It was a cavernous room; flickering candles dimly lit the dark, musty space. Small crevices in the crumbling plaster let loose a chilling breeze. Age-old cobwebs fluttered in the dark corners of the walls. These walls had been made with cold stone, adorned with heavy tapestries; and decorated draperies depicting a coat of arms hung from the ceiling. There was an unlit chandelier in the centre of the gloomy room, the candles warn down to small stumps. The air was both damp and stifling, and it hung in the room like an eerie ghost. Filling the archway there was an imposing double door made out of oak, with breathtaking carvings and large brass ring handles. The door lies slightly ajar. A platform had been built at the opposite end of the room; a few, slight steps led to a throne placed in the centre of the platform. The throne had purple and blue cushions; the matching blanket had fallen from the King’s lap and now lay forgotten in a crumpled heap at his feet. The throne looked like it was made of gold, but that idea was foolish; it couldn’t possibly be real gold. From where the king sat; a deep purple carpet travelled across the room, to the double door. Two voices pierced through the unnatural silence.

“We cannot fail” the King’s young voice echoed within the room.

“Yes, of course not” another woman’s voice spoke.

“The prophecy must be fulfilled,” he said, his voice increasingly demanding; he pushed himself up and off the chair.

“Yes” the woman was wearing a dark cloak with a hood. This hid all her features with an intimidating thick shadow, cast over her eyes. “Shall I perform the spell?” She asked, remorsefully, thrusting a piece of aged parchment in his direction. Her fingernails pointed and razor sharp, painted with a menacing black varnish.

“Yes” the King nodded, he snatched the parchment out of her hand. His authority over this cloaked woman was easing from every fibre of his being, he has power and he enjoyed it. And he’s not the sort to accept the people who challenge it lightly.

“But-” the woman interrupted thoughtlessly, her voice sounded a little more urgent than her previous tone; though just as sinister.

“Yes?” The King walked forwards into the candlelight. He had long, black hair. This was pushed back into a ponytail, some stray strands of hair hung loose in front of one eye and some shorter strands hung about his head. He wore simple clothes; nothing too elaborate, the only way you could tell he was royalty was by the crown he was wearing. It wasn’t a crown you’d see in fairy tales... it was silver, had elaborated patterns and gems encrusted on it. He wore this crown with pride, it’s not the sort of thing he’d wear unless he had to. But this crown signifies power and so he wore it with pride.

“This... this magic is evil. I don’t want to use it. I fear what the consequences will be-” the woman stuttered; fearful of the King’s reaction to her words, the King smirked and slowly flounced up the stairs; shaking his head.

“Sorceress... in the future all knowledge of magic will be lost, you know why?” He stopped moving and turned on the platform, his eyes bore into the Sorceress’.

“Because science will advance too quickly and people won’t need its knowledge anymore” Sorceress revised, as if she read or learnt it.

“Precisely, and I don’t want that to happen… do you?” The King paced the room as Sorceress shook her head in agreement. “And the only way to get the magic back will be to perform the spell; it says in the prophecy that, without it, all magic will be lost”

“But there must be some other way…”

“There isn’t!” The King shouted and leant on the wall “go and perform the ritual, it’s the only way to bring back all knowledge of magic in the future and–” he placed his hand on his forehead as if to ease the migraine this imbecile was giving him.

“I refuse to plunge the world into darkness!” She shouted in his direction, questioning his authority.

“Perform the spell!” King shouted and pointed at Sorceress; who bowed, defeated, and scuttled out of the room. King held up the piece of aged parchment, which was in his hand and translate a select part of the ancient text.

“The time will come; the light will join with the darkness and they both become one, and darkness will overpower light. The world will perish unless Earth resists…” King grinned in a sinister manner and walked out of the room, slowly closing the door behind him.

A dark courtyard. In the wake of the looming sinister castle, casting a ghostly shadow over the full moon – radiating round in the clear black sky, no stars could be seen twinkling in this black night, only the moon peeking through the battlements. The overgrown grass swayed in the wind, brushing against the King’s ankle. The soft dew glittered in the dark, flickering lights marked the elongated arched windows on the side of the murky castle wall. The King came to a halt. He’s wearing the same clothes as earlier, although he added a large black cloak; fluttering slightly in the cool breeze. He held a scroll in his left hand, and gripped to a chain in the other, his fist gripped to the chain tightly.

