Prologue

"In old legends, dated back three hundred some years ago, the life here on Atkin was very different. It was more advanced than it is today, with creations called 'Machines'. Life seemed perfect, or it was until Roarrion, the demon God with unimaginable powers appeared. He seemed kind at first, but that was only part of his ultimate plan. After earning our ancestors' trust, he began showing them his true colors. Little did they know, every day that they spent near Roarrion, the mode they changed. Thief bodies grew disfigured from the mutation originating from Roarrion's genes. His spawn obeyed his every command, destroying their amazing cities, everything was in ruin. Though a day came, when a heroic band of heroes rebelled against his evil tyranny. They sealed away Roarrion's mind and soul into an ancient artifact. When he was sealed, his body exploded into ten different colors that flew like asteroids, falling several thousand miles across the world. After the was ended, several of his minions were spared a gruesome death. The inhabitants that remained, were left to rebuild their life. They decided names for each of the remaining mutated species. The human types, were classified as 'Renko', while the mutated were called 'Darklings', and the remaining minion spawn were given the name 'Demons'. As three intelligent races, they declared that the new world they would created should be different from before. They decided to make things return to simpler times, without these highly advanced techno that you might discover in one of their destroyed buildings, we now call 'caves'. In my opinion, it's far to dangerous to venture forth inside one. You never know what kind of things you might find leaking inside, but I'm getting of topic. There was a lot of diversity with the three species, each had discovered they had sub-races, which played part in building the several kingdoms now in Atkin. They say that the Shadow Guard is the son of Roarrion, born several hundreds of years after his demise." A man said, telling a tale to his daughter.

"Are the stories true, daddy?" asked his daughter, a little cat girl, lying under her covers.

"No one can know for sure. Now, it's time for you to be off to bed my child. Your brothers have already fallen asleep." Said the father.

"Alright, good night daddy." Replied the girl.

"Good night, my little Faline." He said, giving her a kiss on her forehead.

As the morning came, a strange lizard like man barged inside the castle, trudging through the hallway, into the throne room, where the King and Queen sat.

"Your majesties!" the man gasped.

"What might I ask is it this time?" asked the King.

"It's the Shadow Guard! He just destroyed Thunderia. A war has broken out, our men are minimal." said the man.

"Go to town, you will find new recruits there." Said the King.

"I'm sorry my King, but all that remains are but woman and young children." said the man.

"How young?" Asked the King.

"Not even ten, my Lord." the man replied.

"That's far too young." stated the Queen.

"My lord, and Lady, to my knowledge, I believe to have four children. Am I correct?" Asked the man.

" Five actually, one is from before I married Leonard, and became queen. He was conceived through means that I am not happy with." replied the Queen, her voice cracking, almost in tears.

"Fatina, my dear, don't fret. That man is locked away for life, he may even be dead." King Leonard said, trying to comfort his wife.

"My Apologizes." the man replied.

"Why do you ask Gondra?" King Leonard asked.

"They are of age, are they not?" Gondra continued.

"But why my children!" King Leonard demanding with a roar.

"my king, Lord Leonard, please. The rules during a break out of war, children thirteen and older are to be drafted, no matter what their lineage may be. Only married woman, and young children would remain off the battlefield, and of course you and your queen, unless you volunteer, my liege." Gondra stated.

"… They are the rules." King Leonard surrendered.

"No! not my babies!" Queen Fatina cried out.

'Dearest please, it is the law of the land." King Leonard pleaded.

"If one hair on my babies' heads are hurt, it's you who will pay, Gondra." Queen Fatina growled.

"Very Well, my Queen. Now if you please, where are the children?" Gondra asked.

"This way." King Leonard said, leading Gondra.

They marched down the halls into the children's corridors. Inside the room were four beds and a cradle. They continued into the courtyard, finding four of the children with their caretaker, while the infant remained inside, within his cradle.

"Hmm, all teenagers, I see." Gondra muttered.

Upon noticing a strange man with their father, the children stared, still holding the wooden toy swords they had been playing with.

"Gondra, can I speak with you, away from my children?" Asked King Leonard.

"Of course your highness." Gondra agreed.

They stepped back inside, inside the castle's library.

"If you are to take away my children, please do me one favor, and don't take my precious little girl. She is pure of heart, I don't wish for her to experience this kind of fate, it would surly taint her." King Leonard barged.

"Very well your majesty. As for the boys?" Gondra replied.

"Just .. Please, keep them safe." King Leonard pleaded.

"I was already threatened by your wife Sire. I will do what I can, to keep them as safe as possible." Gondra replied.

They stepped back outside, seeing the children at play. Princess Faline was sitting under a nearby tree, reading a book, while the boys continued pretending they were in battle.

"Well boys, I'm afraid your coming with me." Gondra stated.

"Why? Father, where are we going?" asked one of the boys.

The King knelt to his boys, placing his hand on top of his son's head.

"Darren, look after your brothers. Now take Fate and Z with you. Go with Gondra." King Leonard said to his boys.

The boys followed Gondra, leaving for war, and perhaps never to return. King Leonard returned to his throne, with his daughter at his side. Leaving the caretaker with their infant son, Kail.

"Daddy, where did my brother go?" Faline asked.

"Do you remember that story I told you last night?" King Leonard asked.

