Shadows Of Astroloria

In the morning, the doctor informed them of Astor's condition.

“I have tried my best but the poison is strong. We can only hope and pray the king can beat this.”

“Fuck, Queen Celestia please allow us to go track down that traitor Sombra.” Hermannus said in anger

“What no, I can't do that, it's not my place.”

“But my Queen it is with the king incapacitated you are the ruler of Astroloria and the people will need your guiding presence. Dr Hippocrates said.

Celestia knew they were right. “Very well then guards go find and capture Sombra. And Áedán please inform me if I am needed.”

“Yes my Queen.” they said before bowing and leaving.

Celestia returns to her husband’s side to hope. Days passed and there was no sign of Sombra and King Astor was not getting any better in fact it seemed like the illness was only getting worse.

“A girl my Queen. Dr Hippocrates said informing Celestia the gender of her child. But she was not paying attention.

“Excuse me Queen Celestia, your sister is here.” Áedán said

“Sister.” Celestia stood up and embraced her younger sister Luna.

“Celestia, how are you?”

“Awful my husband is sick and I can do nothing to help him. Luna, what am I going to do? I can't lose him.” Celestia said, breaking into tears.

Luna embraced her sister again. Luna tried her best to comfort her sister and help with the situation. She enlisted the help of her own guards and advisors to aid in capturing Sombra, as well as researching a possible antidote for the poison.

Days turned into weeks and still there was no sign of Sombra. King Astor's condition continued to deteriorate, and Celestia could barely leave his side. Despite Luna's efforts, they were unable to find an antidote for the poison.

One day, while Luna was out searching for any leads on Sombra's whereabouts, she stumbled upon a hidden laboratory deep in the forest. Inside, she found Sombra working on a new concoction.

"You!" she exclaimed, drawing her sword.

Sombra turned around with a sneer on his face. "Princess Luna," he said mockingly. "I see you're here to stop me from completing my masterpiece."

"What are you doing here?" Luna demanded.

"I am creating a new poison," Sombra explained proudly. "One that will be even stronger so it kills your sister and her brat."

"You monster," Luna spat. "You have caused enough destruction already."

"But it's not enough," Sombra replied coldly. "I want to see this entire kingdom crumble at my feet while I rise to power."

Luna charged at him but he easily blocked her attack and pushed her back with his dark magic. She quickly recovered and continued to fight him off, determined to stop him from releasing this new poison.

Meanwhile, back in the castle, Celestia sat by Astor's bedside as he drifted in and out of consciousness. The doctor had informed her that he had very little time left unless an antidote was found soon.

She begged Áedán for any news on Sombra's whereabouts but there was none. In desperation, she prayed to the gods for guidance and strength to save her husband.

Luna’s guards managed to chase Sombra away and Luna ordered them to search the lab for anything that might help Astor. But they had no luck and soon the Dr had some awful news.

“My Queen I’m sorry but I fear the king will not live much longer.”

Celestia ran into the room and just started crying again. Luna, doing her part, asked Áedán to start arrangements for the king's funeral.

“Princess Luna here in Astroloria members of the royal family are put on a wooden raft and sent down the river and normally the heir would shoot a flaming arrow to light the pyre.”

“Well unfortunately we don’t have time. Astor is unlikely to live anywhere near that long.”

“Yes Celestia will have to do it.”

“She must burn her husband.”

“It’s Astroloria’s tradition the people will expect the king to get the send off his ancestors got.”

“I’ll talk with her.” Luna said.

Luna entered the bedchamber and found Celestia weeping at Astor's side. The king was pale and barely breathing, his life force visibly fading. Luna gently placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Celestia," she said softly, "I know this is difficult, but we must prepare for the inevitable. Áedán has informed me of the funeral traditions. As queen, it falls to you to..."

"No!" Celestia cried, shaking her head vehemently. "I can't, Luna. I can't send him off like that. There must be another way."

Luna sighed, her heart breaking for her sister. "I wish there was, but we're running out of time and options. The people will expect it of you."

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the bedchamber. The sisters turned to see Ślązak burst through the door, his face flushed with excitement.

"Your Majesties!" he exclaimed. "We've found it! In Sombra's lab - a journal detailing the poison and its antidote!"

Hope surged through Celestia as she leapt to her feet. "Quickly, bring it to Dr. Hippocrates! There may still be time to save Astor!"

As Ślązak rushed off with the journal, Luna embraced her sister tightly. "Have faith, Celestia. The gods have smiled upon us this day."

Hours passed as Dr. Hippocrates worked feverishly to prepare the antidote according to Sombra's notes. Celestia refused to leave Astor's side, holding his hand and whispering words of love and encouragement.

Finally, just as the sun began to set, the doctor administered the potion. Everyone held their breath, watching for any sign of change. Minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness.

Then, miraculously, color began to return to Astor's face. His breathing grew stronger, steadier. Celestia wept with joy as his eyes fluttered open, focusing on her face.

"My love," he whispered hoarsely, "you're still here."

"Always," Celestia promised through her tears. "I will never leave your side."

As word spread of the king's recovery, the entire kingdom erupted in celebration. Though weakened, Astor insisted on addressing his people, thanking them for their support and vowing to bring Sombra to justice.

In the following days, with renewed determination, the hunt for the traitorous guard intensified. But Sombra was not easy to find even with Ślązak and his fellow guards searching day and night.

As the days passed, Astor's condition continued to deteriorate. Celestia refused to leave his side, holding his lifeless hand and praying for a miracle. The guards and Luna's soldiers doubled their efforts to find the elusive Sombra, but with no success. Time was running out for Astor, and for the future of their unborn child. And at 9:39 am one day sort of what would have been his 20 birthday King Astor third of his named succumb to his illness and died

Luna said somberly. "I'm so sorry sister."

Celestia closed her eyes, fighting back more tears. "Very well," she whispered hoarsely. "Prepare the funeral pyre."

The news spread quickly throughout the kingdom, and soon people began to gather in droves outside the palace walls, mourning the loss of their beloved king and offering their support for the grieving queen. The air was heavy with despair and grief as preparations for the somber ceremony commenced.