Let me know if you think it flows alright into chapter 2 since it is a couple years after the events of chapter 1.
Have an awesome day!
Chapter 1
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| Illum - Protagonist I knew what I had to do. I gripped the sword in my hand jumped onto the back of one of the saddled-up horses, swiftly maneuvering him around. I moved him at a gallop, rapidly leaving the protection of Bruqon Castle, and entering the shadowy woods. They had killed him. They had killed my only brother. The Yu Vong Bandits. No one seemed to care. No one did anything when he and the other Knights of Bruqon were killed. The Yu Vong came out of nowhere. They ambushed him and his patrol. They mutilated their bodies. Yet, no one did anything! Even my own father, who was a knight – a war hero none the less – did nothing to avenge my brother’s death. No, I had to do this for my brother! I clinched the sword in my right hand, remembering all that my father, brother, and my best friend had taught me. All I could feel was blind rage towards the Yu Vong. My hands were shaking with anger, almost making me drop the blade. All I could think of was my brother, Jason. He and my best friend Perseus Bruqon were the only two people in this world that I cared about. I refused to let another one that I cared about be killed. I moved the horse along even faster. I had overheard some of the Knights of Bruqon giving a report to Lord Laehan Bruqon that the Yu Vong were holed up in an abandoned outpost near Cedarville. I knew exactly where that was because Jason and Perseus had trained me in sword combat there. Another disgraceful thing that the Yu Vong committed! I moved my horse faster down the old path through the woods, passing the road to Cedarville. The outpost was coming up quickly. I was almost there. Almost ready to avenge my brother’s death! Then something hard hit me from the left, knocking me clean off my horse and onto the ground. The wind got knocked out of me and I looked up dazed as someone stood over me. With my vision blurred, I couldn’t make out who it was. Surely it was the Yu Vong! I desperately made a mad grab for my sword, which had flown out of my hand and landed a few feet away from me. But the figure moved swiftly, grabbing both my arms and placing his knee on my chest, pinning me down. I struggled to defend myself, to hit the figure. But I couldn’t move. Then, when I least expected it, I heard the figure hiss, “Illum stop!” I stopped moving, thinking that it was my brother’s voice. Could Jason still be alive? My vision came back and I looked up and saw, much to my gloom, that it wasn’t Jason. Jason was dead…and he was never coming back. The figure who stood over me was Perseus. Of course it was Percy. |
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| Perseus Bruqon - Percy - Main Character I stared up at him, tears filling my eyes. Much to my shame, I directed my anger at him, my only friend. I roared, “Let go of me, Percy! I have to do this. I have to kill them. They killed Jason. Let me go.” “No damn it,” Percy yelled shaking me. Percy’s voiced softened, “No. You’re suicidal if you think that you can kill all those bandits. Listen to me Illum. Look at me in the eyes and listen to me!” With tears leaking from my eyes, I looked up at Percy. His woeful brown eyes looked back into my own. The wind was blowing enough to make his wavy chestnut brown hair jump around on his head. “Jason was my friend, Illum,” Percy cried. “I want revenge just as bad, but you can’t just jump into a fight without thinking of the consequences. Killing people is not what it is all cracked up to be. You shouldn’t rush into dealing out death.” “It isn’t revenge, Percy!” “Then what is it Illum,” he yelled. “Do you really think this is some self-righteous cause to bring your brother back? Jason is dead,” Percy mournfully growled, “and nothing can bring him back Illum! Don’t throw away your life for nothing.” “Get off me,” I roared. “I have to do this. I have to…” Percy stared into my eyes as if he was trying to read my mind. I could see tears beginning to form behind his woeful eyes. He whispered, “I can’t lose you too.” My eyes locked onto his, as a tear slowly rolled down his cheek. Percy was the only friend that I listened to but this time…this time it was different. This was about my brother. I had to do something. So I begged, “Then help me kill them. You all have taught me how to fight. I know what to do. Help me kill them. There were only a few of them who survived their attack. We could take them together.” Percy didn’t say anything. He just shook his head, trying to hold back his tears. “Percy, please. This isn’t for me. This is for my brother. This is for Jason.” “You’re talking about killing people, Illum.” “These bandits are just going to keep coming back. They are going to keep killing more and more people. When does it stop Percy? When does it stop?” Percy sighed and gave up, “You do exactly as I say.” Percy