Into The Unknown

Chapter 1

"Xander! Come down here... It's almost time to see him off!" I heard my mother yell from downstairs.

That's right... It's today. The day that the army of the human territory takes my older brother away from me and my family. This is the day they take him to the capital to make him fight in their senseless war. I've known this day was coming for a long time now. After all, he is the most adept fighter in the town. He must be scared, very few return from the war and those who do are never the same again. I know that he is putting on a brave face and doing this for me. By law, the army can only claim one son from each family in the dominion. But that doesn't change how I feel about this. I don't want my brother to just throw away his life for me, I don't deserve it. He has always been better than me at everything, whether it's labor or simply being a good person. I don't deserve to keep living here and be happy the rest of my life, I should be the one making sure that he is able to be happy. It's all a loser like me is good for.

"Damn it..." I clenched my fist, feeling tears form in my eyes.

I promised myself I wouldn't cry, or take his sacrifice for granted. But here I am, wallowing in my own self pity when I should be on my knees thanking him. That's not me though, and my brother wouldn't like that either. I have to stay strong, for both his sake and mine.

"Geez Xander. I know it's early but you still have to do what mom says. Plus, I want yours to be the face I see when I get on that ship." My brother spoke, entering my room.

"I'm sorry... I just... Have a lot on my mind." I sighed.

"Come on now! Don't tell me you're losing your edge now, of all days! Get dressed and come down." He smiled.

I picked myself up from my bed and got dressed in my normal attire. I looked into the mirror and fixed up my messy brown hair and stared back into my own green eyes.

"You are going to stay strong. We won't falter." I growled at my reflection.

I walked down the steps and emerged into the hall, where my brother and mother were waiting.

"About time! I thought I'd have to come and dress you like when you were little." My brother laughed.

"I'm fifteen. I can dress myself." I complained.

"I know, I know." He chuckled. "Now then, how about we head out of here?"

I followed my family out the door, unable to look away from my brother. In a time like this... He still manages to act happy and cheer me up. He really is amazing. He is always able to make others happy, and I envy him. When Dad died, it was him who got us back on our feet, and kept providing for him ever since. Compared to him I'm completely pathetic, in fact my mother likes to keep reminding me of that whenever she gets the chance. I don't know how I'll be able to keep us alive without him.

The three of us walked in silence down the street, towards the docks. The town was as lively as ever, with children running around and their parents conversing, shops were being bought from and lovers held each other tight under the clear blue sky. If he wasn't going, maybe he could have settled down and had a family...

"We're almost to the docks." My brother said sadly.

"Yeah... We are." I sighed.

"I need to talk to you about some things." He told me.

"Of course. Whatever you need." I replied, trying to force a smile onto my face.

"I want you to know that in no way is this your fault, and I want you to live a happy life no matter what. When I return I expect you to provide me with a warm bed, good food and some of your kids to keep me company." He joked.

"I'll take that as a promise that you'll be back." I sniffled.

My brother sighed and stepped forward, wrapping me in his arms.

"Of course it's a promise you moron." He joked.

I buried my face in his shirt and started to let myself go. Even if it makes me look weak, it might be the last time I see him... No. He promised and I'll hold him to that.

"I love you Xavier." I cried into his chest.

"I know. I love you more than anything in this world little brother." He smiled.

He squeezed me tight before letting me go. The two of us caught up with mom and covered the last leg of the journey to the dock.

As to be expected, there was a small crowd gathered there, right in front of the black military airship that would be taking him to the capital. I couldn't stand to look at that ship for anymore then a second, instead turning my gaze to the soft white clouds that make up the sea.

"Y'know, they say that they come from a world beneath the clouds. Naturally I'll be going down there to find them with the army. So you can look forward to all kinds of stories from another world when I get back." Xavier smiled.

I looked up and met his gaze. He still had that same sad smile he had while we talked. But his eyes had changed, I could see that he was determined. The fire in his eyes was the same as whenever he would talk about his dreams when he was younger. The same fire I respected so much... The fire that had made me want to push myself to be as good as him... I decided then what I wanted to do about this.

"Good luck brother. I expect you to keep your promise and come back here." I smirked. "Though I'm going to make sure that you'll be completely useless, because while you're gone I'm going to surpass you in everything I possibly can."

I pumped my first and looked him straight in the eye. He may be the one protecting me right now, but the minute he gets back I swear on my life, I'm going to be reversing the roles and there is nothing he will be able to do about it.

He looked surprised for a second, but that look quickly turned into his usual cocky smile that I knew so well.

"Fine. You're going to have to work really hard little bro, or else I'm going to make sure to rub it in the rest of your life." He laughed, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you for everything Xavier." I said quietly.

"Right back at you Xander. Well I guess I'm off!" He jeered, removing his hand.

I watched as he walked towards the military men that waited for him. They conversed for a second before allowing him to board the ship, the military men close behind him.

"They're only taking one? What a relief... We don't need to throw away so many young lives at an enemy they won't beat." I heard a woman speak.

"Quiet dear... His family might hear you. There is no need to make them worry." A man told her.

I watched as that ship carried my brother away towards the horizon. The black dot floating among the clouds grew smaller and smaller until I could barely see it anymore. I smiled to myself. No matter what, my brother never breaks a promise.

I started to wonder what I should beat him in first. After all, to beat him I'm going to need to train everyday. That's it! First I'll beat him in how far he can run. It's not much but it's a start. I took off towards the nearby hills at full speed, more determined than ever to prove myself.

My plan was almost perfect, with there only being one problem... I was running too fast to do any kind of distance. My breaths grew heavy and before long I started to feel a pain in my ribs. I closed my eyes from the pain and felt a dull thud, knocking me over.

I opened my eyes and looked around, seeing a lock of blonde hair spilling over my shoulder. Crap... I hit someone didn't I! I sat up and looked to see a blonde hair girl laying beside me on the path. Her eyes fluttered open and revealed eyes the same color as the sky.

"I'm so sorry! Are you ok?" I managed to say like an idiot, blushing furiously.

"I'm fine... I'm Chloe. What's your name?" She asked.

"Xander... My name is Xander."