Real traitor
713 Words
Axton... something’s watching us."
Daria’s voice was soft, her steps careful as she looked over her shoulder.
They had been walking through the woods for hours. The sun was nearly gone, hiding behind thick gray clouds. The trees stood tall and still, as if they were holding their breath.
Axton held his sword tighter. “Keep moving. We can’t stop now.”
Their clothes were torn. Their bodies were tired. The creatures had almost killed them back at the cave. But somehow, they had escaped and now, they were alone in a forest neither of them recognized.
“We should find shelter before dark,” Daria said, her voice shaking.
Just then, the ground under Axton’s feet cracked.
“Wait....”
But the words barely left his mouth before the dirt gave way. Both of them screamed as the ground broke open, and they fell into darkness.
Axton hit the floor hard, his back aching. Dirt and leaves rained down from above.
He groaned and looked around. “Daria?”
“I’m here,” she called. She was lying a few feet away, rubbing her arm. “I think I twisted my wrist.”
Axton crawled over and helped her sit up. The space they had fallen into was wide and strange. A large, open hall with stone walls stretched out ahead of them. Old torches lined the walls, and somehow—they were lit.
“What is this place?” Daria whispered.
Axton stood slowly. “I don’t know. But someone’s been here before.”
There were carvings on the wall. Old, cracked symbols. A table stood in the center with a broken crown placed on it. A cloak—black and heavy, hung over a chair in the corner.
Daria walked over to the table, running her fingers across the crown. “This was part of the old kingdom,” she said. “My mother told me stories about it.”
Axton looked around. “How far under the forest are we?”
“Far enough that no one will find us down here.”
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the hall.
Both of them stood still, Axton grabbed his sword.
He heard footsteps approaching.
Someone else was down there.
They backed up behind one of the stone pillars, holding their breath.
From the shadows came a tall man in a dark cloak. His face was hidden. He walked straight to the table and picked up the broken crown.
“This belonged to your father,” the man said.
Axton stepped out, sword raised. “Who are you?”
The man turned slowly. He pulled down his hood.
It was Lucien
“Uncle.... What are you doing here?Malik said you were back at the palace,” Axton said.
Lucien smiled. “You believe too many lies.”
Daria stepped beside Axton. “You’re the one who caused the curse.”
Lucien nodded. “Yes. I opened the gate. I let it in.”
“Why?” Axton asked, his hands shaking.
“Because your father was weak, he made peace with witches. He married your mother. And you... you would’ve followed him.”
“So you killed them?” Daria asked. “You killed your own brother?”
"He can't do that, he can't..."
Lucien laughs." I killed your father, I wanted the throne for myself but sadly it was given to you, I had to hide beside you and pretend but not anymore."
“I did what needed to be done,” Lucien said calmly. “And now, I’ll take back what should’ve been mine.”
Axton stepped forward. “You’ll never be king.”
Lucien laughed. “You still don’t get it. This place, this realm is older than our kingdom. It holds power. Real power and you just walked into it.”
The ground started to shake.
Daria grabbed Axton’s arm. “We need to leave.”
But the doorway behind them had already closed.
“You're not going anywhere,” Lucien said. “And soon, the others will find you.”
A loud knock came from the walls.
The room pulsed with it.
Daria gasped, holding her chest. “Something’s here.”
Lucien looked up at the ceiling. “The curse. It knows you're here.”
- Writer
