"Aw, shit. Come on, again?" Castor exclaimed, tapping aggressively on the touchscreen of his clamshell Light phone. Utterly entranced in some kind of game he's playing.
Pollux walked beside him as they made their way through the bustling streets of the kingdom's highest district. Known by many names throughout history, it was most widely called 'Summa Solis.'
This place was the kingdom's crown jewel.
Everywhere the eye wandered, there rose towering buildings of gorgeous stone,
and spotless streets full of merchants and carriages, grand mansions standing shoulder to shoulder with elegant shops.
The most respected Lychinors in all the realm resided here, their presence giving the district an air of prestige unmatched anywhere else.
At its heart stood the King's towering castle, its spires piercing the sky, and nearby, the renowned halls of Lychinus High.
"Gah.." Pollux groaned, massaging his sore shoulders and the back of his neck, he turned to Castor. "Eh? What's your problem?"
Castor didn't reply immediately, he fished around in his right pocket, pulling out a gleaming gold coin, a portrait of Aetheron Lychinus himself carved into the front of the bullion.
He dropped the coin onto the top of his mobile device, its red-ethereal aura seemed to shine brighter as it came in contact with the gold, and miraculously, absorbed the entire coin before their eyes.
Pollux's eyes went wide. "Dude! My dad gave you that to use for LUNCH! What the hell is wrong with you?"
Castor rolled his eyes, and continued to tap away mindlessly. "Spare me the theatrics, man. Your family sneezes out gold coins. Plus, I'm gonna win it all back right now anyways."
Pollux shook his head in disbelief. "Seriously, if you spent half as much time on your studies as you do stupid shit, the general opinion about you might change.
"Pfft. Yeah, I doubt it. Just last week a group of kids ran away from me screaming 'cause they thought I was going to drink their blood to stay young, not even shittin' you. That's what they told me verbatim. Face it man, no one really wants to be around a Red-Lighter. Y'know, with the whole 'fated to bring ruin to those they love' cloud hanging over my head."
Castor said, with sort of an apathetic look across his face. Though, his expression quickly shifted when he fully processed what Pollux said.
"And hey! This isn't stupid! It's a horse racing game, I thought you loved horse betting?" Castor refuted.
Pollux scratched his chin, he thought about it—then shrugged. "Yeah, I head down to District 2 and bet whenever I have some free time. I've actually gotten pretty good. Give it here, I might be able to help you." Pollux gestured for the phone with his hand, Castor didn't seem to protest, and handed it over to him promptly.
Pollux stared at the screen for a moment, and his eyebrow slowly began to rise concerningly with every second he looked at the phone. "Uh, Cas?"
"Yup?" Castor replied.
"....Where are the horses?" Pollux flipped the phone around to show him.
Castor leaned in, and immediately pointed at a figure on the screen. "Right there." He said calmly.
Pollux dramatically brought the phone closer to his face, and squinted his eyes, no matter how hard he looked, he only saw a bright-haired character in the middle of the screen.
"...Castor. This is a grown woman." Pollux turned to him with a look of bewilderment.
"Yeah, I know! She's the horse!" Castor replied cheerfully. "Oh, well, kind of. They're a race of famous horses who got reincarnated as human females, and they all go to school with each other, and try to beat each other in races! I'm just trying to pull the right card for mine right now."
...
Pollux didn't grant him any specific expression, just slowly handed Castor his phone back, and went silent for a moment. "...So, um. Crazy idea, but have you ever thought about talking to an actual girl?"
Castor's smile immediately faded, rolling his eyes.
Pollux quickly rebutted. "No, seriously! What about that Nineheart chick? She seemed pretty into you."
"Well, damning someone to the abyss sure is a strange way to say you're attracted to them." Castor replied sarcastically. "Plus, she totally scared the life out of me. My arm still stings..."
Pollux winced at the thought. "Yeah, mine too..." He clutched his arm, and shuddered.
Pollux digressed. "So, what're you doing when you get home?
Castor bobbed his head from side-to-side, debating with a thought in his head. "I promised the kids at the church i'd show them my ARS later, I would love to stay out longer, but Sister Luanne would be up my ass if I did-"
*BOOM!*
The entire district shook, Castor and Pollux were instantly thrown off of their feet. Screams and cries filled the air, along with thick smoke, buildings, and stores fell before their eyes, and various numbers of civilians fell to the ground, right at beneath their feet.
*VROOM!*
Castor couldn't get a good look, but he swore that he saw four, unnaturally fast, green blurs dash towards the castle's direction, right over and above his head.
