Almost four years to the day had passed. Prince Kaioshin and Lady Koura were due to be wed in less than a week. Final preparations were being made, making the castle turning into a circus town. King Kamiah and Sir Trepion were probably the happiest people from what everyone could tell. However, in time the queen herself had discovered how much of a brat Lady Koura really was.
“I don’t want blue flowers!” Koura yelled at one of the florists.
“But Lady Koura,” the man said, “blue is the color of the royal family.”
“So? Haven’t you ever heard that a wedding is the bride’s day? That makes it my day and I want yellow flowers. Do it at once.” Koura looked at him with her blue eyes and tossed a lock of her gold hair over her shoulder.
“As you wish, my lady.” The servant bowed and backed away.
“When I am queen, I’ll be giving this place a total makeover. Kaioshin doesn’t care about anything, so it’s basically me who’ll be running the show,” she said softly to herself, a smile curving at the corners of her lips.
---
The prince was standing on the balcony of his bedroom. He felt that his life was going to end in less than a week. If there was one thing he wished he could do, it would be that he never was the prince. He slouched over the railing and looked at the sky. His life had been so difficult for the past four years. He had grown into a fine young man, being more thoughtful and less careless the more he got to know Koura. He could honestly say she changed him.
He had been forced to spend almost every minute with her for the past four years. At one point he was even considering committing suicide. He learned and understood that his parents meant well by arranging this marriage, but he felt that he was getting the raw end of the deal.
“Oh Kaioshin,” a sweet voice called from inside.
“Out here.” Kaioshin moaned and put one a fake smile.
“Here you are,” his fiancé said coming up next to him. Kaioshin forced himself to share a quick kiss with her. “Only five more days,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder.
“Only five…” Kaioshin repeated.
“Tonight my family will be arriving for the big day. Aren’t you excited? You’ll be able to see my cousins again. Remember what fun we all had that time you came for a visit?”
“Sure,” Kaioshin said, remembering the day he had to spend with two other girls that were almost exactly like Koura and a boy a few years younger that did nothing but complain that he had a headache. “Koura, if you don’t mind, I’d like to rest for a while. I’m tired.”
Koura grinned. “I’ll help you relax,” she offered.
“No,” Kaioshin said, trying not to snap. “I can do it on my own. I’ll see you at dinner.” Koura got the hint and left the room. Kaioshin had followed her to the door and shut it behind her. He turned the lock to make sure that no one else could disturb him.
---
The next five days came and went like they were being blown away by the wind. The morning of Prince Kaioshin’s birthday was bright, sunny, and cheerful to many people, except the prince himself, however. He was to be ready by the high sun, but he was in no hurry. The sun had just risen an hour ago, and already everyone was hustling around trying to get everything set and perfect. Kaioshin watched as Koura’s relatives wondered around the castle, admiring everything in sight. The queen and the bride’s mother was helping Koura get ready, the father’s of the couple greeting the late arriving guests.
“Why can’t I just get out of all of this?” Kaioshin asked himself. “I only wish that things could somehow change…” He heard one of Koura’s servants running down a hallway yelling for someone to locate the tiara she was to wear. Kaioshin visualized Koura walking down the isle, with him waiting at the end. She was dressed in a white gown, covered in sparkling white and silver jewels. Her vale was so long that two flower girls had to carry it behind her to keep her from getting caught on the floor. Her hair was put up into beautiful golden curls, and her tiara was the centerpiece on her head. She would be beautiful, and she’d know it too. Kaioshin had to admit that she was, but she flaunted herself in front of every man that walked by.
Now that he thought of it, there was one person that he wanted to see at that moment. “If only Nishi were still around,” he said to himself. He slumped on the balcony railing and looked out into the rolling hills. He looked directly below and saw tents being set up for the reception. To his right he saw the street leading out of the castle. He looked at the sun and saw that he had another four hours until he needed to be down with the others.
Prince Kaioshin changed into a pair light blue pants, and a matching shirt. Over it he put a blue vest and tied an orange sash around his waste. As he walked out the door, he grabbed his red boots. The prince slowly snuck past all the people and made his way outside through one of the back doors. Looking around to make sure he was alone, he took off into the sky.
