Prologue
It was a dull evening and there was no moon to shine down on the darkening streets. Shadows raced each other along the crumbling buildings... Stray rats and mice had already taken cover into the sewers. Even the lowest of the creatures knew that night was not a good time to be out. It very well meant life or death.. usually the latter. A small, chilling breeze would rustle up the half dead leaves hanging onto the spindly trees, barely holding on. It was a dark era where crime was plentiful and the people were ruled by men with only a greed for money and power. The streets weren’t ever safe and murders could be witnessed in broad day light. Friends could stab you in the back without you knowing why. A necklace could be swiped off the neck of an elderly woman without her realizing it until it was time to take it off. It was a sad, lonely time. Bonds were hardly ever made and laughter wasn’t heard often besides the cruel kind.The cracked stones of the streets were literally stained with blood, fresh and old.
Also... the creatures most believed to be myths had come out of hiding. Now they roamed freely with the normal humans and went about their business struggling to stay alive just like anyone else. It no longer mattered if you were vampire, human, wolf or witch. As long as the King ruled, only the physically or mentally strong survived. Due to shortage of food, many creatures died out. The humans out number them by much. However, one typical night, the nobles raided a house. A house that was rumored to be the head quarters of a rebellion. It had to be investigated at once. Men and woman, young and old, everyone in the house was slaughtered that night. Being well fed. trained and confident, the soldiers immediately held the upper hand. They left the destroyed building feeling satisfied and proud. Little did they know... that there were two survivors.
It had been a gathering place for the rebellion. However, on that night, the citizens had come to witness the newborn children of the rebellion leader. The two girls were five days old and the wife of the house had decided she felt good enough for visitors. Friends, family and even strangers rushed to her side. These days, women who bore twins hardly survived and it was a hopeful miracle to see such a blessing. All eighty people must have been shocked out of their happiness as the soldiers raided with their torches and swords. The mother especially was scared for her two children... and used something she had vowed never to use again to save her two new born babes.
Adelina Kor used her earth magic to protect her daughter. The earth opened up and swallowed the two babies whole, getting them away from the blood bath. Being weak from the birthing, Adelina died soon after her spell, the use of magic draining away so much of her energy, the woman’s heart failed to beat.
The people faought bravely trying to keep the mother and her daughters safe, unknowing of the fact that Mrs. Kor had passed away and her babes gone. Maybe if they had known, some of them could have run away, but as fate had it, they died. Adrian Kor as well. He had been the courageous leader who had pulled the rebellion together when no one had ever dared to even think about such a feat. His cheerful, warm personality had drawn even the most timid to him. All he was, was an ordinary human with an independent mind, wishing to change their lives for the better. On that night, Adrian had managed to take down half the soldiers with him, with only his bare hands as weapons. His strength and brilliance helped the others stand strong and fight, though they knew that survival was hopeless.
However, at his last moment of life, Adrian’s fiery black eyes caught a glimpse of his wife’s unmoving body and her empty arms. By then, most were dead and the wounded were bleeding hopelessly. Adrian died, whispering a wish.
“May you make your mark on this world. Be it for evil or good.”
And so they shall.
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It seems though, that the two were separated during their time underground. The dark haired one turned up near a small cottage complete with a small lake and apple orchard. She was found in the early dawn as the retired scholar and his wife, a former midwife, set out on their morning walk. The couple were enjoying the cool morning air when a short wail alerted them. The two were hesitant at first and silently debated whether to go back inside the cottage or not. Though they lived in a quieter, more calm place right outside the busy city of Vora, it was still a dangerous place. However, the aging lady had worked with babies all her life. After a second listening, Mrs. Marie Crawford declared it a babe and set out to find the source of the noise. Her husband, of course, followed. After some minutes of frantic, determined searching, The Crawfords located the baby in a small dip in the wet earth, large green leaves hiding her from view.
As soon as Marie’s amber eyes locked onto the baby’s black ones.
“I’m keeping her, Caleb.” Were her only words as she cradled the girl in the crook of her left elbow. Caleb Crawford just nodded silently as he had never seen Marie so set on something.
“As you wish, my dear.” His kind voice said softly and he led the two back to the cottage.
There, the two raised the dark haired babe and taught her many, many things as Caleb loved sharing his knowledge. He had already spent five decades roaming around and experiencing new things. Then Marie wanted to settle down so he used up a bit of saved money and bought this little orchard. Marie enjoyed passing on her ways of healing. They called her Alaida for they had found her in the dark of the dawn.
As for her twin sister... she was found by a vampire named Morana. There is a guild in Vora that is known to be sinister and very notorious. They go by the name of Abda. They do work for the nobles and the streets. All they care for is the money. They will do anything as long as the pay is worth it. People call them dogs. Some others call them rats. It doesn’t matter.
The white haired baby wasn’t found until sunset. By then the poor babe was hungry and needed a change. Her lungs seemed healthy enough as she wailed and cried. Eventually, the noise attracted a little band from the guild Abda. The one leading the few, Morana, picked up the crying baby. She quieted immediately, making a happy gurgling noise.
“Ahhh, she is destined to be great.” Morana murmured, as she held the baby in two hands. “The baby of the Great Kor’s.”
The team trekked back one mile into a quieter part of Vora and the baby was taken care of there. I wasn’t hard to find a caretaker for her. Morana had the money and she was also very stubborn. If there was something she wanted, Morana usually got it.
The vampire would visit her three times a week just to see how the baby was getting on. On the third month, Morana decided to name the baby. She had survived and it wouldn’t do to be nameless.
“Eileen.” She had whispered, the baby sleeping in her crudely carved crib. “May you become the light.”
And so the two sisters were put on different paths.
