Grim Separation

Under the dazzling blue clouds and cool wind, the citizens of the kingdom of Gol were buzzing around, despite the scorching sun, doing their daily activities.

Gol wasn't large. It was so small that it could be mistaken as a big village, surrounded by a curtain of vibrant green trees, flocking with animals and insects. They were richly blessed by natural stones which was one of the major businesses in the kingdom. Past the trees was the vibrant blue sea, shimmering from the rays of light hitting its gentle surface.

At the very center of the land was a stone Palace surrounded by greenery. Surrounding it were noble estates, and after that were the common houses of different sizes. Guards were stationed around the palace and some could be spotted patrolling around the kingdom but were doing an awful job since six children managed to slip past them.

"Goke, you come down here right now." A young boy whisper-yelled in agitation. He was fidgeting as the others behind him glanced around nervously.

"No, Reese, If my father finds out I went out I will be in big trouble." The boy who was referred to as Goke replied from his window a few feet above the ground.

"Come on, don't be a wimp." A young girl, beside the fuming young boy, Reese, groaned. She twirled her brown locks that fell from the hood covering her head before huffing in irritation.

"What if I get caught?" Goke asked, anxiously as he stared at the kids below his window. "What if the guards see me?"

"Just use the secret passageway you found," Another boy answered in a tone that seemed a little too mature for his age. He also looked the most refined out of the six children standing. "And please, Prince Goke, be fast before someone sees us here."

"Okay, okay I'm coming," Goke announced before disappearing from the window.

The rest of them shared a look of relief. They had been there for almost half an hour and were already exhausted. They sneaked into the palace to kidnap their friend who was proving difficult.

When Goke finally appeared, they sneaked back out of the palace without alerting any guards. They were so swift and stealthy that you would know that that was not their first time doing this.

Immediately they were free, they took to the trees, whizzing past the busy streets, their laughter resonating in the air as they ran, careful not to let their hoods fall off until they were completely swallowed by the trees.

"Freedom at last," Reese said with a certain glee in his honey-brown eyes as he yanked the hood covering his face off.

Everyone else followed his lead and took off their hoods. They all appeared to be around ten years old or less with each of them having a striking appearance.

The most striking of them was Goke with his flaming red hair and grey eyes which only the royal family possessed. It is a blessing on their bloodline from God, the adults say.

Nuela who had been quiet took a deep breath as they walked through the forest, taking in everything all around her. She loved the forest. It felt like home. Freedom at last indeed.

"Nuela, your hair is all frizzy." She heard before feeling a soft pat on her head. She turned to Nia, her best friend, the same girl who was irritated earlier. "All better."

Nuela smiled in gratitude before brushing a finger through her dark mane but they didn't go far as they were stopped by a knot in her hair. She frowned. She had just combed it this morning.

"I hate this hair." She murmured as she stared at her Nia's beautiful brown locks that fluttered as the wind blew. If only she had soft and smooth hair like that.

Nia was the tallest of all the girls and the prettiest according to the villagers but don't let her looks deceive you. She was as dangerous as she was delicate. The only child of the General Arik. He started training her as soon as she was old enough to lift a sword.

Now, Nia could beat men older than her in a fistfight. She could do more damage with a sword at hand. The kingdom's beloved Vixen.

"I like your hair." Nuela flinched when someone whispered beside her. Her eyes widened as she stared at Owen who looked straight ahead as he walked.

She always admired the way he carried himself with regality. You could practically smell the nobility that exuded from him. He was the son of a duke after all. His dark green eyes were always acute and his light brown hair was a bit ruffled up from all the running. He wore fitted dark trousers with a green shirt and a black coat.

"You are one to talk. Your hair is perfect."

"I know but yours is perfect too." Owen grinned showing his pearly white teeth.

"Yo! What are you both whispering?"

Nuela turned to the owner of the mischievous voice, Tarek, who was munching on an apple. Loudly. God knows where he got it from because it wasn't with him earlier.

Tarek was staring at them with his inquisitive dark eyes like the nosy brat he was. Beside him was a girl who looked a lot like him who also was now staring at them curiously.

"Tarek, that's none of your business," Owen answered still looking straight ahead.

Nuella could feel the air on her skin. They were getting close.

"But I want to kn-"

"Will you stop chewing so loudly!" His twin, Tanya, snapped beside him, knocking the half-eating apple out of his hands.

"Hey, I was eating that."

"Yes, we know. We could hear you from a mile away." Owen scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Are you saying I eat too loudly?"

"Yes, exactly his point," Tanya added with a chuckle.

Tarek furrowed his brows in a frown. "I thought you were my Sister!" He exclaimed with a trace of hurt in his eyes.

"You can't think because your head is empty." Tanya retorted.

"And what do you know?"

"I know I was born a minute before you, so you shut up when I speak."

Everyone ignored the twins as they argued like it was a common occurrence. They finally broke through the trees and were greeted by a wonderful sight. The ocean.

It was their favorite spot because it was secluded from other parts of the beach where people normally loitered around. Reese had found it in one of his many adventures and since then they had claimed it as theirs.

Nuela smiled when the ocean air caressed her face. The horizon was so beautiful. This was home.