Shadows of Hope
The second entry of the Prodigy World lore series
Donβt miss the first epic story: 
Earth of Desire
NOTE: ππππ πππππ’ ππππππππ ππππππππ, ππππ, πππ πππ’ πππππππ πππππ ππ π»πΆπ±ππ+ ππππππππππ (includes relationships) [Rated PG-13]
Viewer discretion is advised. Please enjoy the story!
π₯ Chapter 1: The Hooded One
Where am I?
Galaxy tried opening her eyes, but they felt heavy, as if three layers of extra skin were piled on top of them. When she tried moving, everything ached, and she didnβt understand why there was a stinging in her throat, like it was scraped by a sharp rake. As she thought of this, she groaned, and forced herself up.
She could feel something warm near her, like an ignited fireplace. Yes, it was a fireplace: she could hear the crackling oakwood and soft whispering of the flames beside her. Galaxy managed to open her eyes just enough to where she could see what was around her, and she was so startled of where she was, she nearly screamed.
Firstly, she noticed her hands were tied behind her back in thick rope. Weird. So, Iβm a prisoner again, I guess. She rolled her eyes back to give her own self a better inspection, and discerned that her clothes were slightly torn. Her hair was mangled like sheβd been dragged through somewhere, and her feet were sore like sheβd been walking for days. What has happened to me?
What happened to Spruce and my friends? she thought, helping her own self up. She wobbled momentarily, then regained her balance, thinking. Did he make it back safely? Did he ever find his parents and the Evil One? If so, did he stop them?
Galaxy tried tracing back to what had happened in Firefly Forest. It was horrible; just what poor Spruce had feared. Monsters and wizards running in terror; trees aflame and demonic spirits flying through the air; the screaming and frantic escapees: that was she remembered, before she was⦠kidnapped.
The last thing she knew happened was that Spruce had convinced Sage to go with Flora to face the Evil One. Then, she and everyone else went with Aurora somewhereβ¦ some place she couldnβt remember. Wherever it was, Galaxy doubted she even got there, before she was bashed in the back of the head by something.
As Galaxy was lost in apprehensive thoughts, she heard floors creaking a floor below her. Abruptly, she stopped, her heart pounding. What was that? Cautiously, she looked around: there was nothing special to be seen. The room featured a circular stone chamber with arched doorways and walls constructed from dark gray, weathered stone blocks adorned with glowing purple runes that pulsed faintly. The floor mostly had a checkered pattern of slate-gray and charcoal tiles, and where she was sitting was a tattered crimson rug underneath her.
Additionally, lighting came from iron sconces holding flickering blue flames, casting elongated shadows. Across the room connecting the door was a spiral staircase with wrought-iron railings. The ceiling was vaulted, with cobweb-draped chandeliers above. It was damp and dim with a faint magical hum that she found unsettling.
But, back to that noise: it seemed to be coming from the staircase itself. She started towards it, then stopped cold when she heard footsteps approaching. She gasped, then backed away as the striding sound got louder and closer. Someone was coming.
She held her breath just as soon as the figure appeared in the doorway. They stopped for a brief moment, then before Galaxy could sputter out anything, the seemingly hooded figure walked slowly towards her, holding a scythe that gleamed dangerously in the roomβs sorcerous glow.
Am I about to die?
πβπ¨ Chapter 2: Conversation to Reveal
As the veiled stranger continued to proceed towards her, Galaxy tried to see if she could read their mind. Yes, she had a horrible power: she could read minds and have visions of the future. Not to mention was one of the only wizards on the subcontinent that even pursued learning the shadow element. Ignoring this, she listened to see if she could hear anything.
But there was nothing: just that mysterious hum that was indifferent to her confusion. All of a sudden, the foreigner stopped abruptly in front of her, looking down at Galaxy, who was now trembling, on the floor. They lowered their scythe, then strangely brushed their hands together, coughing.
βYouβd might as well try getting some rest,β the concealed figure said, motioning towards the fireplace. Galaxy turned to look at it, and as her eyes adjusted, she realized there were two obsidian sofa chairs in proximity to where she had been. The hooded stranger walked over to it, their garb dragging behind them, and sat down in one of the chairs. βBe my guest,β they said, and gestured to the seat across from them.
Galaxy shuddered. What does that mean? As soon as she had that thought, she couldβve whapped herself. That basically meant: βMake yourself comfortable.β Perplexed, she forced herself to move and sat in the chair across from the stranger, which let out coughs of dark dust.
There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment as the two sat from each other. The flames crackling were the only sign of some sort of noise; the faint murmur of the room and the wizardβs mind were barely audible.
Galaxy reluctantly tried reading the unfamiliar oneβs mind again. It wasnβt her favorite thing to do, and she didnβt voluntarily do it all the time. She actually quite disliked it; some wizardβs thoughts were so terrifying and sad and confusing all at once. In fact, when Galaxy had met Spruce and the rest of her new friends, their thoughts were so different and kind than the ones she was used to hearing.
