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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

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The King of Souls, Prologue.

I don't know if I'll post anything else from this work, but here's a sneak peek!

@the-twisted-otaku <3

Enjoy!!

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At the age of fourteen, Edgar didn't exactly dream of having to defeat the King of Souls, but being the heir to the throne meant you'd have to show you're worthy. And the challenge his father bestowed upon him, was the one bestowed to his eldest brothers too, the killing of the King of Souls. That said, his brothers never returned.

The King of Souls was a ruthless criminal, a thief, a murderer, a mage. And mages were dangerous. Well, not that a mere thief or a murderer isn't.

Mages never put their magic to good use. They held a grudge for being hunted down. Few were still alive, and they were all evil people, the ones spreading fear mercilessly across the Kingdoms.

And as it was with his brothers, Edgar knew he wouldn't come back alive.

Jason and David, his eldest brothers, were both muscly and incredibly strong. They could do anything they'd put their mind into. In short, until they were beaten by the King of Souls, they were undefeatable. Edgar, however, was skinny and weak, he used cowardly tricks to escape dangerous situations, and everyone, himself included, could bet that he wouldn't make it back alive.

"But, Father... I can't defeat the King of Souls..."

"It is the kingdom's law to send the heir in a quest to defeat the kingdom's most feared villain. In our time, it is the Soulstealer."

The King of Souls' nickname didn't sound any less hostile.

"I know, but..."

"As I did with your brothers, I am sending you away with a heavy heart, son. I will be praying for your safe return, along with your mother and your sisters." At those words, Edgar only swallowed and lowered his eyes. He knew he couldn't refuse the law. A law passed down for countless years, for centuries. He took in a deep breath.

"Yes, Father."

"Good, good. Now, tomorrow is your fourteenth birthday. We'll hold a great banquet, and, the day after, you will set off."

"Yes, Father." With a heavy heart and a lot on his stomach, the blond boy turned to leave. He was stopped however, by his father's changed, gentle voice.

"Edgar, please, forgive me for this. I can't do anything else. Please, please come back alive, son." He walked towards him, red cape fluttering with each step, his brown hair had began turning white in places, and as he stopped before his son, his forever unwavering expression broke, his lips trembled, his eyes shone with tears. "Edgar, I wont be able to stand losing you, too."

That scrawny, scarecrow of a boy, that good-for-nothing heir to the throne, had somehow won his father's love. The father that, for as long as Edgar could remember, was cold and distant towards each and every one of his children. The father which never showed any trace of emotions, apart from anger, displeasure and that forever-neutral expression. That man, that King, was now on the verge of tears, and for whom? His third son, the one who was called the shame of all the heirs, Edgar Ansley, the soon-to-be fourteen year old for which nobody but his mother and sisters cared about.

"Father, I am..."

"Let's leave the formalities, Edgar."

"Dad, I, I don't think I'll come back..." and then, before the silence could settle in, he looked up, into his father's blue eyes, and his voice broke. "I don't want to go..."

"Believe me, I wish, I wish I didn't have to sacrifice you too. When Jason never returned, I cried for two full days. When David never showed up, I did the same. I don't want to mourn any more sons. I don't want to lose you too. Not only me, but your mother won't be able to survive it either. You know how much she loves you." His strict father was now speaking softly, friendly.

He took Edgar into a warm embrace. The teen held his breath. It was the first time the king had done something like that, and the prince was left in awe. Surprised, hesitant, he wrapped his hands around his father. And, like a small child would do, he squeezed further into his father's arms, silently asking for a way out.

"I'm so, so sorry, Edgar."

*Then don't send me out, dad, please.* He wanted to say that, but he knew he couldn't.

"It's gotten late, go rest. Tomorrow is a big day, son." At his words, Edgar only nodded.

Before leaving the room, he whispered a choked "Thank you" to his father, who nodded in return. It was fine like that. At least now he knew his father loved him.

