Shatter 1: Paint the Shadows

Prologue and Chapter one

Prologue

From a war between the King of mercy and Queen of misery,

Is a land born writhing in agony.

Obslandia was it named, being the blackest corner of a world ruined by cruelty.

As the evil, defeated always, is slayed without sympathy,

A curse shall live on the land eternally.

The last words of the Queen of misery

Reached out to all of Obslandia saying, 'time shall be your only enemy.'

As the curse took shape, the land formed into an hourglass unearthly,

Reminding everyone that time was only

The resource they lacked and they needed to live peacefully.

Another war broke out, the people led astray.

Instead of living in peace, they chose the violent way,

That was when their time began to fray.

PART ONE:

LEMSIRE

Chapter One

Kwayliet

     The clashing of knives was the only sound that interrupted the grave silence.

     It was half an hour past midnight. The stars sparkled like diamonds in the dark, velvet sky. A cool breeze rustled through the leaves breaking the silence of midnight. The clouds moved with the breeze, revealing the moon.

     She stood still, carefully observing the two silhouettes engage in battle. The clouds moved, pouring moonlight on the two figures, revealing their features. Considering the resolution and strength they applied into that it would hardly qualify as training. They were complete foreigners to Kwayliet; but that hardly mattered. Rather crucially, they both fought with the resolve to exterminate each other.

     Another breeze swept the area, leaving behind the subtle scent of midnight followed by the rustling of leaves, interrupted only by the clashing of knives. The ends of her hair bristled at her neck as she slowly drummed her fingers on the hilt of her sword. Curiosity snaked through her, strangling every single of her muscles. If you're spotted, no one will help you. A tiny voice inside her said. It was her sense of logic. It was true; she could attract a wonderfully enormous lot of trouble just by getting spotted. But as much as she wanted to listen to this voice, there was another one. Another voice that overwhelmed the smaller ones. Curiosity. Just a little closer. It spoke. You could either go home and sacrifice your sleep thinking about these people or you could watch them from a little closer until you're satisfied and sleep peacefully. The answer was clear. Curiosity won out.