Bonded by shadow

The annual chosing day

The heavy breathing, estimated fear and hope of the people of Mideveil Town, filled the atmosphere ,the once harmonious town filled with love, hope and light became a horror to it's people losing it's sanity in the treacherous hands of the Nightmare Thrift.

it's love became lost leaving it's people in darkness crawling in their dirges, depending on the Almighty Ardyn Throne. The day like every a tradition had come for eligible Mideveilers to go through the realms of no beginning and end to venture into the Nightmare Trial.

The cold intensing atmosphere brushed through the town has most parents praynsilently for the rejection of their children.

A red haired beautiful lass, with doe eyes easy to captivate any hard emotion to crumble searched through the crowd in search of something until she saw the familiar figure.

"Mara" her soft yet innocent voice called, she waved to signify her presence.

"Lyra, why did you leave without me?" A black haired about the same age with her ran among the crowd to reach her.

"The generals insisted I came or else I might face the consequence". She explained. Lyra Vale an eighteen years old orphan living from hand to mouth with her best friend Mara. Also as the same age has her.

Due to cruel fate that befell them after the loss of both their families in the tormenting hands of darkness from the Nightmare Thrift, they are left with healing scarred hearts depending on the inseparable love between themselves.

They both held hands together walking among the scared crowds to the calling of the Annual Choosing.

With bothersome, doubting and scared hearts they held their hopes up believing they can change destiny, believing they can bring Mideveil back to being the land of it's people.

"Mideveil gather around. The time of the season has arrived and certain traditions must be followed. Like every other year we await the chosen one amongst one of you" The Almighty Ardyn Throne addressed the fearful crowd. Each and every one of them anticipating for their fate.

Despite the fearful aura, Lyra had this undying spirit to navigate through the world that's nicknamed "the world of no beginning and end".

She heaved a heavy sigh of relief has she rolled her red hair In a bun. Her small gentle figure screams fragility, yet her spirit is has bold has ten men. She wore a comfy not resplendent corset dress that hugged her small yet mouth watery figure. Her hands ran through her thick locks of red hair.

The able bodied soldiers beat the drum for the call of utter silence and respect to the information being passed. Women and men of young and tender ages were drawn out of a dungeon with heavy chains around their necks, arms and legs. The ugly smell of dirty blood hit the atmosphere increasing the fear among the crowd.

"Each one of them(the tied ones) will drink the scared blood gifted my the god of strength, anyone of them that withstands the effect will be chosen has the team of able soldier of The Nightmare Thrift called The Touched. You'll be touched in the sense of confidence to see beyond the physical realm". Ardyn a middle aged, chubby selfish governor sat majestically on his designed chair of command and respect,.stroking his moustache and grinding his molars

She heaved a heavy sigh of relief has she rolled her red hair In a bun. Her small gentle figure screams fragility, yet her spirit is has bold has ten men. She wore a comfy not resplendent corset dress that hugged her small yet watery figure. Her hands ran through her thick locks of red hair.

The chained prisoners were brought in batches to the center of the mob, a simple sniff of the scared blood led to the death of many. Lyra's hate for this tradition sparked in her eyes has she imagined herself serving the same justice to Ardyn Throne. She reminds herself she is in no position to think of such inappropriate imaginations. The bodies of few prisoners began to thud on the hot ground, gasps and whimpering of the crowd became intense.

Ardyn is dissatisfied with the results, only ten out of 32 prisoners survived the attack of the scared blood. The lingering eyes on a particular prisoner, a female prisoner fighting for her life, trying not to fall or die also. The sight disgusted Ardyn has the prisoner spills blood out of her nostrils but not dying. With fury and determination he aimed for the sword of a soldier brandishing it to the female prisoner, he raised his sword out to take her head down when Lyra's sudden scream of agony and sympathy stopped him in his tracks

"Wait!" She gasped heavily after calling his attention, every eyes of pain, fear, sympathy and confusion went straight to her small figure.

"You cannot take the life of a body that hasn't fallen in defeat to the ground" she challenged, Mara's scornfully glared at her, pulling her dress and whispering

"Are you potty?, this has nothing to do with you". She ignored the words fo her friend moving forward.

"How dare you threaten and question the authorities" a young soldier drew his sword aiming at her when the sudden harsh snicker from Ardyn interrupted the rogue

"Leave her be" he commanded finding interest in her, "and who are you to tell me what to do?" He hissed

"I'm an humble servant of Mideveil, Lyra Vale"

"Interesting".he smirked

Lyra looked around to confirm if she was drawing allies to support her, but instead everyone backed out. She sighed and faced Ardyn again.

"This is not to be heard of you, slaying a soul that hasn't been defeated. Instead let her give up" she faced the prisoner who is now on the verge of dying.

"What if she falls?" Ardyn challenged"will you take her place?"

"Yes" without consideration she agreed earning whispers and gasps from the mob of people.

"Let's see how far she goes" All eyes went on the female prisoner loosing her life slowly when suddenly her body finally thuds to the ground. Everyone gasped at the gate that would befall Lyra. She too was amazed by the sudden audacity and courage inside of her. Ardyn snickered adjusting his robe and faced Lyra

"Looks like we have an alternate. Bring her over here". Ardyn gnashed hie teeths with hatred ordering the soldiers.

The soldiers grabbed her shoulders bringing her forcefully bow to Ardyn who finds Lyra now interesting.

"Bind her amongst the chosen. We're taking her along " he ordered and they immediately chained her. Another gasp from the mob

"If she's going you'll have to take me too". Mara ran among the mob moving closer to the podium, waving in fear and anticipation.

Ardyn snickered evilly sending chills down everyone's spine

" Interesting,we also have another alternate. Bind her". He ordered

"But Almighty they didn't take the Scared blood" the head soldier insisted.

"That's where the fun begins, let's see how they end up". he smirked has he heads to his carriage.

The grieved prisoners, Mara and Lyra were being pulled along with the captives. A lingering eyes from one of the prisoners was fixed on Lyra, he's thick brunette long locks covered his forehead to his blue eyes making it hard to access his face.

A feeling of admiration and fear hit him has he stares at the Lyra, with amusement and discrimination determine how small she looked he registers she won't even last a night in the realm.

Her limbs were now bind together. Mara wiggled her way closer to Lyra looking a little confused and angry, she whispered not wanting to draw any ungodly attention again

"Mara you're crazy, why did you have to go with me?" Lyra protested

"Hey pest remember we promised to die together" Mara reminded with a sad smile on her face knowing fully well that it only entails the fittest. Her smile spoke more of fear, while a daring instinct kicked inside the small and fragile Lyra.

Their chains dragged around the harsh ground, moving them to where no one could determine their tomorrow

TBC