NOTE: This is a work of fiction. It has nothing to do with real people, places, things or events in real life.

AUTHOR'S Message: It's my first novel. I hope you all will like the story and look forward to amazing turns of story. I am not a literature person so I hope it will be at least good enough to make you read my story. Enjoy Reading and have a nice day!

...................

...Life is definitely challenging and full of uncertainty. You never know when the page flips and you land into hell....

Bandai; personal loyal servant of first prince. He has been with prince from age 6.  He is dearest and more like friend to prince. He enters the prince’s chamber and pays his regards to first Prince, Aadin.

Prince Aadin speaks gently with stern face, "Bandai get me my sword!"

~First Prince Aadin of Eden country, a true work of art. His purple big eyes and long eye lashes are deep as ocean. His silver hair with unusual purple shade that drops down to his neck and bangs falling in front of his eyes.  His baby pink lips with lip balm on making them more alluring. The Black-Gold embroidered robe with Royal brooch of lion could be seen clearly. This brooch is a symbol of royal family. The Denim Royal mantle with pearls and Gold chain on it gives an intimidating aura~

Prince Aadin asks with warm smile, "Bandai are the preparations done? Has everyone arrived?"

"Yas  my Lord!" Bandai answers politely as he hands over the Royal black-blade sword to Prince. "Everyone is waiting for you. King and Queen both are present in the ballroom and Prince Hamd is greeting the guests from Rayum (a small neighboring country of Eden)."

Prince Aadin chuckles, "Yeah  after all it’s his in-laws."

"Yas  my Lord! He seems very happy today and so do you.",Bandai smiles brightly.

"Ofcourse! It’s my brother’s marriage; it’s obvious I’ll be the happiest."

Bandai reminds Aadin, "You are getting late and acting like a VIP as if you are the groom, even the King and Queen are there waiting for you."

Prince Aadin chuckles and hits his head in a friendly manner, "Not a groom but I’m first prince and their beloved son. Let’s move now." He changes his expression back to his stern face.

Prince Aadin enters the Ballroom...

~Ballroom decorated with bright red curtains and golden lamps all over and lights glimmering in eyes. Tables of deserts arranged in sequence and helpers serving guests with drinks. Guests attending the ceremony were wearing beautiful gowns, kimonos, and hanboks. Ballroom decorated with dragon lilies, roses, jasmine, and daisies. Scent of flowers giving a fresh environment and the scent of feast serving keeps making mouth waters.~

As he walks through the Ballroom, he could he hear distant chattering...

...(*Chatter*) ~ (*Chatter*) ~ (*Chatter*)...

..."It’s Prince Aadin!" ~ "Wow ! I can’t believe my eyes" ~ " I can die peacefully now" ~ "Daebak !"  ~ "It’s  my first time seeing him" ~ "He  looks so cold and scary yet so beautiful" ~"I  want to marry him"~...

The sound of whispering and chattering spread throughout the Ballroom. Ladies falling in love with the sight of Prince Aadin and their male partners getting jealous but they can’t say a word because they themselves are being mesmerized by the sight of prince who has appeared publicly before only for three times.

Prince Aadin greets King Eon and Queen  Hana. King brightly greets Aadin, "Here comes my son. Are you feeling fine my boy?"

"Yas  father. Where is Hamd?"

-"He  is coming with her bride in a li-"

Queen cuts king's sentence & speaks joyly, "My son it’s a good chance for you to find yourself a partner too. Look throughout, there are all the princesses from many countries and tribes here. All would love to marry you."

King  speaks indifferently, "Our  boy is not just a prince but more special. A princess can’t handle my son’s intimidating personality."

Queen starts acting, "Ahh ! I just wanted to see my Aadin to marry off in my lifetime."

Adin chuckles and gently speaks, "Mother  let the marriage of brother end well besides I don’t want to marry. I will just try greeting guests."

As he walks away, the joyful face of king and queen is overtaken by a worried look.

Queen Hana speaks, "It’s rare to see Aadin smile."

"Yeah ! It’s still dangerous to leave him alone among guests." King worriedly asks his personal servant William, "Where is General Kai?"

William respectfully answers, "My Lord! He was taking a look at the security."

General Kai appears, and  pays his respect to King

~Kai; with beautiful red hair and big red eyes. An appealing butterfly tattoo on his neck making this fine man the finest. His uniform is his pride and he always carries a big spear, his weapon gifted by the king himself. He is the youngest General and royal family and Eden’s loyal ace soldier. King trusts no one other than General Kai and treats him like his own son. He belongs to Fire Tribe of Eden. At age of 24 he is the strongest and youngest soldier that Eden has, who has led troops in many battles and won the wars. Enemies inside and outside Eden are scared of him. He is apple of people’s eye, whole country love the General Kai. Ladies’ second most dream boy after Princess!

