The Lunar Trials

Chapter 5:The Heirs

The Royal Train carrying King Darcian,his two Princes and succesful initiates from all across Ventrice speeds up the railway which wound around the mountains on the outskirts of the Prenata Division,just a couple more hours and they'll arrive at the Division's Railway station.

After rounding up all the surviving initiates of The First Trials from the Leint Division, Mekein Division,Weprast Division, Praesidium Division,Ignis Division and Akia Division,only the initiates from Prenata Division is the last to face The First Trials,and every Division had face different variaties of creatures.

Gabriel stared out of the window,trying to occupy his mind with the magnificient view eventhough he was not a nature loving person.But something about the dense forest was calling out to him.They were high up in the mountains,Gabriel could see the wall that protected the railway tracks from who knows what.A lot of things in Ventrice are known only to The King and His Ventrician Circle,even Harriote and Gabriel are left out.Rumours has it that theres something dangerous beyond the wall that threathen the safety of Ventrice.

But when theres a barrier,its either to keep something out or to lock something in.Gabriel's thoughts was elsewhere right now,he just couldnt face another Initiate getting slaughtered by the Lunar Trials.He could feel the blue gem on the hilt of his longsword getting warm.He didnt know if its a good or bad sign.

"Your deep in thought, brother"A charming familiar voice said.It was Harriote,he place a hand on Gabriel's shoulder and took a seat in front if him.He was more bulkier and bigger than Gabriel as he was the eldest between them.They both look nothing alike,Harriote had dark black hair and smooth, elegant features.He was known mostly to the Royal City citizen as the likely heir to the throne because of his charming abilities.

Whereas Gabriel had brown hair,which suits his gold eyes.He had sharp features and a mischevious smile.With knowledge that his brother is the heir,Gabriel agrees with his father's choice.No one in their right mind would let a troublemaking,deranged person like him rule Ventrice.He'd could jump off a cliff for all they care and for all Gabriel care he just wants to be free.

"How could you tell?I'm well known for my poker face you know"Gabriel didnt look at Harriote when he say those words.He couldnt understand how Harriote could stand by to watch people die and suffer in The Trials.

"And so they say,I could tell because of those looks in your eyes as if a kitten just died in front of you"His voice now more firm,without waver like he was observing Gabriel for a long time.Eventhough Harriote was destine to be King,he was the only one who cared for Gabriel.Harriote covered Gabriel when he was in trouble,and its an exhausting job but Harriote never gave up considering the fact that Gabriel is bound to wreck havoc everyday.But Gabriel has been suspiciously calm and quiet lately.

"Dont tell me you're feeling symphathy for those savage warriors"Harriote's voice now drops to a whisper but you could still hear the revolt in them.

"They're here to serve us Gabriel and all of this is their fault in the first place"He added.

Gabriel said nothing but just stared out at the vast dense green scenery.They were silent,only the rumbling of the train agaisnt the railway tracks disrupt the silence.It was Gabriel who broke the tense moment.

"It doesnt seems fair,does it Harriote"Gabriel lock eyes with his brother.Golden eyes.Thats the only thing they have in common.

"To be punished of what their ancestors did,the sins if others passed on through generation and generation.I mean arent they humans too,flesh and bone like you and me" Gabriel added with symphathy in his voice,hoping that Harriote would listen to reason and giving him something to think about.They pause a while. Harriote's face was hard to read,he's expression depicts the unknown.