Dub-dub, dub-dub, dub-dub. Fredrik's heart could not stop beating so fast. His head was spinning, everything around him was coming to a blur. His legs could barely support him, the weight of what he had just done was pushing him down. It was getting heavier, o so heavy. Cold sweats ran down Fredrik's face, his breathing was getting heavier, it was suffocating him. Everything around him was slowing; the people, the cars, the flashing lights. He needed to get out fast.
"Hey, are you all right?"
A man with a grey jacket asked him, reaching his hands out to help him.
Fredrik looked at him and showed his palm.
"No, thank you, I'm fine."
Fredrik continued walking, his senses were getting heightened. Everything was so loud, so bright, he just wanted it all to end. His breathing started to get heavier. He clutched his chest, it was heavy. He felt like he was getting dragged down into the ground. A bench was in sight; it was wooden and dilapidated, but it did not matter. Fredrik needed to sit down and gather his thoughts and next moves. His whole life and future are at stake. He sat on the bench and bent downwards. He placed his hands on his forehead.
"I need to place it somewhere where nobody can find it... uh... somewhere where nobody would even think of."
His eyes expanded as an idea came to him.
In the year 3012 in the Universe Standard Calendar Year, humans have all departed from Earth.
Year 2043 of the Standard Year
Most of its resources had been depleted, various wars were waged over decades and hope was a thing of the past. Then came the Revival Years from 2097 to 3012. A man named Otto Von Hemrich of the Daneschland Republic established a coup to overthrow the democratic government and renamed it the Daneschland Empire. He abolished democracy, implemented plans to cease all wars, and was a strong supporter of innovation to deal with the dwindling resources, which led to humanity's expedition to another system to deal with the fact.
In the years 3012 to 3033, humanity set out into space to find a new home. In 3034, the New Galean solar system was found, and all the planets in that system were suitable for human living. But there were major obstacles. First, the system was ruled by three major empires, the Kyzantls, Vex'gor'il and Zance.
Kyzantls were a species that stood at an average of seven feet tall, slender, had light blue skin, long pointy ears, pearl white eyes and long white hair. They all wore white robes with the symbol of the Kyzantl empire. They are an extremely intelligent species and possess highly advanced technology.
Vex'gor'il are an insectoid-like species that are highly invasive and chaotic. They are ruled by the Queen, Xyr'xara they consume other species and swarm planets into desolation. Due to the nature of their species, they have short life spans of two to three years, with the exception of the Queen, who is said to be immortal. Compared to the Kyzantls they are of low intelligence and do not possess highly advanced technology. They are, however, able to traverse from planet to planet through flight.
The Zance are a cyborg-like species that have human-like behaviors, act and look most like them. They come in various shapes, sizes and specifications due to modifications to their bodies and through advanced genetic engineering. They are a far superior species to humans in terms of strength and intelligence. They also possess highly advanced technology like the Kyzantls.
As humanity arrived in New Galean, the three major empires were in the middle of a war that had been waging for two centuries. The Kyzantls and Zance, at first notice, used this opportunity to end the war by taking all three billion humans and using them as slaves. The humans resisted and fought. Needless to say, they lost. The Kyzantls and Zance overwhelmed them in a matter of eight days. One billion humans lost their lives, including Otto. The remaining humans were used as slaves, concubines and some even for food. To increase the supply of human resources, the Zance and Kyzantls set up farming land to force reproduce humans. Only the ones with ideal genetics were used to make the slaves the smartest, most beautiful and strongest. The less ideal ones were used as food for themselves or for the Vex'gor'il to appease them or for fuel consumption.
There were, however, about one thousand humans who were able to escape from death and enslavement. They were Prince Edovard Hemrich, the son of Otto Hemrich and his wife Lady Iliana Vertz. They managed to escape to an unnamed Moon of the planet Terrenza in 3037, where they met a humble desert nomad species called Gilarans who took them in unconditionally. The Gilarans were similar to humans but were lightly tanned and had grey eyes. There, the remaining one thousand humans lived. Edovard Hemrich led the humans, taught the Gilarans the way of human technology and they prospered for years. He had three children, Rasmus, the eldest born in 3042, Elise, the middle child, who was born in 3045 and the youngest Fredrik born in 3048.
