All Atlas heard were screams, each as resounding as the other, a sense of dread filled him as one voice in particular caught his ear; he met her eyes, a seemingly bright purple, even as his surroundings burned; she stole his attention.
Those eyes made him feel safe, a sense of comfort in trying times.
He heard her voice, stern but gentle.
"Hope, its a funny thing. you won't always feel it, but its there, if you look hard enough." Her soft laugh echoed across the room, a small study, where Atlas preferred to spend his time.
"Its why we keep going, day after day, we hope for more. something better, even when Life knocks us down," Her hand gently playing with his hair.
"Even when things get bad Attie, remember to look for that hope, and keep going."
"But why - why does it have to be you" Atlas's voice quivered as he tightened his arms around her.
"Attie, I'll be gone soon" she replied gently, her gaze falling on his tear-streaked face.
"And you can't rely on me forever, there will come a time where you will have to grow up" She said, her words making the young boy cling to her even tighter, burying his head in her lap.
"But... I don't want you to go..." his juvenile voice echoed, getting softer and quieter as he continued. Getting another soft chuckle in response.
Her soft gaze turned to him, memorising this moment with a small smile, her eyes glistening.
"Listen Attie, people will die.
Eventually everyone does, some we may love, others, we may hate them to our cores" a bittersweet Laughter rang throughout the room, as her voice croaked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"The important thing, is to cherish every moment with that person, especially if they aren't as friendly."
"will you do that for me? I need you to be strong Atlas..."
His Lilac eyes looked up at her, tears beginning to envelop them as he raised his pinkie, to which she then responded with her own, intertwining them.
"I promise..."
Was the last thing he heard before being forced back to the 'present', as he felt himself fly into a door, hitting it with a loud Thud.
A knight, baring red armour, the symbol of a crimson dragon embroidered on his chest, stood looking down on him.
His longsword drawn emitting a blood red aura. Behind him, were more knights, one in particular was restraining someone.
"ATLAS!"
He heard a voice call out to him, somewhat distant as his vision focused on that figure, those eyes. 'Mum is crying...'
Without thinking he rushed towards the figure, a thunderous pounding replaced his hearing as time seemed to slow, a sword approached his mother as he felt his chest tighten, biting his lip as he stretched his arm.
A sharp Shluck pervaded in the chaos.
Atlas saw the light in her eyes fade, as the sword slashed through her neck.
Atlas froze, his breath caught in his throat as his mother's head fell to the ground with a sickening thud.
He fell to his knees, his shaky hands reaching for his mother as a deep stabbing pain shot from his chest. "M-mum...mum wake up. mummy...I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry mummy, please wake up mummy."
The footsteps of a knight stopped right next to Atlas, followed by the sound of a sword being drawn.
Atlas however, stayed oblivious to his impending death.
Shluck, another sound of a sword ending a life pervaded. As a torrent of fire separated the guards and Atlas.
the memory slowly faded as a voice made its way through the volley of flames.
"One of the best women I knew, your mother." the voice spoke, it's presence bringing him back from the flashbacks. With a deep breath, Atlas composed himself.
"Yea, she was..." He agreed, casting a sorrowful gaze at the grave in front of them.
His fist tightened, remembering the values his mother held.
"She stuck to her word, even at the cost of her life." His father stated. dusting his mother's grave.
"Why are we here?" with quaky breaths, Atlas questioned, cast a glance at his father, his brows furrowed.
"The thought of your condition, reminded me of your mother..." His father bowed his head for a moment, biting his lip as he took a deep sigh and gazed upon the stars.
"They have found us." He simply muttered whilst turning his head, his eyes studying Atlas, who tensed up.
'They?' "Those red knights that killed mum?" Atlas demanded, his voice trembling.
"The Crimson Legion, they were the one's who butchered your mother," his father confirmed grimly.
"Why?"
"Years ago, I Ruled a kingdom, a thriving kingdom called Alveira." He sat on the Ground, seemingly lost in his memories.
"What happened," Atlas sat next to him.
"I hav- had a brother, his name was Nico.
He coveted the throne for years, ever since I was given the responsibility, so far as to gather and turn my supporters and stage a rebellion against my rule." he fidgeted as he spoke, a blank look in his eyes.
"He formed the Crimson Legion out of his best knights. with them, he chased us out of Alveira.
We managed to escape for awhile, hiding out in places. But they eventually found us. Where they killed Isabel..."
[Explains the whole Depressed king thing he has going on] The voice of 4 suddenly appeared out of nowhere, almost making Atlas jump.
'Hey 4, I'll be able to gain strength with you?'
[Well duh, with me, you could become the strongest being in this reality. Given you put in enough effort]
'Alright, well I'll be trusting you'
[your trust is well placed Atlas ;)]
Atlas turned to his father, "You think the Crimson Legion have found us". His father looked back at Atlas, whom got up.
"Well, we can't keep running can we? I'll get strong enough to fight against them, I'll reclaim our kingdom!" He suddenly declared before walking off, not looking back at his father.
His father let out a soft chuckle, seeing his son's fading back.
Looking back at the grave, "He certainly is your son," he whispered with a bittersweet smile.