As the emerald liquid spilled from the shattered relic onto the palace floor and the whispers of kings long dead surged into life. Dark clouds gathered instantly above the castle, casting an ominous shadow over the once beautiful land.

The once vibrant skies now mirrored the turmoil that brewed within the castle walls, the air grew thick with tension as the ancient curse unfolded it’s wrath upon the kingdom.

Ghostly figures emerged from the mist, their spectral forms weaving though the corridors with a purpose.

The haunting presence suffocted the hallways, their every movement chilling to the bone. Whispers echoed the corridors as the specters searched for the source of their disturbance.

Thunder rumbled ominously, echoing the curses of the ancient ancestors.

Lady Elara, whose curiosity had unwittingly released the strom, stood paralyzed with guilt and fear.

Today was the day I was going to die, it seemed like everyone in the ball room knew it too. I had been born into slavery.

I could remember the last day I was ever happy, I was only five,playing in a field of dandelions when the people took my parents away and I was put into young forced Labor day after day somewhere far far away.

“Get me some food!” My owner barks, “hey slave girl.” The boy smirks high fiving his goons.

Yet even though I always tried my best there was always one mistake I made, it was like I was never going to be good enough. It was sad of course, I remember those days crying in the barn and only the horses had the decency to comfort me.

It’s been ten years now since that time, I wished someone out there at least one person would be there for me.

But here I am with my tenth master at the ball waiting for my death. I gave up on trying to dance and enjoy my last minutes alive.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a girl probably around my age wearing a ragged torn brown dress and could see the desperation in her eyes. She had blonde hair with pale skin and dark circles under her eyes. She made me look like I had it WAY better.

My palms were getting sweatier by the minuted. “Tick Tock Tick Tock.” The clock ticked as my death creeps closer and closer.

By ten minutes before midnight the whispers of the “slave girl” who was going to die were going around lighting fast.

But my eyes always traveled to a particular area where dried blood laid and a executioners axe right in the middle.

It’s always given me shivers. This was now my tenth ball soon to be my least favorite.

The king then clinked his glass cup and everyone immediately quieted down.

“TODAY IS THE DAY WE WILL SACRIFICE ANOTHER PERSON IN HONOR OF THE DEMONS!” The king shouted Across the room.

“AND THR SACRIFICE IS……..SELENE NAVINI PIERSON!” Even though I knew it was coming the blood still drained from my face, I felt like I was slowly becoming a ghost as I kept getting paler as the more the gaurds shoved me towards the chopper.

In the heart of the Kingdom of Veridion, nestled atop the craggy peaks of Mount Grimfrost, stood the ancient Castle Aethelhelm. Its stone walls, blackened by time, whispered tales of glory and despair. The castle was a fortress of secrets, a place where the veil between the living and the dead was perilously thin.

Every year, on the night of the winter solstice, a grand feast was held within its great hall. Lords and ladies from across the kingdom gathered to pay tribute to the castle’s lord, Duke Eldric, and to celebrate the longest night of the year. But there was a sinister truth behind the merriment, one that only a few dared to speak of: the Feast of the Midnight Sacrifice.

For centuries, the Duke’s family had been cursed. A malevolent spirit, known as the Wraith of Aethelhelm, haunted the castle. It was said to be the tormented soul of a forgotten king, betrayed and murdered in the very halls he once ruled. At the stroke of midnight on the solstice, the Wraith would rise, hungering for vengeance, seeking to drag the living into the realm of the dead. The curse had claimed many lives, each victim’s blood feeding the Wraith’s insatiable thirst. But the curse also came with a dreadful solution: a sacrifice.

Each year, a guest would be chosen to die at the stroke of midnight. Their death, a gruesome appeasement, would keep the Wraith at bay for another year. The Duke, bound by tradition and fear, would ensure the ritual was upheld, for the survival of his family and the castle depended on it.

This year, however, things were different. The Duke’s son, Lord Kael, had returned from his studies in the distant lands of Eldoria. He was a man of science, a scholar who dismissed the superstitions of his homeland. He had heard the stories of the Wraith and the Midnight Sacrifice, but he refused to believe them. To him, they were tales spun to control the fearful, a means for his father to maintain power through dread.

On the night of the solstice, the castle was alive with the sounds of revelry. The great hall was adorned with tapestries depicting the history of the Duke’s line, and the long tables were laden with sumptuous food and drink. The guests, unaware of the dark tradition, laughed and feasted, toasting to the Duke’s health.

Kael sat beside his father, his eyes scanning the room. He had spent the last few weeks investigating the curse, reading old tomes and questioning the servants. He had discovered that the chosen victim was always someone who had arrived at the castle uninvited or under mysterious circumstances. As the hour of midnight approached, his heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and dread. He had made a vow to himself: this year, the cycle of death would end.

As the clocks in the castle began to chime the hour of midnight, the doors to the great hall creaked open. A cold wind blew through the room, snuffing out the candles and plunging the hall into darkness. The guests fell silent, their laughter dying in their throats as the temperature dropped, and an unnatural chill settled over them.

