DARKTRUTH

She gazed weirdly at the carnivorous creature, unsure of its next movement. For some odd reasons, her thudding heartbeat had returned to a normal pace. She slowly stretched out her hand in an attempt to touch the animal in front of her. It took a short while for Xena to get used to the wolf which came as a shock wave because she warmed up to the wolf faster than expected.

She panted heavily after so many failed attempts to escape from the wolf. He seemed to be blocking her walkway even when he knew she was weak. She decided to talk to him even when she knew it was pure foolishness as the animal might not understand a thing.

"Wolfie Do you want me to ride on you?" She asked in an unsure tone.

Wolfie barked in agreement, sticking out its tongue panting profusely and wagging its tail excitedly. Xena, like a scared five year old, got onto its back carefully, she wiggled her hands in the air the moment she got the hang of being on top of her new friend.

"Let's go find the general," Xena exclaimed tiredly as they set out on their journey together.

Somewhere far away in the second realm, Xavier Was trying to reason with his advisor sir Marcus. His tone was sharp and his face held a firm expression.

"I've told you Marcus, I can't marry princess Zina, I can't marry someone I don't love. What about Abigail, someone who has been there for me all my life, we've been friends and we've become lovers for a while, how do you expect me to leave her, how do you want her to take it? Talk more of me leaving her for someone who I barely know." Xavier spoke with so much emotion it made Marcus chuckle like he never did before.

"Master Xavier, your parent's wish for you is for good, for you to gain more power and control. And to do that, you have to subdue the first realm by marrying the princess because you can only get the power you need when you become king. Besides, princess Zina unlike Abigail is a royal bloodline; she matches your status as the young king of this realm. If you still don't see enough reason for you to get married to Zina, think of your uncle who has been in the dark realm because of Zina's family.

You know the only way to free him is if you read the book which is located and hidden in the palace of the first realm. Do this for your uncle."

"I'll think about it Marcus, I'll be in my chambers if you need me, that is, if it's very important. I do not need this love story nonsense for now. As you can see I just finished a meeting with the council and I just need peace of mind at the moment. It was a long and rough day for me, so I really need this rest, I hope you understand?" Xavier instructed emphasizing on the word REST.

Marcus nodded in agreement, not bothering to push the conversation further. He knew the prince wanted some alone time being that he was choked up with the kingdom's affairs.

"Okay, I understand," Marcus affirmed to Xavier's words, still reminding him of the benefit of their discussion.

"Please consider this proposal as it is for the kingdom's betterment, we shouldn't let this opportunity slip through our fingers so easily."

Xavier gave Marcus a tiring glance before taking the stairway leading to his room. Getting to his room, he took off his dark blue coat embroidered with gold threads. He placed it on the coat rack, staring blankly at his father's portrait while sitting on his king-sized bed.

"What should I do father, what would you have done in such a situation? You were a man of great wisdom, too bad I didn't sit under your guidance for long."

He lamented, laying down on his bed as he tried to catch his lost breaths, he couldn't help but sigh in despair, he was about to make a decision, one that could make or mar his life. He closed his eyes to the thought of his family, his mom, his dad and his uncle, he could recall the faint memories they had together, he could recall how he cherished his uncle so much so he wanted to become a warrior just like him."

"I have to do this, I have to save him from the torment and pain, he's the only family member I have left. Dad, I know you loved your family, I know you would do anything to protect them, I will do this for you and uncle Lynx."

Xavier stood up gently as he approached his chamber walls. He pushed some part of it, moving his hands as if he was looking for something. Alas! He found it, he found the part of the wall that led to the secret chamber his dad told him about when he was much younger. Walking into the dark chamber, he saw that nothing much had changed. He had already switched on the light when suddenly his eyes caught sight of the amulet his dad always wore. Xavier recalled his father's words;

"This medallion is a special one, it lets you know if your family members are fine or alive. Right now, only I, your uncle, your mother, and you have access to these assets. You can see different colours of gemstones, the red one is me, the yellow, your mother, the orange is you and the blue is your uncle. Whenever one of us is in danger, the medallion would make the person's colour blink and when one of us dies, the gemstone of that person in the medallion will lose its colour."

Xavier took the medallion, inspecting it as though he thought something went wrong. He smiled when he noticed the blue and orange gemstones still lit up;

"So you're alive," He whispered to himself with a hint of excitement,

"I need to find you, I need to make sure you're back to the rightful place you belong."

He wore the medallion dashing out of his study like the hurricane wind. He didn't want to waste time, he needed information on how to bring his uncle back.

"Send for Marcus, ask him to meet me in my study," he told one of his guards that stood outside his sturdy.

"How else does this medallion work?" He pondered eagerly, waiting for Marcus to enlighten him.

"Young king, I thought you didn't want to be disturbed,or have you considered princess Zina," Marcus' eyes lightened up waiting for a positive answer but he didn't receive any.

"Leave us," Xavier gestured to his guards who responded immediately.

He stared at Marcus who was still eagerly waiting for the answers to his question.

"I called you here for this." Xavier stretched out his hand which had the medallion in it. "Give me details on this and let me know if there is a way this might be able to free my uncle."

"I'm afraid I know so little concerning this and I believe your father, the late king, told you about it. As for your uncle, I believe he can be saved and I know you are aware of how it can be done."