Moon Raiders.

Decision.

"Please forgive me mother, I could not be brave this one time. I failed you." She muttered. Immediately the lions dived on her and she closed her eyes weakly in open welcome waiting to feel their ravishing claws on her but it never came. Already weak as a result of the poison, she slightly opened her eyes only to see someone standing at the entrance of the cave. He had shot the three lions arrows right at the same time and they laid on the floor dead. She tried to see who it was but her body was betraying her. Her eyes began to close weakly as her savior walked to her. The only sound she could hear was the sound of his footsteps, and just as he bent before her, all she see was a mist, she passed out. Carrying her in his arms, the mark on her forehead immediately disappeared.

Raymond walked out of his court swiftly. The message had come to him that the search parties they had sent to the neighbouring kingdoms in search of Aurelia had returned. Getting to the palace court, the guards bowed to him, opening the door. He walked in where he met the guards before King Almanta reporting their turn out on the search.

"Princess Aurelia wasn't found Your majesty. I'm afraid she isn't anywhere near." One of the guards spoke and Raymond folded his hands angrily.

"What do you mean by that?! You were sent to bring back Aurelia and not to bring back a bad news!" Raymond exclaimed and they fell down on their knees.

"We apologize Prince Raymond." They spoke and Raymond immediately turned to the King.

"Please give me the authority Your majesty, I will like to go in this search myself." Raymond requested and King Almanta fell quiet for a while.

"You are the next King Raymond, I'm afraid I can't let you out. Besides, I think it's time we do what is right." Almanta spoke.

"Your majesty? " He called confused and King Almanta took a deep breath.

"Prepare everything that needs to be done, Aurelia's funeral will be held tonight."

"Father! I think we should wait forAudrey and Paisley's return before deciding anything." Raymond objected .

"Aurelia is dead Raymond and we need to pay her last respect. Things like this always happens in a kingdom. We tend to lose those we love."

"Are you trying to say Aurelia's disappearance doesn't matter to you?" "Raymond questioned and Almanta went silent for a while.

"You are the crowned prince and soon to be King, it is necessary that you know your duty to your kingdom. Nothing should ever stand in the way not even personal relationships. That's the cross a ruler has to carry. So go on now." Almanta added and Raymond bowed leaving immediately. He felt so angry that such things of relationships could be taken casually just because of a position, and he also felt guilty. It hit him so hard. It would have been him and not Aurelia, he thought. Ever since Aurelia was a child, he had always loved her more and he wasn't going to give that up just because he is the crowned Prince. He couldn't take it anymore, he couldn't handle being that King they wanted him to be.

Aurelia and Paisley came down from their horses.

"I think this is good place to rest. " Audrey said and they both sat down relaxing on a tree, and drinking their water.

"What if the sorcerer admits that Aurelia is dead" Paisley spoke and Audrey went silent short of words. That was everybody's fear but they were all trying to stay positive.

"She is not dead." A voice suddenly spoke and they turned only to see the sorcerer.

"Great sorcerer? " They hurriedly stood up and bowed.

"We never thought we would meet you on our way to the tower." Audrey stated.

"I know Anastasia is mourning her death."

"You had said Aurelia isn't dead? " Paisley questioned.

"That's right... She is safe."

"Where is she? " Audrey asked with an elated expression.

"That's not for me to say. All I can say is, she should never be welcomed back to Anastasia for she shall bring nothing but curses. She is cursed." He said and they stared at themselves confused.

"How is that possible? She is the second Princess"

"If she ever steps foot there, there shall be death in the kingdom." He said and immediately disappeared before they could say any other thing. Their heart clenched as the tried to digest the information they just heard.

"Should we tell the king? " Audrey asked.

"This is about the entire kingdom, we have to tell him for the sake of the people. " Paisley said.

"But then.... "

"Aurelia might be banished, I know that. But we can't do anything, I'm afraid it's not in our hands to decide." Paisley said and immediately climbed back on her horse.

"We have to return back to the palace and tell the king immediately." Audrey followed, also climbing her horse and they retreated back to the palace

Raymond walked by the passageway in the palace lost in thought. He came to a stop as he came across the warriors training. His mind immediately flashed back and his small self of nine stood in the training ground holding unto a sword with his both hands. His two brothers who were older than he was, laughed in great scorn as they stared at him.

"Look at that Nordan, the weakling is here to fight. Why dont you go cry in your room as always." The younger one spoke and Nordan humphed.

"Just let it be Aaron, just you watch, he will soon crawl back into the hole he came out from." Nordan replied and Aaron walked to him slowly. Making sure no one was staring, he pushed Raymond to the ground who immediately creased his elbows and Raymond groaned staring at it.

"He already got injured. How are going to be a warrior with your soft skin like that of a girl." Aaron said and they laughed in mockery as Raymond eyes started filling with tears.