"My Lord!", Kai bows and salutes with his right hand on chest, "I guess I appeared at the right time."

King laughs, "Devil  sure knows when to appear ." His expression changes back to a worried look, "Please keep Aadin company. It’s his first time among a crowd."

General Kai firmly responded, "Yas  my lord! You don’t have to worry."

Kai goes to Aadin and tapped his shoulder playfully, "What are you looking for? Don’t you want to greet anyone?

'People are just headache. That’s a relief you are here.",Aadin replies tiredly.

General Kai points at server, "Let’s grab a drink then", as he winks at him.

Prince Aadin smiles, "Sure!"

Ladies at the back getting mesmerized by the beauty and handsomeness of these two gentlemen

General Kai teases Prince Aadin, "You sure are a ladies man. How can this scary person make the hearts of little

women flutter?"

Prince Aadin raises his eyes in disbelief and annoyance, "I’ll  kick you off. They are annoying me already with their weird stares." He gulps the whole drink.

Soon drummers start beating drum with an aesthetic beat. Doors open and Prince Hamd with her bride Princess Nora; his childhood sweetheart, along with King Vahir; King of Rayum enters the hall and catches everyone’s attention.

Both dressed in a beautiful Royal silk robe with pure gold wire work. Princess wearing a beautiful flower crown with a silk veil netting fabric covering her beautiful rose face. The couple is looking angelic and sweet. Guests claim the bride and groom to be the most beautiful couple of century.

...(*Marriage ceremony takes place*)...

Both Prince Hamd and Princess Nora looking majestically beautiful. Prince Hamd with his grey hair and grey sparkling eyes expressing love with softness and tenderness towards his wife. Both looking deeply into each others hearts and taking wedding vow,

..."You are and will always be...

...my friend and my lover....

...I promise to laugh and cry with you....

...I promise to see the seasons of my life with you and grow old with you....

...I'll trust you no matter what...

...the circumstances are....

...I promise to never stop you chasing your dreams and will forever support you and help you....

...I'll always stay right beside you through thick and thin for all our days and nights of our life"...

Everyone congratulates the newlywed couple and enjoys music and feast. Both Ministers Uzuki and Shen-Ro gossiping and having a drink in a corner.

Uzuki smirks, "What a lame sight." As he gritted his teeth followed with a wicked smile, "Great King Eon, letting his son marry a small country’s princess. People laugh at us."

Shen-Ro, the bootlicker of Uzuki also rolls his eyes over the smiling couple, "On  the name of love" he evily smirks while gulping his drink, "Rubbish ! He never listened to us in case of his sons and that brat Aadin only appears whenever he wants."

Uzuki tosses the coin in air, "King  doesn’t have much time though and Hamd is just a child. It won’t be too long to get rid of him. The way King and Hamd hides Aadin, it must be because he is already suffering from a disease. He doesn’t seem like a threat."

They both looked at the landed coin with Heads, they looked at each other with evil smirk, "Life is going to be good.", Uzuki exclaims.

Shen-Ro confusedly asks, "What are you going to do?"

"You’ll know soon! I’ve been in touch with Moora’s sovereign. For now just enjoy the party." Uzuki clicks the glass of wine and smirks.

At night after marriage ceremony, wind was blowing heavily. Trees waving and leaves fall off to the ground. Far off in the sky, lightening and light thunder could be seen and heard.

"Why does something feels off? On the top of that why is weather so creepy suddenly? It was clear until evening." General Kai uttered to himself.

Meanwhile in King’s Chamber, Prince Aadin is lying down on lap of his mother, queen Hana.

"My little boy, I can’t believe how you grew up so much. I felt so happy to see you smile today." As queen runs her fingers through Aadin's hair. "Aadin, promise me, no matter what, you will never hurt anyone. You will learn to love people. You are prince but our son first. We want to see you happy."

Prince Aadin hugs his mother with affection, "Maa ! Why are you being emotional today? People are just simply pain. Hamd is there for country. Besides I hate those ministers, specially that rascal Uzuki."

The air around him tenses up, King Eon shouts worriedly, "Aadin! Learn to have control on your emotions. There is no castle in the world where there is no evil. Purity and evil co-exist in society. This is the balance of world. You are unique. You have to protect yourself and others from that evil. You can’t eliminate all evil."

Prince Aadin and Queen start playing hand claps while ignoring the king.

King Eon frustratedly sigh, "These two! ..... I’m going to my study." He childishly started making funny crying face and wiping his fake tears, "You both team up against me" He smiles looking at his dear wife and his son. He felt nothing but blessed. His one child married off today. While his other child with by birth raging nature has started to fit well and getting Normal day by day. He did nothing but to thank heavens. He leaves to his study with a warm smile.

.....

The sounds of footsteps could be heard.

...~clomp ~clomp ~ tap ~tap…...

