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Copyright © 2014 Ha.Alsharif

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Video name: Thunderstep Music - Time Has Come (Epic Dramatic Building Vocal Big Action)

EverDawn - Three years earlier
Broken Hell Southern Camp

The vindictive winter choked the land as the bright brilliance of the moon illuminated the dark sky. The man's body shivered as the heat of the campfire warmed him up. The hollow skies remained silent, yet he grasped not to trust them. The man closed his eyes, anticipating the issue will occur. The wind screeched in dread, declaring the approach of the end.

"Taking a nap on the job? Open your eyes and clean those forsaken swords!" Yelled one of the knights, not giving the man another glance.
The man opened his eyes and gripped the swords, cleaning them without a word.
"They better be clean. Or the general won't be merciful." Hissed the same Knight.
The man didn't wait long before a clicking sound announced his arrival. The general eyes turned bloodshot as they shimmered with malice. The general pulled one of the swords out of his man's grip.

"This is a proper sword. Don't you agree?" He added in a voice, lacking life as an ossuary and his eyes withered. "I bet you owned a better sword, Sire. Or should I call you, Hector? Hector Knight?"

His secret meant nothing. All these years he kept her safe. But now he failed her.

"If it's not the traitor. The same man who brought his mother to her knees and for what? I sensed something suspicious about you. You lie to King Wischard. But we never expected any of this."
The general looked at the party of Knight surrounding Hector before he spoke in a grave, lifeless voice.

"Kill him."

EverDawn-Knight household

Rachel remembered everything. Her old eyes recall it all as the memories swirled before her. Her mother followed each note Maria's hit as she practiced the piano. As a younger Rachel walked down the stairs, the melody started to grow louder. When she reached the last step, she noticed a smile covering her mother's lips.

Many reasons held Rachel from breathing a part of the tight corset she wore underneath her gown. Rachel had no reason to experience such an overpowering urge to rip Maria's throat and fling it to her well-dressed mother. Not that she would do such a thing. A proper lady needs to control her emotions. Yet Rachel was beyond it or at least in the eyes of her mother. Rachel's had a thin yet straight nose; her lips full and beautifully arched. Only her eyes had something about them, a look of age. Wide-set like perfect almonds, they were crystal blue. They were also mysterious, a person who would speak to her would think she wasn't there. As if she was withdrawn to another place no other can see.

As the melody her sister's played swelled, Rachel turned her head slightly and spotted the sarcastic smile on Maria's pouty mouth. She decided not to let her jealousy of Maria destroy her life anymore. Even if Maria held nothing but hatred for her.

Once again, she was conscious of the tight corset she wore. She made herself forget about Maria and take in the beauty of the melody her sister played even if it broke her heart.

Why am I alive? No one would care if I disappeared. Thought Rachel. Yet her thoughts got disturbed by faint whispers.

Don't say such a thing, if only you know what awaits you.

Rachel narrowed her eyes, gazing into thin air.

"Who goes there?" She urged, yet silence surrounded her.

"Show yourself!" She tried once again, but nothing changed and Maria resumed playing unfazed by anything.

A certain memory washed over her, threatening to paralyze her. For the past two years, her father wrote her every week, assuring her of his well-being and lastly, the time of his arrival back home. Rachel clawed at her corset, but the strings that choked her were gone. She felt the old panic grip her, and once again she found herself being drawn back to the horror of losing her father. She understood the nature of his job, but she feared for him.

Rachel couldn't wait any longer. The tingle she sensed in her chest started to grow and With shaky hands, she grabbed her shoes and cloak, sneaking out of their cottage. The sun shined high in the sky. Yet the weather seemed icy and unforgiving. White snow covered the once endless green grassy hill and near the far end, a dense forest stood. A deep shiver ran down Rachel's body, something was calling her from the depth of the forest.Rachel dashed into the forest, Ignoring the stinging sensation across her cheeks.

Pools of dim light, hang between the trees greeting her once she moved deeper. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the darkness and when she saw what surrounded her almost cried. A pack of wolves gobbled meat and grind on bones. The flesh scrubs kept the dangerous creatures away. Yet, Rachel breath started to become fast and shallow as she endured her surroundings. However, this forest had more surprises hidden for her. The air became musty, hard to breathe. She bit her tongue with nervousness. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. The forest started to shift, preparing for the arrival of something. The wolves, backed away, leaving what remained of the meat.

"You are not easy to find." Whispered a deep mysterious voice.
"Who are you?"
Everything started to unfold very fast, something pulled Rachel out here. That being known she will follow even if she couldn't explain what she felt. As she looked around her, she was aware that she was being played at least for the time being. Without a second thought, Rachel moved faster within the heart of the forest. Yet she didn't know where she was going. She was this creature's puppet. She moved as it wished. How could she be this naive? She Followed her heart and then the whispers started once again.

"I failed you once, but never again. No more hiding. Soon I will come to you and when I do, you will discover the truth. But, I will leave you with a scar."

Rachel sensed a terrible pain running between her shoulder blades before she fell on her knees. With a shaky hand, she tried to touch her back, but the moment she did, she flinched. The pain didn't last long. Rachel got up fast, gazing around her, nothing changed. There was no explanation for what happened seconds ago.

She was certain that her father was not in this forest. She wasted a lot of time and sneaked out only to get attacked by something she couldn't understand. Without any hesitation, she ran back to their cottage. Once she reached home, she pushed the door gently, she didn't want to disturb her mother.

