Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Brother Mine {with Sylvermyste}

Yuki nodded,looking at his brothers hand. He moved Snowball around a bit until she was resting in his free arm and his other hand held his brothers. This was actually starting to ease his nerves very quickly.

Their parents kissing them and tucking them in did get a small smile out of Yuki,but that did not change anything.He actually felt really bad for getting his older brother in trouble like always,and a bit angry with his parents. No matter how they would word why they needed to be educated in so many things didn't make sense to little Yuki.So,when they had thought of having a servant to watch them,Yuki pouted. He whined. He complained,saying it just wasn't fair,but none of it worked much to his agony. And,as much as he hated to put the blame on others, he was sure that Yume said something,or suggested something. The bad thing was everyone but the twins seemed to agree with this idea.'

Now,he was lying in bed,staring up at the ceiling in the dark.'ugh..it feels like they're trying to impression us!'Though the boy. Yuki let out a loud, slightly irritated sigh when he rolled over onto his side.He was some what tired,but his eyes didn't grow heavy with sleep. No matter what he did nothing seemed to help him sleep. Yuki calmed himself done, trying to get his mind off of everything that happened today. That's when he realized Nylian was still awake by his breathing, once again he rolled over on his side but to face Ny.

"Yeah?,"He whispered back,and then thought for a moment. Was he really okay with any of this? With anything that had happened. "Hmm,I think so? How about you,are you alright?"

“Yeah, I suppose I am,” Nylian murmured, looking back toward the door to make sure their parents weren’t coming to check on them, They did that sometimes and others their uncle would comes see them and tell them the neatest stories. That Nylian really liked, but he didn’t want their mom and dad to catch them talking when they were supposed to be sleeping. “I don’t want a servant following us everywhere, though. It isn’t fair.” Rare were the times when he said things like that, but having a nanny at their side all day long was just…well, it wasn’t fair! “I wonder how they found out. We went right back to our studies and teacher wasn’t that upset with us, was she? I didn’t think she was, but mommy and daddy were really mad. Even Uncle Lathai was upset. I don’t like it when he’s upset with us, Yuki.”

Yuki bit his lower lip,something about the way he muttered made it seem like Nylain wasn't really okay with anything like this.But,Yuki didn't blame,in fact he wouldn't.He noticed that his brother had looked back at the door,slowly he sat up and looked at the door himself.Nothing seemed to be out in the hall everything seemed to be asleep,and for once,he was happy that Uncle didn't seem to be rooming the castle either.This just wasn't one of those nights that he would enjoy one of his stories,he made a face in the dark,apparently he was also angry at uncle Lathai too.

There was a silence when he listened to Ny,he felt like yelling at his parents. Anything to change their minds,but everything in his mind kept telling him none of that would work. Nothing like that wouldn't even make anything better. Yuki crossed his arms with a huff."I agree, we have the right to do what we want,when we want without anyone following us!"Yuki exclaimed, and then slapped a hand over his mouth.Nothing but a calm silence. He let out an over exaggerated sigh before rubbing one of his eyes when he looked at his twin. "Yume. I bet you it was her."He told Ny firmly.

Nylian winced and lowered his gaze, grateful the dark hid his face from his twin. However, he couldn’t say Yuki was wrong, Nylian suspecting the very same thing. “But why? We did what we said. We didn’t even go get our snack. Why would she be all mean and tell mommy and daddy?” he countered, not really understanding. No, he didn’t like Yume either, the woman just scary, but he didn’t think she was actually mean. Maybe he was wrong, maybe she’d gone straight to their parents and told them terribly lies about Yuki and he so they’d get in lots of trouble. “But…mommy and daddy aren’t really mad anymore. Maybe…maybe they’ll forget by morning. Or…or they’ll change their mind. Or maybe we can talk to Uncle Lathai and tell him what really happened! He’ll understand. He always understand.”

