The darkness of the night painted everything black; disguising the world.

The freezing wind whistled through the branches of the bare trees; muting loud panting of a child.

His footsteps, left in the deep mud quickly got covered by the new layers of the drenched dirt as the pouring rain slid it over his tracks; covering his trail. 

Droplets of water were streaming down the boy’s face and mixed with his tears; masking them.

His raven hair sheltered his head like a cloth; hiding him.

He was not trying to hide, and yet the nature around him veiled him from the terrible sin he committed. It was his inner demons he released that night and the nature that has sealed his fate.

As he started to lose his strength, at last, he reached his destination; a small cave inside a cliff. He walked towards the entrance with fears. As he bent down and looked inside, his younger brother looked up with terror in those azure eyes which were the same as his elder brother’s. His dark sapphire hair was messed up in all directions covering his drenched face, but he was not outside in the rain. He was taken to the cave before the rain fell like arcane cloak keeping secrets unseen from the outside world.

Their secrets.

The small boy opened his dry mouth but only weeping came out, his elder brother squished inside the cave and hugged him, comforting him as much as possible. Even when he was the one who needed comfort the most. When the little brother stopped trembling and cried himself to sleep the older one whispered quietly,

“Don’t worry. I promised I will take care of you and I will keep it, Aaron,”

After which he hugged his cold body.

His moment of silence and peace did not last long as enraged voices echoed through the dead forest. Calling him… Calling them, monsters. His grip tightened around the handle of the blade he kept behind his belt all this time. It was his only way of defence. Compared to adults, a 12-year-old boy had no chance in a physical fight.

As the voices were getting closer the boy had two choices: hoping that they will not find him and his sleeping brother, or going out and praying that the Goddess of Luck will be on his side.

For a brief moment, the boy shut his eyes tightly, before he opened them and looked outside...

He took a deep silent breath…

And his world turned black…

The darkness continued on like an endless fog. I was engulfed in it and saw no way out. However soon from the depths of it, a voice rung out.

“Nate!” The voice called in the distance so quiet it was barely audible.

“Nate come on they are chasing us!”

The voice sounded louder and clearer however I still couldn't tell who it was that called me. It was a familiar voice, and the small panic in it made me realise what the message said. Without wasting any more time to think of whom it could belong to I blinked my eyes open and sprung to my feet within a second. Before I even had a chance of scanning my surrounding for any potential threats my hands were already gripping, tightly, two sharp blades which rested in their scabbards at my belt. As soon as I unsheathed them I held one pointing in front of me and one behind. You could never know which direction the attack will come from.

When my eyes finally focused after the deep sleep, I realised that my readiness and quick reaction were wasted since in front of me stood a small boy giving me an unamused glare. He was much shorter than me, bearly reaching my shoulders, which was half my fault as I was a giant in comparison to most. His face was slightly round but still fairly long. Eyes big like round blue orbs. On top of his head a patch of black fluffiness. The boy looked more adorable than handsome which made him look like he was still a child.

“You overslept, again,” He exhaled, annoyed, crossing his arms over his chest.

I hid my daggers back into their scabbard and after a small eye roll, I ran a hand through my black hair. Compared to him, my hair was black but straighter and spiked up in wild directions, with a fringe falling over my right eye - the one which shows what monster I really am.

I sighed responding to the little one “I didn’t sleep well, Aaron. Besides, that doesn’t give you the right to scare the living daylight out of me." I reached over and ruffled the fluffiness of Aaron’s hair while he growled even more annoyed with his older brother.

“You never ‘sleep well’. What is wrong with you?” He asked, half angry half concerned.

I smiled, “That is what I get for being always ready. But at least that gives you a chance to be such a good alarm clock, lil bro.”

Aaron rolled his eyes “Whatever. Next time I will just stab you with my icicles.”

I chuckled at the threat, and as soon as my hand was rudely pushed away I whistled in the direction of the forest that was around us. We usually camped somewhere away from the civilisation. It was safer, and more peaceful that way.

Aaron looked in the same direction that I did and after a quick nod, he went towards the river which was nearby to fill up the empty bottles for the road. As always he mumbled something under his breath. Meanwhile, I started to gather all the sleeping bags and putting down the little tent that Aaron always used. He needed his good night sleep, otherwise, he would be even grumpier than usual.

Once everything was put together I tied the tent and sleeping bags onto a saddle which laid under a tree not too far away. I then stretched with a bit of a yawn. Unlike my brother, I was never able to sleep well. Old habit, I guess.

