Outlanders – Chapter 3 – Darkness Appears
Eleven years later, both boys clearly weren't the same as they began. Each showed great potential in life. Rythian learn quickly at the academy, mastering the art of magic. Xephos grew to be a prince, earning his place in society, and showing kindness to the people just like king Rothum.
All was good, but it was clear that the king's true son, Solon, was angry that his father chose to adopt a commoner to be a prince of Meclite. The king showed equal love, and attention towards the two boys, but that wasn't enough. Solon's problem was the ever-knowing fact that Xephos was around. He wished that this 'trespasser' would just vanish, but that would never come to pass.
Xephos entered into the Enterprise, thinking it was a good idea, not only knowing how to be a ruler, but how to defend and fight to protect his people. After eight years of training, Xephos became the youngest Captain of the Enterprise, commanding a ship at only 18. Though sometimes he feels that he is too young to command, other Captains feel grateful that they have someone as talented as Xephos to be with them.
Today was a great day for the Mecans, for it was the day of the coronation. Xephos had reached the age were he could rule the empire if the king were to die. All of the people in the political and higher class came to view the ceremony first hand, which was to be held in the Grand Hall of the castle. Xephos was in his room getting ready, when someone walked in.
"Hello Xephos." Solon said sternly.
"Hello Solon" Xephos replied putting on the last bits of the outfit on. "So, what brings you to my side of the castle?"
Solon didn't answer; he just looked, his silver eyes trying to penetrate into the bold figure that stood in front of him.
"Well brother, is th…!" Xephos didn't finish, for he was slammed into the wall.
Solon had Xephos boxed in, his face was disfigured in disgust, "Don't EVER call brother again! You are not my kin, and never will be!" With that Solon left the room, leaving Xephos looking out the door to see Solon disappearing down the hall.
'I will never understand why you hate me so Solon.' Xephos thought as he straightened the red cloak he was warring. Solon was only a few months younger then him, and if it was the fact that Xephos was being crowed prince that was making him upset, Solon didn't have to wait much longer till he turned 18 and it'll be his turn. Xephos then left the room, and headed to the Great Hall.
During the coronation, Xephos was kneeling in front of the king, who was reciting the oath.
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of Meclite and Ebess, Nanae, Alcrom, and of your possessions and other territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?" said king Rothum.
"I solemnly promise so to do." Xephos replied
"Will you, to your power cause law and justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"
"I will."
"Will you, to the utmost of your power maintain the peace? Will you, to the utmost of your power maintain the Meclite established by law? Will you protect the people of Meclite, even if you have to give up your life? And will you preserve unto the Scientists and High Council, and to the teachings there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?"
"All this I promise to do. The things, which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep. So help me Lord."
The king looked over to the High mage who was holding a golden crown band. Taking the crown, the king lifted it above Xephos' head for all to see and lowered it onto the head of the prince. "Rise Xephos, crowned prince of Meclite." With that a roar of cheer was heard throughout the hall.
After the daylong celebration, Xephos made his way back to his room, ready to retire for the night. He passed through the inner courtyard, but suddenly stopped. Something wasn't right, he listened to the slight sounds of rustling shrubbery coming from behind. When he turned, something, or someone, grabbed his arms so he couldn't fight.
"You don't deserve that crown Xephos." The person said.
"Solon! What are you doing?!" Xephos said in shock. He could see the anger in his brother's face.
"You are not the rightful hare." He said griping harder onto Xephos' forearms, "Only the king's real son should have the crown."
"Let me go!" Xephos replied, as he pushed forward and knocked Solon to the ground. "If your looking for a fight, you've come to the wrong person."
"Your just weak." Solon said getting up.
Xephos' face showed no emotion, he just stared at his insulter, as he clenched his fists. Solon laughed and charged at Xephos, foolish to think that he was stronger than him. Solon threw a few punches with Xephos dodging each one. When an opening appeared, Xephos ducked and hit Solon full force in the gut, knocking him back.
"I told you once and I'll tell you again, I don't want to fight you!" Xephos yelled, getting angrier by the second.
Solon still wanted to fight thought, he had enough of this Mecan; he wanted Xephos dead. Only then will he have any peace in his life. He charged again at his pray, this time knocking him down. As Xephos hit the ground he let out a grunt of pain, and he lost his breath. With Xephos down, Solon repeatedly bashed at any opening not guarded by Xephos' arms. He started to grin as his fists made more contact with body underneath him, but that didn't last long when he was jabbed by an uppercut to the jaw.
The two princes laid there, Solon clenching his jaw, and Xephos, rolled over coughing up blood. "You know Solon… sometimes you can be a real ass when you want to be." Xephos said as he got up and walked over to where Solon was laying.
"F-fuck you Xephos." Solon spat. He quickly grabbed Xephos' leg and pulled it out from under him, causing Xephos to fall again. Solon then chucked thinking that was a sly move, only to get a few powerful punches to the face.