The court lady opens the door. It’s Juda; king’s most loyal court man appears in king’s study and reports,

"Yours Highness! The West coast sent report. It reported the loss of many soldiers. Enemy troops have crossed the barricades. Our country is under threat."

King's expression remained calm yet a look of worry could be seen in his eyes, "What  are you talking about?" He shouts, "Kai! Summon him to the court!"

As King goes outside of king’s chamber in the Castle’s Hall to go court.

...“Intruder… Intruder…....

...Seal the gates…Alert!!”...

Soldier started shouting, “Protect the Royal family!!!”

Shouts of the guards and alarms start ringing. The guards started beating drums. Armed soldiers circled around the king guarding him.

General Kai appears along with Prince Hamd and Princess Nora.

General Kai worriedly looks at king and bows down,"Yours Highness!" "Juda! Take the King, Queen, Aadin and princess Nora to underground safety."

Prince Hamd spoke, "There  is news of assassin break through the castles. I'll go with Kai and take a look. "

Princess Nora couldn't do anything other than letting his husband go on her first wedding night, "Hamd  please be safe!"

"Don’t you worry. Just leave immediately with Juda and King.", Hamd patted her head and left and light peck on her forehead.

.................

Meanwhile in King’s Chamber, minister Uzuki enters the room. Queen Hana angrily questions him, "How dare you enter inside our room uninformed?"

Aadin stands up with annoyance as he glared at Uzuki, "What  do you want?"

Minister Uzuki felt a chill as Aadin's glare fell on him, "Prince Aadin! My Lady!" he quickly bows down, "How  may I dare to barge in to your chamber room. Please forgive me. There is assassin’s breakthrough. I was told that King has been injured badly!" With his heavy breath he starts weeping. "where is the king?"

On hearing this, Hana looked at Aadin with her teary eyes. Aadin couldn't hold himself and grabbed his sword and runs outside with Uzuki.

As he just stepped outside the room. Queen’s scream is heard. Aadin rushes back to the room as he is sighted with the worst nightmare of his life. Smell of blood is covering the room and a man dressed in black shinobi uniform. Queen’s lavender robe turns crimson as blood rushes out of her stomach and mouth. Her body turns pale and eyes lifeless.

She looks at the sight of her beloved son for the very last time. Tears flows down her eyes. In the deadliest moment she is still worried about her son. With her final ounce of strength left inside her body she shouts,

"A-Aadin!..." She chokes on her breath, "Don’t come closer."  As her voice fades away,tears rolled down her eyes thinking about did she deserve this painful death or not. She begged his son with last breath, "Run  away son!"

Aadin is standing on his heels as he is stunned by the situation making his feet froze in the ground. Hus body is making him unable to move. He feels the chills running down his spine. It took him a minute to realize the reality and make him comes back to his senses. He rushed inside and grabbed his mother, "Maa!!" He shouted louder as tears fell off his eyes, "Don’t die on me! Open your eyes! Maa!! Mom!!"

As Uzuki enters the room, he is shocked with the bloody sight and shouts and sobs after seeing the unfortunate sight of queen’s assassination. "My Lady!! Our country is doomed." A thought took him to a journey and he smirked but that smirk didn't last too long. He started sobbing, "Yours Highness!"

Uzuki states to assassin, "You  are dead!" He pulls  out his sword and clashes it with assassin and gets himself injured on his arm.

Aaadin was grabbing her mother and crying his eyes out. "Maa! Don’t leave me." He sobbed and choked on his breath as queen rubs his cheeks. Queen’s hand becomes lifeless and fell off.

Aadin shouted with all his might. The grief of his mother filled his scream, "MAA!"

He glared the assassin fighting with Uzuki. Suddenly the room temperature drops and all the glasses break down and shatters into pieces. Injured Uzuki falls down to ground and shunned by what is happening. Assassin who was all well falls off to ground on his knees as well with his eyes wide open and hand crutching his chest tightly. With a speed flash, his body is sliced into three. Blood rushes out his body like a fountain and splatters on the face of Uzuki.

King, General Kai and Prince Hamd rushes back to the room as they heard Aadin and all the noise.

They witnessed the deadly Aadin bathed in blood of assassin. Hamd and Kai rushed and grabbed Aadin who is coughing up blood and has fainted. King standing at the room’s doorstep looking at the calamity that broke on his head. He is unable to move as he sees his wife dead in front of him. King’s room that used to be decorated all the time with flowers and Queen smiling around him is lying dead covered in blood. Smell of blood is covering the room and his sons crying and sobbing. On the West coast the enemies has broken through the barricades. He fell down on his knees hopelessly seeking mercy from God.

King with his faint voice calls her wife, "Hana!… O my Hana!"  He leans on the door’s side.

"O  my God!"  The tears rolled down his cheeks, "W-what  have I done

wrong? My beloved wife! What’s her fault? I did everything for my country…W-why..."

