Side Notes: Hello, this is my first attempt at writing a story so I would love some feedback and I hope, dear reader, that you understand my noobness and don't judge too heavily in the beginning. Enjoy~
There are several reasons for one to hate something. It could have started in childhood, negative emotions directed at something that brought displeasure. It could have started due to an unfortunate event that led to something unpleasant happening. It could be due to something that happened to something or someone that an individual cared for. Or… it could be due to nothing at all.
Zed was someone with split personality disorder, in all his 17 years of life people had been nothing but good to him. There were little issues at his parents estate, he was doted upon and showered with everything a material life of providence could give. However, half of him hated everything and everything, for no apparent reason.
The Zalvador house was a longstanding noble house within the Gretchen Kingdom. His father is a titled Viscount and his mother a member of the Gretchen family herself. Surprisingly, his parents had married for love and not for political purposes which was a rarity nowadays and they loved their firstborn son more than anything in the world. But there was something wrong with Zed.
Zed wasn’t sure when it began, but even as a child he felt the presence of Evil Z. It felt like there was a cold bubble that surrounded his thoughts and emotions that trapped everything inside whispering nothing but hatred. This was extremely emotionally exhausting for Zed and the only thing he could feel fondness for were his parents and some of the servants working at his parents estate. Everything else was too tiring to care for.
217 P.C.
217 years ago there was a great calamity that rid the world of most of its population. People called it the calamity for it was unstoppable and impossible to prevent. 90% of the world's population perished on that day, and the survivors decided to restart the calendar with the date as P.C. (Post Calamity).
Humanity was incredible for somehow managing to pull themselves up from the brink of extinction while constantly holding back the abyssal creatures. And fought they have done for the past 200 years. The warlike nature of the current humans is the basis for their modern society where the strong are worshipped and are part of the ruling class. There are 3 main kingdoms that cover the land of Azren. The Gretchen Kingdom of the east, the Ridger Kingdom of the west, and the Faullen Kingdom of the South. The northern territory of the continent is where the spawn of the abyss comes from and even though humanity has made great strides in reclaiming that land, the northernmost lands have remained tainted and extremely dangerous.
17 years ago marked a strange change in the tides of the world. The clouds rumbled and churned while their coloring mixed deep into an inky black covering. Thunder shook the world, and the world responded with angered agreement. An era had ended and something new was coming.
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Nothing was born good or evil, personalities developed based on the different types of issues and challenges a young being faces as they grow and expand their own psyche. Zed could be said to be a paradox in this regard. He felt little in terms of challenges growing up and if one had to describe his mental state most of the time the best fitting word would be ‘indifferent’. It's not like he desired to be this way, however, Zed had a good reason for being so apathetic. If Zed didn’t keep strict control of his desires and emotions Evil Z might take control.
Zed had some very ‘special’ nights in his life, very dark nights, where Evil Z took the steering wheel leading to an ‘episode’. Zed was aware that there was something very wrong with him and that his alter personality was dangerous, but he had never spoken about it or shown it to his parents or outsiders. His parents had seen one of his episodes when he was younger that had led to several long months talking with elder healers about his psychotic break and heavy medication, but they still didn't know that wasn't 'him'.
Zed had an almost instinctual understanding that whatever happened to him during these episodes was something that was a part of him, a facet of his very being. Not something that could be easily dispelled and done away with through medication and meditation like Healer John has said. It was during this time Zed made a pact with Evil Z, an agreement between the two that would last until his 18th birthday. And for 10 long years he has practised being ‘normal’. His mannerisms perfected and sculpted into the noble bearing that is expected from someone of his standing in society. His personality sculpted into the cold but caring fake that he showed to outsiders. For all intents and purposes, Zed was a perfect noble. He lacked the ambition and greed that usually made them so warlike and dangerous but had the bearing of a perfect gentleman and an acumen for governance. All while maintaining his agreement with Evil Z, keeping trouble at a minimum.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Today was a special day, Zed would be entering the Grand College. A special institution for nobles to build connections and further their learning in regards to war with the abyss creatures and governing the land they lorded over. The college was split into two factions. The military faction and the governance faction. Realistically they were one and the same since most members would take part in both throughout their lives. However, the factions represented more than just parallel schools of thought, they represented the power structure of the Gretchen Kingdom.
