The Crimson Dawn

Prologue

Gedeon and Stella

Night was silent and still, the moonlight slowly faded due to the BlackMoon. Everyone was tucked away in their homes out of fear that the BlackMoon would bring out monsters or something evil.

A bloodcurdling scream cuts through the air, she’s covered in sweat and tears.

“You have to try not to push, you don’t want your baby to be born under the BlackMoon.”

Said the doctor

The woman panted heavily trying to catch her breath

“I’m trying!”

Even though she tried she couldn’t help it, she pushed and out came a beautiful healthy baby boy. His cries filled the night air.

“It’s a boy, a healthy little boy.”

The doctor said.

The woman smiled, then screamed in pain again

“Something is wrong.”

The woman pushed again, another baby. This baby didn’t cry, the doctor put the baby boy in a manger and examined the other baby. A beautiful healthy baby girl.

“How unusual, twins. A boy and a girl, very rare that they both survived and born healthy.”

The doctor looked at the woman, she wasn’t moving.

“Mary? Maryland?!”

He placed the baby girl in the manger with the other one, he placed his ear on the woman’s chest. Nothing, no heartbeat. The doctor put his hand over his mouth, he took a step outside. A small tear fell from his eye, he looked up at the BlackMoon.

“The prophecy has begun.”

The next day the doctor brought the twins to the local orphanage, he spoke to the head sister in private.

“No one can know that they were born under the BlackMoon, if they fall into the wrong hands.” Said the doctor

“Harold, they are to dangerous. You have to send them somewhere else, what about the The Golden City?” Said the sister

Harold shook his head,

“They’d kill them, the prophecy states that one will be destine to save the world while the other… destroys it. They won’t take that chance, even if they do Gods work, they’d fine a way to justify it.”

The sister sighed and crossed her arms

“Fine, I’ll keep them under one condition. You increase our funds by 12%, infants are more work then toddlers and older children. I’m going to need a wet nurses, cloths for diapers, and more.”

Harold’s eyes widen,

“12%!?”

The sister nodded,

“Babies aren’t cheap, specially forsaken ones.”

Harold nodded, he got up from his chair and head for the door before a paused,

“There’s one more thing, their father. The mother said he came to her as a nine tail beast, then transformed into a beautiful, cunning, mysterious man. I have reason to believe he was a Kitsune.”

The sister looked at him in disbelief

“Impossible, there aren’t any Kitsunes left. They were all hunted down and killed.”

Harold nodded

“ Perhaps she was mistaken, just keep a close eye on them and try to rise them right. Maybe there’s a way to avoid this prophecy by keeping them out of trouble.”

.

.

.

Aydin

The forest was peaceful and calm, ray of sun peeking through the forest canopy.

A big buck walked out behind a tree grazing in the grass,

“Ok take a deep breath and line up your shot, you’ll only get one chance.”

Whispered Aydins father, Gareth, he was a tall skinny man with short dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was a fairly handsome man, fairly young. Aydin had his brown hair and his mothers bight blue eyes, he was a beautiful boy.

He helped Aydin line up the Iron Shooter, the Iron Shooter is a new weapon Aydins grandfather invented. It’s an iron tube that uses black powder, when the black powder touches fire it explodes causing a small iron ball fire out of the tube at incredible speed.

Enough speed to kill something with one hit depending on where and how big the target is.

Aydin took a breath and closed one eye and used the other to line up the shot.

“Remember, aim for the heart or lung.”

Aydin pulled back a little lever making the Iron Shooter click, he took his pointer finger and placed it on another lever under the Iron Shooter.

He pulled the lever

*BOOM*

The Iron Shooter jolted Aydin back causing him to fall on his back.

“Son! You alright? Are you hurt?”

Gareth said kneeling over his son.

Aydin laughed

“Did I get it?”

Aydin jumped up and looked at where the buck was, he saw the body laying on the ground.

Aydin looked at his dad with a big smile

“Father, I did it! I shot the deer!”

Gareth patted his son on the back

“You did good son, you just need to work on your stands. You need a stable stance or you’ll fall down every time”

Aydins smile slowly faded, he nodded

“Yes father.”

Gareth whistled for the servants to retrieve the buck, The Starash family has ruled Rosmerta for centuries, they were also very powerful sorcerers and brilliant inventors.

They finally made it back to the castle, Aydins mother was grabbing her shawl from one of the servants,

“Oh my, what a huge beast!”

She exclaimed

Aydin giggled,

“Yea mama and I’m the one who shot him with ONE shot!”

His mother chuckled,

“I’m heading into the market, want to join me?”

