The world suffered many tragedies in the past, it had faced many wars, soaked up the blood of many beings, felt the tears of many people. But it has never faced such a tragedy such as this one.
The year when it all started was 2247, and the world suffered The Great Separation. Which was the year in which the people parted to the four corners. Each person migrating to the North, the South, the East, and the West.
In each Corner of the world, there was a High Ruler; a person who governed the welfare of his people. Now no one knows exactly how it happened, well, except for the High Rulers themselves, but you wouldn’t expect the truth from them would you?
Anyway, one day, somehow, a war had broken out. It was around the year 2255. Now some of people say it was because one of the High Rulers wanted more then just a itty-bitty corner of the land. It was said that the vast lush colorful land on the earth caught the eye of one of the four High Rulers, and he wanted it all. High Ruler of the world would be a magnificent title, wouldn‘t it?
Nevertheless, we don‘t know if that is true or not. It all lies in the category of “The Secrets of the Past.”
This War of tragedy was dubbed the “Final War“, the war that would end it all, kill off all mankind. Some people have been known to call it the “Dark War” because of what it resulted in. It had blackened the skies, it had hidden the sun, dried up the rivers and turned the earth herself into a shadowy wasteland. It became so brutal, and so vicious infact, that it became only a matter of person against person… More like animal against animal… No, beast against beast.
Now it didn’t matter anymore, who you were that is; An Allie, an Enemy, or even a Peace Warrior. No, it did not matter, you were killed. Women and children had locked themselves in their homes, praying for the light of the morning sun once again. Their Husbands, Fathers, Brother’s, and Sons went off to fight for what they believed to be “right.” Though no one knew what was right anymore. Even the few bravest Women went to fight, all were killed. And the war went on.
The year is now 2269, the world blacker and colder then ever now. The earth herself gave up on all vegetation, not one flower bloomed, not one weed sprouted. It was all extremely depressing.
In the Eastern part of the world, in the Castle of the High Ruler of the East, in a room high above the ground, sat the Prince. Jasper was his name, he had dark hair, dark eyes and was rather thin. He sat by his window starring out into the blank dark horizon.
“This is wrong.” He whispered to himself, “Destroying what was given to us to live on.” He looked away from his window with a sigh.
That night at dinner with his father, King Hulan, the large dark oak dining table was silent. The only sound was the chewing of the mighty silver haired king.
“Father,” Jasper said finally braking the silence, as he picked at his food. “Yes?” replied the mighty king taking another bite of his massive Lion Steak. “Why are we at war? It’s wrong! We should try and make peace with the other corner’s of the earth, I want the sun to shine again! I want-” Jasper suddenly fell silent by the glare of the King.
Hulan stared at his son for what seemed like forever, almost as if to burn the answer into Jasper by the fiery glare. “Son,” he began, “You never mind about the War, when I’m dead and gone is when you can say and do what you want. But as for now, you pay attention to those pretty little girls that have been chasing you.”
Hulan continued with his speech, but Jasper blocked it out. It was a pointless answer, it had nothing to do with the question, it had nothing to do with the war.
After his dinner with his father, Jasper walked up the marble staircase to his bedroom, and sat once again next to his window. He lit a candle (the war had knocked out all electricity, there was no technology, no cars, nothing.) and grabbed a piece of paper, using a pen he began to write a letter, of what he did not know yet.
To Whom it may concern,
I am Prince Jasper of the East, and I am sick of the war. I want peace around the world, the High Rulers to become council and consult in each other to govern the welfare of the worlds people. I want unification, not separation. Please, could you help me on my quest for peace?
Thank-you for listening and I will await your reply.
Sincerely,
Prince Jasper
He folded the paper and placed it in an envelope, not knowing who to send it to. He knew he was going to send it to the Peace Warriors, but he was forbidden to ever contact them, therefore he didn’t know any address for the letter.
Then it happened, down the hall he heard, “King Hulan what you are doing is wrong, it is immoral! You raise your child with this belief of death and destruction! It is sad, and pathetic.” He recognized the voice to be, Wilbur of the Peace Warriors. He was the head Peace Warrior of the East.
