THE MOMENT
Was that hope stirring? The King adjusted his posture and straightened his back against the cracked stone throne. The audience hall was empty, save for the adventurous newcomer, and King had been sitting in the fading light with his crown weighing heavily. The Dark Lord's campaign of terror was successful, and the Kingdom's citizens had long since fled.
But, maybe not all was lost. She was only a teenage girl, but the King couldn't remember the last time someone visited. And, she strode across the stone floor with utmost confidence. She had short blonde hair with a streak of green in her bangs, and sparkling brown eyes with dark purple robes that resembled a Card Magician in the King's mind.
"Your Majesty," the adventurer knelt with respect until the King encouraged her to her feet. "I seek your blessing to defeat the Dark Lord plaguing your lands."
"Alone?" The King asked with idle curiosity as he looked past her at the heavy iron doors beyond the empty room. They hung open, but no one else was entering. "You must be quite powerful to pursue this quest alone. Who are you?"
"I am but a humble Card Mage," she grinned. "My name is Aurora Luna."
"Aurora...?" The King whispered the name and gave a solemn nod. "Truly, a name of power. Very well, I put my faith in you...," he then gave her a weak smile. "Please defeat the Dark Lord so that my Kingdom might flourish anew."
"I will!" Aurora nodded.
"Godspeed," the King waved at her and let himself feel a trace of hope. Perhaps she could accomplish what so many others couldn’t.
Aurora made a casual gesture with her hand to summon her Slate. The large 2' x 2' glass pane hovered in front of her as she navigated the screens. She went to her inventory and pulled out the Dark Lord's broken axe. The dragon-leather wrapped handle appeared in her hands, and suddenly, the throne room was filled with awe.
The cacophonous chatter of countless, jovial nobles rose to the stone rafters as brilliant morning light poured in through the windows. They wore bright colors and elegant sparkling jewelry. The regal King sat upright on a polished throne, full of strength and light in his eyes. He smiled warmly at Aurora.
"I had no doubts!" the King commented as the nobles cheered for their savior. "You've renewed my Kingdom! We are forever grateful, and you may take your choice of relics from the royal treasury."
"Thank you, your Majesty!" Aurora giggled as she knelt with pretend-respect. "I'll take it!" She accepted the reward she wanted, gave the NPC King a polite wave, and walked out of the hall. The conversation murmur and bright setting persisted until she crossed the threshold. Just as quickly as they all appeared, they were gone again.
Aurora walked outside and around the castle just to kill a quick five minutes, then she went back in and pushed her way through the heavy iron doors of the throne room.
The sickly, gaunt King was dozing off and he sat upright, startled by a guest, as Aurora made her way to kneel before him.
"Your Majesty," Aurora knelt with her mind on the future. She only had a couple of more Dark Lord axes to turn in, and she didn't have a plan for what to do after that yet. "I seek your blessing to defeat the Dark Lord plaguing your lands."