Chapter one: Innocence

Before I begin the epic of a story, I would like to inform you that this is not your feel good story. This is not your typical "prince finds the princess and they live happily ever after" faerie tale. No, this is a true story, a story not recorded in the annals of Neopia history, but a true story all the same. And the end may or may not be a happy one. I will not sugar coat this, dear reader. This story may not go as you planned. If you wanted a feel good story, it may be preferred that you stop your reading here. Not all tales have happy endings.

Now, this story begins innocently enough on a farm just off the Meridell path. There lived a pair of Xweetok twins, Lillia and Lyder. Lillia was a beautiful, but often sickly girl with pale colored fur. This was not because of her gender, or even because of her own doing. She was born a rare albino kind, though her coloring only gave her an ethereal presence. She was of a simple red breed, like her brother Lyder, who was a bold, almost defiant color of ruby. They rarely ever left the confines of their fields, but when they did, they curried all of the attention of those they encountered along the way. The angelic beauty of Lillia and the powerful demeanor of Lyder was not a sight that requested attention. No, it demanded the attention of all that they graced their appearance with.

I suppose I have painted an interesting picture of the two, but I just merely wanted to inform you, dear readers, that these were not just everyday Xweetoks.

Nobody knew much about these mysterious beings who only left their homes to shop for whatever the season needed them to purchase-seeds during the early winter, or new fabric for their clothes. They did not dress for the admiration of the public, but rather in stark contrast, they dressed humbly in simple neutral colors which only served to make their manifestation that much more noticeable. They didn't speak much except only to order what they had made their trek out for. Or rather, Lyder was the only one who spoke. Lillia was shy and always kept her bright lavender eyes to the floor. Then once they have received what they requested, they would leave with a simple wave, not to be seen again for many months until the time came for something else to purchase. The temperatures were dipping, as it was now the Month of Storing. They would not be seen again until the Month of Running.

Or rather, this would have been the case usually.

It was another day of visiting the town of Meridell. Lyder did not dare leave his frail sister behind. Following not even a step behind, Lillia trailed her stronger brother on the path they always took. And yet again, almost as if they had been waiting for this moment, the people along the way watched and stared. No one dared speak to either of them, however. Something about their appearance almost gave them a godly quality to them (though the two would rather not be called as such). The young women fawned over Lyder, wishing that today was the day he would declare his love for one of them. The men admired Lillia. They wished they could win her heart and hear her speak of her love for them. But no such thing happened. Just like it had every year.

Lyder and Lillia made their way to the same small shop near the Meri Acres Farm. It wasn't much of a shop, just a simple place with seeds and other odds and ends. The shopkeeper knew Lyder and Lillia. Actually, he was probably the only one who knew anything about them. He had actually fought along side of their father in the war against Darigan Citadel. Though their father had disappeared during the war, their father had told him so much about the two that he felt like he knew them personally. He often gave them everything for free, since they barely ever wanted anything anyway.

"Ah, Lyder and Lillia! Is it that time of the year already?" the shopkeeper inquired.

Lillia shyly smiled before burying her face in the folds of fabric of her brother.

Lyder grinned. "It does seem like winter is approaching rather early this year," Lyder said. His voice was powerful, but gentle, very much like the typical hero in any story. "We'll need some heavier fabric for the upcoming season," he continued.

"Lyder, why don't you and your sister stay here in Meridell with our family this winter? There's no reason the two of you should spend it alone this year."

"I'm never alone, as long as Lillia is by my side." Lyder smiled gently at this notion. He did love his quiet sister dearly.

The shop keeper tried again. "But wouldn't you rather spend the holidays with friends? Let us take care of you this winter!"

Lyder shook his head. "If our father returns and we are not there, he might think we've left him." Lillia peeked at the shopkeeper from her brother's sleeve at this comment. It had been a while since this battle. All hope was lost in the shopkeeper's eyes. But these two still held on. The shopkeeper sighed heavily, and handed Lyder some heavy Baaba wool panels. He wanted to reveal his feelings, but he was decided against it. He would rather let them cling on to the belief that their father would someday return than to have them decide never to leave their home again. At least with this option, he could see if they were okay every now and then.

