《A tale of a girl and her shadow》


 A happy family?

    Violet valestrom watched the birds flying outside. Every so often she would close her eyes and listen to their chirps. Her parents could tell from the look in her eyes that she wanted to play with them. The same look she had whenever she chased after a cat.


    Her mother Jen Valestrom just smiled at her husband Henry Valestrom. Having been kept inside Violets skin had been pale. Violets now had a natural tan on her skin from playing outside. Violets brown hair and blue eyes had only made her look even more malnourished. She was just glad to see Violet happy and healthy. Jen remembered a time when Violet had not been well. Violets liveliness was like she is trying to make up for the lost time.


    Jen then looked towards another child in the room. This child sitting in a corner and reading a book. After a quick glance, someone would notice this child looks exactly the same as Violet. Both children with the same features and appear to be about 7 years old. The only noticeable difference being that violet is currently wearing a white dress and the other a black dress.


    "Poe", called Jen.


    "Yes", replied the girl reading the book.


    "Poe, why don''t you put down that book and play with Violet? Jen inquired.


    The girl looked up from her book and turned towards Jen, " because that would be a waste of my time Jenifer. My time is more important than playing games."


    "What have I told you about calling me by my first name?" Jen scoffed.


    "Well I am certainly not calling you mother", Poe retorted putting down her book on how to teach young children.


    Henry could feel the steam rising off his wife. He honestly did not understand why his wife treated Poe this way. When Poe entered their lives Jen had been happy and determined to treat her as their daughter. The second child she always wanted but could not have.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Henry knew better though, Poe is not their child. Although he doesn''t know who Poe really is, Henry was certain that this twin possessed the knowledge of a 30-year-old. A knowledgeable one for that matter. Only someone of noble blood could be so well educated. Henry was certain that whoever Poe really was, she should not be antagonized.


    Violet had always been hidden from the town because of her illness. Violet was borne with half a soul. A condition feared by the locals because most people like her would eventually go insane. As they do not feel the full spectrum of emotions. In Violet''s case this condition was easily noticeable. One of her symptoms being, that she possessed no shadow. Jen had been a seamstress before Henry fell in love with her. So Jen would teach Violet how to sew to pass the time.


    Violets only friend being one of the local birds that would come in the window and whistle songs to her. Mimicry is a common bird that constantly copies things they think sound good. This bird that would normally be seen as a vermin showed no fear of the girl and spent a lot of time with her. Violets parents thought that Wisp the Mimicry was a good influence on her. Surely she was not the monster society thought she was.


    One day 3 months ago however Violet ran away. Jen and Henry were frantic but to their surprise, Violet returned safely. Even more surprising was that Violet''s illness was gone. A shadow appearing where one had not before. Violet seemed more childlike and energetic than before. Violet was feeling emotions that she never been able to experience before. It seemed a miracle had happened.


    Then Violet introduced Poe to Jen and Henry.Poe was a dark contrast to Violet. Always seeming serious and depressed. Henry could only describe this look-alike as dark.


    Initially, they were shocked but after a brief and annoyingly simple explanation from Violet they calmed down. Simply put Violet got better and Poe was the cause. Also, Poe was apparently a name given by Violet to her. When asked who she really was, Poe simply went quiet and sighed.


    All of this aside Poe always looked out for Violet. Poe also served as Violet''s tutor. Teaching her better than any teacher that Henry could afford. Usually however Violet did not have the attention span for it thou.


    "That''s it girls time for bed", Jen proclaimed.


    Poe looked blankly at Jen, " I don''t sleep."


    "off to bed, now!" Jen protested with a raised voice.


    Poe shrugged her shoulders and left the room with her twin. Violet skipped along as Poe was clearly aggravated by Jen.

 A Lion seeking to devour

    It was dark outside when four people met in the back alleys of the town of Arn. All four figures faces were covered with hoods and masks. The four were clad in black clothing and two of them had daggers. They had agreed no weapons were necessary but these two wanted to be prepared in case they got caught by guards.


    " Well looks like we''re all here", said one of the four.


    "Let''s get this over with!" Exclaimed one of the others.


    " What''s wrong Reid losing your nerve", said the first figure back.


    "I thought we agreed on no names", replied Reid.


    " What crawled up you''re backside?" The figure replied.


    "I have a bad feeling about this and my senses are never wrong," Reid stated.


    " The local lord is out of town visiting the King and the targets a little girl. What could possibly go wrong?" The figure replied.


    " I don''t know", Reid said.


    " If you''re done let''s go", The third person said.


    "If not get a room you two!" Exclaimed the fourth person.


    Both Reid and the first person scoffed back but made no comment. As the four of them approached the Lord''s mansion Reid recalled the mission. The Lord apparently had a child he kept secret due to some illness she had. The ransom to get her back would be enormous but these kinds of mission left a bad taste in Reid''s mouth.


    The fourth member of the party picked the lock on the door. As all four cloaked figures entered they crept down. As they walked across the floor not making a sound. The found the room on the third floor of the mansion that the girl supposedly lived in.


    The door crept open and on two sides of the room were two beds. Reid''s face was covered with shock because both beds had two different girls in them. One was sleeping soundly but the other was sitting on her bed reading a book in an unlit room.


    The girl that had been reading looked up and smiled at the four of them. A cold shiver went down Reid spin. This was not the look of a child. There was no innocence in those eyes. More like the look of a hunter about to slaughter its prey. The eyes of Lion seeking who it may devour.Stolen story; please report.


    Reid didn''t have to think more about it. He ran out of the house as fast as he could.


    "What the hell? Where are you going?" The first figure called out but Red did not stop to reply.


    As screams began to fill the air from the house he left Red knew he had made the correct decision.


    <hr>


    As one person ran out of the room Violet woke up becoming frightened. The three remaining figures made a move to silence Violet before she could scream.


