It was cold. The glistening moonlight gently pulsed through the small village of Shady Light, a small community neighboring that of Sandover. The village people strolled about the village that night, the comforting lamps and torches flickering amongst its beautiful, lush wildlife. The palm trees swayed in the breeze ever so calmly that night. The plants howled out with joy as they rubbed upon the weary feet of passing villagers. However, their were two inhabitants not traversing the villages fertile soil. Arms folded behind his head and his legs firmly crossed, Aiden, a fine warrior and marksmen lay on the sandy beach of ShadySands. His peircing blue eyes surveyed the stars that littered the dark ocean above him. Aiden was not that of a determined soul, but more of that of a joyful soul. However, the fine line between joyful and lazy was very thin, and in his case hanging by a thread. He often did as he pleased, frequently ignoring the guidance of others and following his own feelings. His actions were fueled upon emotions. He governed himself and he knew it. And he was proud of it. His only true desire was to remain free from the control of others, and he did. Despite his stubborn ignorance however, there was one person whom he did trust. Standing proudly upon the sail of "Storm", the only local fishing boat, Diego tied firm, tight knots in the mast. Diego was very opposite to Aiden. Very far from the fine line in which Aiden balanced on Diego would often go out of his way just to help those in need. Locals would often see Diego running in and out of the village, performing "mysterious" tasks for his deceased uncle, Larken, the last sage of Light Eco. The bloodline of sages ran all the way back to that of his great great great great ancestors, who were supposedly on the brink of "descovering the worlds mysteries." But Diego, as well as Aiden, was uninterested in the search for truth. He spent most of his time caring for Larken, and other times exploring and whatnot with Aiden. Aiden was a bad influence, to say the most. The two would often find themselves running amuck in the village, cutting down peoples fishnets and banging on the doors of nearby houses. Loud yells of hatred would often be heard echoing in the middle of the night, two snickering shadows often ensuing the yells. Yes, they were hated, to say the most. Some people just gritted their teeth, thinking 'boys will be boys'. But others would not be so kind...But this night was different. Instead of knocking on peoples doors and cutting fishnets, they sat themselves on the soft grains of Shady Sands, the water rippling under the moonlight before them. The small cliff in which the village sat towered above them as Diego jumped from the boat and lay on the ground next to Aiden, folding his arms behind his head as well.
"So..." He began. "...not feeling the urge to drag me into a shitload of trouble like you usually do?" Chuckeled Diego.
"No no, I feel it. Im just giving you a break...for now." He replied, slightly laughing. "'Coarse, it'd be easier for me to get you into a shitload of trouble if those people would just go to sleep already." Aiden averted his eyes to the cliff above him, catching the moving heads of the villagers. "Why in heavenly hell would they be awake at two-o'clock in the morning? Whats so damn important?"
"You know, wonder boy," Said Diego sarcastically, unknowingly changing the subject. " your vocabulary sucks. Where'd you take up cursing? I know it wasn't any of the village idiots up there. And I sure as HELL know that it was not me..." He said, emphasizing himself. Aiden gazed over at Diego, bearing a sad, mocking face as he surpressed a wide smile.
"Oh boo hoo! Aiden curses and I don't like it! Waaaa!"
"Oh shut up!" Diego laughed as he shot his arm around Aidens neck and pulled him into a headlock. Aiden laughed as he gasped for breath, squirming under the powerful grip of Diego's bicep.
"Dude!" Said Aiden sarcastically. "Let me go before I lay knuckles upside yo' head!"
"Riiiight," Retorted Diego, releasing Aiden from his grip. "...I would really love for you to try and "lay knuckles upside my head."
"Oh shut up. Just 'cause I like making the most of my time and you like working out, which in my professional opinion is a wate of time, doesnt mean you gain the rights to gloat about your strength over mine." Aiden said rather sharply, looking back towards the stars. Diego chuckled under his breath as he pushed himself to his feet and began throwing rocks into the Dark Sea. "'Ey! Pretty boy! You remember what your uncle said?" Exploded Aiden from the darkness exasperatingly, staggering to his feet. His foot had fallen asleep. "Larken said to stay away from the Sea at night...can't see anything." He said gently pulling Diego from the small tide pools.
"Oh c'mon! You don't believe all that nonsense about giant serpents and whatnot? It's a load of bullcrap! I-" Diego was cut-short by the swift words of Aiden.
"Well, what about that huge storm up in White Rock the other night? Hm? Don't you remember your uncle talking about some shadow dude causing it?" Aiden said as he frequently surveyed the enormous shadow rippling underneath his feet. "Well, you see that huge body of water right in front of you? You know, the one that kinda looks like a massive SHADOW?..."
"Yeah yeah, alright. Calm down. I won't touch the water." Diego said mockingly as he waved his hands like a child. "C'mon, let's go see whats going on." An annoyed expression swept across Aidens face as he exageratingly dangled his arms to the side.
"Awe, pfft. Do we have to?" He moaned as he chuckled.
"Oh c'mon you big baby." Diego pushed aside a wall of ferns sprawled across the cliff side. The echoing of water upon rock ensued Diego and Aidens arrival into the small cave, a ladder dangling down from above. Aiden made his way through the small cavern as he trudged through the stream flowing down the center of it, closely behind Diego, who was already climbing up the ladder.