Page 3 of Beyond the Darkness

A platform had been set up in the furthest corner of the square, giving everyone the perfect view of the large steel box that contained the names of every citizen within the kingdom under the age of fifty. After fifty years, their name is removed from the pool of options and they’re allowed to live out the rest of their days peacefully. Behind the box sat two thrones, one containing the king and the other containing the queen. Beside them stood the two princes and several guards who all had a hand pressed to the handle of their swords in case anyone made a move to attack. Aerilyn had never seen the royals up close before, it was always at a distance. The only time she saw them was on each Choosing Day. It made them feel unreal like they were just a fragment in their imaginations. The two princes had never joined them for some unknown reason. The distance across the square made it harder to make out their faces, but the crowns upon their heads gave away their titles.

The crowd around her began to settle down as the square became packed with bodies that were pressed together tightly. The burning sun of the day above them made her forehead moisten with a thin layer of sweat. The nerves of what was about to come made the heat feel much worse than it usually did. The murmurs of conversation around her began to quiet down as a man approached the steel box, holding a device to his mouth to amplify his voice for the entire square to hear.

“Welcome to Choosing Day everyone! I just love to see all of your faces, it’s so exciting to see all of our people coming together,” his voice was cheerful, making Aerilyn want to gag. They always made Choosing Day out to be a ceremony thatshould be celebrated. The royals attempted to throw parties and make the Chosen feel like they were an honor to their kingdom.

“As you all know, after the plague, the continent’s population dwindled drastically. After the cure was made, we were forced to face the hounds. King Aleksi of Orissia was able to create a sword that could control the hounds. When he left our kingdom, he became lost in the world beyond our walls. Now, the sword is lost and we must find it to gain control over the hounds. The Chosen today will leave our kingdom in search of the Sword of Aleksi in hopes of returning and bringing peace to our kingdom once more!” The man finished up his history lesson joyfully as the crowd began to clap. Even though the people around her had a nervous buzz, many still enjoyed the story. Aerilyn refused to feed into the bullshit. Every group of Chosen were sent beyond the walls and none have ever returned. She began to refuse to believe the sword was even out there anymore. She couldn’t help but think that the sword was a fictional tale that was created to ensure the kingdom would have some hope.

“Alright then,” he flashed the crowd a smile before approaching the box. His hand slowly dipped inside before pulling out a piece of parchment. “Blaise Kit,” the first name is called, a slight relief rushing over the girl. His hand reached back into the box, drawing another name. “Brinley Credence,” when the name was called, a small cheer arose from a redhead, bouncing on her tippy toes standing not far from Aerilyn.

Who the hell would be that excited to be chosen?She thought in annoyance.

“Bastian Price.”

The man drew the next name and his face turned white. It was like a hound had appeared before him, fear rushing over him. “E-Everett Delagros,” the prince’s name fell from his lips and a wave of murmurs filled the crowd. Her attention darted to the prince who had a look of confusion written across hisexpression, unable to hide the emotions. He turned to his father, their mouths moving in what seemed to be an argument. The other prince held his stomach, seeming as if he were going to be sick. Aerilyn had no idea that the royals’ names were ever entered into the mixture of citizens, it was unheard of.

“Finally, Aerilyn Kiliana,” her name echoed through the square, a wave of panic rushing over her. Twenty-one years she’d escaped the Choosing, praying she’d never hear her name. She placed her hand over her mouth to contain the sob that threatened to break free from her. Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall down her cheeks.

“If you have been Chosen, you will meet at the gate in an hour to begin your journey. Good luck to you all and may you return home safely with the sword that will better our kingdom,” the man continued to speak, but Aerilyn could no longer hear him. Her ears began to ring, her stomach clenching as she turned to get away from the crowd of people. She shouldered through, people moving away to make gaps to let her through. Once she had escaped the crowd, she began to run to the one place she could find true comfort.

Aerilyn sat in the dirt, her face in her hands as she finally let all the tears fall. Her entire body shook with each cry, unable to control the mixture of emotions running through her mind. Before her sat two headstones that she’d visited more times than she could count. Her mother and father’s names were engraved into the stone, their death dates only weeks apart. Her father had been a Forcer who worked on the wall. He was one of three people who had been victims of a hound attack. After that, hermother went crazy. The loss of her lover drove her to take her own life, leaving Aerilyn alone in the world.

She ran her fingertips along the names, realizing she’d never visit them again. She could never be buried beside them. Her body would never be found once she was beyond the walls. The hounds would probably devour her until there was nothing left to find.

“I don’t know what to do. I’m so afraid. I have never let my fear control me, but I can’t be strong right now. I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to leave home. I don’t want to die,” her voice broke on the last word, spilling out all of her feelings to the graves before her. Her emotions were always something that Aerilyn had control over. After her mother allowed her pain to drive her to death, she refused to end up like her. Now, Aerilyn had lost control of her emotions. They finally began to consume her. She knew she didn’t have much time. She had to say her goodbyes and pull herself together.

Aerilyn stood, brushing off her pants as she wiped her wet cheeks. She took several deep breaths as she pushed down her emotions. She had allowed herself to be vulnerable for the moment and refused to let it happen again. “I love you both. I’ll fight until the very end, I promise,” she whispered, touching the headstones one last time before leaving the graves behind and finding her way back home to gather the few things she had. She didn’t want to accept her death, she didn’t want any of it to be real. She wanted to wake up from the nightmare that she was trapped in. Instead of letting it consume her, Aerilyn found what little strength she had inside of her and tilted her chin higher. The girl didn’t know what was waiting beyond the walls, but she clung to the small beacon of hope that she could survive. Maybe this time would be different, maybe they could be the Chosen to change everything.

