The Kingdoms Shadow

The Hard Reality

A loud crack of thunder strikes, as hundreds of people in rags and worn clothes are in a line heading to what seemed like a worn-out outpost. The sky turning a reddish orange as the sun grew low. Hundreds of people talking, walking, resting and yelling. All this can be heard from a mile away. And that didn't even include the constant yelling soldiers.

"Mariah, how long do we have to wait on this line?" A very young girl asked weakly. "We still have to receive our coins Xiona, then we have a take a trip away from home for a while." Mariah responded hoping to keep Xiona from a hard truth. A young boy, noticeably older than the other child now frowned with a loud sigh. It was clear they were being forced out of their home in his eyes. There was no vacation obviously, but there was no point in telling his little sister such a hurtful truth. He had always told her the hard truth when she was wrong about something. But this was a different occasion, one that he even hoped she never knew the hard truth of.

"5 coins per person every family!" Multiple soldiers yelled repeatedly. It felt deafening and the only thing that was better than their voices was the distant thunder cracks. "So where will we go after we're paid?" The young boy asked his older sister, Mariah. "I can't think much of anything besides if its best we followed our old neighbors. They should surely help us. I think that could work, do you Marko?" Mariah asked giving her little brother a look that clearly needed reassurance. Marko took a quick glance at Mariah before responding, "I think..." he spoke then continued, "but what will they think of the things you've been accused of?" The question hung high once Mariah turned away. Mariah had been accused of stealing many food items and small things worth value in the past, and not too long ago as well. She wasn't the best role model, but Xiona and Marko knew she was doing her best, that was at least in their eyes.

After what seemed like hours, they finally made it to receive their gold coins. A guard stood tall in front of them with his hand held to Mariah's stomach. "How many are you exiting with?" The guard asked, his voice demanding and deep which scared Xiona and Marko. The guard asked a series of questions that felt just as deafening as the yelling from all around them. Marko began zoning out on the gloomy but beautiful scenery. He watched the birds flee from the incoming rain and thunder. The gray clouds slowly overcoming their small town. It hurt to leave the place they grew up in and barley left. Mariah felt like she could see his thoughts and emotions just from his facial expressions. She knew the new life they would have to start would be even harder and cruel. "It's alright you guys. We will be just fine once we leave home." Xiona gave a slow nod before responding, "Okay." she said quietly.

Suddenly a simple one-word from a guard broke Marko's trance and caught Mariah's attention. "Thief!" One of the guards now yelled, recognizing Mariah and remembering her antics. Mariah's eyes widened in shock before she then snatched two bags of coins almost instantly. Mariah began grunting as she pushed past large ground of people while pushing Marko and Xiona off the line. "Both of you RUN!" Mariah screamed loudly. The minute they were free from the crowd. Mariah broke into a sprint as she heard the guards plowing through the people to catch up. The action was so sudden, but Marko understood quickly as he now got ready to run but realized he didn't have his sister. He turned quickly and saw his little sister being forcefully dragged by two of the guards. "Marko!!" Xiona screamed in tears that were formed in only seconds. Marko took no thought as he grabbed the makeshift shiv out his pocket he made when he was younger. Then Marko instinctively darted towards the guards and his sister. Mariah turned in horror seeing the chaos that was about to unfold, knowing it would end badly in some way. With no hesitation she began running back. Marko soon caught up to the guards then flinging himself into them. Before the guards could have even laid their own hands on him, the shiv connected with one of the guard's necks. causing the blood to gruesomely and violently spill out.

Marko, Xiona and the guards fell to the grass and dirt from Markos tackle. The blood from one of the guards splattered onto Xiona and Marlo's hands were covered in it as well. Mariah grabbed Marko by the shirt pulling him up. "Come on!" Mariah yelled as she picked Xiona up in her arms. Marko stood back to his feet dashing in the opposite direction. Marko panted and whimpered as he ran down a steep hill, glancing behind him to check is Mariah was keeping up with Xiona. Every glance he took he saw more and more soldiers chasing after the 3 of them. His heart raced heavily as his legs trembled running down the hill. Tears fell from his face as he stumbled slightly. He felt his world caving in on him, like time was slowing down. Suddenly he heard a loud yell. Once he turned, he saw Mariah drop Xiona. Then seeing that right behind them was one of the guards. the tip of his sword, stained blood red. He realized Mariah had been jabbed by the sharp sword. Dropping his sister in the process. He watched Xiona roll down the hill in screams.

He quickly knelt down catching her with all his strength. Tears fell from his face as he spoke, "Are you okay!?" He yelled to her in fear. Once she gave a nod, he scooped her up in his arms as quick as he can. He looked up and saw Mariah still running with all her might, despite her injury. With no thought he was already running. As he ran with his sister, he felt the hill smoothening out which gave him a bit more endurance to keep running. They were slowly approaching the woods. "Mariah, we can lose them here!" Marko shouted keeping his head forward not wanting to waste time. He could hear the yells of guards and the people from his town behind him. Marko let out a yell filled with frustration and sadness. Which scared Xiona. The moment he reached the first tree he looked down at Xiona. He felt worried as he saw her scared, widened eyes. But he felt a relief since he didn't hear the clinking of the soldier's armor behind them. he had a small smile as he spoke, "It's okay! we made it!" he said happily as he turned around to check on Mariah. The moment he turned his smile was wiped away in an instant, and instead only tears were to come. Once he realized.... There was no one to check up on anymore.