Chapter 1 -> http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9696963/

Chapter 2
“S-Savior! What is that supposed to mean?” The young redhead asked his lemon eyes wide in disbelief. ‘Who could this person be? He isn’t a dark one and he claims to be our savior. I have never seen element marks like the ones on his cheeks.’ The young man’s thoughts jumped around aimlessly trying to make sense of the whole situation.

Yet another dark chuckle came from Rannik’s throat. “I am just like you, an elf of Lynx influence; a Lylelf.”

The prince was dumbfounded, “You couldn’t… you don’t look like any Lylelle I’ve seen before! You have to be lying!“ the flame man shook his head in disbelief as he stood up defensively.

“All in due time.” Rannik spoke coldly shaking his head to signal the end of the conversation. “For now, take me to the castle and to your King.”

The young prince clenched his teeth as he spat out his words angrily, “You think that I would do something so foolish without knowing your true intentions! I know not who you are or if what you say to me is true!”

“Your ignorance blinds you. Even though I am under the influence of the Moon Tiger you should be able to see well enough what I say is the truth.” Rannik spoke sharply, his tone like knives directed at the young prince.

The prince said nothing as he shifted his gaze to the ground, but only for a moment before looking back to Rannik’s feline slit eyes. Gripping the hilt of his sword even more tightly in his hand the prince seethed; if what Rannik said was true it would be perfect for his kingdom’s current situation; though he was always taught by his mother –The Queen- that if something was too good to be true it most likely was. As he opened his mouth to speak there was a rustling in the bushes behind him.

Rannik’s eyes widened with realization and sprung forward to protect the royal flame. The tiger drew his sword reflected two knives that had been thrown aimed for the Prince’s heart and neck. It wasn’t until after the blades hit the ground with a metallic sound that the reality of the situation sunk in for the royal one. ‘The tiger… saved me?’ Slowly he looked over his shoulder to see Rannik’s firm and focused profile watching the trees for any movement; ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Darkness swelled throughout the bushes, it was what the prince feared; the ‘Dark Ones’. “Be on guard.” Rannik said calmly, “They could be anywhere, we are in their territory.” Hearing this, the prince nodded raising his sword to a more defensive position mimicking Rannik’s stance.

Rannik could feel the electricity bodies. There were three people in the forest clearing tonight; himself, the Prince, and their attacker. Though the tiger was familiar with ones of darkness, it didn’t make fighting them any easier. It was an easy enough ability to jump from shadow to shadow and on a night like this in a dark forest there were shadows all about. As soon as Rannik pin pointed the enemy they moved to a new position in but a second. He gritted his teeth in annoyance. If he were by himself this would be an easy matter but now he was to worry about the life of another; someone so young and inexperienced. It was not something that he made a habit of.
‘Chances are if I leave this boy’s side they will not hesitate to strike him down. After all he is their target. How annoying.’
Rannik looked over his shoulder at the younger man, “When I tell you to get down you do it. No questions asked got it.”
The redhead’s eyes widened as he looked at the elder, “Wh-What why? What are you going to do-“ He was cut off by Rannik sweeping his leg under the prince knocking the feet out from under him forcing the young prince onto his backside. “What was that for?” he managed to gasp out.

“You ask too many questions.” Rannik said flatly as he returned his attention to the surroundings. In that short amount of time it felt as if the shadows were growing and closing in on them; growing ever closer. The tiger griped onto the hilt of his sword with more confidence as he searched. ‘Where are you… I know you are still there.’

Moments passed with nothing moving in a stalemate; Rannik couldn’t make a move and the dark one dared not move if he did not have a clear shot at his target. Frustrated the young prince got up from the ground and snapped at Rannik, “This has gone on long enough. There is no one out there! Surely you scared them away and they left!”

Rannik’s elegant brow rose in interest, “So you thought it would be that easy?” A wicked grin spread across his feline features. “Then I will show you why your kingdom will fall.” He stepped forward to center himself in the clearing. “Get down.” Rannik raised his sword to the sky, in a way that looked like a lightning rod. It confused the prince was confused and he shook his head as he began to doubt the older man’s sanity.

Moments passed as the prince watched; he began to believe that nothing was going to happen, though deep down he knew something was coming, the small hairs on the back of his neck were raising and it began to make him feel uneasy. The air was becoming thick with static it was then that he finally considered following the advice the older man had given him.

But it all happened so suddenly, there was a flash of light and an ear shattering boom –thunder- and the prince covered his ears to protect them from the harsh sound.
A feminine scream came from the nearby bushes; after the light faded away a woman sprung from her hiding spot; her long black hair tied in a ponytail atop her head flowed behind her like a cape; rapier in hand she lunged for his heart.

“Right into my trap.” The tiger snickered from behind a wicked grin. With elegance he knocked her weapon away with his own.

She was short and petite, -perfect for hiding in small wooded areas- and looked fairly young, she could not have been more than nineteen; her long black hair fell just above her knees. Rannik thought she could have been a very attractive girl if she wasn’t so bloodthirsty. The woman’s dark red eyes widened in disbelief, “How…” was all that she could mutter, her voice soft with exhaustion. She groaned with pain as Rannik grabbed her by her black hair, lifting her up off of the ground to see her more closely.

“They sent you to assassinate the Flame Prince didn’t they?” Rannik asked even though he already knew the answer. He wanted the boy to hear it. Though the woman didn’t respond, instead she closed her eyes and turned away from the sound of the tiger’s voice. “Answer me.” He repeated coldly.


“You know Dark Ones need a little more than verbal threats to get them talking.”


Rannik turned his head toward the deep rumbling voice. In the shadow of the trees he could clearly see one glowing red eye looking at him. Rannik was not threatened because he recognized the owner by voice alone. “Reckoning…” he greeted shortly.