"I suppose you want to know who I am,β the stranger finally said, breaking the silence. Galaxy was snapped out of her rushing thoughts and stared wide-eyed at the figure. Their thoughts were completely unreadable, and the hood was still covering their face. Whoever they were, they sure didnβt want anyone to know who they were.
βI do,β Galaxy said, her voice cracking so much that she winced. Whatβs going on with me? Iβm usually able to think straight when Iβm feeling like this, but I guess Iβve never been kidnapped and beaten down like I feel like Iβve been now. She straightened herself and looked at the stranger.
The hooded figure leaned forward, their arms rested on the soft armrests of their chair. Chuckling, they said, βTake a guess.β
Galaxy shivered. That seemed ominous, but she wasnβt about to dwell on that. She could figure out who they were, couldnβt she?
They were mysteriousβ that was for sure. They didnβt want anyone to know who they were, either, and this place seemed β¦ familiar in a sense she couldnβt describe or recall. She combined those two thoughts and began examining the figure: they wore a dark hood with purple casual lining. That was nothing specialβ¦but waitβ¦
On the neckline and arm sleeves were small emblems of the shadow element. They were spells, but some of them were spells that were only rumored to be able to be cast by an unknown powerful wizard, which meantβ¦.
But before Galaxy could reply, as she was turning around to do so, the figure had slowly begun lifting their hood to expose their face. And it was exactly who she thought it was.
It was Mira.
π° Chapter 3: A Towering Interrogation
Galaxy was so shocked she almost fell backward out of the chair. She couldnβt believe she was sitting in front of the most powerful wizards to ever live. In a chair. By a fireplace. And they were talking almost conversationally it was absurd. Blinking, she watched as Mira Shade straightened out her ruffled blue hair and adjusted her robes.
She laughed. βYou seem surprised.β
Galaxy couldnβt tell if she was being serious for a moment, as she was still processing the shocking reveal. When she was done, she nodded. βYes,β she said slowly. βI am.β
Mira looked at Galaxy searchingly for a moment, then subsided, relaxing deeper into her chair. βOh,β she said. βI know who you are; Iβve heard about you.β
Really? Galaxy thought, and she was suddenly aware of how oblivious she must have been looking, as if sheβd swallowed an exploding cactus of some sort. Straightening her expression, she couldnβt ignore the question spiraling inside her. βYou do? How?β
Mira considered Galaxy, then waved this off as if she hadnβt heard the question. βThe first question you should ask, is βwhere are we?ββ Galaxy did plan on asking that, but it seemed as if she was far more concerned with how this wizard knew about her. I am, but Iβm also freaking out about where we are exactly.
Mira nodded as if she had heard the question in her thoughts, then pointed towards a window, which definitely wasnβt there before. Gasping, Galaxy rushed over towards it, just as Mira said, βGo and take a look, why donβt you?β
Just as she had feared, they seemed to be at least fifty stories above the ground. She couldnβt even guess what would be the stone paths were below her, and she pulled herself from the window, her fear of heights making her dizzy and partially unconscious.
She regained balance and sighed. βI know where we are. Weβre in the 
Dark Tower, arenβt we? On the floor halfway to the top?β
Mira chuckled. βYes, we are. This is where Iβve been living for the past thirty years.β
Here? Alone? For THIRTY YEARS??? Galaxy touched her temples. She couldnβt imagine living here, isolated, in this darkened space, with no one to talk to.
I guess even some wizards still donβt know my backstory.
Galaxy used her mastery of self control to keep herself from whirling around and staring at the isolated wizard. There it was! She heard one of Miraβs thoughts! She didnβt know why she wasnβt able to hear some of them earlier, but all of a sudden now she could. Wait, calm down. You canβt let her know you can read minds, or else she wonβt trust you. I wonder if she knows that I can β¦ probably not, right?
But after seeing Miraβs amused expression, she couldnβt be as confident about that. The cloaked wizard considered Galaxy for a moment, rose from her chair, and began walking towards the room exit, her garb dragging behind her.
Galaxy gasped. βWait!β she exclaimed, her hands outstretched. She winced. Why do I sound like a starving hippo? βWhere are you going?β
Was that a moment of hesitation from Mira Shade? If it was, she didnβt show it; she didnβt even turn around to even look at her. βI have β things to do.β
Galaxy tilted her head at her inquisitively. What things does she think she has to do? I mean, she lives here, of course, but I canβt imagine what she could be doing here. Briefly, she tried putting herself in Miraβs shoes and wondered what she would do if she lived here, isolated, away from everything that defined who she was.
As she was lost in her thoughts (again), Mira continued walking towards the doorway when there was no response. Snapping out of it, Galaxy said, βIβll come with you.β
Mira didnβt say anything as she disappeared into the staircase. Iβm guessing she doesnβt not want me to follow her. Adjusting herself, Galaxy followed her into the dark cold staircase, wondering what was in store for her.
I will return to this topic tomorrow morning to add chapter 2!
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