Cursed Hearts. (+18)

Light and Shadow.

Warning contains: Mature theme and strong language. English is not my first language and it's my first story so be understanding.
Viewers discretion is advised.

In the farthest reaches of the world, two kingdoms stood in eternal opposition-Umbra, the Kingdom of Shadows, and Luminara, the Realm of Light. For centuries, they waged war across desolate battlegrounds, each driven by an unyielding hunger for dominance.
Umbra, ruled by King Azrael, was a land steeped in darkness. Tall spires of black stone pierced the skies, casting long shadows over the barren earth. The people of Umbra were hardened by the cold and the constant struggle for survival. King Azrael had ruled alone since the death of his queen, his heart as cold as the realm he commanded. His son, Prince Caleb, grew up in a kingdom where mercy was weakness and strength was all that mattered. The crown would soon rest on Caleb's head, and with it, the burden of his father's unfinished conquests.

On the other side, Luminara gleamed like a beacon of hope. The Kingdom of Light, where the sun never set, was ruled by King Eldrin and Queen Rayana, wise and beloved by their people. Golden towers rose into bright skies, and lush forests and sparkling rivers stretched across the land. The people thrived in peace, but beneath the serenity lay a deep fear of the encroaching darkness. Princess Rhea, their daughter, was Luminara's light, destined to succeed her parents and preserve the peace her realm had known for generations.

Caleb POV.

The sound of my sword cutting through the air echoed in the dark, empty training grounds. Each swing felt heavier than the last, but I pushed through, just like I always did. There's no room for weakness here, not in Umbra. My muscles ached, my breath came in steady but sharp. I wiped the sweat from my brow, gripping the hilt tighter. I had to be stronger. Always more stronger.
I glanced at my reflection in the blade-black eyes staring back, cold and unflinching. The black hair that had fallen over my forehead was damp, clinging to my skin. I barely recognized myself anymore. I wasn't a man in this world. I had been forged into something else, something harder. A prince, sure-but a weapon too. My father made sure of that.
I sheathed the blade, stepping toward the terrace. From up here, I could see the kingdom laid out beneath me-Umbra, the land of shadows. Black stone spires stretching into the sky, swallowing every bit of light. The people down there, hardened like the land itself, had only known darkness their whole lives. Just like me.

I hated it. But I needed it. Just as my father said, strength was all that mattered here. Mercy was for fools. And one day, this kingdom would be mine to rule. If I was strong enough. If I didn't let my father down. King Azrael's words still rang in my head, as relentless as the war he waged. Umbra and Luminara had been locked in battle for longer than I could remember, and it would be up to me to finish what he started. To crush the Realm of Light, to ensure our shadows swallowed their world whole.
But sometimes, rarely,in the quiet moments, I wondered what it would be like to live in the light. Just for a second.
I quickly pushed the thought away. Dreams like that were dangerous. There was no place for them in my world. There was only the crown, the conquest, and the never-ending darkness ahead.

After the training.
______________
I stepped off the training grounds, my muscles still burning with exertion, and headed toward the castle's dark stone halls. The air felt thicker here, laden with an unspoken tension that hung over Umbra like a shroud. I approached the throne room, the heavy doors looming in front of me, the sound of my boots echoing against the cold floor.
As I entered, I found my father seated on the obsidian throne, his expression as cold as the stone itself. King Azrael's sharp features were accentuated by the shadows, his piercing gaze fixed on me. "Caleb" he said, his voice low and commanding, "do you think you're ready for what lies ahead?"

"Ready for what?" I replied, my tone more defiant than I intended. "More training? Another skirmish? We've been at war for years, Father, and I train everyday non-stop! What more do you want from me?"