I looked over again into the dark forest. There was no sign of life there. Not even birds. As if something terrible was about to happen all the animals hid away. I clicked my tongue and reached over to the little patch of grass that I slept next to. There lied some metal rings which I started to put onto my forearms and left leg. Those red rings had hidden, sharp blades attached to the back of them. Aaron sometimes called my paranoid for having them, however, the incidents where I didn't have my daggers with me at the time of a fight were convincing enough for me to have some extra weapons on me at all times.

When I was done with them I put a shoulder guard on my right shoulder which unlike my left one was not covered by my clothes. Then I lifted my hand to touch the small silver ring which was hanging around my neck, I always liked to make sure it was with me at all times. As soon as I made sure it was there I covered it with a red piece of clothing which - to most - looked like a light scarf.

Then as I was about to put on my black cloak to conceal my belt where I hid my daggers a huge beast-like wolf jumped out from behind the brushes. The appearance of it was of no ordinary wolf but a monster from the darkest nightmares. Bigger than a bear. It’s fur, royal black with a tinge of violet in the sunlight, and those menacing red eyes glared straight at me. It growled slightly and paced around me to which I shook my head. The long front fangs gleaned in the gentle sunlight, and right next to the rows of deadly sharp stilettos. Claws long enough to dig into the ground as the beast walked leaving disrupted paw prints. As if it was a warning for all the hunters to stop perusing after it. However, along with the powerful and fearless air around it, there was also proof of mortality of this horrific creature. Across the muzzle going under the left eye was a long scar. Under it was the dark skin of the animal.

Seeing the intimidating beast I smirked dropping the cloak back on the ground and beckoned the monstrous animal towards myself getting ready for a fight. The wolf responded by moving the ears back flat on the head, and after a beat, it charged forward. Huge strides made the heavy body move with grace and extreme speed. Right in front of me it jumped up and growled loudly as the front legs were approaching my head. However, I was used to dodging so in a beat I avoided the sharp claws by crouching and the wolf jumped above me landing right behind. However, before it managed to properly land and turn I was already on its back - holding on to the long, ragged fur. The beast was agile and fast but not as much as I was.

Then, enraged, the wolf started to jump around, like a bucking horse. It swayed in all the directions trying to get me off, but I held on. It was only when it rolled on the ground with me under it I had to let go. That creature weighted a ton, there was no way for me to stay on it for much longer. 

Once the wolf rolled over it pinned me down onto the ground and moved the muzzle right in front of my face. The two fangs were dangerously close to my eyes. I tried to push away the beast. Anyone would try to get away seeing the potential cause of his or her death in front of them. However, after a moment of struggle, I just gave up, dropped my head and choked out “Fine you win this time.”

Wolf breather on me and stood up straight letting me go. It then sat down gently and perked its ears at the nearby rustling which belonged to Aaron who just came back with the freshwater saying, “So we can head out now?”

Then behind him, a huge wall of dark brown fur appeared. The animal made a low deep sound as it came into the sunlight. The giant was a bear-like animal. It was the same size as the wolf next to me but sturdier and not as long.

Aaron turned around and stood face-to-face with the bear’s legs. The animal looked down on him with his right dark brown eye, as his left one was gone with a huge scar across it. It seemed as if that part of his skin was ripped off completely. On his right side of the muzzle was a small scar and on the top of his head scratches. His body was covered with scars in various places. Like a soldier after many battles. He lowered his head and his almost black eye portrayed intelligence. However, the single fang from the bottom jaw which stuck out seemed slightly off-putting. Similarly, to the long black claws at his feet.

Aaron smiled and lifted his hand towards the head saying, “You’re ready?”

He patted the round head and the bear’s ears went to both sides of his head as he pleasantly grunted and closed his eye.

I stood up from the ground and while dusting myself said, “He sure seems like he is. Are you ready to go Lashaka?” I turned towards the wolf and she snarled but stood up none the less while I patted her. My little grumpy friend.

“Come on, we need to move on before those hunters find us.” I reminded her gently. Lashaka growled slightly and dropped her head in resignation. I then went over and grabbed the saddle and walked over to Trutan. As soon as it was safely on his back I patted the bear's neck saying "Thanks for being a great help."

The bear made a sound as if thankful for my comment. While Aaron climbed onto it and sat atop the giant beast "Of course he is. He is the best mount you can get."

I chuckled looking at my wolf. She was definitely more grumpy which made her harder to own but I wouldn't change her for any other beast. I reached over for the cloak and after putting it on I pulled out a black eye patch from the pocket and covered my right eye with it. I had a great vision however, around my right eye was a black tattoo. A mark which I didn't want others to see. I then walked up to Lashaka and after mounting her we headed off first checking for anyone on the way. While Aaron with Trutan slowly strolled through the forest at their own pace following our scent.

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