Chapter 1 of my Original Fiction, Please enjoy.


Chapter 1
To me, living things were all just a toy; something to be tampered with for my own enjoyment. There was no greater joy then to have that feeling of accomplishment, winning. The world was mine to pillage and I took more than my fair share and savored it. After all… who in the world could honestly stop me? A god among men; I am master of the mightiest storms and even the simplest and intricate mental signals. Was there nothing in the world that was not mine? There was that one thing… but I wouldn’t fall down that path again so easily, if I was to have it, I would have to make sure it was perfect.


3670 A.H.

A full moon hung high in the sky its glow bringing out the worst in those who gave over their minds into its power. Though Rannik was afflicted by the curse of the moon tiger he held his resolution firm as long strides carried him down the abandoned forest, his tiger-like green eyes focused on the trail before him. Underbrush had grown over the long forgotten path; it seemed as if no one had been down this road in years. The forest was dark from the overhang of trees and rushing footsteps of creatures could be heard in the distance. The wilderness called to the beast within him though the rational side of himself stood firm, there was not a chance that he would give himself over so easily; not while he was watching.

Days before Rannik heard local Lylelle gossiping about the flame kingdom, how they were, “At war with the kingdom of Night” and that, “If the battles continue as they are now the flames would die out forever.” The tiger rarely listened in on such trivial things like gossip, but this subject struck a chord in him so strongly that he just couldn’t ignore it. After all, if he really did want to go through with this plan of perfection Rannik would have to preserve the flame lineage.

The trail Rannik was following became overrun with tall bushes; he raised an eyebrow in thought. ‘I think I’m getting closer.’ Treading through the brush Rannik found himself on a clear dirt path, the bushes framing it as if they were hedges.

Click, thump, thump.

Rannik stopped to listen; they were footsteps, someone young and inexperienced. The person following him was lightweight yet threw themselves into every step they took. The tiger chuckled at his stalker’s ignorance. ‘Does he really think that I don’t notice him? Alright young one, I’ll play along.’ Rannik chuckled to himself as he continued down the defined path.

Thump, thump, click.

Rannik continued nonchalantly pretending that he could not hear every move that was made behind him. Though they had a good idea –trying to match their steps with Rannik’s- but it was not executed properly. Rannik could now fully understand how the rumors spread. The flame kingdom was not well known for their expertise in combat. However the Dark Ones were well known as the assassins of the night.

Soon the path opened up to a clearing in the forest, it looked to be a spot that was used as a campsite in the past, but now it was cleared out. After all, who would be stupid enough to camp in the Selene forest on a full moon? An action like that would be begging for death.

Shlllink.

It was a slow sound; careful to not make much noise; though to Rannik it was unmistakably someone drawing a sword from a sheath. ‘So he’s finally going to make his move?’

A small gasp and a grip on the handle, ‘Don’t move too fast, and don’t jump the gun’ Rannik grinned as he heard the scattered thoughts of his pursuer. He was right to assume that they were young and inexperienced.

There was silence, then a snap of a twig. Adrenaline filled the air as two swords collided; one from Rannik and the other from his young red haired stalker. Rannik grinned holding his sword firmly and looking over the other. It was a young man, barely seventeen, with long curly red hair tied up in a high ponytail. His bangs were short and framed his long elegant face. “So you are one of the flames.” Rannik grinned with a sense of age old wisdom.

The young man seemed caught off guard as he pressed his weight into his sword in an attempt to push Rannik back, “Who are you!?” He shouted with the type of authority one could only be born with. “Are you in allegiance with the Dark Ones?” The young flame’s inexperience showed in the wavering of his voice when he mentioned the ‘Dark Ones’.

Rannik’s long curved eyebrow raised with interest at the boy’s accusation. “So the rumor of the flame fighting the darkness was true?” Effortlessly Rannik dropped his sword and dodged to the side allowing the young man to fall to his knees. “How very interesting.” A low chuckle came from the tiger’s throat.

The young man growled with annoyance and frustration; flames sparking at his fingertips, “Answer me!”

Rannik looked down at the fallen failure of a warrior. “If you must know, I am your kingdom’s savior; young prince.” He said the last sentence slowly and he grinned wickedly at the end leaving everything in an eerie silence.