Author's Notes: What's up everyone?! This is a story I've been planning out for a while and I'm really excited to share it with you. Unfortunately because of my busy schedule, it's gonna be a bit before posting anything else. I only posted this now to see what you guys think, so please follow and/or drop a review if you'd like.
See you on the other side!
~quinnarrow
Prologue
"I'm scared."
The man looked down into his daughter's wide, fear-stricken eyes with sadness in his own. He hated seeing her like this. Shoulders slumping from exhaustion, but stiff from terror. Knuckles turning white from clasping her brother's hand with a bone-crushing grip. Head whipping back and forth is constant search of danger. This is not who his daughter is.
Many emotions took hold in the man's chest; anger, fear, sadness, exhaustion, as his eldest consoled the youngling. He reached for his wife's hand. She squeezed as he used the feeling of her touch to chase away dark thoughts like a spotlight along the coast.
He slowly released a deep breath and looked around the group of strangers. About fifteen others trudged along the path in various states of dismay. Everyone's clothes, along with a few possessions and rations, were ripped and covered in mud. Expressions that were once filled with hope fared no better.
How did they get to this point?
The man knew the answer. It was them. The ruthless armies that followed an even more ruthless emperor had ravaged the country side causing hundreds to flee to the only safe place currently known. For many, this meant a dangerous trek through empire territory.
The man and his family were lucky to be chosen for this journey; to find refuge in the great kingdom. Everyone couldn't wait for the day they reached the northern border of the kingdom and felt safe once more.
But no one knew when it would come. The anticipation of safety rose with the dread of being caught. The feeling of wanting to relieve some of his children's sense of fear was overwhelming his own. He racked his mind, thinking of ways to do just that; even for a few moments.
"Did I ever tell you the story of how the bond came to be?"
Both of his children's heads snapped up, brows pulled together in confusion. A few others walking nearby did the same.
"No," his son answered. "You've only told us the basics."
The father smiled. "Well, someone had to be first, right?"
"I guess."
"Well, long ago the world was in chaos. Picture how it is now, but much, much worse. Smoke of wild fires seemed the block out the sun in the North while storms threatened to drown all life in the South."
"Is that why there are so many lakes?" his daughter questioned.
"That's right. But even that wasn't the worse part. Humanity could have survived the god's furry, but from the darkest shadows of the Underworld came the embodiment of nightmares. Mountainous, raging monsters jeopardized the very existence of life itself. Two-headed vipers as think as oak trees swallowed livestock whole causing starvation. Chimera-like creatures poisoned the waters causing illness and plague to spread. The kings and queens of the lands, even the most powerful magic-wielders were ineffective against them. Civilization was on the brink of collapse when the gods looked upon us and took pity. That's when mankind received its saviors.
"The Five Lions of Legend and their human Paladins had seemingly emerged from nowhere to fight back against evil. This was the first instance of the bond; a permanent link between man and beast. Being able to communicate with their minds made each respective Paladin and Lion a formidable force. But put all five pairs together and you get something else entirely.
"Working together as one, they were victorious battle after battle, pushing the monsters back to the Hell they came, and pouring hope back into the world. Soon, all monsters were vanquished from the earth and humanity began to rebuild, deciding to combine many territories into three. It wasn't long after the war that stories of others receiving the bond had spread. There were claims to the smallest mouse to the largest griffin and everything in between. It didn't take long to realize that not everyone acquired the gods' gift and it was never someone older than twenty-five decaphebes. The Paladins roamed the earth together to educate and assist anyone in need while spreading peace and diplomacy along the way. Life was beautiful again and Terran, the Kingdom of Altea, and the Galra Empire flourished for many years side by side.
"But like everything else, that chapter of the world's history came to an end. One by one the Paladins perished with age and one by one the Legendary Lions disappeared never to be seen again."
"Did the war start after that?" his eldest wondered.
He sighed. "No. This war only started when the current emperor came into power. The Lions disappeared many centuries ago."
"But," his wife added with a soothing tone, "it has been foretold that in humanity's greatest time of need, the Lions would return."
The look of awe and wonder covering his daughter's face was priceless. It was something that man would hold onto forever. "Do you think they will ever come back?"
The man opened his mouth to answer, to give his children hope once more, but undenounced to them, fate had other plans. The group's Guide, leading the way, had stopped abruptly.