Aydins eyes widened, he nodded excitedly.

“Since your going in the market can you get some spices and some vegetables for this beast. We’re eating it for dinner.”

Said Gareth to his wife.

She smiled and nodded, they climbed into the carriage. It was about a 20 minute ride to the city, it was a huge city with tall buildings. Aydin enjoyed watching the kids play in the streets, he always wanted to go play with them but his father always forbid him too.

They got off the carriage, everyone they walked past stopped and bowed politely at Aydin mother. She was a very well respected woman, she did so much for the city, twice a week she goes into the city to give bread and blankets to the poor. Everyone knew her as Lady Annie.

While his mother handed out bread and blankets Aydin looked around a saw a group of children playing with an old leather ball in the street.

Aydin cleared his throat,

“Mother, can I play with the children?”

She looked down at him with a warm beautiful smile,

“Of course sweetheart, but don’t get to filthy. The less to explain to father the better.”

She winked at him and continued to pass out some supplies.

Aydin smiled and ran to the group of children, they were filthy and wore ragged clothing. A bigger child that was missing a few teeth and had some bruises crossed his arms,

“What do you looking at freak?”

“Can I accompany your group in a game of, whatever it is you’re playing?”

Aydin’s said with a smile, the children looked at him and laughed.

“Accompany us, what the hell does that even mean. No you can’t ‘ACCOMPANY’ us, you pompous idiot.”

Said a little girl who pronounced accompany wrong, they laughed and made fun of Aydin. Aydin felt tears swell up in his eyes,

“Oh I think we hurt the little lords feelings, get the f**k out of here before I beat your ass.”

Said the bigger child throwing a clump of dirt at Aydin’s chest, the other children started throwing clumps of dirt at him as well.

Aydin shielded his face from the dirt and ran away, as soon as he heard their laughter fade he stopped and cried. All Aydin wanted was friends, even the high born children didn’t want to be his friends.

Aydin felt like he didn’t belong anywhere, he wiped his tears away and cleaned the dirt off cloths.

Suddenly he heard a commotion coming from the market, he saw a little white haired girl bump into an elderly woman knocking her over into a basket of apples. As the merchant was trying to help the woman Aydin saw a little black haired boy steal two loafs of bread and run down an alleyway. Soon the little girl snuck away but not before stealing a coin purse off the poor elderly woman. She ducked down the same alley the boy went, the elderly woman checked her pockets and realized her coin purse was missing. They looked around and found 2 guards, they told them what happened and went to look for them. They walked pass the alleyway and yelled running down the ally. Aydin was about to walk away and find his mother but something was telling him to go help them. He looked at the ally and ran towards it, he tried to keep up but they were fast, very fast. A stopped to catch his breath, he took a short cut. He saw a the little boy slid underneath a wagon, he heard the guards and hide behind some barrels. He heard them give up their search, Aydin peeked around to see if he could see the little boy when he felt something sharp at his throat. Prickles of pain tingled through his body, he started to breath heavy. He slowly turned around and locked eyes with the most beautiful person he’s ever seen, it was the little girl who stole the elderly woman’s coin purse. She had silver hair with a black streak in the front, very vivid violet eyes, tan skin, and plump pink lips. Aydin felt time stop around him, everything was silent and all he could hear was his heart pounding fast. She put the knife down and smiled a beautiful smile that made his stomach do flips, Aydin smiled back.

The little boy ran up with his hands up,

“Leave my sister alone arsehole!!”

He went to swing but the girl stopped him,

“It’s ok Gedeon!”

“I’m Aydin Starash, pleasure to make you acquaintance.”

“Starash the inventors, Lords of Rosmerta?”

Said the boy

Aydin nodded and bowed.

“I’m Gedeon and this is my twin sister Stella.”

Said the boy.

Aydin heard their stomachs growling, he saw the wince of pain on their faces.

“You hungry? Would you like to accompany me for dinner? I shot a deer this morning all by myself and there’s plenty to go around.”

Aydin said eagerly.

“Won’t your father mind if you brought home some dirty bastard twin?”

Stella asked looking at herself and her brother

Aydin shrugged, it pained him to hear her call herself a bastard.

“Maybe, but that’s why I’m introducing you to my mother first. She loves everyone and she’ll just be glad I made some friends.”

He stopped and turned to the twins

“We are friends right?”

The twins looked at each other and smiled, they both nodded in sync.

.

.

.

.