let go of me and stood up straight. He pulled me up from the ground and said, “Pick up your sword and let’s go.” I grabbed my blade and started to get back on my horse, but Percy pushed me away from it saying, “They’ll see us coming. We stick to the trees.” I nodded and followed Percy. We moved swiftly through the woods and stopped once the old outpost was in our sight. Percy instructed me to climb a tree and he followed me up. “How many bandits do you see,” He asked. I looked over the edge of the tree and began seeing a couple of the bandits. I saw five heavy set men, wearing very light armor, covered in fur. They each had a deadly blade. Then I saw a very tall, muscular man walk out from a tent, with a large ax strapped onto his back. He was wearing iron armor that had scarlet-red stains on it. Then I looked over at Percy and whispered, “I count six.” “Eight,” Percy replied, pointing out two archers that were sitting next to the balcony of the outpost. “I’ll take out the archers. You run across this branch and jump down to the balcony. They’ll come for you, so remember your basics. Use your defensive stances and you’ll be able to push them back.” Percy skillfully pulled out his bow and drew an arrow. He was, after all, one of the best bowmen in the entire Bruqon Province since he was trained by the Elves, the best archers in the Realm. Percy then nodded at me and ordered, “Go.” I held my sword to my side and began quickly walking on the sturdy branch. I gripped my sword as I got to the edge of the branch. I took a deep breath, and jumped. The balcony to the outpost was only a couple feet down, so it didn’t hurt that bad when I landed on my feet. The archer who was standing nearby stared at me, looking rather surprised. He drew his dagger and began to charge at me, but a deadly song screeched and whistled through the air, as an arrow pierced the Yu Vong Archer’s neck. The archer painfully reached for his wound, choking as he fell to his knees, with red fluid covering his neck and hands. The bandit rolled over onto his side, making a last gasp for air. Watching the archer die both terrified me and made me want to fight all the more. I tightened my grip on my sword and ran down the balcony towards the bandits. I noticed that the other archer had been killed by another one of Percy’s arrows, as he had fallen clear off the balcony onto the ground, alerting the other bandits to my presence. I raised my sword as I charged forward. The closest of the Yu Vong Bandits attacked me. He swung his sword and brought it down hard onto mine. I remained in a defensive stance and managed to parry his blow, making a deadly scream of metal against metal. I swung up and down, left and right, deflecting every attack that the Bandit threw at me. Jason and Percy had taught me well. As the deadly dance continued, I started to notice some of the bandit’s weaknesses. He had the slightest hesitation in his left arm, probably some old battle wound, and every time he swung his sword it was with all his might. If he kept it up he would tire himself. However, I also noticed that two of the other bandits were closing in on me. If I fought against three, just as Percy had warned, I wouldn’t stand a chance. Then I saw my opportune chance. The bandit I was fighting with swung hard from the left, his weak left arm leading the strike. I started to duck closer to the ground, swinging my sword with all my might from my left. I could feel the bandit’s sword swoosh right above my head, hearing the menacing piece of metal singing its shrill song. As the bandit’s sword crossed past my head, I continued my attack, standing back up and performing an uppercut. My sword cut through the weak fur armor that the bandit was wearing, delivering a devastating blow to the bandit’s chest, causing him to roar in pain. I brought my sword around and pulled it in close to my chest. I roared in blood-lust as I thrusted my blade forward into the bandit’s exposed chest, which made a disgusting squishing noise. Blood almost immediately began to drool out of the wound. I wanted to look the bandit in the eyes. I wanted to see him die for all that he and his people did to my brother! Clenching my teeth in anger, I looked up glaring; but as my eyes met his, my mouth dropped and all I felt was shame. What had I done? I had killed someone. I was no better than they were. In that moment, where my eyes were deadlocked with the bandit’s, I was petrified. I couldn’t look away. All I could see was fear in his eyes. I felt sick to my stomach. I realized that this was a mistake. I didn’t want to do this anymore. The only thing that brought me out of my trance was Percy screaming, “Illum move!” My vision came back and I saw that the two bandits had reached me. They were preparing to swing their swords to kill me. I tried to pull my sword out of the dying bandit’s chest, but it wouldn’t budge. “MOVE,” Percy screamed. I let go of my swords hilt and rolled backward. I watched as the two