It was dark, and yet it is not dark. The sky is filled with humming blue light, blurring distance stars.
It was raining, and yet his cloak is not soaked. The rider silently run through empty streets. He is almost at the city gate. His eyes are filled with sorrows and uncertainty. His hair blazes like an undying flame.
The raider look back once last time at the floating castle. It is no longer his home.
For his little brother to live, he has to run.
Run far far away.
Where nobody would know that he is Heeka, the Crown Prince of Somnium Kingdom. Where there is nothing but darkness for him to hide in.
He will never return again. Ever since they were born, he always had a strong sense of duty towards his country. But now this feeling has vanished completely from inside him. For him, his little brother is more precious than the whole Kingdom, more precious than the Throne itself.
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To hell with traditions.
He will not kill his little brother for the Rite of Passage.
The Kingdom can colapse for all his cares.
However, he thought. Who will protect his brother if he is gone? This thought stops him right at the gate.
Suddenly, someone appeared before him. A tall man dressed in black robes. "I am your servant."
"You?"
"Yes. I have been waiting here patiently for you."
The man strip of his robe.
"Adorius." The rider hesitates. "Do you realize what you are doing? What would your father think?"
"My father would understand. For I am your King's Guard. My duty is by your side. No matter what."
"Really? No matter what?"
"Selene is waiting for us at the Port."
"You dragged Selene into this, too?"
"She came by her own accord. I could not make her do what she doesn't want to do."
"..."
"You do understand how she is, do you?"
"...Fine."
"She prepared an airship for us." Adorius steps to the side. "We should go now, before anyone notice you missing, your Highness."
"You can stop calling me that, for now I am a run away, and outlaw in my own Kingdom."
Adorius smiles. "Shall we go, Heeka?"