But why? But why?! Yuki knew why,she was a creepy lady that probably hated bunnies and chocolate,he shook his head. At that point he realized that he may have been taking things a little too far."I..It's..umm I-I don't know, that just seems like something she would say!” Yuki protested firmly ,once again folding his arms over his chest.Even he had to admit that his reasoning was weak and childish. He mainly thought all of this beucae she really did freak him out,just looking at her made his skin crawl,and made his mind tell him to run.

Slowly,he looked at his older brother,maybe they would forget all of it by morning. That was a hopefully thought that made his heart flutter with hope. Even if he was angry with their Uncle, he always did listen to them even though they were so young. "Right! Although I think talking to Uncle Lathai is our best shot" He agreed with Nylain.

“Right!” Nylian repeated, smiling a bit, feeling better even if all they had was a bit of hope. “We have to go to sleep, though, because we don’t wanna get in no more trouble or Uncle Lathai won’t listen to us…”

A sudden explosion ripped through the castle, violently shaking the bed he laid in, the windows rattling so hard he thought they’d shatter. Biting back a terrified squeak, Nylian bolted upright, his eyes wide as saucers, his golden gaze locked on the door. Suddenly there was shouting and running, Nylian catching glimpses of the shadows racing past their door. He could hear orders shouted, screams of terrors, broken cries, but he couldn’t make anything out. Shuddering violently, he scrambled out of his bed and darted to Yuki’s, climbing up as fast as he could to huddle next to his twin, his lips curling in a pout and trembling, tears welling up in his eyes. Another explosion caused him to jump so hard he almost fell backwards out of the bed, a whimper slipping past his lips. What was happening? Why were things exploding? He didn’t know…he didn’t understand, Nylian wanting nothing more than to hide under the bed at Yuki’s side.

Yuki giggled softly,his red eyes flicking to the door. He really hoped no one could hear them talking the night away when they were suppose to sleeping."Yeah we need them to listen to us..."He stopped speaking.

The first explosion his hand went to his ears, and he bit his tongue really hard. He swore he could taste blood in his mouth.Yuki took one glance around the room, and the squeezed his eyes shut,he didn't want to see any of this.What was going on? What was that, and what caused it?Slowly,Yuki removed his trembling hands from his ears, but he didn't look up.If he looked up he would only see what was going on,oh why couldn't he be blind at the moment.

Yuki did look up when he heard people shouting order,he clapped a hand over his own mouth when he felt a tear streak his face.He didn't want any weird sounds coming from him,at the moment he really wanted to be quiet and with their parents.The shouting, and the cries didn't stop,even after he pinched himself in the hopes of this being a nightmare.The younger twin jumped when Nylian got onto his bed and huddled next to him,that's right he wasn't alone.However when he went to reach for his brother another explosion shook the castle, this time he did scream since he didn't have the chance to bit his tongue or anything like that.

"N-Ny.."He called in a trembling voice. Where was his brother?

With a painful gulp,he slid out of bed to find his brother on the floor. He paused for a moment,as much as he wanted to stay in their room what if the people causing this came in here?What if they tried to take his brother away,his closest and trusting friend? Yuki shook his head, and bent down to help him up,and once he had Nylain's arm he was not going to let go.

"W-w-we have to get to mommy and daddy's room."He said.

Trembling so violently his teeth were chattering, tears streaking down his dark cheeks, Nylian crawled back to his feet with Yuki’s help, nodding his head. “O-o-okay,” he stammered, looking toward the door, trying not to cry.

He didn’t want to go out there, he really didn’t, but their mommy and daddy were out there somewhere. Besides, if there were bad people in the castle and they came into the room, Yuki and he weren’t big enough to fight anyone off. Unaware of just how hard he clasped his twins hand, swallowing around the hard lump in his throat, he squeezed his eyes closed, gathered his courage…and made a mad dash for the door, dragging Yuki behind him. It took a bit more bravery to open the door, but Nylian manage, wishing he hadn’t a second later.