Even though the expedition began days ago, the Guide was a mystery to all. Mud blended with the brown of his tattered cloak, hood constantly covering the majority of his face. On many occasions, the father thought he knew the Guide's features only to be proven wrong the next glimpse. One thing was for certain though; his eyes held experience. Thankfully, no one in the group had seen him use the large sword strapped across his back, but there was no denial in his ability to wield it.
Unfortunately, that chance may be upon them. The Guide turned to the now halted group. His eyes sending out a clear warning; danger was near.
"When I say," he ordered, voice low and laced with calmness, "run directly south to the border. Do not stop for any reason. Altean soldiers will be waiting to assist you."
Nervousness brewed amongst the refugees. A blanket of silence was pulled around them. The leaves of surrounding trees lay still as the cool breeze of an Autumns night faded away. The faint moonlight illuminated a flash of movement through the trees. The father pulled his family close as means of protection.
It wasn't known at the time, but the dawn of a new era was upon the world with the Guide's single word.
"Go!"
Pandemonium erupted. The Guide immediately unsheathed his swords with a shink and swung low, tripping a Galra Soldier as three more took his place. The frightened people sprinted south. Many dropped their few belongings in turn for survival. Everyone weaved between the trees, urging loved ones to quicken their pace. The father kept behind his family as the sounds of battle began to dim.
His son looked over his shoulder, causing the man to risk the same. A few soldiers laid dead at the Guide's feet. His sword was nowhere to be seen, but that wasn't what caught the father's attention. No. It wasn't the fact the weaponless man was keeping the highly-trained attackers at bay. It wasn't even the endless flow of Galra soldiers emerging from the shadows. The thing holding the father's gaze was his face. As the brown hood rested on broad shoulders, the Guide's youth was on full display. Trimmed, dark hair shifted with the movement of combat, face set in a determined glare. He couldn't have been more than nineteen years old. No older that the father's own son. The two briefly locked eyes, understanding passing between them in the brief moment. Soldiers surrounded the Guide as the battle disappeared from view.
The father turned back, the edge of the forest filling his vision. As promised, five Altean soldiers were waiting with waving arms and words of encouragement. Knowing the Galra could not follow pass the border, safety was close.
One hundred feet…
Fifty feet…
Twenty feet…
That's when they heard it. The scream.
The father's blood ran cold as the sound of the Guide's voice filled the night. He knew his dreams would be haunted for years to come. Not necessarily from the scream itself, but from imagining the horrors it implied. It was the only thing on his mind as the border passed beneath his family's feet. He placed shaking hands on aching knees and gulped in the cool air. Finally catching his breath, the man took in his surroundings. Every refugee had made it to safety and most had fallen to the ground from the exertion. Except one woman.
She gestured wildly while shouting at the Alteans, gathering everyone's attention. "You have to go help him!"
One soldier placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, expression twisted in conflict. "Your guide knew the risks that come with escorting refugees through empire territory. He made his choice to stay behind."
"Then send your animals," she shrieked. "They can be there and back in mere seconds."
The soldier looked at the large canine-like creature patiently waiting at his feet. At first glance, it could've been mistaken for a strange dog. Closer inspection proved otherwise. Two floppy ears covered two of four black eyes. Its claws looked more like talons and a tail wasn't to be found. Thick, tan fur was speckled with silver highlights that seemed to shimmer in the full moon's light.
"We are not allowed to go beyond the kingdom borders ourselves. That includes bonded animals."
The father lowered his head as the woman continued her plea. He knew the internal struggle the soldiers were going through; whether to disobey orders for the slim chance the Guide's cry was not his last. It was the same struggle he went through when deciding to flee their beloved home on the outskirts of Terran.
He looked at his family with a sad smile, closing his eyes to pray that the Guide's soul found peace. A decision was also made right then and there.; this sacrifice would not be in vain. The lives of a few refugees may have cost a man his own, but his family was safe and Samuel Holt would be forever grateful.
Author's Notes: So what'd ya think? Please review and let me know (I'm genuinely curious)! If you wanted to check me out on Tumblr it's under the name quinnarrow. I mostly just reblog about Voltron stuff with a few other things thrown in.
Well, until next time... peace out!
Update: I changed the age from twenty to twenty-five decaphebes.
