Preface

Darkness was his whole world, Darkness was deep inside the existence of his mind, and the void had taken over his soul and his heart. His hopes and his dreams have all faded into the chambers of the dark, is he alive or dead? No one can tell, even if he moved, it would make no difference; all his hopes were towards his own damnation, towards his own end, his prayers continuously towards his father, saying repeatedly. “I have failed you, father."

The darkness had robbed him of his hunger; if only there were a little light, there would be a little glimmer of hope. He wept within his soul as the Darkness made time to freeze. Eternity walked within a moment, how long has he been here? Is it a week? Two weeks? Or, even a month? He couldn’t remember, nor did it bother him, death! That was his goal and he is focused on achieving it. A few days with no water and even more days without food would solve it, it won't be long before his death, he could tell his throat was dry, it made breathing harder, instead of this to disturb him it encouraged him to eat even less, to invite Death into his weakened body.

“Curse me! For being faithful; Curse me! For being Righteous, I am cursed. For being a helpful fool, Death touch me with your greedy hands and feed on my withering flesh. Better to die an innocent fool than a guilty bastard?"

Time passed when it did not, and then for the first time since the moment of his isolation, he heard the sound of the dungeon doors, the squeaking of its rusting hinges and the sound of human footsteps. Finally, they had come to execute him; his moment of death had come. The door swung open and he saw the light, though it was dull it stung his eyes due to it being accustomed to the darkness, he tried to stand, but his strength failed him, he tried to move, but his muscles were no more without substance or a will of its own all that could be seen were bones. A once-tall and proud man, now skin and bones, humbled by weakness, he is a half-dead version of his former self.

Two pairs of strong hands walked into the room and lifted the half-dead man out of the room. As they carried him into the light, the temperature changed, a cool breeze washed over his numbed body, and he started to shiver as his fabled body responded to the change of environment. He began to show signs of fever and weakness, yet through his pride, he tried to summon some of his strength and concentrated on drawing himself back into the realm of the living. As they carried him through the corridor, he emitted the most irritating cough any man had heard; the blood in his nose had dried a long time ago, and this had made it difficult for him to breathe. They offered him a cup of water, which he rushed down greedily feeling the life-giving essence of every drop.

"Julian, son of Joel the great warrior, can you hear me?" someone addressed him. His eyes opened slowly, renewing his sense of sight and refreshing his long-lost memories. The escorts held tightly to help him so that he wouldn't fall slowly, his sight returned, and his memory told him who it was that addressed him, "the young prince Daniel." He had no strength to reply; instead, he grinned to show his gratitude. "JULIAN!" That was his name. The darkness had leached it out of his memory. He grinned once more. Where there is life, there is hope.

"Julian, I am happy to see you again, my friend," Prince Daniel said. Julian smiled again, his voice totally dried of words.

"Don't worry, my lord," said the man on his right side, "we shall clean up your loins and in a few days you will stand tall and proud once more." Julian smiled as a gesture of gratitude.

"There is someone special who wishes to see you, Julian son of Joel," Prince Daniel continued, "after all, it's been 2 years."

"T... two years!" Julian voiced in sudden pain without masking the surprise in his voice, what he assumed to be two weeks in the real world was two years. "Oh! I would kill the woman for putting me in darkness if I live to see tomorrow," he swore unconsciously.

They carried him to a room richly adorned with curtains, ceramics and other rich assets, within it stood 10 men, not including the two helping him to stand upon his feet, and a young woman richly robed with a crown of royalty upon her head. The young man standing by her side, he recognised immediately but could not remember where or how, the young man had the aura of someone precious to him. The moment he laid his eyes on the robed woman, his anger exploded like a volcano determined to wipe out an entire country; his memory ignited the emotion of pure hate. Miraculously, his feeble body moved with the skill and speed none could match as though a giant had awoken within him from its slumber.

He drew the sword from one of the men who supported him. Then, he used the base of the sword to skillfully knock out the two men who held onto him. The rest of the ten men drew their swords and attacked him. He fought with all his life and all his will, and his weakened body was faithful to obey its master’s last orders, with every sword he struck a golden memory returned from his former days of glory, forcing his way through the 10 men, knocking the first one away with the base of his sword.

"Don't kill him!” The woman screamed with fear in her voice.

Julian fought his way through the men inflicting wounds on them, not even caring what would happen to himself.

"This was the same woman who destroyed me, now she wishes to finish what she had started so long ago, before I fall to the darkness, she will die by my hands,” he swore. Knocking off the last guard that stood in his way, he grabbed the princess and held her tightly, placing his sword close to her throat, and then moved towards the wall using it to brace himself. Sensing that his feeble body was at its limit, his throat was dry, he could not talk, he had gone many days in darkness with neither food nor water, yet he had strength, strength enough to fight.

To fight his last battle, all he had to do was kill the woman whose ignorant decision almost ended his life. His life, he looked in sadness as he held the sword, he knew he had used up all of his strength and his heart would soon fail, if he killed the princess at least, he would be avenged, and his honour preserved, at that very moment, his life flashed before his eyes.

Chapter 1⏩