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2024-10-29 19:42:56Franklin always knew he was different, and looking at himself in the water made him realize the difference he was from everyone was his sensitivity to magic and its power. He was an absorbent for dark magic more than light magic. He walked with his head held high, and his heart was beating euphorically in his chest. His teeth snarled just as the light consumers he was only a moment ago killing, and his thinking bears the same as theirs.
He didn’t know his way of thinking was identical to a lunatic, and that his infection was spreading. He was way past rational thinking. Not only that, but he felt powerful and unstoppable. He also had his eyes set on the demise of his family, and breaking down the wall to reign havoc on the people who always made him feel he was unworthy of himself and to be called a prince. They would have to pay for what they had done to him all his life, his brothers, his father, and the woman he once told that he wouldn't hurt, his precious, silent mother.
He commanded a fireball, which was now black fire, just as his eyes were, and the snake-like ink that ran throughout his body as its host. It did nothing to the wall at first, but just had the ink on his skin grow from a small dot to his entire body. His fireball trialed the same pattern on the wall. Running like sick vines, squeezing and cracking the healthy bricks that stood proudly all those years facing all its challenges, the ground started grumbling tiredly.
His face turned up into a sneer at first, then it was a full-blown grin, teeth out and snarling. The manic laugh that radiated from Franklin made the entire forest hushed.
“Let’s burn it all to the ground, light consumers!” He yelled, motioning for the raiders to take the wall with full force. This was going to be the downfall of a great kingdom.
With a battle cry and a giant roar from all the surrounding monsters, the euphoria that came with the broken wall reigned, pandemonium among them all. The black fire in Franklin’s palm only grew larger, making way for them all. He threw the first fireball, indicating his return and his mission to what he intends to do.
“Intercept!” Cried Franklin, as his laughter never ceased and his body was slowly being consumed by the inky blackness that aims to consume him.
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Embers Chapter One
The day does not start well for the young fella of Haven Brass Castle, Master Franklin Juniro Sonmichos. From the stunted height of 5'1 (1.55 m), he doesn't seem to get taller like his older brothers Marcus and Freitas. All his family members were tall, unlike him, and knowing very well how self-conscious he was about his height, his family relentlessly teased him, making him feel less than he was. It would be the smallest action to give him a stir. From shoving him, resting their elbows on his head, and mocking him sometimes, too. He was too sensitive for his own good. That will need to change.“Look, Brother. It seems Franklin has grown!” His elder brother said, nudging the other one. “Yeah, when crows go fingers, then sure!” His brothers laughed and held their stomachs, pleased by the disdain look on Franklin’s face and their terrible idea of a joke. Although he was hurt by their actions, he fearlessly stood up for them when they were in trouble, and so many times he got scars to
Embers Chapter Two
Franklin was a being who taught himself certain things as he was a prince and someone his father was hard upon most times. Franklin loathed him for that attitude since it gave him no freedom as it gave his brothers. Most of all, his brothers don't agree with his methods of tactical battlefield plan. They have brawns more than brains, Franklin thought to himself. He was their only hope yet he could not get along with them. They were manipulative and hated him for his ways of thinking. He could feel it.To say Franklin was angered and furious at himself for failing at his matches once more, it galled him to see his brothers exceed so much better than him and hardly seem to find any pain in their training. But not him, he thought, gritting his teeth. The way Prentice was watching him too indicated he was about to get a hearing from him later on as well. He stripped the protective gear he had on as he walked away from the field, leaving his brother, Prentice, and a few guards who had been
Embers Chapter Three
The queen was stunned to find the king behind her. Thinking he might have seen what was happening between the boys, she waited for him to say something to her, but he simply looked at her. She smiled at him and approached him gracefully. She reached for him and he grabbed her elbows, bringing her closer to him. His frown lines grew deeper as he smiled at her. After a small embrace, she decided to break their comfortable silence. “The boys were being noisy again,” she said, turning to go to the railing to look down the castle walls. The railing was old but not creaking, just needed a new paint job. She ran her hands on the grooves.“I thought I heard something like that. Were they bickering with Franklin?” The king asked, joining her calmly. They both looked at one another.“Yes, but everything is alright,” she said as though she wanted assurance that nothing was wrong.“I hope you’re alright. You look stressed. What’s wrong?” He said, coming closer, almost whispering to her. Her warm
