In the throne room of Light Castle, there is a massive wooden throne with a somewhat obtuse shape. Its backrest is covered by a layer of the finest silk, once the most prized possession of the late King Trink Sansta. An elegant, vaporous, and exquisitely soft fabric covers the rest of the throne, giving it a pristine white image in the eyes of any onlooker.
From there, Queen Giotto Sansta rules over Light Castle and its kingdom. She is an intelligent and courageous woman who upholds the Sansta family tradition and uses her keen intellect to make her kingdom a worthy place for all.
However, her relationship with her daughters is tumultuous. Her younger daughter, Hachisuka Sansta, is a rebel who has inherited her father’s hair color, a conspirator and a bandit. Her elder daughter, the rightful heir to the throne, is the most beloved person in the entire kingdom. She is brave, determined, and straightforward, just like her mother. This strong-willed nature causes the three women to clash in their vision of ruling the kingdom. But everything remains under Queen Giotto Sansta’s rule until she either abdicates in favor of her eldest daughter, or Alex reaches the age of twenty-five, or she marries, whichever comes first.
Queen Giotto stared intently at a blue crystal orb. Its interior resembled a daytime sky, yet cloudy and stormy. The artifact allowed her to communicate with a new ally of her kingdom, a young prodigy, vastly experienced in conquests, and possessing inconceivable magical power.
—Everything is ready —Giotto said, speaking directly to the sphere.
—Are you sure? I have visited hundreds of worlds, and in all of them, I have been disappointed —a voice from the sphere replied. It was the voice of a young man, though Giotto had never seen his face. She had only read about him in the palace’s private library, where all of Protopaterpolis’s secrets were kept.
—Do you doubt me? Show some respect! I am the queen! —Giotto said, indignant.
—Your little kingdom means nothing to me —the voice said. It was dark and malevolent—, “Your Majesty.”
Giotto frowned. The way he had uttered “Your Majesty” was anything but respectful. Even so, the situation of her kingdom urged her to make a decision. And she was not known for fear or breaking her word.
—What I promised will be given to you, Conqueror —one of his many titles: the Rebel of the Darkest Fires, the Interdimensional Monarch, the Conqueror... To Giotto Sansta, all of these names meant the same thing: the solution to all her problems—, as soon as you fulfill your part. Will you help me subjugate the neighboring kingdoms?
—I will do something better. I know that your world... “Protopaterpolis,” as you call it in these times, has a veil that hides the magical from the mundane: the “Underworld.” Your tank army is powerful enough to conquer any kingdom or country by conventional means, but it lacks what is necessary to face the magical aspect of this world. I will help you with the “Underworld,” in exchange for the information you promised me. And if it turns out to be a lie, you will suffer the consequences —said the Conqueror.
—When will that be? —Giotto Sansta asked.
—Look to the sky, and you will find out —the Conqueror replied.
The queen swiftly approached one of the throne room’s windows. As she advanced, the light coming through the window began to fade, and a shadow crept along the floor, blocking the sun’s rays until the room was engulfed in darkness. Giotto leaned out and looked at the sky. There, she saw something she had never imagined.
The sun was covered by a colossal celestial body: a massive black moon, creating an eclipse that obscured the light.
—This is the Timeless Eclipse —said the Conqueror through the sphere the queen held—. The moon is not in your world; it is a magical projection of the black moon of a far darker world, a world even I dare not speak of. The people of your world, Protopaterpolis, will not see the eclipse if they are non-magical, those who live in the mundane world. But the denizens of the “Underworld”... the eclipse will drive them mad. You will have no trouble conquering their kingdoms.
—This is... incredible —Giotto said, alternating between looking at the sphere and gazing at the sky.
—This is my power. And this seals our pact: I have some matters to attend to in the world I am currently in, but soon, I will travel to Protopaterpolis and meet with you. Together, we will conquer this world. And then, you will fulfill your part of the deal —said the Conqueror.
—Of course. Which world are you in now, out of curiosity? —the queen asked.
—A very amusing place. It’s called “Cocoon.” Here... I have retrieved two old minions of mine. Very useful, everything I have learned in this place —said the Conqueror.
—I can’t wait for you to show me everything —Giotto said.
But the voice did not answer. He always acted like this: speaking of incredible worlds and then leaving the conversation unfinished. Yet, the eclipse in the sky... he had fulfilled his part.
