BLACK AND WHITE

II

Mornings were usually busy at the orphanage with everyone attending to a specific area of work or chores and even the toddlers volunteering to help out.But that morning on Eliott and Dylan's "birthday",Julianne would have no hearing of the boys doing any chores or helping around the house even amidst protest and the boys trying to work either ways.So Julianne resorted to cleaning up at random times a day to the special day for the boys so they wouldn't have to work.It was indeed special to her.Not knowing the actual birthday of the children and seeing the need to let them have a birthday like every other normal child,she had pronounced the day she found them both their birthdays which wasn't only exciting for her but highly convenient too and the boys when finally grown had decided to just go along with it to make their caretaker happy seeing as she took extreme joy in making that day a happy one for the boys.She and her assistant care giver,Ruby,would see that the entire family sat down to a sumptuous breakfast which she had planned for weeks.

That morning the boys' 16th birthday saw the same old routine as the entire family shared a memorable tradition at the dinning table."Dylan,tell us about the two legendary dragons."pleaded one of the children,to which the rest of about a dozen children clapped in agreement.Dylan rubbed his chin.The children loved stories and legends of Aldea especially about powerful legendary yorkurs.

Dylan made a determined grunt,ready to wow the youngsters."Well,try this on for amazing!Rumour has it,when Ragzagog breathes,anything around him even rocks,burst into flames and melt"

Murmurs of "whoahs" and "wows" covered the table whilst Eliott just shaked his head discreetly at Dylan's exaggeration as he continued. "The two dragons are the most powerful creatures ever and it's also said that Aldea was formed after a long and powerful battle between the two.Its said that long ago,before the battle,the whole of Aldea was covered in water but the battle was so powerful that the water dried off and caused land to appear for people and yorkur to live".The children watched smiling brightly as Dylan fed the gullible children from his hands."Their conflict was settled when two brave warriors who would later come to be called tamers stepped forth to harness their powers in power crystals.And from that day,the power of these two legendary dragons were kept within the bloodlines of these two families.I,uh,forgot the names of them".Dylan chuckled nervously only to be rescued by Eliott who was adjusting his glasses quietly as he ate."Trane and Cressia"

"Wow,so cool!".The children were very impressed as a number of them imagined what the dragon yorkurs would look like."Is it true that whenever there's a thunderstorm,that's actually Vulcage looking for Ragzagog to fight him?"one of the little girls asked.

Dylan although knowing the answer was racking his brains to think of a way to spice up the truth even if it meant exaggerating again."Welllllll........."he started off only to be interrupted by Julianne who was coming from the kitchen with another bowl of chicken and gravy."No talking at the table!".Her usually rich cheerful voice now carried an air of ominous warning and became so scary that it usually sent chills down the spines of even the older boys.Julianne never assaulted any of the kids but the manner at which that cheerful voice spoke such warnings with a firm command was so frightening that the children didn't have any intentions of crossing her lines every single time.With a single unanimous reply the table became coordinated and quiet in a flash."Yes,maam!"

After breakfast that morning,the boys were forced into another of Julianne's necessary birthday traditions which involved the boys leaving the house to go explore the towns and villages around to their hearts content.Julianne noted how the boys were always so committed in taking care of the orphanage and doing their part that they almost never went out. So on this specific day,she practically always had to push the boys out of the house but she always got them to leave the house.

Usually around this time,winter would be few weeks away so it was mostly cold especially in the mornings and that morning was no different.The boys had to dress in wool clothes when they stepped out that morning. They traded their wool jackets and scarfs,a regular display of their mutual bond.By afternoon though,they would have to head back home where Julianne would be waiting with their presents alongside the children.Their gifts were always simple and poor in nature but Julianne felt like she always had to get the boys something at least.The year before, she had gotten them socks and the boys had accepted it like it were an expensive gadget all the same.

Having to go through the same thing over and over every year,the duo had developed a fixed pathway for their stroll so they just cruised through the woods talking to themselves and deepening their bond

"You know that's not how the legend of Aldea was born!Why did you have to keep lying to the kids?"Eliott questioned

The free spirited lad was bouncing onto some rocks along the pathway,trying to balance himself.