"Take a look Aaron, he wants to cry. Do you think your stupid mom will come save you when you go crying in the battle ground?" Nordan added and they laughed again. In anger, he immediately stood up and punched the both of them on their stomach for ever involving his mother. Then he made a run for it before they could come after him.

Raymond still stood staring at the warriors as he came back from his flashback. He tightened his grip on the rail angrily as he had another flashback.

"A prince doesn't play with pets! They are strong and ever ready to defend their family in times of war!" Almanta who stood before Raymond exclaimed to the little boy who stood shivering and holding unto a cage that sat a raven bird silently.

"I'm ready for the punishments." Raymond said ever ready and Almanta gritted his teeth in annoyance.

"Raymond! Apologize to the king. The bird caused a huge mess in the palace today. At least you owe him that apology." Mona said but Raymond still stared at the empty space indifferent.

"You don't expect me to be far from what I am. You have other sons who are ever ready to make you proud and be the future king, so why bother if I become a disgrace or not." Raymond answered.

"Please forgive him your majesty, he hasn't realized his mistakes." Mona immediately added seeing Almanta's annoyance.

"Exactly, he will never learn if he isn't taught to. As long as you're are in this palace, you can't become a disgrace."

"Then you can as well get me banished."

"Raymond!! " This time Almanta exclaimed. He thought Raymond will become better but he was only growing more daring.

"That's it, take that disgusting bird out of this palace now! Make sure it's doesn't come back here." Almanta ordered his guards and Raymond held the cage tightly.

"Please punish me instead." Raymond spoke still without remorse but the guards dragged the cage from his strong clench. Raymond fell on the floor in tears, then he stared up at the King.

"You don't realize that bird is worth more than you all are. It understands me and doesn't judge me in anything I do."

"Well, let me see how things can be the same now." Almanta said and walked out angrily.

"Go into your court now and try not doing anything stupid." Mona stated walking out after the king. Still on the floor, his eye turned to the corner Nordan and Aaron stood, he saw them giggling in mockery of him. He squeezed his hands to a knot angrily when someone suddenly walked to him. Staring up to see the person, he met Aurelia's innocent face. She stretched her hands to him smiling.

"Let me help you." She spoke.

"I don't need your help." he gritted and stood up but as he was about to walk out, she spoke.

"I can help you get your bird back." She said and he stopped turning to her.

"And why will you do that, your family and mine are enemies. You're the sister of that arrogant Nordan." He responded.

"We are still siblings Raymond. Besides I take Queen Mona as my second mother." Aurelia replied and Raymond rolled his eyes.

"Get to the point."

"I might just know some way to get the bird back and keep it somewhere safe where you can always come and visit it." She said.

"And why will you do that? Besides, it will be a huge risk by going against the King's orders."

"Let's just say, I care and the king's never going to find out anyway. I have my ways of doing things. Audrey and Paisley will help get another raven to replace it." She said revealing a mischievous smile.

"Even if the king gets to know, he won't do anything to me if I admit I'm at fault. After all he loves me so much." She said and he rolled his eyes at her pride.

"And what will I give you in return." he asked and she stretched her hand to him.

"Friends?" She inquired and he hesitated a bit staring at her hand.

"As long as I get to see Jack back...." he said and shook her hands. "Friends." He added and she smiled.

"I don't even try to play chameleon with me or you'll regret it."

"I'm not so bad. You'll thank me later." She said and smiled. Immediately the Second wife of the king, Queen Hazel called.

"Aurelia, what are you doing there? Come here immediately." The queen beckoned from afar not liking her closeness with Raymond and Aurelia smiled at Raymond before leaving.

Raymond came back from his flashback again. Aurelia had actually kept to her word and since then they had become closer to each other even more than he was to his sister, Ziana. She had done so many things to make sure he stayed good even when it went against her mother, Queen Hazel's decree. Yet he couldn't even return that little bit of her by figuring out where she actually was because he wasn't yet convinced she was dead. Relaxing on the rail and digging his fingers into his hair, he had another remembrance.

The whole palace was calm as they were still mourning the death of two princes who had died in war at the same time. They had sacrificed their lives for the victory of their kingdom.

Raymond was seen walking into the palace court where the king sat with his cabinet members. He bowed to the king who sat on the throne and to the rest of the cabinet.

"Nordan and Aaron are both dead and their funeral has already been conducted. Everything should go back to normal so the people don't feel unsafe. Because of this, you will have to secede in as the crowned prince." Raymond scoffed hearing this.

"Crowned Prince? Your two sons are dead and you think of me as an alternative. It's all just to keep the throne isn't it?" Raymond questioned making everybody's head jerk in shock at his arrogance.

"Raymond...."

"And if I say I really don't want to be the crowned Prince? Besides, have you all forgotten alreasy, I'm still that same Prince you've rejected all these years but I suppose your greediness to store the power to yourselves has made you come to this decision." Raymond said and the King remained silent wondering when Raymond will actually grow up.

