Chapter Text
In a sanguine-dyed play of a storybook, there rested a world with as much vitality as rushing zephyrs.
There were several magical books created by a noble sorcerer that framed their characters in a vivid reverie. Every aspect of each book was seamlessly intertwined. Entire plots had developed from a mere conceptualization within a rough first draft to never-ending sagas. Based on the initial premises given, the pages wrote themselves as characters were given life. The stories were unfolding as exposition crafted sprawling landscapes and civilizations.
The books gave their residents free reign as long as they abided by the narrative's whims. Each story had functioned in peculiar ways, acting as a looming force shrouding every facet of one's life. Everyone had been given archetypal roles in their respective tales and assumed them to the fullest.
A few individuals let their lives be shown to the sorcerer as the book told their adventures as prominent figures. They were deemed as the protagonists of the story, granted a special cognition of their circumstances as they held a degree of control over where the plot spiraled into. Since the majority of other characters wouldn't be aware of their situation, this meant that the designated protagonist had to weave the story together as organically as possible.
It was essentially a glorified play in which they were the lead actors with the ability to take a few creative liberties. Though they still had to follow the core premise and play along with the narrative like an actual character, they could gently guide the plot's direction.
King Orange was one of those few created to be a protagonist in his own book. He had taken up his role as ruler and oversaw his kingdom proudly. It was situated underground with a stunning crimson landscape as a lava sea illuminated the surrounding rocks. Piglins, humanoid boars, populated the kingdom and thrived under his reign.
He had a son and raised him with his dear queen until her departure from the world. Since then, he made it his life's goal to keep Gold and the rest of the kingdom safe. He kept the young prince close to him, never wanting to let go.
Despite what conflicts the plot presented him, King Orange did his best to keep his son happy.
Nothing in the narrative was without reason though, everything had a purpose. There were eerily repeated symbols that seamlessly blended in with ordinary life. They were unobtrusive until they slowly accumulated to the point of being noticeable.
It was foreshadowing. Always following one's footsteps and struck like a piercing arrow.
King Orange took note of how the subject of falling and its aftermath crossed his path on multiple occasions. A gilded vase was knocked over and shattered. Gold fell down from playing in the gardens, spraining his ankle. He heard a lighthearted comment from one of the servants noting that Gold would most likely end up dying from adventuring recklessly and falling into a pit.
There were many other instances as they grew too frequent for King Orange to feel secure.
His son was going to die shortly, most likely from plummeting down into his demise.
The narrative demanded and there was no other choice but to give in.
One day, Gold wanted to come with his father to help survey an abandoned mineshaft alongside veteran miners. Despite King Orange being hesitant to allow his son to tag along, his son was insistent enough. With plans to convert one portion of the mineshaft into a kid's paradise, the prince couldn't help but excitedly discuss the notion with every worker he met. Though it was a mere investigation into the structural integrity of the area, the miners promised to provide a place for Gold to play freely in.
The king held his son's hand as he walked over to the cliff the mineshaft was seated on. Soon enough, they spotted minecarts in the distance and an entrance to a long passage.
King Orange gently squeezed the other's hand, fearing that the other would wander too far from his view.
Gold was excited to rush over to the sights in front of him, turning to his father. He chuckled lightheartedly, "C'mon pops, I can explore on my own!"
King Orange hesitantly loosened his grip on the other's hand. With a strained smile, he watched as Gold rushed over to the entrance of the mineshaft.
Turn back.
Every fiber in his brain chanted for him to head back home safe and sound with Gold by his side.
No, this was how the story had to be. How it was forced to be.
No matter how much he desperately wanted to save him, he could only watch as his attempts of help were rendered futile.
A crack came from under them from the side of the cliff's ledge as Gold ran. Before anybody could take action, the ledge had fractured completely and took Gold alongside it. The prince's expression of joy had shifted to pure fear as he realized what was happening. One wrong move and he would be landing in the lava sea the cliff overlooked.
Upon the sight, King Orange hurried to where Gold was. The prince was trying to hold onto the very edge of his cliff but was too weak to pull himself onto a stable patch of land. He managed to grab hold of the other's hand, trying to pull him in.
King Orange could recall Gold's hopeless screams as the two made a desperate feeble attempt to reach out for each other. The piercing cries had alerted the miners, prompting them to do their best to offer assistance. They attempted to tug Gold in like a malformed game of tug-o-war.
The cliff continued to splinter, causing King Orange to nearly fall into the lava alongside with the rest of the group. Gold's grip had faltered, enough for him to be unable to hold onto his father's hand. He begged for help as he descended down into the lava. All until a splash rippled through the molten crimson.
The king felt the miners lift him onto land before he fell with his son. He couldn't cradle his son in his last moments as he began to plummet away from his reach. The lava engulfed him before King Orange could utter a single word to him.
I'm sorry.
I love you, my son.
His son had been reduced to an unfortunate way to advance the plot further. To add intrigue when the circumstances had grown too peaceful for their own good.
His son was supposed to be heir. His son was supposed to be a source of hope for the kingdom. His son was supposed to be alive and well.
