Ages Of Darkness

The soldiers of cloud city fell on their knees, right hands on their chest as soon as the queen approaches.

Zoire walks majestically,as the trail of her seems to move endlessly at her back.The gown was made with pure gold lava,with the breast plate decorated with bronze metal that pressed her breast tightly to her

With a liquid silk covering her shoulders to wrist of her hands.

Her gray hairs were graciously tucked in behind her ears,down to her waist.Leaving some strands of hair dangling in front of her face.Her hairs, seems in silver as the rays of the sun shine on them.

Her eyes were transculent sea blue,as her pupils little green in them.She had a pointed and her plump lips which seems to fit perfectly well in her oblonge face

Indeed the queen looks like a goddess, except for the betrayal of her gray hairs which shows that she had aged gracefully.

Behind her followed the two princes of cloud city.Darl and Erimense.Both of them were heavily built , skillful and handsome except for the colour of their hairs.

Darl, whose hairs were blond, took after his mother except for his cold,rude and arrogant behavior.They clearly reflected on his face,as he looked down on the people as if they were flies he would like to dispose and get over with quickly.

Erimense on the other hand,had a thick black hair,as the seems to cover his face.His aura seems to command confidence,as he gave the people a masked smile.

Behind the princes, were the councillors of Cloud city.

The people hailed the name of the queen,as she took her seat on the throne while the two princes,took their places by standing beside her.Their hands on the tilt of their sword

One of the counsillors whose name is Omaha,rose to address the people.After calming them down ,he started his speech.

"Good people of Cloud city,the Fairess has announced that the duel will begin in two weeks..........................".

Immediately this, they interrupted Omaha and began cheering."Hail her Majesty of Cloud city".They continue hailing the name of the queen.

Omaha raised his hands to make the people quiet, before he continued."The celebration of the new moon festival is starting tonight.Everybody is relieved from their duties except for the soldiers and workers, working in

in the palace.But there will be handsome packages for them too.And on the day of the new moon,the princes will show their skills in battling fost and Zrr'ssk".

Omaha said smiling as he went to kowtow before the and then to his seat.

Darl wrapped his hands tightly on the tilt of his sword, boiling with rage.Why had Mother done this,he was the rightful heir to the throne.Why would she include in the duel meant for the royal blood.He thought,his head shaking furiously.

"Darl"Erimense said.

Darl scowled at Erimense."What"

Erimense looked at Darl and sighs."You're about to unsheath your sword".

Darl was shocked,he wasn't aware of his own actions.He sheathed his sword as his gaze went back to the people hailing the queen.

It was already noon.Darl storms into the queen 's chamber and barked at his mother.

"Mother I want to........................"

The queen raised his finger to shut him up.

"Darl,I think that it is high time you learned some etiquette and some courtesy.You cannot just storm Into my chamber except you are being summoned to my presence.Is that clear"?. Zoire replied in a cold tone.

"Yes mother".Darl gritted the words through his teeth.

"Now go on son, you said you wanted to see me"Zoire said,as she wasn't looking at him.She was busy stroking the fur of her favorite pet Tyra.

Darl looked at the pet with so much hatred, that he like thrusting his sword to her throat slitting them apart.As if Tyra could read his mind,she forced herself into Zoire sleeves.Darl grinned as his gaze went back to his mother.

"Why did you include Erimense to the duel Mother".Darl asked as his brows furrowed into frowns.

Zoire was caught by surprise as she gave him glance.Her pupils dilated from green to transculent blue.

"Why wouldn't I, Erimense is also a prince of Cloud city so he cannot be denied". Zoire answered.

"The duel is meant for royal blood mother". Darl snarled at his mother.

"Oh,is Erimense not of a royal blood"?. Zoire ask not looking at him.

Darl was enraged."Do not pretend as if you don't know what I'm talking about Mother".

"What are you talking about son". Zoire asked.

Just then,Darl growled at his mother."We all know that Erimense was adopted.He is not of a royal blood.

Zoire was shocked by what Darl said."Who told you that Darl".She said standing up to face him.