But as she took off her shoes and cloak, her mother stood before her. Wrath consumed her mother's face as she stared back at her.
"Did I allow you to leave this cottage?"
"No, I'm sorry, mother. I got worried, father should've been home by now, but he's not here."
"That is not your concern, Rachel." Hissed her mother. "He is a man of war I'm sure he can handle himself and besides, a young lady doesn't wander alone. What kind of behavior is this? Look at Maria. Would she do anything of that nature? Learn from your younger sister for once."
Their mother moved closer to Rachel, sniffing the air surrounding her. "Not again, child! You reek. This is not acceptable. A long warm bath with heavy rubbing can only remove this."

As Rachel was forced, into the washroom, a loud knock stopped her.

Rachel raced to the door with hope filling her heart. When she opened the door, tears started to gather in her eyes. Before her, stood two men garbed in black, grimness covered their faces.

"You are one of Hector Knight daughters?"

Rachel nodded.

"We are sorry. Your father was a brave man. He died serving his King and Kingdom."

"You are lying! What have you done to my father you bastards?! He sent me a letter two weeks ago confirming that he is no longer serving your King." Hissed Rachel.

"He is your King too, miss. Do I have to remind you?" Challenged one of the men.

"Rachel." Warned her mother.

Burning sensation started to spread in Rachel's chest. As the hot tears started to run down her cheeks. She couldn't breathe. Couldn't speak. Everything surrounding her reminded her of him. How can such a thing happen?

"You can't be dead," She murmured over and over. "I refuse to believe this."

All she remembered was his warm smile. Her father might've been a man of war. His soldiers feared him. And his enemies respected him. But he always welcomed Rachel with a warm smile and a tight hug, they had a deep connection no man could ever understand. Even on the darkest days in Rachel's life, he was the soft light she held when the storm turned so intense.How could her safe harbor die with such ease?

EverDawn- A year Later

The next year was magical. Rachel still struggled for losing her father, but she didn't show it. She would show up to the market weekly, restocking the goods her family needed. But one of those sunny mornings as Rachel walked down the market, someone stalked her. Alarmed, she looked at him. All of a sudden, the stranger moved closer to her.

"What a beautiful little bird you are." Said the stranger.

His eyes started to investigate the market as if he sensed something. The stranger was well-covered, his dark cloak hid his feature. But he had a well-built body with a sharp blue eye. Rachel almost drowned, staring into his blue eyes. Seconds later, he gazed down at Rachel before he walked away.

Late in the afternoon, Rachel got back home. As she was about to announce her arrival, she heard her sister talking.

"What are we going to do with Rachel?"

"Keep your voice down! We spoke about this. We are going to stay together as a happy family." Answered their mother.
Rachel didn't understand what Maria pointed to, but she chose to drop it for the time being.
"I'm home, mother."
"That is good, child. Why don't you clean up and get ready for dinner?" Rachel smiled at her mother before heading back to her room. At least after the death of her father, her mother became more considerate.

Later that night, as Rachel was getting ready for bed. Her mother rushed into her room with her sister.
"What is wrong, mother?" Asked Rachel.
"Hide, girl! Shut the lights." The fear was clear in her mother's eyes
"But-"
"Don't question me." Said their mother sharply before she left the room.
Seconds later, Rachel could hear her mother arguing with someone out. But soon, the arguing turned into screams of pain. Tears were clear in Maria's eyes.
"Mother." She whispered.
With wide eyes, Rachel heard the sound of heavy steps coming from the corridor. Rachel squeezed her eyes shut, the intruder was close. Their door was opened. A heavy silence followed the stranger's unwelcome entrance.
"Get out!" Shouted Maria.
The silence lasted a moment before it was replaced with a cruel laughter. The stranger fixed his eyes on her. "You can't order me, girl." He said before he pushed his dagger in her chest. Maria was still.
The sound of shattering wood filled Rachel's ears. He was moving closer to her. Rachel remained hidden in the dark.
"I know you are hiding here." Sang the stranger. "I came for you, darling."
Rachel refused to speak.
"Come on, love. We don't want to waste everyone's time." Whispered the intruder loud enough for her to hear. Rachel tried to tiptoe toward the door. But someone dragged her outside. The cold night air hit her skin. She gazed hopelessly at the woody landscape around her.
A man had her in his grasp. As he pulled her toward the wood. Her instinct for survival took over and she tried to free herself. She screamed over and over again, but it was all in vain. The interior smelled like dust and rust. The only sounds were her own broken whimpers. The intruder held one of her hands while the other was free. Rachel could see the dagger he used to stab Maria, hanging on his waist.

As if luck was on Rachel side, a weird looking creature caught the intruder's eyes. Rachel snatched the dagger. The tip of the dagger glowed crimson red as she pushed it deep into his flesh. A loud cry of agony surrounded her. The intruder pushed her roughly. He applied some pressure on his stabbed chest. Rachel backed away, not removing her eyes away from him.

Without a second though, She ran into the heart of the forest. With burning lungs. And weak legs Rachel kept moving forward. The trees were not clear as the gloominess of the night wrap it. Yet, grains of poison begrimed the ancient trees as they gleamed around them like witch dust. The decaying air and stifling atmosphere provided the perfect abode for those who worshiped the darkness rather than the light.
The wind started to grow stronger as Rachel tried to navigate through the forest. All of a sudden, the sound of breaking twigs filled Rachel's ears. Someone matched her speed, he was so close.

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