Disclaimer: I don't own anything it is all mostly from the movie!
Chapter Three
As the star fell through the sky, it had drawn quite the attention. Unfortunately, it had also drawn the attention of a wretched soul that would forever change the fate of said star. A woman who seemed hundreds of years old stood outside gazing up at the star in amazement. Her mouth was sagged open as she gaped openly. The wrinkles were everywhere on her face and neck, making it hard to distinguish any features. Her blood red lips stood out on her pale face, as her sunken in, hazy eyes were wide with excitement and disbelief. Atop her head was a wig of dreads of various colors that looked as if it hadn't ever been washed. Beads and various other things clung to the disgusting dreads creating quite a mop on her head.
With a gasp she turned on her heel and fled into the depths of her dreary home, throwing open the doors and rushing inside. As soon as she had cleared the doorway, she began shouting. "Mormo! Empusa! Wake up. Now!"
Two women who looked just as decrepit and ugly as the first, leaned up from a dingy bed. Both of their hair was extremely thin and scarce upon their half bald heads. One was rather plump, with a rounder face and many rolls upon her chin and neck. The other was very thin with a pointy, ratty face. Both extremely disgruntled and seemingly frustrated with being awakened by their sister. "What is it?" The ratty looking one hissed at the first.
"A star has fallen," the first said in a disbelieving voice, wringing her hands in excitement. It took a moment for the other two to react before they both jumped out of the bed with a gasp and all three ran over to the cupboard. Cobwebs and dust were thick as they opened the doors, glancing from shelf to shelf in search of something.
The first one looked at the other two, "Where are the Babylon candles?"
The bigger one rolled her eyes before replying, "You used the last one, Lamia, two hundred years ago. Do you not recall?"
Lamia closed her eyes and whined, while the ratty one spoke, "Perhaps we can obtain another."
Lamia whirled on her sister in anger. "Has your mind become as decrepit as your face, Empusa? You speak as if such things are freely available."
"I know sister, I merely thought…" Empusa tried before being cut off once again.
"You'd have us hunting for a Babylon candle while some other witch finds our star. Fool! There's no time to waste. If we must retrieve it on foot, then we shall. Mormo, we need information."
With that Mormo, the largest one, walked over to the various cages they had stacked one upon the other. Each cage contained some type of animal, various types were scattered about the side of the room. Some held wolves, owls, ferrets, alligators, mice, and all sorts of other animals. Mormo grabbed the nearest ferret from its cage and brought it before her sisters, laying it flat on the table and holding it down. Empusa picked up a knife and jammed it down on the ferret before dragging it downwards, disemboweling it. The three hags bent down and examined the entrails before Lamia sighed.
"If these divinations are correct, the fallen star lies one hundred miles away," Lamia said as they all stood back up.
Empusa was the first to break the newfound silence. "Four centuries we've waited for this. What hardship is a few more days?"
Mormo was the first to bring about the question that all were thinking. "Which of us shall go then, to seek it and bring it back?"
All three sisters looked at one another, before they all closed their eyes and stuck their hands in the entrails. Unbeknownst to the other two, Lamia peeked and looked down upon their hands, before smiling triumphantly and closing her eyes once again. As one they all pulled back, each holding a various internal organ.
"I've his kidney," Mormo said in defeat.
Empusa was next with a frown, "I've his liver."
Lamia's smile was completely devilish as she replied smugly, "And I've his heart."
With a roll of their eyes, the other two sisters didn't respond.
"You'll be needing what's left of the last star," Empusa said in disdain as they all walked over towards a dust and cobwebbed covered box which had ribbon of three different colors tied about it. As one they all pointed at it, causing the box to unwrap and open, revealing a glowing light, so bright it illuminated the entire room. But the light faltered and began to flicker, causing Lamia to frown.
"There's not much left."
Mormo shook her head and smiled wistfully, "Soon, there'll be plenty for us all."
