The beginning: 8th day, 13th month, The Sun of 399,980
It was around the 17th hour of the day. Myself and my older brother, Fain, were on our way back home to the fortress, the kingdom of our beautiful land of Suran. "The Cerlens never stood a chance with the likes of us brother!", exclaimed Fain. "We shall eat in celebration as soon as we tell father and the rest of the news." I smiled in shared delight at the thought of it. We had just left Arked Academy, the best fighting school in all the land. My brother and I had finally made it to our graduating year and had been paired up in the annual Battle of Honors tournament. It is a 15 round battle of two on two combat. Whichever team is victorious has earned their place in the Hall of the Greats with those since the beginning of the school. Fain and I had defeated our opponents the Cerlen brothers, whom we have faced in competition throughout the school years. As we ride our pet and friend, a full breed Ice Dragon we named Lynx back home, I can't help but gaze at the beauty of the horizon from the light of our red giant sun that gives life to our world of Ariles. Children laughing, playing while practicing their still growing magical abilities below us. One day to have the honor of attending one of the academies to learn and harness their true strength. A few will be fortunate enough to attend Arked and only 2 that will know the overwhelming joy of success that my brother and I are feeling at this moment. I feel as the wind from Lynx's wings grow stronger as we begin to descend. "Home at last" I thought to myself. It will be a huge feast when mother and father hear of the news. Heirs to the throne of Suran and sons of the great Doman the VI, Fain and Doman the VII have conquered and earned a place in the hall of the greats. We climb off Lynx, smiles on our faces, going back and forth reminiscing about our battle in the last round of the tournament. "I couldn't have landed that last strike without you brother" exclaimed Fain, "I didn't even know Ulo was still conscious". "Be grateful you have a partner that thinks on his feet", I said, "Or we wouldn't have stood a chance". " Come now brother", laughed Fain, " We will always come out on top because it is in our blood to reign, as father says. " Father has me concerned." I say as we enter the main hall, "He is constantly in his studies." " Yes he does seem a bit preoccupied these days." said Fain, " Why do you fear? Do you have any premonitions of war?", he asked. Premonition is an ability I was born with, and I'm the only one of my siblings to possess it as well. I replied, "No, I haven't had a vision in a while actually." "But I do sense darkness from time to time." "No worries", said my brother, "If war is to come let us invite it, for there is no kingdom greater than that of Suran. Never forget that brother" he said with a smirk on his face. Many people perceive my brother as over-confident and arrogant at times. And I must admit there have been instances where I've thought the same. But in his words, "It is merely pride." But it seems as though my brother had forgotten about our failure in the War a little over a decade ago in the sun of 399,968. Our nation had lost to the western nation of Norbid which is ruled by King Baron-Myn. This failure caused my father a time of great depression because it was the first loss Suran has endured in many centuries. Our nation has a long history of great kings, and enchanters. Especially my great, great, great, great grandfather Doman the first. He is known throughout the land for giving his life and defeating the darkest sorcerer our world has known, Mortilus, who was once ruler of the forbidden land of the south. There is an ancient statue of my grandfather that sits in the front of the Kingdom as a reminder of our family's history. As we enter our fathers chamber our mother, Queen Lefail, greets us with joy. "Well, how did it go?" she asked anxiously with a warm smile on her face. Before I could get out a word, my brother exclaimed, "We defeated the Cerlen brothers for good, and we are now amongst father and the ones before us in the Hall of the Greats!" It was at that moment, my father stormed into the hall, his eyes filled with anger and rage. It felt as if his presence had destroyed every bit of happiness that flowed through the air. "Fain, Doman…come with me quickly." Filled with confusion we followed, wondering what this disturbance was about. This is supposed to be a time of celebration, I thought. My brother and I shared a look of concern at one another as we approached the War room. War.. ,I thought, it's the word I hate the most as it brings utter chaos, destruction and catastrophe. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, all struck with grief as they pray to the gods for mere survival. As we enter the War room we see every general, ranking officer and soldier of the nation. I look around and am reminded of this dreadful room as I had not entered in years since a boy. My father training Fain and myself and preparing us for the day we take command and lead the nation. We sit at the round table that maps out our world at the surface. My brother and I sit and greet the others as we wait for what is to be announced. The first in command, General Koru, stands and asks for silence. "You are all gathered here… because our nation faces troubled times," he says with a strong voice as he glares at us all, " Norbid, the nation of the west, has once again declared war." My head drops in despair at the sound of this news even though I expected it. " They have broken the peace treaty," he continued, "We tried desperately to avoid this decision. But they will have it no other way. So from this day forth, we, the nation of Suran, are officially at war with the nation of Norbid. May the gods be with us all." A million thoughts storm through my head. I myself have no wife or children, I'm only 17 but I think of so many others that do. War knows no names, has no feelings and sets no boundaries. Anyone or anything that can be touched can be killed. In the midst of my thoughts my father stands as General Koru takes a seat. " Failure is not an option", he begins, "We will do what is necessary to win every battle, and conquer this war." I look around at the other soldiers. Some with looks of worry, some even with smiles on their faces as if to invite the battle, including my brother. At that moment, to everyone's surprise, Fain stood and spoke. "Let us not grieve in despair! Let them taste the blood we'll draw from our swords! Let them regret the very day they declared war with the nation of Suran! If it's war they want, it's war they'll get!" A cheer rang out so loud I wouldn't doubt if everyone across the entire nation heard it. My brother may be arrogant at times, but he definitely has his way with words. My father smiled as everyone, even those who were uncertain of this decision, rose in agreement with my brother and were ready to fight, and destroy whatever lay in our path to victory. Except me. I am a warrior at heart, this is the truth, but I have always been peaceful. Never to use my abilities for harm unless absolutely necessary. I took after my mother. She has always been a kind soul with a heart made of gold. So quick to reach out to the needs of others, as I. My father has always been stern and strict, especially with discipline.. at least when it comes to obeying him anyway. My sister took after him. She was a ranking soldier as well. She stood among the masses, a blank stare on her face as if no news had even been given. She welcomed war more than anyone.