Chapter 9: The Shadows Awake

Back at Candleberry, the kingdom fell underneath the shadows of the storm clouds. The wind howled, and the winter storm had covered the villagers' homes. Many were stuck in their houses during the storm. Shadows became more prominent in the kingdom when the decree was given that there should be only one candle in each household. It was the worst storm Candleberry had ever faced in all its history. The weather caused an immense shortage of food, and people suffered greatly. The entire kingdom was dull and frozen. Ice built up on rooftops, and frost covered the windows. The demand for light continued to increase while Emberlyn deprived them of it for the good of the kingdom.

The once white-colored bricks and buildings had now turned to an eerie grey. Everyone was emotionless. It was as though the entire land had conformed to the darkness. As incompetent as Brighton was, the people desperately hoped Brighton would return successfully. The kingdom, once the guiding and shining light in the entire world, fell into the shadows of light.

Inside the Candleberry Castle, the hallways were dimmed, and the atmosphere was filled with fading hope. The castle was desolate, and the only ones that remained were guards who kept the place under lockdown. The vacant atmosphere and uncertain abyss of hopelessness had wrapped and engulfed Candleberry from the inside out. Burning candles left in the kingdom melted and flickered as their only hope of survival diminished. 

When Mr. Sumore was searching for Maya, a servant within the castle secretly told him that they knew where she was. The servant took Mr. Sumore down the castle hallways and spiral staircase. Mr. Sumore was shocked to find Maya imprisoned in the dungeon. Mr. Sumore demanded the guards release Maya, but they stood there emotionless and unresponsive.

"Maya, what happened to you?" Mr. Sumore whispered.

Maya sat in the box-sized jail cell with her foot shackled to the floor. Her face was pale, and she shivered in the coldness of the dungeon. Her voice was faint and weak as she spoke: "I don't know, somebody threw a black bag over my head and next thing I knew, I was here. The only people who have the authority to do this are the ten royal court members, such as yourself, or Emberlyn. I know Emberlyn would never do this to me because I have worked faithfully for her for years. So, if it wasn't you, then which one of the court members did this?" Maya wept bitterly.

"I don't know Maya. But don't worry, I will get to the bottom of this," Mr. Sumore whispered. He left the dungeon and went in search of Emberlyn.

In one of the luxurious suites of the castle, Emberlyn was in the quarters of her room, once again admiring herself in the mirrors. Her suite was large, with wooden floors, marbled walls, and golden furniture. The window to her room faced outside into the villages below with the dark forest and mountains in the far-off distance. The candles on her chandelier flickered and dimmed as some slowly burned out. There was a golden carpet under her bed and a painted picture of the kingdom over where one sleeps. Her tall standing mirror was by her desk near the entrance to her room.

Her magnificent appearance sparkled and shined with radiance. Her hair and face shimmered with beauty. She wore the finest jewelry, from golden bracelets to diamond necklaces. Her bracelet was made of gold embedded with white diamonds, and her necklace was also made of diamonds but with one green ember in the center. She looked at herself and twirled with glee as she talked to herself through her reflection.

"Oh, to think that I was always going to be the Royal Advisor and nothing more." She danced with glee.

Suddenly, someone pounded on Emberlyn's door.

"Who is it?" Emberlyn proclaimed.

"It's Mr. Sumore! Open the door!" Mr. Sumore yelled with his voice muffled through the door.

"How dare you disrespect me by pounding on my door!" She shouted back, outraged.

"Emberlyn open the door, we have a serious matter to discuss!" He yelled back.

Emberlyn opened the door. Mr. Sumore came in and said: "Emberlyn I found Maya. She is in the dungeon. What kind of traitor would do this to her?"

Emberlyn just stared at Mr. Sumore in silence. Then she said: "I knew there were some traitors, and to think that they have brazenly come out of the shadows? How foolish." Emberlyn then smothered out all the candles in her room, turning her suite pitch black. Her eyes flickered to a golden glow. Emberlyn reached for the mirror and then smashed it on the ground! The pieces fell everywhere, leaving Mr. Sumore and Emberlyn with minor cuts and bruises. Mr. Sumore gasped as he tried to protect himself from the shards. 

Stunned by what he had just seen, a chill went down Mr. Sumore's spine. Emberlyn then called for the guards. The soldiers ran into the room along with five dignitaries walking from behind.

"Arrest this man. Mr. Sumore just tried to kill me!" Emberlyn commanded. "Look! I have cuts and bruises all over me! I don't even know who I can trust anymore! Take him to the dungeon!" Emberlyn sobbed. 

As the guards grabbed Mr. Sumore, he suddenly realized that Emberlyn had arrested Maya and was trying to take over Candleberry.