With that, Lamia reached into the box and grabbed the light. Bringing it out of the box, all one could see is the light the small object was giving off on its path before being smothered as Lamia ate it. No sooner had it touched her mouth did a change begin to take place. Ripping off the wig to reveal a bald scalp with cobweb looking hairs sticking out randomly, before it began to thicken and grow into a full head of luscious blonde hair that fell to mid back in curls. The wrinkles from earlier were mostly gone, revealing a beautiful woman that looked to be about in her forties. In glee, Lamia flung off her dingy robes to reveal her new body, causing Empusa to roll her eyes as Lamia admired herself in the floor length mirror.
On the other side of the wall, Alexandra had set out in search of the fallen star for Victoria. After leaving the village, she made the long trek towards the gap in the wall. Upon arriving she walked up to the same man that had denied her father entry all those years ago.
"Ah, Alexandra Thorn you look much like your father, you know? And I suppose you intend to cross the wall as well, do you?" The guard said, eyeing Alexandra warily. "Well you can forget it. Go home," he said holding out his staff to block Alexandra's way.
Alexandra looked at him in confusion, "Cross the wall as well as who?"
The guard looked away, freezing for a moment as he thought what to do. "No one. Nobody. Nobody crosses the wall. You know that! Everyone knows that!"
Alexandra tried to get past, but once again the staff blocked her way. Finally she put her hands up. "Yeah…No, no, I know. I understand. Nobody. Well, I better just head for the old homestead, then," she said gesturing back towards the village.
The guard shakes his head in finality before beginning to turn around, "Right, then. Night, Alexandra. Give my best to your father." The guard was now facing away from Alexandra as she began to walk towards the village. After a few feet, she turned unexpectedly and made a break for the gap in the wall. Right as she was about to cross, the guard flipped up and over the wall, landing easily on the other side, and whacked Alexandra in the stomach with his staff as she tried pass. With the staff still wedged in her stomach, the guard pushed Alexandra back over the wall. With a swift kick in the stomach and face as Alexandra once again tried to make a run for it, the guard sent her to the ground, holding the staff above her to keep her there.
With a smug smirk the guard simply gestured with his finger, "Off you go."
Alexandra fled quickly in humiliation, returning home only to sit at the kitchen table in defeat. Holding a cold cloth onto her hurt eye, her father descended the steps. "I thought I heard you come in. Hey, what happened? Are you hurt?"
Alex leaned up to look at her father, "No, I'm fine."
Her father sighed, "That Hailey again?"
With a sigh, Alex leaned her elbow on the table while still using that same hand to hold the cloth on her eye as she gazed up at her father. "No. Actually, it was the guard. The guard at the wall."
With a raised eyebrow, Dunstan looked at his daughter comically as he sat down. "Alexandra, he's ninety-seven years old."
Alexandra snorted, "Well, that's given him plenty of time to practice, then, hasn't it?"
Dunstan looked at Alex intently, "Why, may I ask, were you trying to cross the wall?"
Alex looked at her father with an almost accusatory stare. "I might as you the same thing." Looking down at the table with a sigh, Dunstan knew it was time to tell Alexandra everything about how she was conceived and her unusual heritage. Soon they found themselves up in the attic, where Dunstan had told Alex everything that had happened that fateful night.
Alex looked down at her hands in disbelief, "I have a mother! I mean I have a mother. She could still be alive!"
Dunstan winced at this, imagining his first love anything but caused him to hurt more than any could know. "Oh, I hope so. I certainly like to think so," Dunstan replied with a sad smile. He looked down at all the things he had hidden away for years and smiled as he picked up a piece of chain no longer than a foot and held it up for Alex to see.
Alex's eyes widened as she gazed upon the metal. "The chain you cut. Just like you said." Alex picked up the chain and started examining it as Dunstan pulled yet another item out of the box. "And the glass flower. The flower she sold to you." With a smile, Alex took it from her father and started twirling it in her fingers.
Dunstan smiled slightly at his daughter. "She told me it would bring me luck."
Alex couldn't help but smile wider as she took the small flower and tucked it into the inner pocket of her jacket. "Thank you."
Dunstan now reached into the basket and pulled out a small role of parchment, holding it up for Alex to see. "This was also in the basket. I've never opened it. It is addressed to you."