"W-What the!?-" Castor turned to Pollux, who was equally as shook. "Did you see that!?"
*BOOM!*
Another one. They both turned to the direction of the blast, witnessing the fog cloud from the explosion filling the air, visible to where they were sitting.
"Pollux! Isn't your house in that direction!?" Castor shouted through the pandemonium.
"S-Shit!" Pollux sprang up, and took off into the direction of the blast, Castor quickly hoisted himself up, and followed right behind.
They cut through falling rocks, and debris. Reluctantly stepping past the unconscious bodies of injured civilians. Castor wanted to stop, but Pollux never even looked back. He cut past the raging fires in the middle of the street, bending corners flawlessly, until finally, he reached the his home's block, desperately running all the way down the street, and that's when he saw it.
The Silverwind Manor.
His home, in pieces. The explosion had ripped through Silverwind Manor, splintering its proud oak doors into charred fragments scattered across the grassy courtyard. The ivy-clad walls became blackened by the fire that raged in its walls.
Windows gaped empty, their glass blown out into glittering shards littering the scorched ground below.
The marble statues of Pollux's ancestors that lined the path lay shattered, their faces eroded to featureless stone.
Pollux didn't move, he just wore a petrified expression. As if his brain wasn't moving fast enough.
Castor swallowed, and took a step forward onto the grass courtyard, it was ruined. He glanced back at Pollux, but he wasn't there really. His gaze had never left the manor, it was now a carcass of ruin.
Suddenly, a man stepped from behind the large fountain in the courtyard, his suave grey suit, and curled purple hair, now flaked with ash, he stared at Pollux—his eyebrows were furrowed, and he bit his lip, turning away, shaking his head, as if he was ashamed.
Castor recognized this man, he was Pollux's father. Atlas Silverwind.
"Dad..?" Pollux spoke. But his father did not respond. He ran to Atlas, gripping both of his shoulders tightly as he shook him. "Dad! What... Y-You got out! Where's Iris?" Pollux asked in a panic, searching his surroundings frantically.
His father, once again—did not respond. This only served to anger Pollux. "Hey! Answer me! What happened to mom? W-Where's Iris? Where is my sister!?" He shouted furiously, if he held on any tighter, he may have tore his father's shoulder's off their sockets.
But, Castor stepped in, dragging him off of Atlas. Pollux glared at him furiously for restraining him, but Castor just stared back, uncharacteristically serious, and shook his head.
Atlas' lip quivered, then, finally—he spoke.
"...Son, this... This place isn't safe for you, anymore. Lychinus isn't-"
*VROOM!*
Another green streak darted overhead, the three of them instantly trailing the strange blur with their eyes, it was headed into the direction of the castle, just like the other four.
Atlas balled his fist. "Damn it!" He shouted, then, he took off after the strange blur, leaving Castor and Pollux staring at each other, clueless.
"H-Hey! Wait!" Pollux screamed, and quickly began to chase after his father.
Castor threw his arms in the air, incredulously, "Oh, Light... More running?" He grumbled, before following them anyways.
They retraced their steps through the ruined streets, dodging jagged shards of stone and glass that littered the path. The bodies they had passed earlier still lay where they had fallen. At last, breathless and battered, they reached the front of the castle.
Atlas had made it there before them, his eyes never left the sky, he scanned desperately for the sign of the green streak, but to no avail.
Castor and Pollux followed shortly behind, bending down on their knees, huffing to catch their breath.
"Ha... Ha... Dad! What the fuck is going on right now!? Why are you acting so-" Pollux berated his father, but Atlas didn't seem to hear him, and dashed into the front entrance, disappearing inside the castle.
They both stood there, mouths agape. But Pollux quickly steeled himself, turning to look back at Castor, a determined glint in his eyes.
A look he knew all too well.
Castor's eyes went wide. "Oh, fuck no! What kind of business do we have in The King's castle? We're not following him!"
Pollux just sighed anxiously, shooting Castor a pleading look, one that already said what he was thinking.
Caster groaned, looking for any possible way out of this situation.
...But he already knew what he was going to do. He'll die a thousand deaths, before he ever leaves his brother behind.
"Ugh! Fine!" Castor took off into the castle, before he had another moment to doubt his decision, Pollux followed shortly behind.
As they both dashed down the halls of the castle, the first thing they noticed was the floor, it was an expanse of polished obsidian, reflecting the chamber's light like a dark mirror. Crimson banners flooded the walls with the symbol of Lychinus.
The walkway was filled with the history of the kingdom, mosaics of battles long past were inlaid at the various exhibits.