Raphael

“You will be trained to do Gods will, you’ll follow Gods path to spread peace and prosperity. You will follow and carry out Gods commands, God will protect and provide for you. All he asks in return is your love and devotion to him, you will be pure body and soul. You will be Gods warrior, you will become a Paladin.”

Said the Head Paladin to a line of boys ranging between the ages of 5 to 10.

They stood there with only some torn pants on, most of them were orphans or troubled children who were sent away. But not Raphael, he had two loving supportive parents and he was a wonderful child. He felt he was destined for something greater, so he decided at the age of 6 he would join the Paladins. It was a harsh road to become a Paladin, you have to surrender your self completely over to God and it’s Gods decision if your worthy enough. The Paladin Trials test the body, mind and soul, most don’t survive. Raphael was more then eager to join the Paladin despite the story’s of children dying during the trails.

He didn’t fear death even at the age of 6 I for he knew God would take care of him and knew if it was Gods will to take him then so be it.

Raphael was a bit shorter and skinnier then the rest of the children, he had shaggy blond hair and big brown eyes.

Raphael spent 10 years training to be the best paladin, he past every trial and test without hesitation. One night an Angel came to Raphael in his dreams, he could barely make out her face. She shined bright like the sun, she was dressed all in white and had big golden wings.

In a soft voice she spoke to him,

“Raphael your about to start the most important and dangerous journey, you must go north to the Marauders camp. There you will find a young woman with white hair and violet eyes, be taken prisoner and what for the moment to save her.”

Raphael nodded and kneeled before the bright Angel.

He woke and gathered all that he could carry, he told the Head Paladin about the Angel.

“May God be with you on your quest brother.”

Raphael traveled for months when he finally reach the Marauders camp, it was an old crumbled down barracks, it looked like they just raid a big town or city. He buried his belongings by a big oak tree and covered it with leaves so no one would see the dirt. He walked down to the camp and let them take him captive, they threw him in the cells down in the lower part of the barracks. There were a few women crying and frightened, he looked around for one with white hair but didn’t see her.

A group of men came down the stairs carting a half naked woman covered in blood and dirt. It looked like she had white hair though it was hard to tell with all the blood and mud, then she slowly fluttered her eyes open for a moment.

Raphael saw they were unmistakably violet, she was beautiful even though she was bruised and filthy.

Raphael was getting ready to use some magic to blast the cage door open when the Angels voice echoed in his head,

“Not yet Raphael.”

.

.

.

.

Barrett

Smoke and screams fill the streets of a little village, innocent people being slaughtered. Barrett looks into the eyes of an old man, terror filling them.

“Ple..Please!”

Barrett closed his eyes and plunged his glave into the man’s chest, he takes a deep breath. Even though he was a Berserker he didn’t like killing innocent people like his brother horde, but that’s not the only thing that made him different. Berserkers we’re said to be descents from Giants, they have dark grey skin that’s has hard as stone and glowing red eyes. Barrett had light grey with a green hue to his skin and bright yellow eyes, he was a little smaller then the rest but was just as strong. Berserkers bones were as a strong as steel, they were almost impossible to break. It was rumored that Barrett’s mother was an Orc, but no one dared say that out load for Barrett’s father was the leader and the most feared of all Berserkers. Barrett never got to met her, it was said his father killed her after she gave birth to him.

Barrett checked the house to see if there were any survivors, he came across a school and broke down the door.

A group of young children barely 5 years of age clinging to their teachers dress crying.

The teacher shielded them from Barrett,

“Please, their just babies.”

Barrett felt a hard lump in his throat, he gripped his glave. He threw it down and grabbed the bookcase and covered the door, he looked at the teacher and spoke in a deep husky voice that made her jump.

“Is there a back door, that leads to the alleyway or something?”

The teacher looked at him in shock, she couldn’t decide if he was really helping them or tricking them.

“NOW WERE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!”

Barrett roared

The woman and children jumped,

“Yea.. Yes this way.”

She said pointing to the back of the school.

Barrett ran to the door and slowly peeked his head out, he didn’t see anyone.

“Ok it looks clear, stay close and low. Keep moving.”

Barrett told the children.

The teacher kissed Barrett on the cheek,

“Thank you.”

Barrett felt his face get hot but in a nice warm way, he smiled and nodded.

He opened the door and looked around, it was still clear. Barrett walked quickly down the ally and looked around, a group of his brothers were busy slaughtering a family in the streets. Barrett lead them down a different alley towards the woods, Barrett knew if he could get them past the river they’ll have a chance.

He saw the river when he heard a scream, he turned around to see his father and few other Berserkers.

His father had the school teacher by her arms,

“What do you think your doing?”

