1. Prince of Stars

“Welcome to my Land of Stars,” a boy, who seemed no older than twelve, welcomed the first of five guests in a voice too loud and too deep for his appearance.

The land he stood on with his chest held high was large, but barren and devoid of any proof of living.

It’s surrounded by five countries in a pentagon shape, all separated by nearly equal amounts of sea. A sole bridge created of twinkling particles—as if billions of sand grain sized stars merged together—connected one of its five neighbouring countries.

When his first guest neared the end of the bridge, the boy spoke again, “You won’t find a land more fertile on this planet—”

Before the word planet had left his lips, grass sprouted out of the barren surface. Patches of perfect lilies, sunflowers, tulips and purple roses bloomed in a circle around the boy. Trees filled with perfectly ripe local fruits lined up behind him. In the distance, animals freely roamed in their newly found paradise.

“—nor will you find a land more resourceful.”

The stunning land withered as quickly as it bloomed. Rough rocks filled with iron, diamonds and gold ruptured out of the surface.

“Whatever it is you desire, this land could grant it. Now, to nullify my curiosity, state your wish after you tell me your name.”

The guest stepped off the bridge. His every step towards the boy left a ripple effect of light particles over the ground.

In a clear, proud voice—as to not be outdone by a child—he introduced himself, “I am Altair, crown prince of Aquilla.”

“Oh heavens, a fellow prince. I am Regulus, the Prince of Stars.”

Altair’s unconvinced eyes rolled over the tiny stature of the boy, “So, why are you giving it away?”

Regulus raised his head to the starry night sky. “I won’t need it anymore once I regain my strength to return to the stars.”

“…Huh?” Still unsatisfied, he asked, “So, what’s the catch?”

“The catch?”

Altair spread his opened palms wide, “Surely you wouldn’t hand over your land just like that if I merely wished it. Or am I wrong?”

“Ah, heavens. A catch, huh. Yeah, I suppose there is one. When you cross the bridge again, it will disappear for you until the starless night. The sole royal meeting me then, right here, will be more than welcome to keep it.”

“Sole royal, you say? How many royals are in for it?”

***

“I still can’t believe it,” his second guest interrupted him for the fourth time, “I am Tiansi—the Tiansi—Queen of Cassiopeia. The fact that you don’t know by a mere glance at the face of the most breathtaking person on the planet makes me doubt you’re even from this planet—perhaps you’re not even from this galaxy. I am Queen Tiansi. Remember that.”

“Heavens…” Regulus sighed.

His first guest was sceptical, but less trouble to deal with. Ever since he connected his bridge to the second country, he has failed to form a full sentence.

“Whatever it is you desire—”

“Nuh-uh,” Tiansi shook her head and crossed her arms, “We’re not done here, boy.”

He snapped in his fingers, effortlessly creating a true-to-life stardust butterfly. The way it danced around the queen had her distracted enough to begin his explanation.

“Whatever it is you desire, this land could grant it. Fertile grounds, bustling cities, endless resources or anything within the realm of the imaginary. Now tell me, what is your wish?”

The queen twirled around to the rhythm of the dancing butterfly, letting the sight of the land sink in from the corners of her eyes.

“My wish… is to have it.”

***

The instant the bridge of light called out to him, he began his full-fledged sprint towards it. His right hand readied on his hip’s scabbard and both of his emerald eyes locked onto the entity across it.

Crossing the sea by boat would take nearly an hour, yet on this bridge, it took merely seconds—a second more before the man’s sword found the Prince’s neck.

“A super loud explosion and big, big waves, all after a really tiny star fell down from the sky. Was that your doing?”

“Hmm… it seems you truly are a king that leads by example.”

In an instant, the ground below the third guest’s feet lowered as the Prince stared down his elevated pillar.

Pointing his scorching sword upward, he stated, “I am Seirios, king of Great Canis. I won’t let anyone harm my people again! Not even a really mysterious kid like yourself.”

“…Heavens. It just doesn't get any easier does it…”

***

With slow, hesitant steps, a young woman made her way over the bridge. She fiddled with the ends of her braided hair which she pulled over her shoulder.

“The bridge,” she whispered, “it called out my name. But not my real name… I think…” In a slightly clearer voice, she questioned the prince, “What do you know about me?”

It was more a cry for help rather than a question.

“What I know… Err, heavens… Nothing, really.”

Her face dropped as she whispered, “Of course.”

The prince repeated his spiel for the fourth time before springing the same question onto her.

“My name, you ask? My people call me Queen Sheliak, but for some reason what the bridge called me feels more real. Vega.” She whispered again, “That’s what the man from Aquilla called me as well…”

A little agitated by the third difficult guest, the Prince rushed her answer, “Your wish, please. Your wish, please. Your wish, please.”

Repeating it three times didn’t help speeding up the conversation one bit.

“My wish?”

“Yours! Yes, yours!!”

Scared of his loud voice, she shrunk her head into her shoulders as if she were a turtle.

He cleared his throat, “Heavens, forgive me.”

“You’re forgiven,” she nodded as she raised her head out of its slumped position. “Can I wish for something a little… out of the ordinary? Something I’m not sure even this magical land could grant…”

“Wish, wish, wish, wish,” he echoed whilst twisting his hand of his rolling wrist.

She clasped her hands together in prayer and said, “May I wish for peace in Lyra?”

***

“Five horse carriages weaved in gold and five equally majestic horses to pull them. How does that sound for a deal, young sir.”

The prince uncontrollably tapped his feet as the greenery of his land withered back a barren.
“I’m not here to trade it. You can have it if you state your name, your wish and promise to come back on the starless night.”

“Six horse carriages weaved in—”

From tiny light particles, the prince crafted two enormous arms as he held his own face in his real hands. The huge ones reached out for the fifth and final guest, lifting him high off the ground.

“Woah, young sir… Apologies, but I have no more than six to spare.”

“I don’t want your carriages! I want to know your name!”

Still airborne, he replied, “Oh, young sir, I thought you’d know. I am King Alph of Bolearis. The richest king on the planet.”

“Finally…”

“—But don’t get me wrong, I am not painted in greed. I wish for nothing else but my people to one day be as rich as I am.”

“Is that your wish? Is fulfilling that wish what you desire of this land?”

“Young sir, what a simple question. Of course I do! Although… I am painted in honesty and I wouldn’t want my people to grow richer without me growing along.”

When his fifth guest left his land, the prince sighed a final time, “Heavens…”