Darkness Rises Final

Taloria has been ruled over by the Frostrose family for centuries. The kingdom has remained safe and secure for nearly five hundred years, with everyone living in harmony. King Dorlan and his wife, Queen Lani, have ruled for seventeen years. Their daughter, Kima, has reached her sixteenth birthday and is to have a coronation tomorrow to celebrate her official title as Princess, as well as choose the path she will take for the rest of her life: a warrior or a scholar. King Dorlan previously chose the path of a scholar, and he spent his many years studying among those of the highest intelligence in the land. Queen Lani chose the path of a warrior and served three decades on the battlefield as a top-ranking general. Should the land come to war, she would lead. Kima, the only child of the King and Queen, has just twelve hours to decide her own path… [[Begin Game.]]

Kima raises her arms as the seamstress takes her final measurements. Queen Lani rambles on and on in the background about her military training and the rewards of it all, not-so-subtly hinting what she wants Kima to do in the morning. The seamstress nods to Kima and turns away. She goes to Kima’s closet, which is full of dresses Kima has never so much as given a second look at, and begins measuring the seams and bodices of several dresses. Queen Lani approaches Kima and places her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Have you decided what you want to do yet, darling? I know it can be a lot of pressure on someone so young.” [[Shake head.]] [["I might choose the path of a warrior, since you loved it so much. But, I still have not quite chosen.]] [["Father loves being a scholar. Learning all of those things might be fun, too. But, I still not quite chosen."]]

Queen Lani nods and gives Kima a tight-lipped smile. “Whatever you choose, your father and I will support. But, you cannot hold off on a decision forever. Taloria needs to know that their future leader has a clear path ahead of them. The scholars, like your father, contribute our ever-changing technologies. The things that Taloria needs to advance and live. The warriors protect Taloria and keep our people safe. They maintain the peace the Frostrose family has provided to them for many, many years now." The seamstress returns to Kima with three dresses in her arms and lays them delicately across the ornate bedspread of Kima’s room. “I’ll leave you to it, Kima. Your father and I will meet you in the morning to escort you to the carriage,” Queen Lani announces. The Queen nods to the seamstress and exits the room. “Please, take your pick of these fine dresses. All will fit perfectly and are well-suited for a Princess,” the seamstress says, gesturing to the bed. [[Choose the amethyst purple and gold ballgown-style dress with the Frostrose sigil embroidered across the hem of the skirt.]] [[Choose the sapphire blue and silver cocktail-style dress with an intricate Frostrose sigil brooch attached to the center of the bodice.]] [[Choose the jet black, beaded, knee-length dress with no Frostrose sigil attached to it.]]

Queen Lani smiles and hugs Kima. “It can be so rewarding! Knowing you have the strength and knowledge to protect our people can give you so much clarity and peace of mind" "Do you ever regret your choice?" Kima asks. "I think the best choice I've ever made, other than marrying your father and birthing you, of course, is being a solider. I think it made our people view me as not just the king's wife, but as someone dedicated to protecting Taloria at all costs. Being prepared to lay your life on the line for your people shows your love and dedicate to this land. As scary as it can be, at times." "But what if I am too weak? What if I can't keep up?" Queen Lani chuckles. "You will be given plenty of time to learn before you time to rule comes, my love. Whatever path you choose, your father and I will support. And we will do anything and everything to make sure you're ready when it comes time to take your place.” The seamstress returns to Kima with three dresses in her arms and lays them delicately across the ornate bedspread of Kima’s room. “I’ll leave you to it, Kima. Your father and I will meet you in the morning to escort you to the carriage,” Queen Lani announces. She grabs Kima's hands and raises them to her lips. She presses a soft kiss to them. "Do not worry, my darling." The Queen nods to the seamstress and exits the room. “Please, take your pick of these fine dresses. All will fit perfectly and are well-suited for the Princess,” the seamstress says, gesturing to the bed. [[Choose the amethyst purple and gold ballgown-style dress with the Frostrose sigil embroidered across the hem of the skirt.]] [[Choose the sapphire blue and silver cocktail-style dress with an intricate Frostrose sigil brooch attached to the center of the bodice.]] [[Choose the jet black, beaded, knee-length dress with no Frostrose sigil attached to it.]]

Queen Lani smiles at Kima. “Your father does love it. With knowledge comes great power, which a ruler needs in order to be a successful king or queen. The scholars of this land are tasked with learning the intricacies of this land and knowing our history. They lead the changes in our technologies. As the future queen, if you do not know where you come from and how Taloria functions, you will never be taken seriously. You'll of course be given all the lessons you need, but the more you know and contribute to, the more respect you'll recieve." Kima's eye widen and her mouth falls agape. Queen Lani chuckles. "You will be given plenty of time to learn before you time to rule comes, my love. Whatever path you choose, your father and I will support. And we will do anything and everything to make sure you're ready when it comes time to take your place.” The seamstress returns to Kima with three dresses in her arms and lays them delicately across the ornate bedspread of Kima’s room. “I’ll leave you to it, Kima. Your father and I will meet you in the morning to escort you to the carriage,” Queen Lani announces. She grabs Kima's hands and raises them to her lips. She presses a soft kiss to them. "Do not worry, my darling." The Queen nods to the seamstress and exits the room. “Please, take your pick of these fine dresses. All will fit perfectly and are well-suited for the Princess,” the seamstress says, gesturing to the bed. [[Choose the amethyst purple and gold ballgown-style dress with the Frostrose sigil embroidered across the hem of the skirt.]] [[Choose the sapphire blue and silver cocktail-style dress with an intricate Frostrose sigil brooch attached to the center of the bodice.]] [[Choose the jet black, beaded, knee-length dress with no Frostrose sigil attached to it.]]

