Ten years ago, the sun abandoned the world again.

Not that it had been the real sun to begin with. Mankind persisted enough by relying on magic and the ethereal sun – a magical sun which sprouted from the chosen one that had long replaced the original sun in the sky. For centuries, it had kept the world warm and alive, the only source of lifeline in this endless night. Now that it’s gone, the world plunged into eternal darkness once more – just as Dawn intended.

However, none of these calamities mattered to Riven Nethermoon. Ten years ago, Riven lost something more than just the presence of the sun. The raven-haired boy swallowed a glass of strong brandy, trying to drown out the pain that persisted to leave him for a decade. Loud and thumping music played in the background, but his eyes were glued on a navy silver wristwatch strapped to his wrist. This watch was the only thing that remained from her.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar bright voice snapped Riven from his dark thoughts. “Having a bad day, heh?.”

A red-haired boy about his age slipped into the cramped bar stool beside him. A fire-shaped pendant hung above his sweaty shirt, which resembled the famous fire relic resting deep somewhere in Riven’s home, the royal palace. “Can I join you, Your Highness?”

Riven tensed up at the recognition, pulling his lips into a deep scowl. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Easy there!” The redhead’s voice remained annoyingly cheery and cheerful. “I will not tell a soul that the fair prince of Nethermoon is spending his time in some dingy bar.”

Riven flashed a sharp look at the redhead before continuing his booze. The redhead called the waiter nearby and ordered a cocktail with a difficult name. A waiter came to their table shortly after and placed a yellow soda with orange julienne slices.

“My name is Archie by the way.” the redhead winked at Riven. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, your Majesty. Want some? It’s corn soda.”

Riven scoffed. “We both know that’s not real corn.”

“Yeah!” Archie nodded, taking a sip. “Since the ethereal sun left, we have been relying on wind and earth elemental users to grow some veggies. Safe to say, this is starting to taste like the real thing! Seems like we don’t really need the real sun after all.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Riven went silent, absorbing Archie’s words. It wasn’t uncommon for people to openly admit they didn’t need the gods. Humanity had lasted long due to elemental powers and the ethereal sun. When the ethereal sun was gone again, people’s elemental magic only grew instead of seeking repentance from their creator. Riven shook his head inwardly. Damn, none of these mattered that much to him. Whether there was sun or not, it didn’t change the fact that the prince had lost something important. More important than the sun itself.

“By the way, Your Highness, have you ever felt like you could have done something differently?” Archie asked, leaning closer to him.

A simple ice breaking question, but it sent chills all over to Riven’s spine. The events from a decade ago flashed into his mind. Weapons clinked. People screamed. Fire and smoke blasted from every corner. He was running with her, hand-in-hand. A steel spear lunged in their direction, stabbing her chest and slamming her to the ground. She was writhing, blood on her mouth. Riven called out her name and pleaded to the sleeping lion for a miracle, but the young boy could only watch as life and light slowly faded from her eyes.

Riven coughed violently, anxiety weighing his breath. His chest was hot and flaring. Whether it came from the alcohol or his violent heartbeat, he couldn’t tell. The room seemed to close around him until Archie shook his shoulders, shaking him back to reality.

“Hey, you all right bud?” Archie’s eyes lit up with genuine concern. “I’m sorry I do not mean to bring back bad memories.”

Riven’s hazy visions slowly came to a clarity. His heartbeat thumped normally again. “It’s not your fault. Thanks for your concern.”

Archie grinned and continued on with his tale. “We all have those memories, bud. Maybe yours is a bit too extreme. As for me, I used to like this girl. She is out of my league. I think she likes me too but I was too much of a chicken to confess….”

As Archie continued on with the story, Riven simply nodded politely in acknowledgement. Riven didn’t really welcome his presence, but Archie’s blurry tales managed to drown his dark thoughts though. Maybe talking to a stranger in a bar once in a while wasn't that bad after all.

Eventually, Archie excused himself and slipped out of the seat. “It was nice talking to you, friend!”

Riven laughed dryly. “You did all the talking. I was barely listening.”

“Well your bare minimum is enough to move my heart.” Archie said in dramatic fashion. “I will see you around, ciao!”

And with that, the redhead disappeared from the bar as if he wasn’t there in the first place. It was also when Riven felt something bare on his arm. His eyes flew wide. The moonwatch on his wrist had gone missing!

The prince sat up instantly, his head craned around the bar with anxious, tear filled eyes. Eventually he saw white light glowing from the entrance. His moonwatch blinked fast and radiant, as fast as Archie slipping out from the bar and disappeared into the night.

“Come back here!” Riven sprinted towards the door, pushing club patrons and dancers in his wake.