The cries of joy and chatter of conversations flowed through the air. News of the highly anticipated Cordis Magicae carnival had circulated throughout the Omega realm. People flocked from all over the realm to experience the attraction, with many people booking overnight stays at the hotels around Heihelm. No one for sure knows who owns the attraction, with many speculating it’s owned and run by Hell’s royal family, although the family actively denies having any part in the activity. It only appears for a week every few years and never appears in the same location twice. It’s become a sort of legend passed by word of mouth, but gossip had started about it making its first appearance in Omega.
By morning, a month after the gossip started, people awoke to the smell of buttered popcorn and sugar. Off in the distance of Heihelm, resting in an open plain was Cordis Magicae. Its vibrant gold and navy blue walls stood strong and high, allowing spectators to barely see the exquisite tents, buildings, and rides seated inside. Only thing keeping people from entering was a tall gate made out of gold. The gate was adorned with lavish details ranging from flowers to vines. At the very top of the gate rests an engraving of a heart. Those who have experienced the carnival before say that it only opens when the heart at the top finally breaks, allowing you to see the wonders within.
As people crowded the gate to gawk at the beauty inside, a little boy, no older than twelve, gazed at the view. After he seemingly came to his senses he launched himself off the couch he was standing on and ran to his mother’s office. The boy swung open the door with enough force to make the pictures on the walls rattle. He then instantly regretted his actions. For his mother was sitting on the lap of a man who looked just about her age. Both of them were looking at the boy in shock. Until his mother’s face turned into one of annoyance as a frame fell off the wall, hitting the ground with a thud and a shatter.
“Karson Gail!” she called out, “We don’t slam doors! Also, next time, knock!”
“Yes, mum, sorry, mum,” Karson replied sheepishly.
“Now please, grab the pan and broom and clean up the glass, I’d like for you to meet someone.”
Karson sighed as he walked over to the boom closet and took out what he needed, but when he returned to sweep up his mess, the picture was no longer there, instead it was back on the wall as though nothing had happened. Then his mother spoke
“Karson, come here please.”
He did as he was asked to do, walking up to the oak desk in the center of the room.
“Yes, mum?” Karson asked.
“I’d like you to meet someone! This here is Mr. Anderson,” She says as she motions to the man next to her, “He’s…”
“Another one of your flings… Isn’t he, mum?”
“What? No! Nothing like that sweetie!”
Mr. Anderson smiled at her response, the corners of his mouth snaking upwards. There was something about his smile that made Karson uneasy, but he couldn’t pinpoint the reason. His eyes shifted from Mr. Card’s smile to his mother and back again. Almost on queue, Mr. Anderson extends his hand out for Karson to shake.
“It’s wonderful to meet you Karson, your mother loves to brag about you,” the well dressed man says.
“Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Anderson nods at Karson’s reply before he is ushered out by his mother. Only a few minutes later, Mr. Anderson walks out of the office, Karson’s mother in tow. She leans down to her son’s level before speaking,
“Karson, sweetie, Mr. Anderson here has offered to take you to see the carnival, would you like to go?”
He hesitantly nods in approval before slipping on his worn sandals. Once he’s ready, the man takes Karson outside and walks him down to the towering walls. The walls were much larger in person than what he was able to see from his home. Visitors and spectators alike crowded the gate, gazing up at the golden heart which was already 3/4ths of the way broken. Within a few minutes, the crack finally separates the heart, as it does, bright light illuminates almost everything, as though it may have been enchanted by the gods. The gates make a hiss as they glide open, allowing people to finally step foot into Cordis Magicae.
Karson gawked at the scene before him as he stepped through the gate. People in all sorts of elegant costumes performed tricks and stunts on mini stages set up throughout the place. Illuminated paths branch out into twists and turns behind different tents and buildings. In the center there was a gigantic big top decorated with enough details that Karson thought it cost more than the rest of the carnival itself. On top of the tent rested a four pointed star made from a royal blue gemstone unknown to the little boy.
Without so much as a clear thought, Karson broke off from Mr. Anderson, and made his way down one of the pathways. It was only when he reached a dead end did he realize Mr. Anderson wasn’t with him. He was alone and lost within Cordis Magicae.