The seamstress grabs Kima’s wrist and stares deep into her eyes. Darkness fills Kima’s vision for a brief moment. She blinks, and her vision clears. “Do you know who you are, Kima Frostrose?” the seamstress asks, her voice hushed and urgent. Kima yanks her wrist free and backs away. “Kima Frostrose.” The seamstress chuckles and grabs the amethyst purple dress. She holds it up and offers it to Kima. “Purple. The color of strength and nobility. Honor. It resembles the dress your mother wore to your father's coronation. What told you to pick this one?” [["It seemed strong, just like my mother."]] [["Nothing, I just picked one."]]

The seamstress touches Kima’s shoulder and looks down at the dress. Darkness fills Kima’s vision for a brief moment. She blinks, and her vision clears. “Do you know who you are, Kima Frostrose?” the seamstress asks, her voice hushed and urgent. Kima grabs the dress and backs away. “Kima Frostrose.” The seamstress chuckles and points to the sapphire dress in Kima’s hands. “Blue. The color of knowledge. Grace. This dress looks as if it could have been made from the exact outfit your father wore to his own coronation. He was quite the sight that day. What told you to pick this one?” [["It seemed smart, just like my father."]] [["Nothing, I just picked one."]]

The seamstress backs away and eyes Kima curiously. As Kima grabs the dress, darkness fills her vision for a brief moment. She blinks, and her vision clears. “Do you know who you are, Kima Frostrose?” the seamstress asks, her voice hushed and urgent. Kima backs away. “Kima Frostrose.” The seamstress chuckles and points to the jet dress in Kima’s hands. “Black. The color of uncertainty. The unknown. Only a couple of Frostroses have worn anything like this to past coronations, according to my ledger. It is... unconventional. What told you to pick this one?” [["It called to me."]] [["Nothing, I just picked one."]]

“Princess, things are not what they seem,” the seamstress whispers. She looks to the dress Kima picked. “Nothing is as it seems here.” “What do you mean? How did you do that before? With the lights?” Kima questions. “What do you mean, child?” “Everything went dark.” “That was not me, Princess. Do you have visions?” Kima bites her lip and looks to the floor. Visions have plagued her for as long as she could remember. “How did you know?” “There are secrets hidden deep within these castle walls. Long lost secrets.” [["What secrets?"]]

The seamstress quickly gathers her things and heads to the door. “We do not have much time. I must leave here before someone catches on.” “But I have so many questions!” Kima exclaims. “I cannot answer them all, my child.” [["Who are you?"]] [["What are the lost secrets?"]] [["Where can I find the lost secrets?"]] [["Who is keeping them a secret?"]]

“I am someone who knows the Frostrose family is not what everyone believes them to be. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. Quick, child! I have time only for one more!” [["What are lost secrets?"]] [["Where can I find any lost secrets?"]] [["Who is keeping them secret?"]]

“They are secrets that can change Taloria forever, secrets about our long-ruling Frostrose family. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. Quick, child! I have time only for one more!” [[ "Who are you?"]] [[ "Where can I find the lost secrets?"]] [[ "Who is keeping them a secret?"]]

“There are secrets hidden everywhere. In deeply guarded places, in plain sight, in places you’d never expect. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. Quick, child! I have time only for one more!” [["Well, who are you?"]] [["But... what are the lost secrets?"]] [["Who is keeping these a secret?"]]

“Everyone. Trust no one, Princess. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. Quick, child! I have time only for one more!” [["Alright... who are you?"]] [["What are lost secrets?"]] [["Where are the lost secrets?"]]

“I am someone who knows the Frostrose family is not what everyone believes them to be. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. I must go!" The seamstress exits the room. [[Continue.]]

“They are secrets that can change Taloria forever, secrets about our long-ruling Frostrose family. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. I must go!" The seamstress exits the room. [[Continue.]]

“Everyone. Trust no one, Princess. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. I must go!" The seamstress exits the room. [[Continue.]]

Kima exits her chamber once the seamstress leaves and looks around. The halls are empty. She proceeds down the hall to a large, wooden door with her family sigil carved into the center. She knocks, but there is no answer. She pushes her ear to the door and listens, but there is no sound. She twists the knob slowly and the door quietly opens. She steps inside and shuts it softly behind her. Inside the room, a fire burns and illuminates all of the knick-knacks her father has collected over the years. Shadows dance around the room and Kima’s vision begins to go dark again. Although this time, something has changed. Instead of full darkness, it was as if Kima had tunnel vision. She feels herself draw to an ordinary-looking, large, wooden box covered in cobwebs in the far corner of the room. She yanks the lid open and pulls a leather-bound book from the box. [[Open the book.]]

“There are secrets hidden everywhere. In deeply guarded places, in plain sight, in places you’d never expect. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. I must go!" The seamstress exits the room. [[Continue.]]

“Everyone. Trust no one, Princess. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. I must go!" The seamstress exits the room. [[Continue.]]

“There are secrets hidden everywhere. In deeply guarded places, in plain sight, in places you’d never expect. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. I must go!" The seamstress exits the room. [[Continue.]]

“Everyone. Trust no one, Princess. If you want answers, seek out a tome hidden within the master chambers. I must go!" The seamstress exits the room. [[Continue.]]

Kima opens the book and her vision is flooded with images of her parents, the King and Queen, laying at her own feet. They are covered in blood, eyes wide open. Kima drops the book and gasps for air. The visions disappear. [[Exit chambers.]]