Barrett just stood there, there was no way out of it.

His father looked at him in anger, he roared and pulled the woman’s arms, ripping in half. Blood flew everywhere, all over the children who were screaming in horror.

His father went to grab one of the children,

“NO!!!! Leave them alone, their just children!”

Barrett said pushing his father away from the children, the other Berserkers took a step back.

Barrett’s father looked him in the eye and like a viper grabbed Barrett by his throat,

“What the f**k did you say?”

Barrett gasped for air while his father lifted him off the ground by his throat.

“What makes you think I care?!”

His father threw him to the ground, he stomped his foot on his chest. A loud crack filled the air, Barrett couldn’t breathe.

“How dare you disobey me!”

His father punched him in the face, the impact sounded like cracks of thunder, Berserkers are really the only thing that can hurt each other.

Blood covered Barrett’s face, his father turned his face to the children. He gave a signal and the other Berserkers ripped them apart, their terrified screams filled Barrett’s ears.

“Now you can join them, your no Berserker nor my son.”

His father hit him in the ribs breaking them, then he picked him up over his head and threw him down over his knee breaking his back.

They left Barrett for dead, Barrett just laid there barely breathing. It felt like hours, then Barrett heard footsteps and a sweet voice.

“You poor thing, Raphael can you help him?”

Barrett could barely see, everything was dark.

“I’ll see what I can do, he’s in really bad shape. I may need your help Aydin.”

Said male voice.

Barrett felt a warmth come from his chest, the pain was slowly going away and he felt his bones slowly move back into place. His vision slowly came back and the first thing he saw was a beautiful white haired woman with bright violet eyes.

.

.

.

.

Ari

“Ok, just focus. Deep breaths, think dragon.”

Ari told herself, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She pictured a red dragon in her head, she held the image and focused all her energy on it. She felt her body trying to mold into a dragon, waves of pain though her body but she tried to keep her focus.

She cried out in pain and let go, she rubbed her neck.

“Damn.”

She said breathlessly

Ari grabbed a book off the shelf and flipped through it, seeing if she’s missing something.

There was only one Druid in the history of time that mastered transforming into a dragon, Ari has mastered all other forms and was determined to master the dragon one as well. Druids have little body’s that barely have shape to them, making it easier for them to transform into animals.

The dragon form is impossible because of its massive size and take a substantial amount of power for a Druid to be one.

“Ari, you need to stop one of these days your going to hurt yourself or worse.”

Said Ari’s mother, everything Ari did wasn’t enough for her mother’s approval. That’s why she determined to master the dragon, to prove her worth to her mother.

“I’m close mother, I just need to find the Druid who successfully transformed into a dragon. Maybe he can help me.”

Ari said flipping g through a boom then moving to the next one.

Aris mother shook her head,

“Ari it’s a myth and even if it were true it was centuries ago, their most likely dead now. Just stop this nonsense and focus on finding a man.”

Ari didn’t want to find a man and have babies, she wanted to go adventuring and help people with her powers.

“Mother I don’t want to settle down, I want to help people and see the continents. I want to learn how to master the form of the dragon, I need to adventure out pass The Grove.”

Ari said looking over the mountain surrounding their grove.

Her mother scoffed

“When will you grow up Ari, there’s no place for our kind out there. There’s nothing but monsters, beast, and men. They will use you for your power and when they’re done they’ll throw you away like a used rag.”

Ari never understood why her mother hates the outside world so much, she had so much hatred for it.

“Mother I feel I have a greater purpose, a greater responsibility. I’ve been having a feeling that I should leave the Shea Tribe and travel beyond Akihari to the other continents. I feel I’m destined for something else, something greater.”

Ari said reaching for her mothers hand, hoping her plead will change her heart.

Her mother just scorned and pulled her hand away,

“You’ve always been a whiny little pup, I guess the only way for you to learn is to find out the hard way. Go, leave but I guarantee you’ll be back after the seventh sun has set, crying for me telling me I was right.”

Ari shook her head,

“Your wrong mother and I’ll prove it to you.”

The next day when the sun hasn’t risen yet Ari had a few things pack, clothes, potions, scrolls, food and a few small odds and ends. The whole Shea Tribe did a pray circle that she has safe travels and finds what she’s looking for, the whole tribe but her mother.

Ari looked at her mother but her mother just looked away, it pained Ari but she felt she must go on this journey.

Ari traveled out of Akihari and into Zearax, that was the last known place of the Druid shes looking for. She found that few people of different species were very kind and most that were not, mankind seemed to be the most dangerous in her opinion.

