Here's my entry. :3 Please note that I did skip Chapter 1, as I don't exactly enjoy it. WARNING: Violence, bl00d, and death is present in this! If these are sensitive to you in any way, please leave! Prologue The pain came out of nowhere. He was only walking down the hall as he did every day when it struck. It was unimaginable, he couldn’t speak, he couldn’t think. All he knew was that whatever was occurring wasn’t good. Something was wrong. Stumbling against the wall, he pressed his hand against it, trying not to fall over. He flinched at the coldness of the stone, something that had never bothered him before. His vision grew shaky as he stared at his hand, trying to keep his breath steady. No one was in the hallway, and no one was there to save him. Based on the pain that coursed through him, he would’ve thought that he’d been stabbed with thousands of swords from all around him, but he knew that wasn’t the case. There was no blood, no metal, and no one around him. This was something much different. He tried to think of anything that might have caused it. Maybe it had something to do with that strange green liquid he had found in his room. He remembered thinking nothing of it and asked for someone to clean it up. He remembered brushing his hand against it, trying to figure out what it was, only for it to somehow absorb into his skin. That had to have had something to do with it. That had to- He slid to the floor as the pain continued to flow and somehow increased in intensity. He could hardly breathe, attempting to take deep breaths as if it would somehow help to ease the pain. He closed his eyes, trying to figure out what else was wrong, but could only think of the agony. It was only when something started changing in his head that he realized there was more going on. Slowly, blackness started to fill his mind, though he knew he wasn't going to fall unconscious. Something else was taking place in the blackness. Something cold, dark, and violent, with animal-like tendencies. Something non-human. Whatever that green liquid was, it was starting to take over. It couldn’t. He needed to… No… don’t… let it… win- His deep breaths slowed as the blackness overwhelmed him. Sitting on the floor, he kept his eyes closed as he pressed his head against the wall. He wasn't sure how much time had passed until someone finally noticed him. “Are you alright?” He opened his eyes. A person, staring at him with concern. A person… foe. Enemy. Prey. Kill. A growl tore at the back of his throat as he locked eyes with her. The prey frowned. “Your Highness?” (Skip Chapter 1) Chapter 2 Aegin breathed in the fresh air. A break from the stuffy palace. Ida, standing beside him, looked at him and raised her eyebrow. “What? Sick of Sir Pagan?” “Absolutely. I have no idea what in the world is wrong with the stuffy nobles. I don’t care about history. What does that have to do with the here and now? Even if something happens, and Father and Ezmerald can't rule anymore, I’m pretty sure that everything would be fine. So what about the history of my lineage? Nothing works. Nothing accounts for the people who are living now.” Ida sighed. “Yes, but even then, most things that occurred then can occur now. People tend to repeat things. It's good to know the past to help with the future.” Aegin snorted. “Where did you learn that phrase? I thought you were the one learning ‘proper lady stuff. ’” She frowned. “I don't like it the same way you don’t like your classes. I, at least, don't complain about it. Father’s trying his best. Being king can affect anyone if you are alone for long enough. You know how much he misses Mom. None of us expected it. You have to know that he’s just doing things as he’s trying not to affect the kingdom. Personally, I'm grateful he hasn't signed my life away to some random kingdom yet. I’d like my own opinion on marriage, thank you very much.” Aegin smiled and pretended to roll his eyes. “Awww…. Are you sure? I think you’d like to be with some random dude for alliance purposes.” Ida rolled her eyes with him, a smile also on her face. She opened her mouth to speak more when a scream tore through the air. Both of them jumped as Ida quickly glanced around. “Where was that from?” Aegin didn't answer as he quickly pulled out his sword. “I’m going to check it out. You go see if you can find the Captain.” “That’s a terrible idea! Aegin!” Aegin ignored her as he took off. Running in the direction of the scream, he faintly thought about how what he was doing could place his life in jeopardy, but he didn’t care. Maybe it was his naivete, but he needed to make sure everything was okay. As he turned the corner and entered the stalls, his eyes landed on the person from whom the scream originated. It appeared to be a maid, clearly dead. Off to the side, a person sat on the floor, their clothes covered in mud and blood. Their back was towards Aegin, not allowing him to see the killer’s face. CONTINUED IN notes & credits
