Destined to Doom

That night, the wind held the intensity of drowning Drace Spencer. If it had tried harder, it could have altered the fate she was about to invite.

If it hadn't been for the crown of short black hair that brushed wildly against her shoulder blades, nobody would have recognized Drace as the princess who had run away from the luxuries of Nortwood Castle to find her best friend, Kristian Alfond. She was clad in an off-shoulder gown that wrapped tightly around her brittle waist, with beautiful patterns running up to her breasts. The skin on her bare arms felt like a card castle against the gusty winds of the forest she had stepped into. Surely, a sleeveless gown wasn't the best attire for a trek into a dark forest lined with countless trees. But she had anticipated it would be the same warm forest as it used to be. Instantly, Drace was hit with a wave of nostalgia as she recalled the countless times she and Kristian had played in the forest together. It had always appeared warm and beautiful to them, even during the coldest of nights. Remembering this, her hope of finding Kristian here grew brighter.

Today, as Drace stood in the shadows, she felt a bitter sort of coldness clinging to the withered leaves and the damp grass. The whole forest smelled of death and faraway dreams.

Drace heard the soft treading of grass behind her. The moon hurried to hide behind the clouds, and even the wind held its breath as Kristian stepped out from the shadows.

"Why are you here?" asked Kristian roughly, and for a moment, Drace thought she saw her friend's eyes dim.  

"I was worried about you, so I came looking for you." Drace was taken aback by the hint of bitterness in his voice. He took Drace's hand and led her deeper into the forest. His skin felt calloused against hers.

"You shouldn't be here. You are not safe—not after what your father did to my family." Kristian sounded concerned, but his actions told otherwise. His grip on Drace's hand tightened, bruising her wrist.

A chill crept down Drace's spine as she recalled the events of the past few months. Her father had ambushed the former king and his family in order to access his part of the royal treasury. The king had refused to give up his wealth, leading to a lot of slicing and bloodshed. The king had bled to his death on the battleground after a savage attack from behind.

Kristian was the dead king's only son. They both had the same hazel eyes and blonde hair. He reminded Drace of the king and his warm nature.

Until now, it hadn't occurred to her that her friend might no longer think of her in the usual mellow manner. Rather, she could feel the bitter resentment emanating from him. And for a moment, she didn't trust her friend; she felt afraid of him.

Had she stopped and left, maybe she would have lived on to find a new friend and even become a queen someday.

But despite her head warning her against it, she chose to listen to her heart. She stopped to face Kristian, who looked downright murderous. His face was half hidden in the shadows, but he looked as handsome as ever. His blonde curls were tousled over his forehead, making him look almost angelic. He had a chain around his neck that held the brightness of a star.

"It hurts. You need to let go of my hand."

It was already too late for an escape. Kristian had always been stronger than Drace; only now did he seem somewhat more towering and brawnier than before.

"I hate you!" Kristian spat.

Drace took a cautious step towards him. He had every right to be upset, but surely he wasn't going to hurt her. Maybe all she had to do was comfort him.

But not a single word came out; rather, a chilling scream escaped her lips, filling the wind with dread. She could only gasp as she realized that Kristian had punched her. Another punch to the stomach took the breath out of her lungs. That's when she felt a sharp, burning pain at her ribs.

Her stomach dropped when she saw the dagger hanging at her side. The pain was enough to make her sway on her feet. Drace felt lightheaded, and the grass felt soft as she crumbled to the ground. Everything except the pain became a splotchy blur. The trees spun around her.

Drace felt tempted to close her eyes, just for a second. Death appeared inviting and warm rather than disturbing.

But Kristian's cries propelled her to keep her eyes open. The moon had reappeared, making Kristian's outline more visible. He had dropped to his knees beside her. His eyes were wide, and tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Why?" Drace managed to ask.

"I got so angry that I lost all control," Kristian coughed.

He tried to lift Drace, but all he managed to do was press the blade deeper into her ribs.

"I'm so, so... sorry, Drace." His voice sounded distant, as if he were somewhere far away.

Drace wanted to console her friend; she wanted to hug him and tell him that it was alright, but all she managed was a faint groan.

"It's okay," she managed before clamping her eyes shut and sinking into the warm darkness.

* * *

Tears fell down Kristian's face and into the damp ground as the memory of the countless times he had hid behind the trees to scare Drace played in his mind, mocking him. It had always been easy to scare her. She was frightened of almost everything. Usually, Kristian was the bravest of the two. But now, he didn't feel brave at all. He felt nearly as desolate as his deceased friend who lay sprawled on the ground, blood gushing from the same wound he had delivered to her.

Kristian couldn't help but wonder if he was cursed. First, his father had died, and now he had murdered his own friend. No, this was a mistake. Drace couldn't leave him like this—couldn't die like this. He had to do something; he had to save his friend... even if it meant turning back time.

* * *

Kristian pulled open the front door with a calloused hand and stepped inside.

The coldness inside the castle gave Kristian shivers as he scanned the hall for any sign of the great sorceress. Only a little light that escaped through a crack in the ceiling illuminated a wide spiral staircase leading to a set of rooms. Kristian had never been to such a gloomy place before. Its bare high walls were a glum shade of gray.

The sorceress appeared from one of the rooms upstairs. She was a thin woman with short brown hair. Her arms were covered with odd bangles and scarves that draped around them in intricate braids.

"Kristian!—I always knew you'd be coming." She greeted Kristian with a warm smile.

For a moment, Kristian wondered if he had met her before. How did she know his name, anyway?

"And... I have just the thing you need right now." The great sorceress handed him a beaker containing a shiny golden liquid.

"H—how do you know my name?" Kristian stuttered.

"It's because I know everyone who is destined to come to me at some point in their lives."

"So, all I have to do is drink this thing, and Drace will be back?" Kristian eyed the beaker with a sly smile.

"Yes... but there's a catch—it's not easy to change time, and if one dares to change it, time takes away something equally precious from them." 

Kristian nodded gravely, taking in every word. He had already lost everyone he loved; what more could he lose?

* * *

Drace couldn't remember why she had come to the forest in the first place. A new thought struck her as she walked on the crisp grass. Maybe she had been here before, but she couldn't remember when.

"Drace..."

A soft voice from behind broke her out of her reverie.

Drace turned to see a figure step out of the shadows. A young man stood in front of her. He was about the same age as her. He had pretty hazel eyes, which were wide in what looked like surprise. His blonde hair lay scattered on his forehead in messy curls. He had a bright chain around his neck, which, according to Drace, shone like a star in the night. She didn't know him but he felt familiar.

"I'm sorry, but... have we met before?" asked Drace skeptically.