Chapter One: Captured
"Kai, our horses are tired and my butt hurts. Can we just stop for once?" asked the redhead of the four men, glaring at the two-toned male. A blood red cape flowed from behind his back and his black attire contrasted, plainly.
"No, my mind isn't relaxed, yet," muttered the male. Brown gloves covered his hands. A dark cape surrounded him and royal purple strips adorned his blue outfit.
"Mine has. I liked this ride, through the woods," whispered the orange-haired male, with his eyes closed. His white outfit glowed gently, but his visible black aura made it seem eerie.
"That's just you, Brooklyn. Is your butt hurting?" shot Tala.
"Who told you to ride without a blanket?" asked the last male staring at the ground. Blue, green and black were the colors that made his outfit.
"I was taught that way, Spencer," growled Tala, shifting in his seat.
"Or you were in a hurry to get away from Princess Ji. She's annoying, going between our kingdoms trying to fulfill her sexual appetite," muttered Kai, pulling at his chestnut horse's reins.
Brooklyn slowly opened his eyes and looked around. "I feel my aura becoming trapped."
"What does that mean?" snapped Tala, stretching his legs.
"It means we're being watched," said Spencer, also looking around.
"And you are also right," said a voice to their right. The four men stopped and looked around. A ring of horses and guards stared at them. "You are trespassing on the kingdom of Vertasiu. We must take you as prisoners."
Kai watched the leading guard talk to them, but also watched the others. He caught movement at his left. His hand shot out and flames caught the soldier in the shoulder. "Don't move. We have been gifted with elements as well. We are not afraid to use them," said the guard, holding out his hand.
Tala glanced at Kai, who nodded. "We will go willingly, as long as your men do not try anything," said Kai.
The guard nodded and gave a curt nod to the lower guards, who led the way.
"Hey, where's Vertasiu?" whispered Tala to Spencer.
"No one knows. It's known as the hidden kingdom. They pretty much keep to themselves," he answered, quietly.
As they marched, their surroundings became more and more unfamiliar.
"We never traveled so far in a day," muttered Brooklyn, trying to sense his kingdom.
"We're too far away to even send a message to our castles," growled Kai.
"Whoa, have you seen a castle that big before?" asked Tala, looking up at the looming castle in front of them. It had four stories high, with four towers. One of the towers had ice on the walls. The moat that surrounded the castle was huge and Kai spotted some sea creatures he had only heard of. Another one of the towers had fire shooting out of the window. There was a tower in the middle of the castle and the sun made it seem more eerie than it should.
"Never, this should be quite interesting," said Brooklyn, noticing a dark presence in one part of the castle.
The lead guard blew on a horn and the bridge was lowered. At the entrance, a young woman stood there, dressed in pure black and her dark hair in braids around her shoulders. Her deathly pale skin made her dark blue eyes seem lifeless. "Who have you brought this time, Arumo?" she asked at once. Brooklyn seemed to be drawn to her dark presence.
"They are trespassers and now prisoners of Vertasiu, my princess."
She glanced at each of them.
"They are the princes of the neighboring kingdoms, Arumo. You could've started a war, if we were not hidden from the other kingdoms," she said, sharply, noticing the royal emblems on each of their horses.
"I apologize, my lady. I did not know."
"Forgiven, but we must hold you, princes, as hostages. We cannot let you go unless you prove to us you are trustworthy," she said, looking at each one.
"Hostages? That's pushing it, isn't?" asked Tala, wincing at that word.
"Unless you wish to be killed, it is the only fair way."
Brooklyn got off his horse and bowed. "We will be hostages, till you find us reliable," he said, smiling.
She chuckled lightly at the other princes' expressions. Tala was outraged. Kai just rolled his eyes and Spencer sighed.
"Follow me. You will see my brother, the king, who will decide what to do with all of you," she said, turning and gliding into the castle.
Brooklyn returned to his horse and dodged getting hit by Tala. Kai pulled Tala back into his seat and escorted him inside. The castle seemed to get bigger and bigger with each step they took. They were surrounded by gold and silver. Four symbols were painted on each of the stairs leading to the towers. One was a flame, another had an iceberg, and another was barely seen because water seemed to run over it. Lastly, three lines of floating darkness led upstairs.
"Your horses will be taken to the stables and my brother will shortly join you, if he's willing. Good day," said the princess, gliding away up the dark stairs, while the men stepped down from their steeds.
"Thanks a bunch, Brooklyn."
"What for?"
"Getting us here."
"You're welcome."
It seemed like hours until loud trumpets announced the arrival of the king, who seemed to be around their age. They just glared at him, while the rest of the court bowed deeply. His brown eyes glared right back at each of them. He did not trust any of the other kingdoms, but his sister had told him, they were really polite. He waved the court away and snapped his fingers. A scroll floated to him. "You are the princes of the kingdoms of Chosuly, Miziji, Payoka and Freiroli, correct?" The four men nodded grimly.
The king sighed. What shall I do with them? They're royalty like I am, but they are now hostages… Mina begged for a companion the other day… Perhaps that will work. "You know you are hostages in the kingdom of Vertasiu and you will stay till you gain my trust." Again, they nodded.
"I have four sisters, who have no companions, but each other. My youngest sister wished for one, when she saw a shooting star, the other day, perhaps, instead of becoming servants of the house, you would like to become their friends."
Kai and Tala twitched at the word friend. The word girl and word friend weren't always in the same sentence. Brooklyn and Spencer raised an eyebrow and considered it.
"If you wish to become my sisters' friends, maybe you can gain my trust much faster."
Spencer stood forward and bowed. "I will accept the offer of being a companion to your sister."
Brooklyn also stepped forward with a curt nod. "I also will accept."
Tala and Kai looked at each other. They both wished to do this peacefully, but this was pushing it. Brooklyn and Spencer glared at them. Kai sighed.
"I too will accept our proposal."
Tala glared at his so-called friends and broke down. "I will consent to our agreement," he muttered.
The king sighed and waved the guards over. "Each of you will be sent to a specific sister. They are Tsukomi, Junko, Shiri and Mina. Though I will admit that Mina is the most difficult to resist." He pointed to Kai. "You can take care of her. I believe you can resist her irresistibility." To Tala, the king appointed him as the guide to Junko's shell. Spencer was proclaimed the healer of Shiri's dream problem. Well, Brooklyn… He was too happy to be the eldest sister's friend. The king left with this warning. "Each of my sisters has an elemental power, so it's wise not to cross them. And be careful of Junko's pet wolf. He's mischievous."
Kai was led to the north tower. Tala was semi-dragged to the south tower. Spencer went to the east tower and Brooklyn followed the trail of darkness, which the princess from before took. None of them knew what was in store for them.