From the shadows, a figure emerged. It was a woman, draped in a tattered cloak, her face hidden beneath a hood. She moved with a slow, deliberate grace, her footsteps echoing in the stillness. The guests watched in stunned silence as she approached the Duke’s table.

“I am here,” she said, her voice a haunting whisper that sent shivers down Kael’s spine. “As I am every year. The sacrifice must be made.”

Duke Eldric’s face was pale, his hands trembling as he reached for the ceremonial dagger that lay on the table before him. He looked at the woman, his eyes filled with fear and sorrow. “Who are you?” he asked, though he already knew the answer.

“I am the harbinger of death, the Wraith’s chosen,” she replied, lowering her hood. Her face was gaunt, her skin the color of ash, and her eyes glowed with an unnatural light. “I have come to claim what is owed.”

The guests recoiled in horror, but Kael stood, his heart pounding in his chest. “No,” he said, his voice strong and defiant. “There will be no sacrifice this year. The curse ends tonight.”

The woman turned her gaze to Kael, her eyes narrowing. “You dare defy the Wraith?” she hissed. “You would doom this castle, this family, to eternal torment?”

“I will not allow another innocent to die,” Kael declared. “I have studied the curse, and I know its origins. The Wraith is a spirit bound by betrayal and bloodshed. But it can be freed, if the wrongs of the past are righted.”

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, the glowing light within them flickered. “You speak of things you do not understand, boy,” she warned. “The Wraith’s hunger cannot be sated by words.”

Kael took a deep breath and stepped forward. “But it can be sated by justice,” he said, his voice steady. “The Wraith is the spirit of King Alaric, the rightful ruler of these lands. He was betrayed by his brother, the first Duke of Aethelhelm, who took his life and his throne. The Wraith seeks vengeance for that betrayal, but it is trapped in an endless cycle of bloodshed. If we acknowledge the truth, if we honor the king and restore his name, the curse can be broken.”

The room was silent, the weight of Kael’s words hanging heavy in the air. The woman’s expression softened, and she slowly nodded. “There is truth in your words,” she said. “But the Wraith’s rage is great. You must act quickly, for if the bell tolls twelve and the Wraith is not appeased, it will consume us all.”

Kael turned to his father, who stared at him with a mixture of fear and hope. “Father,” Kael said, “you must acknowledge the truth of our family’s history. You must renounce the throne that was taken through treachery and honor King Alaric’s memory.”

Duke Eldric hesitated, the weight of generations of tradition and power pressing down on him. But as the final toll of the midnight bell echoed through the hall, he knew what he had to do. He rose from his seat, and in a voice trembling with emotion, he spoke.

“I, Duke Eldric of Aethelhelm, acknowledge the sins of my ancestors,” he declared. “I renounce the throne that was taken through betrayal, and I honor the memory of King Alaric, the true ruler of these lands.”

As the words left his lips, a powerful gust of wind swept through the hall, and the woman’s form began to dissolve into mist. The Wraith’s presence, once suffocating and oppressive, faded into nothingness. The candles relit themselves, casting a warm, golden light over the room. The guests, who had been paralyzed by fear, let out a collective sigh of relief.

Kael felt a strange calm wash over him. He had done it—he had broken the curse that had plagued his family for centuries. But as the mist dissipated, a faint voice echoed in his mind, a whisper of gratitude from a soul finally at peace.

The Feast of the Midnight Sacrifice was no more. The Wraith of Aethelhelm had been laid to rest, its thirst for vengeance quenched by the truth. And Lord Kael, the scholar who had refused to believe in ghosts, had become the hero who saved his family from a fate worse than death.

“Silly maid,” Chamber Lady Ara yelled at me as I tried to sneak towards the exit door, “the King is waiting for the food to be served! Go!”

I nodded and made my way out to the crowd of guests. I should have known not to be hopeful. Everyone here was a person of interest. Everyone had a reason to be here. Everyone had a fair chance of dying tonight.

It was ten minutes till midnight. I had to escape before someone caught me in my lie. I wasn’t a servant here. I wasn’t a Court Lady. I was a dangerous criminal. I came here to steal the Crown of Iris. I figured it’d be put on display tonight, but being dead wasn’t worth it.

I tried to make my way through the crowd to the main exit doors, but there were too many people and soon I found myself lost. No.

I spotted someone across the room. Someone I never thought I’d see again. “Impossible.” I whispered. “She’s dead.”

Circe.

I crept closer to her. There was no mistake of who she was. The sorceress was socializing with some man that had a god-like appearance. He looked like he could snap his fingers and they’d all die. And he didn’t look happy.

He said something and Circe tried to walk away, but he grabbed onto her arm. I caught what he was saying. “The King is waiting for you.”

That’s when the clock struck midnight.

I knew what was going on and soon I made my way over to them. I stayed close, but hidden as the man dragged Circe out. She struggled, but no one else seemed to notice.

I followed them out the door. Two guards grabbed Circe’s arms to hold her as she struggled. I stayed in the shadows, hoping to catch what they were saying. “Lord Eros, is this necessary? We have no idea if the spirits will want her.” A man said as he and another man appeared out of shadows.

