Dark beginnings

Chapter two

However, we didn't really need to talk.As perfectly as two people could know each other.Speaking to break the silence was more of a formality.

"Did anything get killed?"She inquired.

I gave a head shake.However, while I was hunting, I discovered some new tracks.As long as you feel better, I'll pick up the trail tomorrow.She didn't respond to say she would be fine, which surprised me a little, but I assumed it was because she was so tired.I can't even tell you what animal I saw today.

A "kangur?"

Shaking my head, ILarge, shy Kangurs had thick brown or black fur, were massive, and could walk on two or four feet.

"Then what was it?"

"Do you recall what Mom told us about Bambi?"

Did you see Bambi?The rest of our walk was filled with questions about the deer and speculation about what else our mother had told us that might be true. Her eyes were filled with wonder.Did penguins exist?Did firearms ever exist?

It took us a long time to return to camp;Evan did not appear to be getting better.It was difficult to tell, however in the event that anything I figured she could have gotten more fragile as we went.We spent more than an hour on something that should have taken a half hour.But we got there in the end.Well, it's not home—I didn't think I'd ever call anything "home" again—but it might be considered a refuge.

Our camp didn't stand out much.To build fires, a pit was dug in the center of the clearing, and each of us had our own tree where we slept to avoid the nighttime animals.The vine of a large, woven food basket was slung over a branch and tied around a tree to shield it from animals.We would lower the basket to the ground whenever we got hungry and take what we needed.Besides the fundamentals, there were a few extras:furs, improvised instruments, and a small pile of woodAlthough it wasn't much, it was significantly more than what we started with three years earlier.

I assisted her as I walked over to her tree and guided her into its thick, grey branches, where she settled in a sturdy junction with well-worn, smoothed bark.What time should I wake up?I could search the closer patches for additional berries.

I replied, "Okay."I left to let her sleep after she gave me a nod.

I didn't mean to wake her up.She required rest.

I had been so overprotective of her for the first year after our parents died and the town exiled us because they thought I was cursed by demons that I wouldn't let her go more than five minutes from camp.But it had nearly killed me to have to do everything on my own, so I finally agreed to let her help me more.Considering that he was only nine years old when our parents passed away, Evan was more than capable.She could do as much as I could at twelve now.

She had not been harmed by a bird, as far as I could tell.There'd been no indication of a creature assault.But what was it that was going on?What was she withholding from me?More importantly, why did she not inform me?I knew something bad was coming from the inside out.

But until Evan told me what had actually happened, there was nothing I could do.

I continued living as usual throughout the remainder of the day.Most of it was just random things:chopping wood, making a new arrow to replace the one I had lost, and getting water from a stream nearby.I even tried foraging in the nearby foliage, but the week before, we had picked everything near camp.

When I returned toward the end of the day, I discovered Evan asleep.Still.I was even more worried about it.

I lowered the food basket to the ground and pulled out some dried meat while lighting a fire to keep predators away at night. By this point, they were well aware that they shouldn't come lurking around our campsite with all of the traps we had along the perimeter.After placing the meat on a plate that had been crudely carved, I added water to a wooden cup.In case Evan awoke hungry, I balanced the plate and cup on a mesh of branches that were within Evan's reach.

Finally, since I wasn't hungry, I rested in my nook in the tree next to hers.I was able to clearly see the two moons of Aerven that were currently high in the sky. The stars were shining like trader's gems of all sizes and colors.When my thoughts wandered back to happier times, this scene never failed to calm me.

I could still recall my mother's gray eyes, which were identical to Evan and mine.As if I had heard it for the first time, I could recall my father's rich, deep laugh.I recalled spending a lot of time with Evan, learning about the sciences and philosophy from my mother, and working hard on the farm.But the most important thing I remembered was being happy.

Sadly, the happiness came to an end when I unavoidably thought back to that morning when I was thirteen.My brain had been inundated with the memory.

After that one ball of fire from the sky, there were dozens, if not hundreds, more, like fire from heaven that destroyed everything.However, they were a great deal more sinister and dangerous than anyone could have imagined.Djinn were they.

Djinn, or genies, as they are more commonly known, were not the thorny beings from fairy tales who would appear and disappear from lamps to grant wishes.Not even remotely.In all actuality they are unadulterated malevolence.

I may never know why they first appeared at our farm.But Aerven was forever altered by their arrival.permanently altered me.

Arcaine was the djinn with the most power.Throughout Aerven, his name quickly became a whispered curse word.So that I would never forget my promise of vengeance, I inhaled his name into my lungs like a mantra.

Arcaine was the one who spread the disease.That first day on the ranch he'd invoked a green, fog like substance and cast it at me.I felt like I was being wrapped in ice and fire as soon as it touched me.

I would become the plague's patient zero.As the green mist consumed my eyes and veins, my condition had rapidly deteriorated.What was warm froze while what was cold felt scalding hot.In addition, the cough was the only sound I was able to make in addition to the irrational and terrifying screams.The piercing cough that destroyed any chance of peace for my family could not be described by any sound.

The next victim was the town doctor, and traders and travelers carried it from town to city from him to the rest of Aerven.Within a few weeks, there were reports that the plague was everywhere.

Even though everyone who started to show symptoms died, the plague wasn't really that bad in terms of numbers.In its history, Aerven has experienced plagues that have resulted in significantly more deaths.Instead, the fact that this plague seemed to have its own mind and seemed to be focusing on its victims made it truly unique.Here is a child.there was a priest.a parent.Each was an important member of their family or community.And just when people thought the plague was over, it would return with a vengeance.My family had experienced something similar.

The plague was devastating and not only fatal.

Meanwhile, news came in that djinn were wreaking even more havoc somewhere in the world.However, they never won any battles.Chaos was thought to be everyone's only concern.I knew something else.Arcaine, or at least they, were looking for someone.I simply did not know who.

In my opinion, I began to recover a little more than a week into my illness.As I regained strength, I was called a miracle.Thinking that their own loved ones might recover as well, the community rejoiced.At the point when they didn't, their cries went to ones of desirously and disdain, calling me 'devil reviled.'After all, the Destroyer's assistance is the only way I could have lasted.

Then, at that point, my folks kicked the bucket not long after one another and nothing was passed on to keep the town's indignation and dread back.The townspeople stormed our house and threatened to burn me as a sacrifice before I even had time to bury my parents.I and Evan had escaped through the back door and sought safety in the forest.

Even though there were rumors that a cure had been discovered, I was the only person I knew to have survived the plague.Why did I make it?I was haunted by the query.I wondered if they were correct in part.Was there a problem with me?Did I get cursed?

During my thoughts, I had fallen asleep.My previous nightmares were always present in my dreams.The dreams were always present, regardless of how hard I worked during the day.

But not right now.

The sound of coughing brought a break to the night.

I straightened up and pointed my head in Evan's direction.The wheezing went on.My beat stopped.It couldn't be.It was unimaginable.

As my worst fears came to the surface, a terror gripped me.

I crawled to Evan and kneeled over her by crossing the thick branches that connected our trees.She was still sleeping notwithstanding the hacking.I felt a chill when I touched her skin.Sweat had stained her face.

Despite my best efforts, I was convinced that it would not be a common fever.I had never received favor from fate.I also thought back to the crimson sunrise.The same sunrise that had signaled the arrival of the djinn and the passing of my parents.The mark.