"Yeah but that would be no fun at all.You gotta give the people what they want"

"Even about Ragzagog and Vulcage?"Eliott chuckled."That wasnt even in the least bit true"

The boys were walking into lake Venulah.They both knew the drill here even without saying it.They both picked up stones and started to toss them over the water surface.

The speed and friction bounced the pebbles over the water."Well,I still think if Vulcage and Ragzagog fought,the impact would have much effect on the land"Dylan said as he tossed a pebble over the water which bounced once before going under.

"Maybe!"Eliott peered at the crystal clear lake calculating and rubbing the stone over his fingers before hurling it over the water,making it bounce alot more than he anticipated."But hopefully we never get to see a challenge between the two dragons".Eliott leaned down and picked another stone."And why is that?"asked Dylan

"Two dragons in their ultimate power mad at each,with the whole world as their battle ground?.Dont think you wanna get caught up in that!"Eliott tossed another stone over the water expertly which seemed to bounce into the horizon.Dylan watched Eliott carefully and thought for a second. He was truly talented indeed. His bestfriend had always excelled more at all things than him and never gave in to pressure.Since childhood his losing streak to Eliott had become uncountable.He had never won a single game against him.He surpassed him at all things without trying and he looked perfect standing there lookingover the lake.For a moment Dylan paused realizing."Could I be jealous of him?".He stood there wondering until the answer came to him when Eliott turned to look at him.He had nothing but pure admiration for Eliott.He loved him no matter what his grounds were against him. Even if he lost all his life to Eliott he concluded that at least he would be losing to someone he care so much for and had deep brotherly affection for.Dylan chuckled as he brushed himself up from a stone hed been sitting on."Man I wish I were more like him"he thought to himself.

"Huh?Did you say something?"asked Eliott

"Nope!Nope,I did not"

After leaving the lake the boys would go through the woods and up the path to a rocky cliff at the extreme edge of the forest.Asides from the fact that the boys had no desire to go far from their cottage so they could be back quickly after their walk,they also felt they would become easily distracted in the big city especially if they just went sightseeing. So they settled for exploring every inch of the woods,same places over and over again every year,leaving memories.The cliff was one of their landmarks and most favorite spots where they recounted their dreams and wishes.One thing that particularly drew the boys to this spot was the majestic view that could be seen from the cliff.It overlooked the large forest that sat on the backdrop of huge mountains and towering skyscrapers in the far off horizon where the big cities were.

As they sat on the cliff,legs dangling over the edge,the boys once more admired the landscape before them.Dylan shouted birdcalls into the atmosphere enjoying as it echoed and flew over the land.

"Cmon Eliott,you try".The other boy was not impressed. Year after year it was the same thing.Dylan would make so much noise startling and frightening off birds and any small creatures deep down in the forest and he wanted no part of that."You already know I'm not gonna do that.Yet you keep trying every year.I mean,dont you ever get tired or c***k your voice or something?".Both boys chuckled and Dylan gave Eliott a light punch in the arm."I guess I'm that desperate to hear you screaming at the top of your voice.Come to think of it,I've never heard you shout before"

"And most probably never will.Im not a monkey like you,Dylan".The boys laughed again before staring into the horizon again.They watched silently for a while taking the time to appreciate each others company and the world around them.After a few minutes,Dylan broke the air with a rather straightforward question that almost caught Eliott offguard.

"Do you think we'd have a better life if we were out there in the big city?All of us,that is".The boys were both staring far into the horizon where tiny minute skyscrapers laced the horizon.Eliott considered the possibility that he'd thought about that question before. They had been to a few towns outside their small settlement but never actually been to the big cities."Honestly, I don't like to consider the possibility of a better life out there Dylan.I mean,sure,better is tempting.But......."

"But what?"

Eliott glanced over at Dylan who was leaning back on his hands still fixing his gaze and fantasizing about the big cities."But I'm very ok with what we got.Its simple and stable.We get by fairly okay,and we've all got each other.We have the most amazing motherly figure and the cutest siblings.And I got a nutjob for a brother".Eliott laughed at that last bit while Dylan squinted his eyes gravely at him knowing Eliott was referring to him."But,"Eliott continued."I wouldn't rather have any other nutjob for a brother.I already have the family I want."

