1 Chapter 1

My name is Death, I'm a guardian of Death and Life. I'm a prince of guardians, it was about time I ruled but something got in the way.

One day King Arnold received a report about the loss of countless lives in the Grorhur Dynasty, his world. Unknown assassins were everywhere, dressed in all black from head to toe, faces covered by similar carved masks of a crow. They had swept through the kingdom, day and night, leaving not a single place in peace and only piles of ashes of assassins that had managed to be killed. It was as if they possessed magic, wanting to leave no trace behind or clue of where they came from. The king, frail from old age, at 92 years and having had his share of wars, was too weak to do anything, and worry seemed to be eating him away day by day. A few of his soldiers left behind were still recovering still wounded and others guarded the palace walls, the last hope of the crumbling kingdom.

He called upon his last hope, the Guardians, born in every generation. Invitations were sent, requesting their immediate arrival at the king's resident, where a meeting would be held.

The day of the meeting finally arrived and I stood near the door taking in everything. It was a beautiful, peaceful day. The servants were walking around chatting and preparing for the day. My father, the king, walked around on his cane nodding at each greeting, his mouth breaking into a smile as his eyes fel on me.

"Death, where are you going, aren't you going to attend the meeting?" The king, my father, questioned. He stood beside me placing his hand on my shoulder, as if sensing the emotions within me. It was the day of the meeting and I felt like skipping out.

"Today is the day of the meeting, my dear boy, it would be rude if the future king doesn't attend." He continued.

"I've got nothing to do with this." I finally responded as my old man looked at me then laughed. "Blue eyes, black hair and white skin, just like your mother. Only the cold personality and fearful expression resemble me."

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I climbed over the palace walls and started walking down the Dark forest, knowing I wasn't going to bump into any one as no one goes there. I kept on walking, lost in my thoughts, thinking about the meeting, until I had made it to the other side of the forest, which led me to a part of town. Hearing the sound of crying, I stopped and listened, then decided to follow it.

"I wouldn't go any further if I were you." An unfamiliar voice said from behind me. I turned around and there stood a beautiful girl a distance from me. She had white silver hair that shimmered in the sun, dancing with the slight breeze of the wind, and royal blue eyes that sparkled. She was wearing a cute simple white dress that looked a little fancy, with royal blue decorations that matched her eyes. Her skin was chocolate and she had an icy expression on her face as she looked at me from head to toe.

"What's down there?"I questioned.

"It's what you smell. Despair."

"Sounds interesting." I took a step forward.

"Curiosity killed the cat you know."

"Good thing I am not a cat." I said taking another step.

"But you might end up dead like one."

"Too bad I don't believe in silly sayings. And I am sorry to disappoint you on that one."

"Anyways," she said, taking one look at me. "Bye, I have to go." She disappeared into the forest without any explanation.

After staring into the black space for a moment, I remembered what had stolen my attention in the beginning and continued making my way towards the crying noise, my curiosity getting the best of me. And even after the silver haired girl's warning, I still wanted to check it out. She had just made me more curious.

I was led into a pathway towards a small house. Blood was splattered on the stone payments, and it looked as if struggling and fighting had taken place. I moved towards the house and when I reached the door, tugged at it, it refused to budge. It was locked. Feeling the magic warm my veins, I slightly placed my hand on the handle, and then heard the clicking sound of the door being unlocked. I stood for a moment trying to peek through the slightly opened door, but I couldn't make out anything as it was too dark. I finally decided to just make my way in.

The smell of rotten human flesh hit me as I took a step in and I heard to fight the urge to vomit. The walls were covered with blood and on the floor was a body that was torn into pieces, it was barely recognisable .I took out my phone and took pictures of the place while walking around, asking myself 'what had happened?'

I made my way into the staircase and before I could understand what was going on, the ground under me gave way and I fell crashing through the old wooden floor and landed on hard on my back into what looked like an basement to the house. It didn't look like an ordinary basement, it looked more like a lab, but there was no one around.

A computer, bottles of different colored chemicals, weird pills and a bunch of notebooks sat on the table.

"Sorry but I don't welcome strangers into my house." An old man appeared from behind one of the old shelves lined across the walls. A blade flew across the air and landed on my shoulder. That was quick, I thought, I didn't even get the chance to stop it. I pulled the blade out and my skin immediately healed.

"You've got some nerve. Just who said I need your permission to enter this abandoned property." I said walking towards him, holding the blade tighty in my hand. "What a fool." I could feel my anger rising with each step.

