The seals to the portal operate only to keep things out, however at any point in time could one go in. It was because Zura's parents, the current King and Queen of Ren, decided long before the birth of Zura that the idea of continually sacrificing lives no longer held a basis, that they stopped the sacrifice of virgins in his kingdom, however a few days after the birth of Zura, they learned that the light of the seal that bound the portal, which should glow bright deep within that cave in the mountain, had grown alarmingly dim in the span of a night, and it was that night that a voice spoke from deep within the mountain. "Give me the first born Prince, or die." It is said, the voice rippled throughout the entirety of the kingdom, leaving little room for interpretation. He was not only the first born prince, he was the only prince. His parents vehemently refused throughout his childhood, long after he was believed to be blessed by the light for his intelligence, right up until people started dying. Around the portal there were military barracks, and the day before Zura heard the conversation that he was not meant to hear, every single soldier in that battalion died. The bodies were found with claw marks gouging out significant portions of their bodies. The advisors to the King and Queen, were up in arms and insistent that for the sake of the kingdom, the young prince must be sacrificed to the portal, especially the military commander, who had lost an entire battalion. After Zura made his appearance, the advisors were dismissed and Zura had a long conversation with his parents. He listened, learned, and speculated. He informed them that he believed that he needed to get stronger, just in case, and they agreed. What he didn't tell them however was the excitement bubbling just beneath the surface right beside the slight trepidation at the idea of going to a place most unknown. He dove headfirst into his training. He learned, grew, and grew more. And now, today, he was preparing to enter the portal, but not of his own volition. No, it was because there was a coup. A coup initiated by his uncle, the general. In truth, he found the coup to be lacking. He foresaw himself being captured and brought to this location. However, what he did not expect was for his uncle to make a move against his parents. He was thinking stealth operation, but his uncle was thinking full on rebellion. Speculation is fine, as long as it bears fruit. Otherwise, it is just a false sense of certainty. His parents were captured and held at gun point and forced to watch him escorted towards the mountain that blocked the sea surrounding the island, to the cave entrance that allowed no light to enter. Zura walked forward. His hands bound in chains as he drew nearer to the entrance. Two guards were stationed there, watching him with weary looks on their faces. Zura stopped just before the entrance. Two soldiers behind, two at the entrance. He believed he could take them, but then what? The mountain was flat at the front and stretched for miles. He could only run forward, right, or left. To run back would have only been redundant. Zura turned and looked back at his parents. He mouthed the word "thank you", even though he didn't believe they could see his mouth from that distance, he still felt the need to say it. They were truly good people who loved their kingdom and loved him. He turned back towards entrance to the cave, prepared to take a step, and then he heard the gunshot. *Plop* He dropped to his right knee. Looked down and saw blood flowing from his leg. Then, he felt the pain. That intensely searing pain of a hole being burned through one's knee. He shut his eyes tight, grit his teeth, and dove forward, rolling in order to catch a look behind him. The first thing he saw was the soldier to his left pointing the handgun with the smoke wafting off the barrel in his direction. Then, he saw the soldier to his right drawing his handgun. Then, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the two soldiers guarding the entrance to the cave drawing their weapons. The General knew not to underestimate him. He stole a glance between the two soldiers and looked in the distance, to see his father falling forward on the platform in the distance. His uncle standing behind his father with his arm holding a pistol. Did he shoot. And a soldier striking his mother across her face with the handle of his weapon, only to watch as her head whipped back and she too fell to the ground. His eyes went wide. The pain of his knee completely forgotten. He knew that whatever plans were held for his parents after his sacrifice, were likely undesirable, due to the fact that the general and soldiers had to know that they would be sent to their deaths for their actions, however he also hoped that the spineless bastards would have the courage to accept that death, though he knew that was only wishful thinking and he did not do too much wishful thinking. He was a planner. He knew his parents only hope was for attention to be drawn to that secluded location and it would take at least 10 minutes for the closest individual of any authority to reach the area and secure his parents. What he was not planning on was getting shot. He looked at the soldiers in front of him. His face reflected his true feelings of him wanting them to die. Then, he looked down at his bound hands at the object held in them. The soldiers followed his gaze and their eyes went wide, but it was too late. "This was meant for my Uncle." He pressed the button. *BOOM*