Kima exits her parent’s room, clutching the new book in her arms. Her breathing is still rapid and sweat glistens across her forehead. She makes her way through the halls to the foyer and spots her parents seated by the fireplace, a maid dusting the bronze statues just outside the doorway, and a cook carrying an empty tray toward the kitchens. Kima tucks the book into her long, flowy sleeves and clears her throat. [[Get the King and Queen's attention.]] [[Get the maid's attention.]] [[Get the cook's attention.]]

Kima approaches her parents. “I was hoping I could speak with you a moment, if you have the time?” The King and Queen shift in their seats and gesture for Kima to take the empty chair across from the couch they were residing on. Confusion fills their features as Kima slowly sits and pulls her arms in close. Once Kima crosses her arms and feels the book pressed firmly against her bodice, she sighs and looks them in the eye. [[Discuss the tome.]] [[Ask about any secrets.]]

Kima approaches the maid, a younger, thin woman with thick blonde curls, and taps her on the shoulder. “Excuse me? Can I have a word?” The maid shrieks and drops her duster to the ground, clearly not aware Kima had been in the vicinity. “I am so sorry, Princess! Please forgive my clumsiness!” Kima bends down and picks up the discarded duster and hands it back to the maid. “Please, forgive me for the startle. I was hoping to speak with you.” The maid nods furiously and grasps the duster tight enough the white of her knuckles began to show. “O-of course! Anything I can do to be of service to you!” [[ Mention the tome.]] [[Mention secrets.]]

Kima approaches the cook, a short and chubby older man with rosy cheeks and a large smile always spread across his face. He stops when he sees her and gives her a bow. “Princess Kima, lovely to see you. Is there anything I can get you?” “No, thank you. I was just hoping I could walk with you and speak with you for a moment,” she tells him. He nods and puts the empty tray under his left arm. He holds out his right elbow, and Kima takes it. They step out of the foyer together. [[Bring up the tome.]] [[Bring up secrets.]]

Kima pulls the tome out of her sleeve and shows it to the cook. “I was hoping maybe you knew what this was.” The cook looks around and pulls Kima into the kitchens. He shuts the doors quickly and peers through the windows. Once in the clear, he turns back to her. “You’re lucky it is late, and the rest of the kitchen staff has been dismissed!” “What is the meaning of this?” Kima demands, pulling away from the cook. “I sincerely apologize for my aggressive reaction, Princess. This is a sensitive subject.” “Then you know what this is?” Kima raises the book up, and the cover begins to glow. “Princess, I implore you to rid yourself of that at once. Please,” the cook begs, his voice quiet and urgent. “What is it, sir?” The cook looks around again and then leans closer to Kima. “Dark magic.” The book glows brighter and begins to emit a cloud of energy around it. He pulls back and stumbles backward into the door. His eyes widen and he opens to the doors for Kima. "Speak of this to no one." [[Ask for more answers.]] [[Walk away.]]

“I have a question to ask you, but I would ask you to be discreet and not mention this to anyone else,” Kima says quietly. “Of course, Princess. Ask away.” “I have heard a rumor about something happening within the castle. I have heard there are secrets floating around about the Frostrose family line.” The cook stops in his tracks and turns to Kima. “What have you heard?” “Just that there are secrets hidden within the castle about my family. With my coronation in the morning, I just wanted to see if you knew anything about it.” “Who told you this?” “I… I just heard it.” The cook sighs. “All I can tell you, Princess, is that I have worked for the Frostrose family since long before you were born. There are some things that are better left unsaid.” “Please, tell me what you know. Are these secrets bad?” “Not all stones in this castle were placed with good intentions. That is all I can give you," the cook whispers. "Thank you, sir." [[Walk away.]]

Kima pulls the tome out of her sleeve and shows it to her parents. “I was hoping maybe you knew what this was.” The King and Queen turn pale. The King stands and looks down at his daughter, anger filling him immediately. “Where did you get that, Kima?” “I—” “No! No excuses! This is not yours!” He reaches out to grab it, but a bolt of energy emerges from the center of the cover and zaps the King’s fingers. He shouts and stumbles backward, grasping his hand. The Queen jumps to her feet and join’s her husband’s side. “How did you… What did you do, Kima!” [[Demand answers.]] [[Walk away.]]

“I want to ask you something, and I hope you, as my parents, will tell me the truth,” Kima says. “You can ask us anything, darling. Is this about tomorrow?” The Queen asks. “No, no nothing like that. I heard… a rumor.” The King leans forward and furrows his brow. “What kind of rumor?” “I heard that there are secrets surrounding our family. Is that true?” “Of course not,” The Queen scoffs, rolling her eyes and looking over to the fireplace. “If there are, I would like to know. I am the heir to the throne, and that becomes official in just a few hours.” “Kima, I assure you, there are no secrets.” The King’s left eye twitches as he speaks. [[Press the issue further.]] [[Walk away.]]

Kima pulls the tome out of her sleeve and shows it to the maid. “I was hoping maybe you knew what this was.” The maid looks confused and leans closer to look at the book. The cover starts to glow, causing her to jump backward. “Are you alright?” Kima asks. “What is that thing? Why does it glow like that?” “I don’t know. I was hoping maybe you knew something about it. I’ve never seen it before tonight.” “I’ve never seen it either. Clearly it is magic, but it doesn’t look like good magic.” “But dark magic isn’t allowed in Taloria. All the dark magic was wiped out centuries ago… wasn’t it?” “Yes, Princess. Or so we’re told, anyway.” [[Ask what "anyway" means.]] [[Walk away.]]

