The Queen

When I opened my eyes, everything was a blur. All I could see was green and blue. I blinked a few times and took in the sight. I rubbed my eyes.

'Wait.' I rubbed my eyes again. Then I slapped myself.

I wasn't dreaming. And I could see. Alongside that, I heard the slap. My senses were back.

But this didn't make sense. My eyes were ripped out, and my eardrums burst. And then again, the past few events weren't making much sense either.

I took a breather, then calmed myself down. I decided to examine my surroundings.

I was in a massive building, encircled by numerous plots of plants, mainly shrubs, flowers, and some small trees. The walls and ceiling appeared translucent, but gave off a light shade of blue. Despite that, the entire area was lit up like in daylight. Some sort of greenhouse?

The walls were quite far, but close by was a clearing.

Being careful to not trample on any of the plants, I walked in. There were a few benches lined up. There were also four chairs facing each other with a circular wooden table in the center.

Then a sudden pang in my chest hit, and I grabbed one of the chairs for support. The pain eventually subsided after a minute.

Relieved, I settled down on a bench. Then I noticed the flowers nearby. They were growing in a variety of colors and shapes, but I couldn't recognize a single one.

"Do you like them?" A voice appeared behind me. "I grew them myself."

When I turned around, I was shocked. There stood an incredibly beautiful lady.

She had silver hair, grey eyes, and was dressed in a light green cloak. She stepped forward, and sat down at the table. She seemed to be in her 30's, but it was safe to assume she wasn't really that young.

"Are you...?"

"The Queen? I assume that is that they called me."

So this was the Queen.

"Why don't you start with everything that happened to you. I have not heard the story from your perspective just yet. But first, please take a seat." She gestured at a chair across from her.

