DarkWinter3

You stumbled upon the Vault of Knowledge, cape ripped and mangled from the attacks of the krills that had suddenly appeared near the gate to the temple of Wasteland.

You had not expected those beasts to appear again after meeting their kind at the start of the Golden Wasteland. Traumatized by your harrowing encounter, you are comforted by the soft and quiet atmosphere which the Vault brings to you.

There are rows and rows of unlit lanterns on the shelves of Vault that reached to the ceiling, forgotten by time and its passing. You believed that these objects used to collect the lights of spirits who used to live in Sky. They recorded every moment of their life in detail, their knowledge and their wisdom. Yet without the proper care from a living being, these lanterns could only sit on the shelves, waiting for someone to summon them again.

Finding safe haven within such a vast and empty place, you decided to explore. You also made a mental note to retrieve your lost wing lights at the other realms once you have found the Vault Elder’s tomb.

After absorbing a few more wing lights to strengthen your flight power, you suddenly found a book lying on the second floor of Vault.

It was sneakily hiding behind a ladder and you would have missed it had your light emitted from your body not found it. Years of neglect had left the brown leather-bound book covered in a thick layer of dust which you blew it off to read the cover clearly.

With gold cursive lettering embossed on the bold cover, it reads as “The Lone Traveler’s Diary and other Short Stories”.

Curious to find out more, you found a cozy spot within the room before slowly peeling the cover off from the pages to read.

The Lone Traveler’s Diary and other Short Stories

A long time ago, two sisters were very famous throughout the ancient Sky Kingdom. They were known as Shaz and Anna.


They were well-known witches who created a lot of exciting spells and potions that benefited the Kingdom. Many of these spells and potions, now produced by the sisters' descendants and successors, can still be seen today. Many wealthy nobles have sought them out by offering riches, power, and prestige, but the sisters were unmoved. Not even the King can move them with his authority.


Unbeknownst to many, the sisters have a secret.


Shaz and Anna were not related to one another. At all!!!


Yet, because they looked so alike when they first met, they decided to acknowledge each other as long-lost siblings.


Shaz has a fanatic love of blowing things up with her potions. There was not a day when she caused her workplace to explode.


Anna was a renowned prankster to those close to her. Every day, the people close to her have to be wary of her harmless little tricks. Yet, her little tricks were what caused everyone to have smiles on their faces.


While the sisters' likes and dislikes differed from one another, they shared one hobby.


They held night masquerade parties once a year and sent letters to all potentials partners around the Kingdom. The letters themselves contain a curious magic spell that allowed pairings to happen. It was so unique that the sisters refused to reveal the makings of the spell. Due to such a peculiar spell, there were many successful pairings made on such a special night. However, if a person is fated not to meet their partner at the party, their letters would not reveal a particular letter from the 26 alphabets. Even then, to many folks around the Kingdom, receiving an invitation from the sisters was a big deal.


As you know, not even royalties can make the sisters yield to them. Therefore, to receive a party invitation meant that you are treated equally.


For just one night, anyone can be somebody. And somebody can be anyone.


That was the case for Val, Queen of the Hidden Forest. And David, Inheritor of the Golden Wasteland. Our protagonists who had once appeared before.


While David has a face that exudes coldness and an impressive aura that nobody can go near, he was not a fan of crowds. So, when he received the party invitation to the sisters' masquerade ball, he had half the mind to personally find the sisters and beg… refused it. However, our potential King had a little crush on a certain Queen and that did not escape our sisters' eyes. So, in order to entice him over, they also added a note to the invitation that they had invited Val.


Shaz and Anna had been watching over the potential couple for a long time.


Anna was even a good friend of Val's but had never once revealed her true identity. Anna had watched over Val for a while and had always wanted to repay her care. Therefore, when the opportunity came, Anna invited Val to the masquerade party.


However, even if the sisters knew that David had a tiny crush on Val, they could not do anything to manipulate the love strings of fate. There was simply no way to manipulate the magic spell of love.


So, it was a real coincidence that they both had a letter with a "K" on it.


It was a result that the sisters had never expected but welcomed. Hence, with a couple matched up, the devil duo continued their days of causing mischief and terror to those who knew them.


That was the "happily ever after" for the sisters.


Short Story 4: Sisters