It was a cruel tragicomedy with flourished prose. An undeniable decadent beauty in literature as an elegy for lost youths. What magic had been chanted to make a book so callous that it would dare ruin the happiness of a father?
Sitting on the ground in despair, King Orange could do nothing but watch the flowing lava. There could have been no trace of his son leftover. One of the piglins made the attempt to provide an ounce of solace, placing one of their hands on King Orange's shoulder.
He recoiled from the touch, instinctively smacking the piglin's hand with a cold gaze. It was a tragic accident. It was out of anybody's control, knowing how destiny would have inevitably graced them. Yet, he couldn't help but to feel like more could have been done to save Gold and keep him alive for longer.
Why couldn't it have been him?
King Orange looked at the miners around him, finally standing up and brushing off any sediment from his clothes. He was promptly escorted back into the castle in silence with only the sound of slow footsteps.
The palace had fallen into an abyssal loneliness. There was nothing to do but to sit and ponder. The king watched as the stained-glass murals in the corridor slowly collected dust. They felt like they were there to mock him, kaleidoscopic figures of rulers past and what could have been for Gold. Standing on the walls, they felt like they were demented ghosts laughing at him.
A steward made their way to King Orange with an anxious gaze, "What are you going to do now without an heir to the throne?"
His hand twitched with irritation, nearly succumbing to his grief and lashing out at them. Holding himself back, he rhythmically tapped his fingers against the arms of his throne as a distraction.
He clenched his teeth, letting out a harsh exhale before speaking, "I will attend to that matter once my other priorities are complete."
The next few days were filled with similar questions that jabbed right at him. He couldn't blame the wave of concern over his well being and the kingdom as a whole, but he still wasn't provided time to properly mourn his son.
They could never understand how substantial this loss was.
Unlike ordinary residents which were no more than background entities, King Orange was aware of the inner workings of the world around him.
He took notice of the signs and was unable to do anything about them except hopelessly track them all.
Funeral day soon arrived, prepared a week after Gold's death. There wasn't a traditional burial as Gold's corpse was drenched in lava until there was nothing left. In lieu of one, they simply buried an empty casket in honor of him.
Orchids were imported from above the surface, arranged neatly next to the casket. Gold never had much preference for flowers, but orchids simply felt fitting. They were a pure flower, unsullied by the world around them.
King Orange kept an apathetic face, watching as the casket was lowered into the royal mausoleum.
He couldn't weep, not wanting to expend too much of his energy being pitied.
That energy was much needed to be used on finding a way to retaliate against this god-forsaken book.
King Orange locked himself in his study a few hours after the funeral had ended. It was much needed solitude after the tiresome crowded feeling of the service coupled with being bombarded by questions.
He eyed his bookshelf, scanning through his collection for anything that could be of use. Instead of anything eye-catching, he wanted to find anything he had never noticed before until a closer glance. The articles that the narrative made the attempt to hide away from him with its secrets. Chronicles detailing the way the narrative itself functioned.
If there was one thing the narrative did right, it was providing King Orange with such a valuable resource from the very beginning of the story as a guide.
He finally found a mention of someone that could avenge Gold.
The Dark Lord.
Not every idea the original creator of the book had gone to see full development. He was a scrapped concept that had to remain unfinished with only a penchant for destruction describing him. The mystic machinations of the magical novel had designated a peculiar purpose to him as a result. The Dark Lord's destructive tendencies functioned as an 'editor' for the book as he tore down anything deemed extraneous. Though, these changes were mostly minute and went unnoticed except in the few instances he was sighted by onlookers.
He wasn't considered a true 'character' by the novel, leaving him outside of the narrative's bounds. Hence, he could participate in his work without commiting to whatever the plot had in mind.
What if he could erase entire pages? Altering the course of the novel and potentially rendering Gold's death null.
Though, he could have the potential to do far more. Far greater things than that.
Destroying the entirety of the narrative from where it all started, changing the very ideas that grounded the book in the first place. Then rebuilding it all from the very beginning, with King Orange in control of each detail of the plot. He could let Gold be free from narrative shackles and be alive. It was ample punishment for a book that dared to take away the dear prince.
With this in mind, King Orange had a sudden idea.
He could place a bounty on The Dark Lord, making the search for him far easier. It would signal others to join in on his hunt and traverse through the world. Without knowing what The Dark Lord looked like and having to remain in narrative bounds, he could only leave vague descriptions. However, he was desperate for any solution that potentially yielded any success.
It had been days since he last sent some piglins to post the offering at the nearest town in the overworld. King Orange had been waiting patiently for sign of anybody to head over to the castle and join him.
Granted, his kingdom was resting underground sitting beside an ocean of lava which would understandably deter guests. His desperation was growing though, wanting at least anybody to visit him. He sat on his throne, sighing to himself. Holding his staff, he idly fidgeted with it by running his thumb down the grooves.
Footsteps began to creep from the corridors, giving King Orange the luxury of hope. He straightened himself up, awaiting to see who waa out there.
"Sire," A guard made their way up to King Orange with a violet figure standing behind them, "We managed to procure a bounty hunter to participate in your search."
