Shadow and Light

Chapter 2

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        We both were silent on our way to the road, where we would get to see The Dark One.                 As we arrived, we could see that there were many other waiting such as us, and for the first time, everyone was deathly quiet, although there was some fevered whispering going on around the younger soldiers. 

Evan and I both shared a worried look, we didn't know what to expect. 

Just as we turned our heads back to the graveled pathway, we could hear the sounds of loud hoofs hitting the ground, and signalling the arrival of The Dark One. There was no mistaking the black carriage, and the dark aura it seemed to carry. 

I suddenly realized that I had grabbed Evan's hand, and immedietly let go of it. I cursed lightly under my breath as I felt the warm heat across my cheek, the blush that always formed when I was near Evan.

As another coach rolled by, laquered in dark purple, a girl leaned out the window. She anaylzed the watching crowd, and her gaze stopped on Evan and her gaze lingered on Evan. While holding her gaze with Evan, her lips formed in a smirk and she smiled flirtely. I felt my heart literally drop.

        Oh get it together Kira, it's not like your even together. He can have whoever he wants, and why not a Sergei. 

I despised the Sergei. They're a part of what's known as the Second Army, a army of elite humans, who are equipped with different magical abilities. They're formed into different ranks, the highest being The Dark One, the leader of the Sergei. The Corporalki, the highest ranking Sergei ,who consisted of Heartrenders, who have the ability to crush your heart, and healers who can fix you up. Next are the Summoners, who consist of Squallers that can control the wind, Inferni who summon fire, and Tidemakers who are able to control and manipulate water. There is also the Materialki, who specialize in Sergei steel, body armor, textiles, and glass. They also specialize in poisons and blasting powders.

As the dark purple carriage and the girl drove away, Evan was left standing dumbfounded, staring at the spot where the carriage was.

"You can stop staring now, she left" I snapped, immediately feeling bad.

After recovering, Evan turned to look at me smugly. "You saw that, right?" he replied

Just as I was about to reply, Mark , Evan's friend, ran up to us. "She looked right at you!" he said excitedly, briefly glancing at me.

"Hey Sticks" said Mark, briefly poking me on my arm. I hated that nickname. I had always been skinnier then everyone, and my height of 5'6 didn't help that either. 

"You know The Sergei are ,camping here?" Mark said with a tone of suggestion, waggling his eyebrows.

"I heard that The Sergei's tents are bigger than a whole cathedral" Nestor piped in, one of Evan's other friends , I jumped not knowing that he was standing directly behind me.

Evan cheered along with the other guys, and without another glance towards me , they walked away pushing and shoving each other.

"Great conversation guys, I really enjoyed it" I muttered to myself sarcastically as I began to re-adjust my satchel, and walk towards my regiments camp grounds, kicking the small pebbles along the way.

As I walked, I began to think about The Dark One. There are many rumors about him, ranging from impossible , such as one rumor that said he secretly murders innocent humans and uses them as cloth for his clothes, and to slightly believable. However, the one that sticks out the most is that he created the Shadow Fold, but many people oppose that idea.The Shadow Fold is a swath of darkness that just appeared one day, how? , no one knows. It is a section of nearly impenetrable darkness that grows every year, and it is filled with the most unimaginable horrors that are incapable of dreaming. The Shadow Fold is the reason for all the mayhem that surrounds us, and the reason for corruption of Rhermia. 

I finally reached the camp grounds and spotted my makeshift tent. I needed that long-awaited nap right now, but not before I see Evan again, it was our nightly thing where we just spent time just talking during the night.

I tried to stifle a yawn as I crouched under the doorway of my tent, and went inside. I saw that Maxim was there, my tent mate, already passed out and snoring. I walked towards my cot, telling myself that I'll take a short nap and be awake by the time Evan comes over. I then fell asleep.