    The man who made it closest to Violet suddenly screamed as a shadow blazed past and he fell to the ground. It had happened so fast that the other two men failed to notice what had happened. The little girl who had been reading appeared before him and kicked him in the back of the knee. Then she slammed his head into the corner of the nearby dresser. The dresser hit right on his temple knocking him out of consciousness.


    The first of two remaining men didn''t react quick enough and the little girl punched him in the diaphragm. Unable to breathe the man clutched at his chest and subconsciously crouched down. The little girl smacked him in the jaw with the book she was holding. She began kicking him in the stomach and crotch while he was down. The man reached for his dagger but Poe kicked it out of his hand.


    Violet began cheering go big sis Poe but then she saw the look in Poe''s eyes. The murderous dark eyes. The eyes were filled with rage and pain. Violet knew it was not directed at her but it spooked her. She knew Poe was protecting her and yet why did it look like Poe was enjoying this. She loved Poe like a sister but where did all this rage come from. She could see so much anger in Poe''s eyes.


    The third man was able to react and struck at Poe with a chair leg he removed from a nearby piece of furniture. To his surprise, however, the chair leg did not find its destination. He swung again and the chair leg passed right through the little girls head. He pulled his dagger but it too found no target.


    Poe chuckled as she approached the last remaining abductor," You''re breakable and I''m not."


    The man screamed as the little girl used moves like a mastermartial artist. Poe removed the weapons from his hands using a while pool like rotation motion in each hand. Her arms wrenching the weapons-free. Then Poe slowly disabled him by kicking him in his joints. she was breaking the tiny bones and cartilage needed to support weight and move. It was slow and painful like the girl was toying with him. He swore this was some kind of monster. The man spoke profanities and even cried out to his mother.


    Suddenly Violet hugged Poe from behind.


    "Big sis Poe, please stop!", Violet cried.


    Poe put down her fists and looked at violet.


    "Why are you so angry?" Violet asked.


    Poe sighed deeply," It''s because I am in a lot of pain. Someday when you are older, you may understand."

 Daughter of a seamstress and the power of shadow

    Violet sat across from Poe on the floor. She was trying to keep her eyes closed but every so often she would open them.


    "Focus", Poe said, " Imagine a weapon. Preferably something large as shadow weapons weigh nothing."


    " I don''t understand where I''m supposed to get it", Violet replied looking around for something.


    "No, you are not looking for something. You are creating something", Poe stated. " When you signed our contract I gave you my shadow magic".


    " Close your eyes and imagine a weapon that exists in you''re heart," Poe demanded. " It can be an image of a weapon from a story or something you have used a lot. The stronger the emotional bond to the object the better the weapon will be at its creation".


    Violet sat cross-legged and searched through her memories. Something suddenly felt odd but warm inside her. She was remembering the days she spent with her mother making dresses and dolls to pass the time. She felt a sharp and cold feeling in her hand. There was also a rope-like sensation.


    A flash of shadow appeared covering Violets hands. Violet passed out on the floor. Poe knew this meant the binding of her shadow weapon was complete. Now waiting for Violet to wake up so she could see this weapon in action. Even Poe could barely contain her excitement.


    "What would it be?" Poe thought aloud.


    .....


    ..


    Sometime later Violet awoke to an impatient Poe. If not for her dreaming being necessary to teach her the new power she received Poe would have awakened her long ago.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Poe dragged Violet outside to demonstrate her new weapon away from the house in the courtyard.


    "Summon you''re a weapon and hit that tree with it", Poe commanded.


    Violet remembered that feeling and suddenly it appeared. A needle as big and as a long sword. It also had a black thread that wrapped around her arm but also seemed to be endless.


    "That''s it?" Poe seemed to be disappointed. " What did you''re dream show you it can do".


    Violet held the needle forwards like a sword. The needle changed size between the size of an actual needle and that of a lance. Just as Poe was about to console Violet on her failure to create a good weapon Violet let go of the needle.


    The needle flew controlled by the thread she held. Then it shot forward piercing the tree and several other trees nearby. The needle returned and Violet constricted the thread. The trees all crushed together, breaking apart and falling over.


    " My GOD .......", Poe said aloud jaw-dropping historically low.


    " Big sis how did I do", Violet inquired.


    Poe was still in shock, " It''s a control weapon that pierces and binds. It also has close and long-range capabilities. I''ve never seen an equal to such a weapon."


    Poe remembered that most shadow masters borne with the innate gift create a hacking or slashing weapon. Just having the gift is rare. So few people know anything about how to make the best skills. Poe had heard of control weapons but they were a legend. Even more so for one useable in any environment.


    Truly the daughter of a seamstress.Poe thought.


    Poe huffed a little bit of jealousy apparent in her heart.when I made a weapon it was not so powerful and it took me years. Why is her weapon so powerful,Poe thought.


    Not wanting Violet to become arrogant Poe told her that she is just very lucky.


    "This power was not borne a part of you but from our soul binding contract. Otherwise, you would only be able to use spell magic that is nearly lost to our world. You cannot find spells just by looking much less a teacher", Poe stated. " Most people would also give up an arm to get a contract with a magical creature like a dragon, so they can use magic".


    " Hehe Violet understands that big sis is incredible too", Violet replied.


    Poe went silent, not sure how to reply.

 Funeral of a Hero

    Henry Valestom was fixing his collar for the 5th time in two minutes.


    "Stop that", his wife Jen Valestrom said swatting his hand away. "It looks fine".


    " I sorry my darling. It''s just an important day. " Henry said.


    " Why does that mean you have to be nervous?" Jen inquired.


    " That''s because the royal family will be here in our town", Henry replied.


    " Oh and aren''t you part of the royal family?" Jen asked teasingly.


    " Yes but I''m only 182nd in line and not in the main family," Henry said seriously. " Otherwise they would not have let me marry you, my dear".


    " I didn''t think they let you do anything. They just couldn''t stop us." Jen replied kissing Henry.


    Even a decade later Henry did not regret marrying Jen. Even after he had been sent to manage the town of Arn at the far borders of the kingdom.