Sliding off the rope holding the small scroll together, Alex unrolled the parchment. Catching the black candle that slid out as he did so, he began to read.
My dearest Alexandra, please know that I only ever wanted the best for you. Had my mistress allowed it, I would have kept you in a heartbeat. My dearest wish is that we will meet someday. The fastest way to travel is by candlelight. To use it, think of me and only me. I will think of you every day, for always.
-Your mother.
Looking up towards her father as they shared a smile, Alexandra asked, "Well, do you…Do you have a light?"
Dunstan began to search his pockets before pulling out a match that he swiftly lit on the ground. Alex held the candle up and as soon as the match touched the wick of the black candle she was holding, a bright light lit up the room as it seemed she was engulfed in fire. Dunstan reared back away from the fire that only lasted a few seconds before it died down and disappeared along with Alexandra.
The star that had sparked the adventure of three very different groups, finally struck the ground in a thunderous crash. The trees in the vicinity were brushed back and scorched as the ones underneath it disintegrated. A large crater was formed with the glowing star still shining in the center as the area around it was scorched and some parts till burning from the aftermath of the crash. As the glow subsided, a girl was left in its place. The girl was beautiful, with beautiful, pale skin, and light blonde hair and perfect face. Her slim figure was easily seen as the blue dress she wore clung to her, as she lay on her back, motionless. Beside her, lay the gold necklace that held the key to Stormhold's future.
Slowly the girl began to stir and glanced around the empty, grey crater. Her eyes fell upon the golden necklace that lay on the ground beside her. Leaning up she winced as the pain in her foot became more prominent. Gently picking the necklace off the ground and examining it she then clasped it around her neck, allowing it to hang freely between her breasts. Not knowing what else to do, she stood up and began walking around trying to find her way out. Her limp was extreme as she favored her left leg, wincing every time her right foot hit the ground.
The girl turned upon hearing a noise and saw a flash of orange barrel into her, knocking her off her feet. She looked up into the face of a young woman glancing down at her. "Mother?" The girl questioned, staring down at the star. Immediately, the girl started to back track as her eyes widened. "Oh! Oh, Mother, I'm so…I'm so sorry. Are you alright?"
The girl sat back, still straddling the star underneath her. "No, I'm not. And I'm not your mother, so get off me!" The star demanded.
The girl atop her looked at her in complete confusion, "You're…you're not my mother?"
The star rolled her eyes in exasperation, "Do I look like your mother?"
Alex looked down and examined the girl laying beneath her. She couldn't help but think of how beautiful she was, but that was soon overridden by the humiliation of the moment. "No. Sorry." Alex quickly stood up and backed away from the girl slightly. "Well, are you all right? Do you want some help?"
The girl rolled her eyes once again before exclaiming, "You can help by leaving me alone!"
Alex looked taken aback, as she tried to figure out what happened. "Alright. Um…Oh my god. 'Light the candle and think of me'. I was thinking of my…But then Victoria and the star just popped into…Oh, excuse me, madam. Sorry. This may seem strange, but have you seen a fallen star anywhere?" Alex said towards the girl still lying on the ground hope blossoming in her chest.
The girl glared at him, "You're real funny."
Alex tilted her head slightly in confusion. "No, really, we're in a crater. This must be where it fell."
The girl rolled her eyes and looked at Alex as if she was crazy. "Yes, this is where it fell. It is. Or if you want to be really specific," the girl said sarcastically pointing towards the sky, "up there is where this weird, bloody necklace came out of nowhere and knocked it out of the heavens. When the star was minding its own business. And over there is where it landed. And right here, this is where it got hit by a magical, flying moron!"
Alex just stared at the girl in shock before finally all the pieces seemed to fall together as her eyebrows rose in astonishment. "You're-you're the star! You're the star? Really? Oh, wow. I'm sorry. I had no idea you'd be a…" With that she trailed off looking the girl up and down before smiling slightly at her. "May I just say in advance, that I am sorry?"
The star looked at Alex with furrowed eyebrows, "Sorry for what?"
