Rain fell in sheets against the smooth marble roofing of the castle. The roaring echoed throughout the entire castle. It clattered against the clear magic barriers that sealed the open windows from the outside world, keeping the inside halls dry and spotless, but noisy. The entire castle was protected this way said for one room. Yu’s room differed from the rest of the castle because his room did not have a high marble ceiling. As the prince slept in his open canopy bed, the cloudy night sky stared back down upon his motionless body. He lived on the top floor of the castle and had requested the ceiling to be removed and replaced with a magic barrier which he made himself. He liked the natural lighting that the sun gave off during the day and, on a clear night, the stars watching over him was comforting. His self-made barrier was also special in that it absorbed noises coming from outside. So while the rest of the castle had to deal with the disruptive howls of wind and rain, Yu could sleep in peace.

Other than the rain, it was a very peaceful night. Instead of their usual bickering, his parents decided to retire early. And much to Yu’s surprise, Angiel didn’t speak to him again after their mother left. He was not going to argue with a little peace and quiet. However, even without the extra nuisances, Yu could not forget his father’s words. He had three days to beg for forgiveness. But what was he asking him to forgive? That is what kept him awake.

Yu lay deep within the quilting of his open canopy bed, his eyes shut tight but his mind very much awake and aware. He replayed his performance over and over again in his mind, scanning his execution for any flaws or weaknesses.

“None.” He mumbled to himself as he shifted underneath the covers onto his side.

A cold chill ran up his spine as Yu pulled the quilting even closer to him. The fact that he, a human who was famous for being beloved by the vhysps, could not figure out what went wrong with his own magic haunted him. Yu started to empty his mind once again. He was going to get to the bottom of this. Taking a deep breath, Yu pressed himself against the mattress. Keeping his eyes shut as tight as possible, he relaxed his entire body until he felt like he was floating on a cloud. He lay there, completely motionless. Despite not being in touch with his own senses, it was a calm feeling. Yu watched as memories systematically floated past his closed eyes, taking in the detail of each clip of his own life’s actions. He watched himself and the audience, looking out for anything unusual. His mind’s eye traveled to the front row of the crowd where Angiel was standing, his lips moving ever so slightly, and another person was behind him.

Suddenly, Yu felt himself being dragged back into reality as a pair of hands clamped down on his mouth and arm. Immediately, Yu’s first reaction was to struggle. There was not enough time to prepare any spells, nor could he manage to concentrate hard enough to be able to consider it. He pulled at his captor, kicking and tugging at the figure's grasp as he screamed into the hand baring his mouth shut. With his free hand, Yu reached under his pillow, digging for something to protect himself with. But the more he moved, the tighter the grip on him became. When his fingers brushed against the sharp casing of his means of self protection, Yu immediately stopped moving. His breath was shallow and his body was physically shaking under the weight of his captor.

"Finally giving up, I see." A cold, smug voice ripped through the darkness, removing his hand away from Yu’s face.

Staring into the face of the person holding him down, Yu's eyes had to adjust themselves to see the figure. His eyes widened when he could finally make out more details. It was a man dressed in rough travel clothes that were made from an especially fine cut of fabric. Black cloth obscured part of the man's face. However, distinctive, cold eyes stared back down to him, cutting into his forehead like knives and the luscious, long, curly brown locks sprouting from the man’s head could only belong to one man.

“Venire!” Yu shouted out of rage, reaching for the knife hidden between the backboard and the mattress. Yu swung wildly at his captor to no effect. The man caught his hand with ease and within seconds had him pinned face down on the mattress, twisting one of his arms up his back and pinning the other one to his side.

Venire laughed in that chilling voice of his, "I guess not." Yu hated it

Yu adjusted his neck so he wasn't suffocating against the thick bedding,

“What do you think you’re doing?” He shouted. Venire persisted to twist his arm up his back and Yu turned his head, his jaw clenched tightly. “This is treason. I’ll have you hanged,” he hissed through his teeth.

The larger man leaned in disgustingly close and Yu could feel him breathing down his neck. The man's manner was sickeningly gentle as the Venire’s dark hair brushed against Yu's ear and whispered to him,

"Were you expecting someone else?"

His lips brushed against his neck, sending chills up his spine. Knowing Venire’s usual mannerisms, he feared the worst. Yu was about to start struggling again when a handful figures emerged from the shadows.

“That’s enough, Venire.” An all too familiar and commanding voice called through the darkness.

Yu's eyes widened again, though he strangely noted the lack of surprise he felt for this encounter.

“So you were behind this!” Yu’s voice low and poisonous.

Yu could feel Angiel's hateful red gaze piercing his forehead through the darkness. It froze Yu in his place. It was almost as if Angiel hadn't heard him. His brother's face had a sadistic smile laced with pure hatred as he stepped forward and grabbed Yu by the hair. He yanked up and the boy let out a yelp as Angiel forced him to stare into his eyes.