    Jen thought Henry looked handsome in his black suit with golden cuffs. She thought is brought out the character of his face and the small streak of grey on his goatee. Although Henry was a noble, he was more well known for being more social with commoners and as such dressed in common clothes more often.


    Jen and the girls wore black dresses with lots of white lace. Violet could be seen playing with the tassels, while the tassels seemed to make Poe itch.


    This border was known for two things. The terrifying beasts that lived in the Mountains and the man who was so strong that guarded it that no nation would invade from this side.


    The greatest warrior of the kingdom of Annoh. A great swordsman said to have been very close to the king and queen. He was an elemental conjurer. His gift was the element of shadow. At the age of 30, it was said that he mastered the twelfth level of his shadow magic. Unlocking all twelve forms. He was the first to do so in nearly a hundred years.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The abilities he had were not the best among all shadow masters but with his superb swordsmanship, he was a force to be reckoned with. Also, most shadow masters only reached the 6th level in their lifetime. He was a genius taken far too soon.


    Five months ago, Raylin Brook, the shadow master died. Henry wanted to curse the fact he died near their town. Now he would have to deal with his stuck-up relatives. After months of investigation and retrieving his ashes from the crematorium, the royal family was finally having his funeral. The even commissioned a huge statue of him in the town square, where his funeral would be held.


    Also since this matter was of such importance he would have to bring his whole family. Luckily Violet was no longer ill. Otherwise they would receive a lot of scrutiny and rumor from the other nobles.


    <hr>


    Violet sat in a velvet chair next to her mother. She would swing her legs back and forth every so often obviously unaware of the depressed atmosphere around her. Poe sat next to Violet perturbed by the nearby occupants that would tell Jen how cute her daughters were. Most of which were old women and would give Poe a pinch on the cheek.


    I hate everything aboutmy existence,Poe thought to herself.


    Trumpets sounded off as the royal family entered. King Rolf Vinson entered the town square. The king had a long grey beard but even though he looked sad he still gave off a kingly aura. Behind him followed the crown prince. Prince Argent Vinson also appeared sad but there was a hint of anger in there. Then entered Queen Valerie Vinson.


    Unlike King Rolf and prince Argent, Queen Valerie was clearly distraught. She clearly had not slept much or eaten recently.


    A nearby voice whispered, " The Queen does not look healthy".


    "What do you expect? The Queen and King took Raylin in as a child and raised him as their own", another voiced replied.


    "I heard in all but blood he was their son and that he was even godbrother to the crown prince", a third voice whispered.


    Poe seemed to be trying to say something. "........ Mom.....".


    " Big sis Poe why are you crying", Violet asked.

 A Mother knows

    The funeral ceremony lasted about two hours. The king and his Generals gave a speech. All the people attending were invited to a royal dinner to be held nearby. The idea was the good food to calm weary souls. Many people attending the ceremony may have only done so for the food but the King did not care.


    As the people cleared away Prince Argent stayed behind. He stood there in front of Raylin''s statue and the urn.


    "I know that there is nothing left of you to hear this. Since the weapon that killed you would have shattered you''re soul but I''ll say it anyway". Prince Argent said while lowering his head as if in shame. " I was always jealous of you because you were so perfect and you always had father''s respect".


    Poe listened nearby blending into a nearby corner.


    " I was always jealous but you were the only brother I''ve ever known. It''s Sad, I never said so while you were here. I always thought you would be here but you were taken to soon. I promise someday I''ll gut the man who did this to you. I''ll kill them with your sword". Prince Argent declared while pulling a sword from his belt.


    Poe recognized the blade. It was a fisherman''s tool from his biological father. It was a cleaver bladed on both sides with a sharp bladed hook on the end. The sword was normally used to cleave and gut fish but Raylin always carried it and would sometimes use it as a weapon.


    It had in fact been on Raylin when he died. Poe hadn''t realized before that the Prince was not wearing his usual decorative blade but the ugly fishers tool instead. That blade had been broken when he died. The prince must have paid a hefty sum to have it repaired to look like it used to.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    <hr>


    Queen Valerie was sitting at the after dinner but did not feel like eating. She realized after looking around that Prince Argent was not present. Valerie got up and began looking for him.


    The Queen went back to the town square seeing the prince as she approached. The Valerie noticed something out of the corner of her eye. A little girl was clearly trying to hide nearby. Most likely listening to the Prince.


    " Little girl didn''t anyone tell you that it''s rude to eavesdrop", Valerie stated.


    " I''m sorry you''re highness", the little girl replied scrambling to curtsey.


    " It''s alright my son is very handsome. It''s normal for girls to be awestruck. Isn''t that right young lady?" Valerie teased.


    " uhh that must be right" the girl fake laughed.


    The laugh was clearly fake but that''s not what bothered Valeria. She knew that fake laugh. The girl suddenly started fidgeting with her ear. Shock briefly passed over Valerie''s face but quickly returned to normal.


    "What isyour name girl?" Valerie asked.


    "P-Poe", the girl mumbled.


    " Oh, and who are your parents?" Valerie inquired.


    " Henry and Jen Valestrom", Poe replied


    " Oh I thought the Valestrom''s only had one child", Valerie pressed.


    Poe started scratching her arm and tapping her foot," I''ve just been sick a long time".


    If Poe could read women''s faces, then she would know what Valerie''s current expression meant. Valeria gave a look that says " How dare you, make me worry you little brat".


    "Excuse me, your highness, I need to go to the powder room", Poe interrupted walking away and then running after she thought she was out of sight.


    That''s my Raylin. foolish enough to get himself killed and yet genius enough to find a way back.


    The Queen face suddenly looked several years younger. Valerie walked over to the Prince to ask him to come to dinner. She now finally felt like she was hungry.