"For this," Alex said as she took the chain that her father had cut from her mother's chain all those years ago and wrapped it around the star's wrist. The chain magically lengthened as soon as it was tied as Alex stood up holding the other end of the chain. "Now, if I am not mistaken, this means you have come with me. See, you're going to be a birthday gift for Victoria, my true love."
The star looked at Alex as if she were crazy once more. "But of course! Nothing says romance like the gift of a kidnapped, injured woman! I'm not going anywhere with you!" She tugged on the chain, causing Alex to pull back until it was a sort of tug of war ending with both on the ground staring at each other in protest.
Primus kneeled on the ground in the middle of this grand, square room adorned with golden candelabras and crosses hanging from the ceiling. He kneeled before a long, rectangular coffin draped in purple cloth with gold accents. Atop the coffin sat a purple, satin pillow holding the golden crown of the king.
The bishop, an older man adorned with golden robes walked brusquely in the room. Upon seeing Primus kneeling before the coffin he began to worry. "Hurry! You should be on your way now, Primus! You must find the royal necklace with the ruby before your brothers. I should like to see you take the throne. The first benevolent King. I don't doubt Stormhold would be a better place under your rule."
A different voice cut through the room, startling both Primus and the bishop. "Really? Well that is fascinating. Don't you think, Tertius?" Septimus said as he and Tertius walked into the room.
"Yes indeed," Tertius replied as Primus got to his feet.
The bishop's eyes widened at the arrival of the two, fear showing on his face. "Prince Septimus! Tertius. Well…Well. Well, well, I…Since you're all here, won't you join me in a toast?" The bishop beckoned the servant forward who carried a tray with three goblets on it. "To the new King of Stormhold, whichever of you fine fellows it might be." With that they all picked up a goblet and toasted before each taking a sip of the wine in the glass.
Only seconds after swallowing the bishop started to choke, gasping and gurgling as he tried to gather a breath. Finally his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell forward and lay motionless on top of the king's coffin. Immediately all the brothers began to look around at each other in suspicion. After a few moments Tertius sighed in relief as none of them started to show any signs of the poison. Suddenly his sigh turned into a gurgle as he too pitched over much like the bishop, glaring at each brother all the while before lying still.
Septimus then turns towards Primus with an accusatory glance, "You!" He exclaimed before starting to choke and fall just like his brother and the bishop. Primus looked around in slight confusion before looking down at the crown sitting atop the pillow on the coffin. He looked at it wistfully, picking it up and examining it closely.
A laugh brought him out of his reverie as his brother Septimus sat up from the ground, pointing at Primus in hilarity. Septimus clapped his hands in amusement before standing up, causing Primus to roll his eyes as he sat the crown back onto the pillow. "You really thought you were the king?"
Primus looked at his brother in disbelief, "You killed the bishop."
Septimus looked at his brother, completely serious. "No, Primus. I think you'll find that you killed the Bishop by drinking out of the wrong cup. Oh look, when you finish wrestling with your conscience, may I suggest you return to your chamber? Leave the quest for the stone to me."
Mormo and Empusa set to work making sure Lamia looked fit to travel. They dressed her in a brand new gown that was void of the dust and grime that covered every inch of the entire lair. Lamia just looked around in disgust at their lovely abode, lip curled up at all the grime covering the place.
With a scoff at the smell of Empusa, Lamia walked away from her sisters. "How have we lived this way all these years?" With a snap of her fingers, all the candles were lit, bathing the hall in light for the first time in four decades. Satisfied, at least for the moment, Lamia turned back towards her sisters. "In my absence, I expect you to make it fit for the queens we are." Empusa approached Lamia, carrying a tray that held two different blades. One was that of a clever with a hook on the end, while the other was just a simple blade that tapered into a point. Bother knives were that of a black material, glinting with purple as if it were made of evil glass. Picking up the first one, Lamia glanced at it before setting it down. After examining the second, Lamia nodded her head in satisfaction. "When I return with our prize, all of us shall be young again. Never fear, my sisters. I will not fail." Lamia cackled as she strode out the doors of their home confidently.