Jasper jumped to his feet and dashed out of his room and into the long stone hallway. Wilbur was walking down the hallway, King Hulan was no where to be found, He probably took off to his throne room, Jasper thought. The long red cape Wilbur had worn flowed behind him as he angrily walked to the staircase. “Wait!” Jasper screamed running after him but Wilbur would not stop. “Please, Wilbur will you wait!” Jasper pleaded running down the stairs after the Peace Warrior.
Wilbur turned his heal to face the prince. His curly red hair swept to one side and his big blue eyes ablaze with fury. “And what do you want your highness? Your father send you to tell me I‘m not getting out of the Castle fast enough?” he asked anger tinting his voice. “No, no sir. I wrote this letter you see.“ Jasper stuttered as he tried to explain, “Here I wrote this, you might want to read it.” he handed over the small envelope to Wilbur who ripped it out of his hands. He tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter to read it. He folded it back up when he finished reading it and placed it back into it’s envelope.
“I have only one thing to tell you, your Majesty. Tell your daddy. Then come to me.” he turned to leave, Jasper stood awe struck by Wilbur’s reaction. He stared at the red cape flowing behind Wilbur as he disappeared threw the entrance door to the Castle.
He then looked down in despair; the Peace Warrior passed an opportunity to accept the Prince to their side. He didn’t get that, wouldn’t it be one step closer to peace itself?
Turning he walked back up the stairs and to his room. There he looked to the West, “I wonder what’s going on over there?” he asked himself. “Is it just as bad as it is over here?”
He was not alone. Prince Nicoletto of the north felt the same way, and was going threw the same thing with his father. Princess Ariyelle of the south. She couldn’t take the hate and pain anymore either. But the one person that would soon be someone to Prince Jasper, Princess Luvae. She hated it the most.
Across the darkened land, through the dried up rivers, and beyond the crumbled mountains was the Western Corner. There another High Ruler lived with his family. King Quennelle the High Ruler of the West married, Queen Sidee, and the both had two children Prince Oliver, and Princess Luvae.
On this dark cold night, (that wasn’t much different from any other night.) was the night of the Annual Kingdom Ball, each year since the first day of War the royal family of the West held a ball to keep there people’s minds of the war and toward more happier times. All did forget about the war in the festive environment in the Castles Ball room, all but one of course. The one depressed individual at this ball was Princess Luvae. A tall, medium built auburn haired brown eyed 17 year-old. The little children ran threw the ball room playing their games of Hide-N-Seek and Tag. As the others either stood around chatting or danced to the classical music provided by the 26 piece orchestra..
“May I have this dance?” asked a boy with slicked back blonde hair and intense dark blue eyes. He stood with incredibly straight posture, and with a wide toothy smile. Luvae looked at him with a questioning stare. “Sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I‘m Charles son of Joseph, the head Peace Warrior of the West.” Luvae‘s stare softened, a son of a Peace Warrior would deffinatley try to help her to get what she wanted the most. “Oh no,” a look of fright came over Charles‘ face, “I shouldn‘t of said that, I wouldn‘t be surprised if you said no now.” Luvae shrugged, “Sure, why not.” the look of fright turned to complete shock.
Charles took Luvae’s hand and they entered the middle of the dance floor. A slow ballad was playing, all the couples of the kingdom held each other close into their arms. The two slow danced, Luvae resting her head on Charles’ shoulder, they stayed close together. It seemed like no one else was in the room, that was of course until the music stopped. Charles bent down to give Luvae a kiss, shocked Luvae pushed him away and ran out of the ball room.
She walked down the long empty hallway into the trophy room. She sat down next to the window the faced the north. A feeling came over her, she hated the war so much it brought her to tears. She started to cry into the darkness, looking into the starless sky. “Idiots!” She screamed out her arched window, “Every single one of you idiots!” In the doorway to the trophy room stood Oliver leaning against the jam. Oliver unlike Luvae was dark haired, dark eyed, and was more on the chunky side.