The dawn that rose brought his birthday along. It wasn't exactly a joyous occasion. All the presents he'd gotten would be useless after tonight. He'd be dead by the next week either way. His mother greeted him with a good-morning kiss on the cheek, as she always did, although that one lasted longer. His elder sister, July, gave him a warm embrace, a soft whisper of "congratulations" in his ear. And the smallest of all three, Anya, his younger sister who was only five years old, gave him a messy drawing of a few flowers, and a stick figure standing in the middle of them, wearing a crown. Edgar couldn't help but smile at it. He picked her up and spun her around, the little blonde girl laughed and yelled in excitement. Edgar came to a sudden stop as he put Anya down. He had to cherish these everyday moments now. He had to. For there would be no everyday for him after the next day. No sisters, no mother, no father. And then, it would be July's turn to sacrifice herself to the law. And Anya would be the only one alive, the last, precious heir. The law doesn't apply to the last heir. If the male heirs have been eliminated, it's the female's turn to retrieve the throne. But the last child, be it male or female, is never sacrificed. They are safe from everything. Every inch of them, guarded. Unlike, of course, Edgar and his brothers and sister. They were replaceable by law, as it seemed. Edgar swallowed, threw the hateful thoughts out of his mind.

He looked at his family instead. July was seventeen, if she'd been a boy, she'd probably have died three years ago. She was David's twin sister, and the one who grieved the most after his loss. Her brown, shiny hair was caught up in two long braids, and her bronze eyes were big, like almonds. Edgar really loved her, she'd been like a second mother to him, even though she wasn't that much older. He appreciated her.

"How are you today?" His mother asked, although quite hesitantly.

"I'm alive," he scoffed "...for now at least." The queen wore a dark expression, as she pulled him back into her arms.

"I'm so sorry."

"Its not your fault, it's the law." He tried to keep his voice from breaking as he returned the hug.

"Screw the law." July gently ruffled Edgar's hair as she said that.

"July, language." Their mother scolded, and the girl only sighed.

It was still early in the morning, but the preparations for the evening banquet had already started. The enormous dining room was now decorated with white ribbons and flowers. White symbolized growth and one's pure heart. Edgar wasn't sure he was worthy of it. And for that matter, he wasn't sure if either of his brothers was worthy of it. "Those who aren't brave enough to complete the challenge bestowed upon them from the king, aren't worthy to grow up." That mentality destroyed his brothers and would most likely destroy him too. It would probably destroy July, too. It would leave his parents grieving, it would leave Anya alone, burdening responsibilities and deaths.

He shook his head. There was hope. He could win against the King of Souls. He was decent at swordfighting and actually good self defence. Thinking of that, he almost burst out laughing. *There's no way Jason and David couldn't do it and I can.*

Being with his mother and sisters all morning, he felt rather lonely in the afternoon, when he had to speak to each and every one of those unlikable nobles. His father dragged him to meet each and every important noble in the Kingdom, and he couldn't have been more uncomfortable. He kept looking at the clock, wishing the time away.

The celebration lasted until late in the afternoon, when all remaining guests were asked to leave. It was always like that. When eight in the afternoon had passed, the guests had to leave, so that the heir could prepare for the upcoming quest and receive the king's blessings.

Edgar's stomach was heavy. Hell, his heart was heavy. His feet were unliftable, as he walked towards his father's -the king's- throne.

The king held his sceptre out as Edgar kneeled before him. The sceptre lightly touched the boy's right shoulder, before the cloaked man began speaking.

"I deem you worthy of your right to the throne. May your quest prove you worthy of being a ruler brave and fit for it, too." He lifted the sceptre from his right to his left shoulder and tapped it there twice. Edgar lowered his head even more.

"I pray so too, father."

The sun didn't rise with the new day. Or, well, it did but it wasn't visible, what with the heavy clouds and all. Edgar didn't take that as a good sign. The heir to the kingdom's throne got out of bed groggily, woken up by the hasty murmurs of the maids.

"Good morning." He said.

"Good morning Young Heir." One of the maids, the blonde, Marina, smiled warmly at him as she answered. The other, Sarah, wore a bitter expression. She knew, the chances of seeing the boy again were low. Even so, a few moments later, she forced a smile and nodded at him. Sarah was the maid who'd helped the queen give birth to Edgar, she helped raise him. He was like a son to her. And Edgar too, confided in her as if she was family. He knew it was as hard for her as it was for him.

It was a heavy day despite the warm, sunny weather that had gotten rid of the black rainclouds in only a few hours. Nobody in the castle exchanged many words. Before being summoned by his father, Edgar had climbed on the castle's brick rooftop, looking at the view one last time before his journey.

The vast blue sky, the ever continuing ocean, meeting with the Maze Forests and the green that stretches from side to side, across his father's glorious kingdom.

