Taco sighed. How she longed to escape her gilded prison atop the magical tower, locked away from any object that came to rescue her. How tragic it was, that a free spirit such as herself was reduced to a mere damsel in distress. Only the scratches on the bedroom wall reminded her how long she had spent here, alone.

So alone, day in and day out. Like the sun that rose and fell from behind the looming mountains. Like that one odd grey flower amongst the sea of vibrancy. Like the lone tree with the long shadows. Like the rotting skeleton curled around the clearing. Like a cloud drifting across a clear sky. Like the silence that settled in the area so long ago. So, so alone.

Unfortunately for her, there was no escape from the small comforts of her small world. A small, small world she lived in, where people came in, and never came out. Still, there was no quite getting used to the stench of burning bodies. Apathy filled her pained heart; it was hardly a wonder why no one came around anymore. How tragic. How unfortunate.

How many flowers could she count today? The blue one growing apart from the others was new. How much moss was growing out of the tower's walls? How many pebbles were scattered on the ground? What did the clouds look like today? How many had died in their quest to rescue her? Taco recalled a taller knight, dressed in blues and whites. He was quite a charming fellow, but alas, now a charred fellow.

How much longer until she could escape? Maybe she'd just die here, and no one would ever know. It was fitting; forgotten in life, and forever gone in death. She'd have her last moments among the flowers, and a veil draped over her head with her arms crossed over her chest, holding close a few flowers of choice, and a tranquil smile donning her face.

Or the alternative, leave the godforesaken cage of hers as a spirit and haunt the lands for eternity. Appealing, but not the best choice in the long run. She'd much rather be alive.

"Oh, would any fair maidens care to bless me with a lovely face?" a strange voice called out. No, Taco wasn't speaking to herself. She clung to the windowsill and gazed out into the field below her. Yes, someone was there, wandering about like they were lost. The stranger caught her eye and opened their arms.

"Finally, I've found you!" they cheered. "The books were true, after all! How would I get up to see you?"

Yes, maybe now was the time to escape! That is, if the stranger had come prepared. Nevertheless, Taco sent her overgrown lettuce leaves tumbling down the walls, unfurling and rolling like the ocean's waves. The stranger grabbed on, and climbed to the best of their limited ability, while Taco hoisted them up, until the stranger fell through the open window.

How strange. She felt as if she knew this object. That two toned book cover boasting a pattern of blue and green split down the middle with a curved boundary seemed familiar. The object looked up, elbows on the cobble floor, and did a double take. They sputtered, their wide eyes narrowing into slits of disgust.

"It's you!?" they exclaimed at last. The stranger definitely knew Taco. They didn't seem to be on good terms, though.

"Yeah?" Taco replied, racking her brain for any memories of the object. None came up. "Do I know you?"

The object scoffed, stood up and crossed their arms. "Do I know you," they mocked. "Of course you don't know me, princess."

So the stranger had manners after all. It had been a long time since Taco was last called by her royal title, though she suspected it wasn't out of respect for her.

Looking closer, the object was hardly a knight in shining armor at all. No sword, no helmet, no armor- who was this mystery object? They had the look of a scholar, more than anything.

"I'm sorry? What's your name?" Taco asked in an attempt to be friendly.

"Book," they deadpanned. More like a she. Her voice was a bit male-like, but had the tones and pitch of a woman's. "I can't believe I came all the way here to rescue some mystery princess, lost to time itself- and it's you."

Lost to time? "What do you mean, 'lost to time'? What happened while I was gone?" Taco paused, before adding, "and why do you hate me so much?"

"How could you not-!?" Book yelled, but stopped herself. "Right. The magical barrier. I guess that one isn't completely your fault."

"Yeah, it's the thing preventing me from leaving this place?" Taco rolled her wrist. "The dragon died like, a year ago or something like that. Now, what's this about this whole lost to time thing?"

Book sat down, and motioned the princess to do the same.

"Listen...you've missing for four whole generations."

"Wh-What!?" Taco blurted. Four generations? How long was that? She looked at her hands, at her skin- she was still youthful. "So- my friends...my parents..."

"All dead."

Taco wanted to faint. Her head spun and her heart pounded in her ears. She was weak in her arms and legs, and numbly aware of her fingers gripping at her overgrown lettuce leaves.

"H...How..?"

"This barrier prevented you from aging quickly. How long have you been in here?"

How long? Taco struggled to recount her lonely birthdays. One with the mushy cake. One with her imaginary friends. One with the near-death experience. One completely alone.

"Four years?"

Book sighed and shook her head. "The kingdom is in ruin. People are dying everyday because of this tyrant ruler, who sees everyone as pawns in this..cruel, wicked game he plays!" Her voice broke. Book stifled a sob, wiping her eyes. "I thought...I thought finding the heir could fix all of this.."

She slammed her fist onto the cold, stone floor, and glared at Taco, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "But then I find it's you! You were the one who caused all of this to happen in the first place! You- abandoned your duties for a life of freedom! Funny how...how life works, huh?"

Taco had staggered away from Book and her outburst. This happened because of her? All she had wanted was to be free for a while. She swore she would come back..and never did. She didn't know where she was. It was dark. Everything suddenly went black and then she woke up here.

No, she couldn't justify herself this time. She should've stayed. Should've accepted the formalities. Should've been more reasonable. Should've some something- anything different. Anything that didn't lead her to be sitting on the verge of tears opposite of the crying Book. Taco noticed the scratches and scars on her arms and legs, and a small part of her cover was ripped.

Shame. As the heir, it was her responsibility to rule the kingdom after her father and mother. And she loved her kingdom, which was always so full of life, and bustling with activity. 'Rule with an open heart and open hand', she was told. She didn't want to rule anything. She saw with her own eyes how stressful it was to be in charge.

It was her responsibility back then, and it was her responsibility now. Maybe she could fix this. No- she would fix this. For objects like Book. For her father and mother. For all the objects she left behind.

"Book.." The words were thick on her tongue. She edged as close as she dared, stretching out a hand. "What do you say we go fix everything? Together?"

Book sniffed so loudly, it sounded more like a snort. "H-How can you say that when...you were the one-"

"I know." Taco's voice sunk. "That's why I have to fix it."

"..He's...powerful." Book sniffed, wiping her eyes again. "He obliterates a-anyone in an instant! ..do you have a plan?" Book gazed up at Taco. Tears still peeked out of her wide, pleading eyes.

"...no," Taco admitted, "but we can make one along the way." She marched toward the window, sucking in a deep breath of fresh air. She could do this. Taco threw her lettuce leaves down, and beckoned to Book. A crack of a smile appeared on Book's face, and she scaled back down the tower. Taco followed suit.

"So, how are you going to break the barrier?" Taco asked. Book held up her hand. A ring on her finger caught the light of the glade, making it shine like it couldn't in the tower.

"This is a ring enchanted with arcane magic," Book explained, pointing to the ring's jewel. Its surface swirled with energy. "It's capable of breaking any magical barrier."

Taco snorted. "Convenient. How'd you know to bring it?"

"Well.." Book rubbed her spine, "I've been here a few times. Studied the barrier, read more than a few books..."

"I'm glad you did."

Book beamed. The barrier loomed above the two, giving out the occasional crackle.

"Ready?"

Taco nodded. Book held her ring to the barrier's surface, and a blast emitted from the ring as it sucked the barrier's magic inside. Both objects had to shield their eyes from the light show, until the last sparkle dissipated.

All there was now was to go forward. Book and Taco took a step out of the glade. The difference was imminent. The air outside the once protective wall was more humid, and the grass was a few shades darker. But there was no time to dwell on it. They had a kingdom to save.