Chaos greeted them. The castle was in utter chaos, soldiers running in every direction, heavy smoke billowing through the hallways, the sounds of swords clashing in the distance, and people screaming. He almost slammed the door closed and dove under the door with Yuki in tow. That’s what he really wanted to do, but he knew Yuki was right. They had to find their parents or Uncle Lathai. Glancing back at his brother, he pulled his twin close and darted out into the fray, keeping Yuki at his side as they struggled to get to their parents. It wasn’t easy, not when they could barely see where they were going, the smoke burning their eyes and choking them. People kept appearing out of nowhere, forcing Nylian and Yuki to leap out of the way or risk being trampled or thrown out of the way. He couldn’t even hear himself think, everything so loud, the shouted orders, the terrified screams, the roaring fires. All Nylian could do was hold on to his twin for dear life and head in the general direction of their parents’ room. They were only halfway there when a shadowy figure loomed before them, Nylian whimpering and scrambling back, cowering against his brother.

This was to find their parents,to get to safety,but he felt like his feet were frozen to the ground. Fear had consumed Yuki's heart and mind, all those games they had played didn't compare to the actual thing.The actual paralyzing fear.He didn't want to go,he didn't want to let Nylian go.Yuki just wanted this all to end soon,and then to be wrapped in the arms of their parents.Crying and seeking their comfort.That did sound good,but that didn't mean he was ready when Nylan pulled him towards the door.

Once they were in the hall, in the chaos his heart began to pound as tears poured out of his red eyes.Smoke,screaming,yelling and not being to see anything in front of him,this was not a good night.
Oh why did he ever suggest stepping out of their room,they could have hidden in the closet right?No,he shook his head, someone would have found them there and then what?Yuki trembled but didn't let go of Nylan,no matter how many people scared him half to death he kept going.That's when they stopped,he looked around confused and trying to make things out.The boy followed his brothers gaze, he almost screamed but instead a violent cough came out.

Yume,she seemed so calm,but ready to help them.But what was a blind person to do?She thought for a moment before feeling around,and kneeling on one knee.There was a faint smile when someone had run right into them,well not her. She had calmly stepped back,listening to the chaos around her.The woman tilted her head as she knelt once more and found Nylan by the shoulders."Are you two alright?"She asked them,actually sounding panicked.

Nylian jumped hard and tried to scramble back out of reach, his blood shot eyes wide, his breath coming in quick, hoarse gasps. Then Yume kneeled before them, the blind servant sounding as scared as he felt. He almost sobbed then, his legs trembling, his heart racing wildly, and his only thought for his parents. Shaking his head frantically, his bottom lip trembling, he tried to pull Yuki closer, clinging desperately to his twin. He wanted their mommy and daddy, their Uncle Lathai. He wanted things to be quiet and peaceful and happy again. No more fires, no more screams, no more fighting, just the quiet, the peace, and the family he loved.

“W-w-we want ou-our mommy a-a-a-and daddy!” he finally cried out, his cherub features crumbling in fat tears that streaked through the soot covering his chubby cheeks. “Pl-pl-please, Yume! We’re sc-sc-scared! He-help us! Pl-pl-please!”

Yuki trembled,he really wanted help but why her. With his free hand he wiped at his own fat tears, and coughed into his arm.Think of good things, happy times, not the fire burning in the hall,not the screams of terror and pain. A shudder passed through him,he cracked,"P-pplease!"He sniffed,and then jumped when Yume placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Shh.you must be quiet."Yume told the two. Gracefully,she rose to her feet, taking one of Nylians' hands after making sure the two had a strong grip.The woman that was blind turned in the direction they were going in,and began running.In silence she ran,keeping an arm over her face.'...time to lose someone.'Yume thought. As if she grew tired she slowed down a bit, just enoguh that the two were next to her.

