AT THE GALA,
Everyone was merry and clad in elegance. The women trotted in with glamorous headdresses of all kinds. From violet feathers to silver beads, each head was decorated marvelously.
Their bodies that varied in physique fitted comfortably in gowns of shine and shimmer. Every woman added their own sparkle of beauty to the ball.
The men, the hands of their significant others, were not too dull themselves. Fitted in suits of grey and lavender and shoes of charcoal, the men made their entrance. Some shoulders were sharp, some stomachs were round, but every man was handsome all the same. Every strand of hair held mousse and was freshly laundered.
The children were alive in laughter and just mirrored their parents' wardrobe. Little princesses and princes ran joyfully into the Ballroom anticipating the bliss the night would bring.
Once everyone was seated, the instruments began to sing. Every note was coated in goodness and varnished in melody. Whilst the music resounded, the appetizers were served.
Waiters in black and white distributed salads, au d'ouvres, bubble and squeak, colcannon, Scottish Tattie Scones, Watercress and Rocket Soup, assorted cheeses and fruits.
The people became very hungry as their food sat on their plates. A few minutes thereafter, King Thomas made an announcement.
The music paused and the attention turned to him. Though, no one seemed to notice the sin-stained figure roaming the shadows of the Room.
"Greetings, wonderful people of Azarath. It is my pleasure to welcome you on this very special night. Thank you for taking time out of your lively schedules to celebrate with me and my family." the rest of the Royal family stood up at the cue.
"You all look absolutely splendid tonight. I would like to thank the custodians, the chefs, the entertainers, and all that assisted in making this event a success. This night will be the most significant Azarath has put the Moon under." The Queen bowed her head gracefully and the Crowd cheered.
"Will it really?" a voice questioned.
The applause drew to a halt and people's eyes scanned the Room.
On such nights like this, objections and interruptions were not only disrespectful, but forbidden. In most cases a person performing such a deed would be excluded from the occasion or perhaps punished more severely based on the degree.
"It shall." King Thomas fiercely established.
The swords of the guards sharpened at the sense of an intruder.
"Not if I have something to do with it." the obscured shape made its way into the light.
"Melinoe." the King's body tensed instantly.
"Hmm. Your guessing game is not too bad..." The female was now in the center of the Room.
"What brings you here?" the King recognized his former rival.
"Haha, Thomas...Thomas...Thomas. Tsk, tsk, tsk." she nonchalantly stepped a bit forward.
"It is King Thomas to you!" the King growled.
As serene and amicable the King can be, he had another side to him that Azarath hated to see.
"You know, even if I was the Queen, I wouldn't ask anyone to bow to me or give me respect. That's so old fashioned, like trinkets and buckles. Take a dip in the Modern Sea."
Melinoe was drowned completely in black. Her dark clothes draped loosely over her body. Her face was gray with a scar under her eye that split down her cheek. Her eyes heartless and dim, her strands ebony as well. You would think she was journeying to a funeral, but she finds joy in such a color. Perhaps the irony of her favored color will be noticed...
"I, Melinoe, like to do things differently. I force what I want out of people. As the most feared creature of my own world, you should have known I was coming back someday." the villainess wore a diabolical expression.
The Crowd remained uneasy and concerned.
"What do you want!?" the King slammed his table in frustration.
"Enough chatter, you're making my ears fall asleep." Melinoe sarcastically yawned.
"Ever have one of those days where you're just happy to be alive?" Melinoe snapped a black hex into her palm.
"Guards! Omit her!" the King's patience snapped as he ordered his security.
"Your faith in people is so precious." Melinoe kept her back towards the approaching guards and with a flash of her black power, they fell down.
The King got anxious and his Family began to feel defenseless.
The Crowd began to murmur and squirm.
"Young minds are the most pliable..." her blood thirsty eyes zipped across the Royal Children and landed on Rachel.
"Give me the girl." she commanded.
"NEVER!" King Thomas snarled.
"Like I said... force is evil's best mechanism." Melinoe twirled a dark aura around the Princess' neck.
"NO! STOP, PLEASE!" Queen Alexandra frantically tried to free her child of the magic.
The Princes gasped in shock and began to cry.
The King leaped over the table and landed firmly on his soles. He drew his own sword and made an attempt to stab the invader. The woman was agile and dodged his swings.
A band of shadows tangled the King's neck as well. While his face was turning blue, Rachel was becoming unconscious. The Crowd began to throw items at the troublemaker but she deftly deflected them. The Crowd ran away in fear and lost their hope.
"At least they get the hint. Clearly, you don't." the King started to lose air.
"NO! PLEASE, STOP! I'LL GIVE YOU ANYTHING! ALL THE RICHES OF THE LAND... ANYTHING! JUST PLE—ASE, DON'T HURT MY FAMILY!" the Queen's broken cries echoed through the halls.
"It's too late for that darling, Thomas knew he should have gave me that long, long ago..." King Thomas started to choke up his last breaths.
"I'll just get both of my desires. You dead, and the Princess... mine."
"Dada! Dada— no!" Rachel mustered a shout.
"Take me, but do not...take her." the King said through clenched teeth.
"I'll spare her slightly. Sleep tight, Your Honor." Melinoe snapped the King's neck lifeless and he fell to the floor.
"NOOOO!" the Queen wailed at her realization.
She was in too much fear to fight the villain and did not stand a chance against her.
Now, she was a widow.
"Dada..." the Princes sobbed in lament.
"Please— please have mercy on us!" the Queen pleaded with wet cheeks.
Rachel was still held captive by the witch's projection.
"You only deserve a little." Melinoe assembled a massive cloud of black and poured it over the young girl.
Rachel dropped to the floor as the spell conquered her.
"Don't mess with magic." Melinoe dismissed herself in a mysterious poof.
Just the Royal Family was left in the Room.
The Queen rushed to touch her husband one last time.
"Rachel! RACHEL!" Richard and Raymond tried to keep their sister awake, but her eyes flickered shut.