“They will be pleased with her. Trust me.” Lord Eros said.

Lord Eros? Eros. The god of love.

I striffled a gasp. The gods were involved in this. This was bad. They showed no mercy and were the most dangerous beings in the kingdom.

The spirits needed a sacrifice. Or did they? What did they need her for? They didn’t. I knew what Circe could be used for. I had seen her magic years ago.

I had merely been a child, but I knew what I saw. I’d seen her wipe out an entire village. I watched her destroy my entire village. I watched the fire rain down. I watched the smoke rise and the people die.

I needed that crown.

I ran into the room. “Please! Please, someone help me!” I started fake crying. I wept and fell down at the men’s feet. “Someone, please!”

Eros stared at me in disgust. “What’s wrong, servant girl?” He asked.

“There was a man. He tried to…to grab me.” I cried.

Eros looked at his companions. “Go find this man. We’ll deal with it miss. Guards, I can deal with her.” He ordered.

The guards nodded and ran off.

Once everyone was gone, I made my move. I punched Eros in the face when he least expected it. I heard the cracking sound and he cried out in pain.

“What the-“

I swept his legs and he fell over. The back of his head hit the stone floor and anyone could hear the smacking sound. I ran over to Circe. She stared at me in shock and fear.

I looked over at the god of love and noticed the blood leaking from his head. He stared at me, a vacant look in his eyes. His face was draining of color.

He was dying.

“How is that possible?” Circe asked.

“I don’t know. My name is Penelope. We need to get out of here.” I said.

She nodded and we started running.

My palms sweat and I was fidgeting with my hands. I stood in the dimly lit ballroom while people danced and showed little to no concern about the events happening later tonight. The clock still ticked down though, 11:25, 11:26, 11:27 but still no one showed any fear. But it could be any of them.

Aaron found me in the crowd and hurried over. “Ava, this isn’t good. I can’t lose you. You’re my best friend.” He sounded panicked. As he should be. Every year at midnight in the kingdom of Thornhaven one person who is at the mandatory ball is chosen to be killed in order to keep the spirits at bay. It was awful.

“Don’t worry it won’t me be. Or you for that matter. It hasn’t been for the 17 years we’ve been living here.” I replied calmly, though inside I was worried. Something wasn’t right.

Time got the best of me. I lost sight of the clock until I heard it. It rang three times. Midnight. Oh god… it was time for the king to choose. It was always at random but the chance was always there for it to be someone I loved and cared for. Aaron took my hand, “If it’s you, then I will convince the king to take me instead. I promise you I won’t let you die.”

The king cleared his throat and spoke up so everyone could hear, “The person who has had the great honor for being chosen for the sacrifice is…” he paused for suspense, “Ava Hilton!” My heart sank. He had said my name. My heartbeat quickened and I started to hyperventilate. I tried to escape from the crowd but somehow I had gotten separated from Aaron and I had made my way to where the king was waiting.

I heard Aaron call my name but it was drowned out by the words of the king, and my panicking heart. “No need to struggle. It’s best to just get it over with.” He said with an evil grin on his face.

As everyone made their way outside to the execution area I was already crying trying to pry my way out of the grasp of the king. But he had already handcuffed me to the stone wall where there were already splatters of old dried blood.

“NO!” I screamed the words over and over again before it became hysterical. My mother was crying and Aaron was staring at me with tears in his eyes while being held back by a guard. But then he had spoken up, “No please! Take me instead! It doesn’t matter right? It’s just chosen at random, what difference does it make if it’s me?” Aaron had yelled to the king.

He scowled and said, “Very well. Seems like it’s your lucky day Ava.” He replaced me with Aaron and pushed me back into the crowd. I was sobbing and on my knees. I tried to stop him but he wouldn’t let me.

The shadows grew intense around us and the king announced that it was time. He brought up the knife and then stabbed Aaron three times in the chest and it made a sickening squelching sound. I screamed hysterically but it didn’t matter. Aaron met my eyes one more time and I couldn’t hear him but I saw what he said, three simple words I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear,

“I love you.”

Only this time, I couldn’t say it back.

I was coming home from the market when I saw it. The letter. It did not look like anything from the valley, too fancy, formal, and frightening. The envelope was a creamy off white, with a blood red ribbon tied around it, and a stamp the same color bearing the kings emblem, the swam. I picked it up, shifting the ingredients to my other arm. I prayed that it was sent to the wrong address, maybe for the neighbor, but alas there my name was on the silky paper.

I almost fainted at the sight of it. This was the one thing that my family hoped would never curse us again. The Scarlet Moon Ball. It is held every year in the kingdom next to the valley, and invitations are given to random people selected by the king. It doesn't sound awful at all until one discovers the catch. The castle is haunted by spirits, and they feed on the blood of one human per year. The Ball is a way to keep them at bay, and one person is randomly chosen and murdered when the clock strikes twelve. If you do not attend, you are executed by the kings' orders. Out of 222 people, one will die on that night. I have a one in 222 chance of death now. I thought my family would be safe this year, given that there is only a week left, but I must have been wrong.