Universe Standard Calendar Year 3056
"When will it come?"
"In a matter of time, just be patient. If we move too soon, they'll just escape and then we will have to track them for at least a few hours again."
"Are you sure they are even here? I wanna go back and read my books."
You always want to read your books. You need to learn some survival skills. Those books only teach you about things in the outside world."
"Doesn't mean it's useless... What if you end up in the outside world? Things are different out there."
"Yeah, some things stay the same. You have to eat, sleep, and have a shelter over your head."
"No, I mean other things like space ships, technology, other species, f-"
The young man placed his hand on the mouth of his younger brother and signaled him to be quiet.
"Shhh... It's here.", the man whispered.
About twenty meters away from them, over the mound, the young boy can see it- a bunch of Skraastkel, a large squirrel-like species that lives underground. It had caught its prey, a desert-like scorpion, the Xilathal and is feeding off it with its family.
"How did you know, they were going to be here?", asked the young boy quietly.
"The marks in the sand. When the Skraatskel burrow inside and come outside, they leave a specific pattern in the sand- a flower petal. You would know this if you listened to Ilyen's classes.", replied the young man.
The young boy looked at the sand, it was in the shape of a flower petal. He then remembered a pattern in the sand he and the young man walked past a few minutes ago. He looked at the young man and his eyes widened with excitement.
"What, what is it?", asked the young man.
"I think we walked past a pattern in the sand.", said the young boy.
"What was the pattern?", asked the young man nervously.
"It was a large circle with many lines in it, it was as large as my friend Syryen's room. It was right behind that dune over there", answered the young boy, pointing at the dune behind.
The young man's eyes expanded, he then looked at the young boy in total shock. He grabbed his arm and dragged the young boy, running further away from the dune.
"Why are we running? What about the Skraatskel?", asked the young boy.
"There is no time, we need to get away as fast as we can.", answered the young man, panting as he was dragging the young boy away.
"What could it p-"
A loud, menacing bellow could be heard, it was coming from behind the dune.
SKSSSHHHH
A large volume of sand spurted out behind the dune. The sheer volume of it was so much that it casted a shadow nearly reaching the young boy and man.
There it was, a large whale-like creature came out of the dune, its menacing bellow striking fear into both the young boy and man, who continued to run for their lives.
"OH FUCK FUCK FUCK! It better not come diving here!", shouted the young man in fear.
"Uh, it's right behind us Mus!"
"Fuck, run! Run! Run!"
Both the young boy and man ran as fast as their legs possibly could carry them. This was the fastest they have ever ran in their lives, all the adrenaline was coursing through their veins, and all the soreness and tiredness could not be felt by them. They needed to fight for their lives. The whale-like creature soared high above them and bellowed, its screeches so loud and deafening. It got so high that its shadow casted beyond where the young boy and man were.
The whale kept soaring higher, it had not reached its peak yet.
"Rik, run towards the right on my say alright! When I say dive, you dive alright!", shouted the young man to the young boy."
"Okay!", replied the young boy.
The whale-like creature continued to soar even higher, its shadow getting bigger and bigger, consuming the young boy and man. It was so big that it was as big as a football field. The young boy and man continued to run for their lives. That was all they could do for the possible impending doom coming towards them. The young man looked behind, towards the whale-like creature. It had stopped mid-air. He looked at the young boy and his eyes expanded.
"Run!"
The young boy and man ran towards the right side. The shadow grew darker. It was as if it had turned night in an instant. It was getting harder to see and determine where exactly they were. But they had to trust it. They had to fight and continue running because that was their only way of surviving. The young boy could barely see his brother, but he could hear him panting. Then, darkness. Complete and utter darkness. How far is the whale from completely crushing them? Is this how they die? All these thoughts raced through the young boy's head. But no matter, all he could do was run.
It felt like forever, but only fifteen seconds had passed and there it was, the light. If they ran towards the light, they would be safe.
The young boy and man's panting grew heavier, their legs' strength and endurance were being pushed beyond their limits. But no matter, they had to get back home to their sister and parents, they had someone out there to live for. Therefore, they must fight till the very end.