"What—no! What are you talking about!" Mr. Sumore gasped. "Don't listen to her, she is taking over Candleberry—get your hands off me!" He shouted as the guards cuffed his hands.

But the guards and dignitaries did not listen. 

Emberlyn laughed and looked back at him with her glowing eyes. "The guards and the people won't rebel against me; I have the entire kingdom at my disposal!" She cackled.

The few candle lights in the hallway flickered and dimmed as Mr. Sumore was escorted down to the dungeon. The shadows continued to deepen, and the light in the castle faded to black. 

The only thing that enabled the remaining dignitaries to follow Emberlyn was her shining white dress shimmering in the haunted halls. The windows throughout the castle were slammed shut, increasing the darkness. 

The guards escorted Mr. Sumore to the dungeon, and he saw Emberlyn smirk as she walked away. The dungeon was bleak, with black obsidian brick walls. Water dripped from the ceilings, and the floors were cold. Only one candle was lit in the dungeon, and the prisoners all watched it burn in the darkness. Mr. Sumore cried hopelessly as he was shackled in his prison cell. Suddenly, he saw Maya in the cell before him, but she was beaming with hope.

"What are you doing Maya? Did you forget what is going on in Candleberry? Why are you looking at the burning candle Maya?" Mr. Sumore asked hopelessly.

Maya faintly replied: "This is the first time I have seen light down here. The prison guard thought it was fitting that we should still have some glimpse of hope amid the darkness in the land. By watching the burning candle, I see how the light overcomes the darkness despite how hopeless the situation may seem."

"Why don't the guards resist Emberlyn's control? They have a choice in the matter, too." Mr. Sumore said, frustrated.

Maya ignored Mr. Sumore's statement, and they all sat silently, watching the candle's flame. However, Mr. Sumore's comment struck the prison guard's core as he pondered the risks of rebelling against Emberlyn. As the candle flickered and sparked, its aura and stillness helped them to eagerly await and hope for Brighton's victorious return.

The following day, Emberlyn stood before the remaining court members to inform them of the arrest. Her glowing eyes were burning bright, and her beauty had concealed the darkness surrounding her. Despite her shimmering and luminous appearance, her face was darkened, and the royal court was mesmerized by her false light. Her voice, no longer as smooth as silk, mirrored a mystical creature. Her voice echoed in the room as she stood behind the podium to speak.

"Dignitaries of the royal court! I have brought news and one of deep anguish. I have come to the realization that two of my most loyal friends in the kingdom have turned against me. They have warped and bent the light to their own will and used it against the people in the kingdom for their own gain! The rebellion has been snuffed out! I captured the treasonous offenders lurking in the shadows of the castle. This is what happens when loyalty is divided. They have backed Brighton knowing that he left me in charge. Brighton is responsible for this mess! He set me up! In a week's time, I will have all the prisoners executed for their crimes!" Emberlyn announced.

The remaining members of the royal court gasped at the perceived betrayal. "How could those traitors turn against Candleberry!" One of the court members shouted.

"They are all traitors! Whoever supports Brighton should be thrown in the dungeon!" The court shouted heatedly.

Emberlyn then continued: "But. There are greater matters at hand. It has been months and Brighton and Ronin have failed to return from their journey. We cannot uphold Candleberry's leadership if they have vanished for good like the first troops that were sent! Brighton entrusted me with power before he left. The kingdom is now in dire need for a new ruler, which is why, with Brighton's ring of authority and approval before he left, I will take his place for the good of Candleberry! With me as your Queen, I will bring back truth in this kingdom." 

Mesmerized by her presence and eyes, the royal court shouted back at Emberlyn in unison: "We are loyal to the new ruler of Candleberry!"

The royal court had willfully followed her agenda for their own gain. After thorough contemplation, the court cheered, and Emberlyn became the Queen of Candleberry. They all believed Emberlyn's claims and trusted that she would be the one to tell them the truth during this broken era. The royal court clapped while standing by their seats and cheered in unison. The entire court declared Emberlyn the Queen of Candleberry. 

At the end of the day, Emberlyn sat on Brighton's throne. The room was pitch black, leaving her sinister eyes as the only glowing light. Candles throughout the castle were subtly becoming scarcer as the entire kingdom was about to plunge into darkness within a week's time. The corruption in Candleberry further transformed the kingdom into a place of despair and chaos.

When Emberlyn was given complete power and established as Queen over Candleberry, all the citizens heard the news and were shocked. A thick black fog then rolled into the kingdom. The blinding fog hindered everyone's vision, and nightmares of their deepest fears haunted the people. Mysterious wanderers and dark individuals roamed in the mist and gradually inhabited Candleberry. The ghostly beings whispered: "Ekoshade" in the fog. The citizens, in terror, stayed in their homes. Emberlyn was careless about what was going on.