MY TWIN MATES

CHAPTER ONE

Long time ago, in a world where all mythical creatures lived in harmony. The Light Goddess, Kiza, sent down an orb to light the path to all things living and shield them from her evil sister, Availa, the goddess of darkness.

The Light Orb was kept in the royal palace and was heavily guarded by the strongest of guards. The creatures of the world lived in peace for a long time and gave thanks to Kiza at the end of every year for blessing them with orb which lit their path.

But one unfortunate night, the Light orb was stolen by one of Availa’s minions and the earth began to wither. The Light goddess in her infinite mercy sent a stone of tears to light the earth but the light could only survive for a short time.

For as the days went by and as the stone began to crack, darkness slowly began to spread across the land and Availa with her dark solders took over the parts of the earth, the light couldn’t reach. She caused great havoc, destroyed cities and turned the people to her slaves, killing those who defiled her orders.

King Helda, fearing that Availa would one day take over the earth, recruited men from every household to fight off Availa and recover the lost orb but none came back alive and with each passing day, Availa and her men waxed stronger as the stone’s light got weaker.

THE PATH FINDERS

It was a cold and stormy night, thunder struck as lightening flashed across the sky. The rain fell heavily on the roof of Aster’s home. The young elf sat in front of the diamond encrusted mirror, cutting her long brown hair short. The mirror which was her post prized possession belonged to her deceased mother.

“You don’t have to do this,” Elda, her twin brother said before coughing. His face was very pale and he looked so lanky and sick that Aster feared that he might die at any moment.

“You’re not going to convince me Elda,” she glared at him, her eyebrows narrowed.

She turned back to the mirror and casted a deception spell to cover of any loose end.

She ran her fingers through her short hair noticing how different she looked after the spell took effect. She looked like a male.

There was little to no difference between her and Elda.

“But what if you get killed, I might never see you again or what if they find out you’re a girl, what do you think the king will do to you” Elda spoke with fear in his eyes. He understood that his sister was trying to protect him but what she was about to do was very risky. He hated that his sister wanted to replace him and join the troops that are being sent to the dark castle of Availa.

“And what do you want me to do, let you go to the war front all by yourself, you will die before you even walk out of this house,” Aster yelled, tears swelling in her eyes as she looked at her sick brother. He was whiter than snow and Aster could see his blue veins pulsing. She knew the healing potion she made for him was almost finished and with the darkness spreading she may not be able the potion may not be able to keep him much longer.

At an early age, Elda was diagnosed with Titeria, a disease that causes weakening of the heart muscles and low blood. This not only affected him physically but also made him to lose his powers at a young age.

Their mother died while giving birth to them and their father left them at the age of ten.

The twins practically raised themselves with Aster taking odd jobs to save her dear brother but now that the light orb was stolen, Midgar, the head of the army will be here soon to take him away and Aster wasn’t going to let that happen. She had decided to take his place and protect him to the very end.

“But-,” Elda tried to speak but Aster interrupted him.

“No buts, Elda, I’m doing this,” she said wrapping her arms around him and enveloping him in a tight hug while trying to hide the tears that fell from her eyes. Deep down Aster knew she might never see her brother again. No one had ever come back from Availa’s territory alive.

She wipedd the tears with her sleeve and caressed his cheeks

“I love you Elda, never forget that,” she said before kissing him on the forehead and taking a step back.

“Go hide in the basement,” she commanded him pushing him towards the basement door. “Midgar would be here anytime soon and I don’t want him to see you”.

As the word left her mouth, Aster heard a loud bang on the door. She sighed deeply and whispered a prayer to the gods before swinging her green bag across her slender shoulder as she headed for the door.

Turning her head back for the last time, Aster took a quick glance at her home, it was small but she had built it with all her hard work.

She breathed heavily and opened the front door. The cold breeze from outside made her shiver and she looked up at