When Castor and Pollux finally reached the end of the hallway, Atlas stood there, in utter shock.
Pollux almost called out to him, but then, they witnessed a sight.
One that they truly, could not believe. Or even understand.
Beings that they have only ever read about in their textbooks, were all towering above The King's mighty throne, each of them hovering on devices that they both did not recognize, boards of some kind.
They were... creatures!
Castor studied each of them thoroughly, taking note of their strange features and appearance.
One of them stood cockily upon her board, hands planted firmly on her hips as she looked down with arrogant disdain. Her skin was a deep red, and a pair of curved grey horns jutted from either side of her head—a daemon.
Close by, three hovered together, two males and one female. Their bodies were powerful and athletic, muscles taut beneath their uniforms. Each bore green skin and heavy tusks that jutted past their lips—true orcs.
But the last figure commanded the most attention. She stood stern on her board. Her skin was the same verdant green, but her features were softer. From her hair sprouted living flora—delicate vines and tiny blossoms that bloomed beautifully.
Her uniform differed from the others, stitched with natural patterns that seemed designed to accommodate the growth seamlessly. She was a dryad.
Each one of them wore red, and black full-body suits, each intricate and woven to fit each of their specific builds.
But most notably, was the symbol carved into the middle of every one of their uniforms.
It is a bold black emblem with a broad double-edged sword rising in the center, encircled by a perfect ring, and flanked on both sides by two curved blades crossing at the base.
But what put the most fear in Castor and Pollux's hearts,
Was the man each one of these creatures were circling.
Aetheron Lychinus.
Who stood atop the tall staircase next to his golden throne, at its crest rested a crown motif wrought in iron. His entire body was covered by his regal robe, unable to see any other part of his body, except his face.
And he did not look happy.
"How do ya' like that!? Golden boy?" The cocky daemon shouted at Aetheron. "You've been living nice and cozy up here, while the rest of us are forced to live in the DIRT! We're gonna rend this place!" She growled.
One of the male orcs chimed in. "Calm down, Belisaria. The time for celebration is soon to be upon us, for right now, our mission is not finished."
"Olgo is quite correct. Though, I am curious." The dryad continued. "...Just how long did you think you could hide the truth from everyone, Aetheron? Hide us?"
Aetheron did not bother meeting the gaze of any of the creatures. But the dryad, seemed to catch his undivided attention.
Pollux stammered, having heard enough, he shouted at the creatures. "W-What? Just... Who are you people!? Why are you doing this!?"
Suddenly, all eyes were on Pollux. He shifted nervously as the creatures eyed him and Castor like vultures.
"It's a shame. This is exactly my point." The dryad commented.
*VROOM*
The daemon and the male orc both zipped down to Castor and Pollux, circling them like a band of predators.
"You wish to know who we are, boy?" Olgo boomed. "Just search your history, although I'm sure it's been doctored."
The daemon zoomed near Pollux's ear, giving him a good fright. "We're the only ones standing between Aetheron, and his tyrannical rule!"
Then, she flew into Pollux's eyesight, putting her face dangerously close to his.
"We're... the rebellion." She whispered, bringing her right fingers to his face, and flicking Pollux across the forehead, laughing heartily as she and Olgo flew back to their original positions.
"...My people will indulge in your games no longer, golden coward. We are not as you see us. We are not second-rate beings." The dryad declared, with a wave of her hand, flora and spiked vines began to wrap around the throne room, a plethora of vines coiling around The King's feet, working their way up his entire body.
"You will keep your promise to my people. You will use your wish, to right every wrong, every single atrocity you have committed against us. Now."
Castor and Pollux were surrounded by vines, but that, was the least of their worries. They stood back-to-back, periodically glancing back at each other, to gauge the other's reaction.
This is crazy... This was crazy! The things they're accusing him of...
Just what was going on in Lychinus!?
...
"That's correct."
The King finally spoke, his sudden words caught the immediate attention of everyone in the room. You could feel the atmosphere immediately shift.
"You all, are nothing." Aetheron said, glaring deep into the dryad. "If your entire body went up in flames right this moment, I wouldn't even spit on you. I would just become irritated of how the stench of your charred remains is disrespecting my nostrils."
Each of the creatures growled, turning to each other angrily. "Urgh! Enough of this!" The female orc snapped. "Tithorea! Rip this bastard's body apart!"
Aetheron ignored their comments, slowly turning, and walking back to his golden throne.
He leisurely took his seat on the throne, falling back into a comfortable position, resting his head on his fist, his face never changing from that same, unfeeling, emotionless expression.