The two then started brawling right on the ground, tumbling and rolling to dodge hits, flipping each other over to get a good shot. This lasted for some time, until Solon kicked Xephos off of him. Both then stood up, their blue and sliver eyes, full of anger, starred at each other. "This fight has gone on long enough." Solon said pulling out his dagger.
'Oh shit.' Xephos thought as he dodged the blade, but it manages to cut him on his cheek. He was then backed into a corner, with Solon looking at him with insanity in his eyes and a creepy grin appearing on his bloody face. He had the dagger lightly pressed on Xephos' chest, ready to dig into his heart. "Solon." Xephos said not daring to look away, "Why?"
"Why?!" Solon repeated, madly laughing, "Well I guess your going to be wondering that while you're lying in your grave." He suddenly got very serious as he placed the blade back onto Xephos' chest.
But before Solon could do anything, Xephos was no longer in front of him, instead he had Solon in a death lock, standing behind him. "How did you?" Solon questioned, trying to brake free. 'Either Xephos was holding back that entire time or he's using magic. 'Cause there's not way he could be this strong after that fight.' Solon thought, as he was pulling frantically at Xephos' arm.
Xephos then slammed Solon into a nearby pillar, almost causing it to fall over. Solon pulled out his dagger again only to have his arm twisted till he relinquished it. As he looked up at Xephos, he was struck with shock. Xephos' eyes were glowing as bright like the sun, and a light blue hue was surrounding his body. This wasn't magic, not at all, this… this was something entirely different, something only Xephos knew how to do.
"Wh-what are you?" Solon said still frozen in place.
"SOLON! XEPHOS!" Someone yelled as they ran towards the two, it was the king. "What is the meaning of all this?!"
Neither Solon or Xephos would answer. Xephos wiped the blood off his head, while Solon still looked at his glowing enemy.
"Well since your not going to tell me that, answer me this. Who started the fight?" The king said impatiently.
"Ask Solon." Xephos said with anger, and he turned and left, leaving his father scolding Solon immensely. As Xephos got further and further away, the hue around him dissipated and his eyes started glowing normal. Now that he's seen who Solon truly is, he will never trust, or forgive him.
Rythain was with the other mages at the coronation, and was enjoy the festivities that followed. He found it to be somewhat boring after Xephos was crowned, so he decided to have some fun. While people were eating he would make their plate levitate, which freaked a few people out, while other just as bored started laughing. He didn't do that much, only a few times filled his pleasure.
Nearing the end, Rythian was with the High mage talking to the king. They were thinking about sending Rythian with the next seed colony to a new planet they found. As the discussion went on, Rythian started to have a headache and felt faint. The two men sat him down, thinking that he might've had too much to drink. Rythian shuttered a few times, then something happened… his eyes changed from purple to blue. The king and mage looked at each other with worry, eyes weren't suppose to do that.
Rythian's eye darted around, and he flinched a few times as well. "Prince Solon" he whispered.
The king and mage looked completely confused. "Solon? What are you taking about?" the King asked.
Rythian then looked at the king, his eyes still blue. "Prince Solon… he's in a fight. I'm seeing through the eyes of the one he's fighting… I can't tell who it is." His voice was full of worry, for whoever he was looking through had Solon on top of them and was being constantly bashed.
"Where is this happening?" The king asked, not liking the idea that one of his sons was in a fight.
Rythian didn't answer, he was in shock that he was even seeing this fight. The two that were fighting were now rolling on the ground. This fight was brutal, and it seemed to be getting worse. Now Rythian saw Solon's dagger, in fright Rythian fell out of his seat. "No, please." Rythian whimpered out.
"Boy, answer me. Where is this happening?" The king asked again holding onto Rythian's shoulders. Not many people were left and those who were there stood some feet away, with worried faces, watching this boy suffer from something.
"Inner courtyard." Rythian said looking back at the king, his eyes were turning back to normal. "Hurry, Prince Solon had a dagger, and it looks like he's going to kill whoever he was fighting."
With this the king got up and ran off to the inner courtyard. The High mage took Rythian into his arms, who was still frazzled, and led him to the physician. "You ok Rythian?" The High mage asked.
"I'm fine. I probably just need some rest." Rythian said, with the physician handed him some medicine.
"Well get some rest then, you got to be alert when you're going with the seed colony tomorrow." The mage said.
"Really?!" Rythian said, his face now full of joy.
"Yes. You're going to the planet Minecraftia. Now go to sleep, it's going to be a big day for you tomorrow." The mage said and left the room.
Rythian laid in his bed, as amazing thoughts about this new world he would be living on went through his head. Soon the night became too much, and he shut his eyes, to awake to a new adventure.
Good and bad work together, hand in hand. Life cannot be without one or the other. We have see two that fulfill this, but only if they chose to, can life go on… or end.