Into The Dark World

(Gabe p.o.v) (Back to present day)

Faith and I were great friends when we were kids. My dad provided us with a way to stay in contact and still play despite her being a princess. I was so glad that my father used to be the head of the royal guard. In fact, it wasn’t long before Titus joined the castle guard and then the royal guard.

But that wasn’t my reason for joining the guard. I did not want to be like my brother or dad. I knew if I joined the royal guard or even a special unit deployed by the queen, me and faith could be around each other all the time. It really broke my heart when her mother and that man got married. Originally, I thought it to be a great idea. Faith would have both parents again! But as soon as that happened, I was told in a letter that I was no longer to see her again. So I made it my sworn duty to become a night, no matter what it takes!

(Flashback)

“Wha-!?”

I read the letter again to make sure:

Dear Emmitt Family,

It has come to the queen’s attention that Princess Faith’s personal training to become the next queen has suffered from a lack of focus. She has decided that the princess will no longer be able to leave the castle to do such insufficient things with you. Instead, her workload will increase and busy.

I hope you understand,

The Queen’s Counsel.

My eyes widened again before I felt tears come to my eyes, ‘Why? WHY!? Faith is my best friend! N-Now, I’m never going to see her again….’

I was about to ball my eyes out when I noticed a flyer on the table. It was delicately crafted with many colors. A flyer that always comes around every year. Everyone's angel family Receives it to help recruit soldiers. But this time…. It was different…

Hello!

Do you want to become stronger?

Protect someone? Maybe even meet the royal family?

Or become a royal knight?? Don’t wait! Join the Knights Academy today!

‘The Knights Academy? Didn’t dad mention it once? He said that: It’s an academy for young angel prodigies’, it’s the fast track to joining the guard early.’ I mused to myself.

“What if I joined the guard? Will I be able to see Faith then?” I told myself.

            ‘It’s going to be a lot of work….’ I thought. ‘But it’ll be worth it. Because I’ll do anything to see her again.’

            (end of flashback)

            The carriage door opened, and I looked over to see one of the soldiers. He walked over to me and yanked me up by the collar.

            “C’MON!” he dragged me out of the door.

            My chains clanged painfully against one another as I resisted the temptation to whimper as it pulled on my ankle.

            Soon we were outside, standing on bright green grass. I looked around and noticed my brother, along with some soldiers standing around idly by a forest. Once they saw me, all of them gave me this nasty glare. I hid my face underneath my brown bangs. I did not want to see my brother. He betrayed me…

            Titus walked up to me and explained harshly, “This is as far as we go with the carriage. Three of us will escort you to the priests ourselves.”

            He then called over two others. Meanwhile, I took in Titus’s appearance. His knight armor was on. It had the insignia of the queen on it. The armor was curved to fit his body. My brother had brown hair and eyes. He takes after our father while I take after mom with my crystal blue eyes. That is something I would make sure not to forget: my brother. He may think I’m nothing but bad now. Nevertheless, I WILL prove my innocence to him.

One way or the other….

We walked for a long time in complete silence through the greenery. I couldn’t help but wonder what my brother was thinking. Ever since I had joined the guard, we have been closer than ever, having to work together. In fact, we work together often. As brothers, we’ve looked out for each other in times of need. He’s never acted this cold towards anyone, let alone me. I wonder what’s wrong…

I tried to open my mouth to speak with Titus-!

“We’re here.”

Now having my full attention, I noticed that we were now entering a huge clearing out from the forest. There were three old men there dressed in priests' robes. They seemed wary of us as we moved over to them.

Once we stopped, one asked, “Is this the traitor?”

I lowered my head while Titus answered, “Yes.”

Another questioned, “But he looks exceedingly young. Are you sure he did it?”

I lifted my head to look at them in shock, ‘They are questioning the queen’s orders?’

When I was about to answer, Titus covered my mouth, “You DARE question the queen’s orders?!”

They were both about to say something when the third one chimed in, “Of course not. My brothers were merely trying to assess the situation. My name is Grover. These nitwits are Giles and Gregory.”

Titus nodded, “If you are in need of any assistance, please let us know.”

            Grover nodded, “Same to you.” He then turned to his brothers, “Giles! Greg! It’s the time!”

            Soon the three wise men surround me in a circle whilst the others hung back and watched.

Giles announced, “With this curse, we shall seal you into The Dark World! With this, you shall never be able to return to this realm! You will live out the rest of your days there as a demon, and to make sure you stay that way, we will take the angel essence from you! That way, when you become corrupted, you are bound to stay that way!”

My eyes widened, ‘My angel essence!?’

Before I even had a chance to complete that thought, they started to chant, “Take this light and turn it over. Take this light and turn it over. Take this light and turn it over.”

At first, I didn’t really feel anything, but soon I got this tingly sensation in my chest. With every chant, this feeling got stronger to the point that It hurt. I grabbed my chest and fell to my knees as I felt gravity hold me down. I tried to scream, run, anything! But it wasn’t working! Something felt off! The only thing I could do was close my eyes…

KA-BOOM!

When I opened my eyes, I was still on my knees. The pain had gone away, but an empty feeling was left in its wake.

I looked up to see something shining in front of me. It was a bright red and yellow orb. It reminded me of a phoenix. I was about to try and grasp whatever it was by instinct, but it floated away.

Looking behind me, I noticed a purple portal opening. I then looked over to the three priests’. They were a good distance away from me. When did they break the circle? I noticed that the shinning orb of light was now in Grover’s hands as he placed it inside a jar. He handed it to Titus. Suddenly the portal started to pull me in. I grabbed onto the ground, hoping not to be sucked up.

Looking down, I noticed that I had lost all the color on my being. My clothes were black and white. Heck, even my skin was pale.

I gripped the soil harder as I was lifted up from the ground. Soon I lost my grip and started to slip into the darkness.

I shouted, “Titus, I will be back! I’ll find some way to return and prove my innocence! I promise!”

I’m not sure he heard me or not before I fell into the portal into The Dark World. But it was a promise and I intended to keep it.