CHAPTER TWO: HIDDEN MEMORIES

In the dark deep of night, the tranquil unruffled Southern town, Urania, a small town surrounded by green forestation, rose from its profound slumber when hoof beats and war cries rumbled into the red-black sky reflecting the cottages engulfed in flames.

The first half of the town was devastating, children watched as their fathers fell to the sword and their mothers dragged away as they screamed and begged for mercy. On the other hand, dying men along with bruised fathers drenched in their blood could not help but watch as their children were lugged into cages mounted on carriages.

Meanwhile in the second half of Urania, those with the sympathy to stay prayed out their eyes while others ran as fast as they could or rode on their horses into the forest.

“Get on the horse now.” Yelled a man at a child.

“No father, I will stand and fight as a man…” Before the little boy of seven could complete his statement, a back slap from his father pushed him to the ground.

“Damn you," the boy sobbed, “I hate you-I hate you, all you ever did was watch and pray to a dead God.”

“Elroy!!!” The man snarled, his hand raised high ready to let loose agony.

“A God who stops his servers from fighting back and wouldn’t protect them is not worthy to be called a God,” tears welling in his eyes.

“God have mercy on your soul.” The man prayed.

Elroy took no regard of his father, he turned his back on his father, hurrying off into the night.

“I’m sorry El," the man clenched his fists, "some day, I pray you understand.”

Not quite long from then, the Drokan warriors rushed into the second half of Urania unleashing misery on the praying vestiges.

BEGINNING OF THE END

By the seashore of an Ocean, filled with dark sand staring directly at the setting sun, Elroy opens his eyes to the babbling of the raging waters; beside him sat the fair maiden who rescued him, trying to set up a camp fire.

“Nice of you to join the living,” she spoke noticing Elroy's movement.

“It’s a pleasure meeting a maiden with more guts than men.”

“I’m Mira by the way,” the maiden spoke with a friendly tune as though expecting a warm reply.

Elroy glanced at her, “Let the name be,” Elroy muttered before sitting up, “how confident were you in my swimming capabilities?”

”I only followed my instincts which turned out to be right, still I don't think men are built to ask this much question.”

Elroy laid back on the sand, "Same goes to women who acts all friendly with a guy they've never met."

“Elroy Abadon." She pronounced.

“I don’t remember telling you my name,” Elroy spoke carefully as he straightens up. "Who exactly are you?" Elroy asked with a stern gaze.

Mira stopped what she was doing then glared at him. "I thought you would have remembered me by now.”

Even more confused than before, Elroy took a good look at Mira, the familiar scent stood but still he couldn’t remember her.

“Use your sense of smell El or is this how easy you could forget me, my white Knight.”

Elroy paused for a while trying to grasp where he heard that title from, there it was, a sudden flash of memory where he was running and playing alongside Mira at a younger age, posing as her Soldier.

"Impossible," Elroy rose up, "Mira Roach." His heart was glad, "Woo! I… I can't believe it's you, after all this years."

Not impressed by Elroy’s reaction, Mira turned her back against him.

“Come on Mira,” Elroy pleaded with a bright smile, trying to lighten the mood as he approaches her with open arms, “It’s not possible to remember you after all these years.”

Mira instantly held Elroy’s hand before he could successfully wrap it around her. “Sure Elroy, did you come looking for me?"

“I tried to, but my life took a drastic turn.”

“Really?.” She turns over to Elroy, arms folded.

“Well you’re also at fault here, you and your father didn’t come looking for me either.” Elroy paused at recognizing she has a father.

“We did El, we searched for years, we even came back to Urania, only to find all in ruins, decaying corpse of everyone, including your father.”

“He was a fool.”

“Not from the sight of what I witnessed, he died a hero.”

“Hero” scoffs “Hero to who?”

“I thought you have gotten over this by now.”

“You know what, just let it be.”

“No matter the hate, your father will always be your father.”

“Damn him and his god.”

“God doesn't deserve this hate.”

“Even if I talk badly about Him, He’ll still turn a deaf ear.”

“I refuse to be drawn into an argument with you, not when I've finally found you, now tell him what in the world you were doing in the fifth district of Riana.”

“Fifth district, When?” Elroy asked, totally confused.

“About a week ago.”

“I was in the wastelands by then, I only arrived here three days ago before…” Elroy suddenly recalled being tossed in the air by a large figure and a flash of white light taking its head.

“What’s wrong?” Mira asked noticing his sudden despair.

Elroy went on his knees, holding his head from an excruciating pain, hitting and ringing on every inch of his head.

"I'm suppose to be dead."

“What are you talking about?” Mira hurried to his aid.

“Something isn't right.” Elroy kept repeating, holding tight unto his hair.

Mira embraced him, “Stay calm Elroy, we will get to the bottom of this.”

