14 Ethereal Forge Academy (2/2)
”Welcome to the Ethereal Forge Academy, right this way sir.” a door slid open right between the two guard and darius walked in. The dome itself consisted of hundreds of circular floors or levels, all stacked up on top of each other. Darius was immediately met with another door in front of him as the one they had just enterd through sealed shut. ”We will now escort you to your room, there you will wait for further instruction.”
As he said this they began to ascend, and Darius realized the had walked into an elevator. ”Your room is on the hundred and eighty second floor with the other nobles.” said one of the guards as the elevator doors opened to reveal a corridor with several doors on either side.
After walking through a long corridor for some time they came to a single, large door that stood alone at the end of the hallway. ”You will be staying in the royal suite, originally meant for prince Lionel and his brothers. Your royal substitute status authorizes you to gain access to the room.” As soon as Darius approached the door it slid open. Already he was amazed by what he saw. Although the guards weren't allowed to show it, they were annoyed with being tasked to serve this simpleton like he was of noble blood.
Darius entered the large, circular room. It was tastefully decorated with a large bed in the center and three other doorways, the one on the right leading to a bathroom while the other two on on the left led to the gym and indoor pool.
”If you need anything simply clap your hands twice and say what you would like. The room will deliver it to you.” with that the two guards bowed and walked backwards with their heads lowered. The door closed after them leaving Darius to his own devices.
Immediately Darius clapped his hands and said, ”Food.” Although he wasn't hungry it was really the only thing he could think of at the time. A table appeared in front of him out of thin air. With more food than he had ever seen in his life. Clearly his broad request was met with a broad answer. Every kind of food they had had been brought to him.
”So this is what it's like to be royalty?” he thought to himself as he took a look around the lavishly decorated room. It was gold and silver as far as he could see. He threw his bag onto the floor as he walked around the large, spacious room. It was around ten p.m as he sat down on the bed, taking of his shoes before lying down.
He stared up at the ceiling as he thought about what would happen now. He felt exhausted and worn out by everything that had happened throughout the day, his thoughts lingered there for a moment before he slid into an uneasy sleep.
A young boy stood alone in a wide open field. He was rather scrawny, dark skinned with black hair. A bell rang from somewhere behind him. ”Darius!” a woman's voice screamed at him.
The boy looked back, not sure what was happening as the woman ran to him, grabbing him by the arm she half dragged him back to a house that appeared just ahead. She opened the door, almost throwing the boy in and slamming it shut behind herself.
”Where's Dad?” the boy asked as he watched his panic stricken mother barricade the doors. She was a pretty woman. Not the most .beautiful but she could easily turn a few heads. She looked at him for a moment, a look of despair in her eyes as she resumed her work. The woman walked up to Darius and said, ”Listen to me Darius. I need you to protect your sister. Can you do that for me?”
The young boy nodded as she pushed him into another room. A little girl, about six years old sat alone in a corner inside. Her cries were almost drowned out by the all the noise coming from outside. There were several screams and cries for help that could be heard. The young boy was at a loss for what to do when he heard a door slam open from outside the room. Darius heard a woman scream followed by the sounds of breaking bones and a dull thud as his mothers lifeless body fell to the ground.
Darius could hear a distinct bone chilling hissing sound as the spirit made its way towards the door. With a bang it slammed into the door, which flew wide open. A large, pale humanoid figure with a serpentine torso slithered into the room. It had two gaping black holes where its eyes were supposed to be as it slithered towards the little girl who was crouching in the corner directly in front of the door.
The humanoid head had no eyes, only two slits for a nose and large, sharp fangs. The torso had no arms but trailed of into a large snake like tail. The young girl was far too scared too even make a sound, as was Darius. The creature made its way towards her, hissing with malevolent malice. But it did nothing, simply waiting there as if it was thinking for a moment when a pair of heavy footsteps came charging through the room. Panicked, the creature immediately used its tail to pick the little girl up.
”Darius, help me!” she whimpered as the creature hissed once more, rapping its tail around her. Darius wanted to help, but noticing the door he took his chance and ran out of the room. Passing a man by who looked at Darius with a puzzled face for a moment, but immediately ran to save the girl Darius had just abandoned as her screams echoed throughout the house.
The creature was using its powerful tail to literally squeeze the life out of her, breaking her bones in process. As soon as the man was in striking distance he thrust his sword through the creature. Immediately causing it to let go of the girl and fall to the ground. Unfortunately he was too late, the girl was dead. Streaks of blood and tears stained her face. The sight of her lifeless corpse had haunted Darius for six years.
He woke up in a cold sweat. Panting and breathing heavily as the sound of his sisters desperate cries for help echoed through his mind.
He looked at the holographic clock that was floating in mid air as it rang beside him on the bedside table. It was ten a.m and soon someone would come and get him. Normally the sight of it would have impressed him, but the dream he had just had, or more accurately put the memory he had just had, shook him to his core. He waved his hand through through the clock, silencing it as he sat up, still rattled by his dream.
He felt a deep sinking sensation as he remembered how alone he had felt the other day, only to be reminded of how he abandoned his sister six years ago and had left her alone to die.