𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎: 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚎𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚜 / 𝚗𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍
word count: 275
pairing/setting: royal guard!Minghao x princess!Reader, fantasy AU
warning[s]: descriptions of destruction and grief.
a/n: this is really, really short. i hope it catches your attention; if not, please leave feedback in the comments or my ask box, as usual! also, let me know if you would like to be tagged when this fic or any of the divinity collection is posted ♥
note: the music is particularly important to each of my works, to their atmosphere and symbolism. please click on the title above and listen to the linked song while you read.
Masterlist | the full Winter Solstice Playlist [under construction]
this is a prologue to the series. the first arc is in progress; i will add a link here when it is complete.
—Flames light up the darkness in a color you’ve never seen burn before. A stranger stands next to you at the gate, watching it all fall apart. He is so achingly beautiful, with dark eyes and solemn lips, that you try to reach out and touch his cheek to see if he’s real— but he cannot hear or see you. You are merely a dreamer, a ghost in a place you wish you knew; the castle burning bright looks nothing like the one you call home.
A woman shouts from within the burning structure. Her voice carries no fear, no rage. In fact, you don’t think you could understand what emotions or intentions are embedded in the way she calls his name even if you relived the scene a thousand times.
“Hao!”
Surprise parts his lips, but he doesn’t hesitate. He lunges into the deep violet flames, even as the foundation rattles like death. In the distance, the hoofbeats of a rescue party approach, but you know they’re far too late. Heaving one last stuttering breath, the castle collapses inwards on itself, sending towering plumes of dark, curling smoke into the star-speckled sky.
There is an awful moment of silence, punctuated only by the crackling fire.
Then a tremulous wail, soft as the winter breeze itself, fills the air. It bears no words, only a grief so poignant and heavy that you feel the loss it mourns like a wound to your chest, a throbbing, terrible ache that steals the warmth from every inch of your body.
Your breath catches in your throat.
Who is crying like that?
Like they’ve lost everything they’ve ever loved?