Kai rushed and held the king with his shoulder, "Yours Highness! Please take a hold of yourself!"

Hamd was crying on floor on his mother's body, "M-mom !!"  He sobbed and whimpers as he cuddled his mother’s body in his arms. "What happened here?" He shouted at Uzuki with all his might, "Answer  me!"

Scared Uzuki told him about what he heard and rushed here to see king. Him and Aadin and were coming to look for the Lord but heard queen’s scream but it was too late as he started crying and sobbing, "Please forgive me master! I am to be blamed. If I was on time our beloved Queen would be safe and sound." He kept saying that and cried like a kid.

King states to Uzuki, "Gather all the ministers and call the meeting."

Uzuki nodded, "Yas  my Lord!" And rushes out of king’s chamber.

King looked at Kai and said firmly, "Take my family and find a safe place."

Hamd heard his father's opinion and shouted in disbelief, "No ! I am not going anywhere!"

King spoke to him indifferently, "Hamd you have a family now. You have to protect her and fulfill your duty as husband. Just protect Nora and yourself for now!"

"I’ll  send Nora back to her home for a while. I am not leaving you behind.",Hamd refused to king's order.

Eon got angry at his son's unwillingness to leave and shouted, "Look  at your mother who is lying dead on floor and your brother lying down when no one knows how much dangerous he can be after he wakes up."

Hamd states to Kai, "Leave  with Aadin." - "Dad I am not leaving you with these wolves surrounding you."

Kai tried to convince the king saying, "Yours  Highness! Hamd is right. It is not safe for you to be here all alone. You stay ill yourself. If no royal family’s heir is here, we don’t know what will happen."

Hamd with his red burning eyes that were boiling with rage spoke, "I was too soft on those wicked people. I won’t forgive them."

King sobbed, "Kai  please leave as soon as possible and don’t let anyone know about it. I will be leaving Aadin in your care."

Kai stood up and bowed down, "Your command is my duty!"

King gently advises him, "Find a safe space for him please."

"What  about the West Coast, Moora's troops?" Hamd looks at Kai in confusion.

"Don’t  worry about that Hamd. I’ll give my orders before leaving. I will return as soon as I find a suitable secure place for him. Look after Aadin. I’ll go check everything else up." Kai assures him and rushes out to prepare for the run and send in someone to help.

King suddenly fells on ground. Hamd shouts and rushes to hold king in his arms. He worriedly tapped his father's cheeks, "Dad, you okay?" He saw king loosing his conscious and shouted for help, "Where   the hell is everyone?"

Note:This is a work of fiction. It has nothing to do with real people, places, things or events in real life.

As the king falls on the ground, Hamd shouts to call guards

and servants. Kai holds the king up and shakes his shoulders, “Yours Highness!

Stay strong!” William, king’s personal servant enters and falls down on his

knees as his eyes falls on the dreadful sight. His eyes and brain couldn’t grip

the sudden calamity as his eyes are wide open and seeing king falling down on

ground and General Kai looking at him anxiously and Prince Hamd shouting at him

but his senses are not responding as he can’t hear anything.

Hamd (shouts): William!! What are you looking at? Help father!

William: My lord! (*shouts and rushes to hold the king*)

Let’s quickly go to Royal Medical Clinic.

Court ladies and servants enter the chamber. Whole castle is

in complete chaos. The assassin who invaded has been killed. With the emergency

treatment, queen’s wound is stitched back together but it’s a loss cause. They

shift King and Prince Aadin to Royal Medical Clinic. Hamd lies down beside his

mother’s corpse, crying and screaming wildly. "Maa! Mom! Open your eyes once.

Please don’t leave us alone".

Nora rushes inside the room and her scream is stuck inside

her throat and couldn’t let it out. She slowly walks towards Hamd, and sits

down near him and gently pats his back while trying to hold her tears

back.

Hamd: Nora! My Omma! (*crying and sobbing as he hugs Nora*)

What will happen to us? Why today!? (*looks up to her face*) Tell me it isn’t

true. Tell me I am dreaming. Tell me! It’s a lie right! Nora why are you

crying? Answer me it is a dream. Wake me up. I cannot stand it anymore.

Nora: Calm down Hamd, please! It will be all fine. I

promise. Go to your father and Aadin. They need you right now. (She trying to

hold her feet strongly and wipes her tears and drinks all her fears. She never

knew that the night of her marriage could be this frightful) Go to the medical

clinic. I’ll check everything here. You need to stay strong for your country

and your family as well.

Hamd wipes his tears and nods to Nora, with his stumbling

foot stands up and leaves to check after King and Aadin. Nora asks the court

ladies to clean the blooded room and clean the queen and dress her up for her

funeral ceremony.

Mari (Princess Nora’s personal maid): My Lady! Are you ok?