Sitting there, Edgar was thinking about his bothers. He wondered if they felt like that too, before they left. He remembered seeing them brave, ready for everything back then. He remembered how he admired them, how he prayed for them, how he wailed and sobbed when their bodies were found and brought to the castle. But now, he wondered if they were just putting on a front. He wondered how they felt, snowing their efforts would go to waste. Edgar was weak, so he was prepared, but they were strong, so it must have been hard for them to accept fate. The boy was holding an apathetic stance for it all. He knew he'd let everyone down. Growing up, he was told he was the weakest of the male heirs, but he knew that himself. Fencing and fighting, hand to hand combat, every technique he'd tried, his brothers were better than him. He couldn't bring himself to think about harming someone back then. Not that it was any different now. Just, now it was necessary.

The King of Souls. The name made chills run down people's backs just by itself. The man was said to have murdered villages and whole tribes, before settling in the Maze Forests, ten years ago. The King had sent him a treaty for peace more than once, letters that had returned to the castle along with a newly handless messenger. That man never held back. Why would he now? He wouldn't care for Edgar's age, he didn't for his brothers so why would he care for him? He wouldn't care he was still a child. He'd focus on the fact that he was a trespasser, on the fact that there was a stranger in his territory. A target, waiting to be eliminated.

At least, that was the image Edgar had in his head as he climbed down the stairs to the interior of the castle. He walked a few meters to the Throne Room, before stopping in front if its doors. The magnificent gates were drawn with detail, portraying heirlooms and heritages. They ended near the ceiling. They seemed huge and heavy now. He wondered how he'd push them open. His courage was gone. He knew he wanted to come back alive, but that wish was useless. Wishing about it wouldn't help him win. He knew. He was aware of that, when he pushed open the heavy doors, weighted down with responsibilities.

"My son, rightful heir to the throne..." sighed the king.

"Father, king of the Stemma kingdom." Edgar replied, with a somewhat shaky voice. His mother and sisters were standing on his father's left. On his right, stood the sceptre. It was always there though, as was his family. His stomach twisted into a knot, Edgar realized this was most likely the last time he was seeing that room. A sight escaped his lips and Edgar found himself staggering before taking the first step towards the throne. He swallowed his anxiety and moved forward. Just as he keeled down before his father, the gates opened and closed, revealing a tall, skinny silhouette, a man wearing an armor. A knight.

"I apologize for my tardiness, your highness." The manly voice wasn't deep, like his father's, and Edgar could recognize it. The face of the young man also rang a bell for him. The shiny black hair and the bright blue eyes, he was the second best guard of the Elites, losing only to the Commander, a thirty-five year old man, with unparalleled skills. Behind him, a girl, maybe Edgar's age, maybe younger, who seemed to think that she was hiding from them. Then, the young man's voice rang again.

"Maria, what do you think you're doing in here?" Upon looking at her, he then looked back at the king. "Excuse her, your highness."

The king smiled, "It's okay lad. Come forth, bring her along."

The knight kneeled, and so did the girl, same black hair, same blue eyes. Edgar stared at them for a few seconds, before he remembered. *Oh. Right, I forgot, I'll have to have some company.* his brothers had a guard appointed to them too, and frankly, her forgotten about that. Ugh, it was bad enough he was a terrible swordfighter, or fighter at all, but he'd probably have to take lessons from the second best now, huh? How would that help him? He'd still end up dead.

He didn't shake his head to shake the thoughts away, instead he raised his head to look at his father.

"You are hereby a man with a mission, my son. A sacred one. I pray for your journey to be sweet, and for the Maze Forest to be kind with you." After a deep breath, the king rose from his throne "I pray you return safely to us, both Knight and Heir, so that the curse of the King of Souls may come to an end."

Edgar lowered his eyes.

"Now, you can begin your journey. And if this is the last I hear of you, then so be it, it is all the will if the gods and our ancestors, the people of the ancient laws." His voice broke a little when he said that, and the queen's expression darkened.

"With your blessing, Father, I shall set upon this journey for freedom to my people, freedom from fear, for the murderer that is the King of Souls." Edgar didn't know where he found the courage to not only say those words, but shout them. He got up, his expression filled with pride and determination. After bowing to his family and whispering a soft "Goodbye.", Edgar walked out of the room.

The knight heard the softspoken word that had escaped the boy's mouth before he stormed off the room.

"With your blessing, Sire." Both he and the girl bowed to the royal family and before closing the gates behind him, the Knight swore to the king to do his best to bring his son back. To that, the older man only nodded, a shaking smile on his lips.

The gates finally closed.