One day on her travels she found herself in the middle of a nasty fight, a small group of 5 against a dozen mercenaries. The small group seamed to be holding their own until their Paladin got hit in the heart with an arrow. Their biggest warrior let out an earth shaking roar and went on a bloodlust, killing all the mercenaries.

“NO, NO, NO!!! RAPHAEL STAY WITH ME!!!!”

Screamed the only female of the group, she was beautiful with silver hair in a long braid. She rested his head on her lap, she made Ari feel bad about how she looked. Ari had fire red hair, pale skin and no figure.

“AYDIN DO SOMETHING!!”

Yelled a man who looked identical to the woman but had black hair.

A man with dark brown hair ran over and looked the paladin over, he shook his head.

“I can’t, it’s in his heart. If I remove the arrow he’s dead instantly, I can’t bring him back from the dead.”

“You won’t be able to bring him back!? You studied magic!”

Yelled the black haired man.

“I’m a sorcerer not necromancer!”

The two men argued back and forth,

“WILL YOU TWO s**t THE f**k UP!! We need to find help quickly!”

Said the woman in tears.

The sorcerer put his hand on the woman’s shoulder,

“I don’t think there’s anything we can do love.”

Ari felt the urge to do something, she ran out from her hiding spot and went up to the paladin.

The black haired man readied his bow,

“Get away from him!”

Ari grabbed her bag,

“I can help! Quickly put your hands here sorcerer.”

Ari looked at the paladins face, he was an angel.

Ari grabbed a few herds and sand from her bag she spit on in and mixed it in her hands, the mixture started to glow red.

“Ok on 3 you pull the arrow out.”

“But he’ll bleed out and die.”

Said the sorcerer.

“Not if I can get this in the wound, it should plug up the wound and heal him.”

Ari said finishing mixing.

“Please we have to try Aydin, we owe him.”

Said the woman with tears in her vibrate purple eyes.

He nodded and gripped the arrow,

“This better work.”

“Ok ready? 1..2..3!”

As soon as Ari said 3 he pulled the arrow with a river of blood following it, the paladin gasped in pain. As soon as Aydin pulled the arrow, Ari filled the hole with the mix.

Pushing in deep into his heart, she then covered it with her hand and chanted.

Red and green swirls of light moved around her hands and then sucked into the paladins chest.

“Did it work?”

Said the black haired man.

The paladin gasped and sat straight up,

“What in the holy hells just happened!?”

Everyone sighed with relief,

“Oh thank God, your alive.”

Said the woman, she looked at Ari

“Thank you.”

.

.

.

.

FREDERICK

Frederick sat in the corner with his pint of ale watching people as they came and go, mainly the ladies. Frederick had a peculiar taste in women, which was one of the many reasons he abandoned his title of rule of Zearax. Last he heard his father finally died from his illness and his little sister Lily we sworn in as Queen. All the better Frederick thought, Lily was the smarter one and more well mannered. Frederick was more focused on being free and doing what he pleased, he was a very handsome and charming young man. Light drown hair, hazel eyes, strong facial features and muscular. All the women fall for his charm and sleep with him, except one.

Two women walked into the tavern, the first one was a pale stick with fire hair. Frederick scrunched his face and took a sip of ale, then he saw the other woman walk in and almost choked on his drink. She was stunningly beautiful, long curly silver hair that just covered her big perfect perky breast, an hourglass body with big round bottom.

Frederick cleared his throat and fixes his hair, he got up and made it way to the bar area.

As he approached he heard her little pale friend giggle about something, as Frederick got closer he got a better look at her face.

She had flawless tan skin, vibrant violet eyes, she had a cute little pixie bottom nose and big plump lips he wanted to kiss.

“Hello beautiful.”

He said with a smoldering grin, she ignored him like he wasn’t even there but her friend on the other hand blushed adding some color to her.

Frederick cleared his throat,

“I’m Derick, I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. Where you from?”

She continued to ignore him, she took her ale and took a sip, making Frederick wishing he was the mug touching her lips.

She went to walk away but Frederick stood in front of her,

“Wait, what’s your name?”

She scoffed and pushed past him, her friend looked at him embarrassed and followed close behind her.

They walked out of the tavern onto the street where a fight just started, a man who looked identical to the woman but only with black hair. He was fighting an outlaw that was very well known and very powerful, the outlaw threw the man into a puddle.

The woman pulled out her dual daggers from her belt and stood between the two men, her little pale friend ran the man helping him up and healed some cuts on his face.

3 more men ran up to their side, it was a handsome group they had and Frederick had a feeling he should join them.