He’s gazing down on a grave, the head stone marking the name that should be upon it. All that’s on this stone is you’ll be missed – nothing more. The King uncurled his fingers, to look at what’s on the chain – a golden rung, encrusted with a single emerald. Her favourite gem… he thought sadly, turning the ring in his hand, and he saw, etched into the side, I love you. He pushed the scroll into his belt, which held it in place, and slipped the chain around his neck, tucking it under his top for no eyes to see.

That was the old him, it died along with his love.

Footsteps. Behind him, approaching… nearing.

The King didn’t turn; he kept his eyes on the ring. Watching it twist in his hand.

“The ritual is ready… Dark” Sorceress mumbled behind him, his insides tensed and dropped his ring so it fell on his chest.

“I told you, don’t call me that,” he snapped, gritting his teeth. Dark… that’s who he used to be. Now he’s just a figure of authority, a hollow caste, a King.

“I apologise, your majesty,” she whispered from behind, Dark slipped his hand into his pocket and grinned with malice.

“Then… it is time” he brought his hand out slowly and turned his head to Sorceress, who’s watching his hand warily. Dark noticed her expression and softened his grin. “Don’t tell me, you’re frightened?” Dark mused spitefully at Sorceress, who shook her head.

“No, it’s not that, it’s just-”

“We only die once” Dark replied sarcastically, inspecting his knife. His eyes flickered to Sorceress, assuring her. “If it doesn’t work, blame me in hell” he shrugged and plunged the knife into his chest.

Sorceress watched his lifeless body sag, and finally fall into a heap at her feet. Her wide eyes flickering over Dark’s body…

It was her…

She killed Dark’s fiancé, and it was for a stupid and selfish reason, he liked her and not me, Sorceress always reassured herself… making sure what she did was justified, in her head.

Now, looking at his paling face, she had doubts.

This wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t was that really true? Would this have happened?

Sorceress turned the dagger once in her hand, if she does finally die… then it’ll be over, she won’t come back… just like his fiancé wouldn’t.

I’d be dead…

Sorceress took a deep breath and lifted the dagger up in both hands, her trembling cold hand gripping the handle tighter, coming to the one conclusion.

A life without him is no life at all.

Sorceress squeezed her eyes shut and forced the point into her chest.

Dark…

Jade walked out into the hallway; she has her keys in her hand, swinging with her arm movements, she marched straight for the door, angry.

“You can’t leave now, we’re about to eat dinner!” A small boy ran out the room, his high pitched voice echoing in the small hallway, he held the doorframe of the dining room and gazed expectantly at Jade. His large, green eyes were friendly and innocent. Jade didn’t turn to look at him, she knew his eyes would persuade her to stay… and ultimately let her friends down.

“I promised I’d meet them, I’m already running late, so… would you please, go…?” Jade said quickly, with a harsh tone, sending her voice behind her at her brother, his lip quivered.

“You’re not eating with us…? But…” He let go of the doorframe to wipe away a spilling tear, his face suddenly screwed with young anger. “Fine then… I don’t need you anyway! I don’t care, I… I hate you!” the small boy screamed at his sister’s back, storming back into the dining room, Jade bit her lip… maybe choosing friends over dinner time was a bad idea…?

Jade sighed and reached out for the door lock, swinging the door free from its frame. She breathed in a lungful and stepped out into the cold spring air. She rubbed her bare hands, pulling the door shut behind her; clicking the lock into place. Then Jade set off to meet her friends.

Turning down an alley, Jade shivered, there’s always a cold gust of wind ready to blow into her when she walked down… it’s freezing! Jade shivered and blinked at the opening the other end, unnoticeably passing a dark figure leaning against the alley wall, he spoke.

“I’ve been waiting, Jade…”

Jade stopped in her tracks, she didn’t dare turn her head or speak herself. She just stood there, the dark figure pushed himself off the alley wall.

“I want you to do me something, Jade, I need you”

Jades eyes widened in their sockets, she carried on walking at a quick paste, the dark figure rolled his eyes, he appeared in front of Jade.

“W-Who are you?” Jade gasped, shocked, and looking up at his face.