Dylan sat there quietly for a while."If that's your attempt to butter me up after calling me a nut job,you've failed!.Dylan punched Eliott's arm again a bit more roughly forgetting that they were dangling at a height.

"Watch it,monkey!"Eliott said pulling himself away from the edge much to Dylan's amusement.He fell back on the grass chuckling for a bit and before he knew it Eliott was laughing with him too."Still,sometimes I just feel like we can at least make thing much more than they are now for them."Dylan said."I mean don't you think we at least owe it to Julianne to do something grand for her at least for her efforts and sacrifices throughout the years?"

"Hmm,well in a way,yeah we owe much to her and I guess it wouldn't hurt if we could do something nice for her"

"Then lets do it!Dylan sprinted up in one quick motion."Let's promise to do something awesome for Julianne someday!I'm gonna add it to the tree right now!"

Eliott watched as Dylan moved towards a unusual oak tree that sat on the other edge of the cliff.It seemed to have a growth deficiency as instead of growing straight, it grew leaning to the side like it was about to fall off.Even worse was the fact that half the tree grew and tipped off the edge of the cliff.But the oak tree was as strong as any other tree in the forest,with thick barks, roots and fat long branches.Carved words could be seen on the tree where the boys had written down their resolves and dreams with some crossed off and others still yet to be fulfilled.

Dylan pulled up a sharp piece of rock and starts to etch words on their sacred tree as Eliott approached him and stood next to him.

"Do something special for Julianne!" was on the tree now,a new goal for the boys to strive towards.Eliott folded his arms smirking barely noticeably.He looked at some of the statements on the wall,involving promises made to the kids,to Julianne,personal resolutions and the likes.And now a brand new goal to do something for Julianne.

"Hey,Eliott,.......".Dylan's voice came rather softly and unenthusiastically which took Eliott by surprise considering how Dylan was always running around doing something crazy."We're always gonna be together right?I know I may talk a big game and all but if I never told you this before the truth is I need you here with me.Id be lost if I had to do this on my own and I really feel like with u here we can pull off anything.Plus I feel like we were meant to always be by each other's side.Like we were made to go through life together. So we're always gonna be by each others side,aren't we?"

Eliott smiled taking the pebble from Dylan and etched some new words on the tree at which after writing both boys smiled contentedly and lovingly at.

Dylan and Eliott,brothers forever.Those words were carved into the tree now.Dylan climbed up the tree and leaned back upside down on a branch smiling widely as he dangled over the edge of the cliff dangerously not minding the 100 feet drop.Eliott knew Dylan was well at home in this tree and he knew Dylan would stubbornly pay no heed if he cautioned him.He was free spirited, Eliott thought.A dreamer,a visionary.Dylan was,to Eliott,reckless and childish and sometimes he felt it was his job to look after him.But still there was something about Dylan,something hidden,something Eliott couldn't put his finger on.Something that told Eliott that Dylan would make a huge impact in his life in the future. Eliott chuckled."I wish I were more like you,Dylan".

"Huh,did you say something?"

"Nope"

By midday the boys were heading home through a path in the woods they rarely took.It took longer to get back to the orphanage from this path but the boys were in no hurry to get home that afternoon.The path was obviously deserted because this part of the forest was eerie and looked dead.Even creatures and animals avoided this path due to how lifeless it was.The boys were the only ones who took this path on occasions.But as they walked through,chatting, with the floor of the path covered with fallen leaves and twigs,a giant shadow watched and followed the two boys closely,growling inaudibly.

"What do you think Julianne's going to get for us this year?I think she should already be running out of gifts for us,thankfully.That woman breaks her back too much just to give us gifts"Dylan asked looking above the canopy of the forest where the branches of trees grew to interlock just above in a rather sinister manner.

"Well,honestly,I really dont......"Eliott paused halfway into his reply,his instinct tingling at something puzzling.

Dylan had walked a few steps forward before realizing that Eliott was still behind looking at the floor of the forest."Huh,Eliott man you okay?"