#my writing #mine #original #the king of souls

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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

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Dream Crossers, Part 6

I woke up with a painful groan, my head hurt, and so did my stomach. I felt so tired. My eyelids were closing on their own again and I had just barely opened them. I shook my head lightly, watching my bangs move around with it. My hands were tied behind my back, as I laid on the cold floor. After some effort, I finally managed to sit up.

And then I remembered, and my tired eyes opened as wide as possible. It had all been for nothing. A person died because of me and now my mother is going to die as well.

A clicking sound echoed in the empty room before the door was unlocked. The one who walked inside was none other than Abby.

"Jackson Keeper."

"You bitch! You tricked me! You used me! You..."

"Sh, I know, you're right."

"My mom is dying because of you!"

"She's not dying. That would make me a worse person than them."

Abby walked around the room.

"My mom abandoned me and married that man and worked non stop for him, yet he abused her. He deserved to die. And so do other criminals like him. We've tried to hire many dream crossers before, but most of them died while trapped inside the victim's head. And you succeeded."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"We want you to work for us is what I'm saying."

"Who is "us"? Is it the same "us" you used to get me to fucking murder a person?!"

"I didn't trick you, Jack." She smiled "I tested you. Look. Your mother is undergoing her surgery as we speak. If you promise you'll join us, promise you won't ever talk about us to anyone, we'll let you go see her."

"I don't have to do what you say."

Abby widened her eyes and put her hand in her bag. I followed her movements with my gaze.

"Have you never seen any movies at all?" She whispered, pulling a gun out of her bag.

"Wait what..."

"Your choice, really." She said, loading the gun "Will you join us or not? You know too much to go free alive now."

"Can I at least... have some time to think about it?"

"Why, sure. I'll be back in five."

Five minutes was too little a time for me to think of such a decision. I didn't want to die. Who wants to die? Plus, I'd leave my mother all alone. She wouldn't be able to bear that. I wouldn't be able to bear the guilt of leaving her alone.

But.

Murdering people wasn't a hobby if mine. It wasn't something I wanted to do, it wasn't anything that anyone should ever do. Especially if the murderers are hiding in plain sight.

I didn't want to do that, really.

But I had no choice.

"That's five minutes." Abby walked in, still pointing her gun towards me. "Your decision, Jack?"

"Will you let me live normally with my mother?"

"Yes."

"Will I have any profit whatsoever from doing this?"

"Of course. You'll be paid after every job." That sent a shiver down my spine. Those jobs would only be more murders.

"I'll do it. Just let me go. Let me go see my mother."

"A bit of a mama's boy aren't you?" I shot a glare aimed at her way. "Whoosh okay, calm down." She untied me and put her gun back into her bag. I silently followed her to the door. She opened it and the setting Sun's light felt too much for me. Having gotten used to the darkness of the room, that light was too bright. I winced.

"If you go down that path you'll be down at the highway in no time. Go straight and you'll be in town in ten minutes."

"Okay." I replied without any spirit in my voice. I had to see my mother.

"Welcome to my team then." Abby wore a smile that didn't seem quite as twisted as the whole situation was. I left without replying, ran straight to town. "To see my mother" is the reason I told myself I was running for. But that wasn't all. I wanted out. I wanted to get away from that place, from Abby.

Out of breath, I made it to the highway. Still, i didnt feel safe. I felt dozens of eyes on me, watching me, examining me. Catching my breath wasn't something I could afford to do at the time. I only continued running.

I felt fire climbing up my chest towards my throat. I wanted to scream my lungs out. I needed to.

I stopped moving, took a deep breath. It's okay. She's not here. Nobody's here.

Suddenly, the chirps of the birds and the cicadas seemed a lot louder, the wind felt a lot stronger. Apart from the passing cars, there was nothing man-made next to the highway. I really was alone. A strange relief took over my body. I didn't stay there for long, though. With nobody around, many things could happen. I mustered up my powers and kept walking towards the town. At least, I'd see my mother alive once more.

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@the-twisted-otaku

Another small part but it's okay! The story is progressing!

#my writing #writers on tumblr #writers in tumblr #dream crossers #mine #original #writing

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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

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Dream Crossers, part 5

Abby wiped my blood off the floor hastily, talking to me to keep me from sleeping. Of course, she wouldn't be able to carry me so I had to be awake. Some rays from the newly risen sun broke into the house through the bare windows. That made her work faster, she seemed to be in a rush, and although I couldn't quite catch what she was saying, I though I heard her voice trembling. She put the wet, bloodied handkerchief inside her bag and walked over to me.