 Loyalty

    Violet found herself in a foggy woods. it was neither dark nor bright out. Infront of her stood a man walking through the wilderness. He was a rather tall man standing about 6 ft tall. It was not his height that stood out though. neither was it his bronze skin. He gave off a feeling like he was unmovable like a mountain. One could feel his will power by simply standing next to him. His black pupils like coal but their look was hard like diamonds or sharp like knives.


    Violet followed him through the woods . She spoke to him but he seemed to not be able to see her. The further into the woods he went, the more Violet got an awful feeling.


    This place feels wrong, Violet thought. She felt worried for the man with the unbendable will power.


    Violet pleaded to the man, "please turn around".


    The man could not hear her and carried onward. The man slowed as he seemed to draw closer to his destination. He sighed deeply as he was clearly worried about something.


    The man looked to the side, closing his eyes almost in prayer, " Anea I''m sorry, but I must give my brother a chance to live. Even if I must fight destiny itself."


    Violet could sense it. The man was expecting to die. she didn''t understand and called out questioning him but once again the man didn''t reply.


    Soon the man arrived at an orb wedged between some jagged rocks. the orb was blacker than obsidian. This orb seemed to absorbed light itself. As the man arrived before the orb, shadows seemed to approach. Violet could tell from the man''s expression that he had known the figures were there the whole time. He had walked into a trap knowingly.


    Picking up the orb he addressed his soon to be attackers, " A trap so cleverly constructed. Should I avoid the trap, this relic would lead to the immediate fall of Annoh but should I try to stop you, I die."


    " Brilliant as always Raylin", replied one of the men approaching him.


    An eyebrow raised on Raylin," I expected betrayal from many people but you Gran, I did not. how many years had I trained you to use your magic. For you to join the enemy and betray everyone. What did they offer you that changed you so?"


    " More money than you would ever see from Annoh. You could have it too you know, all you would need to do is join us." Gran claimed.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Violet observed the man''s features. He had a crooked nose and low hanging ears. he also had green eyes and brown hair. he stood straighter trying not to appear small in front of Raylin in spite of being a whole head shorter.


    Violet could not make out the others features as they appeared fuzzy like the fog.


    Raylin stood silent listening to Gran as if pondering something.


    "They treat you like a guard dog. With your power you should be the one ruling. Not that stuck-up crown prince, besides it''s not like you can get out of here alive either way. That orb is ours whether you live or die," Gran stated.


    Raylin smiled at Gran with an almost wicked grin, " Not exactly".


    Raylin activated one of his powers. Violet could feel him putting all his power into it. she heard him say the skill name" Doppelganger". An exact duplicate of Raylin began to form. Raylin thrust the orb into the forming chest of the shadow. Then he commanded it to run.


    All the shadowy figures tried to catch Raylins clone but Raylin was ready for them. Pulling a hook sword from his waist. he met the blades of his attackers. preventing them from stopping the shadow. With all his shadow magic spent on his clone he activated some kind of ritual. Sinister marks began to burn Raylins flesh. At least a pound being burned away instantly. Violet could sense that the level of pain he was in was unfathomable but his strength exploded as a result. Violet couldn''t understand what was worth such suffering.


    "You would go as far as to use black magic to fight me???" Gran yelled, completely shocked.


    Raylin clashed blades with what seemed like a small army of individuals of similar strength to him. yet many fell to Raylins blade. Occasionally one would get in a lucky stab and eventually as the ritual began to simmer out, Raylins strength faded. His trusted sword was finally broken by the slash of a claymore. As it broke the blade shattered into dozens of pieces almost all of which managed to kill one of the attackers. swords sliced off his arms and a spear through the gut pinned Raylin to the ground.


    Gran grinned at Raylin," You should have sold you''re loyalty to someone who could afford it."


    Raylin looked him in the eyes with defiance, "It''s because you sell your loyalty that its worth nothing!"


    Gran grimaced back at Raylin pulling a dagger out of his robe. Violet shivered at its presence, everything about it felt sinister and wrong.


    "We can''t have you coming back as a shade. you must understand this is the easiest way." Gran said.


    "you would use an item as cursed as soul sever, then you''re fate won''t be much better", Raylin replied.


    " I don''t believe in fate", Gran said as he plunged the wicked item into Raylins chest.


    A shock wave spread out after the soul sever met its mark. All the plants for 200 meters suddenly died. The dagger in Gran''s hand met some kind of resistance and exploded. The explosion taking Gran''s hand with it.


    <hr>


    Violet woke up screaming and crying.


    Poe embraced her, " what is it Violet?"


    "I ... I.. I Don''t remember", Violet said now feeling better since Poe was with her.


    Poe had known what Violet had seen. It seems my memories are bleeding over to her dreams, Poe thought. Poe used some mana to block the memory temporarily. A method that would only work as long as Poe kept the supply up. Sweet child someday you will have to grow up but it''s not today.

 Seeing only the Rose and not the thorns.

    Violet was practicing combat with a new weapon Poe had given her. Poe had tried to teach Violet how to use a sword but after several attempts, then realized that Violet was not suited for it. She had neither the frame nor the talent for it. Poe recalled a weapon she knew that did suit her. So she crafted the needle Violet was now using.


    It was a 7-inch long gold needle that gave off a sturdy feeling. The gold needle gave off a sheen that was uncommon even for pure gold. It was in fact a very special weapon. The sharpest and densest a weapon could be but also in a very usable size. It was perfect for Violet almost like destiny itself had set the events in motion that made it possible.


    One of Raylin''s ancestors was a blacksmith. He was not well known for it by the locals but apparently, he was a legend among assassins. He had met a group of women that would assassinate corrupt men in positions of power. When others refused to make them weapons he had agreed. Eventually, their support and funds led to him discovering a new way to smith gold. Gold could be sharpened more than any other metal and his new tempering method could make gold as strong as adamantium. Gold could also be coated in mercury, which would turn the gold black and make a wound from it poisoned.


