Solaris

Prologue

DAWN OF A NEW ERA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A wave of terror enveloped the king as an arrow hit a tree behind them with a swift thud. Then another arrow flew through the air this time digging into a soldier's chest. Suddenly, a sea of Arrows seemly flew out of the darkness of the forest taking down one soldier after the other. Arthur groaned in pain as he looked down at the arrow protruding from his shoulder. Together, the slash on his side and the arrow in his shoulder had caused already caused too much blood loss. When his vision became a blur and his balance, non-existent, Arthur tried his best to steady himself. The faithful men that had followed him on to the battlefield lay bloodied on the ground. Dead. He had but a few loyal men remaining at his side. Arthur's heart ached for the countless families that had lost someone tonight. A father, son or brother. His heart ached for he knew he had failed his people, those who trusted and believed in him. Most of all, his heart ached for his innocent daughter that had yet to discover the mystery and wonders of this beautiful world. He said a silent prayer to the goddess

Suddenly, the arrows stopped all at once and from the darkness emerged a man, sitting proudly on his horse a crown resting atop his head. He clearly held an air of superiority around him. Behind the man, an endless army of his soldiers followed.

"Arthur, we meet again," he smirked. "What a pleasure" the man teased as he approached towards Arthur and his remaining men.

"Desmond" Arthur responded his voice pained from the injuries he had acquired. Arthur's eyes moved to Desmond's crown, his jaw clenching as he noticed a small emerald stone infused in the center, still, he tried his best to seem unfazed.

"Tell me, how does it make you feel knowing that I will take over your pathetic, little kingdom? and after that I will kill your child in front of your very eyes," Desmond mocked. "I almost forgot," he let out a sinister chuckle, "your wife, she is quite the beauty, isn't she? Maybe I'll keep her around or maybe I'll slit her throat in front of your very eyes."

Arthur let out a low growl at Desmond's suggestion, his eyes narrowing in anger. "Over my dead body will you ever get to my family and my people!"

"As you wish," Desmond let out yet another dark chuckle, signalling his men to attack.

Arthur braced himself as he held up his sword, his exhausted men following his actions, preparing for another round of bloodshed. Swords clashed with the swift clink of metal as Arthur and his soldiers desperately fought for their kingdom and their freedom. Heavily outnumbered, one by one Arthur's soldiers fell to their demise until Arthur stood alone on the battlefield alongside his childhood companion. Both men were bloodied and weak as they looked at each other, still determined as ever. Just as quickly, his best friend fell to the ground, a sword jutting out through his abdomen. That was the last thing Arthur saw before he felt a sharp pain on his head as darkness consumed him.

"Relax old friend. I won't kill you just yet." He assured a smile creeping on his face at the sight of Arthur.

"Now we move to the castle," the beastly man stated happily to his men who silently marched forward.

....

"Maria, Maria!" Annalise cried out for her friend as she ran into the servant quarters her innocent child still in her arms.

"My queen," Maria's curtsied at her queen who seemed to be almost out of breath.

"Maria, you must take my child. Take her and hide her within the servant's quarters; I have word that my husband has been defeated on the battlegrounds. Desmond is already on the castle grounds, you must take my child. No one must know of who she really is for if it reaches Desmond he will surely kill her. Keep my child safe, please," Annalise sobbed.