Infinite Embers

Chapter 3 - The Second Child

Glistening in a land where the sun never sets - it was stunning. Gold as far as the eye could see. Marble and Quartz complimenting the gold to build structures. Embroidered with diamonds, the houses could not look more dazzling. It was heaven. Or at least most people thought.

Beauty and warmth resonated through the realms. The land of dreams. Not a single soul, beside the demons, did not desire to set foot on this land. Opposing the darkness, this was the ray of hope for all. A way to subside the evil lurking within the world.

The guardian realm. Zero's homeland. Zero sat, constantly fidgeting, on his large and beautiful throne. His finger constantly going up and down - tapping the arm rest. He felt as though he would bore to death if he stayed any longer on that throne. After a while, he finally decided to give in and get up. He looked towards the king, known as Seven.
"I'll be going now, Father." Zero spoke calmly.

Zero set off, leaving the palace - the largest and most striking building in the realm. His wings fluttered slowly behind him, majestically, as he set off through the streets. Those of the guardian race who are born with royal blood are privileged with large, white wings. The sunlight shone gracefully on the guardian realm and Zero. The citizens of the guardian realm cheered joyfully at the sight of him; they were looking at the future ruler of the guardian realm. The prince of the Guardians - Zero - was loved by all that had heard, seen or knew him. Of course, the demons and a few others being an exception.

Zero wore gold and white clothing all the time without exception, but so did the entire guardian race. He always had a weapon sheathed at his hip in order to train, be ready for battle and defend himself if necessary. It was a stunning white blade with a golden guard and handle, decorated with diamonds. Unlike all the other guardians, Zero was born with something unusual. An infinite sign was engraved on his forehead. It couldn't be removed. He was born with it. It was a curse. At least that's what he believed.

Grand and towering before him, a tree stood. Zero wrapped his right hand around the handle of the sword. He released the sword from its shackles and held it in front of him. Slash! There was a cut running from one end of the bark to the other in a slant running downwards. Zero turned his back and walked away, his white hair blowing in the breeze as he paced forward the tree fell and created a large gust of wind.

It was not long after Zero intensely trained for a few hours that he was ambushed. He was continuously swinging his sword eradicating trees and rocks. He took a seat on a rock close to a waterfall. He rested to the sound of the water gushing until a group of 5 guardians rushed towards him from all directions. Zero's eyes widened. Not in fear. Rather in surprise and anger. He couldn't believe that people had the audacity to attack the prince, especially whilst he was taking a break. Zero unleashed and sheathed his sword within a split second and walked casually away as though nothing happened. Nobody would have caught that with there eye, it happened so fast. Wounds were inflicted on all there chests. All of them were face down on the ground. Bleeding, unmoving.

The attack was carried out by an upcoming cult within the guardian realm known as Finite. Corrupt guardians that were seen as traitors. They believe the mark on Zero's head shows that he is not a true royal nor a true guardian. He is a harbinger of destruction. He is going to destroy humanity. The cult consists of about 1000 guardians. Many believe in their cause but don't have the courage to face the royal family. The cult hates anyone who isn't a true guardian and they also hate people who they believe are disloyal to the throne. Although Zero didn't much care. He would eradicate them if it was required, he thought.

Zero had never heard much of his mother neither had he ever seen his mother. His father had told him very vague details. His mother had died whilst giving birth to him, and that she was the sister of a traitor who had married the King of the Demons. He didn't know anything else. Not what she was like. Not what she did. Not who she was. Not why she died. His father didn't want to tell him anything else about her. He simply didn't believe that she died giving birth. There had to be more to it. It must be a lie. The guardians were a powerful race - One of the most powerful. His mother couldn't die by something as simple as pregnancy regardless of the situation. Battle? Killed? Plague? What? He wanted to know regardless of the cost.

Everything that happens in the Guardian Realm is recorded by the Elder Guardians. They have complete control and authority over the realm alongside the realm; the King wasn't allowed to carry out any missions or create new rules without the Elder Guardians' permission. It worked the other way too - the Elder Guardians could not pass a rule or mission without the permission of the King. They were the most powerful beings within the Guardian Realm after the royal family.

Since they had kept record of everything that has ever happened in the guardian realm, in the past, Zero wished, not only wished but it was his goal, to be able to see those records to find out about the past of the realm. What his mother was truly like and what truly happened to her. He didn't care about what he would have to do. How long it would take. What he would have to go through. What he would have to sacrifice. Who he would have to murder. There was only one thing, and that was his goal.