    Raylin had visited his biological parents home when he grew up. There he found a tome made of pressed flat bamboo hidden there. All the smithing knowledge of gold and the story of how it came to be was within it. Raylin even recognized the designs of the hook sword he wielded within it. According to the tome, the smith had made it for his brother when he became a fisherman.


    Poe remembered using it in the past to make weapons for someone he cared for. He had practiced under a smith for two years and wasted a thousand gold practicing to learn it. Having managed to get enough gold coins Poe forged the needle Violet now wielded for practice.


    The technique Violet practiced was not of Raylin''s making but someone he had known. Violet practiced moving the needle in a rotation resembling a bullet and strikes that resembled a scorpions tail''s attack. It also resembled the crashing wave in the ocean. The techniques brought out great power from the dense needle Violet worked with.


    "Who taught you this?" Violet had asked Poe after realizing she had not created it herself.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Poe had looked far off into the distance. The was a look of longing in her eyes that Violet could not understand. The only answer Violet had gotten was, " Someone very special".


    Violet interrupted Poe nostalgic trance, "I''m tired".


    "Just a little more Violet. You''ve got to force your muscles to remember the movement", Poe exclaimed.


    Violet was beginning to have a temper tantrum as her face became red and tears formed in her eyes. " First its educational lessons, then it''s magic training, now I have to do combat training. Why can''t I go play like all the other kids outside?"


    Poe sighed, " I''m not doing this to make you suffer violet. I want you to be ready for what is to come. There are bad people that want to hurt you and everyone you care about."


    " I don''t believe you. Why can''t I just be friends with them?" Violet demanded.


    Poe looked seriously at Violet, "That''s because all they want is to destroy you and take everything you have. So keep training so there can be a tomorrow for you to complain to me about how tired you are."


    "B-but it hurts", Violet cried.


    "Life is pain Violet, it''s all about how much pain you can take for the people you love," Poe stated.


    <hr>


    Violet was practicing her meditation as Poe had a strange feeling. A familiar feeling that put butterflies in her stomach.


    " What are you doing here Anea", Poe suddenly exclaimed looking off towards the town.


    "Huh," Violet inquired suddenly breaking out of meditation.


    "It''s nothing Violet go back into meditation. I just need to take care of something. I''ll be right back,'' Poe assured Violet.


    Poe ran off into the distance appearing before a rundown tavern. A tavern Poe knew well as Raylin had visited it many times with Anea. Sitting at a table was a woman in a green and brown tunic. She had black hair and eyes. Her skin was so pale that paper seemed dark by comparison. She was drinking heavily and seemed not to care about a brawl that was going on nearby. A few drunk men had tried to approach her but a quick flick of her wrist and a broken arm later deterred any further action from them.


    This woman could be considered beautiful but something about her deterred people normally. You could say she was a woman covered in thorns. From her personality to her attire, she was not someone most would dare approach.


    Poe wasn''t bothered by them though, she did not see any thorns. She could only see the rose beneath the thorns.


    The woman clearly intoxicated looked down at the table with a look of utter sadness, "goodbye my love and happy anniversary".


    She dropped a ring on the table with a familiar sheen on it and left. After the woman left Poe picked up the ring as tears poured down her face.

 End of an age

    As much as Poe hated Dancing she would always insist on going out before Violet. when Poe was certain there was no threat she would disappear from a party and Violet would enter. For 7 years she had been doing this to keep Violet safe. She had been her bodyguard, her tutor, and sometimes even her friend.


    As Poe entered the ballroom for Violets 14 birthday party an arrow entered her chest. The assassination attempt had not just been aimed at her though. everyone in the room was shot other than Violet''s parents. Poe had reached out both hands and caught the arrows aimed at them letting the one shot at her enter her chest. The arrow stuck for a second and then fell to the ground. Fast like lightning Poe appears before the assassins killing them with their own arrows. Poe turned to Henry, "we must leave now! I can hear screams everywhere in the city".


    "You mean. .. "


    "they are killing nobles everywhere this is an invasion!" Poe said cutting Henry off.


    "My God!" the Valestroms said almost in unison.


    Poe led them to the back and met up with Violet at the hidden safe room she always waited in. She knew something was wrong the moment they walked in. Before she could ask Poe beganto explain. The neighboring empire has invaded for their resources and can only truly claim them without consequence if all the nobility dies. Otherwise, their allies will help their scion take back their kingdom. However, no one would bother fighting for a dead lineage.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    For the first time in Violet''s life, she was genuinely afraid. The enemies she assumed did not exist had just tried to kill her. She wanted to tell Poe she was sorry but was frozen in place. Poe grabbed her hand "we must leave now".


    "Where?" Violet inquired.


    "To Angor the King there is a distant relative and our best ally. We share a small section of our border with them but its also the farthest from us, so we must move fast." Poe blurted out panicking a little herself.


    Poe had not planned for this outcome. A nation as small as Annoh could be taken legitimatelythrough war easily with him gone. they would have to fight some of their allied forces but only the couple thousand troops they would send to assist. Once again the kingdom of EnvisProve''s to be honorless and wicked, Poe thought.


    Henry looked meaningfully at Poe "we won''t all be able to make it".


    There was silence a moment as everyone realized what Henry and Poe were saying. Henry and Jen would have to stay and die to buyenough time for Violet and Poe to get away before the enemy knew they were escaping. It was the only way they could get away and a four-persongroup would never make it. Violet hugged her parents while crying uncontrollably. Poe could not even understandthegibberish she spouted during thattime. Just that they were words of sorrow and loss. Poe gave Violet as much time to say goodbyeas they could afford. This would be the last time she ever sees them.


    As they startedto leave the room Henry called out " Protect my little girl Raylin!"


    A smile crossed Poes face as she replied "Always".

 Despiration

    I didn''t have time to think about what my parents staying behind meant. As Poe pulled me further into the dark wilderness I felt consumed by dread. Everything I had ever known was ending. According to Poe just about every other member of the royal family was dead. I heard a great boom in the distance where our home had been. I looked back to only see flames where it used to be.


