Childhood Sky

The castle was like something out of a dream, or maybe a painting buried too deep in madness to ever hang on an Earthly wall.

Orion led Emi through winding hallways of black marble and polished obsidian, where the windows shimmered like oil and refracted strange starlight that didn’t match the sun outside. The walls whispered softly with echoes of forgotten prayers, and distant bell chimes hummed from unseen towers.

He stopped before a grand door carved with crescent motifs and a fine starry metallic shine.

“This room is yours,” Orion said simply, placing a hand on the door.

It opened without a sound.

Inside, the room was regal and oddly serene. The bed was enormous, draped in velvet sheets dyed a stormy violet. One wall was entirely made of smoky glass that overlooked the city’s horizon, casting waves of pale light across the silver-and-indigo tiled floor. Carved into the high ceiling above was a mural of the moon’s phases, ringed by constellations Emi didn’t recognize. Beside the bed was a desk, clearly conjured just for her, with parchment and inkwells, and even a strange contraption that resembled a brush, quill, and stylus all at once.

“This room is right next to mine,” Orion explained. “So you can reach me any time.”

Emi dropped her bag onto the bed with a sigh.

“Man, I don’t know what I’m going to do with all this space. Maybe I can…”

A sudden knock interrupted her. Quick and sharp.

Before Orion could even say ‘wait’ or ‘come in,’ the door had already swung open of its own accord.

Standing in the threshold was a girl.

There was a familiar aura about her. But the moment she entered into view – Emi finally recognized this visage.

This was the girl drawn inside the book Orion came out of. The girl of that cheesy, cliché fantasy story.

Orion’s childhood friend.

She was beautiful in the way fictional heroines were always written to be. Raven-black hair fell in glossy waves down her back, and her violet eyes gleamed like dusk trapped in gemstones. She wore a flowing dress that looked spun from midnight clouds, trimmed with lace and faintly glowing threads of arcane runes. Her smile was delicate and inquisitive.

“Hello, my King,” the girl announced, “I heard the news, so I simply had to come.”

Orion looked at her, without any trace of joyful reunion. He then immediately glanced back at Emi and told her:

“Maiden,” his voice lowered, “this – is Sky.”

Of course it is, Emi thought, stomach twisting.

Sky’s gaze shifted from Orion to Emi, studying her with wonder.

“So it’s true then,” Sky tilted her head, “you really are an Earth girl. What an intriguing aura.” Stepping inside, she observed more closely, “I’ve never met one before. Your skin’s so soft… wow. And your eyes are so round.”

Emi instinctively stepped back.

“Uh… thanks?”

Sky’s smile didn’t falter. If anything, it deepened with quiet amusement. She clearly picked up on Emi’s discomfort.

Or perhaps – a hint of something more? More competitive?

“Oh, I’m not staying long,” Sky said, turning back to Orion. “I just wanted to say hello. It’s been so long since you’ve been home. The city’s been aching for your presence.”

Emi noticed right away how comfortable she was around him, standing close – a bit too close. There was no awkwardness between them, no hesitation.

Her words were light, but her eyes switched back toward Emi once more. Not blinking, fully focused.

Emi folded her arms, trying not to look as defensive as she felt.

“Well,” Sky said, stepping toward the door again, “I’ll let you two settle in. But maybe later we can talk more… Earth girl.”

She gave a little wink, and just like that – she vanished through the door like a shadow melting into silk.

Emi didn’t say anything for a while. Just stared after her.

“She’s… cute,” Emi finally muttered, glaring slightly.

Orion raised an eyebrow.

“Did you say something?”

Emi’s face turned red, and instantly she faced the other direction, blurting out:

“Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”