"Mom'll be coming home." She muttered.

With her help, I got off the floor. Hesitant, I looked back at the form of the still, pale man. The realization hadn't hit me yet, but I could feel the guilt spreading inside my body. I had killed a person. I was murderer. A sick feeling took over my stomach and I staggered, warm tears sprung from my eyes and fell to the floor. Abby noticed that, but she remained silent. At least mom will be okay now... At least she will live...

We walked through the house, leaving it from the back door. Luckily, there was almost around who could see us. There was a man dressed in black, and a woman walking her dog in the opposite direction from ours.

Hidden behind the same bushes we'd stayed behind the previous afternoon, we stopped to catch our breaths.

"You have to give me the money..." I gasped "The surgery is... it's in a couple of hours." I had to at least save my mother. That was why I'd become a murderer after all.

"I'm sorry," Abby smiled "...not today." A man dressed in black, the same man who was watching us from across the road earlier, walked over to me.

"W...wait..."

What followed was a sharp pain and blackness. A well deserved rest.

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Another small part but the next one is going to be longer! @the-twisted-otaku hope you like this!!

#my writing #mine #dream crossers #writers on tumblr #writers in tumblr #writers

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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

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Writing Prompt #5

"I should leave..."

"What? No."

"I don't belong here, you know that..."

"This is your home now, please, stay."

"I will only cause more trouble. Goodbye."

"But I... need you. I need you to stay."

#the reaction after that is up to you lol #mine #writing prompt #writing #writers on tumblr #writers in tumblr

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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

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Writing Prompt 4

The beast wasn't far behind them.

He kneeled down, unable to carry his own weight. After a short coughing fit, wiping the blood from his mouth, he looked at her, eyes glazed with pain.

"You... you need to leave..." he gasped.

"I'm not... leaving you..." the girl said through choked sobs.

"Please... go get help, even that..." he stopped mid-sentence, enduring another painful cough "...even that will help. Just leave... please. Save yourself..." his eyelids felt heavy. There was a roar from the monster that was approaching them.

She got on.her two feet and, giving him a kiss on.his forehead, she promised him she'd be back. And then disappeared in the fog.

He smiled anxiously as he looked over to the beast, who was now getting visible.

#writing prompts #mine #my writing #creative writing #writing

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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

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Writing Prompt #3

"I know, I know, just, let me explain. This is all a misunderstanding!" A was now desperate.

"A misunderstanding! Huh. How is your plotting against us with [insert villain name] a misunderstanding?!" B yelled "Cause from where I'm standing, it only looks like you sold us out!"

#writing prompts #writers on tumblr #my writing #original #writers in tumblr #mine

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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

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HAPPY (Late as hell, Im sorry) BIRTHDAY @the-twisted-otaku !! I know it was over a month ago but I had no time in my hands *cries* So if this feels a little rushed, Im SO sorry! Anyhow, I really hope you enjoy this small birthday gift from me UvU. Love you!!

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Aaron flinched.

"Ow."

"Hush. Don't put up fights with people you know you can't win against. Now, shut your mouth, stay still and let me clean the wound." Agis sounded as strict as always, for a thirteen year old kid.

[[READ MORE]]

"Fine- ouch! Be careful with it, at least..." Aaron let out a grunt and then looked back at his sister. "This city's nobles are junk."

"We are nobles too."

"We were nobles. Not anymore." Aaron jerked his hand away from his sister while wincing "Enough, enough, you're hurting me more than the wound is, Agis."

"Well I'm sorry I was trying to help." She put the bloodied cotton ball in a nearby trash can and resumed to sitting on the stone staircase, next to her brother.

"Well we... we're still nobles. Technically. It in our blood. What we lost is the money and the position. Not our lineage." Even though she was only thirteen, Agis sounded like a mature, grown person. Aaron knew she was smart and that she was mature already, but each time she said something like that, it still surprised him.

"If only it wasn't for those traitors..." he muttered.

"Hush, Aaron. Whatever the case, you mustn't talk like that."

"What! I'm not wrong! They framed us for the Winders' mansion's fire! They frankly told the world that we burnt down our own relatives' property!"

"I know, but..."

"We were chased away from the Main Land to the Island and we don't even know if mom's brother... If Uncle Tom, Aunt Sarah and Timothy are even alive..." he buried his face into his palms. He wasn't crying, he never cried -that, Agis had to admit. She'd never seen him cry. Not even when the Winders scandal went down. "All because of those traitors wanting to make money out of our misery..."

