Chapter Text
The town of Nyx's Hollow is one riddled with crazy tales and superstitions. It makes for a library filled to the brim with spectacular stories, but it's easy to get carried away and blur the line between reality and fantasy. Especially when the biggest legend of them all seems to be more fact than myth... and no one can resist a good tale.
All sorts of rumor pass between townspeople from day to day, but there is one legend in particular that all the children of Nyx's Hollow know by heart. Whether it's simply a fable told to ward off misbehavior or something more is unknown, but the story is as follows:
It is said that beyond the densest part of the forest bordering Nyx's Hollow, the ruins of a grand castle from ages past lie deserted. In this castle once lived a kindhearted king and queen with their child, who was widely regarded as their pride and joy.
The king and queen were skilled leaders who fostered an era of peace for the kingdom, one that wouldn't have been achieved had it not been for the devotion they had for their son. They worked to create a world that he could feel safe in, one that would see him grow to be whoever he wished to be.
As for the prince himself, he charmed everyone he met with his brilliant smile and the townspeople thought wonders of the bright emerald eyes and soft golden hair that made him seem more radiant diety than human. They gave him the nickname Dream, a representation of his role as the symbol of purity and light for them to look up to.
He was beloved, and he strove to be worthy of such strong affection by studying vigorously to become the best prince he could be for his kingdom. Hunting, archery, swordsmanship, he trained himself in a rich variety of skills and did well in each one.
All was well for most of Dream's childhood, and as peace persisted so too did the prince with his studies. The birthday marking his entrance into adulthood was right around the corner and he'd finally be able to start training under his father to be crowned king one day.
But nothing is made to last forever and the royal family's hard-earned reign of peace came to an abrupt end when a deadly plague struck the kingdom. In working to find an antidote, the king and queen fell ill along with more than half of their subjects- and they didn't need a doctor to tell them they were beyond help. Their final, desperate wish was told to the lead of the royal command, a warrior forged in the flames of battle who placed duty over all else. As such, he understood it was his task alone to spread this wish to all who were still alive to hear it: regardless of what happened to the people, their son was not to venture outside castle grounds.
This broke Dream's heart, for he had dedicated his life to the people and their pleas. All Dream wished to do was help and he pleaded with the royal guard to allow him to walk among his people, to at least see the situation for what it was so he could continue the work of his parents. But, loyal to their king and queen before all others, they barred his way while continuing to sacrifice themselves to keep him safe.
Soon there were too few remaining to watch over the prince and fulfill his parents' sole request. He went outside at last only to gaze upon the world in despair. His precious kingdom had fallen and he had been unable to do anything to stop it. Stricken with grief, Dream retreated back into the empty castle.
The prince had no company but his own thoughts, which twisted and grew more cruel the longer he was left alone. His rosy complexion became pale as the hours of the night grew more familiar to him than those of the day, for he was unable to sleep due to the nightmares plaguing his mind. He grew into something more monster than human.
Years passed and the kingdom was forgotten. Nature retook the land, leaving in its place a great forest. Even the castle was assumed to have eventually wasted away along with the once golden-haired prince, the products of a tragedy washed away like footprints in the sand.
But the folk of Nyx's Hollow believe that every Hallow's Eve, a path in the woods appears leading to where the castle once stood. They say the prince is still inside it somewhere and though his soul is forever altered from loss, he still awaits the day he can avenge his kingdom for the great injustice forced upon it.
Perhaps this year will be his time to do so.