Once, in a land now lost to time, there existed a magnificent empire. Its grandeur was unmatched, with towering palaces, bustling marketplaces, and a prosperous society. The empire was known for its advancements in art, architecture, and governance, captivating the hearts of all who beheld it. This was the Forgotten Empire.
At the heart of this wondrous kingdom was a benevolent king named Aurelius and his beloved queen, Seraphina. They ruled with compassion and wisdom, ensuring the happiness and prosperity of their people. Under their reign, the empire thrived, and its citizens reveled in a golden age of peace and prosperity.
But as the years passed, whispers of envy and greed crept into the hearts of those who coveted the empire's riches. A neighboring kingdom, ruled by the power-hungry King Valerius, cast an envious eye upon the Forgotten Empire. Fuelled by ambition, King Valerius devised a treacherous plan to conquer the prosperous land and claim its wealth for himself.
In the dead of night, Valerius launched a surprise attack upon the unsuspecting empire. The city was engulfed in flames, its once-majestic buildings reduced to ruins. Chaos and despair filled the streets as the empire's defenders fought valiantly, but the overwhelming force of Valerius' army proved too much to bear.
As the siege raged on, King Aurelius, Seraphina, and their young daughter, Princess Lavinia, were forced to flee their beloved capital, leaving behind their cherished home and the remnants of their shattered empire. With heavy hearts, they embarked on a perilous journey to seek refuge in a distant land, accompanied only by a handful of loyal guards.
The journey was arduous, with danger lurking at every turn. They traversed treacherous mountains, crossed vast deserts, and endured storms that tested their resilience. Along the way, they encountered kind strangers who offered them shelter and provisions, reminding them that even in the face of tragedy, goodness still existed in the world.
As they reached the safety of a foreign kingdom, the royal family found solace but remained burdened by the loss of their empire. King Aurelius, once a beacon of strength, became a mere shadow of his former self. Seraphina, the embodiment of grace, was consumed by sorrow, her spirit crushed by the weight of their fallen kingdom. And young Princess Lavinia, forced to grow beyond her years, carried the ache of a lost childhood.
Years passed, and the Forgotten Empire faded into myth and legend. Yet, the memory of its glory and the pain of its fall remained etched in the hearts of those who had once called it home. The empire became a distant dream, a reminder of a time when joy and prosperity reigned.
But amidst the grief and longing, a spark of hope emerged within the royal family. They vowed to honor the memory of their lost empire and carry its legacy in their hearts. They dedicated themselves to seeking justice for their people, vowing to one day reclaim what was rightfully theirs.
Their journey had transformed them, teaching them the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love and determination. With each passing day, their spirits rekindled, and a newfound strength emerged within them.
Together, they became the living embodiment of the Forgotten Empire, carrying its memory and noble ideals within their souls. And as they ventured forth, they vowed to write a new chapter, not only for their own lives but also for the fallen kingdom they cherished so dearly.
In the annals of history, the tale of the Forgotten Empire endured, a testament to the indomitable spirit of a once-thriving land and the unwavering resilience of those who refused to let its memory fade away.
About the Creator
Peanuts and Crackerjack
Bottom of the ninth inning. The game is tied with two outs, two strikes and a man on second. I tap the bat on home plate. The rigid vibrations it creates reminds my aching digits that this isn't over. The practice swing only adds to the heft of mental burnout... Man on second, willing to chance it. Pitcher eyes him but doesn't give in to the dangerous bluff. I kick up dust, readying the peculiar stance I've had since the days of little league. The bat lays stiff upon my cramping shoulder. Pain has no reason to be acknowledged; it's a fleeting afterthought. The sun sits passed high noon, but the stadium lights are on anyway. They trick my brain into believing they are the cause of this sweltering heat. Sporadic clouds are motionless, they too, don't want to miss this exhilarating predicament. Anticipating the next pitch, intensifying roars from the crowd rumble the stadium... Behind me, the crafty catcher adjusts his stance and spits to the dry dirt. Behind him, the staunch umpire doesn't flinch or even blink; he knows how important his call will be. The pitcher winds up, his grip tells me its gonna curve. The release is fierce! Beads of sweat from his hair and face disperse in every direction as the force of his might is unfailing. My left leg lifts—an instinctual move that will increase the power of my swing. It's all down to my two, bloodshot eyes. They lock onto the speeding, white dot as it instantly becomes the target I intend to destroy. The swing is late, but I manage a solid tip. The ball is taking a fast bounce toward the pitcher who is recovering from the almighty throw! Man on second leaves in a desperate rush! I fling the bat to the side with a sense of urgency and make a mad sprint to the only destination I have—first base. Three defenders race inward to be the first to retrieve the skidding ball. Man is almost on third! I watch the open glove of my adversary, wondering if I’ve done enough to win this race. I switch my attention to his eyes, looking for a clue, some kind of reaction that tells me the ball is in the air and heading his way. All I see is frustration. The deafening roar of the crowd spikes! Something happens that I can’t see! My opponent abandons his post right as my left stride touches the bag. I waste no time turning my head to see the pitcher laying on his stomach, pounding the mound with an open glove. He misses the opportunity to out me and the ball has quickly bounced past him. Excitement grows! This isn’t over yet... It's become an imperative fight to tag out the runner heading homeward. The catcher falls to his knees in obvious despair as he watches my teammate make the run of his life. He knows it’s going to be close when he sees the shortstop fumble the ball a second too long. I jump up and down with no plans on leaving first base. All my chips are on the speed and agility of the active runner. His cleats dig into the dirt, trailing a dust-filled cyclone from the rapid and strenuous strides. With a thrusting dive and an outstretched arm, he lands on his chest to begin the crucial slide to home plate. The shortstop fires the ball to the catcher! It immediately begins closing the gap! Nail-biting doesn't begin to describe the anxious vibe permeating the stadium. The bench begins to celebrate even before he reaches the plate. Forty thousand cheering fans reach maximum crescendo, filling the air with a glorious sound. Everyone knows how this story will end… My teammate is met by the entire bench as his fingers inch across home plate, instantly followed by the unmistakable motion of the catcher's glove attempting to tag him out—its milliseconds too late. The ump swings his arms outward, officially calling him safe.
By Lamar Wiggins6 days ago in Fiction
The king and the beggar
Title The King and the Beggar Once upon a time, in the majestic area of Eldoria, there lived a wise and just king named Aldric. King Aldric was cherished by his subjects for his fairness and compassion. still, beyond the grand walls of the royal palace, in the bustling thoroughfares of the capital megacity, there dwelled a beggar named Elias. Elias was a man survived by life's rigors, his formerly proud elevation reduced to bare rags and dust. He floated the thoroughfares with a sick heart, his eyes filled with craving for a life he could only dream of. Despite his dire circumstances, Elias remained kind- hearted, offering smiles to passersby despite entering nothing in return. One cataclysmal day, King Aldric decided to take a perambulation through the megacity, disguised as a pleb to more understand the plight of his people. As he wandered through the crowded thoroughfares, his aspect
By vinoth kumar4 days ago in Fiction
My To Be Read List
I have been taking some time away from writing. I haven't forgotten about Vocal, the truth is I just have been too busy pursuing other things to write online and honestly, my little family and I just had a really hard month between the flu and a weird eye infection/cold circulating our house. I'm currently sipping some warm peppermint tea because my throat is sore.
By Chloe Rose Violet 🌹7 days ago in BookClub
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.