The light grew brighter and brighter, they were nearing it. Their way to life. A huge bellow came from the whale. It was so deafening that it disoriented both the young boy and man's hearing.
"Dive! Now!", shouted the young man.
The young boy did not respond to him and just continued running.
"Dive! Rik! Now!", the young man shouted again, but his shouts were drained out due to the whale's bellowing.
He dropped everything he carried, his bag, hunting weapon and sack to pick up the young boy. He then ran for a good three seconds before jumping, covering the young boy with his body, protecting him from any harm possible. He then dove out of the whale's shadow, hoping to get out of its death range and potential splash damage.
The whale landed, headfirst into the sand followed by its body and tail. Its great size and mass displaced so much sand that it flew so high, taller than a 10-storey building. The whale bellowed again throughout the process until it completely disappeared into the sand, its bellow slowly fading away as the sands consumed it.
The young boy and man were nowhere to be seen. Instead, where they were supposed to be, was a large pile of sand around thirty centimeters tall. No signs of movement was made in the sand. Ten seconds had passed. Nothing. Twenty. Then thirty. The top pile of the sand started to move a little, as if a tiny sand whale was emerging. It started to move more violently, shaking even. Then a small hand emerged. The hand placed itself on the sand and grabbed onto it. Then an arm emerged from the sand and soon after a head.
"PWAH!", the young boy exhaled loudly.
He got his other hand out of the sand and pushed himself out of the large sand grave. As he got out, he stuck his hands into the sand, hoping to get a feel of the young man.
"Come on, come on. You have to be here Mus.", the young boy said to himself nervously.
Nothing, he could not feel anything. How far was the young man in his grave? The young boy started to sweat profusely his heart beating faster and faster. If he were to go home alone without him, his family would be in distraught.
"Please, please, please. Please be here, be here..."
The thought of the young man dying crossed his head. But he refused to believe that that is the case, there is just no way. The young man was a fighter and the strongest he knew. There is no way he will lose his life to sand.
A rustle could be heard behind. The boy looked behind him, the sand was moving a little. He then rushed to it and used his hands to dig out the sand hurriedly. He felt something grab onto him. He grabbed what grabbed him and then planted his feet into the sand supporting him. Then he pulled with all his might.
"ARGHHHH!", the boy shouted, giving all his might.
A head popped out and there it was, the young man. Alive and breathing. The young boy continued to help pull out the young man and the young man used his other hand to support himself out of his almost-to-be grave.
"ARGHHHH!", the young boy shouted, pulling the young man out.
The young man's body torso was starting to get exposed and slowly, the rest of his body. It got easier for both the young boy and man. As soon as the young man's legs started to get exposed, he grabbed he dug his hands onto the surface of the sand and pulled himself out. The young boy fell as the young man did this. He dropped on his bum and looked at the young man. A sigh of relief followed suit.
They both panted heavily and just lay in the sand for a good fifteen seconds.
"Mus?"
"Yes Rik?"
"Where is the bag?"
"It's gone, I had to ditch it when we dove. We would've both died if I hadn't."
"Oh, I see."
A long pause ensued and the young man and boy just stared at the sky.
"I'm sorry Mus. Because of me, we lost all our food for the day.", said the young boy, tearing up.
"Fucking idiot.", replied the young man.
"We didn't lose anything. I still have you, baby brother."
The younger brother looked at the older brother, who started to get up on his feet. He then followed suit and as he was doing so, the young man extended his hands. The younger brother grabbed it and got himself up. The older brother patted the boy on his head and ruffled his hair. He then walked up, looked up at the sun and stretched. His body was aching from the whole event that had occurred.
"Well, we can't go home empty-handed now, can we?", the older brother looked at his brother.
"Yes. We lost everything. Father and Mother will be very upset with us.", replied the younger brother.
"Well, let's hunt for something to bring back.", said the older brother.
Irindal, Phyrosia, Moon of Terrenza
"You were supposed to protect your brother! How could you let him get into this sort of situation?"
"Mother, I-"
"No, no more! You will not bring your brother or yourself out hunting or exploring! And get yourself better friends."
