Last week we announced the winners of Keepers of Light and Legend's very first short story competition! This week, I'm excited to share our second placer's short story. Please welcome, Emma Chasteen!
Bio: Hello, I’m Emma Chasteen! I started seriously writing about a year ago and finished the first draft of my first novel a few weeks ago. I love writing, especially fantasy, and I love reading. I also love drawing and crafts that involve yarn or paper, and you definitely wouldn’t have to try super hard to get me to go to a coffee shop. My dream is to one day be a published author, and I like doing pretty much anything that takes steps in that direction. Your support is one of the biggest things that will help me achieve that dream!
Now, please enjoy Emma's lovely story, "Elohim, the King who Loves." It is the inspiring tale of an assassin who comes to realize the truth behind those she has seen as her enemies...
My gaze was plastered to the crinkled piece of parchment in my hand, breath sharp in my throat as I willed the name written on it to change.
But it didn’t.
And it hadn’t the other thousands of times that I had looked, even though I held out hope that I had misread it.
Lux Finnegan was written in the center of the paper with swirly black ink. There were no other words, and I knew I had not made a mistake. Those words were enough to make me want to cry, and I shook with anger that he would force this upon me… upon himself.
I folded the crisp paper with trembling fingers and stuffed it into the folds of my black clothes, hiding it amongst my assortment of weapons.
My feet silently and swiftly carried me up the hill, to the large house that was painted with shiny moonlight. It was as if I were nothing more than a shadow. The air was still, and not a sound could be heard, except my heart that thumped loudly like the quick beats of a drum.
Regret and guilt twisted in my gut like a worm that was thrust on a hook to be bait, and I pulled the hood of my cloak over my long black hair, drawing my dagger with a soft hiss.
I stared down at the blade in my fingers, my silver eyes framed in the metal and flashing dangerously at me. Almost as dangerous as the weapon itself.
Memories threatened to break loose from the cage I had locked them in, but I refused to let them out, and blocked them with all the mental strength I could manage.
Guilt is a weakness, and I could not afford to be weak.
I pressed my back against the ruff stones of the house, then slithered along them till I stood next to a window. Noiselessly and effortlessly, I slid open the window with the palm of my pale hand, being careful to not click my long nails that were painted black on the glass or the silver rings that encompassed a few of my fingers.
I heard no noise from within, so I leaned over and peered inside at the dark room. Sickly moonlight poured in through a big window, allowing me to see a little. Nothing stirred, not even a fleck of dust, so I climbed up onto the windowsill and jumped in, making no sound except for the quiet whoosh of my cloak.
I clutched the dagger in my hand, gaze intently searching the familiar room. It was so dark that all I could see was a wooden table with chairs seated around it. But in my mind, I saw the mahogany cabinets, the iron stove, the tall bookshelf, and the detailed painting of Lux, hanging on the wall.
Slowly, I straightened up, then crept over to the twisted metal stairs that were shrouded with shadows so that it was impossible to make out where to step. I knew them well though, and was able to ascend them with no trouble.
At the top, I waited, ears straining for any sounds of a person, and my eyes nervously scanning the dark hallway.
Soft breathing came from my left, so I mutely walked past the closed doors of unused bedrooms and Lux’s study. I paused at the end of the hallway where a wooden door stood that led into Lux’s room, listening again.
He was definitely in there, and by the gentle noise of rustling fabric, awake.
Rats. I was hoping he’d be asleep. I couldn’t wait for him to go to sleep, or I might get caught, and it was risky to confront him while he was awake. It would make it harder to do my job. Just as hard as…
I shook my head and fought back the oncoming memories, but I still heard horrified screams of pain, still saw wide and terrified eyes, and I still saw dark blood. And now, I’d have to do it again…To my best friend.
A sob clawed wildly at my throat, but I held it in. What was I supposed to do? This was my job, and it was not my fault that Lux had become dangerous.
I took a deep breath. It was time to get this over with.
