Nightmares Light

         I awoke with a start, my propped head falling off my hand. It took me a moment to gather my wits. I must have fallen asleep on my throne again, a bad habit I needed to crack. Across the way at my open balcony I noticed two of my guards gathered, pointing out to the distance. Curious, I walked over, covering my half asleep eyes from the sun. As I walked I noticed the rest of my guards had the strangest look on their faces. I thought they may have wanted to say something about my sleeping on the throne so I smiled about to make a joke when I reached the two guards at my balcony, and as I opened my mouth to ask what was so interesting, the words stuck in my throat. What I assumed was the sun, was in fact not. Darkness covered the lands of my kingdom but at its center, and across the mountains, shown a slowly fading illumination that seemed to touch the sky. I do not know for how long I stared in my dumbfounded state but I was brought back by the throat clearing of my guard captain so I quickly gathered myself.

        "Yes? What is it Captain?" I said, making myself sound more regal. He too stood tall, with a brave face plastered on, the sweat running down his face, the only indicator of his inner turmoil.              "Your Majesty, a report has come in and...the kingdom of Trimera..its gone.." His voice drifted away with the last words. I cleared my own throat.

        "What do you mean, gone, Captain?" He looked as if he just wanted to leave, his eyes looking around the room for escape.  

        "The light, our guards in the mountain pass reported seeing the light in the direction of Trimera so they went to gather more information, and the kingdom, it is just gone. Only a crater remains." I stood frozen, my mind processing.  

        "Gather men, I want to check for survivors."  

        "I do not believe that to be a good idea Majesty."  

        "And why not?" I almost shouted.  

        "I told my men to report everything and send it through the portal stone. We lost contact an hour ago and the stone won't open anymore, their last report was of more light, clearing the forest towards them, I believe they are gone lord and whatever caused it is headed our way." He placed his hand on his sword hilt at his hip to stop it from shaking. I hardly noticed his movement, my own mind thinking of a million possibilities and my mouth felt as though it was stuffed with cloth. I waved at one of my men to bring me some water and drained it right away, signaling for another. After draining another glass I offered one to the Captain who waved it off.  

         "Get your men to go door to door and spread the word, the people must carry what they can and leave the city, do not sound the bells, I do not want a reason for whatever comes to quicken their pace. When finished get your men ready by the front gate, but we must protect the people of Sirena first." He bowed and hurried out of the room. I walked to the edge of the balcony and stared out at the dark silhouette of the mountain in the distance, when a small light flashed at its base. "Gods help me."