"Mother, we are alive and well. The Phyrosian Emperor just happened to be there, there were no signs!"
"Actual-"
The older brother punched his younger brother and gave him a stern look. The younger brother looked at him and then looked at his mother and smiled. Their mother's stare was menacing and pierced right into their souls. She was not a woman to joke around with, the boys knew that. In fact they feared their mother way more than they did their father, and for good reason.
"Iliana, I think it is too much, they are boys. They need to see the world and find out what's there for them.", said the man beside their mother.
"We are the last of our kind Ed. I will be damned if my boys die out there in the middle of nowhere!", said Iliana.
"I know my love, but what future will there be if our boys are just stuck here in Irindal? They need to know what is out there.", said Edovard, holding Iliana's hand.
Iliana looked at Edovard's big blue eyes and sighed. She could not resist her handsome husband's innocence and reasoning. She knew that freedom was what was important to her family and that there was no point in living if there were no such thing.
"Very well. But you are to come back before sunset, and at the very first sign of danger, you will run. No exploring, no risking your lives. If you disobey this, you won't be able to go out anymore."
Rasmus and Fredrik looked at each other, then at their parents. They nodded, acknowledging their mother. They knew not to break their promise as their Mother takes her oaths to her very heart. The boys went out of the room and down the stairs to their bedroom. When they exited, Iliana looked at Edovard and crossed her arms.
"You ought to be more strict with them. They are going to grow up to be leaders of the human race. Maybe even the Gilarans.", said Iliana.
"Whether they want to lead or not is of their choice. But if they do, I will not have the boys seek revenge for our race. That is a duty that I must do. I don't want them walking our path, Iliana.", replied Ed.
"Maybe they have to Ed. Our parents are dead. Our siblings. Over a billion of our people. Are we ready to just let it go like that?", asked Iliana with a strict voice.
"Remember what we told each other when we came to Phyrosia? That-"
"We will avenge the human race, through whatever means necessary and conquer the galaxy so that our children may rule it and prosper forever.", said both of them in unison.
They looked at each other and brought their faces closer to each other. Their lips inching closer and closer. They then kissed each other slowly.
"It is close, no?", Ed asked Iliana.
"Yes, it is. In a few days. I'm ready, are you ready?", asked Iliana, moving her hands down her husband's crotch and feeling his genitals.
"Yes, I am. I am ready to die for the human race. For our children. For you.", replied Ed kissing his wife even more passionately.
"Looks like someone else is ready.", said Iliana, laughing.
"Oh yes, he is ready to have some good, old, satisfying revenge.", said Ed laughingly, kissing his wife.
"You are both idiots."
"No, if you were in our situation, you would have also-"
"No. If I were in your situation, I would never even go to a desert. The whole thought of it is so stupid. There is nothing out there but sand.", said the girl in a straight voice.
"Well, that is what you think. But Rik and I here have seen a Skraatskel, a Xilathal and-"
"A Phyrosian Emperor.", Fredrik interrupted his brother.
"A Phyrosian Emperor? Those things rarely come out. how are you able to see it? I think you both are lying.", said the girl.
"No, we aren't, we nearly got crushed by it. It's bellows were so loud, I thought we were gonna go deaf!", said Fredrik.
"Yeah, and we had to abandon all our gear because of it.", added Rasmus.
The girl looked at her brothers with a slouched face. She didn't believe anything her brothers were saying. She rolled her eyes and got her brush, brushing her silky hair carefully and skilfully.
"Or, maybe you both were scared of a bunch of Skraatskel and chose to ran off."
"Why are you always like this Elise? I am telling you we really saw the Phyrosian Emperor!", Fredrik said with a raised voice.
Elise continued to brush and then looked at her brother. She then sighed and got her piece of Teldevice and got to sending someone a message.
"Doesn't matter Rik, we got to see it. Little Lis here doesn't care about fun or adventures. Only being safe and with her gossiping friends."
"I don't care about any of it because I am not stupid. I have plans unlike you buffoons.", said Elise angrily.
"Oh really? What is that?", asked Rasmus sarcastically.