Giotto shuddered. A smile began to form on her lips.
—I will conquer this world on my own. But I would like him to watch. Because this world belongs to me —she proclaimed to the sky, letting out a laugh.
In the palace grounds, people began to scream.
After spending several hours with the subjects in the city, Alex Sansta finally arrived at the palace, accompanied by Bianchi and Wu Xiaohu, as both had insisted on going with her. The palace golems, magical lifeforms with a comical appearance but exquisite taste in clothing, greeted her along with Hugh, the imperial general, and her mother’s right-hand man.
—Your Highness —said Hugh, bowing formally but with little effort. The general didn’t even spare a second to glance at Alex’s companions.
—General —replied Alex, not returning the bow. Hugh had been her instructor as a child, teaching her court manners, fencing, protocol... everything.
—The queen is dissatisfied with your “little trip,” Your Highness —said the general.
—It’s not your concern, general, to lecture me. I’m not a child —Alex said, offended.
—Then don’t act like one, Your Highness —retorted Hugh.
Bianchi couldn’t keep his composure.
—You’re talking to your princess! Show some respect, damn it! —he exclaimed, confronting the general.
In a movement so fast, it was almost impossible to see, Bianchi found himself on the ground, Hugh’s boot on his chest and his sword pressed to his throat.
—Your Highness, the next time you leave the palace to go on an adventure, I beg you to allow a servant to accompany you. The outside of the palace is not safe —said the general, not even blinking.
—Please, release my companion, Hugh —ordered Alex, defeated.
—Ah, back to using our real names with me. Good decision. Is this beast a friend of yours, Aleksandra? —Whenever the general called her by her full name, Alex’s hair stood on end. Using her full name had been a privilege of her late father, the king, but palace tradition dictated that the princess's instructor should take the role of a parent and/or mentor in the event of the king or queen's death, until the princess was crowned queen.
—Please, don’t call me that in front of my guests —said Alex, blushing and stiffening.
—My apologies, Aleksan... —the man coughed, covering his mouth—, Princess.
The general removed both the boot and the sword from Bianchi’s neck. He stood up without saying a word. The difference in power between them was unimaginable.
—Her Majesty, Queen Giotto, is waiting for you in the throne room, Princess —said the general. —Although there is a matter I would like to discuss first, regarding the palace dungeons.
—My mother doesn’t like to be kept waiting, Hugh. I’m afraid whatever happens in the dungeons will have to take a back seat. Can’t you handle it? —said Alex.
—The staff speaks of an evil monstrous golem with its own desires, Princess. Something related to “fear” or “phobia”. I can handle it, but only if you order me to —said the general.
—Then, please, take care of it. I already have enough problems, and I think I’m about to have more —said Alex.
—It will be an honour, Princess —said the general, bowing and placing his hand on his chest. —I wish you luck with Her Majesty. She is not in a very good mood.
—Hugh, my mother has declared war on all the neighboring kingdoms. It’s impossible for something like that to put her in a good mood —said Alex, with an exasperated expression.
At that moment, the room suddenly darkened.
—No way —said Wu Xiaohu, amazed, who was looking out of one of the windows.
The others ran to see what was happening. The sun was covered by a gigantic black moon.
—Oh, for the love of what is sacred, she did it —said Hugh.
—Who did what? —asked Alex. Seeing the general’s disturbed expression, she added—. General, tell me everything you know. That’s an order.
Alex burst into the throne room like a whirlwind, completely alone. After dismissing the general, she left Bianchi and Wu Xiaohu in the antechamber, with strict orders not to enter. Inside were only Queen Giotto, sitting on her throne, and a group of Magic Lifeform Golems for entertainment: a jester, a minstrel, a juggler...
—Gill Lapis?! —shouted Alex, striding angrily toward the throne, where her mother awaited. —Gill Lapis?! Have you lost your mind, mother?!
Queen Giotto Sansta looked at her with disdain from her throne. Alex saw her mother tighten her lips, holding back the angry response she wanted to give.
—Ah, you’ve returned, my daughter. How was your trip? —replied the queen in a calm voice, though her face betrayed her tension.
—Mother! What have you done? —exclaimed Alex, ignoring her mother’s attempt to divert the conversation.
