The Exiled King

It was an emotional farewell. Standing in the large entrance hall of the castle were three people. There was a young man with wavy, dark hair and blue eyes, dressed in elaborate silver armour. A crimson cape hung from his shoulders. Across from him was a little boy with strikingly similar features to him, and a woman who had mousy brown hair and similar cerulean eyes.

"I'll be heading out now," Kuban Whiterose said, waving farewell to his younger brother and mother.

He crouched down to his brother's level and said softly, "Halian, when I'm gone, you're the man in the house, okay? You need to take care of your mother while I'm gone."

Halian gripped his mother's skirt, but nodded, his wide blue eyes trained on his brother.

Kuban grinned and ruffled Halian's hair, saying, "I'll only be gone for a few years, I promise. And I'll bring you a gift when I get back..."

Halian will be much older when I return... I should pick a gift he'll like when he's older, Kuban mused.

Kuban rose and pulled his mother into a gentle hug. He pulled away and looked into her eyes, smiling softly.

"Don't cry, mother. I'm not going away forever."

The corners of her eyes were glistening with barely concealed tears.

At his words, she ducked her head slightly and whispered, "All mothers will worry about their children. Anhua is a wasteland... I still firmly believe that you shouldn't go, but I know my concerns won't stop you."

He shook his head slightly and responded, "I'm sorry, mother. But the sooner I get knighted, the sooner I can take over as the head of the household so you and Halian won't have to worry anymore."

She gripped his arm a little tighter, but did not protest and let him go.

"Be safe, Kuban, and come home soon," She said quietly.

Kuban nodded, stepping away. He turned and strode out the door to where his horse was waiting, the reins held by a servant of their family. He took the reins and climbed onto the horse and peered back once more.

Seeing his mother and brother still standing and watching him, he waved and gave them a bright smile. Travelling to a different kingdom felt less daunting when he knew they were waiting for him to return.

The sun was high in the sky as Kuban set off on his journey. Most of the Whiterose territory was dense forest and he followed a quiet path through the woods. There was a comfortable breeze and the faint scent of pine that followed him. The sunlight cast patterns upon the forest floor and birds sang their cheerful melodies. It was quiet and it was peaceful.

I'd better enjoy the peace while it lasts, He thought ruefully, I've heard it'll be rough training...

Within moments, he noticed an eerie silence in the previously lively forest. He slowed his horse warily, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He held his breath, his heart beating loudly in his ears, as he strained to hear something... anything.

BOOM! There was a loud crash and a bright flash of light and a shockwave of wind. His horse panicked, but Kuban held the reins steady and fought to control the horse.

"Easy, girl... easy," He whispered, calming his horse and dismounting, tying her to a nearby tree.

This is Whiterose territory, Kuban thought, If I don't investigate this, my mother and Halian will be burdened by it.

I'd like to see who has the nerve to mess around on Whiterose territory anyways, He thought, gripping his sword hilt a little tighter.

He moved towards the source of the explosion, slowly and cautiously. For minutes on end there was nothing but untouched forest. So much that he almost started to wonder if he'd dreamed of it all, until he saw a broken branch and a clearing.

Trees had been torn in half and thrown away and the soil turned. In the centre of the clearing was a deeper hole and a blood trail leading away from it. Kuban's eyes followed the blood trail and his gaze fell upon a figure covered in blood, seated against a tree stump.

By the gods, what has happened here?! Kuban thought, horrorstruck.

He strode over to the figure and knelt down so his eyes were level. He reached forward and placed his hand in front of the mouth and nose of the stranger, checking for breathing. Feeling a soft, wispy draft on his fingers, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are you alright?" Kuban asked the man—for it was indeed the unmistakable build of a man, somewhat obscured by the blood and mud that caked his face and torn clothes.

The man mumbled something incoherent and his eyes slowly opened. His hand shot up and grabbed Kuban's arm with a bruisingly tight grip—entirely unexpected, as the man looked weak and on the verge of death.

The man's eyes flashed open, revealing eerie bright blue eyes flecked with gold. As his mesmerising eyes met Kuban's own cobalt eyes, Kuban was struck with the feeling of being watched by something beyond his mortal comprehension. He was frozen to the spot, paralyzed by icy fear and confusion.

In a smooth and deep voice, the man said, "You will do."

Instantly, Kuban was engulfed in pain. It felt like his head was splitting in two. He slumped to his knees, letting out a hoarse cry of agony. It was like a fire had engulfed his head and he had no idea what was going on. Dimly, he registered a low, melodic chant, which he realised was coming from the man's own mouth as his unwavering gaze stayed fixed on Kuban's pain-ridden and confused gaze.

Kuban felt the piercing pain begin to fade away, but so did the sensation in his limbs. His body slowly, agonisingly, numbed while he could do nothing about it. His previously rapidly beating heart began to slow.

As he felt all his senses dull, Kuban thought with a dull ache in his chest, Is this really how I die? I promised mother and Halian I'd be back... gods, this is so... unfair!

Black dots swam across his vision, then he saw nothing but darkness.

Kuban felt a strange sensation, then all sight and sound returned to him in an instant, blinding him. He found himself looking at himself, still caught in the clutches of the man's gaze. As he watched, the hair on his body faded from his dark curls to stark white. Kuban peered down at his hands, only to find himself partially translucent and floating above the scene.

As he watched, the man's eyes closed and he slumped forward. Kuban watched with a mixture of both awe and horror as his body moved of its own accord and steadied the man's body. He saw himself rise carefully and gently place the man's body against the tree, before inclining his head and muttering a few words too low for Kuban to hear.

Kuban began to feel a small, insistent tug, but he ignored it and continued to watch as his body moved of its own accord.

"Hey! Sir... whoever you are! What did you do?!" Kuban hollered, but found that no sound left his lips.

The man in his body began to pace around, stretching and stamping his feet as he let out a string of curses, then said, "Hmm... not a bad body, this one."

Then he turned and piercing ruby eyes—in stark contrast to his previously blue eyes—looked straight at Kuban. Kuban knew without a doubt that he could see him and knew he was there, watching.

"Aris cyril," The man said, a strange emotion present in his eyes briefly, before his gaze hardened and he turned away.

What...? Kuban thought, That was Ovaal, wasn't it?

He mentally cursed himself for not paying more attention during his lessons on the ancient language—Ovaal.

Kuban tried to follow the man in his body, but found himself fighting more and more against the insisting tug. Instinctively, he knew that if he succumbed to the temptation to follow the pull, he'd never return to Dargon again. Still, he found it harder and harder to fight against the almost painful tugging sensation, and he eventually relented and stopped resisting. The pull of the Ether—the world of the dead—was irresistible. Kuban felt himself fading away from Dargon and knew he was going to the realm of spirits.

The last thing he saw before he faded away completely was the cold gaze of his own body as the man turned back to watch as Kuban faded away completely.