    "You cannot stop Violet!" Poe shouted.


    My legs failed me however as I realized my parents were dead and all I could say in my grief was, "I Can''t... They''re gone".


    Poe picked me up by the arm saying," This nation stood for something, You''re parents stood for something, I stood for something. So stand or it all was for nothing and none of it will ever be remembered."


    As Poe carried me along there was a brief moment where I wondered what she meant when she said: "I stood for something". Who says something about themselves in the past tense as if they are already gone? My thought was disrupted however by the ever-growing closer shouts of enemy soldiers.


    Poe picked me up and carried me piggyback style. Even carrying me she was much faster than I was by myself. As sounds of screams, booming noises, and warhorns blew Poes speed built higher. I had been so concerned about the threats I hadn''t noticed that Poe was in pain. Eventually, I noticed that there were what appeared to be cracks forming on her legs. The cracks glowed a dark purple. This seemed to cause her immense pain but she pushed onwards.


    Then Poe stopped and put me down with no warning. I fell straight onto my butt with an "ouch" and before I could say anything she summoned her favorite weapon. It was a massive steel sword. I never knew where she had found such a weapon but she had managed it somehow. It was too massive for a human being to carry but Poe wielded it even with her small frame. I had seen it many times before when she would train with it. This action had confused me at first but then a bunch of rugged men in armor appeared out from the cover of the wilderness.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    These men covered in dented armors, torn leathers, and littered with scars all over themselves were too unkempt to be soldiers. Even I could tell they were clearly low-class mercenaries.


    "Look what we got err Boyz", The filthy mercenary leader who looked more like a bandit slurringly said. "Looks like we''re getting a good bonuz from our employar", The filthy man continued.


    "Eh, looks like two cute laddies just my type. Can I have em before we turn em over boss?" another rotten scoundrel said amongst them inquired.


    "Haha Gord you always did like em young!" the filthy leader retorted. All the mercenaries laughed in unison.


    "Look little girl you gotta put down the decoration weapon. You might think its appearance scares us but nobody has a weapon that big," One of the seemingly more verbally educated mercenaries chimed in.


    "Except me in my pants!" another filthy vermin shouted out. Once again all the low-class mercenaries laughed.


    Poes face turned dark and she said, "how about you come over here and say that to my face unless you''re afraid mines bigger?"


    They laughed again and one mercenary fearlessly walked over seeming to think he could pull the weapon right out of Poes hand.


    I looked away after the man reached her knowing what would happen. when I opened my eyes again a puddle of blood and a broken blade were laying where that man had once been. Poe had struck and the man had tried to block. Poe''s the two-ton blade she wielded cleaved his weapon in half like paper. Then it turned him into mush with the sheer shocking might of its weight. The strain from wielding this weapon put more purple cracks on poes arms but she didn''t show her discomfort on her face. The mercenaries, however, were now panicking as what they thought was an easy mark turned out to be a wolf in sheep''s clothing.


    Poes aim in this had been to make her presence distract them from me. They were now so afraid of her that as she attacked they continued to try and take her down. None of them tried to go after me or shoot an arrow either. It took a few minutes but as Poe could not take physical damage she was able to take them all down. A few tried to retreat in the end but Poe threw a few swords from those already fallen enemies. I heard some loud screams and then a few thuds.


    "Come on", Poe said, "were already losing time!"

 Sorry, That I let you down.

    It had been a day since Poe killed those mercenaries. She never rested but continued to carry me along. Honestly, she was in bad shape. There were those purple cracks all over her body like porcelain about to fall apart. Every now and then she would take a heavy breath even though she never needed air. I had expressed my concern to her asking " Sis, you alright?" but she shrugged me off saying "I''m okay V". I knew she wasn''t okay and that right now nothing was fine. Poe always shouldered everything and never asked anything in return. Obviously, Poe wasn''t aware that she only ever referred to me as "V" when trying to sound jovial. She only did this when something was wrong like that time our parents took me to get a medical exam. I was mad at her for days but I found out she is a terrible liar.


    The good news was that we had plenty of supplies. One of my slot powers was a storage space in the dark dimension. Poe had insisted on this selection years ago and apparently my space was larger than normal. This is where Poe had summoned her sword from although I''m not sure how she does it. She tried to explain it once but it made my head hurt. The simplified version was that Poe was supposedly made from the same thing my space was and could therefore "Move" things within it. Thus she could pull things out and not need me to open my summon portal.


    If I slept Poe would carry me. We were constantly moving even while I ate. The only time we stopped was when I had to pee. This was terrible as I had never been in such harsh conditions. Who would ever want to squat in the woods? Thank the gods I have a short dress on.


    As days passed things grew calmer. We were far away from what was once home. Angor was only half a days travel away. I was walking ahead now and Poe was taking the rear as any threats should come from behind at this point. An attack at this point was unlikely as enemy forces would risk declaring war on Angor. I could see the Kingdon in the distance. The was a beautiful castle in the distance at the bottom of the mountain in which we had just reached the top. I couldn''t contain my excitement and I started to run down the slope. At first, Poe smiled and everything was hopeful. The idea of a warm bath and a soft bed had made me forget my surroundings for a moment. Then I heard Poe scream.


    I turned back to see Poe banging on a transparent wall. No... It was a dome of some kind and I was in it! Glancing back around me I realized I was not alone in here. I tried to summon my Needle but my magic didn''t work. None of it did! If I had my powers I could summon my control weapon or my beasts. I couldn''t even take items out of my storage. I now understood why Poe had continued to carry that greatsword she had this whole time even though it was hurting her.


    I pulled out the long Gold needles Poe had made me. They were always concealed in my dress because Poe insisted I do so. A bald fat man and three sellswords approached me.


    "So the rumor was true? The great Raylin Brook had an illegitimate child", The fat man in extremely elegant clothing monologed.


    "Huh?" I blurted confused.