I cautiously walked up the table, then took a seat. I closed my eyes, gathered my thoughts, and told her everything that had happened so far.

~~~

"I see. Well, first I must apologize for the trouble the two of them must have given you."

"Yeah..."

"Arcyana's duty is to guard and prevent any possible danger from befalling me. She can be a bit overprotective."

So 'Arcy' is Arcyana, some sort of bodyguard for this Queen.

"As for Arkot, he might come off as a bit... chaotic, but he's a loyal advisor."

And that guy's name is Arkot. He was an advisor?

"He had to go through quite a lot of trouble to deliver you here."

"Was there an actual reason why I was blinded?"

"Yes. You were being monitored through your own senses. It was necessary."

"By who? Why?" I was being monitored?

"Of course, you must be confused. it's only fair for me explain this situation. Feel free to ask questions. But please, be aware, we are on a very tight schedule. Ask what you need to know."

Right, priorities.

"First, can you explain this pain to me?" The pain had faded, but for who knows how long. Was it a poison, a curse?

"Yes, that. That's your body changing."

"Huh? What do you mean? I'm not going through puberty again, am I?"

"No, you aren't. The Lantern is collapsing down your circuits. Exposure to magic increases the rate drastically. When you encountered Arcyana, it must have sped up the process."

"What is collapsing what?" Lanterns? Circuits? Magic? These were all terms out of a fantasy novel.

"I could explain in detail, but that would take much much too long. I suggest asking more simple questions." I couldn't help but get feeling that she was intentionally leaving out details and avoiding explanations.

"Ok. What was chasing me, and what were those sounds that broke my eardrums?"

"You were being chased by a demon named Cerberus. Berras was the one making those sounds. Next question please."

You're kidding me? There was too much to ask. But a second to think... alright.

Who, what, where, when, why, and how.

"Who are you people? Are you an goddess?"

As she laughed, I realized what I had blurted out, and my cheeks reddened.

"There are no real Gods here, although you could consider the Anisalseitai as something similar. I am an Anisei, and so is Arkot. Arcyana is a Chosen who serves me."

More terms I didn't recognize. This was tough.

But the crazy guy is Arkot, and the person who didn't want me here was Arcyana? That I could understand.

"Any salsa thai? What's an Anysay? And what's going on?"

"It's Anisalseitai, and Anisei. If you must have a comparison, think of us Anisei as... angels. Or lesser gods, depending on whatever belief you wish to reference. As for what is happening, in simplest terms, you have fallen into another world."

"Oh." Once again, I had to pause for a bit and think.

"So for where... I'm in another world? Like another planet?"

"Not exactly, but think of that way. I doubt I can explain the intricates of it."

Except I doubted that I was dealing with aliens. But I still found it hard to believe that this was all real, that I was taken to this fantasy world.

"And this garden? Am I like in your backyard or something?"

"No. I am trapped here."

Trapped? I had that feeling again. That many details were being left out, and that something much bigger at hand was happening, and I was just being swept along in it.

"How long have I been in this world? How long will I have to stay here? Can I ever even go back?"

"I'm afraid I can't answer these questions."

"Can't or won't?"

She stared into my eyes, and I stiffened up.

"Sorry."

Crap. I forgot I was dealing with supernatural beings.

She sighed.

"It's alright. It's understandable, to be in your position. But I am impressed at how well you're taking all of this."

"I am too. I don't know why, but since I fell, I keep having these moments where I suddenly feel calm."

For a second, she had a puzzled look, then it turned into one of understanding.

"Of course. Seyta's Lantern."

"Seyta? Lantern?"

"It was Icarus's gift to you. You don't remember?"

"No, I don't. Who's Icarus? And why'd he give me a lantern? I don't have a lantern." I was bewildered. Every answer I was given spawned even more questions. I shook my head. Whatever. I had to get the basic answers first.

"No, nevermind. Why am I here? Something was chasing me, but how, and why did I fall into this world?"

"In times of distress, the boundaries between our worlds can become distorted, and the magical properties of our world can shift into your world as an entrance. It's a one way journey here, but now and then, something can travel to your world for a temporary visit, before it is dragged back."

She tapped her fingers on the table twice.

"You were being chased by Cerberus. We intervened and opened up a hole to save you. Does that answer your questions? You should hurry up."

A demon? She said it was called Cerberus. Like the dog that guarded hell?

"Do you know why the demon was chasing me?"

"It was attracted to the Lantern, I suppose."

This lantern again.

"Alright. Who's Icarus? And what does he and this lantern have to do with me?"

She gazed at my for a while, then smiled at me.

"It's better if I don't spoil it right now. Either way, we seem to be out of time." She watched me, as if analyzing my reaction.

I didn't know how to react or feel. Everything she told me was too ambiguous or vague. It was as if she was stuffing hours of detailed explanation into a two minute chat. All I had for answers were simple statements without context or description. And I still wanted to ask more questions. Like who was watching me, and what were the sounds I heard that took my hearing.

"Wait, I don't-" I stood up, but the pain in my chest reappeared, interrupting me. I lurched forward, and collapsed on the ground.

I lied down, groaning as intense spikes of pain coursed through me again.

With a grimace, I had to ask. "Is this what you were waiting for?"

The Queen walked over to me, then turned around and strolled along the benches.

She wandered across the plot fields and picked up a flower. Examining it for a moment, she came back to me, and dropped it on my hands.

"Eat this. It should help with the pain." The flower was small with a long stem, and light blue in color. As I shoved it into my mouth, I could catch the aroma of something sweet. In a matter of seconds, I could feel the pain lessening, the ache dissipating into a light throb.

I held myself up using the chair.

"I'll make this quick and simple for you to understand. You're going to die soon."

There was a short pause.

"Either your body will collapse into itself, or you will slowly dissolve into a little pool. Neither are quick nor painless experiences. In a sense, you are already dead."

"I think I have the picture. You can do something about it, right? But in return, you want me to do something for you. Quid pro quo." It was obvious. Why else would this person bother with me?

"I'm glad you caught on quick. It's quite simple, really."

"What is it?"

"I need you to watch over a certain place. Look after, keep an eye on it."

"What makes you think I'm qualified?"

"All you need to do is accept this request." So she ignored me there?

"Is that it?" There had to be a catch, a few more strings attached.

"Do you accept?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Of course you do. You could simply die here, or you can take my offer. Have a fresh start. A new life. Meaning."

"....."

A new life? A fresh start? A complete reset? That would be nice.

"I... accept your offer."

Besides, what did I have to lose?

But I presumably had something special. It was most likely this lantern she kept mentioning. Otherwise, why me? There must have been other options.

"Good. I'm glad you agreed."

"What now?" I sat back down in my chair.

"This."

She leaned over me, then reached down and took my hand, lifting it up in front of my face so I could see.

It was falling apart. The skin was peeling off in large quantities, dead skin pulled down exposing the flesh underneath.

I quickly took off my shoes, and encountered the same result. Panicking, I lifted up my shirt and saw marks on my sides. They looked like bruises, but massive, incredibly dark, and were slowly spreading across my figure.

"Shit, shit, shit." I glanced back at the Queen. She was just standing there, calmly observing me.

"Any help? I'm beginning to look like rotten lettuce!"

"And smell like it too!" A familiar voice came back. And this time, I could hear it with my ears, outside of my head. It was Arkot. The Queen called him an 'Anisei.'

"Oh shut up." He wasn't wrong though. A stench was beginning to form. My body was decaying at a rapid rate now.

"Why is he here?" Arkot was sauntering around the table, throwing up and catching what seemed to be a small rock. His white skin was covered by a large red tunic, but his face was still shrouded by the mist.

"I'm here to help!" Of course he was.

"What are you two going to do to me?" A magical potion that would heal me? A spell that would cure whatever I had?

"Your body is beyond saving. We can't fix it." Arkot replied nonchalantly.

He stepped forward, brandishing a knife. I tried to get up and run away, but my body didn't respond. I felt something curling around my legs. It was the mist. It had condensed into a thin white fabric, wrapping around my torso, tying me to the chair.

"Stop struggling! Don't worry!" Arkot tilted his head, and as the mist shifted, I could catch a glimpse of a grin. He was enjoying this.

"How could I not worry?" He had a knife. I was tied to a chair. Gee, I wonder what would happen.

"Do not worry. It will be painless." The Queen handed me another flower.

"Oh no. I'm sure it'll feel great." I quickly swallowed the flower whole. I had no choice but to accept my fate.

"I wish you the best of luck." The Queen gave me another smile.

"Me too. I wish myself the best of luck as well."

"I look forward to the future you will show us. I am sure you will not disappoint."

"I doubt it. Seriously, I doubt it."

"May your choices have meaning, and your path everchanging."

"So we're going with nursery rhymes now?"

"Arkot, go ahead."

"With pleasure."

I closed my eyes just before he drove the blade into my chest.