Elise looked at her brother straight in the eyes and adjusted her outfit. She then straightened her back and posture, as if she had someone of the high order to impress.
"I am going to marry a prince.", Elise replied.
"Oh really, which prince would that be?", asked Rasmus curiously.
"Oh, is it Prince Thalasar?", asked Fredrik, guessing it was the only reasonable answer.
"No, not that snob you idiot.", answered Elise, annoyed that her brother would even think of that person.
"I am going to be marrying Prince Edyssar of the Capital Raurneus.", said Elise in a straight voice.
Rasmus and Fredrik looked each other for a few seconds and smiled. They then both let out a chuckle and then started laughing hysterically. They almost went to the ground for how hard they were laughing and teared as they did so.
"Ah.... there is no way, AHAHAHA! Prince Edyssar?", asked Rasmus sarcastically, almost worriedly.
Elise cleared her throat and maintained her poise posture. She then looked at her brothers with a straight face and lifted her lips. She placed her hands crossed on her lap.
"Yes. He is heir to the throne and one day, I would like to be Queen of Phyrosia.", said Elise looking away at the ground.
Elise tried to compose herself and be confident in her answer but Rasmus and Fredrik saw through her. They knew she had doubts. They always knew their sister was one to show confidence on the surface but deep down she was a soft, innocent girl.
"Doesn't Prince Edyssar have like five wives?", asked Fredrik.
"Yes, he has. He also is old. Like old. Too old for you Lis. By the time you are of the age to bear a child he would probably be halfway into the ground and feet first.", joked Rasmus, laughing.
"He is not that old! He's only twenty-five. And, I will be the best wife there for him, therefore, he will choose me as his Queen Ruler.", said Elise.
"You are eleven now and Prince Edyssar is twenty-five. I've read that in the human world, Prince Edyssar would be sent to prison for such a relationship.", said Fredrik.
"Yeah, and he might get castrated also.", said Rasmus.
"What's castration?, asked Elise and Fredrik, confused. Rasmus looked at them and thought to himself. He should not have uttered that word. He got, took a breath and sighed. He then walked a few steps forward before facing his siblings.
"You know what, it is getting late. We should get to bed. We have school tomorrow.", answered Rasmus.
"But you hav-"
"Ah, nope. No buts. A strong boy like you needs his strength and rest. If not, you will lose it remember?", said Rasmus, interrupting Fredrik.
"Now, come, it's time for bed.", said Rasmus, escorting his brother to his bed.
Fredrik followed his brother, who led him towards his bed, which was 10 steps away. Fredrik got onto his bed face first and pulled his blankets over him. He then looked at his brother intently, like he wanted something out of him. Rasmus looked at him and sighed, he knew exactly what he wanted.
"Not today Rik, we've had a long day.", said Rasmus.
"Please, just a short story please. Please I won't ask for one tomorrow, I promise on the Phyrosian Gods.", requested Fredrik, his eyes growing bigger.
Rasmus looked at Fredrik and sighed. How could he ignore his adorable little brother's request? He then sat down on his bed and thought of a story. He tried to recall interesting stories that his father used to tell him when he was younger.
"Please tell me a story about adventures or a hero! Yes, something not about Phyrosia please."
"Well, far away in another galaxy. There lived a boy. He lived in a castle. A big, sturdy castle, with guards, cooks, maids, everything you could have hoped for in a castle. He had everything. But there was a catch. He could not leave the castle under any circumstances.", said Rasmus as he looked at Fredrik.
"Why could he not leave the castle?", asked Fredrik curiously.
"That is what the boy wanted to find out, he wanted to know what was out there. He wanted to know if the outside of the castle was bad or if there were good things there. He needed to know."
"I, too would want to know what was outside the castle. Please tell me and quickly please."
"Let's not rush a good story now Rik.", said Rasmus, pausing briefly to calm his brother down.
"So, the boy tried to find ways out of the castle, but everywhere was blocked. The walls were too high, there were guards stationed everywhere, and getting out of the window was impossible as the drop was too high. But he found something. A hole near the castle wall, with minimal guards nearby. The hole was small, but he could fit a little more than his arm into it."
"Oh, was he able to see outside of the castle?", asked Fredrik curiously.