“I have a question to ask you, but I would ask you to be discreet and not mention this to anyone else,” Kima says quietly. “Of course, Princess. Ask away.” “I have heard a rumor about something happening within the castle. I have heard there are secrets floating around about the Frostrose family line.” The maid immediately looks down to the floor and bites her lower lip. “Is there anything you know about that?” “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to tell!” the maid shouts out. She sighs and sets her duster down at the feet of the statue she’d been dusting. “What?” “I heard your parents in the gardens… you know… I didn’t mean to tell the maid staff; I was just so shocked! I mean, good for them, of course. Please, please don’t fire me princess!” Kima took a moment to process the information, and when she did, her eyes widened in horror. “Oh no! NO! That is not at all what I meant!” The color drained from the maid’s face entirely. She picked up her duster and hugged it to her chest. “I’ll excuse myself.” [[Walk away.]]

“What is this book? Why is it hurting you?” Kima shouts. “What aren’t you telling me?” “You shouldn’t have meddled, Kima! What are you doing sneaking around in our room?” The Queen asks while examining the King’s hand. “Why are you hiding this? Is this a magic book?” Her parents ignore her as the King wraps his burned hand in a handkerchief. “We need to go to the medical wing, Lani.” “Why are you ignoring me?” The Queen approaches Kima and the book glows again. She takes a step backward and stares at her daughter. “The past is not a place the Frostrose family likes to live. Dispose of that book immediately.” [[Walk away.]]

The maid shrugs and returns to dusting. “Some people think that there are others out there that still use dark magic.” “Like whom,” Kima questions, genuinely curious. “The oracle.” “The oracle?” “How else does she know everything? She knows everything about everyone, even their deepest secrets.” “I don’t think she knows EVERYTHING…” “Everything,” the maid whispers. [[Walk away.]]

“Why did my parents have a dark magic book hidden in their room? It makes no sense!” The cook shuts the door quickly. “You found it in their room?” “Yes. In a wooden box covered in cobwebs.” “Did it look like anyone had gotten in the box recently?” “No. It looked like it had been there awhile.” The cook stares down at the book. “Princess Kima, I beg you not to open this book. Do not read it, do not speak anything out loud… Do nothing. Destroy this book before it destroys you.” He turns and opens the door. “Show no one else.” [[Walk away.]]

“You’re lying, father. Please tell me,” Kima begs. “Kima, enough. You’re looking for something that doesn’t exist,” The Queen snaps. Kima looks over to her mother, and then back to her father. She sighs and stands to leave. “Kima, sweetheart…” her father calls to her. He stands and follows her out of the foyer. Kima quickens her pace as she exits the foyer, but she feels a hand wrap about her forearm and pull her back. She spins around and comes face-to-face with her father. “Kima, I beg you to drop this,” he whispers. “What is going on?” Kima demands. “There is something going on, and you’re lying to me.” “Pray on it,” the King says. He lets go of her arm and gives her a kiss on the forehead. [[Walk away.]]

Kima exits the room and races back to her chambers. Once inside, she lets her tears fall and they cascade down her flushed cheeks. “What is happening?” she whispers to herself. She locks her door behind her and sits cross-legged on her bed. She gently pulls the magic tome from her sleeve and places it on the blankets in front of her. The book sits dormant. [[Open book.]] [[Do not open book.]]

As Kima opens the cover of the book, the lights disappear, and she finds herself surrounded in absolute darkness. The pages rapidly flip, and a red glow fills the space around her and the book. Kima closes her eyes. Visions swirl around her mind, flooding every one of Kima’s senses. The smell of fresh grass, the sound of running water, a small wooden hut placed dead center in the middle of a serene forest clearing. It was a place she’d never seen before. The picture-perfect sight did not last long. The same sight turned dark, the smell of grass was replaced with the smell of rot, the sound of water replaced with the sounds of bones breaking. The hut was no longer intact; it was destroyed, and a body laid distorted and cold before it. [[Wake up!]]

She dismounts from her bed and moves to her closet. She pushes aside her pristine coronation dress and grabs a crumpled satchel off the shelf behind it. Kima returns to her bed and the book shakes violently before her. It bursts open, and the pages furiously flip until the end on specific passage. Whispers fill the air, begging Kima to read the words. A force pulls her forward, and she slowly hovers over it and reads the pages revealed to her. [[Read out loud.]] [[Read silently.]]

Kima’s eyes shoot open and take in the sights around her. The lights had returned, the book laid closed in front of her, and there was no longer a red glow. She dismounts from her bed and moves to her closet. She pushes aside her pristine coronation dress and grabs a crumpled satchel off the shelf behind it. Kima returns to the book and finds it open on her bed. She slowly hovers over it and reads the pages revealed to her. [[Read out loud.]] [[Read silently.]]

Kima speaks the words on the page out loud. A bolt of fierce, warm, red energy bursts forth from her left hand, hitting the stone wall across the room and leaving a small scorch mark behind. She shuts the book quickly and shoves it in the satchel before draping it over her shoulder. [[Begin investigation.]]

Kima reads the words quietly to herself. Internally, she feels her stomach twist in knots and her head start to pound. It was as if the words were too much to contain. She shuts the book quickly and shoves it in the satchel before draping it over her shoulder. [[Begin investigation.]]