Chapter Five

Everett

Fear.

Confusion.

Betrayal.

Everett felt so many emotions that he couldn’t quite separate them. He didn’t even know that his name had been entered into the Choosing ceremony. No royal had ever been included in the pool of names. He was the heir to the throne and he was being thrown out of the kingdom without hesitation.

After the previous interaction with his father, being completely dismissed from the discussion in the throne room, he had already been angry with him. That was nothing in comparison to the hatred he felt when he heard his name called throughout the town square. The king oversaw the names placed in the ceremony. Nobody else could be behind this. He’d never felt betrayed like he had at that exact moment.

His feet carried him into the throne room where his father was already sitting, as if he had expected this conversation was going to occur. “What the fuck?” Everett snapped, his tone colder than ever before. His father narrowed his eyes at the choice of words, his posture still relaxed without a care in the world. “How did my name get into the pool? This isn’t possible. I’m supposed to be taking over the throne, now I’m being sent on a mission that could be my death sentence,” he stopped before the throne, his cheeks warm with anger. “I thought it was only fair to our people that we be included in the drawing. It’s unfair to deem ourselves more worthy than others. It makes us seem like dictators. Besides, I believe you have the capability of returning with the sword. Even if you’ve failed so many tasks, this one should be different,” the king glanced at the rings on his hand, more interested in the gold than his son. Everett could hardly process what he was saying. This had never happened before, he couldn’t determine what had made him decide to change everything so suddenly.

The world around him was caving in, his lungs feeling as if they were closing. He was truly sending him beyond the walls. He didn’t want to believe that he was superior to others, but his life was important for the future of the kingdom. “It’s not as if you’re my only son, Roman will still be alive if you don’t return. Now go on, you’re running out of time to say your goodbyes,” his father continued, a cruel smile forming on his lips. Everett’s eyes went wide, the words like a punch to his gut. He had done this on purpose. He had entered Everett’s name to get rid of his defiant son. “I can’t believe you would do this. Mother and Roman will never forgive you,” his voice was void of emotion, not wanting him to have the satisfaction of seeing his emotions.

“Good thing they’ll never know.”

Everett laughed breathily, shaking his head as he ran his hand over his face. “You’re unbelievable. I knew you were ashitty father, but I didn’t know you’d stoop so low,” the words struck a nerve in the king leading him to push to his feet. Before Everett could process what was happening, a hand connected with his face. The stinging sensation spread through his jaw, already aching. “You ungrateful child. You speak to me in ways I would have someone hung for. Don’t think for one second that I regret this decision. Roman was always my choice for heir,” he snapped before turning on his heel and returning to his spot on the throne.

The room was silent before his father raised his hand, waving it in dismissal. “Fuck you, your highness,” Everett laughed once more before he quickened his pace to exit the room. His anger boiled to the surface, causing his hands to shake. The moment he stepped out of the room his eyes locked with his brother’s, a pained expression written across his features. “I’m so sorry Ev, I didn’t know,” his voice was soft, the hurt in his tone. He wanted to be angry with his brother after what his father had said, but he couldn’t blame his brother for something that wasn’t in his control.

“He just wanted to find a reason to keep me from the throne. I won’t give up hope; I promise you I’ll do everything I can to return to you, brother,” he wrapped his arms around his sibling, unable to truly say goodbye. “Return with the sword just to spite him. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when you do. Make him regret the way he treated you,” Roman whispered into his ear before breaking away from the hug. There were so many more things Everett wanted to say, but saying them would make it seem as if he was never returning. “I’ll try my best. Keep mother company while I’m gone, I’m sure this won’t be easy on her,” he forced a smile, roughing up Roman’s hair before he made himself walk away from his brother. The longer he stood there, the harder it would be for him to walk away.

Everett debated during his walk to his mother’s study if it was a good idea to visit her before leaving. He couldn’t decide if she would be hurt more by hugging him goodbye or not having to let go of him at all. He found himself knocking on the door to her study, her soft voice calling him in. Her study was peaceful and warm. It was the most calming place in the palace besides the garden. The walls were lined with books of all genres, many made-up stories, and other history about the world before the plague. She had candles lit to keep the lighting to a minimum, only giving the room an even more relaxing aura.

“My sweet boy,” she smiled, standing from the chair she sat, abandoning her knitting to meet him for a hug. “I was wondering if you’d stop by before going on your special little mission,” she tapped his nose, completely unaware of the dangers that came along with the Chosen’s mission. She was naive, to say the least. His father had kept her sheltered within the palace and given little information about the rest of the kingdom. Before marrying the king, she’d grown up in the palace as a maid. She never once experienced life outside of the palace. “A special mission indeed,” he hummed, rubbing his hand on her back for comfort.

“I’m so proud of you and your bravery, Everett. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect son,” she praised him, filling him with warmth from the soft words. It was the opposite of what he heard from his father. “Maybe you can bring me something from the outside world. I know there’s nobody left out there, but I’m sure there’s abandoned towns that have treasures beyond imaginable,” she spoke with wide eyes, dreaming of something more positive than everyone else. “I can try my best to find something to your liking. I’m unsure of how long I’ll be gone, but I will miss you,” he kissed the top of her head before pulling himself away from her grasp. He could feel the emotions rushing through waves, threatening to drown him in the pain. Walkingaway from the only two people he loved felt like he was ripping his heart out of his chest.

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