The woods were really dense, blocking out the sight of the sun.
Boom
Boom
Even though the trees blocked the light, it couldn't completely block the sound of the canons in the distance. The ground slightly shook as the canons crashed, hopefully no one was hurt. Hopefully, Mother and Father are safe.
"Hey, you want to talk?" asked Jean.
I shook my head and looked down. This all must be a nightmare, maybe I'll wake up and see my parents in the dining hall once more. It's my birthday, I bet there's going to be a grand ball to celebrate my 17th year. I'll dance with many maidens, in hopes to get a wife. Well, that's the bad part, I don't want to marry unless I love her, but tradition states that we must marry someone our parents assigned, which is bad.
"Hey Scott, want to rest a bit?" asked Jean.
"Yeah," I nodded as I sat under a rock.
"Your parents prepared us well," he said as he held the bag that was given to us at the exit, "Here's a biscuit with some water."
I took some and nodded, "Thanks."
I slowly ate the bread as I closed my eyes. There was no sound except for a strong wind blowing through the trees, moving their branches violently.
"I think it's best we get shelter, I know a nearby cave close by. Follow me," said Jean as he got up and started to run between the trees.
I followed him for probably a minute until we got to a big cave. The thunder boomed loudly and rain started to drop from the sky. We hurried into the cave and sat down, sheltering ourselves from the storm.
"Do you think there are wild animals?" I asked Jean.
"There might be, but don't worry, I'll protect you,"said Jean as he placed the bag and his sword down, "We'll stay here for the night, I doubt anyone will find us, especially since the rain will wash away our tracks."
I nodded and looked out the cave, the rain poured so hard that the trees, that were visible enough, slightly bent to the side.
I looked back at Jean and sighed, "What is our plan?"
He looked over at me and answered me, "Well first, you need to change your name."
"Why is that?" I asked.
"Because we can't let people know that you're the Prince, if they do, then they'll be people talking about it which may cause the enemies to find out."
"Ahh, I see. Then do you have a name chosen?"
"Yes I do, your name is Eden, Eden Draver," Jean smiled as he said the name.
"Hmmm... I like it," I said as I nodded, "How about you?"
"My name will remain the same, not many people know me, unlike the Prince of Arie," chuckled Jean.
I nodded and slightly smiled, "Thanks Jean, you're always there to help me when I need it, I'm forever in your debt."
"Don't talk nonsense, I would do anything for my Prince, and for my best friend," smiled Jean, "Now go, get some sleep. You have a long day awaiting you."
I nodded and slowly fell asleep.
.
.
.
"Scott, honey, time to wake up," said a soft voice in my ear.
"Mom, is that you?" I quickly asked.
"Yes love, now hurry, you must get ready and come down to the dining room to eat a fantastic breakfast!" mom said as she laughed.
I sleepily nodded and then smiled, "Yes mother, I'll be down in a few minutes."
Mother exit the room quickly and I got up to look at myself. Could it be that all the commotion last night was just a dream?
The door swung open and in came Jean, "Scott! Hurry! Come with me!"
"What? Why? Mother says that I must go downstairs."
"You don't want to do that," said Jean.
"But I will!" I yelled and quickly ran out the door.
Jean held my arm and pulled me back, "Your Mother and Father are dead!"
I stood still as his words seeped in my head. No, it can't be, he's lying!
"You're lying! You bastard! Mother was just here to wake me up!" I yelled as I pulled my arm away and quickly sprint down the hall towards the dining room.
"Scott, wait! Come back!" I heard Jean yell at me, but I didn't pay mind. Mother. Father. I know you're alive. Jean is lying. It's a joke. It's a prank to mess with me on my birthday. That bastard.
I entered the dining hall and there I saw the most horrifying thing I can ever imagine. Mother and Father were on the ground, blood seeping out of their bodies from multiple places. I quickly ran to them and sat in their mixed pool of blood, holding their bloody hands to my face.
"Father! Mother! Why!?" I cried as I sat there with them, holding their hands against my cheek.
"Hmm, why you ask? Maybe it's because the Kingdom of Arie deserves a better king," said an old, deep voice at me.
I turned around and faced the King of Zello, King Vandal. A scar ran down his right eye and his smile was as crooked as a tree branch.
"You deserve to die!!" I said, rage rushing into my body.
"Too bad I'm not the one dying now," he smugly replied as he motioned for his guards to come over. Two guards took one arm each while the other took a sharp sword and held it to my throat, "Bye bye Prince Scott,"
I heard a laugh before everything went black.
.
.
.
"AGHHHHH," I yelled as I quickly got up, my breaths were hard and there was sweat all over my body. I looked all around and noticed I was back in the cave. The ground damp from all the rain and the birds chirping happily. Jean was no where to be found.
I got up and began to look around. The fire was out and the bag and the sword weren't seen. Did Jean get captured?? No, that doesn't make sense... They would also take me too. I heard the sound of water not far from the cave entrance. I slowly exited the cave and made my way to the water.
When I found the river, the water was a very pretty clear color, the rocks underneath made the water seem blue-ish. This must be the Sapphire River Father mentioned... Father... Mother...
I slowly went down to grab some water to quench my thirst. I took a few sips of the clear water. It tasted so clean.
Growl
I quickly got up and turned around, trying to make out the noise.
Growl
I peered into a thick bush and saw not one, but two pairs of eyes looking at me. I slowly backed up as the two eyes came closer, revealing themselves to be a part of a head that belonged to wolves. The wolves snarled and had a mean glare towards me. I quickly reached down for a weapon and realized I had none. Is this the way I'll end?
The bigger wolf came closer and started to jump towards me. I stood back in a defense position and awaited the attack.
Thud
Nothing happened... I slowly peered over my arm and saw the wolf body lying motionless on the ground, an arrow attached to its stomach. I looked around and noticed on the other side of a river, stood a girl with pitch black hair and tan skin, covered with clothes made from fur and deer skin, and a bow in her hand with arrows on her back. She swiftly pounced over the rocks and landed on my side of the river, a few feet away. She then walked over to the wolf and took her arrow out. The wolf remained motionless which meant he was no longer living. She looked over at me and smiled.
"Bingo," she said.