"I know, Aaron, I know. You're right. But they're still father's brothers. You shouldn't call them traitors. If anything, we're related by blood." She put a hand of her brother's back.

"I never asked for a family like that, Im sure father didn't either."

For a short while, there was silence between them neither talked. It didn't take long for them to decide to head home.

Agis, Aaron and their parents had moved to a small town near Silverake, in the Island. The townspeople were all calm and friendly, except the nobles. They looked down on every 'commoner'. The children's parents had told them that in small towns, people with power tend to be like that.

Neither Aaron nor Agis liked that. Not that there was anything they could do about it. They could only avoid them.

Before long, winter came.

All of the town's children were locked up inside their houses, but the twins didn't know why.

"A neighbour told me..." their mother began "...During winter, many slave traders pass through this place. So do bandits. I don't want you two going outside any time soon. Okay?"

The twins looked at each other, both a little scared. They nodded in unison. Their mother smiled with relief.

"You're such good children, you're my pride and joy, both of you." She wrapped her hands around them. "Now, go get the table ready, we'll have dinner as soon as your father comes home."

As they were told, the twins prepared the table for dinner. And then, they waited for their father to return. However, as the sunset was drawing closer, Aaron was beginning to get worried.

"Mom... dad's never late." He didn't have the willpower to look into her eyes. The bond between his parents was too strong, they loved each other very much. She was getting worried too, Aaron knew that.

"Oh I'm sure he's slowed down because of the snow." She chuckled "You know how clumsy he can be, especially around ice." She tenderly caressed her son's hair, and he nodded. Yes, that made sense. The snow hadn't melted yet and it was easy to slip. His father was just trying to be careful. That was all.

That was what both Aaron and Agis chose to believe, even when the man didn't return for that night.

The following morning, their mother hurried to search for him. She ordered the twins to stay inside the house.

"I'll be back by sunset." She said.

And sunset it became.

But their mother was nowhere to be seen.

So they didn't wait any longer.

It had just gotten dark but the town was dimly lit. Agis ran around, knocking in every door, getting the same response from every one.

"We haven't seen her."

Aaron looked at every alleyway, at every turn, at every inch of the town.

They were outside all night, running all.over the town and back, trying to find their parents. Only once they sat down, on the same stone staircase as they always did, both wiping away tears. Agis saw Aaron cry for the first time. Aaron noticed Agis wasn't trying to sound and look mature any longer. Their feet hurt, they were out of breath, their tear-filled eyes were swollen. They were embracing each other in the cold, winter weather. In the dark alleyway where the dim light didn't reach, suddenly the staircase lit up. The twins looked up, noticing a man staring them down. They froze.

"What are you doing out at a time like this...?" The mad said in a creepy tone. "Children like you should be sleeping!" Aaron noticed him taking something out of his pocket and immediately jumped in front of his sister. Then, the world went black.

Agis thought about escaping but she couldn't leave her bother behind. The man had hit Aaron with the back of his gun on the head. She couldn't move. Not without him. So instead, she braced herself for the impact that inevitably came.

The man later introduced himself and explained to the twins into what kind if mess they had got then themselves into.

"You're slaves. You don't have a say in anything. Hell, you don't even have lives. They belong to me. You belong to me."

From then and on, the man named Jonah made their lives hell.

The twins were together in everything though, in every auction, in every whipping. Together, they thought about giving up on life and together they decided to live on.

"We will get out of here and find mom and dad."

Aaron repeated that phrase everyday, not so much to his sister as to himself.

Agis was stronger than him -mentally, at least. She had caught up to the fact that their life could only get worse. And she had accepted it. As long as she was with her brother, she was alright with being dragged through hell.

That is, until they were forever separated when a rich man from the Second Continent bought Agis.

That was when they both met their end, even though they were still alive. They had lost each other, meaning they had lost the most important part of themselves.

They were thought to be dead men walking.

And they would live when they'd meet each other again, be it in that world or the afterlife.

#my writing #writers on tumblr #original #writers in tumblr #mine #Silverake #Agis and Aaron

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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

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"How much have you had?" with Gil, Sharon and Liam (+Vincent if you want to) set after Oz destroys the Will of the Abyss?

Thank you so much for the request Beth!!! Gosh I’m so sorry this took so long, I rewrote it 4-5 times and I’m still kind of not pleased with the result but at the same time I kinda like it :>The point is for you to like it though, and I really really hope you enjoy it!!!