Nora: I don’t know. Maybe I am a bad luck for this country. I shouldn’t have married Hamd.

~She couldn’t hold herself and burst into tears.

Mari: No my lady! Don’t think like that. It’s all fate. This is not your fault. Have some faith

in God. Everything will be fine.

Eden’s neighboring country; Moora has already begun War at

West Coast. There is loss of soldiers and assassination of Queen. Royal Family

is under threat. Whole Eden is in state of crisis, a sudden calamity for Eden. All

the 4 Tribes, Fire, Air, Water and Land all have been in complete chaos. These

four tribes hold the major power which holds the economy of Eden. They support

the royal family in a democratic way yet within an imperial state. Eden’s main

major ministers, Uzuki from Land Tribe is considered the most powerful among

all as he has the major share of power. Shen-Ro is  minister from Water Tribe, Damian is from Air

Tribe and Kyle; father of General Kai from Fire Tribe. Uzuki being notorious

for various illicit acts but even the king can’t do anything as according to

the rules and laws, majority votes wins.

Meanwhile in Fire Tribe;

In Whisteria Mansion;

Whisteria Dante, owner of “Whisteria Weaponries”. He is one

of the most powerful businessmen of Fire Tribe. He has direct links with white

and black mafias. He provides weapons to the Eden’s soldiers. He is one of the trusts

worthy person of King. His wife died leaving a 5 years old daughter; Dia alone

with him. He raised his daughter alone.

Whisteria Dante: Dia! (*knocks her room’s door*) open the

door. Listen to me.

Dia***(*****opens the door while yawning with her bed hair*)***: What

happened father. You need something at this late night. I am all sleepy.

~Dia Whisteria, 20 years old lady, with beautiful brown wavy hair and grey eyes.

She is an epitome of kindness and purity. Not only is she kind and passionate

as well as strongest warrior. She belongs to the Fire tribe and only daughter and

successor of “Wisteria Weaponries”. Manufacturing firm that is majorly responsible

for manufacturing all the military weapons of Eden. She is a spoiled kid and also

a crackhead. All the people from Fire tribe are trained to fight and she is one of

the best trained women. Her father is an old buddy of General Kai’s uncle who

passed away.

Whisteria Dante: Daughter! Our country is under War and…

Dia (*cuts him*): What war?

Whisteria Dante: Moora has crossed the barricades and got

charge on our West Coast.  I have to

leave for business stuff. And unfortunately, I don’t know is it true or not.

Dia: What Dad?

Whisteria Dante: Queen has been assassinated.

(Dia shocked after listening to what her father told her.

She couldn’t understand what is going to happen)

Dia: When are you coming back?

Whisteria Dante: I don’t know. Maybe, things will be under control.

You have to take care of yourself and don’t go around everywhere alone. We are

under war and things will not be peaceful.

Dia: Hmm… yas dad! Please take care of yourself. I’ll wait

for your return.

Whisteria Dante kisses Dia’s forehead, “Yas my daughter, I’ll

take my leave then. Stay safe”

Dia: Aigoo! Back to my sleep (yawns and falls down her bed

*and sleeps in no time)*~She is master of falling asleep, isn't she?

~At Castle~

Aadin regains consciousness. His body burning and head

spinning as he couldn’t see anything clearly. He feels the fog surrounding him

with a chill running down his spine. He tries to get up. Kai helps him to do

so.

Kai: Are you okay Aadin?

Aadin: My head is spinning. What happened? (as he recalls

what a drastic nightmare he witnessed right in front of his eyes and shouts

with his all strength) Momm!!! Ommaaa!! Kaii! My mommm! Where is she? What’s

with this look?

Kai: You should know the answer yourself. (he falls down on

his chair) your mom is no more with us.

Aadin: Don’t joke with me. (*grabs his collar*) you want to

die?

Kai: Act straight Aadin or you want to lose your father as

well who has been worried sick. Get your head cool and go to see your mother

for last time. We have to leave castle.

Aadin: What do you mean by leave the castle?

Kai: King ordered me to leave the castle with you to my

tribe for time being.

Aadin: I am not going anywhere.

Kai: Prince Aadin, this is Royal Command that I have to

follow even if you won’t agree, I’ll drag you out. I have my ways as well. Respect

the decision your father made.

Aadin: Where is he?

Kai: In the Daffodil court, preparing for funeral.

Aadin stands up and stumbles again. Kai gives him the

shoulder and helps him to walk to the Daffodil court where queen’s funeral is

being prepared. He looks at his mother for the final time covered in white

kimono and red rose bouquet in her hand. She was wearing the gold phoenix with imperial

jade stone ball in its wing that only highest Royal princesses are granted with.

He bows down to pay his final regard as he burst into tears and mumbling. I’m

sorry omma, I couldn’t protect you. I am your useless child. I always made you

worry. I’m sorry omma.Hamd goes to Aadin and pats his back and hugs him.