The younger twin glanced at his twin,and then Yume.There was that bone chilling smile,where was her mind?The second he thought that he regretted it because within seconds of questioning her again something slammed right into him.The younger prince;s hand slipped out of his brothers hand,and he rolled on the floor."..Ahh.."He looked around,the smoke burning his eyes and lungs."Nylian!"He screamed.

As much as Yume scared him, Nylian was really glad when she took him by the hand and led Yuki and he toward their parents’ room. Tightening his hold on his twin, he tried to duck his head and protect his eyes from the smoke, the acrid air really beginning to burn his lungs, every breath he managed labored and agonizing. When they slowed down, he glanced over in an effort to make sure Yuki was okay, his twin coughing more than he was, his fear he’d lose his brother. A second later, he did. Yuki was right beside him and then…his twin was ripped from his hold, disappearing in the thick smoke. His heart stopped beating, his entire body going cold and then numb, his only thought to find his twin.

“Yuki!! YUUUUKIIII!” he screamed, falling to a violent coughing fit.

The second he could drag in a single breath, Nylian fought to break free from Yume so he could go back and find his brother. He couldn’t get away, though, and Yume kept going, leaving Yuki further and further behind. He couldn’t lose Yuki! He just couldn’t! Spinning around to beg her to stop, to go back, Nylian finally caught sight of their mother, a brilliant smile pulling at his lips, a relieved cry escaping him. But…she didn’t see him, their mother backing away from someone, trying to lift a sword. Then Nylian saw the blood staining her sleeping gown, noting the way she kind of stumbled and limped. She brought the sword up just in time to block a blow, his mother losing her grip on the blade. Spinning around, she moved as if to run toward him, but then…their gazes locked, Nylian’s golden eyes filled with horror, his mother’s darker eyes reflecting silent acceptance and the purest love. He wanted to cry out, to run to her loving arms, to protect her. Instead, he was forced to watch helplessly as the sword sliced through her, the soldier twisting the blade, his mother stiffening and arching before collapsing on the floor, her beautiful features frozen in shock, her eyes dull and lifeless.

“Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!”



He rounded a corner at damn near breakneck speed, his only thought to find his nephews and get them to safety. That was the last thing his sister asked of him, the last words she spoke to him before sending him off to safe her children. His brother-in-law, the king, already lay dead across his own bed, his personal guards mercilessly slaughtered. They had to assume their attackers intended the assassination of the entire family, which put his nephews in grave danger. He had to find them, he had to get them away from the castle, Lathai unwilling to fail his sister and lose his beloved twins. He just didn’t know where they’d gone, where they’d run to, the boys not in their room, and in this chaos…this fray, he might not find them in time.

Just as he turned to race down the stairs, Lathai heard a faint cry, one he swore came from a child. Stopping suddenly, he searched the smoky haze until he caught sight that almost drove him to his knees relief. Instead, he raced over and scooped his nephew up, holding him close. “It’s all right, little one. I have you,” he assured softly, all the while looking for Nylian, praying Yuki’s twin wasn’t too far away. “I have you.”

Yume hadn't noticed, Yuki was gone, lost somewhere in the chaos.Her sense seemed numb to everything that was happening around her,hearing, feeling but not smelling. All she could smell was fire,it burned her nose and her lungs.All the blind woman wanted to do was get out of this castle,and being blind and trying through this insanity felt impossible.

When she heard the thud of a body,she stopped for a moment. Another death,how many had that been now? Quickly, she picked the young prince up into her arms,this was enoguh. With a huff, the woman began to run through the burning castle,even if it meant that she could go deaf with Nylain screaming in her ears.'..block it out..block it all out' She kept telling herself,not stopping until the smoke cleared up a bit more.
"Shh..shh."She said,slowing down to a shaky walk. Exhaustion slammed into her like wave from the ocean that could flatten a city."..breathe..my young prince,breathe."She said to him once again,rubbing the boys back.

