Hello, everybody. It is I, PhantomHermit. Like I told you in the previous chapter, I'll be updating this when you least expect it.
Anyway, the song used here is The Last Time by Taylor Swift feat. Gary Lightbody. One of my favorite songs from her.
Disclaimer: I do not own the series and the song.
CHAPTER 2 – Shattering
Never had the Queen of Flames experienced a trauma such as today. Lying down on her bed, she wandered through her imagination as she tried to take everything in. Unfortunately, her journey through her fantasy didn't help in facing the reality that was Finn.
xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx
The day breaks in the Fire Kingdom, along with the other usual activities that the inhabitants do. The streets are filled with various markets, selling their unique wares like trinkets and jewelries, food and drinks, and weapons. From one of the stalls that sell jewelries stood a familiar figure since his flame shield stood out among the countless passers-by. He was examining the various adornments that shone motley of colors in front of him. Unaware to him, the royalty herself was in the marketplace, trying to know the reason for his visit in the kingdom.
One of the jewels caught his attention. The jewelry is a sapphire pendant with a silver chain. There is something engraved on the precious stone, but he doesn't recognize the symbol.
"Say, how much does this cost," Finn asked the saleslady while pointing at the said jewelry.
"You've got a good eye, young man," she replied. "That doesn't cost much for any royalty, though I'm not sure if you're able to afford that."
"I have much gold," he replied while holding a small sack which contains gold coins from his dungeon crawling, quest rewards, and/or others.
She took the pouch with caution and examined the contents, making sure that they are genuine gold coins.
"Consider it sold," she remarked. "Is it for a certain special someone," she inquired. Apparently, curiosity got the best of her. "I'm intrigued to know your purpose of purchasing such an item."
Sighing, he decided to spill the beans to the retailer. "Yes, it is. I was planning to give this to her for a particular reason. Say, do you know what this means," he asked while pointing at the said inscription.
"I apologize for that, young man, for even I do not have the slightest idea what that means. If I can recall correctly, legends tell of a fearless warrior who gave this amulet to a fine young lady he met one day before he departed. Ever since that time, he hasn't returned from his journey."
"That must've been painful for both of them," he commented.
"I'm not really sure why he would do such a thing. I mean, just give her something that will remind her of him because he' going to leave her? I don't think that's very chivalrous."
"Yeah, I agree..."
After talking with the saleslady, he went off to the castle to meet up with her. He thought giving this piece of jewelry would help alleviate the tension between him and the kingdom. At the castle door, he was about to enter when the two guards patrolling stopped him momentarily.
"State your business," the one at the left responded.
"I wish to see the Queen of Flames," the hero said.
The two guards looked at each other before telling him everything. After a few seconds, the guard at the right finally spoke. "I apologize, Finn-"
"Nah, it's fine. I could visit her tomorrow," he told them.
"That's not the case, Finn," the left guard spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm terribly sorry, Finn, but her advisor mentioned that you could no longer see her again," the right guard answered with a glum manner.
"Wait, what are you saying?"
"It means, you are banned from ever seeing her. Forever."
The castle doors opened wide enough to see who was saying that he could never see her. He was the same height as her, only a little bit taller because of his fiery hair. His garments are of the light material but enough to show that he's nobility.
"Torcho," Finn muttered.
"That's right, boy," he said.
As soon as they made eye contact, Torcho saw the queen from quite a distance, making her way into the castle. "Guards," he ordered. "Take her into her room!"
"Yes sir," they complied.
As the guards left, the hero stood stunned. "What's the meaning of this nonsense?!"
"As her trusted advisor, I'm deeply worried that she is putting you as her first priority rather than her own kingdom."
"But she's doing a very good job, Torcho."
"I know what you mean. Lately, I've noticed that whenever you are around, she would be fazed, distracted. I'm assuming that she still has feelings for you. But she chose this kingdom to rule properly. Please, I beg of you, stay away from her."
Meanwhile, from quite some distance away from the castle, the monarch walked around the plaza, pondering hard about the strange pendant he recently procured.
"Why would he, of all people, would go for the trouble of buying such an item? Better not jump to conclusions quickly," she thought to herself. After all, it was rather obvious that it was for her, but she remained oblivious of the reason of buying that jewelry.
She didn't notice the pair of escorts approaching to guide her back to the castle. Once she snapped out of her trance, she found herself being held on tightly by them. This would have been better if he was the one doing that, she thought.
"Wait, where are you taking me? Let me go, this instant," she demanded.
"We're here to bring you back to the palace," the one on the left stated.
"You've been neglecting your duties, my queen," the one on the right claimed this time.
"I'm fine on my own. Besides, I've been fulfilling them. There's no need for you to say it, unless there is something wrong," she exclaimed.