Don't read this until you've read the Instructions. “Hey! Did you do this?” Aegin spoke angrily, placing both hands on the sword's hilt. “I… don’t know…” The man spoke, his voice soft. Aegin dropped his sword in surprise, letting it fall into the ground before speaking. “Ezmerald?” “I…. don’t know what happened, Aegin…” Ezmereld spoke, his voice still soft. Aegin slowly picked up his sword, sheathing it before walking over. “Ezmerald… What happened? Why won't you look at me?” Resting a hand on his shoulder, Aegin opened his mouth to speak when Ezmereld pushed his hand off. “You would never trust me again. I don’t even trust myself.” “Ez… just show me. I’m certain it isn’t as bad as you’re making it seem.” He could feel his brother tense up. “If… if you want. Aegin, I promise I’m telling the truth. I don't know what happened to me.” Turning around, Ezmereld looked at Aegin. Staring at him in shock, Aegin noticed the blood that crossed his face. “I. Did. It. And… I can’t deny that. But… as I’ve told you, I don't… even know what happened. One second I was walking down the hall… and the next I'm here. I won't blame you if you never trust me again.” Aegin started backing away. “You… did this?” Ezmereld chuckled softly as if he was starting to go insane. “Yeah, I can’t believe I did this either.” Slowly standing, he brushed his hand against his cheek, smearing the blood. “I… can’t stay here. I need to go for a walk. Please, Aegin, don’t let father know. I… don’t know what he’ll think. Don’t let anyone know. Not until I can figure out what’s wrong with me. What monster has overcome me.” Aegin said nothing, as he continued his slow walk backwards. Ezmerald winced, before turning and running away from the stalls, disappearing around the corner. Aegin froze in his spot as he stared at the dead maid lying on the floor. His mind was racing, trying to get a grasp on what just occurred. His… brother did this? Why? If she was disobeying orders, punishments could be made. However, she was killed quite brutally. As if she was starting to get mauled apart. It looked like a wild animal got to her. But… it wasn’t. It was his own brother who did it. The crowned prince. What did he say again…. ‘I don’t know what happened. It was like I was in the hallway, and the next second I was here.’ Something must have happened. Many different things could’ve occurred. Maybe it was amnesia. Maybe it was him just covering the truth that he was a crazy psychopath. Or maybe there was something more going on. Something unnatural. No matter the reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Behind him, he could hear people quickly walk over. “There you are Aegin!” Ida yelled. Aegin didn’t move. The captain of the guard quickly walked beside him, seeing the dead girl on the floor. “Did you see who did this to her?” The captain spoke, turning towards Aegin. No response. He couldn't bring himself to say anything. “Prince Aegin, this is crucial information. Did you see who did it?” Aegin shook his head. “Sorry. No, I didn't see who it was. All I saw was a black figure darting outside of the castle. I couldn't see who it was.” The captain looked at him for a moment, before motioning to his guards. They nodded and ran outside of the castle. As the captain followed them, Ida walked beside Aegin. “You know exactly who did it.” It wasn’t a question. Aegin sighed. “...can we talk about this later?” Ida frowned. “Just answer this question: Who did it?” “... I… don’t know.” “That is one of the biggest lies you’ve ever said. It was someone close to you, considering your reaction. The question is… who?” “....Don't tell anyone. Please. He promised me not to say anything.” She tilted her head. “I can try.” Aegin turned away, refusing to look at her. “It was…. It was…” “It was who?” He winced, like saying his name caused him pain. And in a sense, it did. The pain of knowing what his brother did, and somehow didn't know why. “....Crowned Prince Ezmereld.” End of Section (Why can't I think of the word? T-T) *-*~~~~~~~{|}~~~~~~~~*-* Thank you for reading! :D I hope you liked it! ^^ The story belongs to me, @dragontoothless123