“Hey Luie,” he walked more into the room and sat down in one of wing backed chairs. “I saw who you were dancing with. Tell me the word and I’ll take care of him for you.” he said looking at his little sister kneeling on the floor, with her tear stained face.
“Ollie, that’s not it. He’s not the problem. But you ever wonder if father was wrong about this war and the Peace War-”
“Don’t ever utter those words, father will have you’re head!” Oliver screamed standing up quickly.
“I don’t care,” Luvae stood up and faced her brother, “but have you ever wondered if they’re right?”
“No, never.” Oliver then walked closer to his sister they both stood nose to nose. “They were never right. Father is the only one who has ever been right in this war!”
“Puh-lease Oliver! What has father already brain washed you? You know that this war is wrong!”
“It is wrong, but father is fighting for what is right!”
“Yeah, and how do you know he wasn’t the one that started this war? How do you know what is right for him may be wrong for everyone else?”
“Do you realize how much trouble you’ll be in for even thinking this? Luvae I love you, you’re my sister, but you need to know were the line needs to be drawn.”
“Or is it you that needs to know that.”
“Don’t even go there Luvae, you don’t want to go there.”
“Or what? You’ll hit me? Go ahead Oliver I dare you, go ahead and hit me. The only thing it will do is make me hate you more then I do right now.”
A thick intense silence fell over the brother and sister. The negative energy arose with thicker tension. Oliver grabbed Luvae’s wrists and held them tight, “You only hate me because I’m right!” he threw her wrists back to her sides and turned to walk away.
Luvae threw herself to the ground again crying harder then ever now, a thick white cloud arose from the north border, and sounds of explosives were heard from the south. The lifted he finger and drew in the air a circle with a line and an upside down v. She rested her head against the stone window pane.
The next thing she knew the doors to the trophy room were thrust open, it startled he, she stood up quickly to find her father rushing past the trophy cases with a look of deep anger on his face. He then reached Luvae and slapped her across the face, the force of his mighty hand knocked her off her feat, “Don’t you ever defile our family name by questioning whether our part in the war is right or not young lady!” Luvae held on to the left side of her face that stung with pain. Then looking up angrily at her father, she saw behind him was Oliver standing obediently still.
“I don’t care!” she shouted getting to her feet, “I’ll scream my beliefs on this war from every tower of every castle. From east to west and north to south. I will find a way to stop this war!” she pushed her way passed the crowd that surrounded to see what was going on. She saw Charles who had a very sad look upon his face.
“Why are you sad Charles?” she asked before leaving the room, “You were beat because you believe what my father believes, what I believe. It isn’t right.” he replied looking away from the reddened side of Luvae’s face. “You know, nothing is right anymore Charles, but be sure to tell your father that I Princess Luvae supports him and his Quest for peace.” she kissed Charles on the cheek and left the room.
The hall was lined with people staring at her whispering about her, she tore the skirting of her dress off and the sleeves as she walked down the hall to the entrance door. When she exited the castle she was in nothing but a long slip, she pulled the clip out of her hair and the gentle curls laid against her bare shoulders.
She looked straight ahead and saw a boy, she seen him before she was sure she had. But she had no clue who he was. “Hello.” he said a little shocked about her appearance. “Um,” he coughed, “I’m Prince Jasper. Um,”
Luvae looked down at her slip then back up to Jasper. She walked down the castles steps. “I’m Luvae, Princess Luvae. What are you doing in the West?” she asked close enough to him now that she could smell his sweet musky aroma.
“Well, no one in the east will listen to me and-”
Before Jasper could finish she leaned in and kissed him, it was a long lingering kiss, one with the passion and spark in it. Once their lips loosened from each other Jasper backed away shocked even more. “Wha-What was that for?”
“I don’t know, I guess I’m a rebel without a cause. Now what are you here for again?”
“Well I wanted to see if I could make peace with each of the Corner’s Nations.”