"Oh yes, he was able to see it. The beautiful green fields, trees, butterflies and other creatures, the clear river running along and stretching beyond somewhere where the boy could not comprehend. It was enticing. The boy was so mesmerized, he wanted more, he needed to experience and see more of the outside world."
"Was he able to?"
"Not exactly, not yet. For days, he would stand there for nearly an hour, staring once in the afternoon and once at night. He knew when his parents would come to look for him, so he timed his visits well. Then one day, as he looked out of the hole, he heard a voice.
The voice of a little girl. It asked,
'Why do you come to this hole every day?'
To which the boy replied,
'I want to see what's out there.'
The little girl replied,
'Can't you just leave the castle?'
The boy explained his situation. The girl understood it and proposed something-
'Why don't I give you something from outside the castle and you give me something from your castle. It's like you're experiencing the outside for yourself.'
The boy thought about it. She was right, who knows how long till he can leave the castle, when he's old and frail? He wouldn't want that now, would he? He then said to the girl,
'Ok, sure, what would you like me to bring?'
.The girl said,
'Bring me your best bread, now what would you like?'
The boy thought. He thought hard and well, what was something outside of the castle that he could get that he did not already have? He said to the girl,
'Bring me food that you normally eat.'
The girl replied,
'Very well then, I will see you here tomorrow. Here, at the same time.'
The next day, the boy and girl met again. The boy passed the girl his best bread. The girl passed the boy a piece of cooked meat. The girl then said,
'Shall we eat this at the same time?'
The boy answered,
'Yes, we shall.'
The boy sank his teeth into the meat. It tasted nothing like he ever had. It did not taste of chicken, cow, pig, or sheep. Nothing. But it tasted good. It tasted so good he had another bite, then another, then another.
After finishing the meat, the girl asked,
'Your bread is tasty, I have never had anything like this. How do you like the meat I gave you?'
The boy replied,
'It is the most delicious thing I have tasted. Could I have more and what meat is that? I have never experienced something like it before.'
The girl replied,
'It's a secret. I will give you more next time. For tomorrow, can you give me your favorite toy?'
The boy thought hard and well. He had many favorite toys and he treasured them dearly, but more important than that was what sort of toys they had outside the castle. He told the girl,
'Sure, for tomorrow I'll give you my favorite toy. But in exchange, I want you to give me your favorite toy.'
The girl replied,
'Very well.'
The next day, they met again. The boy passed the girl his favorite toy knight, while the girl passed him something rather strange. It was white and had some marks on it. It was in the shape of a doll. A disfigured doll, its proportions were all uneven and it looked ugly, but amusing that it made the young boy smile. He felt it and it was nothing he had ever felt before. Not in any toy he had, at least. He asked the girl,
'This is a funny-looking toy. What is it made of?'
The girl replied,
'It is a secret, I will give you more next time. For tomorrow, can you give me something that you hold dear to you?'
The boy was confused at the request, but he wanted to know what people outside the castle walls valued. He answered the girl,
'Very well.'
Then came the next day, the boy gave the girl his wooden sword, and the girl passed him a locket. He opened it. It was a painting of a family- a father, a mother, and their son and daughter. He then looked outside the wall and said to the girl,
'Is this your family?'
Silence followed. The girl then replied with her usual,
'It is a secret. I will give you more next time. For tomorrow, do you want to come out of the castle?'
The boy's eyes expanded. That was all he ever wanted. To get out of the castle. He replied,
'Yes, I want to come out. What do I have to give you?'
The girl answered,
'You do not have to give me anything. Instead, I will give you this and you will pour it into as many wine barrels as you can. The people outside don't like it when the people in the castle are too noisy.' This will quieten them down. But be careful not to be seen.'
The girl passed him a small bottle with a clear liquid inside it. It was his father's birthday tomorrow and he hated how loud everyone was during birthdays, so he took it without question. He asked the girl,
'Alright, how will I get out of the castle after?'
The girl replied,
'After everyone has quietened down, some may be asleep, but it is alright, they will have a good sleep from it. You will then open the castle gates and you will be free to go.'