I went into the home I shared with my mother and two sisters, preparing to tell them the news. My mother was turned away from me in the kitchen, cooking something. I inhaled, scared of what her reaction might be. "Mother, I received an invitation." "To what dear?"
"The ball." She dropped her knife, and it clattered against the floor. "No, no this can't be. You didn't, not after-" I hugged her, feeling worse than I did before. "I have the letter with me now, I haven't read it yet." "I don't understand, they usually never invite people from this area of the valley." "I guess I have to go to it now. I would rather risk death than have it be inevitable." She sighed, and suddenly she looked older, and more tired. After my father's death, she worked herself even harder for me and my sisters. We all have jobs as well, but money has been tight since the Great War. Now, there was a chance our family would lose another member, and I was worried, more for their sakes than mine that I would be okay.

I opened the letter. "Dear Aeris Seliren, you have been invited to the annual Scarlet Moon Ball. The date is the twenty-second of winter, and it begins at eight and ends at twelve-thirty in the morning. The attire is formal. Failure in attendance will result in one's execution.

We look forward to seeing you here. ~Your Majesty, King Salton"

I was going to the Scarlet Moon Ball.

~The night before the ball. ~

I pulled the dress over my head, and Lei and Rhea tightened the corset strings. Although this was the worst situation I could be in, the dress was beautiful. A deep, wine red, with a corset style top and a long flowy bottom. It was low-cut, and form-fitting, two things I was not entirely used to, but I could move in it and it was comfortable. Looking in the mirror, I could barely recognize the person looking back at me. The dress highlighted my pale skin and long black hair, almost making me look as if I was a spirit, or a vampire. My eyes, which were a pale blue seemed to glow in an ethereal way. "Woah." My sister was looking at me in awe. "What do you think?" "You look almost pretty." "Lei!" This dress almost made me want to go to the ball.

Around 7 the next day, a carriage arrived at my house, ready to pick me up for the ball. Everyone invited was picked up by one of the kings carriages and horses. A slight reminder to his wealth while the rest of us worked to the bone and were still hungry.

I climbed into the carriage and sat on the plush velvet seat. Rhea had done my makeup, and for the very first time, I really thought I looked nice enough for the event. It took a little while until we reached the castle, and I was very nervous. I looked out of the small window at the valley, until the scenery changed as we entered the kingdom. The lights in the shop windows were still on, despite it being dark out. In the valley no one had enough money for electric lighting.

Arriving at the castle, I stumbled out of the carriage and started walking up to the entrance, my invitation in hand for identification. Two knights stood guarding the door. I went up to the one on the right. Through his helmet I could see a pair of soft brown eyes. "Invitation Miss." I handed it to him, trying to act like I wasn't terrified of the situation. What if he didn't let me in and I got executed? What if it was a faulty invite? What if- "You can go in." I sighed a breath of relief and smiled up at him. "Thank you!" He looked at me strangely. "Of course, miss."

I walked into the ball, unprepared for the sight in front of me.

It was lavishly decorated, with a giant window in the ceiling displaying the moon, slowly turning red. There were small red lanterns that seemed to be floating in the air, and tiny lights everywhere, that gave the dim room an air of magic. The ballroom floor was full of people, all dressed in pretty dresses and fancy suits. Suddenly I felt nauseous, remembering that one of them, or me would die tonight. The only people safe would be the royal family, who were sitting at a regal table on a balcony overlooking the dance floor. The king, the queen, and their children, the twin prince and princess. I hated them for making us do this.

Eventually a kindly maid helped me find my assigned table, and I sat down next to a petite blonde girl who looked to be about my age. She was pretty, with dirty blonde hair, freckles, and big brown eyes. Her dress was poofy and light pink, suiting her perfectly. "Hello! You must be my new table mate. I'm Mare!" "Hello, I'm Aeris." We started talking, and I learned she was from a slightly more prosperous section of the valley, and was very nervous about who might die tonight, and thought that the prince was pretty attractive, although she disliked the royal family as much as I did. I really did like her, and not having many friends back in the valley due to my always working, hoped that we would both be safe so we could be friends after the ball. "Hey, come on let's go find some guys to dance with!" I laughed at Mares exuberance. "Alright, but I'm warning you, my dancing may not be castle standards."

