THE DARK FOREST

I hid behind a tree and watched him gently.

Until I heard his voice. For the first time ever.

"There's no use in you hiding, I know you are here" he lazily spoke, but in an annoyed way.

His voice was so deep, and cold.

Like a frozen light in an abyss of nothing.

His voice sounded so dead and far, I still felt strange to hear him speak for the first time ever.

And I frowned at what he said.

Was he expecting someone?

Or was he talking to me?

Does he know that I'm here?!

And I have been stalking him all along?

Was he going to tell my father?

Of course not, he never spoke to anyone before.

So, might as well just come clean now, and negotiate with him.

But my gaze turned wide as I noticed a light shining bright behind those two trees.

So bright, I had to move my eyes away till it deemed back. But uncle Cedric stood there like a log.

With his hands in his trouser's pockets, he waited for something, rather someone to come out.

Until two humans came from behind the tree.

Were they hiding before?

I couldn't see their faces, as they stood in the shadow of the trees.

But to speak of the way they dressed.

Like warriors, but in a different unearthly style. Like the ones in the books.

A silent gasp came from my lips, as pieces of puzzle began gathering in my head.

Then, one of them spoke "We are really sorry your highness, for this disturbance. But we were wondering if you had changed your mind".

Changed his mind. About what?

"And what is that of?"

He asked. And I could clearly read his cold expression through his voice.

They both stared at each other, before gently saying.

"Of you returning to your home".

"And what home exactly?"

A smirk was found in his lazy tone.

Indeed, what home apart from here?

I also wanted to know.

They gulped down salivas, before whispering gently.

"Elysian realm".

Then a cold laugh came straight away from him.

He could laugh?

He! could laugh!?

He really could laugh, but a cold one at that. That I felt shivers right where I stood.

Well, it was better at least you could still call it a laugh. I almost thought it was impossible for it to happen.

But then he stopped laughing and spoke calmly.

"My home lies here".

They then lowered their heads as they said.

"Please your highness, our kingdom is suffering without its rightful ruler".

"And how does that mention that it's rightful ruler is me?" His tone changed back to an annoyed one who was already getting tired of the conversation.

"Well, the prophecy states that the rightful ruler is within the two kings and..."

"You feel I would be the one because you have witnessed my brother rule in his best way"

It sounded more like a mockery question, than just a confirmation.

But the two couldn't speak after what he said.

Wait, all these were not making any sense to me.

Does this mean, he was a prince of another kingdom?

Because this doesn't look like a joke or a rehearsed play.

And these people were really scared to even look at him in the eye. Well, I wouldn't blame them, no one could.

Then he spoke again.

"Have you forgotten?

That I am the bad rotten child, who is cursed?

I am that child with the eyes of the devil himself. I am that child with the powers of no angel, but of a demon?"

"Well, indeed everything they said is true. I mean, I have stared at myself in the mirror before, and have seen abilities that even scared me myself".

"So tell me, why would you. In your right senses, think I would be the rightful ruler?".

"That doesn't make any sense now, does it?"

They both gave no reply. It was like they couldn't find anything to say, because they were guilty or something.

Devil? Power? Angel?

All these were supernatural. Are all my thoughts true? Are all these things real?

Now I was sure I was already dying to know.

But the two still never outered anything.

And that got him more bored and annoyed.

"If you know you would be silent for heaven knows when, then you better leave to your home. I don't have any issues more to clear with you, I'm sure".

He turned to leave, which made me immediately hide back in the tree.

But he was again stopped by one of their voices.

"But your majesty, we heard, that if you continue to stay here for too long. You would remain human forever".

"Your reasons deosn't surprise me Abel."

"Your highness, please don't think of us."

He turned back to face them.

Waiting for the one who just spoke to continue.

And the one who spoke, continued.

"Please don't think of us your highness, I beg you. We have not been good to you before, we always thought you were bad".

"But, we just want you to think of the place you came from.

Think of the memories, the good ones. Please know that it's not the fault of the kingdom, but of the people who are in it.

Please think of Milo, he's been captured".

I think that one brought out a little emotion from him, because I could tell from his voice as he asked in a snap.

"Who?"

"Your brother, we are guessing that he purposely captured Milo, because he knows you care about him, and he did that to annoy you".

A sigh came from my uncle Cedric as he closed his eyes.

"Not only Milo, but those who you love and cared for. Your highness, We spoiled our kingdom by our own hands. But we need your help to fix it.

There might be many who still looks down upon you. But some of us looks up to you".

He just sighed, while he pinched between his brows. Before he spoke.

"I'm only going, just because I miss my dark abilities. And I think it's about time I pay a little visit to my brother."

They both then finally smiled gracefully, as if they have just been saved from their own surrow. They then suddenly formed a circle around my uncle.

"It's best if we leave now, as it's night here. It would be early dawn there. We would be able to arrive yet without any forces knowing".

As the two humans faced eachother, while stretching forth their hands. A light began glowing on their palms, and it got bigger. That it soon got so big, enough to cover them.

And I who had been frozen for almost eternity.

With mouth open wide, suddenly saw uncle Cedric stepping in their middle.

Was he going with them?