Hamd: It’s not your fault Aadin. We all couldn’t protect her.

Aadin: I was with her just a minute ago. I couldn’t sense anyone.

Hamd: Calm down! We all are humans. You are not a dog who

can smell anyone. Calm down. (he hugs him tightly and asks him gently by

patting his head) You trust me Aadin?

Aadin: Of course I do. You are my younger yet older brother.

Hamd: Leave with Kai. It’s too dangerous here. You know what I mean, right?

Aadin: Hmm…Kai told me. Don’t worry.

Hamd: Kai has prepared everything. You will take Bandai with

yourself. Kai will return after getting you settle down. Bandai will stay with

you like a shadow.

They both hug each other and burst into crying like kids. “We

have to stay strong”, “Everything will be fine”, “For my family”, “For my

country”, “A duty to fulfill”. These thoughts are circling around each other’s

heads. Aadin meets the king and says his farewell.

Aadin: Dad! Please take care of yourself.

King Eon: Never knew within one night my child will become

so thoughtful. You didn’t complain my decision this time.

Aadin: Back then mom was there to support me. What can I do

now? Besides I know why you made this decision. I trust you.

Eon hugs his boy and cries: After tonight I can’t say either

we will meet again or not. But I want you to stay safe. You need to support

your brother and never leave his side. It’s time for you to see the world. You

are free from my side.

Aadin: Farewell Dad!

General Kai and Bandai are outside Prince Aadin’s chamber

waiting for him on their horses. Aadin takes the cover and hides himself under

the turquoise cloak and rods his white horse named Pegasus. With teary eyes he bids

farewell to castle where he stayed every day of his life within for 23 years.

While running through the wild. They crossed the river late

at night with intense cold winter night, snowflakes falling off from the sky. Tears

that could be felt like ice water, heart that was numb, mind that was frozen

with the worst experience, heart that was screaming as loud as if it was going

to explode out of fear and sadness. They kept riding in the wild. Kai who was

given a major duty of Prince’s run and safety stayed on guard and took the lead

while Bandai gave Aadin cover from behind. After riding horses whole night,

they could see the dawn light. Kai asked to take a break and feed horses and

themselves. They stopped at the hill side while having a little rest. Aadin sat

down numbly on the rock looking down silently to his hands.

Bandai: My Lord! It’s your first time outside the castle. (shakes

his shoulder) yours Highness?

Aadin (coming back to reality): What?

Bandai: I said that it’s your first time outside castle.

Look up around yourself and witness the world.

Aadin stands up and goes near the cliff edge and was

witnessing the first ever rising sun in his life. How can this be so beautiful

when I am so sad? Uncontrollably, tears fell down his cheeks as he raises his

hands towards the sun and closes his fists while grinding his teeth. He looks

up the sky as his tears keep flowing and says, “Hey Bandai! I’m so weak that

they hide me in castle all life and when castle is dangerous, they made me flee

the castle. What a lame Prince I am. You must be laughing at your master as

well like those ministers.”

Bandai: No Sire! Never! I know how capable you are. You are

one of the strongest swordsmen…

Aadin: Strongest… Hahh! Yeah strong enough who couldn’t

protect his mother. (*As he laughs in pain on his own pitiful fate*)

Kai: Prince, don’t get gloomy. We need you, which is why king

ordered us to protect you and take you to my tribe. You are an asset of Eden.

Aadin: Yeah, yeah I know. What you all mean. (*he shakes off his sadness with his light laugh*) Let’s move. I want to walk for a while.

Kai: Sure! (*smiles*)

**Bandai:**(*starts crying*)

Kai: Yah! What’s wrong with you now?

Bandai: I don’t know. My Lord is so brave. Please never

abandon me sire!

Aadin: If you won’t stop crying. I’ll abandon you here.

Bandai: Ok! My sincere apologies sire!

Kai: Both childish kids (*smiles*)

Aadin: Don’t act like an old geezer. You are just one year

older than me.

Finally Bandai was able to make the stressed mood light.

They walked through the wild for a while. Aadin gets mesmerized by the snowy

trees, and sunlight passing through the leaves and its refraction. After a

little walk, they start to ride horses again and rush towards the North to Fire

Tribe. From a far, they could see the tribe’s valley.

Kai: This is my hometown.

Bandai: It’s so peaceful sir.

Aadin: Well I am glad my first ever travel destination isn’t

bad.

Bandai: It’s so close! Let’s go quickly.

Kai: Not now. Let’s take a break here.

Aadin: Why though?

Kai: You are with me. If anyone knows I’m back. You will

blow your cover. It’s cold let’s just take a rest. I’ll look for a hidden way

to enter tribe’s land. Besides we are still far away for about 10 miles. Bandai

you come with me. Let’s gather fresh apricots from trees.