Mare quickly found a young man with dark curly hair and piercing green eyes who seemed to match her energy, and stare at her in awe when she was in her element dancing. I was sitting at our table, when I looked at the clock. 10:38. Panic overwhelmed me, wrapping around my throat like a vice, choking me. Less than two hours, it could be me, it could be Mare, it could be any of us. Why was I chosen, why me? Someone tapped me on the shoulder. "Are you okay miss?" The knight from the entrance, he had the same eyes. "I was doing the perimeter check, and I couldn't help noticing you seemed to be having a nervous spell." I was still in my state of terror, and barely choked out a sentence. "Fresh ai-r." "Of course, miss." He took me by the arm and led me out onto a balcony, talking to me in a soft voice all the way. "I could tell you were having a nervous spell earlier as well, my brother has them all the time too. There's always someone here who freaks out before the big kill, usually a first timer. Don't worry though, as long as you or your family hasn't done anything to upset the king, you should be safe. It's not entirely random." I had started feeling better and thanked him for helping me. This made him look at me peculiarly again. "You aren't from here, are you?" "No, I'm from the valley, the South area." "That explains it, no one here ever thanks the guards for anything, we're just doing our jobs." "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know we weren't supposed to do that." "Nonono, I don't mind at all, I'm just not used to it." I learned his name was Henry, and we talked and talked on that balcony for almost 2 hours. Everything about him was captivating to me, his eyes, his voice, his laugh. "Aeris I've never met anyone like you." He leaned close, slowly going to pull off his helmet. "I've never met anyone like you either." "I'm so glad I met you." I smiled, wondering if maybe, just maybe we might kiss. I had never been kissed before, but I kind of wanted to kiss him. "I feel the same way, Henry."

The clock struck 12. Suddenly I was shoved from behind into his arms. He started dragging me away, as the person who had shoved me held my legs. I kicked, and tried to scream but Henry clamped his hand over my mouth. I heard him whispering, "I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry."

I was shoved into a dark room, where I was told that I was the person chosen to be killed. The man who had shoved me was wearing an executioner's mask, and Henry was standing there, looking solemn, and a little lost. I exploded into hysterics, crying and screaming. The man tried to cover my mouth, but I bit him, drawing blood. They were unable to perform the ritual with me in this state, and I wasn't planning on calming down anytime soon. "Listen Tress, let me talk to her and calm her down." Henry's voice was soft, comforting, as it had been before he betrayed me. "Fine Wiliams, you work your magic." The executioner backed out of the room.

"You are an awful human being, you are a liar, and a traitor, and should be ashamed of yourself." "Listen Aeris, run. The window is broken, I'll help you outside, just run, run as fast as you can, because your life depends on it. Go west, to a brownstone building numbered 334, I'll help you, just run. I'm on your side."

I didn't know what to do, I had no choice. At least out there I could escape though. Henry helped me through the window and whispered. "Remember, 334. Go to your left. I'll find you; I'll explain everything. Please trust me, I'll hold him off. Run.

I started running, wondering if I was making the right choice, but knowing it was better than staying in the cell.

AHHHHHHH this was so fun to write!!!! i kinda want to turn it into a story so lemme know if I should!

It could be anyone. That’s all I know as I step into the golden room filled with dazzling people and ornate decor. The sound of music instantly fills my ears and I can’t help but think about what this night could mean. It could be any one of us.

I see my friends, The Ladies of the West Court. I see the Lords of the High Castle all chatting in rows. The King and his wife lounge in their seats as their children run in front of them.

I don’t fit in here. That’s the problem. I was a liar and a thief.

I’d come to the West Court to steal the Crown of Iris three months ago, but the only way to do that was to go under cover. I’d become a Lady of the West Court with ease. It wasn’t hard. The women like gossip and law. They pride themselves on being the best and most intelligent of the Four Courts.

Lady Rosetta was the Head Lady. She cared for each and every one of us. I became her favorite fast. I was quiet and knew how to blend in. I was like her assistant and I took pride in it.

“Lady Circe!” Lady Bree called out to me.

I turned to face her as she walked over to me. “Lady Bree,” I replied, “how are you?”

“Fine. Fine. I can’t believe we got invited to the Midnight Ball. The King always has a reason to throw these. Do you think the reason is that there is a traitor?”

I went rigid. ‘Of course,’ I thought, ‘It’s me. I’m going to die at midnight.’

“Maybe.” I responded. “We shouldn’t try to understand the king’s reasoning until midnight.”

“You’re right. We ladies have to stay quiet. There is always an opportunity to pick up some gossip on the way.”

I nodded. ‘Stay hidden.’

Lady Bree left and suddenly a hand was on my shoulder. I startled and looked at who it was. A tall man stood next to me. He had dark brown eyes that pierced the soul, a muscular frame, midnight black hair, and dark skin. He was smiling at me, but I froze, unable to move.

“Lady Circe,” he said, “it’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Lord Duke from the Lords of the High Castle.” A Lord.

I smiled. “Oh, good evening, Lord Duke. It truly is a pleasure.”

He shook my hand. His grip was firm and string. He looked into my eyes with the intensity of a million fires.

“Lord Duke,” a man approached them. My breath caught in my throat. “Lord William wants to speak to you in person.”

“Lord Eros, I will go.” Lord Duke kissed my hand and left.

Lord Eros stood next to me. “Having fun?” He asked me.

“What do you want, Eros?” I hissed at him.

“When I asked you to steal the Crown of Iris, I expected results. Yet, here you are, at the Midnight Ball, the place where you could get killed and I could lose my crown.”

I tried to act normal, but I knew I was in trouble. “I’m working on it.”

“Oh Circe, not today.”

I tried to walk away, but Eros grabbed my arm. “The king is waiting for you.”

Then the clock strikes midnight.

A word of warning: this tells the story of my death. Now, I know just what you’re thinking. “But Lune! How are you telling this story if you’re dead?” Well, I would explain, but I think it’d be better if I just told you the story.

