A Band of Broken Heroes

Chapter 1 - A Legend, An Invasion,The Losses of a Kingdom

In the kingdom of Elderrich 800 years ago, legend has it that an invasion took place - an invasion in which one unbeknownst hero saved the kingdom from the excruciatingly evil demons of Dracul. 10years after the incursion, the hero disappeared from the face of the kingdom, gone like a bubble, his name much less unspoken for the past800 years. The hero has remained unknown and a legend ever since. Centuries passed along with its people, their lips sealed, consumed by eternal rest, in which stories remained untold, now long forgotten.

***

In an open field, young lads clashed their swords against the other. One lad is named Thomas Ever Wing from the royal family. His uncle,Xerxes, is the king of Elderrich. The other lad is named Aron Ever Wing. He was adopted by Thomas's family. The two of them are really close. Not only are they brothers but also good companions. They have known each another since they were little. Both of them are trainee knights.

After intervals of metal clashing, Aron is pushed back to the ground. Thomas said, "You really need more practice."

"You're just too good!" Aron cried out.

"Care for another match?"

"Alright,"Aron sighed, "but no going easy on me!"

"Hah,as if!"

With a smirk plastered on both their faces, they came at each other again. Metal clashed against metal some more. Until they were both drenched in sweat and exhaustion, both heaved a content sigh then went home.

***

In the throne room, King Xerxes stood with a guest, an old friend. He paced back and forth the room. When he finally stopped, he stood facing the window, his back to the man. A minute or two passed before he turned to the man. "So what business do you have here?"

The man's lips curved into a smirk.

***

Meanwhile,another swordfight was being held in a backyard. The contenders were father and daughter - Henry and Leah Silver Heart. They were almost equal matches. While they were hard at work training, Lily, the mother, was in the kitchen preparing dinner along with their youngest, Vivienne, who was five summers old.

After the swordfight, they moved to hand-to-hand combat. Their aim was to improve evasion skills. Their system was to switch places as offender and the one being attacked when the offender hits the other person. Now, it was Leah's turn to evade her father's attacks. The scent of food flowed into the backyard. Lily made a feast because she knew for sure that Henry and Leah would be hungry.

"DARLINGS!FOOD IS READY!"

Leah stopped at her mom's voice. Seeing an opening, Henry took advantage of it and came at her. Fortunately, Leah saw it coming so she was able to avoid his attempt.

"thought I wouldn't see that, eh?" Leah said with a smirk mirroring her father's.

Henry shrugged innocently before putting his hands on the back of his head and following his daughter into the house. Lily approached the two with a frown - a frown especially directed at her dear husband.

"Sheesh,you shouldn't train right before dinner. You both look like a mess. It's not much of a problem with you because you're a man but let me remind you that Leah is a growing lady!"

"Yes,ma'am," Henry saluted before planting a kiss on his wife's lips.

Lily raised an eyebrow at him before directing them both to the staircase."Up you go! And hurry!"

While the two were upstairs, Lily started setting the table. Vivienne sat on one of the chairs with her feet dangling in the air. She began to hum a lullaby her mother sang to her. Lily settled herself on the chair at the end of the table as soon as she finished setting the tableware.