"The best Princes of your kingdom are dead and I can't be able to become the next crowned Prince. I don't think I'm good enough." Raymond said making thee cabinet men whisper amongst themselves.

"I'll take my leave now your majesty." He added and bowed leaving.

This was the greatest burden he had to carry, Raymond thought as he came back from his remembrance. All because of his mother, he actually became that crowned Prince, but at this point he didn't know if he could continue, he had to end this madness.

A thought suddenly sprang up in his mind and like someone hypnotized, he walked swiftly to the warriors who immediately stopped and bowed on seeing him. Without saying a word, he took a sword and called out one of the warriors. Giving the sword to him, he spoke.

"Kill me like I am an enemy. " The warriors cruised their eyebrows staring at themselves in confusion. "Don't you understand? " He questioned as he saw his hesitation.

"My... my Prince." He stammered.

"Do it." Raymond said clenching his teeth together. At that point the warrior's hand started shaking and he immediately knelt down.

"Please have mercy my Prince, I cannot do it." Raymond rose his eyebrows on hearing him.

"It is an order." Raymond persisted. At this point, fear filled everybody's mind. The warrior could only curse his destiny for ever having to end up in a tight corner like this. "Get up. " Raymond commanded and the warrior stood up.

"Hold up your sword." he added and the warrior had to hold the sword with his both hands, so it wouldn't fall from his hands.

"Raymond!" Ziana who was walking by with her maids and guards following her called and she rushed to him. "What's going on?" She asked.

"Step away." Raymond said with already red eyes. "A warrior fears no one, he faces his enemy head on, and I am that enemy. Attack me." Raymond directed to the warrior this time.

"What are you doing Raymond, that's enough." Ziana said about to intervene but he pushed her to the ground. "I said step away!! Do not get involved." He warned and she stared at him unbelievably. The whole place remained deadly silent as this happened and Ziana seeing the seriousness of the situation whispered to her guards.

"Quick! Go inform the queen about this." They bowed and rushed out to carry out her command.

"Go on with it.... " Raymond said and started walking closer to him. The warrior was about to pee on himself seeing this happen. Before they knew it, he was before the warrior and he held the warrior's hand piercing the sword in his stomach. They all shone their eyes in shock as this happened and the warrior staggered falling to the ground with great fear lurking in his eyes.

"Raymond!! " Ziana exclaimed rushing to him and she caught him as he fell.

"Why did you do this to yourself?" Ziana questioned in tears.

"Call the royal physician quick! Warrior Melvin, help me take him to his court. " She instructed and the other warriors also helped in carrying him while some rushed to call the physician.

Queen Mona walked swiftly in the passageway leading to Raymond's court with her maids and guards tugging behind her. A sense of fear could be recorded on her expression. Getting to his court, she found him on his bed with his robe already soaked in blood.

"Raymond." She called and rushed to him. "What have you done?" She questioned in agony.

"What are you waiting for? Get him treated!" Mona exclaimed seeing the physician standing by the corner doing nothing.

"He refused to be treated mom." Ziana spoke in her stead and Mona stared back at Raymond.

"What do you think you are doing Raymond? Do you want to die?"

"If it keeps me away from becoming the next King then I'll gladly do so."

"Do you think this is a joke? This concerns the whole kingdom, you don't even have the right to take your own life." She said and he scoffed.

"It's funny how you suddenly sound like the King. Is that how power eats up the good left in people?"

"Raymond!" She called angrily and then she paused exhaling deeply. "You're losing a lot of blood. Please let them treat you first." She said holding his hand but he pushed her hand away.

"I want the people to know who I am, to notice how their soon to be King can't even protect himself, how then will he be able to protect them?" he said and paused for a while. "I expect you to understand me each and everytime mother but that doesn't count for you as long as I become the king. Where is my mother? I can't even recognize her anymore."

"Those are the sacrifices one have to make and thats what you don't understand." She answered.

"And I won't be able to make such sacrifices. I don't want to have to hurt those I love for the sake of the kingdom, I don't want to lose recognition of myself." he responded and she sniffed. He was already becoming weak at that as he was losing blood.

"Audrey.... I need Audrey." he added.

"Audrey hasn't returned from the sorcerer's tower."

"Then you can all leave." he said.

"Raymond...." Ziana spoke this time.

"I said you can all leave! I want to be alone." he said and groaned in pains.

"Your life is in danger and you ask to be left alone?"

"I don't want any of you here. I'm going to wait for Audrey." he stated.

"Brother!" Ziana called angrily but he didn't respond. Seeing this, Queen Mona turned to the guards.

"Go and bring back Audrey from wherever she is. I need her in the palace now! " She ordered and they bowed leaving hurriedly. Ziana walked out angrily seeing this but soon rushed back in.

"Mother, Audrey and Paisley has returned." Ziana spoke and Queen Mona took a deep breath, standing up.

"You're still my son no matter what happens and I haven't forgotten that,neither has the king. The day you realize this, you will understand why the king is doing all this." She said and walked out.