bandit’s swords cut into the dying bandit’s body and cut him clean in half. I gasped and watched in horror as the body parts fell to the ground. I was terrified. I didn’t know what to do as I lay there on the ground. The bandits charged me, roaring in rage. However, two nicely placed arrows tore into their chests, bringing them to their knees. They began to stand back up, clinging to their swords, but they were each hit by another arrow. They flopped to the ground, with a sickening smack. I pulled at my hair anxiously. My hands were shaking as I started to breathe rapidly. I needed to get out of here. This was too much for me. I was no warrior. Then I heard a stomping sound. I looked to my right and saw Percy running towards me. “You alright,” he asked as he knelt down next to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. In probably the most truthful moment I had with anyone, I shook my head no. “I warned you,” Percy yelled. “But we can’t turn back now. We have to stop them here, or they will get more bandits and chase us. Pick up your sword and fight.” I still couldn’t move. I just shook my head at Percy, barely making out the words, “I can’t. I can’t do this Percy.” “Pick up your sword and fight Illum,” Percy shouted. I took a deep breath and finally stood up, shaking as I walked forward. I found my sword still sticking out of the chest of the bandit who was sliced in two. I stared horrified at the dead bandit’s terrified face that was sprinkled with blood. “Pull it out,” Percy yelled as two more bandits charged at us. I nodded and gripped the hilt of my sword. Shakily, I pulled my blade out of the chest, revealing its blood covered blade. I closed my eyes and took a step back as the sound of flesh being torn from inside the man’s body gruesomely echoed in my ears. I almost vomited. “Hold it together Illum,” Percy yelled. “We can do this together!” Percy shouldered his bow and pulled out his sword. “Back to back, just like we practiced,” Percy ordered. I followed Percy’s lead. Feeling his back up against mine gave me some level of comfort, knowing that he was standing with me. That he wouldn’t leave my side. But hearing the bandit’s approaching us, screaming war cries, I slowly became terrified. I didn’t want to die, but I didn’t want to kill either. The man who I had killed had been mutilated, just like Jason had been. I was no better than the Yu Vong. “Steady Illum,” Percy whispered softly. His voice seemed to calm my mind somehow. “Steady.” I took a deep breath, trying to find my center, even closing my eyes. I exhaled, feeling all the fear flow out of me with my breath. I had gotten Percy into this mess. He was like a brother to me and I refused to let him die. That thought alone, to protect my best friend, gave me the courage to open my eyes. I gripped my sword tight as one of the bandits charged at me. I took a defensive stance as the man swung his sword with his right hand. I swung hard, parrying his blow and swiftly swung back to the right cutting into the man’s torso. In my swing, I brought my sword up and back down, cutting across the man’s chest. Both deadly strikes made a loud slicing noise, like the ripping of clothes. The bandit groaned in pain, but raised his sword again, trying to kill me. I quickly, almost instinctively, swung my sword to meet his. Only this time, I hit his sword stopping the attack, then I twisted my sword over his blade and thrust it forward, causing him to lose his grip and allowing his sword to fly out of his hand. My hands moved desperately to maneuver my sword and deliver a killing blow to the bandit’s heart. The bandit collapsed as I removed my sword from his chest. Breathing heavily, I turned around to see Percy had finish off the other bandit. Percy then turned to me and asked, “You alright?” I nodded out of breath, “I’m ok.” “Where did their leader go,” Percy asked. As I prepared to answer, there was a loud roar and Percy was hit so hard that it knocked him to the ground, leaving a gash on the side of his head. I looked up in terror to see a giant of a man towering over me, with an ax in hand. He had the look of pure hatred in his dark brown eyes as he clenched his sickeningly yellow teeth evilly. The man swung his ax and I raised my blade. I was surprisingly able to parry the first blow but had to take a few steps backward to regain my balance. This happened about two more times. The third time, however, I couldn’t hold the bandit. He swung so hard that he knocked my blade clean out of my hands. He then hit me hard with his foot, knocking me to the ground. It felt like getting kicked by a horse. I clutched my chest in pain as the Bandit leader roared, “Fools, both of you will pay with your lives!” He put his foot on my chest, which pushed the air out of my lungs, and he raised his ax over me. Accepting the end, realizing I was wrong for coming here and that this was my payment, I closed my eyes and looked away. But then I heard the Bandit start growling and