Chapter Text
This is the story of how I died…
Don’t worry, this story is actually really fun! And it’s not even mine really. This story is about a boy named Ray and it begins with the sun. Neat coincidence right?
Anyhow, long ago, a single drop of sunlight fell from the sky. From this drop grew a magical golden flower, with petals that glowed, emitting the warmth equivalent to that of a nice summer’s day. It had the incredible ability to heal injuries and sickness which is going to be relevant really soon, I promise.
Oh, you see the old man with the black robe? That’s Father Garraty, put a pin on it because he’s going to be important to this story in just a moment.
So, centuries go by and the great kingdom of Pownal grew and grew. It was ruled by the beloved, and sadly recently widowed Queen Ginnie, who was with child. You see, she had gotten sick, really sick. Time was running out and that’s when people look for any sort of answer, or miracle. In this case that miracle turned out to be a magical golden flower. Told you it would be relevant soon.
See, that flower not only had the ability to heal sickness and injury, it could also reverse age. Father Garraty was the one to find the flower all those years ago. He selfishly kept it hidden from the world, staying young for years and years so he could further his plans to get rid of the royal family.
All he had to do was sing to the flower for the magic to work. He put his hood down and started to sing. “Flower, gleam and glow,” he began, placing his hands close to its petals. “Let your power shine.” the flower began to shine brighter, light softly enveloping the singing man. “Make the clock reverse, bring back what once was mine…” He brings his hands close to his face, like one would splash water to clean their face. White hair turning back to its original jet black. The heavy wrinkles and sun spots that once plagued him lifting, skin returning to the firmness of years pass. Bony hand gaining strength, old joints becoming less pain ridden. He is able to stand up straighter as he finishes the song, “What once was mine.” The flower returns to its original glow and Father Garraty relishes in his new found youth. Crazy right? He sings and he gets younger, weird.
The moment is short lived though, with the sound of grass rustling and twigs snapping alert Father Garraty. He quickly covered the flower like how he has multiple times in the past, but it wouldn’t work this time. You see, in his hurry the fake bush used to hide the flower got knocked over by his lantern. All he’s able to do is hide in a real bush, watching as one of the guards yell “I found it!” The magic flower is soon taken by the guards—roots and all—to hopefully be used to save the Queen.
The flower was used to save the Queen, having a speedy recovery. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy with golden hair and freckles to match, a prince. Here’s a hint: that’s Ray. To celebrate his birth, the Queen launched a flying lantern into the sky. And for that one moment, everything was perfect.
But all moments come to an end. During the night, Garraty broke into the castle and entered Ray’s room. He gets close to the crib, basically hovering over the sleeping baby. He sings the same song as before—but unlike before instead of flower petals—it’s Ray’s hair that glows. Garraty, with scissors at the ready, grabs a lock of hair for himself. He could already feel the age leaving his body, his hand once again growing young and firm.
As soon as he makes the cut though, he stops his song. The hair that once shone with the light of the sun, stopped. With the lock of hair that was cut turning into a reddish brown. Just as fast has his hand firmed up with youth, just as fast did it turn back into the bony and slender hand on the verge of snapping by age alone. Left with no choice, he decides to take the child. The crying wakes up the Queen and alerts the guards. But it’s of no use, because just like that Garraty disappeared along with Ray.
Gone, just like that.
The kingdom searched and searched and searched, but no avail. The prince was gone. For deep within the forest, lies a hidden tower. Worn with age and its base covered with moss and plants was where Ray could be found. Some time has passed since his taking, his golden hair now reaching well past his feet. Inside the tower, the fireplace is lit. In front of it in a small stool, sits Ray singing the same song Father Garraty has sung many times before. While he sings, Father Garraty brushes his hair taking in the glowing light, feeling the age leave his body.
“Save what has been lost,
Bring back what once was mine
What once was mine”
Father Garraty had found a new flower, and this time he was going to make sure that it stays hidden. “Why can’t I go outside?” Ray asked, voice small and childlike. Though he was facing the crackling fire, the small pout could still be heard in his speech. “The outside world is a corrupted and dangerous place. Filled with horrible, selfish, and power hungry nobles.” he answered while brushing his hair, his voice stern. “You must stay here, where you’re not only safe but can truly be free from their corruption. Do you understand me Raymond?” “Yes father.” Ray said understandingly with a hint of sadness.
But the walls of the tower could not hide everything. Each year on his birthday, the Queen would release thousands of lanterns into the sky. Hoping that one day, her lost prince would return. And Ray would watch, each year from his tower, hoping that the lights were for him. Dreaming that one day, he would be able to watch them rise into the night sky up close.