The golden streaks of dawn had not yet touched the towers of Junitas Castle, and the mist still settled over the cool moist grass like a silk screen. The chill air was silent and the two tower guards dozed lightly, snoring softly.

A sound rose in the distance. It was a deep rumbling, like thunder, only there were no dark clouds, just the silvery fog. It was quiet at first, but quickly grew to a constant reign of heavy rolling. It was joined by other sounds. The clang of metal and the sound of heavy, labored breaths. The sound rose the weary tower guards to their feet to gaze over the walls and into the soupy fog.

Figures appeared out of the mist suddenly as if by nightmare, huge shapes bursting forth from the fog as if from the air itself. Black clothed figures atop large dark beasts whose hooves beat furiously in time with their riders racing hearts, causing the deafening sound. The cry was given and the alarm was sound. Junitas was under siege.

The Junitian army rushed out to meet forces with the Dark Riders. The thick fog made it impossible for the men to shoot from the walls and yet they were falling themselves, arrows deep in their chests. One man who lived, an arrow in his shoulder, would talk about how the enemy's eyes glowed green like demons eyes and pierced the fog. Those on the ground knew better, but would not live to tell.

The Dark Riders wore strange armor, black and almost impenetrable. On their heads they wore strange glasses with large round orbs that shone like jewels. The heavy breaths, the metallic clang of metal, shouting, and the unmistakable slice of sharp metal slicing through soft human flesh. Crimson waves soon bathed the battlefield, and much of the castle walls. A bright flash followed by a huge explosion left a gaping hole in the front wall, into which the Dark Army flooded like a black wave.

The king was away from the castle on business days before the attack; his Queen dead years before. He left behind his twin sons, Lucian and Jullian. They had reached their sixteenth year only a month before. That day Jullian had been appointed Crown Prince.

Jullian at the present time, was frantic. He raged at the men that held him, his own men. He threatened them, begged them to let him fight. Jullian was a born warrior, just like his father. With quick temper and a bloodlust to be reckoned with, he ached to get his hands bloody. The guards refused.

"Your Highness, please! The Kovian's have broken through the North wall, we must leave immediately!"

"No!" Jullian growled, "You cowards! This is our finest castle, we cannot let it fall--what honor is in that?!"

"My Lord, you must live to seek revenge! We can do nothing now!" An older man, one of his father's advisors, replied. Jullian glared and was about to protest but his words froze on his tongue. Deep emerald eyes widened.

"LUCIAN! Where is my brother?!" He shouted.

"Hush, Highness, we must go now, the North wall has been taken now and--"

"I care not! Stop! Lucian! Wait, wait damnit!!" The Prince shouted futilely. The guard's hands that held him were like iron to the struggling royalty.

A short time later the first golden rays of sunlight shot over the hills, penetrating the fog and bathing the red battle field and ruined castle walls with light. But it came too late for the Junitians, the battle was done. Two burley soldiers climbed over the rubble of the North wall and made their way to the front line. One of them carried a large brown sack over his right shoulder, which he tossed down at the feet of a great black cyborge horse. The horse snorted and tossed its head, stamping a gleaming silver foot. His rider stroked his gore-covered neck with a black glove. The Rider was almost as terrifying as his horse. Tall and clothed in black armor and splattered with blood, his helmet shading his face.

"Open it" He said quickly. His men rushed forward to obey, slashing open the sack and lifting it, sending a young boy dressed in white silk pants tumbling out. The boy's wrists and ankles had been tied and a gag was secure in his mouth, his raven hair covered his face. "Remove the gag." The man ordered. Again his men complied. The raven-haired youth shook the hair out of his face and looked up at the dark rider. Soft emerald eyes met the icy blue eyes of the man astride the horse. The rider smirked. He slipped his black gloves from his hands and reached to his helmet, lifting it and shaking free his tresses. The long golden curls framed the tan face of the rider, stopping at his shoulders.

"This is not Jullian." He stated.

"How can you tell M'Lord?" One of his men asked. The man smirked and dismounted his horse, walking to the youth. The boy cringed when he reached out to touch a space at the base of his neck, almost on his shoulder.

"Because I gave Lucian this scar. It's okay, this will do nicely." He smirked again. The emerald eyes widened in realization.

"P. . . Prince Kane?!"