Kima exits her room and walks toward the front of the castle. She passes the foyer once more and notices her parents are no longer inside, the maid is no longer cleaning in the hallway, and the cook has long-since left the room. It is quieter than Kima has ever been used to hearing. Since she is alone, she takes the opportunity to replay all the events through the night thus far. There are clues waiting, she is getting closer to uncovering the secrets the seamstress insisted were running rampant in her family home. “Where do I go now?” she asks herself quietly. [[The chapel.]] [[The gardens.]] [[The dungeons.]]

Kima enters the chapel and sits in a nearby pew. She feels her satchel heat up against her side and places her hand inside. She immediately recoils as her fingers touch the tome and her skin sizzles. Kima, clearly frustrated, stands and turns to leave. “Kima,” a voice calls in a whisper. Kima stops in her tracks and listens. “Kima…” [[Investigate.]] [[Leave chapel.]]

Kima strolls through the gardens, stopping occasionally to smell the newly bloomed flowers. In the center of the gardens, a large stone fountain sits. Water falls at the base, causing a soft splash outward. Kima passes the fountain and approaches the rose bushes planted at the outer edges of the gardens. She reaches out to a lone, shimmery, golden rose and as her fingers brush the petals, the sparkle dies and the petals wilt and fall. She gasps and withdraws. “What…” She reaches her hand out once more and the leaves around the fallen rose shrivel. The inner corners of her eyes prickle with tears, threatening to spill over at any moment. As the leaves join the dead rose on the ground, Kima spots a violet-colored book within the bushes. [[Reach into the bushes.]] [[Leave gardens.]]

Kima approaches the entrance to the dungeons. A wooden sign that reads “DO NOT ENTER” hangs from the large, old stone door. She ignores the sign and pushes it open, other than the guard always posted inside to keep others out, the dungeons haven't been used in over a century. A castle guard inside stands at attention and steps in front of Kima. “No one enters this space.” “Princess Kima Frostrose demanding entrance,” Kima says, trying her best to remain composed and commanding. The guard bows. “Of course, Princess. Please forgive me, but the King and Queen have ruled that no one aside from themselves can enter the dungeons. I am afraid I cannot let you through.” [[Insist on proceeding.]] [[Leave dungeons.]]

Kima turns and walks toward the voice, toward the front of the chapel. “Kima…” She approaches the candles on the altar and notices one candle burning. A candle of her father's design, one that will never burn out and will always show their Gods that they are their loyal descipes forever. Kima smiles and reminisces of the time her father excitedly showed her mother the notes and formula for this special candle. He hadn't invented anything in months, and believed his time as a scholar was coming to an end. Her father was brilliant, he has one of the greatest minds of all time. The flame flickers as she stares at it, and as she looks to the wall behind it, she sees a shadow. The shadow moves slowly on the wall and stops under the large, stained-glass window. The candle blows out. Kima moves to the window and the shadow lingers on small, locked slot in the wall. She reaches forward to touch the lock, and it pops open and falls off. The shadow disperses as the small door creaks open. A scroll rolls forward and falls at Kima’s feet. [[Read the scroll.]]

Kima picks up the scroll and tugs at the ribbon keeping it closed. She unfurls both sides and discovers the Frostrose family tree. She knew that her father had people under his employ that kept track of the Frostrose history for the future people of Taloria to learn, but she’d never seen a fully formed family tree. Something that immediately catches her eye is three names scribbled in with a different color: Argus Frostrose, Pembra Frostrose, and Kima Frostrose. Everything around her immediately grows dark, and she falls to the ground, dropping the scroll in the process. Kima’s vision fills with two black shadows and one blue one. The blue one’s voice is muffled, but she recognizes the tone immediately as her father’s, King Dorlan. He pleads with the two black shadows, and the smaller of the shadows briefly turns a hot pink color and moves toward the blue. The larger black shadow releases an ear-shattering screech, and the pink shadow returns to its deep black state. It forms into a smaller, female form and pulls a dagger from her side. She approaches the sapphire shadow, and it morphs into King Dorlan. The girl stabs King Dorlan, and her face is revealed. It’s Kima. In the chapel, Kima groggily sits up and reaches for the scroll. The shadow she saw before, the one that helped her find the scroll, appears in front of her and resembles the shadow in the vision she just had. Before she can even stand, it dissipates. [[Leave chapel.]]

Kima leaves the chapel and examines her hands. Blisters adorn her fingertips where they contacted the tome. "What happened back there?" Kima closes her eyes, and then reopens in a slow blink. For just a moment, everything she sees takes on a sapphire hue and she feels a sense of calm and relief. The burning feeling at her side ceases. [[Return to room.]]

After her investigation, Kima returns to her chambers. She dumps her satchel’s contents, the tome and her other clues, onto her bed. She falls backward onto the bed and lets out a deep sigh. She rolls onto her side to look over her findings and hears a crinkling sound and pulls a sheet of parchment from under her. Kima holds it above her and reads: “As hours pass and the time to decide draws near, everything unravels, and there are more secrets, I fear. I know you have questions, and I have all the answers. But let me give you a hint, royalty can be quite a cancer. The Frostrose name has never been good and pure. There was a lot that some like you have had to endure. Most children in Taloria have been foretold, but on occasion some slip by and break the traditions of old. One thousand years of peace passed by with no hiccups in the plan, until sixteen years ago one was added to the Frostrose clan. Those who were not foretold have always caused an abundance of misery, but will the Princess choose to change this bleak history?” Kima sets the letter down and, yet again, feels a vision coming. This time, she sees herself in her coronation gown, the one she chose just hours ago. She stands at a podium and looks over the people of Taloria. The sunlight fades, and the people fade away to dust, leaving Kima alone in a dark and barren field. [[Go to sleep.]]

