Chapter 2 MEMORIES OF THE PAST

In the dark deep of night, the tranquil unruffled southern town, Urania, soon rose from its profound slumber when hoof beats and war cries steamed into the red-black cloud reflecting the cottages engulfed in flames. The first half of Urania 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 nearby.

"Get on the horse now." Yelled a middle aged man at a child.

"No, I will stand and fight as a man..." Before the little boy of nine could complete his statement, a slap from his father pushed him to the ground.

"Dame you," he sobbed, "stupid old man, 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 prohibits his children from fighting back and wouldn't protect them is not worthy to be called a God" tears welled in his eyes. "Same goes to a father."

"God have mercy on your soul." The man prayed.

Elroy immediately stood up then turned his back on his father, off he went with his horse into the night.

"I'm sorry El" clenched his fists "some day you will understand."

Not quite long from then, the Drokan warriors rushed into the second half of Urania unleashing misery on the praying vestiges; Demons lust as they are called for their ungodly acts. All cladded in green armor and smirking steel mask covering their faces.

By the black sand bank of an Ocean, 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" said the girl

"It's a pleasure meeting a girl with more guts than men."

"I'm Mira by the way" the girl spoke with a friendly tune.

"Fuck the name," Elroy muttered before sitting up, "how confident were you in my swimming capabilities?"

"I only followed my instincts which turned out to be right."

Confused and bereft of answer Elroy lay back on the sand.

"Don't think too much on it Elroy"

"I don't remember telling you my name" sits up, "in fact why is it that you risked your life for me, a stranger"

Startled by Elroy's words, Mira instantly stopped what she was doing then glared at him.

"Stranger you say" chuckles "I thought you would have remembered me by now" Even more confused than before, Elroy took a good look at Mira, but still couldn't remember her.

"Sorry to say Mira, I don't think we've met before."

"How easily you could forget me, my white Knight."

Elroy paused for a while trying to grasp where he heard that title from, but found himself in a memory where he was running and playing alongside Mira at a younger age. Full of joy as well as shocked Elroy quickly stood up on his feet.

"Wow!" he exclaimed, "Mira, I can't believe this, it's been so long."

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

"Come on Mira" Elroy said 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."

"That makes no sense Elroy."

"Well you're also at fault here; you and your dad didn't come looking for me."

"We did El, we searched for years; we even came back to Urania, only to find all the villagers slaughtered, your dad included."

"He was a fool."

"Don't say that, he is a hero."

"Hero" chuckles "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."

"I'll keep saying this, God created this world just to watch us feel pain and feel pleased."

"What has God done to deserve that, be mindful or you will regret it."

"Even if I talk badly about Him, He'll still turn a deaf ear."

"Changing your mind is a waste of time; what were you doing in the fifth district of Lance."

"Fifth district; When?" Elroy asked confusedly

"About a week ago"

"I was in the wastelands by then, I only arrived here three days ago before..." Elroy 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.

"This can't be; I'm supposed to be dead."

"What are you talking about?"

"I was attacked by something." holds his head trying to get his mixed thought straight "what is happening?"

Mira seeing the pain Elroy was feeling embraced him and then began petting his hair, "Sorry El I didn't know you were going through pain, but we will get to the bottom of this."

Kingdom of Lance

First district

Twenty-second hour

All doors were shut in the south section of the first district, no trace of sound or movement; 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 Rare Guards, skillful warriors trained to protect the king or any member of his bloodline at the cost of their own lives. They are clothed in white woolly hooded cape by day and black by night.

Not minding the Rare Guards, a slim tan skin boy in his early twenties, with black bulgy hair advanced towards them wielding two short swords.

The main floor of the Black Bog was occupied by ten individuals; a boy of mid-twenties, willowy and pale with black dreamy shoulder length hair, vested in black robe with silver designs, which a royal may wear; four elderly as well as eight royal guards stationed at various ends of the bar.

The smooth going meeting soon came to a stop when the resounding of clashing swords filled the atmosphere.

A rare guard crashed through the door, landing on the ground with his back unconscious; urging the royal guards to draw their swords. Within a split second the tan skin boy stepped into the bar, his looks conveyed nothing but killing intent.

"You must be pretty skilled to have struck down two rare guards." The pale fellow spoke with a smile.

"You must be Prince fucking Phil" the enrage boy spoke noticing the royal design on his robe.

"Give the order my lord." Asked one of the royal guards; itching to put the brown boy to rest.

"Patience, what do you want commoner?" Prince Phil asked curiously.

"What do I want?" chuckles "What the fuck do I want?" he snarled "I want your fucking head on a spike."

"That's treasonous talk boy" Prince Phil advised then stands on his feet, signaling the Elders to give way.

"I don't bloody care, now come at me you spineless youth."

"Lower your weapons" Prince Phil ordered, forcing the royal guards to sheath their swords, "I warn you boy," draws his bastard sword which he held with both hands "your talent shouldn't go to waste here."

"Fuck you" the boy caused before charging towards Phil

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

As soon as the boy saw an opening he swung one of his swords towards Phil's side, Phil being a good and experienced fighter quickly drew his dagger to deflect the fatal attack.

This action brought shock to the boys' face thereby making him to lose focus giving Phil the opportunity to kick forward against his gut.

Staggering backwards, the boy missed his step then crashed into a bunch of arranged wooden chairs, but was quick enough to roll over to the side, avoiding a fatal slash from Phil's sword. He then stood up to take a defensive position.

"Why did you let him die, he trained you coward." With his attention aligned to the boy, Phil narrowed his eyes towards him as his brow furrowed "Whom do you speak of?"

"My father, Jerrod Rooks."

"Rooks!? Rooks always mentioned you in our brief moments; no one can out match the brave Tony Rooks he said, I finally get to meet you."

"It was your job to keep him safe, you shall pay for his death" yelled Tony before advancing towards Phil, who seems to have lost interest in the fight.

Immediately Tony's blades came whistling down on Phil; he dashed away from the attack leaving Tony wide open from behind, a direct blow to the back of Tony's head with the hilt of his sword knocked him out.

"Take him to the Castle dungeon and get medical attention for the Rare Guards" The royal guards responded with a bow before going on the assignment.

"What are your intentions my Lord" asked one of the elders

"I'll work with Sri Ivan and Commander Darren in search for Jerrod Rooks murderer as well as the two district massacre; let my brother work with the advancing army in fighting off the Drokan invasion."

"As you wish" the elder responded with a bow.