"You don't seem all that surprised, brother. Was prophecy recently added to your list of talents? I wonder if you’ve figured it out yet…” He was smiling with childish pride in his voice.

"Figure what out?"

"Oh, so you’ve yet to figure out what I did to disrupt your performance?” His voice was sing song, "You should have died then, you know? But getting rid of you now works too.”

Yu fixed his eyes on Angiel's crimson gaze. His deep blue eyes staring defiantly at his brother.

"Angiel, do not do this! I do not know what you are planning. But I cannot--“

"Don't you dare talk back to me!" Angiel's voice echoed throughout the room as he struck his brother across the face with back of his hand. A ring on his finger drew blood from the boy's perfectly sculpted face, adding another mark from the one he received earlier from his father. Involuntary tears started to drain from his eyes, streaming down his face and neck. “We are going to start a revolution. And for that, we need the one most beloved by the vhysps to disappear."

Angiel let go of Yu’s hair and his head slumped forward. Tears mixed with blood stained the white quilting that covered his bed. Angiel let out a triumphant laugh, "Giving up already? Do not fear, I will at least give you a little bit more time to figure out how I messed up your performance. It would be a shame if you died not knowing. Really, how did one favored only by Gailistrath outwit one favored by all?“ Angiel sneered at him one last time and then turned to his men, "Bind and gag him, we leave immediately.”

"Yes, sire!" All the men replied in unison.

Suddenly, hands started to grab at him from the darkness and Yu struggled against them the best he could to no effect. They soon had him helpless and on his knees. Someone had tightly bound his hands another shoved a cloth in his mouth and tied it in place. They knew better than to give him a means to cast. “Venire, you carry him. We have to be at the meeting point by quarters dawn."

"Yes, sire.” His brother’s friend responded and Yu caught a glint of a knife pressed loosely against his neck as Venire grabbed one of his arms, "Move. Try anything funny and I swear on the name of your brother, Angiel í Xenon vàr Saphir, I will cut you down. I am favored by Life, and I am sure you know what that means. Make a fist if you understand."

Yu stood his ground. He hated Angiel with all of his heart, yet he hated Venire even more. The commoner turned right hand to the Crown Prince had no place in the Palace. Yet, here he was, giving orders. His fear for Angiel ran deep from years of torment. However, Venire was another story. Turning his head ever so slightly, Yu stared definitely into the larger man’s eyes, the muscles in his jaw clenched tightly over he gag in rage. If Venire’s face wasn’t obscured, an obvious smirk would be plastered there. Judging by the sudden rush of anger in the commoner’s eyes, it was clear that Yu’s intentions of disobeying him registered quickly. Instead of following through with his initial threat, Venire struck Yu across the face with his fist, knocking him off his feet and into the wall. Within seconds, Angiel was on Venire like a starving dog. Just as expected.

“I thought I told you to take him along, not hurt him. Don’t waste my time with this nonsense! We have to get to the border by sunrise!” Angiel was shouting as he struck out at Venire, knocking him to the ground. Yu watched from the side, his head spun and he wasn’t clear of this crisis yet, but it was a small victory.

“I’m sorry, Sire. I lost my temper with that child and—“

“I do not want to listen to excuses, Venire!” Angiel shouted back, striking the man across the face. The once dominant Venire shrunk back as Angiel started to briefly scold him.

While Angiel was occupied shouting at his subordinate, Yu dizzily forced himself to his feet. Blood trickled down the side of his face from a fresh cut he received from hitting his head against the wall. He averted his gaze towards the window as he slowly inched his way over.

“Someone stop him!” Angiel shouted to his men who were manning the door and to his trusted Venire.

Yu took that cue to immediately turn towards the windowsill and leaned over the side.

‘If I can just get outside…’

Yu stared down at the courtyard eight stories bellow. A simple, wordless spell would be enough to break his fall and, as shameful being found in his current state would be, he’d be able to get help. He awkwardly lifted his leg over the windowsill, turning around to find hands reaching out to pull him back. He grappled with them as they tore at his night robes, but to no avail. Under the weight of his heavy clothing, Yu managed to free himself and start to fall to the ground. He smiled inwardly, closing his eyes as calmly focused on casting when a sudden pain erupted near his collarbone. He opened his eyes to see a knife protruding from his body and Angiel and Venire staring at him from over the side of the window. He laughed at failure as consciousness faded.

‘I am going to die’ He resigned to himself as blood poured out of his wounds onto the pavement under him.

The world started to shatter around him like broken glass as white light replaced what the naked eye could usually see. The sound of crying, childlike voices echoed in his mind. Most of them were indistinguishable noises, but one voice managed to cut through all of the jabber,

‘Live!’

Inches away from the pavement, everything turned white.