“I’m Andrew McBernott, well… I was Andrew McBernott” he grinned maliciously, the one thing which crept Jade out most was that final grin “… I’m Dark”. He finally added, stuffing his hands into his long black coat and flipping his long fringe out of his eye, Jade noticed a black tattoo running down the side of his exposed cheek, down to the corner of his lips. The tattoo twisted as he grinned again.

“I need you, Jade…”

Jade recoiled from Dark slightly.

“What do you mean…?” she whimpered, frightened by this man.

“I need you,” he repeated, advancing on her, grinning maliciously.

Jade squealed, “g-get away from me!” her heart lurched in her chest as her back hit the wall.

“Hear me out, Jade, this might be interesting to you…” Dark drooled, Jade nodded slightly to show she’s listening. She needs to buy some time to get away from Dark.

He stuffed the last mouthful of rice into his mouth and chewed broodingly, stupid big sister… he repeated in his head I don’t need her… I have Mummy and Daddy! The boy looked up at his mother, eating on the opposite side of the table, the boy grinned… he loved his mummy.

The boys mother felt eyes on her, she glanced up from her half-empty plate and blinked at the boy, she then smiled warmly.

“Why, hello, Erik” she greeted him, Erik giggled.

“Hi Mummy!” he beamed at her, and then pointed to his plate. “I’m finished, am I allowed to go now? Please…?”

His mother nodded, putting the fork down on her plate.

“Go on then”

Erik’s features brightened, he leapt down from his chair. Quick, small footsteps could be heard pattering up the staircase.

The back door slammed shut, the sound of it closing came from the kitchen, and the mother gazed past the father into the kitchen.

“What an earth was that?” he asked her, peering alongside her into the kitchen.

The mother put her napkin down and stood. “I’ll go and check” she walked into the kitchen, looking around she instantly spotted her daughter.

“Hi Jade”

“Hi Mum” Jade greeted her mum emotionlessly, her arm was bent round her back, her mother knowing what this probably means.

“Jade, show me your hand”

Jade held up the other hand.

“Jade, the right hand?” her mother added, nodded at the one behind Jade’s back, Jade lifting a shoulder.

“Nothing, I just feel like…” Jade trailed off, her mothers face hardening into a glare.

“Jade… show me, now” she said sternly, it’s definitely a bottle of some alcoholic drink… she knew her daughter only too well.

To her surprise, Jade produced a sharp looking knife, and not just an ordinary kitchen knife, this thing looks old… as if from the medieval times, something warriors used in battle.

“Jade, where did you get that”

She shrugged. “… Found it”

Her mother slipped her arms across her chest, tapping her foot.

Jade twisted the knife in her hand; she examined it closely. “Mum, I’ve always felt a bit distanced from you and Dad, I never knew why”

Her mother lifted an eyebrow, what brought this on then?

“… At first I thought I was adopted, but then I started thinking”

Her mother tapped her foot to connote her impatience; she’s a busy woman.

Jade smiled slightly “I then started having dreams, which then became flashbacks. They occurred more frequent as time went on… I think I’m not who I think I am”

Jade’s mother looked at Jade oddly, “excuse me?”

Jade shook her head “I knew you wouldn’t understand, ok, Mother…” Jade smiled at her mother, she tightened her grip on the knife. “… Goodbye” Jade finally said, plunging the knife deep into her mother’s chest.

Twenty minutes later, Jade walked out into the hallway, Dark was waiting in the landing. He looked up and smirked. “They’re all dead?” He asked her bluntly; he wanted to get on with things, not wait around for Sorceress.

Jade paused; she scratched the back of her head with a bloody hand, smiling sheepishly. “… Does it matter that Erik ran out on me, screaming?” She asked Dark, knowing his answer.

Dark pushed himself off of the wall, his body tensing angrily. He turned to Jade and marched towards her; his nostrils flaring, and eyeballs burning with anger. “Of course it matters! They all need to be dead, Jade!” He slammed his fist into the wall, cracks creeping up to the ceiling in the cement. Dark turned to the front door suddenly.

Jade crept beside Dark timidly, blinking her wide confused eyes at his face, his black hair falling on either side of his curved head. “Come on, lets find him”

Jade nodded statically, she has to kill Erik in order to be of use to Dark, this is the meaning of her life. The reason she’s alive, to serve Dark… this is what he told her, this is the truth. She slips the knife into her pocket and followed Dark out into the foreboding night.