If you were to take a left turn at the beginning of the road, you would end up in the forest. Play your cards right, and you might survive the night. If you find your way out, you’d end up in the meadow. Through the meadow, beyond the valley, lies a wall. Thanks to the wall, the kingdom inside doesn’t know a thing about the world outside. Thanks to the wall, the people inside are safe. Now, before I go on, I have a word of advice. _Do not take a left turn at the beginning of the road. _Take a right, go straight, whatever, I don’t care. All I know is that if you turn left, your best hope is to die in the forest.

“Atlas, hurry! Come quick!” I yelled as I ran barefoot down the empty castle halls. “ATLAS!” My voice echoed. I couldn’t help but smile. I loved staying in the castle before the day of the ball, because no one was there except for the servants and the royal family. I heard my name being echoed through the walls. “Lune.. Lune.. LUNE!” It was Atlas. I ran towards the sound, and saw him approaching at the end of the hall. I lifted my skirts and ran faster, but just before we collided, I swerved out of the way, causing him to come crashing to the floor. He got up, but as I stared at him, something looked off. “Las, your nose is broken!” He went cross-eyed, trying to look at his nose, but failed. “You can’t go to the ball with a banged-up face,” I said, looking at him with mock disdain, “The spirits will take one look at your ugly nose and pick you as offering instantly!” “Who’s fault is that?” He replied accusingly. We both nearly jumped out of our skins as we heard the advisor calling our names. “Atlas! Lune! I’ve been looking for you for over an hour, your parents will be so disappointed. What’s this?! A broken nose?! Atlas, you’re nearly sixteen, and still behaving as if you were six!” He said in a huff. Atlas mumbled angrily, but said nothing. As we walked back to the dressing rooms, Atlas’s nose began to bleed, making a trail of red drops through the halls. Staring at the bright contrast of crimson red against pale blue with gold streaks, I was struck with inspiration. Next thing I knew, I was standing in front of my mirror, with the most elegant outfit I had ever seen. I was wearing a wispy, pale blue blouse, with gold necklaces and bracelets and earrings, dainty chains, and deep red crystals. My skirt was a long, flowy, crimson fabric that trailed on the ground, and on top, a transparent red shawl over it all. My shoes were golden heels, with pale blue diamonds set inside the straps. As I put my hair up, I reveled in my own beauty. I decided to name this outfit after the inspiration that had struck me: Blood on Marble Floor. The clock struck eight. _Time for the ball, _I thought. I sped through the halls to the ballroom, and came just in time for the Announcement of the Youth. “Present yourself,” I heard the announcer say, “Atlas, son of Selena, Crown Prince and heir to the throne!” Loud applause followed as Atlas stepped onto the balcony overlooking the ballroom. “Present yourself, Lune, daughter of Aleksander, niece to the King and cousin to the Crown Prince!” I stepped through the curtain and onto the balcony. Under the light, my skirt and jewelry shimmered, and I was met by a stunned silence before the whole room erupted in deafening applause. At this moment, I think a kind of thought that I vowed never to think. That’s what being pretty does; everyone loves me. _ _I instantly shut that thought down, telling myself ‘that’s wrong, it’s selfish, it’s vain’ But as I stood next to Atlas, watching the other important Youth being presented, a smaller voice whispered in my head: but it’s true. __ __ _ _Now; before I continue, I have something to tell you. From that moment on, things only got worse. Had I not been so stupid and foolish, I would have sensed it. Had I looked around, I would’ve seen the sour looks on the King’s and Queen’s faces.

I came down from the balcony and onto the ballroom floor, and soon became relaxed, enjoying the night, eating fine desserts and dancing whenever I liked the music. I bumped into a boy, around my age, who looked bewildered and confused. My first thought was that he had a pleasant but foreign smell around him. I pondered for few moments, before finally realizing that he smelled like coconut. I wasn’t used to it because it was extremely expensive to have, and had only smelled it once or twice when passing the Queen. “What is happening? Why is this ball being held? I’m sorry, I just got here.” He said. “Oh, dont worry! We hold this ball every year, to please the spirits of the kingdom-” I said, but broke off because the announcer had started speaking. “Oh, just listen to him, he’ll explain!” “Ladies and gentlemen of our beautiful kingdom! It is almost twelve o’clock, and I have a few things to say.” “Every year, we hold this glorious ball to appease the spirits that dwell our kingdom. Before this time of peace, there was havoc, until our first king made a deal with the spirits. Every year we would hold a ball, and at the stroke of midnight, one person will be killed as offering. Tonight, someone will die, but for the glorious purpose of peace. Whoever you are, you should be proud.” “As we do every year, if anyone has a suggestion for an offering, or wish to volunteer, you need simply whisper it into your cup, and the spirits will hear you.” I looked into the crowd. Everybody was looking at the floor, and not one person lifted their cup to their mouths. _How wonderful to live here, I thought, In a place where everyone is too kind to pick anyone to kill, even people they dislike. _ _ _“Very well, thank you. As always, the spirits will give you a message to think about before they choose.” As the announcer finished speaking, the clock struck twelve. The room was instantly filled with a cold, red mist. Tall, hooded figures moved through the parting crowd, until all eleven of them had formed a circle in the center of the room. The twelfth and tallest one stood in the middle, and began to speak in a low, hissing voice.

this year marks twenty _ _ we know your loss _ we have taken plenty_ _ _ _ but, even so_ _ we need more_ _ we need Blood on Marble Floor_

The blood drains from my face. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest.