Liam walked into the mansion, his hand holding Sharon’s firmly. It was dark inside, as if nobody was there, although they both knew who was in the mansion. Sharon clenched his hand, and he only looked at her, before gently caressing her hair. She took a deep breath and after letting go if his hand, followed him to one of the guest rooms, the one which Oz used to use. Liam turned the lights on in every corridor and inside that room.“How much have you had?” Liam picked up an empty bottle of wine from the floor. There were several more scattered around it. Gilbert didn’t answer. He had fallen asleep on the couch, with his shirt half buttoned up and his coat on his feet. His eyes were swollen. His hair was a mess, it was visibly full of knots and combs. Liam let out a sigh and picked up his coat. Sharon rubbed her palm against his shoulder.

“The wound is still fresh.” She whispered. Liam looked at her, unable to give her am answer. She was right. The events were still all too fresh in their memories. They may had “won”, but they all lost someone. They all lost pieces of themselves. Gilbert had lost Oz twice now. And this time it wasn’t just him. This time it was Alice, and Break, and Uncle Oscar, and Echo and… the list could go on for ever.Almost three weeks had passed. For three weeks Liam and Sharon put a blanket over his passed out body, they picked up the empty or sometimes broken bottles of alcohol, they tried to talk reason to him. Nothing worked. “Nothing!” Sharon burst into tears, wrapped inside Liam’s arms. She felt safe in there. She felt lonely, but still safe. “Shh. It’s okay, it’s okay. Hush now.” “I’m sad too! I’m lonely too!” Her knees gave in. “I want to see them too…” what followed was a whimper and a few teardrops. Liam gave her a long embrace. “I know, I know…” “…Lhiam…?” A blurry voice echoed near the door of their room.“Ah, Gil.” It was obvious he had just woken up, he couldn’t even walk straight. He leaned on the wall. “Leave us for a minute, I’ll be right there.” Gilbert only nodded and wobbled through the corridor and into the room. Liam put his hands on Sharon’s shoulders, looking her straight in the eyes. “Sharon, let’s call Miss Ada over. She may be the only one who can pull him off this state now that Vincent’s away.” “You think? She’s… she’s pretty shook up herself. We can’t force her…”“I know, I know. But it’s for his own good too.”Sharon knew, he wasn’t lying. He was thinking of both her and Gilbert. She knew that. “Let me go talk to him okay?” Sharon nodded. “You need some time for yourself too. Don’t forget that.” She gently let go of his hand.

A week passed and Sharon had hidden away any wine bottles Gilbert hadn’t already found. He hadn’t drank any in days, and it was really getting on his nerves.“Gilbert, you need to stop this.” Liam grabbed his arms and tried to hold him in place.“Let go.”“Listen to me-”“Let. Go!” With a push, Liam was on the ground. Pieces of a ray of the sun that had passed through the window were shining on his face.“They’re gone, understand? They’re gone!” Gilbert wasn’t drunk, for a change, when he did that.“"They’ve been gone for a month now, it’s about time you get back on your feet.” He kept his composure. “Oz and Alice and Break and… and…” Gilbert kneeled down. “They’re all gone…”Liam’s fists started to shake. Really, they were all gone. The two men were talking about the same people, after all. “They’ll return.” Liam made Gilbert’s eyes light up for an instant. “They’ll surely return.” Gilbert’s mind cleared up, and he remembered. “I’ve waited for you ten years, I don’t see why one hundred would be a problem.” Thats what he had said. He’d said that, not realizing how silent the mansion would be without them, not realizing how boring it would be without the stupid rabbit’s nagging. How uninteresting his routine would be without Break’s surprise visits.He let out a whimper. “I…”“Gil, do you want to stay with Ada for a while? You can’t continue acting like this.”“No, I… I understand. I’m sorry. I’ll stop… ” Liam couldn’t trust him - that was a phrase him had said a couple of times before, never really following it.“Maybe you should really go for a couple of weeks.”“No, Liam. I… just, let me be for a while.” “Okay.” The man closed the door behind him, leaving Gilbert alone.He didn’t move from the floor for the next hours. He kept thinking. He wanted a glass of wine so badly. Night found him packing a few of his clothes.He left the mansion after midnight, holding a small bag and a sealed bottle of wine.