Embers Chapter Four
The anguish Franklin found himself in while talking with his mother, he felt like pushing her away. She could not see the things that were happening to him and he didn’t want to hurt her seeing how weak and vulnerable he was. Instead, he would paint her a picture of a bad guy and she would be so hurt with him, she would maintain her distance, just like everyone else. The night was cold and the hallways nipped at him even in his thick boots. He hovered closer into his thick bearlike cloak and gloves as he made his way to the library doors.Thew library door creaked slowly as it opened after the heavy push Franklin gave it. They were old doors but with the care they were given, they lasted longer than the new doors recently installed in some parts of the castle. Franklin liked the old look, and the library too. It had the old smell, and he relished that vintage look no matter what mood he was in. he studied hard too, in case one day they might be under attack. He was fully prepared for
Embers Chapter Five
From then on, since he found the book, everything changed for him. Though he didn’t know it himself. He was about to be in a lot of trouble. Or so he thought. Franklin always had a keen sense of common sense, and right now it doesn’t seem he was using it well. The book beacon for him to open it. The pages fluttered even more, but Franklin refused to do anything. He felt frozen. The pages now were glowing. The sweats never left him. In fact, he felt sticky all over, yet cold. The black book held a looming light over it, yet its look was sleek and sinister. As the night got darker, the air didn't like a warm body. It must have been quite some time since Franklin was in the library. His attention was long forgotten about the shelf in the library that nearly crushed his skull into his favorite desk. While he took a deep breath to calm himself down and reached for the book, his mind told him something. Once he touched the book, nothing would ever be the same. Pushing that voice away, he
Embers Chapter Six
Franklin wasn't conscious to know enough or comprehend what was happening to him. He felt as though he was floating in the air, but there wasn't anything wrong with floating. Is there? How could he do that when he wasn’t attempting to fly? He questioned himself critically. The air felt colder than usual, and it seemed the candles must have been out for some time. Everything around him felt dewy and somewhat chilly, but why was he not seeing anything? His eyes were closed, he noticed only now. His mouth felt heavier to open and work to say words. He only crowded his mind with thoughts about his surroundings. Opening them, greeting him silently, was matte darkness all around him, too. This time, it had few dim lights to see he was in a void, halo darkness, and it felt familiar to him. He was feeling uneasy. Suddenly, he saw a swift blurry movement in his left corner. In a blink, the blackness swirled all around him. He reached out to touch it, but it moved away with a hissing sound, man
Embers Chapter Seven
Prentice came to the library as it neared morning and Franklin was not in sight. He hadn’t shown up to classes. It was odd for him to start now since he never missed a class. He had a difficult day yesterday, but evil never rests, and he shouldn't let it affect him too much. “Master Franklin, where are you?” The library was a mess. He didn’t know Franklin was the messy type, but indeed there must be an explanation for it. Perhaps it was looking for something that led to a mess this big. “Master Franklin, you had class and your father requested you be there promptly,” He spoke as loud and clear as he could. It seems Prentice had the inclination to head to the library, where Franklin seems to live most of his time when he is away from training. No matter the endless talks about socializing with people in the kingdom or just his family, it backfires, so Prentice refrained from talking to him about it. Though he had been calling and looking around to see his crouched self in a corner,
Embers Chapter Eight
When Prentice told Franklin he was strung up in the air, Franklin brushed it off, half believing it, and half not worrying about it. He felt fine and there wasn’t an explanation for it since he doesn’t know what to tell him. He only remembered fragments of it. Not only so, but it would be beneficial to tell him when he could put it into words. In Franklin’s mind, he was confused, but he felt lighter than ever. He felt as though he could focus on one thing and not on many things that would stress him out. He realized he needed to have a better understanding of whom he truly was and embraced that instead of giving people a hard time.Prentice trailed behind him and reminded him his father was requesting to see him, and for the good of all, he should not disobey. Deeply, Prentice kept thinking of what happened, silently noting the nonchalance he sees in Franklin about what occurred. If anything, it seems that Prentice was overreacting, but he still felt uneasy. Seeing that a thorough res