Eliott replied,still not taking his gaze from the floor."Huh...uhm...yeah,I'm good.Its just...."

Dylan walked over to him looking at the floor which looked normal to him.

Eliott gestured over a wide area of the floor."See how the leaves thrash around and get scattered over here?Something big crossed over the path here.".Dylan was not convinced feeling it was just the wind."Nah,cmon.Its probably......"

"Before you disagree,take a closer look at the ground."Eliott cut in,his glasses allowing him to scope minute details on the floor.Dylan peered down,observing more intently.

Surprisingly enough there were claw marks digging into earth and a long scratching mark as well as a few broken twigs that Dylan then felt stupid for not noticing before.But he decided that that could have happened at anytime, possibly even a long time ago."But surely that could have happened a long time ago.I mean,the creature that did this could be far away from here by now.We shouldn't be worrying over this at all"

Eliott bent low observing more."Yeah,if only the leaves were covering the floor though".Dylan got confused."What are you talking about?We just agreed that a creature passed by here.Most possibly ages ago so how'd you expect that there would be no sign of it passing by?"

"Well,true!It could have been ages ago.But then again, if this had happened a long time ago,the falling leaves should have covered them.Look above".Dylan threw his gaze upwards to the interlocking branches sitting peacefully on the branch and as if by to obey Eliott,a leaf plucked from the trees and glided down proving Eliott right much to Dylan's anxiousness.Eliott scanned the deeper darker parts of the woods around them."Consider the possibility of us being stalked by a vicious creature probably a unsealed yorkur."

Dylan didn't want to show how uncomfortable he was now."Listen,even so,the creature may already.........."

From no where,quick as flash,a giant figure dropped down behind Dylan with the most thundering thud.Its deep growling and sharp snarling sent shivers up the young boys spine as he turned slowly to face what was behind him. He and Eliott watched wide eyed as a towering yorkur about ten feet let out an ear piercing roar so loud the boys felt like they would go dead even after they closed their ears.Eliott groaned realizing that it was using its power to try to stun them as the entire forest shook.The yorkur looked like a hybrid of a grizzly bear and a gorilla standing tall with a muscular built body but a bear looking head.It also had outrageously long fangs and claws and the air seemed to cave in around its mouth as it kept roaring.

Eliott staggered forward as he saw the monster raise its claws to attack Dylan,who was still reeling from the effects of roar."Look out!".Eliott lunged forward just in time to tackle Dylan from the path of the monster's claw but putting himself at more risk.As soon as he rose up,Eliott was knocked backwards by the monster and felt like he broke his entire body.Luckily he landed on a soft patch of grasses and rolled in the dirt,his spectacles almost slipping off.

The angry yorkur marched towards Eliott,snarling and fangs dripping with saliva.Dylan pulled himself up seeing how his bestfriend had just saved his life.He looked over and saw Eliott about to be attacked by the yorkur.Without think he grabbed a heavy stick and hurled it straight at the head of the creature. "You leave him alone!Damn it"

The wood bounced off him after smacking the yorkur in the back of its head causing it to roar again.Dylan pulled in every ounce of bravery right in his body and acted quickly,yanking the tail of the animal whilst going under his legs immediately it turned.It would seem the creature was a quite dumb as it kept looking for the young boy who was pulling and supporting Eliott up at this time already."Let's get outta here!".They both ran into the forest which finally caught the attention of the wild yorkur and it moved to chase them.

The boys panted and huffed as they ran.Eliott look over his shoulder and surveying the area he said."Wait,we wouldn't be able to outrun it.Theres no point."True to his verdict, their pursuer burst through the woods and kept moving towards them in the far off distance.Eliott immediately pushed Dylan off the trail to a sloping path that lead deep down into the forest. He jumped next and let the path roll him too while doing his best to protect his spectacles and rolling dangerously fast through the woods.Eliott could feel the world spinning over him and he felt like he was gonna be sick.Maybe this was a bad idea.

Suddenly the blonde boy felt himself thrown into the air and felt like he was floating around in the air when he felt a sharp thug at his collar.He banged against the hillside and came to slowly."Eliottttt,you okay?".Dylan had caught him right on time and saved him from tumbling down a cliff edge.He grabbed arms with Dylan.Almost immediately,the soul crushing roar of the yorkur was head again from somewhere close by as the boys hung there,Eliott dangling over the edge and Dylan almost tipped over.