"This just goes to show you all truly do belong down there in the dirt. Each of you really put your pathetic brains together, and still thought you could ever amount to a fraction, of what I am."
*SCHING!*
Suddenly, Aetheron's eternal golden eyes, changed. Taking on a new shade, purple.
Everyone in the room, felt a cold chill run through their body.
"Allow me to show you,
The difference between us."
In an instant, a swirling vortex of black tore through the space around the creatures, bending reality itself. A deafening roar accompanied its pull, like the universe unraveling.
The creatures shrieked in terror as the force seized them, their bodies dragged helplessly toward the void. Flesh and bone were wrenched apart at a molecular level, shredded violently into nothingness as the vortex consumed them whole.
Castor and Pollux could only watch in horror, they had never seen anything like this...
This man...! He was nothing like how they heard!
Was he... really Aetheron Lychinus!?
As he finished executing the creatures, his eyes returned to their glorious shades of golden. The entire room falling silent, no one daring to speak, to move a muscle.
Aetheron just slowly turned his neck, and that was enough to make them both jump.
Though, his gaze... lied with Atlas Silverwind.
"I'm guessing you were the traitor." Aetheron said, more like a declaration, and less like a question.
Atlas grit his teeth, instantly he began sweating bullets. His body shifting nervously, he moved his fingers meticulously.
"...Y-Yes, b-but I!-"
"Kill yourself." Aetheron cut him off.
Atlas could feel his heart sink to his knees. "K-K-K-K...Kill? What... You mean?-"
"Kill yourself, right now." Suddenly, a thousand sharp blades, a variety of them, shot out of the ground, each one pointing directly at the hearts of Castor and Pollux, who yelped in terror. "Or I will kill these two boys." He declared, his eyes now gleaming a dark shade of red.
Atlas couldn't believe his ears. "Sir... truly, you don't mean!-"
"GAH!" One of the blades pierced deep into Pollux's left calf muscle.
"P-Pollux!" Castor cried.
"You dare to test me, Silverwind?" Aetheron snapped, a look of mild irritation growing on his face.
Atlas took long, deep breaths. Reaching into his pocket, and revealing a sharp dagger.
"N-No!" Pollux reached towards his dad, unable to move due to the sword lodged in his left leg. "Don't... Dad. Please, I... I can't. I'll have no one else!-"
"BOY!" Atlas yelled. His son forced to fall silent.
Atlas turned to his son, his dagger pointed at his chest, his heart—and still, he smiled.
"...You'll never be alone. As long as you two boys are together...
...You can take on the world."
*SQUELCH!*
"NO!" Pollux let out a heart-wrenching cry, he watched his father plunge the knife deep into his heart, almost instantly falling to the ground.
He took one final breath, using every last bit of strength to turn to his son, one last time.
...Then, the light in his eyes faded, like a dull flame.
Pollux cried, he sobbed loudly. He wanted so badly to run to his father's cold corpse, but he couldn't.
Aetheron shook his head—he seemed... disgusted.
"I'LL KILL YOU! BASTARD! YOU HEAR ME!?" Pollux screamed at Aetheron, he just looked down upon him atop his royal throne, all he could muster was the faint cocking of his eyebrow, towards the deeply distressed Pollux.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU! AETHERON LYCHINUS!"
...
"And you'll end up just like all the rest." Aetheron replied coldly.
Aetheron waved his hand, and a retracting slab in the obsidian-porcelain floor abruptly opened up right where they were standing.
They didn't even have time to scream. One moment they stood firm, and the next, their bodies were wrenched into open air, plummeting violently.
The wind tore past their ears in a shrill, unrelenting howl, ripping at their clothes and making their eyes sting with tears. Limbs flailed uselessly as they tumbled, spinning and thrashing like ragdolls caught in a storm.
Above them, was a colossal white cloud, The cloud's serene drift only deepened their horror. For they knew what this meant, it marked the very edge of Lychinus. The kingdom itself was shrinking fast above them, its proud buildings and shining streets they lived on for their entire lives, were reduced to distant shapes against the blinding sky.
They were being thrown off of Lychinus!
Castor attempted to find any kind of balance he could against the strong current that held him.
...But no luck, there was no scenario where he'd be able to use his ARS here, and as grew closer to the ground below...
His consciousness faded with it, accepting his fate, Castor closed his eyes, and lost himself in a sea of black.
...
"...Oh, seriously. Man up, I'm not going to let you die here."
"...There's still so much fun, we need to have together. Hahaha!"