Brothers' Tale

Part 1

Two princes. One kingdom. One rule.

> Don't look at him in the eyes, Michael. He's cursed. And soon will be banished from this place, where he won't hurt anyone anymore. He's the reason for our problems. He doesn't deserve to be the heir of our beautiful kingdom. Do you understand, son? He hurt your mother. The queen. Don't let it happen again. Or I will get rid of him by my own hands, no matter how bloody they will be.

My father's rule was simple, but why was it so unfair? I never could spend time with my dear brother without hearing him in my ear, telling me warnings about the boy I always lived with. He was my brother, the heir of the kingdom, and I was just a simple prince. But everyone hated him because he was "cursed". What does it mean? Is it bad? I just want to be with my brother. He was nice to everyone but can't see anyone. He needed to wear a blindfold in order to not hurt. For the castle, he was a beast.

> Hello, Michael. Are you lost in your mind again?

No matter how blind, my brother always knew when I had a problem. We were connected, and I always found it reassuring to have him by my side, even if my father never liked it. But he's my brother, right? And as a prince, I can do what I want...

> Ah, my dear brother... Yes, I guess you can say so. I was just... I miss mom.

My mother was attacked by the same power that my brother has. It's like the legend of Medusa, but they don't have snakes to replace their hairstyle. If you looked at them in the eyes, they would instantly try to hurt you. They would lose their senses, feel your fear, and would attack. No matter what. And my father would always tell me that I can recognize them easily, as they have a scythe, a kind of symbol of their power. And when my mom brought my brother, he had one. But my father hid it, so no one would know he's one of them. But soon, the news spread as fast as a bunny trying to hide from a wolf: my dear brother attacked mom. No one knows why. My father wouldn't tell me, anyway.

> I miss her too. I'm going to visit her in the forest, are you coming, Michael?

My brother never talked about this incident, too. He would act as if nothing happened, but I just thought it was very shocking, so not talking about it was a sort of protection, I supposed. He always seemed very mysterious and wouldn't say much of his life before encountering our mom in the forest. She bought a home there; the castle was far too noisy for her weak ears. My father visited her often, of course.

> Those beasts won't ever change, Lillie. Stop clinging to this dream. This boy is not from our family, and never will be. I can't believe you are that naive to let him stay here. What if he attacks again, huh? I won't be there every time to clean up his mess. I'll get rid of that thing, and quick.

My brother is nice to everyone and blind to the entire castle. He could not look at anyone, could only feel their emotions. I admire him, he's very brave to be the heir of the kingdom. But I'm afraid my father won't let him up the throne...

> I will join you later, I have a boring lesson in exactly five minutes. Say hello to mom for me.

And with those last words of mine, he left for the forest. He had an incredible sense of localization, and that's another reason why I admire him. He's an incredible brother, I wish I could get him a better life. After my long, long lesson, I took my horse and went to mom. But when I arrived, no birds were there to sing in front of her little oak-coloured house. I checked inside and could only find my brother's scythe. My brother's scythe, that wasn't here. He had taken it.

> Are you seriously going to keep that here? It's dangerous, Lillie. How can you be that stupid? Are you going to let him kill you? Are you crazy? What about Michael, what about me? What are you thinking of? Lillie, answer me. Get back here. I said, get back here--

I rushed like that bunny, but this time, to catch up with the wolf. I ran as fast as I could to find my brother. I shouted, but no answer was there for me. And then, I found them. Can you even include a dead body? She was dead, the scythe plunged into her heart. I could feel myself vomit, and just let it all out. My brother was in front of the pool of blood, and I could feel him tremble. He took back the scythe, cutting in two the blindfold.

> Those beasts won't ever change, Lillie. Stop clinging to this dream...

I was paralyzed. Completely numb, my body wouldn't respond to my orders anymore. I wanted to run, shout, cry. But nothing came. My brother could now see. See his dead mother, see the world he lived in. And now, he could see me I didn't want to die. Not by my brother, no, not like that. I took the knife from my belt.

> Brother, please; it wasn't your fault. It was... We can talk this out. Please, breathe. This *beast* inside you... It's not real. My dear brother, I know you're here.

He approached me slowly, and I grew up scared by every movement of his. My own brother would be the death of me, and there would be nothing I could do to save or even change him.

> Don't look at him in the eyes, Michael. He's cursed... That's what he used to say, right? I always knew you didn't really trust me. But now I can finally see the fear in your eyes. Are you afraid to die at the hands of your beloved brother?

I forced myself to close my eyes, but his footsteps were still getting closer. I couldn't believe it... Of course, I was scared. Of course, I didn't want my brother to kill me. How did this even happen? My body wouldn't respond, and I forced myself to be able to think. He got closer, closer to me and I could feel the scythe tapping lightly on the hard ground I was on. And then, I found the courage my mother didn't have to prevent her own death. This time, without having the strength to understand why I had the courage to open my eyes.

I opened them. The eyes I was supposed to keep close to protect myself. And for the first time, I got to see my brother's eyes, shining on the sun that was now getting down. They were shining by the sun, but also by the tears that were getting down as well. For the first time, I got to see my brother's eyes. And for the last time, I felt his warm touch on my chest, scythe plunged into my heart.

> Good night, my brother.