Kima reaches into the bushes and pulls out a purple journal, engraved with the Frostrose sigil. On the inner cover, the initials “L.F.” are inscribed. “This is my mother’s,” Kima whispers, running her fingertips over the initials. She flips through the pages and skims over Lani’s recounts of her time as a new Queen many years ago, and her time in the military before Kima was born. Kima gasps in awe reading about her mother's journey in the military and how hard she'd worked to get where she was. Kima had heard claims growing up that her mother was the greatest female warrior of her time, and reading the passages now filled her with joy and a new-found respect for her mother. One thing that immediately catches Kima’s eye is the last entry of the journal, a long entry about her pregnancy. It details how Lani’s first few months of pregnancy had been hard, but how excited she was to have a baby since the Oracle foretold that Queen Lani would not have any children. “It can’t be...” Kima says, closing the journal. The familiar feeling of a vision fills her, and everything around her grows dark. In the vision, The Oracle stands before her, chanting with her eyes closed. Kima, eyes wide and pitch black, screams. Life drains from the Oracle, leaving the old woman shriveled and yellowed. Wisps of green energy flow from the Oracle’s body and through Kima’s hands as she absorbs the remaining power from the prophet. “Now every child will be Unforetold,” Kima’s voice booms, deep and powerful. In the gardens, Kima comes back to reality, startled at what she just saw. [[Leave gardens.]]

Kima leaves the gardens feeling more confused than ever. Her stomach churns as she thinks about the dying rose. A golden rose has always been known as a good omen, and with one touch from her it was destroyed. “I don’t understand…” She takes a deep breath and looks to the night sky as she continues her path back to the castle, but her stomach still remained in a knot. As she approaches the steps the main door, she spots an odd tornado of wind forming in her path. The amethyst-colored gust rushes over her, and for a moment she feels as though her stomach might explode, but then it disperses and leaves her feeling relieved. [[Return to room.]]

“I demand entrance, at once!” Kima commands. “The King and Queen would not be pleased to hear their daughter, the Princess of Taloria, was refused access within her own family’s castle.” The guard hesitates but relents. He steps aside and bows deeply to Kima. “My apologies once more, Princess.” Kima nods to the guard and proceeds past him. She feels terrible she had to act as she did, but she needs to find answers. As her feet land at the bottom step of the dungeons, she feels dizzy and stumbles into the first cell on her right. The cell door slams shut, and Kima trips over a loose stone in the ground. She falls next to it with a hard thud. Kima sits up and rubs the shoulder she’d landed on. Beside her, her satchel lays open and the tome exposed. The tome glows and it slowly slides to the loose stone in the ground. The stone momentarily shakes, and then the movement ceases. The tome’s glow fades, and the cell door opens. [[Move the stone.]] [[Leave dungeons.]]

Kima ascends the dungeon steps, gripping onto her injured shoulder. She passes the guard with no acknowledgment and keeps her head down. “Princess?” he calls out after her. Kima shuts the dungeon door and presses her back to it. “This is too much…” The vision passes quickly through her mind once more, and a halo of pure black forms in her vision. Feeling uneasy, Kima proceeds through the castle. [[Return to room.]]

Kima reaches for the stone and wiggles it out of the hole it sits in. The gap is small but holds a small trinket that glistens in the torchlight outside the cell. She reaches in and pulls out a ring. It is large, and clearly a man’s ring. It holds a deep black stone and a sigil engraved on both sides of the stone. The sigil is very similar to the Frostrose’s house sigil, but with slight alterations. On the inner band, it appears someone engraved A.F. sloppily by their own hand. Kima slips the oversized ring on her forefinger, and everything goes black. Silence fills the air around her, and she can’t feel a thing. Out of the dark abyss, a face flies full force toward her and stops just inches away. He has a crazed look in his eyes, his face scarred, and he shouts in her face. The stench of death permeates her nose and just as quickly as the face appeared, it decays before her. Everything around her turns a shade of crimson red, and where the face had appeared there remained only a dark shadow. “I ended everything once. She ended everything once. You end everything now. I ended everything once. She ended everything once. You end everything now,” the shadow chants. "Come to the Wild. Come to the Wild." In the prison, Kima comes to suddenly and notices nothing around her had changed. She pulls the ring from her finger quickly and shoves it in her bag. [[Leave dungeons.]]

Kima lays down to sleep for the night, her mind racing. She falls into a dream quickly. In her dream, she finds herself standing in an all-white room. A shadow appears before her, it’s shape undefinable. “You have questions, Kima?” it asks her. “Have you been following me?” “Yes.” “Who are you? Why are you following me?” “I have been with you since the womb, Kima. Do you not remember?” “No. I don’t know what you are.” Kima’s voice shakes and she backs away from the form. “I am from a time well before yours. We are alike, you and I. Meant for the same path.” “Were you… were you are warrior or a scholar?” The shadow figure chuckles. “Not at all. We are the wild. We live outside of structure, outside of rules. We were never foretold, never a part of the plan, so why should we conform?” “I don’t know—” “Oh, but you do. Remember, Kima. Open your mind. Open you heart. Darkness fills you. It has been there all along.” Tears stream down Kima’s cheeks as she recalls the visions she’d had as a child. The shadow begins to move further and further away from her. “Come with me, Kima.” [[Follow the shadow.]] [[Refuse to follow.]]

