minutes, but I will remember this moment forever.