Age of Darkness

Chapter 1: The Creepy Guys Who Burnt Down My House

I sat in the grass of my grandfather and I's backyard. I brushed my hand through my thick, blond hair. It was a beautiful day. The sun shone, not a cloud in the sky. It was hot and humid. A perfect day to lie and watch the sky. It helped me think. Today though, I didn't even feel like thinking. It was just one of those beautiful, lazy days.

I looked over to the dirt path in front of our house. We lived on the outskirts of a village. It had no name. We kinda just called it... The Village! To my surprise, I saw two people walking down the path that I did not recognize. I quickly realized they were not from these parts. One was an older man with a white moustache and a white head of hair. He was even clothed in white so that he looked like what one would picture as... God, I guess. The other was a younger man, a few years older than me. He had long black hair and dark, piercing eyes. He too, was clothed in the colour of his hair! He wore tight, black clothes and a black cape. Are these guys trying make a fashion statement?, I thought.

They walked to my front door, not acknowledging my existence, and the older man knocked.

''Alexander! I wish to speak with you!'' He said. Alexander was the name of my grandfather. He wasn't actually my grandfather, but again, I'm getting ahead of myself. The door opened and there stood my grandfather, clad in white robes. His sword hung at his side. If you need an idea of how he looked, picture Gandalf, but happier.

''You shouldn't be here, James,'' said my grandfather to the older man.

''Oh, but I should! And you haven't even given me the chance to introduce my new apprentice! This is Cole,'' said James, motioning to the man in black. He nodded.

''Enough small talk. Why have you come?'' Said my gandfather, gripping his sword handle. Suddenly, James' face turned serious.

''He's back.'' Now it was my grandfather's turn to look serious.

''Impossible!''

''No. It is not. I hear him again. I see him in my dreams.''

''How do you propose we stop it?''

''That's why I'm here. There will be no stopping it. Give me the boy.'' And finally, it was my turn to become serious. I stood and walked to them.

''So this is the One, is it, Alexander?'' Said James. My grandfather did not answer.

''Nicholas, go inside. Get our things.''

''So it comes to this. I expected as much,'' spoke James with a sigh. He drew a sword from his robes, as did Cole, then my grandfather. James'  hands ignited on fire. Yes, an example of magic. Therefore, it sadly did not hurt him.

''Go!'' Yelled my grandfather. I ran into the house. I looked back to see Cole and my grandfather engaging in a sword fight and James throwing fireballs at my house. I ran to my grandfather's room and to the drawer. I opened it to find our travelling clothes and some food. I grabbed these, then ran to my room and grabbed my sword. It was a simple one. A training sword, but it did it's job. My grandfather's was much nicer, with a shining blade and golden hilt. I ran back to the door.

Smoke now filled the house. My grandfather was now fighting both of the strange men. I joined in the fight and swung at James. With unnatural speed for an older man, he jumped back, away from my swing. Our swords clashed. Sparks flew.

''Let us see if the One is all he's cracked up to be,'' he said as he swung again. I was able to dodge and give him a swing of my own.

''I don't have a clue what you're talking about,'' I told him. It was the truth.

''Oh, so your grandfather hasn't told you. What a fool.'' I swung and managed to knock James' sword out of his hand. I blasted him with magic, Harry Potter style. He was sent flying and skidded across the dirt. As he tried to get up, I kicked him in the chest, knocking the air out of him and sending him back onto the ground. Now, I don't usually beat up old guys, but this old guy just destroyed my house and attempted to kill my grandfather and I.

''I'm impressed, boy.'' He said with a strange smile. I looked to see Cole on the ground as well, my grandfather pointing his sword at him. I walked to him. Our house was now a burning inferno. Slowly, Cole and James got up. Darn.

''This means nothing, Alexander. He will rise, and we will have the boy.''

''Be gone, James, and take your apprentice with you.'' James looked at him with another of his weird smiles. Then he and Cole disappeared in a whirl of black.

''What the heck was that?'' I asked my grandfather. I looked at him. He seemed distant, far away.

''Let's just say, a blast from the past.'' His voice sounded nervous and shaky.

''What did they mean, about the One?''

''We need to go... now! Ask me no questions. We must leave through the forest. By nightfall we shall be deep within. I will explain everything then.''

''But grandfather, I must know-''

''I said ask nothing!'' He snapped, then his face turned sad. ''Sorry. This is a dark hour for Altaria.''

''What do we do?'' I asked.

''We must go. We must stop this.'' I said nothing. I followed my grandfather into the forest, with nothing but our clothes, some food, and our swords. I now had much to think about, though nothing I understood.

Hey guys. I just wanted to say thanks for reading my first chapter! If I put a note in my story, then it'll be in bold italics like this! If you like it, you can follow me. After all, I need someone to dedicate my chapters to. *wink* Any comments and criticism are greatly appreciated! Thanks! :)