Chloe Joyce

-Tales of the Sun and Moon- Epilogue Bear Benander - Class of 2028

A shadowy figure encased in robes was dashing around the palace. The moon did not show itself that night. It was the perfect time for an assassination. The princess of Teneluxa had turned eighteen the day before. Now it was time for the traditional ruler murder. The circumstances were perfect. A fresh adult heir, a pitch black night, what better time could there be? Well, for one, a night where the Phantom Renegade didn’t have a problem with that.

The shadowy figure was holding a blade, sharp as a dragon’s tooth. In fact, it was a dragon tooth. Those types of daggers only sell from the deepest corners of the black market.

The Renegade chuckled quietly. She was sitting on the windowsill in the master bedroom of the palace. The king and queen were sleeping soundly, not knowing what danger might await them. Lucky for them, we have other plans. She turned her head as the cloaked figure snuck into the room, blade raised up, tip pointing at the slumbering monarchs. “I was expecting you’d show up, dear prophet.” The Renegade smiled menacingly at the cloaked figure. The cloaked prophet froze, “Who are you?!” He kept his voice down so the king and queen wouldn’t awaken. “Oh, I believe we’ve met before.” The Renegade hopped down from the windowsill, “But in case you don’t remember, I’ll give you a reminder. I have many names. When I prefer to stay

“...Or if you’d like to decline my offer, you can call me death.” The Renegade continued, “Your choice.” The man frowned, “I will carry out my task and I’ll live to do it again. You can’t change that. Renegade, you’re usually on our side. Why are you defending your enemies?” “It’s none of your concern. I have my reasons. Drawing our weapons and beating each other like barbarians until someone drops dead would be majorly anticlimactic, no?” The Renegade reasoned, “After all, you’ve made quite a name for yourself over the centuries. It would be a shame for it to end so abruptly.”

“You think that I’m the one who would lose?” The man chuckled, “You never fail to amuse, Renegade.”

The Phantom Renegade stood still next to a vase, “Let’s leave it at a warning, shall we?” She leaned against the wall, “If I catch you here again on the next moonless night, you will die. I would be most grateful if you didn’t show up, however.”

The man snorted, “It’s not like you can make me leave this time. I’ll kill the two of them and head back to Areysiyi. Then I’ll make my next move when Princess Scarlet’s children are of age. It’s how it’s always been and how it always will be.”

“Poor prophet, so naive. You see, everything in this world...”

The Renegade moved her hand to behind the vase, and pushed it off, “Must come to an end.”

The vase shattered on the floor. Queen Natura’s eyes shot open. She stood up and looked around the room. Nothing was there, just the remnants of a vase, and an open window where

9th Grade

A 5 star General in war:

1...2...3...4...

Is this what loyalty is really for?

Is this what I get for making myself yours?

My men in front of me in blood and gore?

5...6...7...8...

My mind is torn, I can't relate, To those who'd gladly seal my bitter fate, Or those who'd just use me as mere bait, Leaving me to twist in hate.

...9...

I feel the end is near, my time has come, A life of battles now succumb, my legacy will forever hum,

“The General departs, his journey is done”.

...10

“ATTACK!!!”, I say at my men

And with weighted breath accept this is the end. They leave and go in a rush, ready to fight

As the enemy covers the sky in a flurry of lights

I see a light ahead, so warm and bright

As I say “hello again” to my fellow bait with delight

Isaiah Zuo