"I'm a number, you idiot." He exclaimed, laughing.

"You're a number? Is that supposed to scare me? Am I supposed to start shaking in boots. Fool!" If he knew what was best for him he should have ran away, but he didn't.

He pulled out another blade, running towards me with a loud shout, and it didn't even take me a second.

...He was dead. His head fell thumping on the floor followed by the blade in my hand. His body collapsed right at my feet and I was surprised at how generous I was to him. How quickly I ended his left without causing him any pain.

Wiping the blood off my hands, I made my way out of the house, headed back to the palace.

I got back home before any of the guardians had arrived. Quietly making my way in the passages not wanting to draw attention. I quickly removed my dirty clothes and then made my way to the throne room to lay the days events to my father.

"I am glad you're back son l although your tour was not a good one." He seemed to get more angry as he thought more of what I told him. We concluded the best way was to let hid man investigate.

"So Death, I think you should go on this mission as well." He spoke as I remained silent. "You're going to be king soon but you know, the people don't like you. The majority don't want you to be king." He paused then resumed again. "l think you should change that, change the way they see you. You have to let them know you are not the dark seed they say you are, show them you can bloom, show them the light and kindness in you".

All I could think about was how this was not the conversation I wanted to have. Not after the day's events.

So Death, you should go on this mission and save your world, and save your people."

"I'll think about it." I whispered disgruntled. I was used to Dad's inspiring words but today they were not helping me. Knowing I had to take over a kingdom where nobody believed in me was starting to weigh me down like huge rocks tied to my neck.

We went to the dining room and in silence. The guardians were going to be arriving soon. Shortly, a servant to inform us that the five guardians had arrived.

They were shown to their rooms, given the chance to freshen up before being led to the royal dinner.

"Welcome, welcome, please make yourselves at home." The king smiled, raising his wine glass in the air giving a toast.

"We are really grateful, your majesty." A pale white skin boy said bowing to the king. He had cold lake blue eyes, the sort of blue that would resemble long forgotten frozen rivers. He had white hair that barely reached his soldiers and was dressed in frosty iced colored clothes and looked not to me above the age of 17 years. No doubt he was from the ice Kingdom.

The king immediately smiled widely like one would to an old friend.

"My name is Ice, I'm a guardian of Cold." He continued.

"I'm Water, guardian of the Waters.." A girl took over and bowed second.

She had light purple eyes and short hair the indigo color. She also had white skin but wasn't pale. Water wore a chain of baby blue flowers on her hair and a summer dress with all shades blue and looked not older than seventeen as well.

" I am Sun! guardian of Light, AKA, guardian of the Sun." This time a blonde girl introduced herself but didn't bow at all. She had green eyes, smooth skin and long wavy blonde hair.

She was dressed in all gold looking expensive, in short tailored pants and a fashionably top

"I'm from the North and from the Light family." She waved her hair then looked at me and winked.

"My name is Cloud, guardian of the Sky." I turned my head so fast as I recognized the voice. It was the same one I met in the forest.

She did not look at me and pretended that we had not met. I continued looking forward at the other guardians not paying her any attention.

Lastly was a boy with red hair and eyes the color of a flaming red fire. He was in simple casual clothes, a red T-shirt and a black jean. He looked like an eighteen year old but I couldn't be too sure. "I'm Fire guardian of Flames." He introduced himself, giving a slight bow to the king.

Yes we are really grateful you could all attend the meeting." The king smiled. "Please, settle down and prepare to have a great feast. We will then commence the meeting."

"I don't know if you have met my son Death." The Prince of death.

"I am Death. We are really grateful to have you here and it's nice to meet you." I said hoping my smile was convincing.

Dinner began and we all settled down on the table. Music was played and dancers twirled around the table in the colorful dresses. We hadn't seen so much for such a long time in the kingdom. The servants moved around serving us with smiles meal after meal and when dinner was done, the table was cleared out and we all loved to the longing area.

"My dear children, I'm sorry to ask this on such short notice." My father said settling himself down. "As you may already know, our world is falling apart, assassins have been murdering innocent people. Because of their power, power that is so strong and that we do not understand, they can't be stopped. I called you here because I want to give you a job. You will go on a mission for two to three weeks. We will take care of everything, all that you might need, including your money. All we ask is that you use all that is in you, use your powers to find the head of the assassins and stop him. But since it's such a difficult mission, you will also receive help from my soldiers and the prince, himself."

"The choice is yours." He finished his speech then waited for a response.