Rise of the Alliance

Chapter 8: Exile

Mink and Nathan appeared in a world that seemed to have very little light. They saw cobblestone houses nearby. This world looked bleak, and lifeless. They couldn't see any other life nearby. Was there no life at all? That couldn't be possible. What made those houses? Was the species of this world extinct? That didn't seem right. Suddenly they felt the ground under them begin to shake. Wooden cages enveloped them! They were trapped.

In the distance, Nathan heard a strange sound. He'd felt like he'd heard it. Was that, the sound of wings? Out of nowhere, black creatures each with different colored eyes and black wings swooped in. There were so many speaking at once. Nathan heard some of them say stuff like, "Intruders!"

"Take them to the queen!"

"Kill them here!"

Kill them?! Nathan didn't want to die! He was only thirteen, he had seen so little! One of the creatures jabbed Nathan in the side with a spear. Another pulled out a slingshot, and hurtled a rock at his head. The force of it knocked him out.

Mink was conscious to see the creatures grab the cages and carry them into town. Nathan was still unconscious, so he wouldn't be helpful at the moment. She looked at him. He looked somewhat peaceful. Like a sleeping child, not a weapon on him.

Wait a minute! He didn't have his sword or shield with him!

Well that was just perfect wasn't it? The two captured, not a weapon on them. "Maybe I could," Mink began to think, "no. It's too risky!" All she could do was wait and see what happens next.

The two were taken to a bright castle. The castle seemed to be the only source of light in this world. Besides the fires Mink had seen in the several houses. They were brought into a room. A young woman, with a calm face, and long, sandy hair. Who was wearing a beige jacket and military pants. With very interesting black footwear, was sitting on a gold encrusted throne. Her eyes seemed cold and dead, much like this world. "Oh, guests," She smiled, "what brings you here?" Even though she didn't look like it, to Mink she seemed pretty nice. In a creepy way, that is. The woman snapped her fingers and the other creatures dispersed. Then, the woman got up from her throne, and immediately appeared in front of Mink. "Who are you?"
"Who are you?"

"I asked first."

"Mink, of the Allied Forces."

"Sounds boring." The woman replied. Then she disappeared, re-appearing in front of Nathan's cage. She looked at him. Nathan was still unconscious.

"So who's he, your boyfriend?" The woman asked. Mink felt embarrassed, but furious at the same time. The woman seemed to notice, because she started to laugh. "Look at you," She laughed, "your face is all red!"

"Who are you?" Mink snapped. The woman stopped laughing. They stared coldly at each other. Then the woman began to smile.

"Fine. The name's Nelle," She began, "they basically worship me here." She pointed at one of the other creatures. It cowered in fear. Mink just spoke again,

"Doesn't seem that way."

"You've got a little demon inside you, don't ya?"

"Who said it's inside me?" As she said this, both her and Nelle heard Nathan moan. They both looked at him. Mink seemed worried, while it looked like Nelle didn't care, though she stopped smiling.

"He'll be fine... eventually," Nelle began to walk back to her throne, but paused, "you want out right?" Mink nodded slowly, still keeping an eye on Nathan. Meanwhile, Nelle walked up to her throne and sat down. Then started smiling again. "I need you to get rid of a pest."