The Lucky Brothers - Short Story

The Journey

POV: Nathanial

I woke up in a tree, the traumatic events from last night coming back to me fast.

Don't cry Nathanial

I moved my head to look at my little brother, who was sleeping soundly. Something caught my eye. My Fathers golden spear lay next to me across a tree branch. How did it get there? We are so far away. Panic set in, afraid that the dragon had found us, I jumped down from the branch with Liam in my arms and looked around quickly. I was going to run but the spear began to glow. I stop for a second before turning around. Until I hear a voice.

Nathanial, come...

I stop, unsure if I should follow the voice. I look back at the spear in the tree. I might as well, I've been practicing with it for a while. Perhaps it could warn me of oncoming threats. But then again, if the dragon is after it he'll surely come looking. Okay. I'll do it. I walk up to the tree once more and set my brother down. His face still stained with tears. I look away and climb the tree to the Spear. As soon as I take hold of it there is a strange feeling that washes over me and I blank out, hearing my Fathers voice come from the spear.

I, Leo Amarana, current Chosen to the Spear of Justice, give my son, Nathanial Amarana, power and jurisdiction of this weapon. I pass down the right to wield this weapon and the right to be the Chosen so long as it is used for the betterment of others and not the destruction of this world. Let the Spear guide my son on the right path and allow him to see the light in demons as I did. Nathanial, when you get this, protect your brother, at all costs, he is your only family now. I love you, both of you. Goodbye.

I come out of my trans in tears. I wipe them quickly and look down at my sleeping brother. I must protect him. I must honor Fathers command.

Even if it kills me.

I jump down from the tree with my weapon and approach my brother.

"Liam, wake up, we have to keep going."

"Brother?" He slowly opens his eyes and looks around, they fill with tears. "Please... tell me that was a dream? Mother a-and Father, are still alive... r-right? The house is still there?" He starts to cry when I shake my head. His wails could be heard for miles. I pick him and his stuff up along with mine. I set him down.

"Come on."

"W-where are w-we going?"

"...I don't know, Mother said there was a village nearby but I think it was burned to ash like the re- WOAH!" The spear pulled me to the left and pointed to a set of snowy mountains far, far away. I know Father said let the spear guide me but... that is death waiting to happen. It glowed several times before returning to normal.

"Isn't that Fathers spear?"

"...Yeah, he uh... gave it to me. It's going to guide us brother."

"It wants us to head towards death?"

"...I'm not sure. Let's just go." I take my little brothers hand and we start walking. The mountains getting closer and closer. We walked for hours. My brother complains about being cold so I empty my sack into his and cut arm holes in it. I put it around him so he can stay warm. It was a little big but it covered some of his legs too. Perfect. We kept walking, my brothers stomach growled and so did mine, we weren't able to eat this morning and we didn't pack any extra food. We didn't have time. So we kept walking, but it only got worse from there. The further we traveled up the mountains the more brutal the weather got. The wind blew nonstop and the snow made it hard to keep walking. The ice freezing our feet and the steepness of the mountain making us slip. I caught my brother several times. He kept falling.