Chapter 02: The Golden Light

Emily heard horses galloping too close for comfort and turned around towards the forest. She sighed, seeing nothing around her and slowly rose to her feet. She dusted herself off and glanced back at the castle. She didn't want to go back, not yet.

I should go to the city to clear my head, Emily thought.

She walked half way towards the border of the city with her kingdom, when she paused. If she walked into the city as the princess, she would have to go with several knights, that's if they let her go. She sighed and decided to go back to the castle.

The young princess crossed into the gates, noticing the knights were nowhere to be seen. She walked inside the castle finding Mia with her arms across her chest. "Hello, Princess Emily," Mia began, clearly angry at her. "Where have you been?"

"I was in the….garden," Emily lied passing by Mia and went up the stairs. Mia huffed, following the Princess, not wanting to let her out of her sight. "You know, the whole castle was looking for you!" Emily ignored her best friend and headed towards her room. She closed the doors, but Mia opened them, walking inside. "Your father was very worried about you," Mia continued.

Emily walked to her closet and grabbed a white dress and a cloak. She quickly changed out of her dirty clothing making Mia turned her back on her. "Princess Emily, you should tell your father you're here," Mia declared. "He's worried."

"Right know, he's more worried about Serena," Emily replied, wrapping her cloak around her shoulders. "He should be with her."

Mia turned back to the blonde haired woman and sighed. "You should too."

"I don't want to," Emily responded, walking out of her room. "Princess," Mia began, running after her. "You should head to your sister's room. Prince Jayden has arrived." That made Emily pause in the middle of the stairs and glance at the raven haired woman. "Prince Jayden came back?"

Mia nodded solemnly and Emily quickly fled down the stairs towards the main corridor of the castle. "Princess Emily!"

Emily ran down the hallway, hoping to find Prince Jayden but slammed into a person. The Princess collapsed on top of the person, their eyes meeting instantly. Emily gaped, seeing the handsome young man staring back at her. "I'm so sorry!" Princess Emily squeaked, her cheeks blushing crimson red. "It's fine," the young man responded. The Princess quickly got off the man and extended her hand towards him, helping him to his feet. "I apologize once more! I'm so clumsy!"

The young man chuckled, his laughter holding a sweet tone. "It's fine. It's not everyday a Princess will fall into my arms." Emily blinked confused before looking him over, noticing his ragged, ripped clothing. She took a back in precaution, wondering how the man had gotten inside the castle.

"Who are you?"

The blonde haired haired man chuckled and stated, "My names Theo." He gently took her hand and kissed it, his icy amber eyes glancing at her. Emily felt a shiver run down her spine, noticing the familiarity of his eyes.

"Hey! Don't touch the Princess!" came a shout.

Both of them turned around to find Kevin, walking towards them. Theo released Emily's hand and backed away as Kevin stood in front of her. Theo laughed and placed his hands behind his head. "Hey, hey, I'm just teasing her." "You don't get near any royalty while you're here," Kevin pointed out, glaring at him.

"Sir Kevin!"

Prince Jayden walked towards them, his red cape flowing out behind him. His face held grief but quickly changed it into a serious one. He stopped near them and turned to Princess Emily, giving her a nod. "Princess Emily, the King awaits you in Serena's room." Jayden glanced at Kevin and stated, "Accompany her." Kevin bowed to his Prince and glanced at Emily, who sighed.

Both began their trek up the stairs before Emily glanced over her shoulder, seeing Theo smiling at her. She blushed and turned back seeing Kevin narrowing his eyes at him.

Prince Jayden watched them disappear up the stairs before turning to Theo. "Queen Ela will see you soon."

Theo smiled at him. "Thank you, Prince Jayden. I will await her arrival."

Prince Jayden nodded and turned away from him, leaving the castle.

Mike walked back into the city, watching the people bustle around. He still couldn't believe what he had seen.

The girl had sprouted angel wings!

Michael, don't be ridiculous!, Mike thought. The sunlight just blinded you and you imagined it. The brunette smiled, wondering who the girl was. He had never seen her before, could she be the Princess? Or a newcomer?

Either way, she's beautiful.

"Mike!" several voices shouted, breaking him out of his thoughts. Mike smiled seeing three women smiling and waving at him. "Ladies!" he stated, bowing at them, making them giggle. They quickly rushed off the market and Mike continued his trek to his house.

But as he went deeper into the city a crowd was gathering in the middle of the town. Mike waded through the thick crowd, hearing the whispers around him.

"Poor Lad, had a life going ahead of him."

"He only wanted to provide for his young children."

"This city is getting worse by the passing years."