But perhaps he should have simply tried harder that day.

Lyder and Lillia walked the path in their usual silence. Evening was approaching early (being that it was mid autumn) and a few stars were already making their arrival. The sky was a vivid gradation from bright blood orange color to a sultry indigo with the sun setting low in the horizon. The chilly air attacked the duo from the front, but to no avail, as the two hadn't bothered to pay attention. Lyder was thinking about the shopkeeper. Every time he went there, the shopkeeper would ask them to stay with his family, and every time, Lyder would debate on whether he should. It wasn't good to keep a shy girl like Lillia away from everyone. He always wondered if it was a selfish idea to keep her with him. She would benefit from having a life outside of their home.

Aside from a coop of nearby Wibreth squawking, the two continued in silence as Lyder once again contemplated their situation. It was actually quite a surprise when the duo heard the sound of hoof beats, as people seldom took the path they were on. They stepped aside as the carriage sped by without so much as a slow down. Though the sight was rare, neither of them really thought much about it until they reached their home moments later.

The carriage from before was waiting for them, but it wouldn't be a pleasant visit. They could already hear the sounds of pottery breaking and furniture being tipped over. Lyder instinctively rushed over, leaving his usual calm demeanor behind with his sister. Lillia tried to keep up, but her health got the best of her. She forced herself to slow to a fast walk though she honestly wanted to run along side of her brother.

Lyder reached the doorway, and stared at the destruction. The cabinets were all open with shattered pieces of plates and bowls layering the floor. Further sounds could be heard from Lillia's room, which he didn't waste time in investigating it.

"I can't find it," a Darigan Hissi in purple and black armor whined. He was hoping to be done by now, even though they had just arrived not moments ago.

"Well, keep looking!" a Darigan Grarrl with similar armor shouted gruffly. "He said this was where he lived, and this is where it's got to be, so look harder!" The Grarrl made a motion to hit his annoying assistant, which was more than enough motivation to make the Hissi cringe and continue his search in Lillia's closet.

"What do you think you're doing?" Lyder couldn't contain his anger. He didn't care if they ruined their furniture. They could buy more. He didn't care if they ransacked his room. But this was his dear sister's room with all of her prized possessions.

The Grarrl menacingly walked to the doorway where Lyder was waiting for a response. "This doesn't concern you, boy. Go outside, and come back when we're finished," he said in a gruff voice.

"Wait, I bet that kid knows where he hid it!" the Hissi spoke up.

A sly smile graced the visage of the Grarrl. "Perhaps he does…" He grabbed Lyder's collar, causing Lyder to have to stand on his tiptoes. "Tell me, where did you put it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lyder said. He tried to hold his menacing glare at the Grarrl, but he was suddenly realizing just how powerful the Grarrl probably was.

"Hey, it seems I've found another one!"

This voice came from a Darigan Aisha, a female. She led Lillia with her hands on Lillia's shoulders. Lillia's cherry blossom colored eyes filled with tears, not just because she was scared, but because of her room. Many of those things they had broken were things their father had made for her. They were irreplaceable.

"Get your hands off of my sister!" Lyder was furious. If they even so much as let her get a splinter…. Lyder didn't know what he would do to them.

"Well, this makes things easier." The Grarrl released Lyder and took Lillia's arm harshly. "You're sure to tell us what we need to know now, boy," he said with a smirk. Lyder froze. He didn't know what they were looking for, but what would they do to her if he told them that again?

"It would be in your best interest to tell us where Sir Kervice has hidden that sword," the Aisha said.

Lyder and Lillia gasped. Sir Kervice was their father.

"Don't play dumb!" The Grarrl used his other hand to bang on a nearby desk, which cracked a bit under the pressure. "Where is it?" Lillia was now sobbing heavily, but with both of her arms being held down by the Grarrl and the Aisha, she couldn't even wipe the tears from her face.