choking. I looked back and saw that Percy had jumped on the Bandit’s back and was squeezing the bandit’s neck with his arms. The Bandit dropped his ax and reached up, grabbing Percy’s arm and throwing him down next to me. Percy groaned in pain. I looked up in horror as the bandit retrieved his weapon. He prepared to swing his ax on Percy roaring, “Lord Vong will be pleased to know that another Bruqon Knight was killed!” The bandit roared and began to swing down. The world seemed to slow down. I didn’t know what to do, but this was Percy. I would rather die, then see him suffer. I raised my hands, with tears leaking out of my closed eyes, and screamed, “No,” grasping at the air trying to somehow stop the bandit from swinging his ax onto Percy. I heard a swift ripple of air around me followed by a sickening sound. SNAP! The disgusting sound echoed through my ears, followed by a loud thud and then complete silence. I opened my eyes, seeing my hands clenched in the air, shaking terribly as though they were possessed. I leaned up and saw the bandit leader lying on the ground a few feet back from where he once stood, his neck in an awkward position. The man appeared to be dead. Still shaking horribly, I looked over at Percy who was sitting up as well. I was breathing shakily, looking at my hands in fear, not sure what I had done. Percy stared at me, with some fear creeping into his eyes. He then asked me, “How long have you been able to use Vikus?” “I can’t use Vikus,” I replied terrified, tears rolling down my face, realizing that I had just used Vikus Magic. “You just did,” Percy said. “You just snapped his neck using it.” Still shaking, I stared at Percy absolutely petrified and pleaded, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Please…” Percy nodded. We both looked at the dead bandit leader. I couldn’t stop thinking about how much of a monster I could be. If I had Vikus and I could do this… I didn’t want to learn how to use it. Not if it meant killing. The snapping of the bandit’s neck freshly rippled through my head. What if I hurt my friends with this power? No. I had to keep it hidden… |
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| Maollan Enochai - Prince of Abatral - Minor Character “Illum!” I jumped in my chair. Shaking my head from my daydream, I looked up at the older man who had receding gray hair and was wearing a brown cloak. “Are you still with me,” asked the old scholar, the wrinkles on his head arching. “I’m sorry Olbridge. I was just…thinking about something,” I replied quietly, rubbing the daze from my eyes.. Olbridge looked at me with concern, “What’s bothering you boy?” “I’m sorry sir,” I replied truthfully. “It’s just. It’s been four years since my brother Jason was killed.” The wise man looked at me in the eyes, “I’m sorry Illum. Shall we continue your lessons in the art of diplomacy later?” “I’d appreciate that sir,” I answered. “Very well. We will meet tomorrow at the same time.” I placed my utensils back into their spots in my knapsack as Olbridge continued, “You truly are one of my best students. When you complete your lessons, you may even be a better diplomat than myself.” |
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| Yurid Enochai - King of Abatral - Main Antagonist “Thank you sir,” I replied, grateful that someone believed in my talents. Olbridge was a great mentor. Two years ago, Lord Laehan, the provincial governor of Bruqon, had sent Olbridge and myself to the Elvish Kingdom where I had met the Elf Leader Lord Livon. With the help of Olbridge and Lord Livon’s grandson, Waryon, I learned how to read and write in Elvish. About a year ago, the Queen and Princess of Abatral passed away under tragic circumstances. Lord Laehan sent me to the capital of the Kingdom of Abatral, the great city of Enochai. As I was originally a court musician, Lord Laehan Bruqon believed that my music talents would help soothe the king’s broken heart. |
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| Yarmik - Antagonist Apparently, it worked because I have been in the Royal Palace for over a year now. King Yurid’s son, Prince Maollan has been reigning in his father’s place, since the king had locked himself in his chambers. Only the king’s right hand, Yarmik, and myself are permitted to enter his majesties chambers. It’s been, well, interesting playing music for the king. “Illum,” Olbridge said. “I hope that you find peace on this matter. It does no good to dwell on the past my child.” Olbridge made a slight bow towards me as he said, “May the God Viius be with you.” “Thank you Olbridge.” I returned the bow saying, “ May Viius be with you as well.” I stood up and pushed my chair in. After I put my knapsack over my shoulders, I walked out of the Royal Library, closing the door behind me. ********************************************************************************************* All pictures by me HAVE AN EPIC DAY!! |
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