Alexander was sitiing on the edge of the cliff, desperately trying to catch his breath. The chase was fierce! Slowly, he got up and started to look around carefully, trying to penetrate the darkness of the night with his eyes. His senses were alert, his ears and eyes waiting to detect a sign that his enemies were approaching. But nothing. The wind, the night, the forest, everything around him was silent and still.
After checking his suroundings again, he sat down. The pain in his shoulder was almost unbearable: an iron flash was piercing the flesh of his shoulder, sending rays of pain throuhgout his entire body. He leaned against a rock, exhaling and inhaling slower and slower.
Alexander's mind was racing: he needed to come up with an escaping plan as his sworn enemy, Prince Nathaniel, was closing in on him, accompanied by the Iron Army. He could hear the hounds barking and the men shouting. He could also smell the burning torches, which meant Prince Nathaniel was close. Alexander remembered the morning before, when he woke up in the terrible noise made by the huge War Bell of Niata. When sounded, this bell announced invaders, suffering and war. Its voice was loud and the message was frightening. Every inhabitant of Niata feared this sound, but, when they heard it, they would put on their armours, pick up their weapons, hide their families and loved ones and go to war. Niata men were fearless and strong.
Alexander also remembered being separated by his army, The Celestial Army. That was when the chase began. Prince Nathaniel wanted so badly to kill Alexander amd take over the throne of Niata. Nathaniel's kingdom, Jokoan, was small and very poor. His intention was to unite Niata with Jokoan into one big and thriving kingdom. Thus, his people, the jokoans, would never feel hungry again. All he had to do was kill Alexander.
Lights were approaching. Alexander tried to get up but he wasn't able to- his limbs were numb.Little did he know that the flash was poisoned with the nectar of the Miafre flower.
He looked over his shoulder: Nathaniel had found him and was comming his way. Right there and then, Alexander knew he was lost while Nathaniel felt like a conquerer.
Under the moonlight, right on fhe edge of the cliff, the figures of two strong willed and powerful men were facing each other: one on his knees, taken down by poison, and the other, standing tall and looking down on the poor loser. The outcome was clear.
" I have been chasing you for two days, Prince Alexander! " said Prince Nathaniel, spitting his rival in the face, with contempt.
"It's your time to go now" he added, in a soft and menacing tone, looking at his sword, which was shinning like a bad omen, in the moonlight. "I promise I will take care of your kingdom and love your people, like my own", whispered Nathaniel to Alexander's ear and Alexander knew he was honest.
Nathaniel raised his sword, and, with a loud scream, he lowered it swiftly, aiming Alexander's bowed neck.
But, the blow never came: the sword cut through the air, without reaching flash.
In the heat of the moment, the Prince of Niata threw himself over the edge of the cliff, falling into the abyss.
"Throw the net! Throw the net! Now! Don't let him escape! Get him! Catch him! " shoutsd Nathaniel, desperate and full of rage.
During his fall, Alexander found himself entangled in the net- numb, scared and entangled.
Back at the gates of Niata, a vengeful and rageful Nathaniel was leading the Iron Army into the capital , the cify of Nyan.
The Prince of Jokoan managed to conquer Nyan in just one night. He spated the people tbat swore him loyalty and killed those who opposed him. By morning, the ruckus of fhe battle had died down and the streets had been cleaned.
Nathaniel was sitting on the throne, surrounded by his subjects which were, now, replacing Alexander's court men. They were in a gathering, because there were very many things that needed to be discussed due to the merging of the two kingdoms, that he wanted to take place as quickly as possible.
He had people put out notes through out the city and country to assure the population of Niata that he came in peace and that they will suffer no more distruction or killing. He wanted, he intended, he wished to be a good king. He dreamt of a great country, a fruitful union between his people, the people of Jokoan, and Alexander's people, the Niatans.
The thought of Alexander made him rise to his feet. It was a nagging idea. It haunted him. The thought that, perhaps, the true ruler of Niata, might be alive.
"It's impossible! he whispered under his breath. "No one can survive the dark and mysterious waters of the Rewaly Sea. And the fall of the cliffs, wrapped in the Rashpo net, had certainly put an end to him." These were the types of thoughts that went through Nathaniel's head, while heading towards his chambers for a bath and some rest.
The fall was swift and fhe net was heavy. Alexander was falling to his death, he was sure of it, but was unable to save himself. He was unable to move, unable to scream, unable to breath. The poison was working fast, blocking fhe vital functions of his body.
He hit fhe surface of rhe water quickly. The shock of the impact was immense and the water was cold as ice. Thousands of painful knives cut through his skin and flash, his eyes hurt. Though numb from the poison, the pain was real, he could feel it. He felt life leaving his body and embraced death with a smile. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to finally rest.
Delicate and swift hands passed in front of his eyes, setting him free from the web and pulling out fhe flash. He tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't. He felt relieved of the huge burden of the iron net and the painful moves of the flash in his body. But still, his limbs wouldn't follow his commands, remaining still. On the brink of fainting from the lack of oxygen, Alexander felt it. And it changed him forever.
A kiss.
A sweet-bitter kiss.
Carefully pressed on his lips.
And the full control of his body.