“My dad’s too hard headed.”
“I brought Prince Nicoletto and Princess Ariyelle with me.”
“And?”
“Well maybe four against-”
“Jasper beautiful Jasper.”
The air became dense the sound of marching drums were heard coming from the south, the east, and the north. “What’s going on out here?” shouted King Quenelle. The three kings of the other corners of the world stood before the Western Castle. “ I knew it! I knew it!” shouted King Hulan. “Jasper son are you alright?”
Everyone was shouting and yelling, Luvae took Jasper and Nicoletto’s hands, Nicoletto grabbed onto Ariyelle’s hand and Luvae guided them over to a stone that stood two feet off the ground, it was big and flat enough for the four teenagers to stand on it.
Luvae began signing, “The eastern world it is explodin,” she motioned for the other three to sing too, “Bodies flarin, bullets loadin,” All four began to sing, “You’re old enough to kill but not for votin. You don’t believe in war but what’s that gun you’re totin? And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin, but you tell me over and over and over again my friend ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.”
Luvae stepped down off the stone, the other three looked at each other not knowing what to do, the only thing they knew was the words to the song. “Don’t you understand what I’m tryin to say, can’t you feel the fears I’m feelin today,” she walked over to her father and her brother, “If the button is pushed there’s no runnin away, there’ll be no one to save the whole world in the grave.” Now close to her brother shouting the song while singing it, making sure he got the message, “Take a look around ya boy, it’s bound to scare ya boy. And you tell me over and over and over again my friend ah you don’t believe we’re on the ever of destruction.”
Jasper stepped down from the stone and walked over to his father. Some of the soldiers and Western bystanders started to sing along to the song originally written to the Vietnam war 2000 years ago. “Yeah my bloods so mad feels like coagulatin’ I’m sitting here just contemplatin, you can’t twist the truth it has no regulation, Handful of senators can’t pass the legislation. And marches alone can’t integration, When human respect is disintegratin, this whole crazy world is just too frustratin. And you tell me over and over and over again my friend ah you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.”
Now Nicoletto and Ariyelle got off the stone and walked over to their fathers, and the whole of the crowd was singing along, “Think of all the hate there is in red china, the take a look around to Selma Alabama. You may leave her for four days in space, but when you return it’s the same old place. The poundin of the drums the pride and disgrace, you can bury your dead and don’t leave a trace, hate your next door neighbor but don’t forget to say grace. And you tell me over and over and over again my friend ah you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction. Mm no no you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.”
“Don’t you see this if wrong. The world is wrong!” Shouted Luvae. Jasper spun around looking at her not in shock but in admiration. “She’s right father!” he stated following what the Princess of the West started.
“She’s right? What next are you going to tell me you want to take her hand in marriage?”
“If that’s what it takes to make peace between the nations and make the world as one. Well frankly I will, but also not only in a manner that I’d have to. Also because I’d want to.” He spun around and faced Luvae who stood dumbstruck, Charles not far behind her was hoping the love between the Prince and Princess wasn’t true, because he himself loved Luvae, and how could a Prince that had never spoken to her in an intelligent conversation before love her? Then he remembered he never had either.
“Luvae Gertrude West! Don’t you dare fall in love with that boy. I forbid it!” boomed King Quenelle. “Forbid this!” Luvae replied turning and kissing Jasper. Nicoletto kissed Ariyelle and all was good until Charles took a gun from one of the Western shoulders and shouted, “No! I love her!” and shot Jasper in the back of the head. Jasper fell to the ground and Luvae screamed a terrible blood curdling scream. “No! Jasper!” she fell to the ground and silence fell over the crowd.
“My son.” King Hulan whispered too shocked to do anything. Then anger arose, he grabbed a dagger and ran after King Quenelle. And before anyone knew it the whole world (what was left of the people and the world itself) were fighting right in front of the Western castle.
Days went by before everyone in the land was lying dead piled on top of each other. And humanity was dead, and the world was dead.
Hate and cruelty is killing us all.