BEGINNING OF THE END

The great Kingdom of Riana, having six districts - with each districts having four sections, the north, east, south and west. Each district encircles one another, from the second around the first separated by a moat making it look like an island, down to the sixth then an open land before the walls of Riana; the districts are linked by two bridges, except the first which has just one bridge linking it to the second district. There are only two passages into Riana, the front gate called the Southern Gate then the back gate, which has no gate but a dockyard.

The night was dark and silent, every activities in the south section of the second district had ceased, no trace of sound or movement along the streets and ally; it was literally a graveyard, the only lightened up building was the ‘Black Bog’ the main branch from which other branches of the three floor Inn operates; covering a bar as the main floor, an eating place as the first floor, a brothel as the second and a suite as the third.

Mounted at the entrance were two Royal guard, not minding the Soldiers, a slim, brown skin youth with black bulgy hair, wearing a tough gaze advanced towards the black bog wielding two short swords.

The main floor of the Black Bog had ten sets of round table, five on each side, and an open space in between.

It was known to be filled always by this time of the day, but just ten individuals were present; a clean young gentleman, pale in complexion, his short black hair well combed backwards, he was vested in fine black robe of silk - having silver designs, too expensive for a peasant.

Reclined on the table with him were four elderly; while Royal guard were stationed at various ends of the bar, five in number.

The smooth going meeting soon came to a stop when the resounding of clashing metal interrupted the calm flow of the atmosphere.

A Royal Soldier crashed through the door, landing on the ground with his back unconscious; coaxing the other Soldiers to draw their swords. The brown skin boy stepped into the bar boldly, his looks conveying nothing but fury and killing intent.

“You must be pretty skilled to have struck down two Royal guard.” The pale fellow spoke with a smile, his voice clear and valid.

“You must be Prince Fredrick,” the enrage fellow spoke noticing the royal design on his robe.

“Give the order my lord,” one of the Royal guard asked; itching to put the brown fellow to rest.

“Patience," Prince Fredrick shut the Soldier up, "what do you want peasant?” he asked curiously.

“What do I want?” The fellow sighs “What the hell do I want?” he asked himself calmly “I want your damn head on a spike.” He snapped, pointing a sword at Prince Fredrick.

“That’s treasonous talk boy.” Prince Fredrick advised the lad who was actually same age as he was.

He straightened up on his feet, obliging the Elders to give way.

”I don’t bloody care, now come at me you spineless youth.” The lad positioned himself for an attack.

“Lower your weapons.” Prince Fredrick ordered, forcing the Royal guard to sheath their blades.

"I warn you boy,” Prince Fredrick draws his Arming sword from the silver polished scabbard laying on the table, which he held with both hands as he steps out to the open, “your talent shouldn’t go to waste here.”

“Ohh! It won't be a waste killing you with such a talent," the boy assured before charging towards Prince Fredrick.

Charging head on would have been a mistake, but Prince Fredrick saw no opening; the strikes were aggressive, filled with hate and rage; Prince Fredrick had to avoid some instead of deflecting or blocking them.

As soon as the boy saw an opening he swung one of his swords towards Prince Fredrick’s side, Prince Fredrick being a good and experienced fighter quickly drew his knife outward, deflecting the fatal attack.

This action brought shock to the boys’ face, making him to lose focus - giving Prince Fredrick the opportunity to kick forward against his belly.

Staggering backwards, the boy missed his step, crashing into a bunch of well laid wooden chairs, but he was quick enough to roll over to the side, avoiding a fatal slash from Prince Fredrick’s unbelievably sharp sword. He then stood up to take a defensive position.

“Why did you let him die, he trained you coward.” The brown fellow spoke heartily.

With his attention aligned to the boy, Prince Fredrick narrowed his eyes towards him as his brow furrowed, “Whom do you speak of?”

“My father, Jerrod Rooks.”

“Rooks!?" Prince Fredrick now understood the fellow's rage, "Sri Rooks always mentioned you in our brief moments, no one can out match the brave Tihon Rooks he said, I finally get to meet you.”

“It was your job to keep him safe,” yelled Tihon before advancing towards Prince Fredrick.

Prince Fredrick had no more reason to fight, he has had his fun. Immediately Tihon’s blades came whistling down on Prince Fredrick, he dashed away from the attack leaving Tihon wide open from behind, a direct blow to the back of Tihon’s head with the hilt of his sword knocked him out.

“Take him to the Castle dungeon and get medical attention for the Soldiers.” Prince Fredrick ordered.

The Royal guard responded with a bow before going on the assignment.

“What are your intentions your highness," asked one of the elders.

“I’ll work with Sri Ivan and Commander Darren in search for Sri Jerrod Rooks murderer as well as the two district massacre, let my brother work with the advancing army in fighting off the so-called Drokan invasion.”

“As you wish.” the elder responded with a bow.