Chapter Text
Soluna was falling. Blood, smoke, and death filled the streets as the enemy advanced further into the kingdom, towards the palace. However, unbeknownst to the enemy, the people they were seeking had already fled. In a passageway far below the streets, 5 people headed down a set of stairs. a king, a princess, a knight, and two others
"There's no time to waste, our enemies have infiltrated!"
"How could this happen?? What are we supposed to do??"
"I'll have to stay back and stand with our kingdom. My dearest daughter, you must flee."
"But father, I don't want to run, I want to fight. What good am I out there when our people need us here?"
"Fire magic runs through the blood in our veins. With the right guidance, you can unlock your full potential and save our kingdom."
"I will try my best, I just wish it was like how it was back then, I miss our kingdom."
Cherri knew she wasn't supposed to be here. She technically wasn't supposed to leave the castle, but the thrill of seeing the kingdom and doing something she wasn't supposed to was too good to resist. How could she be the people's princess if she never saw the kingdom except on supervised missions or never interacted with the people? Besides, it was too easy to sneak out and disguise herself; she just borrowed some clothes from one of the servants and left out the window that connected to the palace wall.
They wandered through the streets, stopping at random stalls along the way, buying things here and there until she reached their destination, a clearing in the forest along the edge of town, their favorite place to sit and draw.
She had been sitting there for a while when she heard a voice and commotion off to her left. feeling curious, she stood up and hid behind a nearby bush to watch.
A group of people was jousting in the clearing next to them. Wait, no, these weren't ordinary citizens; by the clasps on their tunics, they looked to be knights in training! She looked over the people there; several boys who looked to be around the age of 13 or 14, a middle-aged man who looked to be the instructor of the group, and a tall girl with curly brown hair pulled back into a bun with a couple of strands coming loose, probably from the effort of the jousting. She won her round, shook hands with her opponent, and looked around at the others, somehow making direct eye contact with Cherri in her hiding place. The girl said something to the others, then walked out of the clearing and around the corner towards Cherri.
"Hi there, I saw you watching us practice, what are you doing out here?"
"Oh, umm I just like sitting out here and drawing, it's very peaceful."
"It is indeed! I'm Apo by the way," she said, sticking out her hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you, Apo! You're a great fighter, by the way."
"Thanks! Anyways, I should head back before I get into more trouble, but it was nice to meet you!" she waved, then jogged back off towards the clearing.
"I'm sending you with our most trusted knight. She'll keep you safe, and when you're ready, she'll guide you back."
Her father gestured to the knight following them, who Cherri noticed had removed their helmet, and holy shit… was that Apo? That was the same curly brown hair and bright red eyes Cherri remembered, and it made sense: the first time they met, they were 15, about 10 years ago. The knight bowed,
"I live to serve and protect the kingdom, your highness."
Holy shit, that was Apo. Cherri would recognize that voice anywhere, even if their only prior interaction were very brief. She looked again, and god Apo was gorgeous. She somehow had grown even taller over the years and now stood about a head taller than Cherri. She looked between her father and Apo, seemingly considering the decision made on her behalf.
"I suppose I have no choice."
Cherri extended their hand towards Apo, expecting her to grab it and help her down the steps. However, the knight had other intentions, holding their hand and bringing it towards her face, giving it a quick kiss.
Cherri swore her heart stopped, and her brain stopped functioning. She could feel the blush creeping up her neck towards her face. Unable to keep her focus, she looked away from Apo and, in an effort to look anywhere else, accidentally made direct eye contact with her father. He had noticed that this was not good. However, instead of saying something or frowning he nodded? that couldn't be right, she must have misread his expression. There was no way that her father, the king of Soluna, had not only acknowledged his daughter blushing at a knight, but a female knight as well. Maybe he wasn't so old-fashioned as she thought he was.
Suddenly, they realized their hand was still in Apo's and quickly removed it, turning away again. Cherri's internal turmoil was then interrupted by her father clearing his throat.
"Now hurry, before it's too late!"
They continued down the passageway, which led to a hole in the mountain on the opposite side of the kingdom. A boat sat there waiting for them, and Apo hopped in, reaching their arm out to Cherri to help her into it. She was about to get in when her father reached towards her, hugging her.
"I trust you'll do your best to prepare and get ready to return and be there for our kingdom."
"I will try my best."
"And for the record, my dearest daughter, you have my blessing for whoever your heart desires to love. I hope you will remember that in time to come."
"I will, thank you, father." She looked towards Apo, who was standing on the boat, waiting for her.
"She's a good one, I trust her, and I know she'll help you."
With one last hug to her father, Cherri took Apo's hand and climbed into the boat, setting their eyes on their kingdom and father as it faded smaller and smaller onto the horizon. As Apo rowed the boat away to wherever they were going next, Cherri swore not to forget her kingdom, her people, and her father.