A World Divided

A Clash of Power

The ship stopped two more times before Alcohol couldn't take it anymore. He was a pirate! This should be a pirate ship, not a passenger ship! He crossed his arms and impatiently tapped his fingers as three women boarded the ship, each contrasting the other by a lot. The first held her head high and her gaze cold as she analyzed the ship contents before plopping herself down onto the ground, yawning loudly. The next girl was as cold as the first with eerily cold beauty. Her sad green eyes placed themselves onto Alcohol causing him to blush momentarily before she knelt slowly to the ground next to the other. The last was a younger girl with a big smile etched upon her face and giggled lightly at her companions. He caught bits and pieces of their conversations and finally he placed his hands around his ears and hummed a tune.

Red suspiciously glanced at the man now humming and turned back to her companions, on guard now.

"Vaene, I don't think we're safe here. We need to get back to Aetas for the Rite of Awakening for Miss Queeny" Red frowned and glanced upwards, not wanting to further divulge into a long debate. She was a fighter, not a politician. That was the Elders jobs. Heck, she was even labeled a Demon by them. Vaene smiled and sent shudders down Red's back. This was not the time to be smiling, especially at her. Red quickly turned away, as much as she didn't want to admit it, Vaene was definitely dangerous and Red would never let her guard down around her and if she wanted a fight, she would get one. Ellex on the other hand just twiddled her thumb and bit the inside of her cheek at the nickname given to her so long ago.

Puera kept sneaking glances towards the new arrivals before a huge grin stretched across his face. Standing up, he casually walked towards them, causing the one with raven black hair to straighten herself. Her glare caused Puera to shift nervously. He waved slightly and gained a skeptical look from the same girl. He sat down and smiled lightly. They were all...so...his train of thought ended as he felt his body freeze from the looks of the two older women.

"Can we...help you?" The silver haired woman spoke slowly as if he was uncomprehending.

"You look like you're not from around here...and I...was wondering if...you needed help...?" His voice cracked and quickly turned away his beet red face. The ladies smiled and caught each others eyes.

"Shall we tell you a story?" The silver-haired girl tapped her chin and grinned mischievously and immediately straightened her face before the boy could see it.

The story started out slow, in a wide open field as the wind swished between the flowers and the grass. A young woman stood in the middle and held out her arms as the wind rushed underneath her. She was beautiful. Her black hair flew behind her and her blue eyes sparkled like stars. Away in the distance was an equally beautiful man, with golden locks and fiery orange eyes. Together, they were the sun and the moon. They slowly approached one another and gently touched hands. A bright light encircled them and two young child were born of the Earth.

Puera coughed and snickered. What lies. He stopped immediately after catching the glares from Red. He mumbled to continue on and Vaene cleared her throat once more.

"Those children were the first Unknown.The first was named name was Anaja and her power was greater than any Unknown alive. She, like her creators, created. The other, a boy, was named Dain and held the opposite power, the power to destroy. Anaja, while good, created the Elders and slowly began building the city that would be known as Aetas. Next she created villagers to support the city. Next warriors, artisans, and civilians. The last she created...was a young boy...named Liam."

"Chris?" There was no answer. "Chris! This isn't funny!" The boy held his breath and searched the barren wasteland for any signs of movement. Behind him, a twig snapped and the boy shot around, his hands in a defensive position. A small elk like animal popped out of the small brush still left and the boy slackened his arms. He should've known better. Almost a minute later, his body was thrown to the ground a heavy weight pinned him.

"All right get off you big lug!" The boy kicked furiously at his captor who quickly relenquished his grip on him.

"Sorry Liam." Chris rubbed his wrists and looked away, embarrassed. His auburn hair lay matted against his forehead and his skin looked abnormally paler than normal. Liam knew instantly that he wasn't getting enough food. He opened his mouth and clamped it shut immediately. His mother always told him to not pick fights he couldn't win. 

"Chris your birthday is in a few days right? What do you want?" Liam crouched and hid his face to not worry Chris. Chris stopped momentarily and scratched his chin.

"A birthday cake! With twelve candles!" He smiled and opened his arms causing laughter to spill out of Liam who rose again and charged towards Chris, ready to surprise and pin him. Giggles erupted from the two of them and the ground rumbled causing the boys to freeze. Liam turned away from Chris.

"I have to go...my mom needs me." He rolled his eyes and waved goodbye to Chris who only held up his hand with a mournful look on his face. Liam fought himself on the way back and shrank back at the doors leading to his mother's chamber. She was probably furious and going to give him a stern talking to. He inhaled and pulled his body inside. 

She was. After a moment of silence, her hand came swooping and caught him on the cheek causing his head to whiplash to the right. He pressed his hand against his swelling face and only looked at his mother. For being 4000 years old, she was still beautiful. She sighed and looked over Liam before falling to her knees and pulling him close. Liam stayed frozen, his mother's personality was quite fickle and easy to change. She removed herself and sent him away with the flick of her hand. He quietly left his room and recieved an uneasy glance from Nusquam and Naomi. He got off easy today.

"I'm really getting a birthday cake!" Chris giggled and flopped to the ground. Even if he was born on the day of the red moon and even though he was banished, he was still happy. A crack echoed around and he manuevered his body upwards and searched warily. He only had time to block as a large creature fell ontop of him, clawing at his body. Chris let out a scream and pulled his hand quickly to his wound. Red. Then all he could see was darkness.