    "I''m sure you were led to believe that wasn''t the case but you wouldn''t have made it this far otherwise child", The Fat noble stated.


    "Your powers could only be inherited by Raylin as magic is rare and only he possessed them where you lived."


    That construct of yours is something else too and I doubt he would not have made such a thing for someone with no relation. It clearly was made using his magic and of that, there is no mistake!" The fat man gestured at Poe.


    "That''s impossible my mother would not cheat on my father", I said matter of factly. I also didn''t believe that Poe was merely a doll made from mana. She was too clever and really felt emotions like anger, sadness, and cared about things too much.


    "Regardless, we cannot allow you to live girl. Others cannot know the truth of what happened here and one such as you could grow to become a formidable enemy", the fat man yawned.


    With a hand gesture, the sellswords attacked. They were much stronger than they looked and faster too. I was still a little quicker and was able to dodge a sword swipe that cleaved a rock in two. Even with my needles on hand, it did me little good as my enemy not only outnumbered me but was way stronger. That fat noble didn''t participate though as it appeared the barrier was of his creation. He is some kind of mage type. His magic is probably restricted to only being able to make an anti-magic barrier as one can''t have such a broken power without a huge drawback. A mage is usually useless without they''re magic but those who use anti-magic cannot use other kinds of magic. Anti-magic as Poe once said has the greatest price as its spells consume some of the user''s life force. Lifeforce is needed as its the only thing powerful enough to deconstruct magic itself. With such power no matter what class he was born this man would have been made a noble of his country because he was a great asset. He was being paid handsomely for his sacrifice of years of his life.


    I looked over to see Poe no longer banging on the dome but positioning her weapon in a strang form. She was bending herself in an awkward manner. Twisting her body unnaturally, glowing purple lines formed throughout as her body continued to try and hold itself together.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    The brief second I had looked away cost me dearly as one of the sellswords nearly cut me in half. I blocked by putting my needles together overhead in an interlocking form.


    "Kuh!!!" came out of me as I was thrown back.


    Another swing from one sellsword nearly took my head off as the claymore got stuck in a tree behind me. The blade had been too long and just barely not sharp enough to cut as deep as would be necessary to reach my neck. It was almost though as it nicked me slightly. A warm trickle went down my neck.


    The ground shook as the barrier shattered near Poe. A wave spread over the dome as the fat man and sellswords momentarily lost his composure.


    A moment was all it took for Poe to enter the dome. Now Poe held a Broken weapon in her hand. About 12 inches of the end from Tthe massive greatsword had broken off. She had used so much force it didn''t survive the impact intact.


    This wasn''t the worrying part however, Poe was covered in black smoke. Upon closer inspection pieces of her were chipping away at a rapid rate. Through our bond, I could sense she was in unfathomable pain. The anti-magic field was ripping her apart!


    She didn''t waste time though in an instant she was with me. Before I could say anything I was thrown through the opening in the dome right before it sealed itself. A lesson Poe once taught me was to use your enemies tools against them. They would not be able to exit the barrier until it was dispelled and that would require them to defeat Poe. Rushing to one sellsword Poe changed the trajectory of her weapon mid-swing in a strange way. what had looked like a sideswipe cut the man in half from below. The second opponent successfully blocked Poe weapon but was unaware of his surroundings. There was a rock behind him and with a kick to the stomach, he fell backward with a "thud". Poe then simply let her blade fall straight down into him.


    The last sellsword was protecting the fat noble. He held his blade in defiance surprisingly not afraid of his impending doom. As he clashed with Poe it was obvious he was the strongest of the lot. I had never seen anyone last five moves against Poe. Even if she was hurting and injured it was still an impressive feat. Poe momentarily lost balance as a huge crack formed in a leg that was almost skeletal at this point. Her bones looked like they were made of obsidian.


    "POOOE!" I screamed summoning needle I tried to hack at the barrier but it didn''t penetrate. Worried for the only person left I cared for I banged and pleaded.


    Ducking under her blade she angled against the ground she blocked the last sellswords attack. In a flurry like spin, Poe cut the mans leg off at the knee and before he could scream his head soon followed. The man''s blood rained down and landed on the fat noble clothes. The fat man had fallen down out of pure fear and began to grovel towards Poe.


    "I Give you anything. Our nation would happily give such a great thing as you a nice home. We''d take good care of you. If this is too your like I can dispell the barrier but the girl cannot be left alive." The fat noble offered.


    Poe simply lifted her blade over the man like a guillotine.


    "Wait! If you kill me all my lifeforce will power the barrier! You will instantly be ripped apart!" The man shouted.


    "Let me tell you something worm. True strength comes from the heart and you don''t have one. So you''ll never know what it''s like to be strong and you would never understand me." In a beautiful arc, Poe''s blade ended the fat nobles life.


    Falling to the ground Poe crawled towards where I am. I no longer banged on the barrier. Poe was crumbling apart like she was made of sand. When she reached me all that was left was a black obsidian skeleton. One of her legs had fallen off too. Poe placed her skeletal hand on the barrier and I placed mine on the other side. Tears streaming down my face I spoke as Poe mouthed something at me. I could sense we were trying to say the same thing to each other. we were saying "I''m sorry that I''ve let you down". I wanted to say it''s not your fault it is mine. If Id tried harder and endured more. Had I not been so spoiled Maybe you''d still be here.


    I didn''t get the chance because as soon as I said those words she was gone. The barrier disappeared and I frantically grabbed at the purple specks that were fading away. Anything.. any piece of her I could get because I didn''t want to be alone. The truth soon dawned on me that she was gone as all of her memories flooded through my head.


    "So, she was Raylen..." I thought aloud.


    "Understanding and events I didn''t remember returned to me. The memory of meeting a shadow that had a mans voice and making a contract with it. At first, I called it big bro but when it turned into a girl like me I changed it to "Sis". This transformation had shocked the once shadow being as it believed it would remain formless. I had asked her what her name was and she had said: "I no longer have one". So I had named her "Poe".