Mike stopped, noticing the hanging board with a new short rope in a loop. An execution, Mike thought, seeing the knights dragging a man up the wooden stairs. The people in the crowd roared, throwing rotten fruits and vegetables, screaming obscenities at him. Mike clenched his jaw, sweat building up his forehead. He could imagine if the knights caught him, he would be the next one being hanged. He watched as the knights declared the wrongs the man did all while another placed the man's head inside of the looped rope.

Mike couldn't take it and pushed against the crowd. He wanted to leave before hearing the last few words that poor man said before the rope would tighten around his neck. The brunette man fled back towards the city, wanting to shake off the awful imagine he had seen. He closed his eyes and his mind flashed back into the beautiful blonde haired woman he had found in the meadow.

He smiled at the joyful thought of finding her before he slammed into a person. His eyes shot opened, a surprised yell coming out of his mouth as he tumbled with the person on the ground. Both skidded on a stop before Mike saw Amanda, his crush. Mike instantly turned bright red and got off her, offering a hand to her. "I'm so sorry!"

Amanda smiled at him and took his hand, getting to her feet. Mike's heart pounded in his chest, feeling his cheeks growing hot. "You should really stop getting into trouble," Amanda teased. Mike turned away, scratching the back of his head nervously. "I know but I can't help it."

Amanda touched his face, making Mike's eyes widen. "I don't want anything to happen to you," Amanda declared. "You could be exile, or worse….hanged." Mike's hands immediately went to his throat, remembering the man getting handled in the city plaza earlier.

Amanda neared him, whispering in his ear, "But you'll never get caught." Her breath tickling his ear sent shivers down his spine and stated, "Of course not. I'm too fast."

"Good," Amanda stated, gently touching his cheek before turning away. Mike watched the young woman walk down the dirt road, her basket in hand. The brunette smiled and walked the opposite way, heading home.

Emily glanced at her father, who sat in his throne, looking at her. "I'm very disappointed in you," the King began. "I can't believe you ran away and went missing for a whole night!"

"Father," Emily began, looking at him teary eyed. "Silence!" the King interrupted her. "Do you know what could have happened to you? You could've been killed! You didn't have anyone protecting you!" Tears slowly slipped down Emily's cheeks and she clenched her fists. "Father, please understand me. My sister is dying! I couldn't take it! I don't want her to die!"

"Do you think I want Serena to die?!" the King responded. "She's my eldest daughter, the next heir of the throne!" The King stood from his throne and approached the weeping Emily, kneeling in front of her. "Emily, please understand me. I was worried. My little princess was gone and I don't want anything to happen to you! If you were to get hurt, I wouldn't be able to take it!"

The King embraced the blonde haired woman, who hugged him back. "I want you to be here to rule with Serena. Please, don't act rash." Emily tightened her hug and whispered, "Do you think Serena will make it?"

The King went silent before pointing out, "She's a strong woman, like you Emily. She'll continue her fight if we keep up hope. Don't let the sadness waver your hope." Emily nodded, burying her face into her father's shoulder.

After her conversation with her father, Emily went towards the entrance of the castle to find Kevin. The young princess glanced around, hoping to find the dark skinned knight. Strange, she thought, walking outside to find two knights guarding the doors.

"Princess!" one of them stated, saluting her. Emily smiled at the guard and bowed to him. "Sir Mark, have you seen Sir Kevin?" The shaggy raven haired knight looked uncomfortable and replied, "I apologize, but he went to the execution." The Princess shivered, touching her throat. Sir Mark noticed that the Princess was dressed casually and asked, "Do you need anything, Princess Emily?"

"I wanted to go to the city, but Sir Kevin isn't available," Emily answered. "Well, I guess I'll go another day." The blonde haired woman turned around but Mark stated, "I'll go with you!" Emily paused mid walk and spun to face Sir Mark, who bowed to her. "It'll be an honor, Princess!"

Emily smiled and stated, "Thank you. I'll gladly go with you."

Mike sighed, leaving his home and back into the city. He was hungry and had opted to find some food in the open market. The brunette greeted several people as he passed by before he noticed several people gasping.

Mike glanced at the people, wondering what they were staring. He turned to the direction they were looking at and his eyes went wide in shock.

It was the girl from the field.

The one that had sprouted angel wings from her back!

She wore a white dress with a yellow cloak around her shoulders. Her gentle hands were covered in white gloves and her hair was adorned in a half updo. Her golden locks move with each gracious step she took and the grin she wore in her face, made her face light up in joy.

Mike blinked several times, not believing his eyes. The girl he found was the Princess!

Emily was bouncing in excitement as she glanced around the city. It was her first time in a while to take a trip to the city and she was astounded.

People sold everything from food to animals to jewelry. Emily approached a jewelry stand and picked up a beautiful necklace with an alexandrite stone. "This is beautiful!" Emily whispered, gently touching the stone. The merchant trembled nervously and bowed to her. "Princess! At your service!"