Nobles that practiced the way of governance were typically closely related to the royal main bloodline. The military faction was aligned with the Head Commander, who held the second most powerful position in the Gretchen Kingdom. There have been undercurrents begetting blood between the royal faction and the military faction in recent years. The military faction has been pushing to wage war against the Faullen Kingdom in regards to their policies restricting trade through the Ownerless Lands and facilitating all trade between the kingdoms to make massive profits. The royal faction has been taking the stance of diplomacy in regards to this issue to maintain stability and the strength of humans against the abyssal creatures. However, the Gretchen Kingdom’s economy was waning. The trade restrictions and tariffs imposed by the Faullen Kingdom was slowly driving the country into poverty.
Zed agreed more with the military faction's perspective on things. The Faullen kingdom had become more unreasonable in recent years and the taxes had only kept increasing. Many feared that they were attempting to become a hegemony. Zed believed that the Gretchen Kingdom had to set boundaries for what is acceptable for their country, or roll over and become a subsidiary of the Faullen. However, Zed was tied to the royal faction by blood. There are no stronger ties than family and Zed has already come to an agreement with his parents that he will be joining the governance faction. Regardless of his beliefs however, Zed had his own issues to deal with.
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Grand College - January 1st, 217. P.C.
In front of the large and majestic white structure was a massive fountain featuring a marble sculpture of the goddess of wisdom Thera. There was a welcoming and festive atmosphere around, banners hung from symmetrically aligned trees colored in the country's standard gold and black. Many horse carriages stood in place along a large circular pathway that flowed around the fountain and facilitated the entering and exiting of the college. Many affluent and established nobles escorted their children to the front gate of the massive building.
“Zed”.
His father called out to him in a solemn tone. Zander Zalvador would be described as a powerfully built nobleman, he had bright white hair and golden eyes and wore the standard robes of nobility colored in deep black with golden fringes that hung loosely on his heavily muscled body. His mother stood at his fathers side, the epitome of a member of the royal family. Maria Zavador was beautiful with silky black hair that spread out along her shoulders along with bright golden eyes that had small black stars floating lazily within her irises, a characteristic found only in those with direct blood relation to the royals. She wore the colored robes of nobility as well and carried herself with the grace expected of her position.
With such good looking parents it was no surprise that Zed looked like a handsome and powerfully built young man of nobility. He had his father’s white hair and his mother’s eyes. Along with a well toned body honed in combat arts since his youth. He stood at 6’5 feet tall and towered over most people except his father who was the tallest man in the Kingdom standing at 7’2. The only thing that marred his features was a long scar running from his left eyebrow down to just below his low lip, a little gift from Evil Z during one of his earliest episodes.
Zed stalled and turned back to face his parents with a passive look.
“Take care and don’t forget that you’ll always be our Big Z”. His father replied with a goofy and proud look on his face.
His mother silently giggled at the sidelong glances they were receiving from the other nobles and their children passing by who were gawking at the giants. His mother walked up to him and carefully placed her hand on his left cheek.
“I love you my baby boy, don’t get too involved with the politics here and try to enjoy yourself. You can always come to us if you need help with anything and don’t forget to take your medication.” She smiled and said worriedly.
“I love you too and I won’t forget mom.” Zed replied with a warm smile and gave his mother and father a hug before entering through the gate.
‘Having fun playing human?’ A sinister voice whispered quietly in his mind while he strode towards the large wooden doors leading inside the building.
'Give me peace Evil Z, I am the ruler of my mind and you will not dictate nor interpret my actions as per the agreement.’ Zed exhaustedly chided the voice in his mind for the upteenth time.
‘You can think whatever you want, but don’t forget that we are you Zed. It is almost time, I hope you are prepared.’ The voice replied in undisguised excitement and amusement.
Zed appreciated the architechture of the grand building as he strode inside, it was here that his goal of finding an answer to his problems lay.
It was indeed almost time, his agreement with Evil Z coming into effect within a fortnight and soon he would have to ‘share’.
‘The Atrium is my final hope.’ He thought with determination slight resignation, a quiet giggle soon following it from the depths of his consciousness.