FORTITUDINE (COMPLETED)

1) In the Beginning

I sit in my chair brushing my dark brown hair over and over again staring at my reflection in the mirror.

"Can I braid your hair Alexa?" Nathalie asked me peeking over my shoulder standing on her tiptoes.

"Not today Nathalie, I'm going to a meeting of the council with Papa and Thanatos today." I said over my shoulder. She sniffed and walked away stomping her feet as loud as a nine-year-old can.

Mother walled in the room, "You're not even ready to leave!" She exclaimed before she rolled my hair into a braided bun and tied it with a light blue ribbon. "To match your eyes." She said.

I shut the door behind me. Papa and Thanatos were waiting for me by the buggy. I stepped in and sat down, Thanatos sat across from me.

"Well don't you look dashing?" I said. "Anything to inherit the king's crown." He replied.

Now there's something you need to know before I can continue. Thanatos cares about one person and that person is himself. If needed, he would kill to be head elder of the clan, literally.

By law, the first-born twins-yes twins-will fight to the death and the winner will become head elder of the cult, or clan, called the Fortitudine Clan meaning strength.

There are three steps in becoming the head elder: 1-Battle of the Minds, where you and your twin will be put through several tests that strain your brain to its breaking point, evaluating mental stability. 2-Community Service to the people, assisting in anything needed, showing true concern for the people and their needs. 3-Mortem, meaning death, where you physically fight your twin until one of you dies.

I'm afraid I'm much weaker than Thanatos and fear that my life will never be lived.

~~~~~~~~~~

Thanatos and I kneeled before the head elder and council members, "One of you will soon become the most powerful person in the Clan." Said the chief council member, my father's right hand man and oldest friend.

"Starting next month, you and your twin will start the Trials of True Strength. Until then, prepare yourself for what's to come. I wish you both luck and strength for the journey ahead."

We rose and walked out of the room. My brother and I hugged, for until next month, we would never see each other again.

We left in separate buggies and pulled up to our new homes for a month. The only people we were allowed to see were family members, not including each other.

The chapters are really short and boring at first, I know, but they will get better I promise!

Anywhoooo...I'm going to add a picture of each character every chapter so I don't bore you guys to death with my words. Haha I hope that's a joke...no? Ok then!

Au revoir mes amis!