Chapter 1
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Chapter One
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Darkness slowly swept across the empty underworld, blanketing the ground in shadow. The world was different shades of black and grey and the ground was flakey as if it had been littered with ashes. Plant life was scarce at best and a creature caught outside was gone within the blink of an eye when spotted. With night approaching, the dark world looked even darker. All living things were asleep, the thick droplets of rain pattered against the dusty ground, which limited sight and sound.
For one, however, this was the perfect opportunity to leave his eternal prison. His ebony skin and dark red eyes helped him blend into the darkness. He wore a worn red hoodie with ripped black jeans, silver chains connecting his feet to the wall.
Using the last of his stored magic, the dark male broke the chains and made his way into the dark hallways of the prison. Bared cells lined either wall as the red-eyed male sneaked past each cage.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the jarring silence and a hand reached through the bars and grabbed onto him, dull red eyes searching his.
“Mikaela! Don’t leave me! If you do I’ll die! They’ll kill me, please, Mikaela take me with you!” Cain whisper-yelled, panic coloring his voice noticeably.
The dark elf looked back at his brother with tears in his eyes and responded; “I can’t, Cain, you need to stay with Father. Learn from him. Become the king we need you to be.”
“No! They’ll kill me, Mikaela, I need you.” Cain pleaded as his eyes watered, the tears threatening to fall. Cain never wanted the future that was thrust upon his shoulders, he envied his older brother who got to explore outside the walls.
When the pair of siblings attempted to abandon their home and responsibilities, their father had caught them. They were thrown into prison as punishment.
“Goodbye, Cain, stay strong.” The dark elf, Mikaela, said as a single tear slipped from his eye without permission. He would run away from his past life. From his brother, family, and everything he had once known and loved. He would run away, into the dangerous unknown.
“Wait, Mikaela,” The dark elf froze, “You’ll need your sword.” The little brother moved forward, straining against the chains and bars to place the cold handle of the sword into his brother’s hand. It had an onyx blade, with rubies sewn into the black
leather grip. It shimmered wickedly as the soft light of the quarter moon lit its polished surface.
“C-can I come with you?” Cain held his breath, anticipation welling up inside of him.
The conflicted look on Mikaela’s face was noticeable, even in the dim lighting, but Cain had already decided for him. Because of the chains around the prisoners’ ankles, their powers diminished. However, once they were removed, they’re power returned with ease.
Mikaela released his brother in a similar fashion as he had himself, and was nearly knocked over when his little brother leaped up and hugged him. Mikaela hesitantly wrapped an arm around Cain, squeezing him comfortably.
They broke away, realizing the situation. They had to bolt before the guards returned or the other prisoners realized they were escaping. Quickly, they raced down the corridors, burst through the unguarded door, and into the forest.
The two brothers ran through the woods with no sense of direction or purpose other than to get away from the prison. As the ran, the scenery around them began to change from the gloomy gray wasteland to a forest. The trunks gray in color but at least they were beginning to getaway. They’d have to run for a few more days in order to get back to the lusher areas of the Underdeath.
As the started to rise, they stopped at a small creek to rest.
“What are we going to do now, Mikaela?” Cain asked his brother in a small voice.
“I don’t know, but we can’t stop. They’ll track us.” Mikaela replied, pulling a handful of water into his white hair.
So they continued marching forward while the dull yellow light of the sun peeked through gray clouds that slowly grew thinner as they approached the cleaner area.
Cain asked, “Mikaela, what’s with that light? It’s brighter than back in the Underdeath.”
“Idiot,” Mikaela replied affectionately, “That’s the sun. What did you think it was?” A hint of sarcasm peeked through his tired voice.