Beyond Certainty

Chapter 1

'We're always taught obedience equals safety, that rules and regulations are made for our safety. The eliminating risks yields a longer, happier life. What they don't teach you is that it is boring as shit. Playing it safe means that you always know what's going to happen. With no risk there is also no reward. My life is the safest yet the most boring, My name is Charley Pacheco and I'm the prince of the only kingdom of Humanity left we call it Ultimum spes it roughly translates to last hope from a lost language of the ancient founders. They built this place in order to shield themselves from the endless demon onslaughts, former humans who became corrupt with the overwhelming power of magic. After countless lives were lost fighting we're able to construct a magical field strong enough to repel the hordes outside. We've been living inside the construct for 20 years now. We have been safe and sound from the dangers of the outside world.

But the inside world is just as lifeless, citizens are restricted to do nothing but work and sleep. They are told when to be outside and in, The children have their jobs picked out for them and start apprenticeships right away. They do this as they are afraid of the stability of life within. They believe if everything is mapped out and nothing can go wrong. To be fair they were almost correct there hasn't ever been a single accident or crime committed. Everyone stays out of trouble and respects authority. But the younger generations don't have any sense of independence, and the seniors have a look of lossed freedom in their eyes. There is never any excitement, no singing,no dancing, no laughter,no life. But it wasn't always like this, as a child I roughly remember parties and plays. People laughed and smiled while working the jobs they chose. But 10 years ago the world changed, a deadly plague emerged claiming many lives including the life of my father. Families were split apart and everyone was furious about how the kingdom handled the situation. Evidently my mother reclaimed power all on her own. But she learned from her loss and restricted every citizen and ruled over them with an iron fist. She even turned cold to me, I barely see her anymore and she forbade me to step outside the castle.

Yep she just leaves me to rot in the endless maze of concrete walls. But there is not much I can do about my situation. It's not like I could escape if I really wanted to, I always have at least one Soldier who constantly follows me. Even if I could break free there is no one that I could hide in the construct. My mother has her eyes everywhere at all times. For now I make the best of my life, It's not all bad I get constant food and some of the guard members are pretty chill. Especially the semi new knight Alex, he is very skilled in the ways of the sword and is in peak physical conduction. Despite that he is extremely shy and barely talks to me. But they are the knight of my choice, They are close to my age and very reliable. Recently my unseen mother made the order that Alex would guard me at all times. I was indifferent to the whole thing, Alex on the other hand was terrified. They move so stiffly and he is always shaking like there is a demon breathing down his neck. Honestly it makes it hard to get any sleep at night while he watches my chambers. Tonight it finally got to me "Either stop shaking or get out" I commanded. This seemed to startel him as I never have really spoken to him before, trembling he speak "I'm s.....sorry your majesty" I sigh and look at the shook knight "You know what it's fine, just return to your post and be quite. With a nod he returned to being a stiff statute. When I started to finally nod off again,I was brought back to consciousness by whispering. "Ok enough,get out" I looked over to Alex but he was hunched over on his stool clearing sleeping. The whispering countied, it's too far away where I could make out any words. I stumble out of the bed, I crack the door open to see if I can find the cause of the noise. Only a single light shone through the canvarness halls. My sense of adventure I once thought dead brewed inside of me, Against my better judgment I walked towards the solitary light source. The light accompanied by the chorus of whispers drew me into halls I never knew existed. After an entirety of winding and weaving I made my way to the doorway where the light seemed to originate from. The modeled whispers were starting to be clear in what they were saying. It was one male voice, more than that it was my voice I recognized. But how? Due to my mothers leash I don't get to talk to anyone that much. I really haven't been free to speak since dad passed away,...... that when I clicked the voice that I recognized was the voice of my long deceased father. My curiosity took over and I practically ran in the room, the room was empty besides a large glowing purple orb. It pulsated with each word it whispered from it my father's voice rang "My goodness,you've found me at last" "Dad?.... What is this, do you really hear?" I tried not to choke on my tears. He didn't acknowledge any of my words " I can't hear you from here I need you to free me from this orb" Although I didn't quite understand I knew what he was asking of me, Even as I was questioning why I was approaching the glowing sphere. Could this really free my father?, would we finally be reunited?Will mother finally relax and release her control. As I envisioned what the future could be I reached my and was greeted by another. However this hand was pitch black and withering in front of my very eyes, I clamped on to my arm and started to drag me away. I tried to scream but another arm covered my mouth as I started to get pulled into the ominous light source. I thought It was over, then the arm fell onto the ground. With what little head movement I had left I could see Alex had served the arm around my hand. With a high pitched battle cry they went to follow up on the second arm. But then about eight more arms erupted from the sphere grabbing and Imbolizing Alex. We couldn't do anything as we were getting dragged away, once the light had enveloped me completely I heard a deafening boom and my vision went dark.