THE HEIR OF AETHER

CHAPTER TWO THE CROWN INSIDE THE CRACKS

Aren's hands were shaking as he pressed against his father's chest. He felt warm blood soaked into his palm and stained his shirt, he did not pull away.

He kept hoping for a breath but it never came.

He leaned closer to his father's body. "Father," He said.

"Please."

Aren felt something in his throat. His chest was hurting and it felt like something sharp was trying to break out.

A loud growl echoed behind him and he raised his head up.

There were three creatures that stood a few meters away from him. They had their eyes gazing on him and watching every one last step he was took.

Aren did not move even if he tried.

Run.

His mind to him, but his body was heavy.

The creatures walked forward like predators coming for their preys.

Deep inside of Aren, something snapped.

He gasped and grabbed his shirt, trying to pull it to the side. He looked towards his chest and noticed the faint but fractured symbol that was glowing.

The c***k within his chest widened and Aren felt pain shot through him with so much force, causing him to scream in anger.

The creatures stopped moving and stared at Aren, who continued to feel pain deep within.

The ground beneath them began to tremble and dust rose into the air, causing a fog around him.

The Mark kept on burning and soon, the cracks completely shattered.

The ground beneath Aren trembled. Dust rose into the air, circling him. The Mark pulsed again, brighter now, and the cracks shattered completely.

"I...... can't control it!" He screamed while clutching deeply to his chest. Something imploded within Aren, causing him to scream once more before everything became dark.

**

Aren was floating deep within his sleep when he heard voices from far distant speaking. He could not lift his body.

"...Still alive," He heard a woman's voice. "But barely breathing."

He heard the scrape of metal.

"Hold still," The woman muttered. "Or you will die."

Aren groaned.

"Good," She said. "It means you can hear me."

His eyes opened.

They were greeted by bright fire causing him to shut them quickly while he hissed.

Aren tried to lay on his side and a woman knelt beside him.

She looked older than him, with her dark hair tied to the back. She had a long scar that crossed her cheek.

Aren gazed down and noticed the sword that rested close to her knee with a dark blade.

"Who..." Aren tried to speak, he felt his throat burned.

.The woman pushed a water skin to his lips. "Here, drink slowly."

He listened and while gulping, Aren's eyes did not move away from her.

"My name is Lyra." She said, the moment he finished drinking. "Lyra Nightshade."

Aren forced himself back up to his feet, ignoring the pain. While on his feet, images of his father flashed across his mind.

"My father," He said. "Where is my father?" He asked, turning to Lyra.

He noticed her expression change a little.

She did not answer his question and it became clear, what has happened.

Aren staggered a little.

"No.." He whispered.

"You have to rest Aren."

"Take me to him." Aren replied, ignoring her statement.

"But..."

"Please. Just take me to him." He forced the words out of his mouth with pain deep inside of him.

Lyra nodded and showed him the door.

Aren and Lyra walked out of the small room and he followed her footsteps as they moved through the forest, till they arrived at a small garden.

It was a place where dead people are buried.

Aren followed Lyra till they arrived at one of the dead sites.

"Can you excuse me for a moment?" Aren asked, as he fell to his knees.

He heard Lyra's footsteps as they drifted away from him.

Aren stared at his father's body. He did not cry but stare with a blank mind.

He remembered the words his father had spoken. They had echoed in his head.

"I was wrong about you."

Aren pressed his forehead to the ground and more tears rolled out of his cheeks.

"Aren."

"I said you should leave me alone!" He said feeling irritated.

"If you stay, you will die." Lyra replied.

He did not look up.

"The creatures will return," she continued to speak. "And many more will come too. Alot of people who sensed your powers."

Aren slowly lifted his head. "What powers?"

Lyra met his gaze and a look of realization struck her.

"You did not know." She whispered..

"Know what?"

"You have awakened something that is forbidden." She revealed. "Or maybe that is what the world believes."

Lyra reached out and pulled to the side, a torn fabric on his chest.

A mark glow with it's crown shape very bright.

"The stories are true Aren." Lyra mentioned.

"What stories?" Aren tremble as he state at the mark.

"Aether Crown. A mark of command."

Aren shook his head. "No! I am not a king. I am not anything."

"You were nothing." Lyra said calmly. "Now you are going to be feared and respected."

Aren sighed and turn to his father's grave.

"I don't want this power," He said. "It came too late."

Lyra placed her hand on his shoulder, pressing softly. "Then live long enough to choose what you want."

Aren said nothing when suddenly they heard footsteps.

Lyra's hand held tight to her sword. "We don't have time."

"I will come back." He said to his father as he rose to his feet. "I promise."

"Hold onto the promise. I know it will keep you alive."

They start moving towards the trees, Aren turned and he realized he was leaving a life that would never return.

Meanwhile in the Southern Cave, a group of men sat in a round table staring at the glowing globe in their middle.

"The prophecy has come to pass." One of them whispered.

"We will get to the Aether Crown before anyone else." Another assured.