Yuki stood up with the help of a wall,his side hurt really badly. "..N-Nylian!"He had screamed again before doubling over in a violent coughing fit. His lungs screamed for fresh air,which was something this place lacked at the moment.He felt so light headed,so scared and sick.Quickly,he rubbed his eyes that burned from the smoke,but even then he couldn't make anything out. The world that lie before him was a blurry mess of colors.Orange,crimson, pale, gray. He opened his mouth to let out another scream,however he ended up coughing again.

The young boy tried to get away from who grabbed at first,not realizing it was his beloved Uncle. The oen that told amazing stories that filled his mind with wonder.Once he had heard his voice the boy relaxed,"..N..Ny..We need to find him,Uncle Lathai!"Yuki insisted before calling weakly," Nylain..Ny.."

Nylian lay sprawled out across his bed, his golden eyes locked on the ceiling, his mind ravaged by fading images of the past. He swore he felt the heat of the fire licking against his skin, acrid smoke choking his lungs, his ears ringing from those terrified screams…his screams…his cries for his twin brother. Every morning he suffered this, the struggle to free himself from the nightmares that plagued his sleep, the memories he could never escape. Threading his long finger in his angel white hair, Nylian slid his eyes closed, willing himself to turn away from the images relentlessly tormented him. A mistake for he suddenly found himself faced with his mother’s beautiful visage, her cold, dead eyes boring through him accusingly, blood staining her pale lips, her hair hanging about her in dull, lifeless strands.

Growling softly, Nylian sat up and threw the covers back, surging out of bed seconds later. Sighing, he took a moment to compose himself before gathering his robes, wrapping the silken material around his lean body as he drifted over to stand before the window. The view that lie beyond he hated, Nylian longing for green, rolling hills, brilliant blue skies, bird song serenading him, the tender kiss of the warm sun. Instead everywhere he looked he saw dull gray buildings against a dark and dreary sky, the only bird singing that morning the eerie cry of the crow, the sun hidden behind the ominous clouds looming overhead. Oh, how he hated this place.

He turned his back on the depressing sight and disappeared into the bathing room, not coming out for nearly an hour. By that time, Nylian had bathed, tended his hair, and dressed. That day he chose a charcoal gray wrap around shirt, his favored black, doe skin pants, and his best boots, those that came to just above his knees, the heels clicking loudly against the cold stone floors. Then and only then did he bother to unlock the doors leading to his rooms, Nylian quietly slipping past the flustered servants, ignoring their protest at discovering him already prepared for the day. When one tried to follow, he slid the man a warning sideways glance, his golden eyes sparking darkly, the ice in those golden depths enough to send the man scrambling back. Satisfied no one else would trouble him, Nylian continued on his way to the dining hall, wanting nothing more than a stout tea and a light breakfast before he was forced to tend his studies. Funny how 275 years changed nothing, studying still something he’d rather avoid, only now…how the subject matter had changed, Nylian no longer being groomed as the future king of their kingdom, but rather a user of magic to be feared. Gods help him, how he hated Yume sometimes, how he hated her kingdom…how he longed for home.

Yuki sat up in his bed,his red eyes seemed dull as he looked around the room.The screams,the fire,blood losing Nylian,that was the hardest part.For over 275 years he kept wondering what could have happened if he didn't suggest looking for their parents,which often to an over whelming guilt.The young prince let out a low long sigh, tugging against the collar of his sleep clothes.Another day with out his parents, with out Nylain,at least he had his uncle.He blinked once,twice and let his head hang his shoulder slump forward.It was time to get up..he knew that.

A window that sat next to his bed offered brilliant light spilling over his bed and him.Yuki lifted his head slowly to look outside,another bright sunny day,green fields hills,flowers and trees swaying in the wind.Everything seemed to have a glisten to it from early morning dew.Yuki rested a pale hand against the window,staring out into the green world.The boy once again brought a hand up to his chest,that familiar pull,there was no way he died that night.This wasn't stress,or anything servants often claimed it to be,but what proof did he have?

