The kingdom of shadow

I was troubled and fascinated by so many unusual beings and worlds.

- And where are we going now?

- First we will go to the king's castle. It is there that we will stay during our research in this kingdom.

As soon as he said this, a whole regiment came to meet us. Then they bowed to the prince.

- Your majesty we are delighted to see you again. Our king has sensed your coming, and he awaits you with impatience.

He was received with great consideration. I knew that being of imperial blood, this kind of ceremony was normal, but this was almost strange, I would have said that he is loved in this world. When we arrived at the palace, I was immediately transported by dazzlement and terror. For the great mansion was the image of this world, half of it was built in the normal way reflecting the image of beauty, and the other half erected in the shadow represented the true face of the power of the people. But in my eyes, this construction, although symbolic, reflected a funereal vision. We were led straight to the throne room. The royal couple welcomed us with a warm smile. Seiran, for his part, walked in with sovereign dignity, as if the castle belonged to him. And I just followed him, not knowing what attitude to adopt.

- Forgive me for coming in unannounced without even having the courtesy to send you a message. He proclaimed at the outset with breathtaking distinction. It's just that lately I've lost my subtlety a bit.

- Do not worry you Seiran, we understand perfectly, considering the situation. Excused to him the king while inclining slightly of the head.

- And again, forgive me for introducing a human into your kingdom.

Her name is Dania Raeight, and she is here to help us in this war against evil.

- All help is welcome, the rulers agreed, but they looked at me with the greatest attention, their curiosity, hard shaken by the tragedy, slowly coming back to life, thanks to my presence and my supposed abilities. We must not neglect anything, my child.

- So, let's not waste any more time on mundanities. My godfather, have you got any more information about this phenomenon?

The expression of the royal couple changed completely. They became incredibly serious, like a curtain falling to reveal what was really there. To tell the truth, they were magnificent, silver ribbons were skilfully wrapped around the queen, in her eyes shone a marvelous light, proof of her greatness of soul and her understanding in various things. As for the sovereign, built like the skinny guy from mom's tale, his magical strength, his presence, his aura of leadership, compensated quite well for this honestly unadvantageous posture. They asked us to follow them through various rooms and endless corridors. Then we arrived soon in a room, a vast office whose walls were covered with paintings as strangely beautiful as moving and incomprehensible.

- You are a little confused in front of these images, aren't you? exclaimed Seiran, understanding. Don't worry, we'll explain it to you soon because that's exactly what the king wanted to show us.

The king looked up and placed both hands on the fantastic images representing the abstract side of his kingdom. Every change of life, of thought, of form, everything was represented here, on a background of blue and scarlet, and all the colors existing if we talk about the scenery. Look for example at this orange spot here, people are giving birth, this thin blue line, women got pregnant, this purple mark wrapped around a forest, it's a hesitation.

His voice revealed unambiguously his love for his people, but I sensed something else, which made me worry.

All the walls were covered with these moving and mysterious images, and Seiran went through all the walls to observe what would be suspicious. For my part, I let myself be bewitched by this miniature and utopian world, mirroring the soul of the shadow people.

It was like a supernatural power. I didn't know when the silence reached me, a heavy, frightening silence, which forced me to turn around, and then, astonished, I saw Seiran looking at a black spot on a corner of the wall, blacker than all the dark colors I have ever seen. The king did not say a word, probably waiting for the emperor to speak first. Finally the latter opened his mouth.

- Then you also...

- Yes, alas...this is the city of Dirius

- But still: what news have you received?

- Precisely, the news is in this stained place, there is everything we need to know.

- Dirius has been isolated from the rest of the kingdom," the queen continued. The only way to see the damage is to go there. It would be best if you were accompanied, but I'm afraid no one is brave enough to support you in this task.

- It doesn't matter," Seiran assured them, not taking his deep eyes off this terrible task. Tomorrow morning we go there.

I looked at him in admiration of his strength. His mind was simply out of this world. Even though he was upset, his natural confidence comforted the others. But then, I thought, with a sore heart, who was consoling him in turn. I wish it was me who did it. Because anyway, this other one, this person living permanently in the untouchable mists of this lost and inaccessible world had probably never needed it. And never will.

We were taken to our suites. Mine was covered with a huge dark starry cloth. It was explained to me that when I fell asleep, the cloth would wrap itself around my body and take me to the world of shadows, where my vital energy would be restored, and that in addition to that, I would feel a wonderful serenity. But when I woke up, she would have already brought us back to the material world. I raised my eyes to the ceiling where the stellar fabric was spread out, and admired the painting that was spread out there, representing a vast ocean with moving waves, ransacked by a storm that poured its fury into reality. This exhibition of natural power moved me. I already had the memory of having witnessed such passions, a passion more violent, more indomitable, more unstoppable, although in this same memory the one who was the source of it had no heat in him.