The Long Night was something that the entire world needed to prepare for. Even the monsters living in the forgotten continent had to hunt more than usual to survive. The cold nights were harsh for everything that couldn't handle it. Without proper warmth, anything would quickly freeze to death.
In the normal continent where Fishy resides, several countries and kingdoms dealt with this period of fear differently.
The Tanban Empire had no struggle with such weather. It didn't get any colder than it already was, and the constant blizzard surrounding it protected them from any creatures that thought they would find sanction. Inside, those that struggled to survive had no change in their remaining lives. They'd try and stay inside as much as possible whilst being careful around the already crime-filled streets. All they could ask was that The Long Night gives them the escape they want, whilst the greedy ruler, Ditor, sits in his high castle.
The druid's land had protection from the trees, but that didn't protect them from the harshest weather The Long Night had to offer, a rainstorm.
Even with powerful magic, it was useless against the rain, they could only rely on each other.
The druid's leader, Erven the second, worked tirelessly with his son, Elcan. Whilst the two worked closely with the communities of their forest to make sure everyone was safe and high above the ground. The current queen, Elmaris, and soon to be queen, Ivy, worked closely with stock and supplies, calculating and supplying what they could to their people. Rationing was needed in almost every country. It was common for the kings and queens to save as much for themselves as possible, lying to the people about their stock, but that thought never crossed the druid queen's mind. Every day, she would divide out the food to those who needed it, saving her and her family for last.
The Rynad kingdom was once filled with crime and had suffered greatly in the past because of this, however, thanks to their protection from the City of Fintan, they were doing fine. The cold weather didn't change their lives and the new king, Sebastian, was as smart as he was good looking. Each villager was looked after with caution, the castle gates were opened to the public and everyone was allowed to wander its luxurious halls without care. Although, just like everyone else, food was scarce.
During The Long Night, wealth is a symbol of survival. Those with the largest wealth always survive with ease, which is exactly why kingdoms like Birth and Ratidel always survive with zero casualties.
However, not every city was able to handle the challenge the long night throws at them. The city of Va was one such struggling city. The lives of the homeless had already been spent, and the king's food was always a priority, resulting in the current famine.
"My king, please! Open the gates, we can still save them!"
Inside the castle walls, pacing down the golden hallway filled with dread and anxiety, was none other than the country's failing king, King Dean, unable to hear the words of his once trusted advisor and stronger member of the army, Vogef.
"Shut up, Vogef!" The king screamed back as he bit at whatever he had left of his fingernails. "We can't open the gates."
"But we can! We can save those on the streets!"
"And what?" The king spun around to challenge the large armoured man that stood before him. "We let them in so they steal and ruin everything? I'd rather they die than have them enter my grounds."
Vogef was unable to respond to the king he once admired, he stood as he watched the king run and hide in his room, untouchable by anyone. A sacred ground that no one could enter.
"Leave me alone to think." King Dean said as the large golden door slammed shut behind him.
Inside his dark golden room, he collapsed to the ground, knowing that no one could see him. He left the world behind as his room was like his own personal dimension.
"SHIT!" He punched the door behind him with a tight fist before running up to his one-of-a-kind drawers and, in one large swing, swiping every heirloom and memory he ever had. Pictures of his ancestry, friends and family all swept off with one motion. Golden crowns, cups and anything else worth money was destroyed as they smashed against the floor.
"Do not fret, Mr Dean." A voice appeared in his head as the candles that lit his room started to flicker uncontrollably. The wisp of the flames started to dance around the ceiling, moving off their stick as if they were spirits, but as they mocked around the room. they slowly lowered in a ring around Dean's face.
"Who's there?!" The king shouted as he tried to crawl himself as far back to the door as possible, fear shaking over his body.
"Do not worry, Mr Dean." The voice repeated, "I was sent here by Mr Gabriel."
"Gabriel did…" King Dean seemed to relax at hearing the words but didn't dare to lower his guard fully.
"My name is Mata, pleased to meet you." Out of the shadow of his far room, jumped a young man who one would take no suspicion of. A regular looking 10-year-old wrapped in a tight plain winter coat. His slick black hair made him seem like royalty but his purple eyes stood out above all.
"Mata? I don't remember meeting you?"
"I was away at that time, but now I'm here." The young boy approached the scared lowly king, patting him on the head as he smiled brightly at him.
"Mr Gabriel sent me here to help you."
"To help? This wasn't the arranged payment." The King said as he pushed himself off the ground, noticing the huge height difference between the grown man and the child.
"Do not worry, this is separate from the arranged members and magic stones that you got us, we will give you the money."
"What does Gabriel have planned?" King Dean dared to speak but was shut down by the purple eyes that stared into his soul and ripped it apart like a thousand needles pulling it in all different directions.
"That's Mr Gabriel to you."
"Sorry, What does Mr Gabriel have planned?"
"He wants Va to stand above the rest. And he will do it,"
"What do you need of me?" The King asked with shaking hands.
"It's simple, become my puppet."
The boy's words ended as his eyes glowed, King Dean was unable to look away as his mind became numb, the scream that he tried to form ended in gibberish.
"My king!" But luckily for him, standing on the other end of the door was the knight that refused to give up on him, Vogef. The entire time, he waited outside, listening as the King destroyed his room, and busted open the door once he hurt the start of the King's scream.
"A hindrance?" Mata, the young boy, said as he jumped onto the king's bed, fiddling with a knife that he took out from his pocket. "Oh well, not like it matters."
The boy let out a piercing whistle that was followed by stunned silence. Vogef stood at the entrance to the door as he looked at the lifeless body of the king whilst a young child laid on the bed. But before he could understand the situation, a large dagger pierced through his chocolate armour that shattered into pieces. He tried to turn his head as he coughed up blood, noticing a large almost-humanoid shadow looming over him, bending over because it was unable to stand in the king's larger-than-normal room. The legs alone were bigger than the room, and its body almost curved around to Vogef's front.
"It's my shadow puppet. You can't beat it." Mata said as he flicked the dagger over to the king who grabbed it without looking. "Kill him."
Vogef struggled as he clenched his teeth, trying to withstand the pain from the wound. He watched as the dead-eyed king slowly walked closer, grasping the knife in both hands.
"Don't…" Vogef said, but couldn't pull himself off the shadow creatures blade that almost pierced his heart.
As the king approached, the knife against Vogef's roughneck, a large pillar of light illuminated the castle during The Long Night. It was noticeable by every guard in the castle, as well as the city's dying villagers from afar.
By the time Vogef's eyes adjusted to the light, the shadow creature had vanished, and standing behind him, was a girl he had never met before. Her blue crystal hair was just visible through the dark cloak she used to cover up her already slim body. Mata sat up out of curiosity, looking closely at the girl's blade that collided with the kings.
"Luckily I heard a story from my master about dealing with creatures lying in shadows."
"Who are you?" Vogef asked, on dying breath, as the slim girl pushed him behind her.
"The names Ena. Don't worry, my master ordered me to protect you, and I will not fail him."