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Chapter Seventeen
The brightness was getting too hard to bear so with trembling hands, Franklin covered his eyes and groaned when he breathes in and out. He felt stiff as a rod, and his legs were numb from being in an awkward position for some time. Franklin woke right where he laid bleeding. He groaned in pain and agonizingly shook with weakness as he got to his knees. His trembling hands did little to support his weight. Then he witnessed something horrific. He gently took the leaves from him chest that were piled on and rested them on the ground. Upon doing so, he looked around, realizing what had happened. All around him laid leaf faeries. Some turned black, some barely showing green, and some laid lifeless, as though it drained them of their health and green pigment. Some were white even which meant they have been there, trying to save him.Franklin tried remembering what happened. He picked up the leaf that looked barely alive and whispered something to it. Immediately, it began turning a healthie
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Chapter Sixteen
Prentice had been given the cruel gift of seeing the bad side of the future. When he saw that Franklin would play an important role in saving the Grand Forest, and he would lead him here, all his life, he hadn’t expected to lose sight of him so soon. On the off chance, he wanted to keep an eye on Franklin since he had been spiraling lately, and his future was somewhat blurry each time Prentice took a look into it.Wondering where he was, but not losing sight of their mission, Prentice moved stealthily on, and made sure that Franklin could find him when he was ready. Prentice knew that the only way Franklin can grow was by himself, and also with a shot of reflection and a dash of truth. So, he drowned the thought of Franklin from his mind, and with a heavy heart he went in search to find the woman he was sure would help him sort his mission. He realized that he was going against all that he believed, and this case might be stronger than he was. The forest was only a protector, it had a
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Chapter Fifteen
Lily was fourteen years old, but not just any ordinary girl. She was an adopted daughter of the king and queen. She was the youngest princess there was across the land as far as anyone knew. She had been living in a castle at the edge of a forest all her life a long time ago, never entering the yard, which was of a vast waste of space, if she told you her thoughts. There was just enough land for her to discover, but she wasn't allowed. To protect, to safeguard, were the words she often heard when she made that request. Who was she being protected from? She always wanted to ask. She had asked once, but everyone looked at her as though they wanted to protect themselves from her. Looking at it all from her window made her bitter at the thought of where she was, living lavishly, while others below her looked up at her and wondered what luxuries must she have, and how happy she must be? She was tormented. She felt like a prisoner in her own home, captured like an exotic bird in her father
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Chapter Fourteen
Feeling hurt and broken inside, Franklin could no longer follow Prentice anymore. The look of disappointment on his teacher’s face made him feel something that he worked hard to not feel, and that is being a failure. Even though he often failed, he came back stronger and hit back harder each time. It has been nonstop for eight years and even though he still has lots to learn, he never aimed for failure, ever! As Prentice was walking and left him behind, Franklin took a risk by heart and death and bid him a silent farewell and left the other way.“Why couldn’t I just left the book right where I found it? Stupid!” He argued with himself.“I can’t do this to myself, nor Prentice. I need to go,” he said inaudibly. He left to go the other way.Franklin felt angry with himself. He felt angry at finding the book, and he felt angry at even opening and reading through the book. He wished he could go back in time and burn the book instead. Furthermore, he thought to himself, if the book brought
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Chapter Thirteen
