It was Zoltan's fourth birthday. His mom was missing, yet again. Probably more underworld stuff. There was no party, there never was. Always more important stuff to do. He grabbed his dagger and started putting on his armor, it was third patrol, and he was already late. He walked out of the training room, his combat boots making a crunching sound against the gravel. The rest of patrol was already waiting outside, he lined up next to them. Of course, he was the youngest there, the next oldest was 16. The patrol leader walked up to him; he flinched, thinking he was going to be scolded for being late. Instead, Johnathan, handed him a pitch back sword. "I think it time we upgrade you to one of these" The patrol leader, Johnathan said. "Does this have anything to do with me surviving anthor year" Zoltan said while taking the sword. Jonathan let out a sigh. "You know, most people call it a "birthday."" He responded. "I do not connect myself with overworld traditions" Zoltan said flatly and hung the sword at his waist.
The patrol walked a few miles, the pain in his feet was infuriating, they reached the entrance to Tartarus, a place that most avoided. Quicker than anyone could react, something burst from Tartarus's entrance. It smashed into Johnathan, breaking his neck. The monster was quickly killed, but the damage was not done. Weapons were dropped, and tears were shed as everyone rushed to Johnathan's now limp body. Zoltan didn't know him well enough to morn, nor did he understand what types of emotions to show. Everyone was confused, upset, and off gaurd. Little did they know, the attack was far from over. At least 30 more creatures came rushing from the entrance. The patrol, who had dropped their weapons in shock of the first attack, now realized their mistake.
The attack was bloody. Four people were killed almost instantly, and they were not the only casualties. Zoltan continued to fight the monsters, almost as well as the ones who had been trained for years. For every monster the team killed; two more replaced it. The manicore fired a single spike, everyone froze. Monsters and the surviving humans; were caught in a picture perfect battle sence. Zoltan staggered back, the spike was a direct hit to his shoulder. A deep laugh rang through the cavern. A figure stepped from the shadow, he stepped up onto a rock. Zoltan fell to the ground. The boy who had stepped up onto the rock started speaking. He spoke to everyone, yet his eyes stayed trained on Zoltan. "Is this what you want!" His voice rang out. "Do you think you can protect him from the truth!" He stepped down and walked twoards Zoltan, holding a silver sword. Zoltan was now on his knees, unable to stand. The boy lifted up his chin with the tip of the silver sword. "You will be so easy to defeat" He hissed at Zoltan, before pointing to one of the girls. "Her." The monsters bolted from whoever they were fighting to attack who he pointed at. Zoltan gasped, he had pointed at the only person he considered family. They were siblings, not by blood, but by heart. She screamed as the first monster grabbed onto her. Zoltan tried to stand, but the pain was too much. "Zay!" She yelled the nickname that no one was supposed to call him. "Take it! Complete your quest!" The girl loved so much. His sister, her name was Lily, threw her own sword into Zoltan's hands. "Promise Me!" She yelled before getting dragged into the darkness. All the monsters dissappeared, along with the leader of the attack. Zoltan staggered to his feet. He gasped in horror, pain writhed throughout his body. "I have to save her..." He wispered. His vision started to go black around the edges. The five that were left came running twoard him. He closed his eyes, not caring if he awakened.
He woke up in his mother's castle. He sat straight up, pain making him wince. "Lily?" He asked desperately, scanning the room. Everyone turned away, looking down silently. He stood up, pushing everyone else aside. His face grew hot, tears fell from his eyes. "No more" He wispered. "No more" Cried the ghost king who never felt emotions. "Prince Zoltan, please wait!" One of them yelled. He turned around quickly, "I am not your prince and I am not Zoltan!" He snapped, his eyes fell on his mother. "I'm Zay D! Not. Your. Weapon." He pulled open the castle doors, and allowed them to slam behind him. He had lost the most important thing ever to him. Now, everything he knew was about to change.