"Oh mother,I have known since I was twelve.I heard,it when you were discussing it with your most trusted councillor Jemy.Mother..........

Zoire suddenly became angry.

"Enough of your foolish talks Darl,either you like or not, Erimense will be partaking in that duel and there is nothing you can do about it". Zoire said with a cold tone.

Darl shook his head and sneared."Mother,I still find it difficult why you can be so gruesome..................

Zoire thundered."Enough Darl, you dare talk to me in this manner".She fold her hands hands into fist."I make you pay for disrespecting me,you foolish child".

She said as she stretched,a bluish energy gathered into her hands as she stretched them forward.

Darl gasped for breathe,his hands around his neck.Hia eyes widens in shock.

"Please........ Mother".He managed to force the words out.

Immediately , Zoire brought his hands the purple flames glowing in her hands were all gone.Darl fell on the floor gasping for breathe to hungry lungs, coughing,hears ringing.He was bleeding from his mouth,ears,eyes nose and mouth.

"Thanks Mother".He said.

"Don't you dare disrespect me again Darl.I am your mother,I birthed you. I'm still the queen of cloud city".She said as she sat on her golden couch again.

"Yes Mother".Darl replied,ad he struggled to get to his feet.

"Now get out of my sight". Zoire said in chilling tone.

Darl kowtowed,and left.

Aa

"Have it Erimense". Raissa said as he handed Erimense sword over him.

Erimense simply looked at sword and said nonchalantly.

"Keep it for me Raissa"

"I wonder why you are such a bull, what do you think the queen will do to you if she find out that you called Prince Erimense by his name".Alecto said scoffing at Raissa.

"Nevermind guys,I have told you many times that you should call me by my name.Atleast,we have been together from our childhood". Erimense said as he continue walking forward.

"Erimense,you seems to be going out.Where are we going"?.Willy asked.

Erimense simply replied."Let go visit the fields".He said as he strode forward.

Donald who had been quite all the while was surprised at what Erimense had just said.

"What!, what the hell on earth is a whole prince going to do in the fields".He spat.

Erimense smicked before replying."Why, being a prince is just like a title or position.My name is Erimense not prince.And, Ofcourse you guys can stay here while I go to the field. There is no big deal in it".

After watching him for a while,the reluctantly followed him.But Erimense is still a little bit ahead of them.

To him,the field is a beautiful place to visit.He walks on,he was picking up every beautiful flowers he could find on his way.

"I'm sure Mother will like this".He said.

After he was done picking flowers,he decided to hand them over to Raissa.

As he continue walking,he walked past many people who kowtowed immediately they saw him.Some maiden fainted while seeing as he was the crush of most maiden's in Cloud city.He only nods as he walks past them.

Then he suddenly came across a particular maiden.She was trying to lift a bag of wheat ,but she couldn't lift it.He watched as she struggled with the bag.

Erimense quickly find himself walking up to her."Let help you with that".He said as he lifted the bag and dropped it the wagon.

The maiden watched,as he lifted the bag of wheat as if it was a stalk of a corn.All the while the maiden was amazed at this, Erimense had already dropped the bag into the wagon and had come back looking at her.

He turns to look at her."Maiden's should not be allowed to do this kind of work.".He said frowning.

Immediately the maid recognized him and kowtowed before him.

"Greetings your highness"

But Erimense simply walked up to her and hold her.

" That's okay maiden,who is your boss here".He asked.

But the Maiden kept her head low, diverting her eyes from his .

"No my Lord,it is my father's field".

Erimense took a step closer to her,and use his hands to raise her chin up to him.

"Listen young lady,why are you not looking at my face.Do I look like a demon to you".He said.

Just then,their gaze met, Erimense gasped for breathe.Indeed,this maiden is beautiful he thought.To him she is better off than the royals in the palace.

He finally spoke."Maiden,may I know your name".He asked.

The maiden looked away from him and replied.

"Moriana my Lord"

Erimense took the hood off from her head and let it fall.He felt he was almost out of breathe.

