Only after the shriek had fully reverberated through the street did I actually understand what was happening. My head was still a little light from the quarrel with 502, and my mind was slow from the dreary, rainy weather. "Dragon!" The call came again, followed by an agonizing scream that drifted off at the end. A deafening roar then bounded along the cobblestones, making my boots tremble. I froze. Dragons had not been seen in Elesmire for over 200 years. The only thing practically left of them were whispered tales of terror and fear. They were the monsters in children's stories and the beast that lurked in every shadow. No one dared even mention them on the streets, but in the safety of their home in the company of those they trusted. This was because it was fated that one day the Morning Star would drop from the skies astride the dark creatures, led by the Raven, and fry Korindal where he stood.
The king had heard this prophesy many times, the tale drifting through the streets from the mouths of story tellers, and had executed all who had mentioned it. He was sensitive to the subject and called any mention of the story treason. Yet even with this danger, the poor folks of Elesmire still whispered the prophesy with excitement. In the tale, it was rumored that the Raven, a man of great strength and virtue, would rise from the heart of the people themselves and lead them and the Morning Star against the king. He alone could control the dragons and was sometimes referred to as the True King of Elesmire. This was what the Spider was truly afraid of. It was the gnawing fear that ate away at him every minute of every day. But for the people, it was the unspoken hope that laid in the heart of every man, woman, and child. The Raven was the only hope for the end of King Korindal.
However, there was a flaw. The Raven was created from the hopes, dreams, and hearts of the people. Yet in every tale where there is great good, there is also great evil. Everything must have a counterbalance. From the fear, anger, and darkness of the king, the Starling was born. As the Raven was to the day, the Starling was to the night. The Starling could command all dark magic under his will, and was prophesied to use it against anyone with even a spark of light in their hearts. In the story, the great fight wasn't against the Morning Star and the king. It was against the Raven and the Starling, one for the people and one for the king. On the streets, the Starling was never mentioned, only the Raven. It was back luck to even mention the cursed name. However, if you caught the right story teller, he would softly whisper the prophesy in your ear.
When the dragons once again soar,
And to their master they fly,
The Raven shall rise and lead the war,
For now is the king's time to die.
With a heart of the purest gold,
He shall lead his people free.
All 'round shall follow him, young and old,
For he came to answer their plea.
But with a heart of the darkest fire,
The Starling comes cold and stark.
Soul torn from chest, yet not to expire,
His eyes hold not even a spark.
In blood or fate these two are like,
They can share a simple bond.
Yet with death's intention they often strike,
One's face for another they've donned.
Who shall win this ancient told war,
YOU ARE READING
The Raven
FantasyI always wanted to live a normal life, just fit in. But somehow, I am just "different". I was happy just being with my father and brother. But, when strange men come to town, my life turns upside down. They tear my world apart and open new horrors...