    I fell to my knees. My best friend whom I thought of as kin was dead. I had thought her immortal and indestructible but in fact, she had a weakness. My existence assured her destruction... No, his destruction. He had given everything to me and changed my fate. I was destined to die with my parents and his endless sacrifice changed that. His whole life was nothing but pain and sacrifice. The best person I knew was the one who suffered the worst. I held the only memento I had of His in my hand. A necklace with two gold rings on it. I knew that this was his and his wife''s wedding ring.


    I had almost all his memories now and I recalled her name as "Anea". They had married in secret. Even his parents and her colleagues didn''t know. Raylin had fallen in love with an assassin and she with him. Anea had a special body where once she consumed poison it would evolve in her becoming more and more deadly. Raylin had nearly died once simply to steal a kiss. He had hoped that once he died and gave most of his powers to his brother that he would be free to be with her. instead, he got stuck with me.


    Now that everything had been taken from me I desire nothing more than to grow stronger. Everything they stole shall be taken back. For everything that was lost, I shall take a pound of flesh in return! There is one person I know of who would be willing to help me. She would be able to make me stronger. Her name is "Anea".

 Tapestry of Scars and the Blade that was broken.

    When I was small I had loved my brother most of all. He was kind and patient but over time I grew jealous of him. I always used to play with him as a child but once I reached a certain age I learned that Raylin was adopted. My father told me that meant someday I would be King. This didn''t matter to me at first because I loved him all the same but one day I overheard the discussions of our subjects.


    They thought great things of Raylin. His magic that had always entertained me was of great importance to them. They thought that even though he was not the heir he may someday be given the crown because of his powers and accomplishments. After that, I became cold to him. Thinking he had always been using me or was going to betray me I distanced myself.


    The truth is though that he never betrayed me. He never wanted the Crown or fame. All he cared about was keeping me safe.


    I acted out against him for decades and he must have thought me a fool. The day he died was when everything changed because I learned what had been kept from me all these years. When they brought my brother''s broken body home. When I saw the wounds that made me vomit and gag it was like everything in the world stopped moving. His limbs sliced and ripped apart and much of him burned and cooked. Worse yet was not the fresh wounds but the old ones.


    He was covered in scars all over his body. For years now he had worn leather armor that covered from the neck down but it hadn''t stood out to me. It was stylish looking armor that personally I thought looked cool. Why hadn''t I noticed he never took off his gloves? When I asked my father about the scars I learned that most of them were from near-death wounds Raylen acquired over the years protecting me from the shadows. It was a tapestry of scars that told a tale to bitter for me to handle.


    Thinking that he died not knowing the cost I questioned my father. Only then to learn that Raylin knew he was going to die. He had known since he first held me as a babe. That for me to have a chance to survive he would have to give up his own life. Even the will my father had shown me told of his doom. He had intended to leave me his powers after he died. Having devised a way that would have worked if only his soul had not been shattered. He had intended to give me that which he thought I had envied most.


    He had gone to his death to prevent our enemies from acquiring a weapon that could have destroyed us instantly. The fact we were still here meant he had succeeded but at a horrific cost.


    I yelled at my father "How could you do this to him?".


    I saw my father cry for the first time in my life as he said," I could never ask this of one of my sons. It was he that put himself in this position so that I would never have to ask." Seeing my fathers sorrowleft the matter be. Being angry at him would not bring my brother back and if he were here would have made Raylin sad.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    He had even left behind his steed so that it would not die with him. It was a dark element demonic beast three times the size of an ordinary horse. Its fur has a dark metallic sheen. The beast to this day had never let anyone other than Raylin get close to it. The stable boys had nicknamed this creature "Bane" as it would crush anyone who got near it.


    I remember the day it followed him home. I asked Raylin," How did you tame such a beast?"


    He simply said," I didn''t, he just follows of his own accord".


    <hr>


    For over a hundred years I served the same family. At first, I was just a tool made as a gift from one brother to the other. Then I was handed down from parent to child for generations. I was even wielded in an unlikely battle by one of the greatest unsung heroes of his time.


    Orlen was a sailor that saved a dozen ships full of refugees from a leviathan attack. He bought them time by charging his ship staffed with only a few good men and one cannon at the beast. using a clever rope set up the moved the cannon around the deck to combat the beast. Their battle lasted only a few dozen minutes or so but was a thing of legends. Orlen even managed to jump from his ship as it crashed against the leviathan and slash me through the creatures eye.


    It was then I truly became a magic artifact. That was when I first gained awareness right before my master was eaten by the beast. I fell back from the scene to be embedded in a part of what was once Orlen''s ship. Once recovered I was given to Orlen''s recently orphaned son Raylen. Everyone had known Orlen and recognized who I had belonged too and once recovered felt I should be given back to his son as a keepsake.


    The boy, however, awakened magical powers and was taken into the king''s castle to be trained into a great general. He even became the prince''s blood brother. To protect this new family Raylen trained harder than I had ever seen anyone work. His will was a thousand times what I had seen of other men. Even his father at his last moments couldn''t compare. This was a man I was proud to follow as he wielded me into battle. From a fisherman''s tool to a heroes blade. I took great pride of my master and that was why I wished to perish with him when he died.


    In his last battle, my master used his magic to remove a dangerous item. Instead of using his magic in the last battle it was me he wielded. As the battle neared it end and Raylen''s life faded I used most of my power sealed within me to break into pieces and kill most of our remaining attackers. With this, I thought I could die content but I was wrong.


    Those sick freaks shattered my master''s soul! Most magical weapons are normally void of negative emotions but I felt true rage. I hated them beyond what could be imagined. So I cursed everything. I even cursed myself. Using my pieces that pierced our enemies flesh, I drank their blood and life force. With this new power, I pieced myself back together as the first magical weapon to also be a cursed weapon.


    So it was that history repeated itself as once again I was left by one brother to the other.