She is red haired,he had never seen one before.Indeed she was.

"Moriana......................,that is a beautiful name.And your surname".He asked further.

"Moriana Greywolf".She said not looking at him.

Erimense couldn't help,but find himself caressing the maiden's hair with his hands.

After doing that for a while,he said.

"Take this, it's my gift from you.Wear it always in case of danger,this will protect you".He said,as he pulled the necklace from his neck.

She watched as Erimense,hung it around her neck.She simply smiled and whispered.

"Thank you my Lord".

Erimense simply let the gem in the middle of the necklace fell between her gorgeous breast.Then looking at her,he frowned.Oh,she even have dimples, making her look like a fairy.He simply forward loading the wagon.Later his gaurds came and join him after they had been watching the scenario.

It was time for Moriana to leave,he helped her climb in.And then he asked her.

"You're going home right". Erimense asked staring at her.

Moriana replied trying to figure out why he was asking."Yes my Lord".She replied.

Then suddenly, Erimense climbed in beside her.

"I'm hungry,I will like to dine with your family".He said grinning at her.

Soon the wagon began moving.

Raissa stared on dismayed,he turns to Willy as if he knew the answer to what is going on.

"What in the name of the gods those Erimense thinks he is doing".He asked.

Willy grimaced and said."Are you dumb, can't you see Erimense have fallen in love".He said.

Donald glared at the wagon."I think we need to talk senses into Erimense head".

They all agreed as they went after the wagon.

As the wagon continue moving forward, Erimense was full of thoughts as his mind seems to be somewhere else.

Moriana on the other hand.The necklace Erimense had given her seems to have her attention.She watched as the gem hung around the necklace,were glowing hazzle green.Then it dilated into a bright blue.

At the moment wagon seems to be filled with light emitting from the nnecklace.She doesn't seems to understand how the necklace works neither does Erimense.

The wagon suddenly halted, jolting Erimense out of his thoughts.Then he finally realized, that they had gotten Moriana's house.

He came down from the wagon and helped Moriana to do the same.He walked after Moriana as she head towards the house.

Erimense took his time to study his sorroundings of the house as he walks along with her.As they were getting closer,the image of the house became clearer to him.He could see an old castle.

The walls were still neat, though their colours had faded.The flowers looked like they had just been trimmed recently.His nose twitched as he could hear some voices inside .

He watched as Moriana opened the front door as she entered,but something warned him to stay in the shadows.

Moriana greeted her parents as she walka in,they were at the dining table eating

Lucas looked at his daughter and smiled.

"Welcome home dear,so what took you so long to get home.Afterall you told me that you wanted to see a friend of yours'.He said as he shoved a spoon of green beans into his mouth.

Moriana went to the table and join them.

"I didn't went to visit my friend Father,I went to work on the farm".She said as she struggled with the spoon hands,as the were

Immediately Lucas heard this, his mouth stopped working as he gave Moriana a furious look before shouting at her.

"Didn't I tell you, not to go to the field.Why are you so stubborn Moriana,I will punish you for against my orders".He growled.

Hearing this , Erimense could feel all the hairs on his body rising.His eyes widens.So this man be a sadist of some sort,then suddenly his interest grew.He wanted to see where is heading to.

He watched as Moriana mother tries to talk to Lucas.

"Lucas ,you cannot do this.She is already a lady,an adult and besides........

Lucas shuts her up."Do not say anything to this Jemy,I warned her not to go to the field.Just wait ,I want you to finish your food".He said as he shoved another spoon into his mouth.

Erimense watched as Moriana sighs,she doesn't seems to be eating her food at all .

"Mother,how is Rodriguez". Moriana asked.

Jemy looked at her daughter's face,full of worries."He is getting better now sweet heart".She said giving Moriana a sad smile.

Silence enviloped the whole room.Moriana gasped in shock,she now remember that the prince was still standing outside.And the most disappointing part is that he had witnessed the whole scenario.How could she have forgotten him,she thought as she massages her temples with the tip of her fingers.Suddenly,she cleared her throat.