Kima wipes her tears away and follows behind the shadow. A curtain appears within the dream, and the shadow pulls one panel aside for Kima to enter. Inside, she is surrounded by floating spectral orbs of different memories from her life. All around surrounded in a soft pink glow, except one at the very end of the line. One surrounded in a deep black shadow. “Remember who you are,” the shadow whispers in her ear. It grabs the orb and pushes it to Kima’s head. The orb disappears inside. Kima's mind is flooded with passing memories until it focuses on just one: Kima, just a baby in her mother's arms, is handed over a person covered head to toe in purple, beaded clothing. The face of the person was covered with a matching purple cloth. Her mother leaves the room, and the person pulls the cloth from her face. It is the seamstress, the one that helped Kima choose her Coronation dress, starting down at her. "I sense someday you'll bring great destruction to Taloria, little unforetold one. I sense the darkness in you already," she says. She waves her hand over baby Kima's face and a yellow light flashes. "May you forget and suppress the urges inside." [[Wake up.]]

Kima wipes her tears away as the shadow floats away. A curtain appears within the dream, and the shadow pulls one panel aside to enter. It stands still a few moments, as if watching for any change in Kima. “Make the right choice,” the shadow says to her. When it is clear she will not relent, the shadow disappears behind the curtain. [[Wake up.]]

Kima wakes with a start at a knock on her door. Sunlight peeks through the cracks in her curtains and birds chirp outside her window. Morning has come. Coronation time is here. A louder knock comes at the door. “I’m coming!” Kima calls out. She pulls her blankets back and realizes she fell asleep fully dressed and with the items she found the night before tucked away at her side. She quickly covers them back up and smooths down her hair before running to the door. Kima opens the door, and her mother stands on the other side. [[Apologize for the night before.]] [[Greet her.]]

“Mother, I’m sorry—” The Queen holds up her hand to quiet Kima and shakes her head. “Let us not speak of it today. Today is a celebration, and one of the most important days of your life. Get dressed and meet us in the foyer. We will leave together.” Kima nods and the Queen ventures down the hallway to the stairs. Kima shuts the door and turns back to her bed. [[Examine items again.]] [[Get dressed.]]

“Good morning, Kima,” the Queen greets. “Good morning, mother.” “Are you ready for today?” Kima remains quiet and fiddles with a loose string on her bodice. “Did you sleep in your dress from yesterday?” “Yes, I was just so tired last night,” Kima answers quietly, doing everything in her power to not look her mother in the eye. “Well, get dressed and meet your father and I downstairs. I can’t wait to see what dress you’ve picked!” Kima nods and the Queen ventures down the hallway to the stairs. Kima shuts the door and turns back to her bed. [[Examine items again.]] [[Get dressed.]]

Kima returns to her bed and pulls the covers back. She holds the items from the night before in her arms and feels a chill down her spine. “Kima… it is time… join the rest of us. Continue our story,” she hears the shadow’s voice whisper in her head. [[Get dressed.]]

Kima opens her closet doors and stares at the Coronation dress she chose the night before. She looks around at the other dresses she didn’t choose and realizes she can still change her mind if she chooses to. [[Amethyst purple and gold ballgown with Frostrose sigil embroidery.]] [[Sapphire blue and silver cocktail dress with Frostrose sigil pin.]] [[Jet black, beaded knee-length dress with no Frostrose sigil.]]

Kima dresses in the purple and gold ballgown and looks at herself in the mirror. She looks just like her mother in almost every way, but especially in this dress. She'd seen pictures of her mother at her father's coronation, and the seamstress had been right. It did resemble her dress back then. "She will be so proud," Kima whispers to herself. "Carrying on her legacy is an honor." In the back of her mind, she hears an angry hiss. "You can't change me. I won't let you," Kima says with conviction. [[Go downstairs.]]

Kima dresses in the blue and silver cocktail dress and looks at herself in the mirror. She resembles her mother quite remarkably, but in this dress, she saw more of her father in her looks. She'd seen pictures of her father at his coronation, and the seamstress had been right. It did resemble his coronation outfit back then. "He will be so proud," Kima whispers to herself. "Carrying on his legacy is an honor." In the back of her mind, she hears an angry hiss. "You can't change me. I won't let you," Kima says with conviction. [[Go downstairs.]]

Kima dresses in the black beaded dress and looks at herself in the mirror. For once, she doesn’t see her mother or her father in her looks, she sees only herself. Though the choice suits her, her mother and father won’t approve of her choice. “You’re finding yourself quite well, Princess…” she hears quietly in the back of her mind. "Thank you," she whispers. [[Go downstairs.]]

Kima descends the stairs into the main hall. The staff line the hall and gasp at the sight of their Princess. The King and Queen emerge from the foyer and approach the bottom of the staircase, each holding out an arm for Kima to hold. Kima grabs both of their arms, and together in silence they exit the main doors. A carriage outside awaits them, and the driver opens the door for them. Once secured, the door shuts. Moments later, the carriage begins to move. The silence within the carriage grows uncomfortable. Everyone is nervous for the day’s events, and it is clearly written on all of their faces. [[Sit in silence.]] [[Tell them what you learned.]]

Kima opens her mouth to speak but decides against it. Instead, she meets the King and Queen’s gazes and gives them a tight-lipped smile that they both return. The events from last night replay over and over in her head as they travel. She hasn’t chosen a path yet, and she has less than an hour to figure it out. [[Arrive at Coronation.]]

