As Malin and his bodyguards made their way through the towering cathedral, the first prince couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. He'd received threats before, but this time it felt different. His brother, Vistario, had been acting suspiciously of late, and Malin knew that he was always hungry for power.
Suddenly, the sound of swords being drawn shattered the quiet of the cathedral. Malin spun around, his bodyguards fanning out around him. At first,there were three assailants, dressed in black and wielding weapons with deadly proficiency. It was clear that they had been hired for this very purpose.
The bodyguards sprang into action, engaging the assassins in a fierce battle. Blood flew as swords clashed and bodies were pierced. Malin fought alongside his guards, his heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. He knew that if the assassins succeeded, it would mean the end of him and his family's legacy.
"Protect the prince at all costs!" one of the guards shouted as he plunged his sword into an assassin's chest.
"Take no prisoners!" another guard ordered as he knocked a dagger out of a footman's hand, killing him instantly.
Malin's bodyguards were killing machine. He watched as they fought with amazing ease and skill, using their training and experience to befuddle and utterly destroy the assailants. The attackers began to fall before they even realized that they were under attack.
This was the Malin who was once young and weak. He was again that brash and naive boy who had always been the golden boy of his parents. He remembered that day so well. It was his fifteenth birthday, and his father, the King, had announced to the kingdom that he would be making his son the first prince. There had been celebrations throughout the kingdom, lasting for weeks. The feasts had been spectacular, and the festivities had been enjoyed by all. The sixty-four-year-old king had seemed so proud, and Malin knew why. He had made his son.
His father would never know that the first prince had failed his king so spectacularly. Instead, he would remember how his son had made him a king.
Malin continued his fight in the middle of the cathedral, his mind racing for answers. Where had these men come from? Why had they been sent? Who had sent them? Malin knew he had to act, but he didn't know what to do. Finally, his bodyguards lost the last of their attackers, and Malin spun around. He saw the last assassin stumbling away from the entrance of the cathedral. There was no one in sight.
Looking around, Malin realized that his bodyguards had won the battle. Each one of them was standing over a body, covered in blood. The assassins lay motionless on the ground, and the head of each one lay severed at the neck.
Malin shook his head. He had no idea what was going on. He looked out of the cathedral, over the winding streets of his capitol. This was his kingdom, but no person was in sight. The cathedral was empty, except for him and his surviving bodyguards.
The capitol was dark and silent. There was no sign of life, even in the bright early morning. Why was no one here? He had sent for the guards, but no one had responded. What was going on?
Malin searched his mind, trying to remember what must have happened. He had been in the cathedral when the assassins had attacked, and he had no memory of what had happened before they entered. He tried to remember what had gone wrong.There was a scream outside the cathedral. It was a woman's scream, and it was the last thing that Malin remembered.
He called out in anguish and fear. He searched the streets for his guards, but there was no sound of battle, no sign of a struggle. He called out again, hoping and praying that his men would respond, but he received no reply.
Malin turned, slowly turning in a circle. He searched for any sign of what had caused his men to abandon him, but he found nothing. He had no idea where he was, and no idea how he had gotten there. He had no idea what was happening in the capital.
Malin called out one last time, and again, he received no reply. He was alone. The only sound was the breeze stirring through the trees.
Malin lifted his head skyward, and he swore. There were no stars in the night sky. He looked, but there was nothing in the sky
Finally, he was forced to face the most horrifying truth of all. He was trapped in a strange place. There was no hope of escape. No matter where he looked, there was nothing but trees and empty, dark streets. He was alone in the world.
Malin's heart ached. What had he done? He thought he had been bringing honor to his family and his kingdom, but now he knew that he had brought disgrace to all. He had caused the death of so many, and he did not regret it
So, Malin, the first prince, stood alone in the darkness. Alone, and helpless. He felt so lost, so lost and helpless. He could do nothing except wait for death. There was no hope for him. There was nothing he could do. "Malin…"
The voice came to him softly, and Malin looked around, trying to locate the source. The voice called out again, and finally, Malin found the source of the sound. He found it in the corner of his eye, and he turned.
Malin's eyes widened. He saw a figure, standing in the darkness. He saw a figure, surrounded by the darkness. The figure was tall, and he was oddly familiar.
"Malin, it's time to come home," the figure said.
Malin trembled. He saw the figure, and in his heart, he knew who it was. He whispered a response, but the name that had called out to him caused a wave of fear and dread to wash over him. He let out a soft howl, and the figure stepped out of the darkness.
Malin's mother, the Queen, stepped from the shadows. In her blood-soaked hands, she held a blade.
Malin gasped. He felt as if he were being awaken from a terrifying nightmare. So, this was how it was going to end for him. Standing in the darkness, he raised his hands to his face, but the fear and sadness were gone. He was safe. He was alive. The Queen was dead. He was safe.
The Queen stared at her son, and waited for the inevitable.
"You have failed," the Queen said, lifting her blade and moving forward. Malin raised his sword, his heart racing. He was prepared to defend himself, but the Queen didn't attack. Instead, she lifted her blade, and clad it in fire.
Malin's eyes widened as the blade glowed red, and then blue. The blade was simply a flame. The Queen pressed the blade to her son's face. Malin resisted, but he was no match for his mother. The Queen lifted the blade, and Malin felt a sudden powerful heat rise from the blade. The Queen lowered the blade, and Malin staggered back, taking the red glow with him.
Malin stared into his mother's eyes. He could see within his mother's soul. He could see the pain and suffering that she had endured over the last few years. He could see the suffering and the anger, but his mother had also found peace. He saw the love that his mother had for him, and he understood. He could see the pain and sorrow, but he also saw the love that his mother had for him. His mother's eyes were hurting, and he knew that the pain was starting to overwhelm her.
Malin reached out, and he took her hand in his. He squeezed her hand, and her eyes glistened in the red glow. He thought that he could hear his mother crying, but then she smiled.
"I'm so proud of you," the Queen said, and then she turned, and she faded into the shadows.
Malin's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped as he felt a sudden rush of pain. He fell to his knees, and he closed his eyes as he felt a sudden rush of power go through his veins and right into his royal Rune. He lifted his head, and he stood. He looked down at his chest. He saw his Rune glowing red, but it was not the same. He looked at his mother. He saw that her Rune was also glowing.
Malin's jaw dropped as he looked at the memory of his mother. He saw something different in his mother's eyes. He didn't know what it was, but then he looked at his own eyes. He saw something different in his eyes, too. He looked back at his mother, and he saw something different in her eyes. He looked down at his own naked body, and he saw something different on his body. He saw something different in all of his body.
Malin looked up, and he saw something different in the sky. It was night, but the sky was different. It was the same blue as before, but now there was a thin, thin black line running through it. At the end of the line, a tiny star twinkled.