I quietly twisted the knob and pushed open the door, stepping gently in as if I were walking on smoke.
The dark silhouette of Lux stood with his back towards me, standing before a huge arched window. The moon stared in, casting its bright gaze across the floor and almost reaching me. To my shock, orbs of blue, green, gold, and silver light floated around my friend as if dancing.
It was the magic, I realized with a start.
A gasp escaped my lips and Lux spun around to face me.
Curses.
I stepped forward, making sure the blade of my dagger caught the light so he knew I held a weapon.
“Sapphira?” Lux’s green eyes widened to match the moon, and the orbs of light dimmed, then went out. “What are you—”
“I think you know what I’m doing.” My voice held strong, thankfully, and I twirled my dagger in my fingers. “You know my job, what I have to do to the people who turn to Elohim.”
Lux’s eyes searched me, and I wanted to squeeze mine shut to avoid seeing the fear and hurt in his.
“Sapphira, you don’t have to do this.”
I glared, though my lip trembled. “Yes, I do. You have become a danger to our kingdom. You rebelled against our ruler and turned to Elohim who then gave you magic. I had to kill the others because of that, and now…now I have to kill you.”
Lux’s eyes never left me, and I had to look away as tears blurred my gaze and my hands began to shake. I heard him take a step towards me, and I wished he wouldn’t’ve, because that would bring the awful moment nearer.
“I know you don’t want to do this,” he said softly. I was surprised to hear kindness in his voice. “Not after you—”
“Don’t!” I snapped, but he continued as if the wind had only whispered.
“After you killed your sister.”
My throat constricted and tears poured out of my eyes as I gripped the hilt of my dagger, nails digging into my palm. “I had to! She became dangerous! It’s not my fault that she lost her life!”
I stared furiously at Lux, my heart hardening towards him for making me do this. Hadn’t I suffered enough already? Didn’t he care about me?
Lux watched me, sadness plain on his face as his brow crinkled and a frown formed on his lips. He slowly lifted his hand and a silver ball of light sculpted in his palm. When it was glowing brightly, he nudged it towards me.
I stiffened, but all it did was hover in the air. I couldn’t hide my wonder as my eyes locked onto it, the metallic glow softening my gaze. My hand loosened on my dagger, and I reached out to touch the warm light. It felt soft and I was able to stick my fingers into it as if it were a liquid.
Something twitched in the corners of my mouth. A smile was beginning to creep across my face, and I tried to fight it back, but was unable to.
“Elohim will give you magic too, if you turn to him.”
I froze, then side eyed Lux. “I can’t, I—”
“You can,” Lux interrupted. He gestured for the ball of light to return to him. “The one you serve doesn't love you like Elohim does. He uses you for his own gain. He doesn't care that he makes you murder innocent people, like your sister.”
I inhaled sharply and scowled at him. “You think Elohim would want me after I killed hundreds of his people?! You think he would love me?! I am a horrible person; it is too late for me!”
“It’s not too late.” Lux’s eyes brightened and he smiled at me. “I know Elohim loves you and wants you. If you turn to him, he will forgive you.”
I shook my head. “No, he wouldn’t.” How could anyone after the things I had done? I wouldn’t even forgive myself.
Lux bowed his head slightly, brown hair falling over his forehead. “Sapphira, he will forgive you. He will give you magic, love, and peace…as he has done for me. I am just as bad of a person as you are, but with Elohim’s forgiveness, he doesn't see any of the bad things I have done. All he sees is the mark of forgiveness that he has gifted me.” He lifted his hand and created a little ball of vibrant orange light, smiling gently at it.
“You are not as bad of a person as I am!” I screamed, my eyes flashing. “You never killed your sister; you never killed anyone! And I did it gladly, for the sake of my kingdom!”
Lux sighed, allowing the orb of light to fade away. “If you kill me, I will go to be with Elohim. You would not be defeating him or weakening him. It is your choice, but either way, I love you and forgive you. And if I can do that, think how much more love and forgiveness Elohim can show you.”