"...Do I really have to get up this morning?I'm so sleepy."Yuki said to himself.
~~~
Yume,being a young woman that woke up early,had already bathed,now her long black hair clung to her under dress.The woman,with a slender hand pulled at the dark blue bow on the collar.Even if she was blind she always liked the darker slips and dresses than the lighter ones.and the others knew that since a floor length dress lie on her bed.With a series of fluttering from the dress sailing through the air,royal purple.With a small smile she slipped the dress on before fussing with the sleeves that just past her elbows.

Her pale green gaze went to a window when she heard a familiar cry from a crow,what did this place look like?Quickly,she disregarded the thought of ever being able to see again just like when she was a little girl,that was in the past.With a slap of wet hair when she pulled it out of her gown and then over her shoulder she began walking out of her room.Then let out a gasp of surprise when she ran into a hall way table,it wasn't there before but many said that the hall seemed bare.This was another change she would have to get use to.

Silently,quickly she walked through out the dark castle.Ah such blissful silence did not last long,over to her left she heard servants fussing over Nylian.The young woman reached out for the wall before walking over to rest against,cocking her head to the side,staring at nothing.

"Good morning,Nylian...you seem to be in another foul mood this morning."Yume noted,her green gaze slowly meeting his golden one.

Mentally cringing, Nylian met Yume’s sightless gaze, guarding his expression despite her lack of sight. She couldn’t see, no, but he learned long ago her dark entities did not hesitate to share with her everything they witnessed. In turn, she didn’t hesitate to have them discipline him if she felt he needed punished. Funny how Yume once treated him like he could do no wrong, and then he reached the age of ten. From then on, the older he grew, the more independent he became, the more apt Yume was to sick her twisted little minions on him. These days if Nylian said something in the wrong tone and Yume was in the right mood, or perhaps the wrong mood, she had her dark entities teach him a lesson he didn’t easily forget. How could he? Those creatures Yume loved so much thrived on hurting other, on causing pain and misery, his self-appointed guardian never sparring him their particularly brand of punishment. That in mind, Nylian controlled his tone, preferring not to receive another reminder of just how ran things around there.

“I’m not in a bad mood, but nor am I a child incapable of bathing and dressing myself,” he stated softly, his deep voice rumbling through the quiet hallway. “They hover, Yume, and first thing in the morning… I can take care of myself.”



“Yes, you do,” Lathai stated without warning, his pale violet eyes twinkling with amusement.

He knew Yuki didn’t realize he stood there in the doorway, his shoulder against the doorframe, his arms folded across his chest, one leg bent at the knee, the other straight. Lathai normally didn’t bother his nephew in the morning, giving the young man the opportunity to at least wake up before tracking him down. A lot of that was because he knew of the nightmares that haunted Yuki’s sleep, the tragic events that rocked the kingdom 275 years ago still tormenting his nephew. Of course, Yuki’s desperation to find his twin brother only made things worse for the youth, especially being everyone else tried to tell him Nylian died that night. Lathai knew better, never doubting Yuki when he said he could still feel his twin, that he could feel the pull toward his brother. He just wished he could reunite them, that he could make up for his failing that night, but he had a dark suspicion he knew where Nylian now lived. The dark kingdom they were at war with, under Yume’s control, and well out of their reach for the time being.

“We have preparations to make. Looks like their moving to attack again and, this time, we’re going to be ready. We’re going to send them scrambling back to their little shadows with their tails tucked between their legs,” he added, not intended to let his anger, his helpless fury through, smiling apologetically.

Her pale green eyes narrowed at Nylain, yes,she had grown tired of him acting like this. But she had realized that the same little boy she had taken in had grown up now. An entity,one that was not in a physical body floated around her. Yume shushed it softly, there was no point in going after the boy,he hadn't done anything wrong.

"I know this, Nylian. Even so, you must be careful with what you say," Yume paused as she took a few steps toward Nylian.,"I am sure you have grown tired of the fighting as much as I, so the simple thing is not to provoke them in any way, even if they are being over bearing."She turned to the servants some what behind him." However, this gos to you, the servants. If he dose not require any help in dressing himself, or bathing him self you will leave him be. You are here to keep him comfortable,and treating him like a cripple is not doing so. Understand this well, and you will be fine."

Yume slowly faced Nylian yet again,only this time she gave him a small smile.