"What is all of this commotion about?"

A Darigan Kougra appeared, though this one had a certain air of composure in comparison to the Grarrl and the Hissi. He wore armor just like the other three, but this one had a long purple cape that trailed behind him. He had a proper accent, the kind bred through noble lineage. He glanced at all of the occupants before continuing.

"I leave you three for mere minutes, and you've already managed to destroy a home and terrify its residents? I'm rather ashamed to have you as my subordinates."

"I was outside as this happened, Sir Julian," the Aisha spoke (causing Sir Julian to lightly snort at this remark). It seemed she was the one in charge of the other 2, or at least, she was supposed to be. "I apologize for allowing this to happen, sir." The Aisha bowed humbly, causing the Grarrl to follow suit. It took a moment for the Hissi to realize what was going on before he too bowed his head.

"Let these two go."

Without a moment's hesitation, the Grarrl and the Aisha released Lillia and the trio scrambled behind Sir Julian.

Julian bowed before the two. "I must humbly beg for your forgiveness," he said, glancing up at them with a smile (and though he didn't mean to, his glance looked full of evil intent). "I simply requested them to search for something here. Our objective was in no way to cause anyone trouble, for you see, I was under the impression by the man who told me of this place that no one lived here. (He stood up straight after this sentence) If I had known, I would have simply asked and been off on my way without a second glance back."

"Eeh, but bossss, you said that…" the Hissi started, before the Aisha next to him jabbed him in the stomach.

"Ehem, you must forgive my fools of lackeys. They can be quite… brash sometimes."

Now, it might be interesting to note that by now, his eyes had been on Lillia the whole time. Lillia hadn't noticed, her hands were buried in her hands as she sobbed freely.

Without allowing Lyder to respond, Sir Julian went around the two and placed his hands on their shoulders. "Now, I must insist that the two of you stay with us until I can send some men here to fix this place up. It is the least I could do after they foolishly ruined your home.

Lyder started to shake his head, but with their home in the condition it was in, there was just no way he could let his sister sleep in a place like this. His next choice was to tell Lillia go to on her own, but not only did he not trust Sir Julian, he also knew how incredibly shy his sister was. It would be like sending her to the dungeon. So he sighed. There was nothing he could do but accept. He barely nodded before Julian clasped his hands together and grinned.

They all stepped outside. Now, perhaps you are expecting their carriage to be black and violet, the supposed official colors of their fortress, but this was only partially true, as the carriage was a stark and elegant white with purple and black accents adorning every edge. This Julian guy was certainly someone used to a lavish lifestyle. Julian ushered Lyder in before turning all of his attention to the lovely Lillia. He smiled gently as he offered his hand as a way to support herself as she stepped up into the carriage. She let her eyes meet his. Yes, Julian was beautiful by any standard. Any woman would fight for the chance to gain his attention. Lillia did not disagree. She placed her delicate hand in his. The moon was out now, as it was completely nighttime. The full moon only served to make her pale form glow against his black gauntlet. It was then that she realized she had stared at him much too long, and she quickly turned away, blushing profusely.

As the Aisha took her place in front to take the horses' reins, the other two began to step inside, but were stopped by Julian.

"And where do the two of you think you're going?" Julian inquired, his tone laced with irritation.

"We were going to join you…" the Grarrl said, though he knew Julian had only asked as an indirect way of informing them that they would not be entering with them.

"Do you honestly think that the two of you could possibly fit with the three of us?"

The Hissi and the Grarrl looked down in disappointment.

Sir Julian stepped into the carriage and closed the door behind him. "Think of it as punishment, and if you even so much as stray from the main path, be prepared for something even worse."

Not another word from anyone as the Aisha snapped the reins. The horses trotted off, leaving the Hissi and the Grarrl lagging behind miserably. The crisp wind cut through the gaps in their armor, only adding to the initial chill given by the cold armor over them.