—What had to be done, daughter. I’m the queen! We are on the brink of war! What did you expect me to do? —replied the queen, standing up. The metallic sound of her leg hitting the floor with a heel echoed through the room.
—Follow the tradition! I travelled to the Sacred Ruins to obtain the power hidden there and, along the way, gained allies! —argued Alex.
—I didn’t have to go so far or waste time. The Conqueror has promised me an army, in addition to this wonderful Timeless Eclipse. With it, all the kingdoms that oppose us in the Underworld will fall at our feet —declared the queen.
—Gill Lapis is a threat that cannot be contained, mother! He is THE Conqueror of all dimensions! We have books preventing us to meet with him! —said Alex.
—He is my friend, and also, my ally! Not like our neighbour kingdoms! —said Giotto.
—No kingdom opposes us, mother! You declared war on them! They’re father’s allies! —reproached Alex.
—Don’t you dare mention your father! He abandoned us, and now we’re in this mess because of him! —roared the queen.
The golems, frightened, fled in panic, disappearing into the darkness.
—Father died, mother! He didn’t abandon us! I don’t think he would have wanted this! —replied Alex.
Mother and daughter held each other’s gaze for a few seconds, both breathing heavily, on the verge of a physical fight. Then, the Jhrelth amulet that Alex wore on her chest began to glow with a green light.
—So, you’ve got it —murmured the queen, sinking back into her throne.
—I have the power to dissuade your enemies, yes. I can avoid the war —affirmed Alex.
—It’s already been declared. It can’t be stopped —said the queen.
—But, mother, I...! —Alex tried to say, but her mother interrupted her.
—You also abandoned me. Everyone does: your father, your sister, you... everyone, except the Conqueror. Everyone! —exclaimed the queen, her face marked by anguish.
—My sister? Where is Hachisuka? —asked Alex.
—She left in search of the one she calls “the rightful heir to the throne.” Bah! Betrayal, that’s what it is! Betrayal! —bellowed the queen— Bring back the jesters! You and I are done.
Alex clenched her fists, almost losing control and transforming into Thir’ahmh. Holding back her tears, she nodded and turned to leave, but she had to try one last time.
—If I convince the neighboring kingdoms to sign a new peace treaty, will you stop this madness and undo the Timeless Eclipse? —asked Alex, desperate.
—Will you degrade yourself, as your father did, and beg for mercy? You’re not a worthy heir to the throne! You’re not worthy to be a Sansta! —sneered the queen— Bring me your sister! She knows how to govern! I’ll make her forget that absurd idea of the “rightful heir.”
—Just wait and see. But promise me: if I succeed, you’ll stop this war —demanded Alex before leaving.
Her mother’s response was never seen. Alex trusted that, after the rage and anguish, she could still make her to stop the war acquiring a new truce with the other kingdoms. But she would need her sister to do convince her mother.
As she left, Bianchi and Wu Xiaohu stood up from a bench and went to meet her.
—How did it go? —asked Bianchi.
—I’m like my father. I can’t connect with her. It didn’t go well —admitted Alex.
—And now, what do we do? Who is this Gill Lapis? Is he that troublesome? —asked Bianchi.
Alex looked at him with tenderness. How could she explain to someone who barely knew of the existence of other worlds the danger posed by the greatest interdimensional conqueror? She stroked Bianchi’s chin and hugged him.
—First, let’s find my sister. She went to the western mountain region to meet the king —said Alex.
—Your father? But… —asked Bianchi.
—No, silly. The king of the bandits —she replied, smiling.
—And do you think he’ll receive us? —asked Bianchi.
Alex nodded without stopping smiling. Being with Bianchi always made her feel better, comforted. She looked down, where Wu Xiaohu was standing.
—It’s time for you to fulfill your task, Mr. Wu Xiaohu. I need you to stay with my mother while I go search for my sister. Do what you’ve come to do and convince her that Academy City is her ally. Maybe that will buy us some time —said Alex.
—Me? But...! —complained Wu Xiaohu.
—No buts. I’ll be back soon. Don’t be fooled: although she may seem fierce and ruthless on the outside, she is fierce and ruthless on the inside as well. Good luck, Mr. Xiaohu —replied Alex.
—Isn’t she soft and squishy inside? —asked Wu Xiaohu, visible scared.
But Alex was leaving the room, worried, pulling Bianchi’s arm. They had a long road ahead if they wanted to stop the war.