~~~Yuki~~~~~~~~
Yuki felt himself tense for a moment,it was just his Uncle Lathai, there was no reason for him to feel alarmed. He let his hand fall from the window pane and turned his attention to his uncle. Yuki didn't expect him to come looking for him so soon, he normally waited for a while. With a yawn,he wondered why Lathai came to his room so quickly. Once his vision cleared after he wiped sleepy tears away he threw his blankets off of him and swung his legs off of his bed. Now he was sitting up straightly, hand on his knees and his full attention on his uncle. Now he was awake.

"Preparations?," Yuki echoed,those red eyes slowly changing into a dark blue,"Yes..this time they will be the ones that lose, they will regret ever trying over throw our kingdom yet again."He said with straight face.

"Oh, Uncle Lathai, I know you may think it's still to early, but please, please let me actually help you in battle. I don't want to be behind any more.."Yuki said, quickly hopping to his feet.

Nylian ducked his head faintly, his golden gaze locked on Yume, noting every expression that touched her features, taking in her gestures, her stance, and her tone. What she said to him, she’d said before. However, she’d never told the servants to leave him be, not like this. Nylian just wished he could trust her motivations, but he’d learned long ago Yume never did anything without a reason. Yes, sometimes she was oblivious, and others she simply fooled herself into believing things were as she wanted to see them, but she never did anything without a reason, a purpose. Nevertheless, he could maybe live with her ulterior motives if those damned lap dogs of hers would actually listen. Nylian just didn’t trust them to do as she ordered, not when this didn’t directly affect her. For Yume, they’d do anything, except treat others as she wished, in particular Nylian. About the only time they obeyed her orders concerning him to the letter was when she told them punish him. The thought alone sent a deep shudder rippling through him, the memory of the last time they’d beaten him unconscious not old enough to spare him the dark dread.

“I’m not trying to fight them. All I ask is that they not follow my every move, that they leave me my privacy, Aunt Yume. I feel like…they’re smothering me. I can’t breathe,” he admitted, silently praying he didn’t regret those words. Unfortunately, Nylian never knew what to expect from Yume, the woman unpredictable at best. “I just need some room and they are rather determined to deny me that at every turn.”



Lathai scowled before heaving a heavy sigh. He understood where Yuki was coming from, understood his nephew’s need to get into the heat of things. He just couldn’t be sure Yuki was ready, that he wouldn’t freeze in the middle of battle. “I don’t know,” he murmured softly, pushing off the door frame and stepping closer, searching those now blue eyes, knowing the passion burning in those fathomless depths. Yuki wanted revenge for the brutal murder of his parents, he wanted to make their enemy pay for stealing his twin. The only problem was that kind of thinking ended in the vengeance seeker losing his life on the battlefield. “I understand where you’re coming from, Yuki, I really do. However, you are the future king now and, like it or not, you have a great responsibility to your kingdom, to your people. And…I’m not sure your head is in the right place. Your heart is, but I don’t think your head is.”

Yume felt him looking at her, even she wondered if they would actually listen to her or not. With a reassuring smile she patted his upper arm gently. She did not want him to live in fear or doubt all the time,the only time he should feel this is when he knew he did something wrong. That not being one of those days much to Nylian's relief.