Flying was something that many of the higher nobility learned to do when they were in their childhood years. Kaioshin wasn’t interested in it, but his parents finally forced him into learning proper flying and some fighting skills when he was 15. Kaioshin flew quickly through the clouds, trying to get as far away from the castle as he thought he could. He knew that his head would roll if he weren’t back for the wedding.
Kaioshin found a quiet spot near a river—plenty far enough from the town and castle. No one would look for him around here. He followed the river into a small forest where he sat down on a large, smooth rock. He figured he could give himself some time to think without interruption.
“What did I ever do to deserve this,” he thought out loud. Marrying Koura was going to be pure hell. He knew what she wanted: fame, fortune, and the name. Princess Koura, later to be Queen Koura. Yes, she would love it indeed. As far as Kaioshin cared, he was ready just to let her keep the crown and she could rule the planet by herself. He never wanted to be king anyway…
---
Kaioshin seemed to have been lost in thought. He would’ve lost track of all time if it weren’t for a loud sound coming from the distance. He jumped when he heard it, but didn’t pay much attention to it. He started to think again, but then he heard an even louder bang. This time he got to his feet and hovered above the trees to see what was going on. He figured that it was fireworks or something in celebration for the wedding.
The young prince never expected to see a large, black mushroom cloud rising high into the sky. At first it didn’t dawn on him, until he could’ve sworn he heard screams. “Oh no…” Kaioshin immediately raced home.
The entire town was up in flames; the castle was partly blown away. The townspeople hurriedly ran away from the town, carrying only what they had when this catastrophe began. Not caring or even knowing any of the peasants, he flew down to the ground and ran to the castle gate. Running through the front doors, he could barely see anything. Screams came from all around him. Kaioshin ran down a corridor and up the stairs. He stopped quickly and looked into Koura’s room. “Koura!” he yelled through the thickening smoke. Looking around, he found her lying on the ground near her dressing table. Her white wedding dress now had black soot smothered all over; blood ran down her face and arms. Kaioshin lifted her in his arms, only to discover she was dead.
Kaioshin looked at her face, her eyes were still opened at the time. He quickly placed her down and tried not to look. He saw her mother and her maid not far from where she laid. “So much for the wedding,” he said as he got back to his feet and ran out of the room.
Kaioshin came upon his parents’ room. “Mother! Father!” He looked around. The smoke hadn’t completely filled the room yet, so it was easy for him to tell they weren’t there. He knew where they’d be. He raced down to the throne room. His heart raced in his chest, his blood rushed through his veins. He didn’t want to even think about the thought that his parents were…
The throne room’s doors where dangling from the hinges. Fire burned all over. Kaioshin could hear the glass crackling from under his feet as he moved. He saw a few bodies—chefs, guests and some servants. They must be dead, seeing that they weren’t moving. Then he saw a robed body lying close to where the throne chairs would normally be. Now they were up in flames. He rolled the body over, only to discover that it was Koura’s father. Kaioshin looked up in panic. He didn’t know where to look for his own parents. Then he saw…where a wall used to be—the window his father would look out during his lectures to his young son.
Kaioshin’s father lay amongst a pile of rubble. His clothing was torn almost to complete shreds, his crown was nowhere to be seen, and his pendant was gone from his neck. His white hair was smeared in purple blood, as was his face. A tear escaped his eye as he realized that his father was also a victim to this terror. The young prince stood up, keeping his eyes closed and head bowed. For a moment he stood there for his father, until he heard another loud bang coming from the other end of the castle.
As much as Kaioshin wanted to just peacefully mourn his father’s death, he knew that he had one more search to make. He spent a few minutes looking for his mother, but couldn’t find her. He knew his time was growing short before the entire collapsed. He turned to leave when he saw the gold pendent his father had worn lying on the ground. He carefully picked it up, put it in his pocket, and ran up to his room to gather a few things before he fled.
As he burst through his door on fire, he raced over towards his dresser. However, as he turned to grab something, he saw a figure in the mirror. It was a small dwarf like creature, with bright red hair, pale skin, and careless black eyes. He hovered in a sitting position, giggling to himself. The prince turned to face him, only to be laughed at the moment their eyes met.
"Who are you?" Kaioshin asked in demanding voice.