Immediately Lucas heard this,he bang his fist on the table spilling the food in his mouth.

He gave Moriana a vicious look."You have gotten us into trouble again.What have you done again Morianah,I swear by my mother's grave,I break your neck this and I will heal you again".He swore as he growled at her.

Moriana whimpers,she he meant every words he said.Then he finally spoke, forcing the words out of her mouth.

"Prince Erimense,he is here".She trembled.

In awe and in shock,both Jemy and turn their heads to the door.They didn't notice it was open all the while.

The swore ,they could see his eyes glowing.They were filled with killing intent.

Erimense finally stepped into the house, glaring Intently at Lucas giving him a vicious smiles.

Lucas recognized those smiles,as he looked on with horror.He could fill his legs as he could sense the killing intent directed towards him.He fell on knees,his face fell into the food he was eating messing his face up.He cried, forcing some words out of his mouth.

"Good..............................ev.....................ng......yo........ur........................hi.........................ness".He coughs as soon as he had been released from the killing intent.

Moriana and Jemy were full of fear mixed with awe.As Jemy tries to fall on her knees to greet the prince,he moved fast, extremely fast.As he caught Jemy in his hands, holding her and telling her not bother herself.

His gaze turned back to Lucas,as he watched Lucas squirming like a baby.

"I must commend you,old fatty bully.To keep the good works up.If you dare raise those filthy hands of yours against her,I will dice you into pieces myself".Erimy said,as he took a step towards Lucas.He suddenly stopped, looking beyond the walls of the house.And then he finally smiled again and said.

"Nice to meet everyone here".He said as he went forward to kiss Jemy on her forehead,look towards Moriana smiling at her and then,he was gone.

As fast as the wind,both Mother and daughter turn their heads to look at Lucas.His eyes watery,his lips were shaking with fear................... .They all witness it.

Immediately Erimense came out of the old castle,he was apprehended by his gaurds.

"Erimense,what in the name of the gods,have gone into you.The queen will have been worried by now.".Raissa said, scoffing.

While the other gaurds, gave Erimense a questioning look.

Erimense smiled and walked on.

"Okay guys, let go home".

One of the palace maids, walked in with a golden tray in her hands.Inside the cup is Zoire's favorite tea.

She put the tray down before the queen,as she was about to leave Zoire stopped her.

"Have you seen Erimense today". Zoire ask, taking the cup to her lips.Inhaling the sweet aroma of it.

"No my Fairess,I haven't". Zoire dismiss her immediately.

Shortly after that, Erimense came in with a bundle in his hands.

"Good evening mother".He bowed immediately, before he continued."May I step forward mother".He asked smiling.

Zoire immediately turned Erimense.

"Of course you may Erimense,and where have you been all day". Zoire asked.

Erimense couldn't help but smile to himself.

"I went to the field mother,to get some air.And here is what I bought for you mother". Erimense said as he show her the flowers he was hiding in his back.

Zoire collected the flowers,and inhale the scents."Thank you Erimense,they smell nice and beautiful.I think you are talented in picking

flowers".She said commending him.

Erimense smiles broadens"Thank you mother".

"One more thing Erimense, aren't you supposed to be preparing for the new moon and the duel spar".

Hearing this, Erimense took a deep breath.

"I will start practicing tomorrow Mother".

Zoire took a deep breath,she got up and walk up to Erimense.

"Do you have any idea of the beast you are going to battle".She asked looking at him.

Erimense shrug

"No mother".He answered.

Zoire put her hands on Erimense shoulder.

"That's the more reason why you should practice harder, Erimense do not disappoint me".She said as she disappeared into her chamber.

Erimense watched her leave,his breath shuddered.And then he whispered.

"I wont disappoint you mother".He said.

Erimense went into his chamber, straight to his bed and began to ponder on what the queen had told him.Soon after,he fell asleep.

Darl was practicing his sword technique.He was practicing the way he was being taught.He swings the sword performing different techniques with it.