Liam and Sharon woke up to a small piece of paper next to their bed. A note. “I’m sorry and thank you for everything. I’ll try to find Vincent. We will meet again soon.” A bittersweet feeling came over the both of them. They kept the note, leaving it next to a picture of children now gone.

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smudged-writing · 7 years ago

Text

"Oof!"

Allen felt a body even smaller than his own bumping onto him. He flinched, quickly turning around to face a small girl. She seemed to be younger than Ada, even.

"Are you okay?" He managed to ask her. She wasn't a threat, she couldn't hurt him. She was a child, he had to be nice to her. In a matter of seconds, the girl began crying.

"Mommy... I lost my mommy..." She wept. Allen looked around. He noticed the familiar face of the carriage driver, who was watching him as always. There weren't many people in the square today. Actually, that town was mostly empty either way. But as far as he could tell, there weren't any women searching for their lost children.

"Did... Did you lose her here?" The girl shook her head.

Allen looked at the driver. He locked his eyes on him, but he was talking to somebody. I can get away. If it's now...

"Let's go find her." He grabbed the girl by her tiny palm and ran as fast as he could. The girl eventually stopped running and pulled Allen's shirt, making him stop moving as well.

"I'm tired." She whined. She was on the verge of tears once more. Allen caressed her hair.

"I'm sorry." He said "Does this area remind you of anything?"

"If you turn left here, you'll see the shopping district."

"Is that where you separated from your mom?" She nodded. "Okay, let's go." This time, the child was the one who held his hand. They walked for quite some time, before a hoarse "Marina" echoed through the market. The girl turned around, only to find her mother. She let go of Allen's hand and ran.

"Gosh where were you? I was so worried..."

Would that have happened if I'd stayed on that bench, waiting for dad...? Would someone else have picked me up then...? Allen quickly disposed of that thought and turned around to leave, when a strong hand grasped his shoulder, almost breaking his bone. Allen let out a silent whimper.

"Where do you think you're going?" It was the driver.

"Ugh... I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"Should I tell Jonah about this? Huh?"

"No, please, no more punishment... please..."

"Should I have you do something for me then?" He smiled, tightening his grip. "Jonah doesn't pay you but I hear you're good at stealing. I'm a bit underpaid these days, won't you help me?"

"You... want me to steal for you...?"

"Sure." He let go of Allen's shoulder, and the child gently put his hand over it. It hurt, but not as much as Jonah's whippings.

"I'll keep quiet about your attempt to escape and you'll shuffle some money up for me, deal?"

"Um... okay..."

"Great."

The driver led him to a busy area near the Richmens' District and let him loose. All Allen had to do was steal, not kill, so he was a bit more relaxed. In theory, at least. He'd stolen before, while he still lived with Timothy. But now, it was different. Back then, it was like a game, a small challenge to please the person who saved him. Now, it was a necessary deed, one that would spare him the punishment, the beating, the pain.

And so he did. He swept up some wallets from rich looking people and after he was done and the sun had set, he brought them to the driver. The man counted the bills one by one.

"Two thousand Kel." He said "You did well."

"You Did well"... it was a phrase he had forgotten the existence of. Of course, he knew the driver didn't mean it. But, he felt somewhat better for a few minutes, before being shoved into the carriage and driven to the mansion.

"You're back rather late." Jonah said, making Allen flinch by the heavy sound of his voice.

"Yeah, well..." the driver began, and Allen thought he would be safe "It's because he tried to escape." The child instantly turned back to face the man.

"But you said..." the man wore a twisted smile.

"So you tried to escape..." Jonah got closer, each step making a louder sound.

"No... I... I just tried to..."

"You tried to, what?"

"I was trying to... help a little girl find her mother...."

"Huh, you tried to play nice, even though you're a murderer? You expect me to believe that?"

A strong slap sent him on the floor. He teared up.

"I'm sorry..." he cried "I won't do it again... I promise, I'm sorry..."

"Let's make sure you'll remember that promise."

That night was too long to bear. His throat was sore from screaming. He knew the punishment for trying to escape was heavier than the standard one. But now he'd carved it onto his body, with the whip marks more visible than ever before.

Before the driver locked him in the slaves' room, he smiled.

"Never trust anyone." He said, and waved his money around before closing the door.

@the-twisted-otaku I'd promised you I'd write more of Dream Crossers but I've got neither time nor ideas so take this instead :> (I'm also STILL working on your birthday present and on the fic you requested so I'm so sorry!)

#my writing #mine #writers in tumblr #writers on tumblr

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