“Who are you?" The creature repeated back.
"Do not play games with me!" Kaioshin yelled holding back tears. "Who are you!"
"Hmm..." the dwarf mumbled to himself. He looked up at the ceiling in thought, scratching his head beneath the weird-shaped hat he wore.
"Answer me!"
"Well, I don't know..." He laughed, falling backwards. "But I think you have more important things to do, right? Right???"
Kaioshin looked at him, hatred filling his heart. "You did this...You'll pay!"
"I'm broke, sorry!" The dwarf laughed at his pathetic joke.
Kaioshin lunged at him, but he fell to the ground. He looked back up, and the strange invader was gone. Kaioshin got to his feet, coughing from the thickening smoke. The entire castle seemed to shake beneath his feet. He looked around and thought his best bet was through his balcony window. As he jumped over his bed, he landed on the floor barely missing a fallen figure. He looked down to see light blue hair covering the face of his mother.
"NO!" he yelled. He fell to his knees and lifted her in his arms. "Mother, please..."
Her eyes slowly blinked open and looked at her young son. "Kaioshin..." she said. A smile broke through her stained face. "We're so proud of you..." she said her voice trailing off.
"Mom, I'll get you out of here. Just hold on." He started to get to his feet, but his mother's head fell back and her body became completely limp. Her eyes had closed. "Mother?" It was true, his mother was now gone as well. The only two people Kaioshin had in the world were gone, leaving him alone on his own planet.
Kaioshin lifted her into his arms and laid her on his bed. He folded her hands on her stomach and kissed her forehead. He slowly backed away and was about to make his departure when he noticed a figure standing above his balcony. She was tall, thin, and very beautiful. Her hair hung down to her thighs, being the color of a black bird. Her skin was tanned, and her lips were as red as blood. Her eyes were a shade of maroon, matching her dress. Around her neck she wore a large broach-like pendant in the shape of a diamond with a red jewel in the center. In her hand was a winding staff with an orb at the top.
Kaioshin didn't need to start the conversation. He was taken back by her looks alone.
"Prince Kaioshin, I assume," she said. Her voice was smooth and soft. "I hate to see you running around in fear. You're such a handsome young man. Your father was too when he was your age."
"Who...are you?" Kaioshin said, trying not to act afraid. He could tell that she must be powerful. Large amounts of energy were being released from her body.
She slowly came to the balcony floor and walked up to him until she was only a few feet away. Kaioshin took a step back. "My name is Queen Zenika. I rule over various planets in the universe, and I am the rightful ruler of this one. I'm sure you've already met my loyal servant, Jaki."
"Jaki..." Kaioshin said. She must be referring to the dwarf that was there earlier.
At that moment Kaioshin heard terrible laughter coming from his right. He looked over to see the dwarf, Jaki, throwing fireballs at the castle. What was left of it, that is.
"No!" Kaioshin yelled, making an attempt to stop him. However, he was thrown against a wall. He looked up to see the so-called Queen staring at him with a small grin.
"Your efforts are futile, Kaioshin. Surrender yourself and your life will be spared. Or..."
Kaioshin glared at her. "Or what..."
"Or if you're smart, you can take my side and become my king. You'd be perfect..." She held out her hand to him.
Kaioshin looked at her hand and then up to her. He smiled and took it. Smiling herself, she pulled him to his feet, only to be greeted with being spit at. She growled and wiped her face, finding that the prince had taken off.
"You might want to re-think your decision!" She twirled her staff around her head quickly and aimed it at the fleeing boy. Energy burst forward, hitting the prince and throwing him into the distance.
The Queen rose to the sky and looked down at the burning castle below. Her servant rose up next to her and looked down with a curious expression. "Why didn't you kill him, Queenie? You're going to have to send me after him now."
She snickered. "No, Jaki. He'll come back for revenge. He's the perfect candidate for my king."
"I still don't understand why." Jaki pouted and crossed his arms.
"Because he's young and naive. His heart isn't completely pure like his father’s; therefore it'll be easier to manipulate him. He has the power of the Kai Royal Family, and I need that to successfully become ruler of the universe." She let out a terrifying laugh, her eyes glowing as she looked at the castle below.