Aadin and Bandai both agree to Kai’s plan. Kai and Bandai

both start gathering apricots from trees in their neckerchief. While Aadin lying

down on a tree log closes his eyes and keeps recalling his mother’s blooded

kimono. Her pale dead eyes keep appearing in front of his memory. With ever

little piece of last night’s memory breaks his heart into million pieces. He is

being away from home, stepping outside the castle for the first time, on the

mercy of God. He can’t think straight as he wishes that he would have been dead

instead that would be much better. I’m useless anyway. Why was my mother slashed

down? Uncontrollably, he loses his cool and his tears falls down. He tries his

best to drink his own tears while keep pressing his eyes under his arm while sighing.

~As he feels a light steps around him, he controls his

emotions and keeps his eyes shut.

Aadin: Help yourself first. I’ll eat later.

~I guess you need help more Sir. Are you okay?~

He hears the words from an unknown voice. He opens his eyes

to see tons of colorful feathers in front of his face. He jumps backwards

falling down on ground. “What the hell is this!!!” he shouts.

On the shouts of Aadin, Kai and Bandai rushes back to him.

Kai: Are you okay?

Bandai: Master!

~Oppa!

That creature rushes to Kai and hugs him tightly.

~You returned!

Aadin and Bandai draw their swords and rushes towards Kai

for the rescue.

Kai: Yahh! Stop you two! (he leans down towards the [creature]

and removes the mask) Dia what are you wearing? Why are you here?

Dia: (*smiles brightly and winks*) Guess Oppa!

Dia cheerfully embraces Kai. It was none other than a beautiful surprise for her to meet Kai in the woods. Kai worriedly asked her, "What are you doing here in the woods? - No! What are you even wearing?"

Dia pouts sheepishly while fidgeting with her fingers, "Well..."

"Aish! Don’t tell me you are still up to your strange habits."

"These are not strange! I am training."

"Yeah, yeah!"

Looking at these two conversing Aadin and Bandai gossips in the back.

Aadin speaks indifferently, "Don’t tell me this weird creature is a woman." On which Bandai questions Aadin, "Did you know that General Kai had a sweetheart?"

"No. Why?"

"Means only we are left singles here."

Aadin rolled his eyes over him with annoyance, "Shut your mouth if you don’t want to be euthanized."

Bandai backs off, "Sorry, sorry!", he bows with respect and looks at him with corner of his eyes.

Aadin clicks his tongue looking at Kai patting Dia's head, "Tsk! What a fox!"

Kai introduces Dia to both of them with his brightest smile, he looked as if all of his worries faded away after meeting his sweetheart. "Hey guys! Meet Dia. She is my little sister."

"What? Sister? Why did I never hear of your sister before.", Aadin questions him with disbelief.

"She is daughter of my uncle’s best friend. Dia meet them, these two are my friends from capital. He is son of duke, Din and his buddy Bandai. You must have heard about the war. So I am here to find a secure place for them."

Kai tries to hide Aadin's real name as Din infront of Dia so that it won't gives anyone even a slight thought of prince. Aadin looks at Kai with anger as he questions Kai,” You sure?”

It sure was strange for brother Kai to return to tribe just for finding a secure place for a duke's son, she tries to fain ignore but her curious nature couldn't help her, "Why would duke’s son be hiding here?",

"Well he is ill and needs a proper environment to recover."

Bandai also spoke in between, "Yas, Yas! That’s why we are here."

It sure was strange but Dia held her sharp tongue, "I didn’t doubt. Why explanation?"

"You both are dead.", Aadin glares Kai and Bandai, "These two

jerks are just excited to see a unique crow.", he boldly roasted Dia

"Yahh! Do you want to die!? What do you mean by crow? ",

"Your feathers say it all."

"What do you think about yourself? A Peacock?"

"How dare you disrespect me?"

"Your hairs say it all. Don’t pick a fight with me or you’ll regret."

"Yah!!", Aadin and Dia were bickering like kids over some toy. They just met and things are already a mess. There is no way one will back out. Their competitive nature doesn't allow to back off.

Kai tries to cool them off, "Ok! Ok! Calm down both of you. Let’s sit and talk first."

As they all sat down and ate apricots, Dia worriedly asked Kai, "Brother, is it really true that our country is under  war?" Kai nodded to her and his forced smile, "Yeah it’s true. Help us get into tribe lands unnoticed."

"Ooh! Okays. Don’t you worry! It’s a piece of cake. I do it daily and no one knows it."

"What about uncle?"

"He left midnight for taking care of his business. So no one knows."

"Are you stupid?" Kai gets angry and shouts at her, "Next time I don’t want you wander around woods alone."

"Don’t treat me like a kid. I can take care of myself. I am enough strong.", Dia argues back with Kai knowing that no matter what, Kai is always gonna be worried about her. Because of her father's extreme care, she couldn't join Eden's military just like Kai.