"I know..they can be very over bearing, but also very violent. Just ignore them, and if they try anything,tell me." She told Nylian,she seemed to be in a good mood today. Great even," You know you can always turn to me for help. Now,we must prepare oursleves for a long day. Remember Nylian,these people they took everything from you, your parents, your uncle and little brother,they could even try to kill you since you,by blood are the actual king."She told him.

~~~~Yuki
".."Yuki looked up at his uncle, looking really upset about him not letting Yuki be in battle. After everything they had done, after the long time he spent in the back..he still wouldn't let him help. This,naturally bothered him for many many reasons.The prince crossed his arms over his chest with furrowed eyebrows when he looked at the floor.

His expression grew soft when he saw a white rabbit with black spots hop over to him. Little Spot, he wasn't even six months old yet. Yuki bent down to pick up the bunny,holding him close like he always did.The rabbit looked over at Yuki's uncle, his little nose twitching.He wanted to say something..but what to say...

"..Uncle Lathai,"Yuki said,shattering the rabbits thoughts," Come on,I'm ready. I know I am!"He said to Lathai.

He knew the instant Yume began speaking what she’d say, the same thing she always said, advising him to tolerate the dark entities. Nylian wished things were that simple, that he could turn a blind eye to their overbearing presence. He couldn’t, though, these creatures, this things Yume kept at her side extremely oppressive to him. How Yume didn’t realize that, he never understood. After all, he was a being of light…literally. Her dark entities were his exact opposite, their very presence something he barely tolerated, and then only because he spent so much of his life exposed to their constant presence. Then again, knowing Yume, she knew but didn’t care to truly do anything to spare him that silent torment. Nylian didn’t fool himself about anything else, there was no reason to lie to himself about that likely reality.

Yume distracted him from the constant thorn in his side the dark entities represented when she brought up the impending attack. Sliding his eyes closed, Nylian nodded, never doubting she was aware of the gesture whether she could see or not. Perhaps he should have shown more enthusiasm, particularly when she reminded him, once again, they fought to regain his kingdom. He just hated battle, detested being on the frontlines, loathed witnessing firsthand the dark entities twisted nature. More to the point, Nylian absolutely, utterly abhorred violence of any kind, and that he was forced to use the powers that manifested when he was only 325-years old against his enemy was nothing more than cruel. There were days he wanted to say he didn’t care, he didn’t want the kingdom back. What was left for him there? His family was dead, or so Yume swore, just as she did, but one thought ripped through his mind, one he couldn’t stifle, one he couldn’t ignore. Yuki isn’t dead. I can feel him…right there on the edge…so close and yet so far beyond my reach.

“As you wish,” he whispered, suddenly sounding so tired, so drained. “I’ll go prepare…”



Lathai smiled sadly and moved to Yuki’s side, reaching over to pet Little Spot. “I know you want to be. I know you think you are, but I’m telling you now…this war we wage is unlike any I’ve ever seen. What happens out there every time we go to battle with the Dark Kingdom…no one is ready for, I don’t care how experienced they are. And yes, that includes me,” he countered, Lathai standing firmly on this, refusing to expose his nephew to the horrors he himself witnessed. He wouldn’t argue this decision, either, his decision made, the council supporting him wholeheartedly on this one. Besides, there was another matter they needed to discuss before they prepared to meet their enemy in battle yet again. “I’ve something I must tell you, Yuki. Some of the men returned late last night. I’m sorry to say they found no trace of Nylian…which leads me to one conclusion.

He turned and walked over to the window, his pale gaze locked in the direction of the Dark Kingdom, his elegant brow knitting hard. “I’ve suspected this for some time, but… She has him by her side. My men have searched everywhere. Even the men your Uncle Sina sent out to find your brother can find no sign of Nylian, which leaves only one place he could be. Yume never let Nylian leave her. She’s kept him right there beside her this whole time, knowing we can’t get to him, not without great loss of life. That’s assuming we’d eventually succeed.”