The violet figure amicably waved with a smile. Their clothes were relatively plain with a white linen tunic with a black vest over it. Moreover, this was paired with a loose leather pair of pants and black boots ideal for traveling. More notably, they adorned mechanical silver wings which were most likely loot from past bounties.
The glimmer of their wings sent a message on their own. Though they were humble, they had plenty of experience in their profession.
"I am Purple, pleased to meet you," They bowed down in respect before looking upwards at the royal, "I would like to take on your quest offer."
"You're quite young to be taking on such a task," The king remarked, determining Purple to be only a few years older than his son. In spite of their dignified demeanor, they had a young softness to their face. It wasn't unusual for bounty hunters to start their work at earlier ages, but King Orange found it off putting how Purple carried themself akin to older professionals.
"I know that," They sighed as the cadence in their voice grew somber, "I really need the money from these jobs… You don't realize how fast I rushed over here before anybody else could snag this opportunity."
The King could only nod, his grip on his staff loosening, "I see then…"
He stood up from his throne and motioned Purple to come with him into another area. He wanted to head over to a more private space to discuss, away from servants moving from place to place in the throne room. King Orange also made sure to keep his recent research away in case of any visitors beforehand.
Opening up the door to his study, King Orange allowed Purple to walk in first before following them in.
"I would like you to help me find someone that will assist our kingdom," The King grasped the handle of his staff tightly, "They're an elusive individual in the furthest crevices of the world."
He pointed to the edges of a map of the known world for emphasis.
Purple nodded and unfurled their silvery wings with a twinge of excitement, breaking professionalism for a second, "I'll help get them for you!"
Though they barely knew the full extent of what was being asked of them, the bounty hunter was confident.
"Don't be so hasty," The King said as he deliberated on the notion of allowing Purple to participate in the ordeal. He watched as the other's wings quickly folded as Purple's demeanor stiffened up.
In honesty, King Orange didn't want to end up having another youth's blood staining his hands. Yet they were eager, happily taking on this burden despite any obvious risks.
Purple needed this opportunity; it'd be wrong to reject someone in need of the bounty.
Looking at Purple, he couldn't help but to accept them to join in on the journey. It wasn't like he had any other option. He knew he was practically begging for any help.
Though, he also wanted to keep Purple relatively safe while he was at it.
The king sighed with a reluctant look on his face, "How does becoming my apprentice sound to you? I'd like to keep a close eye on your endeavors."
"An apprentice?" Purple put their hand under their chin as they thought about the offer. They tilted their head from one side to another like a scale in consideration. It was an unexpected notion, but they didn't seem to object to the idea.
After a few moments, they nodded with a bright smile, "I'd be delighted to be your apprentice!"
King Orange had a faint resemblance of a smile, "Good. Would you like to embark on the search tomorrow?"
He wanted to fulfill his plan as soon as possible, hoping deep down inside of him that Purple would accept the offer. However, he knew that diving into such a project immediately would leave it all to burn with him inside it.
"We could prepare prior though," King Orange added, his free hand shifting through any books that could be of use for the journey.
Purple gave a single firm nod in agreement, "I do believe we need time to prepare. I'm ready when you are."
They searched alongside King Orange, taking out a bestiary and holding it out for the other to see.
The two had decided to travel a week from then. Purple mostly used the time to try and acquaint themself with their newfound mentor. Though, the distance between them and King Orange never closed.
King Orange had prepared a leather satchel filled with an assortment of items. He made sure to pack enough items in the satchel for the both of them. This included maps, pocket edition adventuring books, food, and gold coins.
If needed, Purple knew enough about foraging to provide extra food. They wanted to make themselves useful, using survival techniques they've acquired over the years to impress him.
An advisor walked to King Orange with a frantic expression, filled with concern.
"King Orange, I implore you to remain in the castle. We cannot risk losing you after…" The advisor stopped speaking when they noticed the mournful frown on the king's face.
Recollecting himself, King Orange let out a soft sigh, "It's good for me to go outside for once, no?"
With a nod, the advisor stepped out of the way, "Please stay safe."
Purple had remained silent throughout the interaction. News from the underworld doesn't travel fast to aboveground. Moreover, it seemed to be a subject that was taboo to speak about in the entire kingdom. Despite a minor curiosity, they only continued to follow King Orange out of the castle grounds.
Purple finally spoke up as they exited, turning to King Orange, "Where exactly do we find this person?"
"They would most likely be found in unexplored territory," The king walked briskly alongside the stone pathways, "The Far Lands, to be exact."
It was an assumption based on how this particular fellow would reside at a prominent distance from anybody else. If King Orange couldn't find anything with Purple, they could easily move on and search somewhere else.
"I scouted there once," Purple tried to match King Orange's pace, taking larger strides to compensate for their shorter stature, "It's fairly desolate though. Are you sure?"
King Orange silently nodded, "They're a secretive sort."
Exiting the gateway separating underground and aboveground, the two made their way through winding pathways until they had reached the other side. King Orange shielded his eyes from the sun with an arm resting on his forehead. It had been quite some time since he voyaged out here himself, trying to adjust to a typical daylight cycle.
How long had it been since he'd seen proper sunlight?