Kima fiddles with her fingers as she contemplates the next words she would say. She feels her father’s eye on her and meets his concerned gaze. “Kima, are you alright?” he asks. She sighs, shakes her head. “What’s wrong, dear? Have you not made your decision?” her mother asks, concern lacing every word. “It’s not that,” Kima says quietly. “It’s the fact that my entire life has been a lie, and I am about to become the heir of the throne to a family I don’t even know. I found out a lot of things last night. I learned that I am not even supposed to be here—” “Unforetold children aren’t unheard of,” Queen Lani interrupts. “Is that what this is about?” “There hasn’t been an Unforetold in over a thousand years, mother. Not since the reconstruction of Taloria.” Kima states. She notices her father shift uncomfortably in his seat. “It just means you are special,” Queen Lani says with a smile. “That isn’t what it means. Right?” Kima stares directly at her father as she speaks. “The last two Unforetolds were Frostroses. We do not know past that,” King Dorlan sighs. “And what happened to them?” Queen Lani gives King Dorlan a pleading look, but he proceeds anyway, ignoring his wife’s desperation to keep the past a secret. “They destroyed Taloria. And you will take a different path than they did and break that curse." For the first time in her entire life, Kima was being threatened by her own father. [[Arrive at Coronation.]]

Time passes rapidly, and Kima is being rushed to the main stage to give her speech and announce her future to all of Taloria. The crowd’s cheers are deafening, and Kima’s knees feel like they are going to give in, and she approaches the podium. She looks to the side of the stage and her parents give her reassuring nods. Though they meant no pressure, Kima felt nothing but pressure to please them as they looked on at the daughter expectantly. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees the shadow figure from her dream forming opposite the stage from her parents. Her heartbeat quickens, and the crowd quiets down. Kima is given the signal to begin her speech. [[Begin speech.]]

Kima clears her throat and lets out a deep breath. “Over the last sixteen years, I have had the pleasure of learning all about this country. Taloria is a beautiful place full of loving and kind people, who have done nothing but treat me with absolute kindness as I have grown up.” She looks over the crowd and sees thousands of curious faces looking up at her. “Over the last day, I have learned a lot about my family history. Things that probably didn’t make it in the history books you all have read.” The crowd murmurs and whispers to each other. Kima looks over to her parents and looks of horror fill their normally calm features. She looks over to the shadow entity, and it grows. “It has made me question more and more what path I should take as your Princess, or if I can even do this at all.” The crowd’s voices get louder. “But, I know it is my duty to pick the path best suited for you all, and one that I know I can succeed best at.” [[Make choice.]]

Kima looks to her parents, who look mortified, and gives them a soft smile. She looks to the shadow, which is aggressively pulsing, and continues to smile. “The path I choose as the heir to the Talorian throne is…” [[Choose the Warrior path, and follow in Queen Lani’s footsteps.]] [[Choose the Scholar path, and follow in King Dorlan’s footsteps.]] [[Choose the Wild path, and continue the legacy of the Unforetolds.]]

“I choose to be a warrior, like my mother before me,” Kima announces. "I hope to one day match the strength and the amount of courage my mother has in order to make her proud, and to make all of you proud as I fight for this country." The crowd erupts in cheers, and horns blast a celebratory tune. The King and Queen emerge from the left side of the stage and join Kima, hugging her and waving to the citizens of Taloria. Kima glances back at the shadow and watches as it shrinks in size, eventually disappearing to nothing. “This isn’t over,” the shadow’s voice whispers on repeat through her mind. (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[END]

“I choose to be a scholar, like my father before me,” Kima announces. "I hope to one day learn everything my father has dedicated his life to learning, and to use that knowledge to make him and all of you proud and I work to contribute to the advancement of Taloria." The crowd erupts in cheers, and horns blast a celebratory tune. The King and Queen emerge from the left side of the stage and join Kima, hugging her and waving to the citizens of Taloria. Kima glances back at the shadow and watches as it shrinks in size, eventually disappearing to nothing. “This isn’t over,” the shadow’s voice whispers on repeat through her mind. (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[END]

“I choose to follow my ancestors. To follow those who were looked down upon, who were disgraced, who were locked away for being different,” Kima shouts. As she speaks, her voice grows deeper and deeper. The clouds turn dark and the crowd whispers to one another. The King and Queen emerge from behind the curtain and approach their daughter, but stop as Kima raises her hand. A dark specter appears and binds them with phantom chains, preventing any further movement. “I will not be silenced!” Kima shouts, voice overtaken by several different ones in tandem, roaring. Her eyes turn black, and the veins in her face begin to turn a dark crimson red, protruding. Screams erupt as several Talorian citizens begin to bleed from their eyes, noses, ears, and mouths. The crowd tries to disperse, but a black, shadowy forcefield surrounds them. One by one, they all befall the same fate. “Kima, please,” King Dorlan calls out, horrified as he watches his people suffer. “This isn’t you!” Kima spins and faces her father, the crowd screaming behind her as their torture continues. She grins and makes her way to where her mother and father are restrained. The shadow that followed her appears behind them. “Do it…” the shadow whispers. “Do it now. Do it for us…” “This has been me all along. It was all just unforetold,” she says, her voice booming and distorted. The crowd falls silent as the last citizen falls to the ground. "Kima, our people!" her mother croaks. "They were never my people." Kima snarls, and wiith a flick of her wrist, the King and Queen let out guttural screams. Within seconds, they burst, leaving Kima drenched in blood and entrails. She looks over her parents’ now lifeless, destroyed forms and out to the now-silent crowd. Blood covers the entire area around them, everybody lays still. “This is only the beginning,” the shadow whispers in Kima’s mind. (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[END]

''(align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[Darkness Rises, by Trinity Summitt]'' [[Introduction.]]