The boy grew excited. He will finally be able to get out of the castle and see the outside. He said to the girl,
'Alright, I will do it.'
The girl said to the boy,
'Remember, no one must see you putting it into the barrel or you may never see the outside in your life.'
The boy replied,
'Very well.'
The next day, the boy did as he was told. He sneaked into the wine cellars, opened the barrels and poured the clear liquid inside of them, one by one. He had to spread it thin, making sure he got as many barrels as possible. Then came his father's birthday. He waited, watched people of the castle drink the wine and within minutes, they were asleep. Some guards were confused as to what had happened and had rushed to investigate. The boy then moved to the castle gates and opened it. There it was, the outside. He looked out and he could see a little girl. She looked like the one in the locket. It was her. He waved at her and smiled. He said,
'Hello there! I am finally able to get out of the castle! Will you show me around?'
The girl looked at him with a blank face, ignoring him. Then she said,
'I'm sorry.'
The boy, confused, asked her,
'Why are you apologizing? We can explore the outside together now.'
The girl started crying. The boy, who was surprised by this, ran towards her. He wanted to comfort his friend. But as he got out of the castle, Men appeared behind her. They looked disheveled, rowdy and barbaric. They were carrying weapons and shields. The boy froze in fear. The men marched past the girl and then past the boy. Their loud rumbling footsteps were like a death march. The boy stood there, watching the men walk past him and into the castle. After all the men entered the castle, he finally turned around. He saw it. He said to the girl,
'Why have you done this? I thought I was your friend?'
The men who entered the castle started slaughtering the people of the castle. It was brutal, they stood no chance against their overwhelming numbers. The boy ran back inside and looked for his family. He found them. His brothers and sisters were dead. His father tried to fight them off but his head was chopped off. He then looked at his mother, who looked at him and she said,
'Run, please. Run.'
The boy looked at her, she struggled to fight off the men, but to no avail. The boy heeded his mother's advice and ran. He ran out of the castle, far, far away. Nobody knew where he went or what happened to him. He just disappeared. The End."
Fredrik looked in shock from hearing the story, he teared up. He thought his brother was going to tell him a clichéd adventure story with the hero winning it all. He thought the boy was going to be able to move out of the castle, explore the outside world, marry the girl, have a family and live happily ever after.
"Why? Why did the girl betray him?", asked Fredrik with a distraught face.
"The girl did not betray him, Rik, no, that is not the point of the story. The point is-"
"The girl did betray him. She won his trust, befriended him and then got everyone in the castle killed. How is that not betrayal?", Elise interrupted.
"If you were to put it that way, then you are right. But the point of the story is", Rasmus paused for a brief few seconds before continuing.
"Sometimes we have a duty to do. That we shall not put our selfish desires above everyone else's. If the boy had just obeyed every rule out there for him, he would not have gotten everyone in the castle killed. If only his curiosity hadn't gotten the better of him, perhaps everyone in the castle would have been safe and still be alive.", said Rasmus with a straight face without stuttering.
"I don't believe it. I'm sure there was a way that the boy could have explored the outside without getting everyone in the castle.", said Fredrik thinking hard with wrinkles appearing on his forehead.
"Oh and what would that be?", asked Elise.
"I don't know, but there has to be something.", answered Ed, still thinking hard.
"Well, whatever it is, we will leave it for tomorrow. Right now, it is time for bed. Both of you. Elise, ready up for bed.", said Rasmus pointing towards Elise to keep her items away.
Elise cleared up her items and went towards her bed, which was a few steps away from Fredrik's bed. She went on her bed and covered herself with her blanket. Rasmus followed suit. He walked a few steps to his bed, which was near the door but only a few steps from his siblings' bed. He got onto it and then put a blanket over himself.
Rasmus thought of the next hunt.
Elise thought of being the next Queen.
Fredrik thought of being the first in his family to get out and explore the outside of Phyrosia.
"Good night, Lis, Rik."
"Good night, Rik, Mus."
Silence followed afterwards. Fredrik is not one to not say 'good night' to his siblings.
"Are you all right Rik?"
"Yes, I am alright. Good night Mus, Lis", said Fredrik, looking at the ceiling.