The argument was quite noisy and Bandai uttered to himself, "Girls should act the way they should."

Dia draws her dagger on the throat of Bandai, “You are not supposed to command me. I’m sure I can win against you in hand-on-hand combat”. Aadin grabs her hand and pushes it away saying, “Don’t you dare threat my brother else I won’t go easy on you”.

"You think I got scared of you? This is our lands."

"This is my country."

Bandai holds Aadin's sleeve signaling him to stop, "He means it’s our country. We all are citizens with equal rights."

"Tsk!"

Kai holds his face with his palm, "Stop it you all. Dia they both are childish please ignore them. Just help us to find a suitable secure place for these two and enter without getting noticed."

"I'll do it only for you. Don't worry. Leave it on me, brother."

Kai thanked her as half of his worries vanished, "Thank you so much! I don’t know how to thank you."

"What about fulfilling the promise you made back in childhood.", Dia pouts and looks at him with her lovely doe eyes. Her personality didn't made a good impact on Aadin and Bandai but still her duality was quite impressive.

Kai embarrassingly spoke to her, "Don’t joke with me, I’m serious."

Aadin was listening to them quietly when he finally asked, "What promise?"

Dia smirked, "He promised to m—", she was about to speak when Kai covered her mouth by whispering into her ears, “Save some face for me. I will get you a new dagger”. Dia stands up smiling and nods,” You got it boss. You go ahead to your home. Leave these two to me”.

General Kai pats Dia’s head saying, “I got lucky to meet you here. See you around. Update me as soon as you can”. He rode his horse and charges towards the tribe’s land. Dia asks both of them to sit down and wait for the signals.

Bandai asks her, "What signals, missy?" -  "You’ll know soon." After little wait, they saw people gathering around the

tribe’s entrance. A smoke of green color was launched in the sky and drummers lined up and people gathered at the entrance with beacons in their hands. They finally could see the General Kai’s horse’s view from up of valley as he

entered the tribe’s land.

"What's happening? Are they going to attack him?"

"Nahh! My brother is a general. People are distracted with him; we can enter the tribe’s land with your horses now."

Aadin stands up brushing the mud off his cloak, "Let’s move. I’m tired."

Aadin and Bandai rode their horses. Bandai offers Dia to ride with him.

"Then let me control the reins.", Dia insisted with her cute cute face.

"You know how to ride a horse?"

"Of course!"

Dia lead the horses from the tribe’s side hill and rushes to the field ahead while everyone in the tribe was busy welcoming General Kai. Slowly yet steadily they reach the lands where they could see the cemetery, passing

by the lake and woods. “This cemetery is of our forefathers’. One day I’ll be sleeping here as well”, says Dia. She stops the horse and shows them around, “We are in Wisteria lands, my home.” They slowly walk through the cemetery as they could she the mansion with a Greek goddess fountain in the front mansion’s door. Dia steps off the horse and twirls around and welcome them, “Welcome to my home. Make yourself feel home. Leave you horses here and let’s go inside.”

Butler Chen rushes outside the Mansion, "My lady, Where have you been?", His gaze fell over two unknown people. These two definitely are handsome he never saw them before, "Who might they be?, my lady."

"My guests, They are Kai brother’s friends. Tell everyone (servants) to keep their mouth shut and not letting the voice go out. Prepare their rooms and serve them dinner."

Butler Chen nodded to Dia,"Yes young lady." He led both of them to the mansion’s courtyard. Courtyard was decorated with beautiful colorful flowers as they looked like the colors from kaleidoscope.  As the maids brought

out the dishes of diverse variety snacks and tea served in beautiful antique western set. Butler served them organic herbal tea with delicate style, "Enjoy the tea. I’ll let you know once your rooms are ready.", He leaves the two gentlemen alone in courtyard.

Bandai was in awe and totally mesmerized by the aesthetic decor, "Its like a castle but in some other world. Our castle is so traditional and ancient."

Aadin nods to him, "Yeah. It’s so different. I can’t digest myself. Why are dishes so different here? Are we still in Eden?"

"Well its western style. You won’t find these delicacies even in castle.", Dia cuts Aadin while entering the courtyard after changing her disguise. Her beautiful pink floral hanfu goes well with her rosy lips. Aadin and Bandai both were in awe with this sudden tranisiton to her style from that weird feathers and masks to an elegant hanfu. They stopped talking about what they were talking and studied her facial features, from coffee brown hairs that were comber backward showing off her sparkling grey eyes and  and flawless forehead to long-broad nose, from her symmetrical cheekbones to very perfect jawline all sharp like a dagger.

Aadin was eyeing her already when Bandai noticed him and coughed. He queries Dia, "How do you know about castle’s style?"

Dia replies back to Bandai indifferently, "I’ve been there before. Don’t be too surprised."