_Present yourself, Lune, _daughter of Aleksander, niece to the King and cousin to the Crown Prince. Present yourself and offer yourself!

I roamed the ballroom, saying hello and dancing with handsome strangers. This year I was told that the target you be marked by the white rose pinned to his pocket. Many young men offered to dance and I danced with them all. While some I did show interest in, all I was concerned about was finding the person with a cream rose. I watched the clock as the hours ticked on. A quarter to midnight, I spotted him. He was talking to a young maiden, who was laughing. I decided to get closer by agreeing to dance with the newest suitor. But just as I said yes, I watched the girl become angry and stomped away. The boy awkwardly adjusted the rose and walked towards the champagne tower. I kindly pulled away from the handsome stranger and gave him a hair pin. He promised he would wait, and I have no doubt he would. It didn’t take long to pull the boy into a dark and empty hall way. I whispered that I had a secret and watched as he leaned in. I quickly pulled a dagger from my tight corset and plunged it into his chest. He fell to the ground as drops of blood pooled around him. I backed away, careful not to get blood on my dress. As I turned I saw my latest dance partner watching from the archway. He wasn’t scared. It was only the dead boy on the ground who didn’t know about the Ball of Sacrifice and its Midnight Assassin.

The New Year’s Eve ball was swiftly approaching. For generations, we had held it in order to keep the peace between the physical world and the spiritual world. It was an occasion that was both anticipated and feared (but mostly feared), for as part of keeping the peace, a sacrifice had to be given. Envelopes were delivered at random to every home in the kingdom. If you received a letter written in green ink, you were not invited; but if you received a letter written in red ink—you were forced to come. You could not back out of it lest you be found guilty of treason and killed regardless. The king had spies everywhere. Rebellion was futile. Everyone who received an invitation written in red had to reply with the names of everyone who lived in the home, for the entire household would be attending the ball. On New Year’s Eve, the king would draw a name at random from the names that had been entered. It was a deadly raffle, for the person selected would be the human sacrifice. The cries and wails as a name was called was horrific. It was even worse when a child’s name was chosen as the brokenhearted mother wailed in agony… For years, I had attended and watched. For years, I wept over the lives lost and wondered what we could possibly have done to displease the spirits so. I was the king’s daughter, which meant I never had to fear for my life. But it broke me as I watched my father mercilessly sentence someone to death. Why? Why did this have to happen? I had tried asking my father once, but all he said was that it was for the greater good. I still had questions. And I supposed that the only way to find the answers I sought was to study on my own. Princesses weren’t taught to read, but I taught myself in secret. I read every book on our kingdom’s history that I could find—but to no avail. None of them ever mentioned how this gruesome tradition had come to be. The ball was swiftly approaching, and I was no closer this year to stopping it than I had been last year.

_As the clock struck midnight, I stood in silence, gazing at the night sky. I could sense Helena’s presence nearby, and I knew the time had finally come to make myself known to her. My spirit feet didn’t make a sound as I walked up to the bench where she sat and rested my hand upon her shoulder. When she turned, she frozen in terror. “Do not fear, Princess Helena,” I said with a bow. “__I am delighted to meet you at long last.” _ _She stammered, “Wh-wh-who, who are you?” _ _With a sweeping gesture, I explained, _“I am the spirit of your ancestor, the one who cursed this castle so long ago. I have seen your heart. You are different from the other royals in that you truly care for your people and mourn over every life lost. And I think that difference is what can prevent more innocent deaths.” Astonished, Helena sat there with her mouth wide open for about ten seconds before she gasped, “Wh-why did you never come to meet me before?” I smiled grimly, “Because the human sacrifices, keep me at bay, I am unable to enter the castle itself, where you normally are at night.” __ “So, you can only visit at night?” __ “Yes, but there are windows, which is how I’ve been able to watch you. You are a brave girl, and I’m proud of the young woman you’ve become.” Smiling, Helena curtsied and murmured, “Thank you, your majesty.” She met my gaze again and asked, “You said there is a way I can prevent more bloodshed?” __ “Yes, but you may not like it.” __ There were tears in her eyes as she cried, “No matter the cost, I will do whatever it takes to preserve my people!” My heart swelled with pride for this brave child, one who shared my blood. “Hm. I thought you might say that.” I took a seat beside her and began to spin a tale. “Long ago, our first ruler had twin sons, born on the day of the new year. This was a problem for the king, and he didn’t know how to divide the kingdom. Eventually, he decided that the kingship would go to the firstborn alone. This made the younger twin very jealous, and one night, on New Year’s Eve, he slipped a poison into his brother’s drink and killed him.” I met Helena’s astonished gaze as I continued. “I was the twin that was killed in cold blood, and that night, I cursed the royal family. For killing an innocent man in cold blood, they were ordered to pay a human sacrifice yearly to keep my wrath at bay. You know all this, but there was another half of that prophecy that has since been lost to time. It has gone forgotten because of the selfishness of my brother’s descendants. There was always a way to end the sacrifices: if one member of the royal family would willingly sacrifice himself for the good of the kingdom.” I paused, giving her a moment to absorb my words. “I know that this is asking a lot of you, Helena, but would you be willing to do this?” She took a deep breath, and I knew she was mulling it over in her head. Finally, she slowly nodded. “I’ll do it. I’ll give up my life. But… how would I ever convince my father to allow it?” __ “Go talk to him tomorrow. We can meet up that night to discuss what happens.” __ She nodded, turned, and went back inside. As I watched her go, my heart was filled with sorrow. I loved Helena, and yet, it seemed that she had been born into this world for a purpose—to save it.

