In a desert known not by man, the sun's heat scorched the ground, turning the sand, stones, and bones of unevenly large proportions turn burning hot.
The place was as unholy as it could get. Full of malice, burning flames, and... desolate.
For hundreds of kilometer, no life could be seen. Nothing. Blank. Not even a blade of grass or a passing bird.
However, although no life is spotted above, untold, harrowing horrors lay somewhere... hiding and biding their time for unassuming preys.
In the middle of the empty expanse, filled only by large and uneven rocks and bones with varying sizes, a place where life cannot reach, a small hut stood.
It was a simple hut, built of stones of uneven proportion. The hut was as unassuming as it could get. It looked similar to the rocks beside it. The only difference is that, the color of the rocks is not red.
Inside the hut lay a emaciated, haggard old man on a bed made of wood. The bed was the only wooden element in the whole of the hut, with some cloth sewn together to make for a pillow and blanket for the old man.
Beside the old man, stood two boys of ruthless and divine beauty. The boys were the most handsome boys ever. Well, that's what both the boys thought of each other, since they haven't met much of humans, except their gramps, and few other random.
Both boys look to be in their mid-teens, only about 14-15. However both their faces still retained some baby fats, even though they lived in a harsh climate.
Both boys, Aldric and Damien, had slightly tanned skin, abnormal for someone who lives in a desert with little solace to heat. However, both their hairs, clothes, and mannerism were a little unrefined, quite clear from their current appearance.
Aldric's blonde hair had long lost their luster, while Damine's black hair only looked dry and messy. Their clothes were torn on the ends, they wore cloaks to cover their self from the heat, and baggy trouser, that looked like sacks sewn and tailored. Their mannerism, however, was refined looking. Although, it was still lacking highly, they would pass as a learnt children.
Clearly they were taught, and raised well.
But the most eye catching detail was their eyes. Both had quite opposing 'personality' in their eyes. Aldric's blue eyes shone with mischief and carefree, while Damien had a sarcastic look and solemn atmosphere.
Both boys stood together holding each others hand, looking at their gramps with a grieving and mourning expression.
A moment after, one of the boys, the one with blue eyes and blonde hair broke the silence,
"Hey, gramps... since you're dying already... can I have your precious dagger?"
The old man who was looking at the ceiling with blank look, glanced at him and said,
"You bastard. Instead of letting me die in peace, you're coveting my treasure. Ungrateful runt..."
The old man coughed, and sighed. While the young man, smiled sadly and laughed and mocked the old man,
"...Well, since you're dying already I'll just take it for myself then."
The old man, however, said,
"When you..."
Finding the words he wanted to say, he shifted for a second and continued,
"Leave this place, engrave my name with that dagger on the wall of this place, with yours beside mine. Then leave me in this bed, knife on hand. That dagger... will only hold you back in your journey."
Both boys nodded, and the black haired boy asked a question that caught his attention.
"Gramps. Why would 'your' dagger, really hold us back? Wouldn't it be useful for us in our journey? Afterall, we arent exactly equipped with anything, so how could we survive the world outside? Plus, your blade looks well polished and new even though, as you've said, it's already close to a hundred years old?"
The old man coughed a few, and replied with hoarse voice,
"Boy, you're smart and attentive. However, sometimes, it is better not to know a lot. Knowledge... it can be heavy. Really heavy. The heaviest thing in the world. Take this to heart, both of you."
"What do you mean? C'mon, old man, what's that gotta do with the dagger?"
The black haired kid replied. To which the old man snorted and sighed,
"The knife is a memento and a treasure I took from a powerful order. If they find that knife, they'll chase you down and kill you. That's all you need to know. So it's best it disappears. If you really desire it, then desecrate my grave once you're strong enough, and take it."
The kid now felt guilty with the old man's words of desecration.
"I didn't mean it like that..."
"I know."
The old man coughed once more, and said,
" I feel my death coming close. It's your time now, go. I've thought you all you need to survive, where to go, and who to ask help. Yo will thrive in this world and... make my wish come true."
"But-"
"Go!"
"...Yeah, we'll make your wish come true."
They both turned to the door, and Aldric, the blonde hair, stopped in front of the door for a moment and said,
"Gramps, I promise... I'll make your wish come true."
Damien, the red eye, too said,
"I'll make you proud, old man. Be sure to watch us, ok?!"
With that they left hurriedly, with a teary-eyed Damien pushing Aldric who had tears streaming his face.
The old man chuckled with his remaining strength, and shed few tears. He whispered,
"I am... I am proud of you both already..."