Emily smiled at him and showed him the necklace. "How much for the necklace?"

"It's on the house!" the merchant answered, but Emily shook her head. "I want to buy it from you." She took out a small purse but the merchant shook his head. "There's no need Princess!" "I insist," Emily replied, taking out a few coins when screams filled the air.

Several people ran away from the market, causing Sir Mark to protect Emily from the incoming stampede. "What's happening?" Emily asked, glancing over Mark's shoulder.

The merchant beside them screamed out fearfully, taking anything he could before running from the scene. "Witchcraft!" screamed another merchant running from the scene.

"I'm not sure," Sir Mark replied, taking out his sword. "But stay behind me Princess."

Mike didn't understand what was happening. People swarmed in his direction, almost knocking him off his feet. He moved out of the way, seeing the knight and the princess standing confused as well.

A roar echoed around them, causing Mike's eyes to widen.

He then saw them.

Monsters, red creatures that were slightly taller than him wearing garbed attire. They didn't have eyes, but a large mouth with sharp teeth, with small tentacles around their heads. Each of those creatures carried a sword and a chain, roaring as their gazes swept around the area.

Oni!, Mike thought, his eyes widening.

He heard of these monsters in legends, stories he was read to when he was younger. He never imagined that they actually existed! He was about to flee, when he noticed the knight and princess standing, not moving away.

They didn't know about the threat.

"Run!" Mike shouted, running in opposite of the fleeing crowd. "Run!"

Emily heard someone screaming at them and turned to find a brunette man yelling at them. Her eyes widened, seeing the fear in the young man's eyes before she was shoved to the ground. "Princess Run!" Sir Mark shouted as one of the monsters attacked him.

The Princess got off the ground, watching the monsters overwhelming the knight. Her eyes grew in horror, observing how Sir Mark fought with all his might, only for one of the monsters to shove him away like a ragdoll.

"Sir Mark!" Emily shouted, seeing his body slam against several stands before hitting a wall. "Sir Mark!"

The monsters began to approach her making her spin around to find one of them raising his sword towards her. "Princess!" Mike shouted, shooting towards her and pushed her out of the way. Emily and Mike rolled on the ground, just as the blade sliced the ground where Emily once was.

Emily and Mike glanced at each other, their eyes wide before the monsters roared at them angrily. Mike glanced around him, find a metal pole from one of the stands near them. He grabbed it and got to his feet, standing in front of the Princess.

"What are you doing?" Emily asked, her eyes wide in fear. "Protecting you!" Mike yelled at her, glaring at the monster in front off him. "Are you crazy?! You're going to get killed!" Emily yelled back. The monster roared at them, attacking Mike with an overhead attack. Mike raised the pole to block the attack, the blade hitting the metal pole.

The impact sent vibrations in Mike's muscles and sent him stumbling back. Another monster slashed at him from the side making him step away before another swung his blade at him. Mike's eyes widened, seeing the blade about to hit his neck, when a Gold blur intercepted the attack.

Mike watched the newcomer block the monster's attack with a short danto, it's cloak floating out behind him.

The brunette watched as the person kick away the monster, sending him flying towards the ground. The rest of them turned to the newcomer, roaring.

The stranger removed his cloak, revealing a modern Golden Samurai suit with a large kanji planted on it's golden helmet. The man sheathed his blade and bent his knees, scoffing. Mike blinked, noticing the monsters had slashes in vital parts of their bodies. The monsters collapsed into the ground, dissipating into the air.

What just happened? Mike questioned, noticing that the man hadn't even moved.

Another wave ran towards the golden suited newcomer, who dashed towards them, in uncanny speed. "Who is that?" Mike breathed, his eyes wide in amazement. His eyes couldn't catch up with the break neck speed he was attacking the monsters with.

Suddenly the golden blur was hit.

He was sent flying into the air, skidding the ground. Despite the impact, the man flipped to his feet and shot forward into the fight. Mike watched the man fight them with grace but with simple immediate force.

But he was getting overwhelmed.

It was too much work for a single person.

Mike glanced at the pole in his hands, his grip tightening around it. Well now or never! He ran into the battlefield, slamming the pole into the monsters, sending them flying into the ground.

Emily watched them fight before three monsters broke off from the main fight and rushed towards her. All three had their swords raised in the air ready to strike her. Emily screamed fearfully, scooting back in an attempt to save herself.

The two men fighting turned to find Emily with three monsters around her.

"Princess!" Mike yelled, running towards her, but chains were swung towards him, grabbing him by the neck, arm and torso. The brunette slammed the ground, his green eyes wide in horror as the monsters blades came down on the princess.

Blood smeared the ground.