“Absolutely not!” my father roared, “No daughter of mine is ever going to be sacrificed! The peasants are worthless sheep. Their lives don’t mean anything. That’s why we can afford to kill one off every year.” “But father—“ “No buts! I will hear nothing more on this matter. Go to your room, now!” In tears, I raced out of the room, my heart sinking. I would meet with the spirit later that night to come up with a plan, but just what that plan would be—I had no idea how we would overcome my father.

It was finally the night of the ball. My hands were shaking and I felt nauseated, knowing that there were only a few hours left until I would die. Each minute felt like an hour as nine o’clock passed, then ten o’clock. I mingled with the guests, but the dread in the air was tangible as eleven o’clock, the time of the drawing, approached. Finally, the great grandfather clock struck, and the entire room grew deathly still. My father rose out of the crowd and stepped onto the dais with a great smile. It was sickening how easily he could smile when someone was about to be sentenced to death. “My people, tonight we celebrate the dawn of a new year, and of yet another year of peace between our world and the spiritual realm.” The king’s cupbearer approached the king with a bowl that held hundreds of tiny slips of paper. “Normally, I select the name in our drawing, but tonight, I invite my sixteen-year-old daughter, Princess Helena, to draw the name tonight. As our future queen, and my only child, it is important to become accustomed with the traditions of our kingdom.” The crowd cleared a pathway for me, and I was visibly shaking now as I approached my father. This was not something my ancestor and I had planned upon, but it would work out. I knew what I would say. Oh, I prayed to the spirits for strength! As I met my father’s gaze, I saw no love. I understood in that moment as our eyes locked why he had called me up to the dais. He was forcing me to accept this. He was attempting to punish me for speaking up. But my father would not intimidate me, nor would he keep me from my purpose. Instead of reaching for the bowl of names, I turned to face my people—their precious faces. I was trembling as I boldly declared, “I invoke the law of representation. I take this person’s penalty as my own.” Reaching out, I picked a name and read it. “Roselynn Harrison,” I looked back up and reiterated, “I have invoked an irrevocable law that lies within our kingdom’s commandments. I shall die in your place tonight.” There were intermittent gasps and murmurs as the room stood dumbstruck. “No!” my father roared as he grabbed my wrists. “Helena, I forbid you to do this.” “Your majesty,” my father’s advisor’s nasally voice cut in, “she is correct in that the Law of Representation, once declared, cannot be withdrawn, not even you, my liege, have that power.” Disgusted, my father released me, flinging me toward the edge of the dais. He glared as he pointed at me and declared, “You stubborn little fool! You have condemned our kingdom to ruin! I will have no part in this.” And with that, he stormed out of the room. Suddenly, I was surrounded by hands that reached for me and embraced me. The room was flooded with tears of gratitude as my people overwhelmed me. I was kissed tenderly by mothers and grandmothers who held my face in their hands and told me how proud they were of me. I began to weep, but not in sorrow—I wept tears of joy, knowing that I was doing the right thing and that my people valued my act of sacrificial love for them.

The time had come. I was led onto the platform where the gallows waited. As the executioner tightened the noose around my neck, I realized that my body had stopped trembling. I was filled with an overwhelming calm as the clock struck midnight and the trapdoor fell.

_Thunder clapped at the same instant Helena fell, heralding my arrival. The crowd gasped and fell to their knees in fear. “People of Asha-Ra, I come to you in peace. The sacrifice your princess has made today—choosing to willingly die in the place of another—has satisfied my demands. No longer will I require a human sacrifice from year to year. The princess’s blood has paid the price, and you may all go free.” _ _The king entered the room at that moment as the people cheered. I scoffed at the coward as he attempted to hide behind his personal guard. “And as for your king, his reign of terror ends today.” I snapped my fingers together, and the king fell to the ground, dead. I turned to the crowd again and said, “Never forget your princess and the great thing she has done for you.” _ With that, I melted away, returning to the spiritual realm forever, to live in eternal peace. And what better way to be greeted into eternity than by my Helena’s sweet embrace! “Welcome home, Uncle.”