The Darkness Saga: Primo

Prologue

The two kingdoms of Ira and Superbia were having a momentous day. All their people have vowed that this time will not be tainted, one way or another.

For on the highest turret of Ural Castle, standing and smiling and waving, were the king and queen of both kingdoms.

"People of Ira and Superbia!" the queen said, in a voice that rang with sweetness and power. "We are honored to rule over this brave union of two most powerful kingdoms."

There were cries of joy and agreement, and the king nodded.

"We shall not bring this union to shame," he said. "And for those who dare taint our kingdom, we shall fight! We shall stand up for our kingdom, we shall be its voice. We will never surrender, in the act of protecting our country!"

Amidst the shouts of utter joy and happiness for the new rulers, a shadow lurked in the crowd.

Nobody saw the bitter smile that crawled up its hidden face.

And nobody knew what was coming.

***

The king of Gula gritted his teeth as he watched the kingdoms of Ira and Superbia rejoice. His kingdom was a poor one, and there was no doubt that this union will only take its meager power away.

"You wish for war?"

The voice was barely a whisper, and yet the king jumped. "Who are you?"

"Me?" the voice replied, the pale lips of a cloaked figure moving in sync with it. "I am nothing. Or rather, I am what you think is nothing."

"What kingdom are you from?" the king muttered.

"Nowhere." the figure shrugged. "But that is not what I came for."

"What, I ask, is your purpose for coming here? And why are you speaking to me?"

The king of Gula could see the faintest of smiles creep up the stranger's lips.

"What is it you desire?" the stranger asked.

"Nothing, as of the moment."

The figure turned to the two rulers, who were celebrating the union. "Ah, I see. You fear that this union will take away what riches you have left."

"Nothing of that sort," the king scoffed. "You are but a stranger to me. You know nothing."

"But ah, alas, I know nothing about you," the stranger bowed. "But I know everything about yourself."

"Who are you?" the king asked firmly. "Are you a friend or foe?"

"I am neither." the stranger replied curtly. "But I am both."

And with that, the figure disappeared.

The king of Gula was left standing, unaware of the shouts around him and the joyous music. All he knew was that his will was badly shaken.

"No, that is nothing." he told himself. "He is but a stranger. He knows nothing about me, nor my kingdom."

And with that, the king of Gula left.

***

TEN YEARS LATER

The queen suppressed a shriek as she ran, one of her servants at her side.

"My queen--it is too dangerous!" the servant said, guiding the Superbian noble over a collapsed pillar. The king of Gula had declared sudden war against Superbia-Ira, and now the victim kingdom had erupted in chaos. To add insult to injury, the queen was pregnant, and all of her faithful servants had died...except one.

"My queen!" he said once more, as he caught her gently before her chest had been impaled by a stray candelabra. "We must turn back! I--"

"No, Luke!" the queen shouted. "We must go back to the king. I do not want his corpse to be on a battlefield!"

"He will be fine!" the servant, Luke, roared over the sound of flames outside the castle. "Now, the only way we have is to flee!"

"Luke--" Luke pressed a finger to the queen's lips.

"Be still, Your Highness," Luke whispered, taking her up in his arms. "Our only priority, as of now, is to ensure your safety."

The queen could not say anything after that.

Luke smiled to himself, and knelt down, the Superbian noble still in his arms.

"After all, I am doomed to carry the fate of this kingdom 'til the end of my days."

The queen's eyes widened as wings of fire unfurled from Luke's back. Soon enough, the both of them were engulfed in flames.

"Luke...who are you?"

"Me?" Luke smiled down at the queen. "I am nothing."

And the queen's world went black.