"Of course daddy, you tell me that story every night." Faline replied.

"Your brother's are going to save our kingdom. The Shadow Guard destroyed our neighboring country, Thunderia. His army might be planning to destroy ours next." King Leonard said, not trying to make up an excuse.

"Will they be okay?" Faline asked.

"I hope so, his army has weakened, so we should have a chance." King Leonard said.

"We shall pray for your sons' safe return." Said a voice.

Princess Faline turned, seeing the priest enter the castle.

"Father Matthew, glad to have your prayers." replied Queen Fatina.

Father Matthew continued to pray every night for the boys. The few knights who remained were assigned to keep the Princess safe, posted around the castle. A morning cam with bad news weeks later, a telegram was sent to the King, delivered by a Young Renko hobbit.

"Your highnesses, I have a telegram from lord Gondra." said the hobbit.

The King appeared confused, why was this boy not at war? Perhaps there were others. "Thank you .. Why has Gondra excused you, young man?" asked King Leonard.

"Pardon sir?" Asked the hobbit.

"Why aren't you at war?" King Leonard continued.

"I'm not from Crimson, I'm a refugee from Thunderia." the hobbit stated.

"What is your name?" the King asked.

"It's Czar. Gondra saved my life, so I serve him, so that I may return his kindness." Czar stated.

"Do you know what city was attacked?" the King asked.

"Possebiggo, just like Feirelf was not long ago. We lost our home, because our King disappeared seven years ago, to fight long side the Elite Warriors, against the Shadow Guard." Czar replied.

"The Vigilantes?" asked the King.

"The very same." Czar replied.

'Well, thank you for the telegram. Take care Czar." King Leonard bed farewell.

Czar took a bow, and left the castle in a rush, perhaps to deliver more messages to other families. The King glanced down at the message.

It read

"Our condolences your highness, we're sorry to report that your son, Z Crimson, was killed in action. He was shot in the head by an ancient weapon. No funeral will be held, his body was buried on site, by the army cleric."

"No . . . this can't be true .. No … I won't believe it . . . He is only a child…" Cried the king.

No one could stop King Leonard, he was blinded by rage, not even the Queen could stop him. He fled the castle, and joined the fight against the Shadow Guard. For months he fought, never once sending letters to his family. Faline would watch the city from her balcony, waiting for the day her father and brothers would return. One day, she happened to see two boys running passed, perhaps only a few years older than her. They looked identical. One stopped, noticing her, his brother continued running, but stopped, noticing the other. The boy waved at Faline, with a big smile, Faline waved back, even though she had no idea who the boys were. She was a lonely girl, who only desired to have friends, but just as soon as they stopped, they were gone. Three more months had passed, and another telegram arrived for the Queen.

It read

"Our condolences your highness, we're sorry to report that your husband, King Leonard, died in battle. His mount lost control, and killed him. We have sent you his ashes."

The Queen cried for hours, holding her daughter, Faline, tightly. For months the Queen wouldn't speak to anyone, until one day. A man and his child had gotten lost, and seeked refuge. The Queen invited them in, out of sheer loneliness. They came from Alerief, a place Faline had never seen. Queen Fatina decided to marry this man, even without loving him, to ensure that Faline would not be left alone. Faline's new step-brother, Cole, was always nice to her, but seemed like he was hiding something, always disappearing off with his friends.

No news arrived from the army for several years, Fatina grew weary, seeming depressed. Eventually she stopped leaving her bed, her new husband began to worry. Fatina had grown quite ill, but there was no doctor near by, due to the war. Without any aid or medicine, Fatina passed away. It was believed that she had cancer for some time. After the burial, Faline's step father took an axe with him into the woods. There he rested his head on a stump, and decapitated himself. His suicide was most likely caused because of Fatina's death.

His son Cole, left the castle, perhaps to be with his friends. Now Faline was alone, with just her baby brother Kail, the priest, and the royal guards. Faline stood at her balcony, watching over her kingdom. The priest gained control, until Faline was old enough to marry and take her rightful place as Queen.

One day, one of the royal guards walked up behind her, the trotting of his hooves echoed. He reached out, placing his hand on her shoulder, Faline turned to see his face.

"Sir Kai, I'm not sure what I am to do. I miss my family." Faline stated.

"Mi'lady, don't fret, for I shall protect you." Kai replied.

"Why have you not gone to war?" Faline asked.

"Because, I would rather be with you, princess." Kai replied.

He began leaning in for a kiss, but Faline pulled away.

"What on Atkin are you doing?" Faline panicked.

"Please, Mi'lady. I only wish for you to be happy, and I can make you happy." Kai continued.

"Leave me alone!" Faline hissed, running into her room.

"I like where this is going!" kai thought to himself.

He followed her inside, but she was no where to be found. He sighed, trotting back to the knight's courtiers. Faline peeked out from under her bed, and made a sigh of relief.

"I need to find away to leave the castle, and find my brothers. It's not safe here anymore." Faline spoke to a small, yet fat, black cat.

Five years had passed, and the war was still strong. Faline hadn't found a way to escape, or perhaps had given up. Her knights were protecting her, and not letting her leave their sight. Kai still had his eyes set on Faline, his obsession running ramped. Faline worried about the day the priest would force her to marry.