My nostrils flared as my breathing sped up. I glanced at him, then at my dagger. There was no hope for me.
I took a step towards Lux, legs and hands shaking as I raised my blade.
His eyes met mine, and I saw peace in them. He didn’t move, didn’t flinch, didn't panic or try to stop me. He was going to let me kill him.
I gritted my teeth as tears steadily streamed from my eyes. But this was the person I was, had always been, and would forever be. Nothing and no one was powerful enough to change that.
But a small part of me hoped, and wished, that there were.
I drew back my arm and squeezed my eyes shut. Then, I thrust the blade of my dagger at Lux.
The sounds of hundreds of screams, wails, and pleas filled my head and my eyes shot open. The point of my weapon touched Lux’s chest, and he stood, watching me. The noises in my head pounded my brain and the dagger slipped from my fingers to clatter on the marble floor.
My eyes stung and I pressed my hands to my forehead, collapsing to my knees.
Then I saw my sister, kneeling before me with the same hopeful and peaceful expression as Lux had.
The image flashed and I screamed as I saw her limp form, bleeding on the floor. I began to cry loudly, and my chest felt like it was shredding with each breath. What had I done? I had been so blind, and now it was too late. She was gone; all those people were gone.
A sudden horror spread through my veins like a burning poison, slowly weakening me and destroying everything I had once thought and believed.
I was the villain.
My body convulsed with sobs as I curled into a tight ball, slowly rocking myself. All this time, I had convinced myself that I was doing the right thing. Now, it turned out that I had never been the hero or the good guy. Instead, I was the bad guy.
I heard the swish of robes, then I felt two arms wrap around me in a tight hug. I threw my arms around Lux’s neck and cried into his shoulder.
“What do I do, Lux?” My voice was muffled and thick with sorrow and desperation. “What do I do?”
Lux began to rock me gently, and I could feel his scratchy beard. “You surrender to Elohim.”
“But how do I do that?” I pulled away from Lux, staring despairingly into his compassionate eyes. “How?”
Lux smiled softly then reached over and removed the hood from my head. “You trust him to forgive you, and you no longer serve the one who has been controlling your life. You instead seek to serve Elohim, which he will help you do.”
I let out a sob, and again I was wrapped in Lux’s arms.
I didn’t want to be a villain, I wanted to serve Elohim, to be loved; to have peace. So, in my heart, I gave up fighting. I didn’t know quite how I did it, but I did. Perhaps Elohim was helping me in a way I couldn’t quite discern.
My crying quieted and I shut my eyes, suddenly feeling very tired and…and at peace. I sat up and Lux grinned.
“Have you done it?” He brushed my raven black hair behind my ear, and my cheek tingled where his fingers had been.
“I…” I paused, thinking. Doing this had put me in a lot of danger, and admitting it would put me in even more. But Lux had confidently done it, and so had my sister. So, I met his gaze and euphorically said, “I have.”
Lux stood and helped me to my feet. I could see how proud he was of me, and I wondered if I had any right to receive that from him. He gestured his hand. “Let’s see what magic Elohim has gifted you.”
I frowned. Did I have magic? I certainly didn’t deserve it, and I didn’t really feel different. “I don’t think I have any.”
Lux chuckled. “All followers of Elohim do. But first, you have to believe it’s there.”
I stared at him skeptically, then, when I saw he was serious, I shut my eyes, and felt for something in me.
Just believe it’s there, I reminded myself, trying to ignore how awkward I felt.
A glimmer of something brushed my heart and I opened my eyes. A smile spread across my face — one of pure joy and wonder — then, I stretched out my hand.
Thank you for reading! Congratulations to Emma, and as always, Ad Lucem.
-L.E. Levens
Wow! So talented Emma!!! Loved getting to read this!
Wow, this is such an amazing story, Emma… well done. I loved reading this — the theme was so powerful, and your prose was beautiful!