In the ancient kingdom of Ravenshire, the noble family of Vladimir was renowned for their strength and wisdom. Duke Kaelin von Vladimir and his beloved wife, Lady Aria Sophia Vladimir, longed for children to carry on their legacy. After many years of hope and patience, Lady Aria Sophia finally gave birth to twins—two beautiful boys born on a stormy night.
But their joy was short-lived. As soon as the first twin, Young Master Kristoff von Vladimir, drew his first breath, a dark curse unleashed its terrible power. The curse, an ancient and malevolent magic cast by a vengeful sorcerer centuries ago, was awakened by their birth. Kristoff's tiny frame was struck down instantly, his life snuffed out as if snatched away by an invisible hand. The family was devastated; grief and fear seeped into their hearts.
Yet, the curse's evil had not finished its work. Miraculously, the second twin, Young Master Axel von Vladimir, survived. But he was born under the shadow of the curse—his life was forever intertwined with the dark magic that had claimed his brother. From the moment he opened his eyes, Axel displayed strange and unsettling abilities. He could manipulate shadows, replicate his brother's lost powers, and influence those around him—powers inherited from the curse itself.
The family was torn. They mourned the loss of Kristoff, whom they believed the curse had claimed before his first cry, and they feared what Axel's future held. The curse had spared him, but it had also marked him—an heir born into darkness, destined to carry the weight of the malevolent magic that had doomed his twin.
***Axel's POV
I don't remember much before I woke up—only the chaos of that night, the storm, the curse, and the shadow that snatched Kristoff away before his first cry. Somehow, I survived. I don't understand why, but I feel like it's because of that curse. Maybe it's a curse… or maybe it's a blessing in disguise.
Since that moment, strange thoughts have begun to swirl inside my mind—things I can't quite grasp with words. I can think more clearly, sharper than I ever could even though I know I'm just a newborn. I was just born but I can't explain why I already have the ability to think. It's like a faint light flickering in a dark room, revealing glimpses of something greater. But I can't speak. Not yet. My body is still that of a helpless child, locked inside a fragile shell I can't control.
It's so frustrating. I want to shout, to scream, to tell someone what I'm feeling, but all I can do is stay silent. My voice is gone, the feeling of it being sealed away makes me frustrated. I try to move my lips, but nothing happens. I'm trapped, a baby with a mind full of thoughts—powerful, strange, and full of questions.
I can feel the magic inside me—the shadows I can control, the echoes of Kristoff's powers I seem to carry. I sense that this curse isn't just a burden; perhaps it's a key. A part of me fears what I might become, but deep down, I know I have a purpose. I just don't know what it is yet.
The shadows whisper in my mind, and I realize I am not alone in this darkness. I am alive, fragile but alive. I may be just a child now, but inside, I feel the spark of something greater. One day, I will find my voice. Until then, I will hold on to these silent thoughts, waiting for the moment I can finally speak them aloud.
For now, I am trapped in this tiny body, but my mind is already soaring beyond it. I am destined for something more. I just have to wait—and hope.
***
Trapped in a fragile shell, Axel was determined to rise above the limitations of his body. He understood that he was alive, and with that life came potential. He would one day find his voice, harness the shadows, and uncover the truth of his existence. Until that moment arrived, he would nurture the flicker of hope within him, dreaming of a future where he could break free from silence and embrace his destiny as the heir of Ravenshire—a beacon of strength, even amidst the shadows.
***
I can feel it coursing through my veins, this strange and ancient magic that binds me to the shadows. They call me "the cursed one" in hushed tones, and I can sense their fear. But what they do not understand is that this curse is woven into my very essence. Even as an infant, I feel its weight, a dark mantle draped over my shoulders, heavy yet compelling. It is both a chain and a key, locking me away from the world while hinting at the power I might one day wield. In my stillness, I understand: I was born into darkness, but it does not have to define me. There is more to this curse than mere sorrow.
The echoes of my brother's existence linger in the air around me, swirling like the storm that heralded my birth. I have seen him in my dreams—his laughter, his warmth, the light he could have brought to our family. When I reach deep within myself, I feel the ability to replicate what he might have become. There is a pulse of energy, a flicker of light that mirrors the essence of Kristoff. It is as if his spirit dances just out of reach, waiting for me to grasp it and bring it into this world. This innate power is my connection to him, a thread that binds us together across the divide of life and death.
Yet, amidst these gifts lies a skill I must learn to master. "Control" is what I must forge from the gifts bestowed upon me, a skill that transforms my brother's innate ability into something tangible due to my innate abilty "Replicate". It is not just about wielding shadows or replicating power; it is about harnessing them, bending them to my will. I can feel the shadows flickering at the edges of my consciousness, restless and eager to obey. But to control them, to shape them into something that serves me and does not consume me, will require patience and understanding. My journey has only just begun, and I am determined to learn the art of control, to command the very darkness that surrounds me.