Eliott realized a fact.The monster would find them because they were stuck in that position and Dylan wouldn't be able to pull him up.Gravity would go against them and they would both fall.But if Dylan let him fall, he would probably have his fall broken by a tree and Dylan could pull himself up and come down to meet with him in the event he got hurt."Listen Dylan,you wont be able to save us bothIf you keep holding on to me,......"

Dylan looked down at him."You're seriously gonna start that sacrificial lamb thing now.What.....happened to.....brothers forever stupid?".Dylan gritted his teeth and slowly pulled, his own body struggling to keep balance while held on to a rock near the edge which threatened to pull and send then both over.

Miraculously though,Eliott watched as Dylan slowly raised Eliott to the precipice.Then they pulled each other over and fell on the floor catching their breath forgetting for a moment that a more dangerous situation was before them.After a few minutes, Dylan burst out laughing much to Eliott's amusement."Let's get outta here."

The boys ran through the woods again scanning around for the raging yorkur.Soon enough it appeared chasing them from far behind."Maybe we shouldn't have been running"Dylan shouted over to his friend as they both picked up the pace.Eliott saw something just along the outskirt of the woods and immediately diverted calling to Dylan."This way!"

Eliott led them to a tree which he immediately confirmed to be the very type of tree he had suspected it to be.Without a word he started to climb up the tree which much like their oak tree at the hill top grew bending across the edge of the cliff in large branches."Aren't we just showing ourselves to be sitting ducks in a tree?.That monster looks like it could climb you know."Dylan complained

Eliott brushed off his complaints."Whatever you do,do not step on the bigger branches. Just the smallest ones."Dylan groaned and started climbing,seeing no point in arguing now.Eliott was almost at the far edge of the tree and Dylan halfway through when the gorilla like creature appeared before them under the tree and growled at them.Dylan panicked and started to climb faster."Careful!"

The yorkur let out one big roar before starting to scale up the gigantic tree trunk.Dylan moved close enough to where Eliott was,making sure to follow his earlier warning to use only the smaller looking branches,scared at every minute that he would hear it snap and break sending him plunging down into the a raging stream flowing way down below.The boy seemed to be trapped between a rock and a hard place as no way out seemed possible. The yorkur was climbing and closing in baring saliva covered fangs and Eliott watched patiently,squinting his eyes and holding on to a steady branch.

Then suddenly without warning a branch the monster was leaning on snapped and broke.The creature tried to catch itself in time holding on to another bigger branch which also snapped immediately. It roared loudly as it fell straight down over a hundred feet drop directly into the the flowing water.Eliott sighed thankfully while Dylan just opened his eyes trying to catch his breath as they both dangled there.Eliott burst out laughing realizing he had borrowed a cue from Dylan when he was dangling earlier and before he knew it,Dylan was laughing too."Aromagus Beet tree.The tree grows channeling nutrients and water to its smallest branches.The bigger the branches grow,the more they lose nutrients and become weaker and hollow.The smaller the branch,the more sturdier it is.A creature of that size would no doubt have chosen to climb up the bigger branches.That was his undoing!".Eliott said,feeling like he owed Dylan an explanation.

Looking down the boys saw the monster pull itself out of the stream,its brownish black fur wet and sticking forcing it to shake itself.

"Uhm,just maybe as a suggestion....we should go?"mentioned Dylan.Eliott agreed instantly.

The boys' laughs echoed through the forest as they got closer home."Not the most ideal birthday considering it could have become our death day too"Dylan laughed."No one's ever gonna believe this so we should probably just keep this to ourselves".But Eliott knowing Dylan figured he'd tell the children either way or at least Aedean so he just shook his head."Yeah let's never do that again!".The boys stepped through the fence of their home."Well,if I could say one thing,I think we......."

The boys' attention were stolen by something sitting in front of the house."What in the world?"they unisoned.Right before their eyes,in front of their house was a grand golden carriage with four sturdy white horses bearing a royal looking seal.