The prince’s head was spinning from so much happening so quickly, “What is going on!” He stammered, “And who is this?” He was trying desperately to put all of the events into order.

A rumble like chuckle escaped ‘Reckoning’ as his large frame emerged from the brush. He was taller than Rannik by quite a bit and his hair long tri toned hair was long and wrapped up into a messy bun that gathered at base of his neck. Strands of orange and pink fell from the bun in spikes; though his roots were a light sky blue. Reckoning’s upright posture and broad shoulders gave off an air of confidence; His eyes and lips were defined by thick black markings that enhanced every one of his facial expressions.
“Why don’t you just tie her up and dangle her from the trees until morning.” Reckoning smiled widely exposing beak-like incisors. “That ought to get her to talk.”

The woman wiggled in Rannik’s grasp, “NO!” She began to kick her legs at her captor in a feeble attempt to escape.

Rannik laughed along with Reckoning, “It seems like she doesn’t like that idea.”

The prince huffed out a sigh, did they dare ignore him?? “Hey!” He shouted, “Listen to me when I’m speaking!” He growled with growing frustration.

Reckoning raised an eyebrow at the growing commotion coming from the prince. He looked at Rannik with his one uncovered eye, “Does he honestly believe he can just order us around?” A look of confusion spread across his features causing him to frown.

“It is royal pride I’m sure.” Rannik shrugged looking over to the irritated prince. Reckoning nodded in a sense of understanding.

The prince growled at this turn of events, they were mocking him! Of course he had pride, he was raised with the knowledge that one day he would become King and he would look after his people, and that is why he worked so hard to become stronger. Though faced with the recent events he truly realized how unprepared and weak he really was. He was about to let out a defeated sigh when he noticed the woman they had captured, -the dark one- had just vanished from Rannik’s grip.

Rannik gasped and grinded his teeth, “Reckoning… if you will?” he closed his eyes in an attempt to calm the rage that was beginning to build up. With an amused chuckle and nod Reckoning disappeared in the way the woman had.

The prince could not believe his eyes, he blinked a couple of times before asking, “What the- what happened how?”

Rannik decided to finally take this time to explain, “It’s
‘Shadow Jumping’, a skill in darkness magik.” This straightforward response took the prince on surprise, he was used to people beating things around the bush but here Rannik was just telling him straight out. The older male continued his explanation, “It’s rather simple for those who have the innate ability to do so. It is exactly what it sounds like, they jump from one shadow to the next.” The prince nodded as he let the new information sink in.

A minute or so later Reckoning appeared one of his large gloved hands wrapped around the slender neck of the dark woman her slim hands clawing at Reckoning’s hold. “Let me go!” She squeaked in anger.

“Thank you Reckoning.” Rannik said with a nod a malicious smile crossing his face. “I knew I could trust you.”

With a perplexed expression the prince asked, “What stops her from shadow jumping now?”

Reckoning responded knowledgably, “If she were, she would take me along with her.” His grin widened as he gripped tighter to make her squirm less, “If someone tries to jump while touching another with the same ability, both are pulled along.”

The flame Prince shook his head at the information, but he saw it before him and it explained why dark ones were able to easily penetrate the Hold. “Is there any way to block the technique; other than the method you are using now?”
Reckoning shifted his weight to his left before explaining to the Flame Lylelle. “You could place Light charms and amulets-“
“No! Don’t tell him-!”
Reckoning closed his hand around her precious windpipe closing off her air supply as well as her objections, he then continued to speak frankly “Or you could seek out Light ones -use them as guards because they can easily block out Shadow Jumping with a Light Barrier.”

“I see,” The young Prince replied mentally noting the suggestions. “Is it that simple?”

“It’s basic elemental opposites, like Lightning and Mineral, although that’s a bad example, Mineral takes no damage from Lightning, whereas Dark takes Heavy damage from Light, Light takes Heavy Damage from Dark.” Reckoning was getting lost in his explanations like he usually did when asked him a question he deemed interesting. “Also finding Light ones would be hard, considering Dark ones found out their weakness long ago and exploited it.” He nodded thoughtfully, “These days Light ones are hard to find because their numbers are low.”

“Reckoning,” Rannik interrupted. “It’s nice that you are being so informative to the young prince but we need her alive as you know.”
The dark one’s face was turning a lite blue as she struggled against the hold on her neck though she was becoming faint and was losing consciousness. Reckoning scoffed as he lessened his grip on the Dark Lylelle. He mentally thanked Rannik for reminding him about the woman, he was so wrapped up in what he was talking about he completely forgot –though he wouldn’t admit that fact, even to his friend- “Oh come on, it’s not like going unconscious was going to kill her.” Reckoning said with mock disappointment. He turned once again to the prince and asked –rather rudely- “So, what is your name? Don’t expect me to call you ‘Your Highness’.”

The prince coughed a little with embarrassment, “Oh –cough- well, my name is Kallias Blaze, Heir to the throne of the flame kingdom.” He said confidently, though Reckoning didn’t look very impressed.
“Oh, well it is nice to meet you Kalliasblazeheirtothethroneoftheflamekingdom. That’s a rather long name? Can I call you Kalli for short?” he grinned hoping this response would stir a reaction in the young prince.
Kallias blushed lightly with embarrassment realizing how Reckoning took his title and responded as coolly as he could, “It’s just Kallias, but I don’t see why you couldn’t call me Kalli… after all the two of you saved my life, I do owe a debt to you for that.” He lowered his head in a respectful manor. Reckoning’s eye widened a little out of surprise even though he said nothing.
Rannik spoke up, “Good, Call me Rannik, and this is my most trusted ally, Reckoning.

Will you take us now?”

The prince nodded, “I will… you have proven to me that you are someone to be trusted.” He added on slowly, “Both of you.”