With the lingering cold of the past year, Franklin huddled deeper into his furry coats. He was adorned thickly in several shirts and jackets as the nights often lingered with bitter coldness. Not once has he looked back to see if Prentice was behind him, he already knew. With the cold along with the moonless night, they had less trouble getting out of the castle and over the walls. The guards had retired, and they shivered, who still had the soul to keep watch as the night gave no mercy. “Franklin, are you alright? You seem quiet.” Prentice acknowledged softly as he continued walking. “I am fine. I am on the lookout for any lurker. One can never be too sure about these things.” “Just watch your steps. Breathe, then step.” Muttered Prentice in a low tone. Franklin bore a secret he didn’t share with anyone. Not that he had anyone to tell, but the one he talks to would be hurt to know he did such a thing. He had been studying more than the books his teacher gave him. Among the librar
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Chapter Twelve
Franklin was on the ground coiling as though he was still falling, and it wasn’t until he heard Prentice’s laughter and feet walking over him did he realise he wasn’t falling but dying of embarrassment. Prentice continued laughing as he watched Franklin picked himself up and dusted himself off. He looked around the place and sees it to be dark and cold. Colder than where they left over the wall. He shivered for the first time, thinking for a while they won’t be able to feel warmth all that much. Prentice scanned the area for intrusion and then he captured a moment to take it all in. This was once something beautiful, ruined by the hands of a tortured soul, he said inwardly, feeling the hurt emanating from within. Franklin came up behind him, and with a growl, he said, “You can act more professional than that you know, Prentice?”“I supposed, but you said you wanted fun. Being quiet would not do.” He mocked Franklin’s words as they continued walking, looking for a place to rest for t
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Chapter Eleven
Franklin left the wall immediately in search of his duffle and his comfortable shoes. Knowing very well this would be his last night to be in the kingdom, or even the castle, he made sure to leave a note for his mother. She won’t be in bed until early morning seeing to everything as she made sure they were to their former glory. He made sure to detail he would be going with prentice and that it would be best to not send anyone for him. The Grand Forest is too dangerous for them to act impulsively only for the sake of bringing back the child that gave them nothing but hardship. When he thought that might urge them to bring him back, thinking he was acting impulsively, he made sure to write another line stating, he was of clear mind and body when he wrote the letter. Wiping the nervous sweat trickling down his forehead he then got down to actually packing his backpack. He lifted his mattress and got out several pairs of knives, as if they would do anything he thought to himself, but be
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Chapter Ten
They knew famously the ballroom for the extravagant balls it hosted, but now it only felt like a burden for Franklin as he accepted the third dance within the first six minutes of the commencement. He accepted the young woman’s hand with a stiff walk, and they began swaying on the dance floor.“My, you’re even more handsome up close. What do you do for fun?” The girl muttered as she looked up at him.“My fun would not be entertaining for you. I am sure of it.” Franklin could not imagine the girl in his arms swooning at such a statement, but goodness, she did. The work they would put in just to be within royalty. He wondered why they did such a thing.“I understand. Would you like to know what I do for fun?” He had to give her points for being relentless. She was a prissy thing and didn’t accept him to not be interested in her.“Not particularly. I hate dancing. There, that should be one thing you should know about me.” Franklin said, looking anywhere else but at her. He was praying si
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Chapter Nine
It came towards them with an aim, the fiery hellish orb of blackness and destruction. Before it could carve the ground with its sickness, Prentice leaped into action and masked it in a protective spell and covered it away from the people. The horrified look on the King’s face said it all, and with a nod he took off running with the giant ball lagging behind him. The giant ball was uncontrollable, lashing the shield at all ends to get through to the bright light of life. It dawned upon Prentice things seemed to be getting more out of hand than he initially expected. He knew things were bad, but this was heartbreaking as well as troubling. The questions lingered, pressingly on his mind; how long did they have before the walls couldn’t protect them anymore? What was happening over there? The king quickly waved his hand to dismiss training and shouted to let them prepare for their battle if one was to come. Everyone scattered, half panicky, half aggressive for what’s to come. Fear could