"Well, we've noticed that this hero of yours has been taking your time," the left warden said, this time.
"We really fear for your neglect of your responsibility, my queen," the right warden said.
"It's just that I needed some time with him," she said. "Besides, it would do me good since we're able to keep our friendship and I'm able to take a break from this responsibility. It's hard yet he being there for me is soothing." There she is again, travelling in her own imagination with him.
"I guess there's no stopping her from that. Anyway, back to the castle we go," both her escorts stated and shrugged. They both know that she still harbors love for him. They would be disheartened once she knows what will happen next.
As soon as the fortress is within her vision, she saw a familiar figure in front. She was released from the tight grasp as soon as she is within a few feet from him. She noticed that he was not in his usual mood the closer she gets to him. Curious, she asked, "Finn, is there something wrong?"
"Look, FP. I can't do this anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't allow myself to be such a hindrance to your rule. I don't think my presence isn't helping you at all."
"You're mistaken, Finn. Why would you think that way?"
"I just can't be the reason you're not doing them well."
"Finn..."
"I don't want to mess you up real bad."
"Finn, please don't do this."
"I'm sorry, FP."
Before saying anything, he held the necklace in one hand and her hand in another. He then proceeded to place the jewelry on her hand. He used his other hand which was holding hers to close her hand as if he was forming a fist.
"Goodbye," he said while leaving with a sorrowful face.
He took one last glance before finally descending the staircase. At the bottom, Torcho was waiting for the result.
"Well, how was it?"
"I hope you're happy," the human said, grief-stricken.
"I see. Thank you very much, human. Well, then. I shall take my leave." With that, he left.
Looking back, he wanted to see how she would react. As his instinct took over, he sang clear enough for her to hear.
Find myself at your door
Just like all those times before
I'm not sure how I got there
Four roads, they lead me here.
Back at the castle entrance, she opened her eyes as soon as she heard him sing. He always have a beautiful voice, she thought.
I imagine you are home
In your room, all alone
You open your eyes into mine
And everything feels better.
Both of them are feeling the song he's singing. She, too, joined him in singing.
The night before your eyes
I'm breaking.
No fuss, no reasons why
Just you and me.
This is the last time I'm asking you this
Put my name at the top of your list.
This is the last time I'm asking you why
You break my heart in a blink of an eye.
This time, she sang the next part by herself.
Find yourself at my door
Just like all those times before.
You wear your best apologies
But I was there to watch you leave.
And all the times I let you in
Just for you to go again
Disappear when you come back
Everything is better
Once again, this time, he joined her.
The night before your eyes
I'm aching
No fuss, nowhere to hide
Just you and me
This is the last time I'm asking you this
Put my name at the top of your list.
This is the last time I'm asking you why
You break my heart in a blink of an eye.
As they were singing the lyrics which they didn't know yet were able to sing, both of them can sense the heartfelt ambience that appeared during the performance.
This is the last time you tell me you got it wrong.
This is the last time I say it's been you all along.
This is the last time I let you in my door.
This is the last time I won't hurt you anymore.
This is the last time I'm asking you this
Put my name at the top of your list.
This is the last time I'm asking you why
You break my heart in a blink of an eye.
This is the last time I'm asking you this (This is the last time I'm asking you this)
Put my name at the top of your list (Put my name at the top of your list)
This is the last time I'm asking you why (This is the last time I'm asking you why)
You break my heart in a blink of an eye (You break my heart)
This is the last time I'm asking you, last time I'm asking you, last time I'm asking you this.
After the performance, they went their separate ways- Finn to his home in the grasslands and FP to her room in her palace.
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That incident during the morning has left an indelible mark on her heart, or her matrix, the equivalent of a human heart. Not knowing what to do, she decided to play the violin. That instrument was given to her by him back then when he realized that she has a knack for music, particularly with instruments. As soon as she drew her bow, an unknown energy enveloped her. At the same time, she heard a male voice singing. Wanting to compose herself, she played along with the unknown performer.
The recital is a bizarre yet phenomenal experience. Every note, she played with uncharted mastery. Every word, she sang with resounding harmony and emotion. Her voice coordinated with her violin, making the spectacle seem as if she is a maven performing it together with the unidentified entity.
After the phantasmal recital, she felt a portion of the burden disappearing. She can't really tell what exactly happened, but it was such a good feeling that she wanted it to happen again. Speculating it again in her fantasy, she played the violin again.
"When can I see him again, in person?"
From the distance, the necklace was emitting a small glow from the precious stone. The light pointed towards the mirror, forming a word that would describe any kind of shattered relationship:
HOPE.
So, that's it. This could be my longest chapter ever. Leave a review if there is something wrong.
Until then, have a great day! -PhantomHermit