Tale of Two Brothers [The Throne Saga]

The Vows We Make

Exhausted and under the cover of night, Ray and Ra finally stopped, seeking refuge deep within the woods, away from any paths that could lead to danger to them. They covered their tracks, ensuring they left no sign of their passage. As they settled into a concealed spot, the weight of their situation and the loss of Sister Althea became undeniable.

Ray broke the silence first, his voice barely a whisper, "I can't believe she's gone, Ra. She was everything... How do we go on without her?"

Ra, his voice steady but heavy with unshed tears, responded, "We have to keep moving, Ray. It's what she would have wanted. We owe her that much."

"But she didn't deserve this, Ra. None of us did," Ray's voice cracked as he struggled with his grief. "She took us in, cared for us like we were her own. And now, she's just... gone."

"I know, I know," Ra replied, his usual resolve softening. "But we can't let her sacrifice be in vain. We have to survive for her. She believed in us, even when we doubted ourselves."

Ray nodded, wiping away tears. "You're right. She always saw the best in us. We can't give up now. For Althea."

As the brothers leaned against each other for support, they could feel the weight of their grief. But in that shared sorrow, they also found a sense of comfort and understanding. The night stretched out before them, dark and uncertain, but they remained steadfast in their determination to honor Sister Althea's memory. And in that determination, they felt a glimmer of hope, a small flame burning brightly amidst the shadows.

Ray saw no point to sleep; he tossed and turned and found no comfort. His brother was already fast asleep. The forest was quiet now. The creatures of the night were dancing to the tunes of their hunt. It was a calm game of prey and predator.

He stood up quietly so as not to wake up his brother and walked deeper into the Zayma Forest. He remembered this area very well. He had come here before hunting a deer a few months back.

Restless and unable to sleep, Ray walked deeper into the Zayma Forest, a place he knew well from past hunts. The quiet of the night surrounded him, filled with the sounds of the forest's nocturnal creatures. He thought back to a deer hunt from months before, remembering the thrill of the chase.

As he walked, Ray spotted signs of a deer nearby. Driven by the need to provide food for the journey, he followed the tracks with the skill of an experienced hunter. The thought of securing a meal for himself and Ra gave him a purpose, a brief distraction from the weight of their loss.

Creeping, Ray tracked the deer, his movements careful and calculated. The hunt reminded him of simpler times, focusing his mind on the task. He knew that a successful kill would offer sustenance and a slight sense of accomplishment amid their current despair.

As Ray stalked his prey, every muscle in his body tensed with anticipation. His eyes were fixed on the target, his mind focused on making the perfect kill. With every step, he felt his heart racing with excitement, knowing that success would mean a feast for him and his brother. This could also be a boost of morale for their long journey ahead.

As Ray crept closer to the deer, his heart pounded, not just with the thrill of the hunt but with a heavy dread for what he knew must come next. He watched the deer for a moment, admiring its grace and the simple act of it grazing. Then, with a deep breath, he launched himself forward, using every bit of his strength and speed. The deer tried to bolt, but Ray was quicker, grappling it to the ground in a desperate struggle. He locked his arms around it, the deer's wild heartbeat thundering against his chest, its warm breath mixing with the cool night air. The physical fight was grueling, but the emotional battle raging within Ray was agonizing.