Young Writers Society

CHAPTER ONE

“Bring me Dylan!” Thorn ordered. Her voice rang out clearly across the Cobra Tribe’s base. “Right away, ma’am.” One of the soldiers scurried off.

The door burst open with a BANG and Dylan walked in. I raised him well, Thorn thought proudly. He was fifteen now and was wearing a jet black hoodie with the hood covering half of his face, casting a shadow over it. Thorn didn’t want anything to do with those unusual blue eyes and black hair.

“Yes, Thorn?”

“Taylor was being very disrespectful to me this morning. He lied to me and then YELLED at me! Can you believe it? YELLED!” Thorn snarled. “I need you to kill him for me, Dylan. The deadline is tomorrow at noon.” “At once, ma’am,” Dylan said quietly and calmly. “I’ll do it at night.” “Perfect! It’s settled then?” Thorn clasped her hands together with a pleased expression.

Late at night, Dylan crept out of his bedroom. He could hear Thorn snoring, fast asleep. In his pocket was a sharp knife, gleaming in the moonlight. He walked down the moonlit street until he reached Taylor's house.

Good bye Taylor. He crept to the back of the house and saw Taylor. Oh, why is he awake? This would make Dylan’s job two times hard. He entered from the back door. Silently and quickly, he sneaked in. Taylor’s back was turned to him. Suddenly, Taylor lunged forward and threw a sharp knife right at Dylan’s heart. He ducked and threw his. It pierced Taylor, and he landed with a thud. Dylan withdrew his knife and placed it back in its place. This was how it always was. Thorn would assign him someone to kill, and he would do it. He has been through so much pain and surprises in training that he was used to it and had developed a cold, calm nature. This was his job. A loyal, cold-blooded murderer.

Dylan touched the scar on his eye. He got that from Thorn when he had disobeyed her. It was to remind him to always be obedient. The people of the kingdom avoid him in fear, knowing that if they did something wrong, Thorn would send Dylan to slay them. He was young, but experienced, agile, and cunning.

Dylan went to Thorn’s room

. “I finished what you said for me to do, Thorn,” Dylan said. “Would you like anything else?” “No, Dylan, that is all for now. Actually, there is something I would like you to do.” Dylan leaned closer. “What is it?” “This is going to be nothing like you’ve ever experienced before, a mission more than what you are doing now. I need you to get accepted into the Eclipse Tribe. I need you to steal the pendant and kill the leader. Then, bring the pendant to me.” Thorn talked smoothly and casually, like it was just a normal conversation.

“Then, I can just take over!” 

Dylan blinked. Then blinked again. “Are you serious?” “OF COURSE I’m SERIOUS! Are you questioning MY ORDERS?” Thorn boomed. “N-no ma’am, I’ll do it as soon as possible,” Dylan said uncertainly.

I know I’ve been through lots of training, but still…I don’t know if I am ready to do something like that! Kill Axel? That’s going to be almost impossible. Of course, he didn’t say it out loud and risk Thorn’s anger again. She’s using me. I’m her most powerful weapon.

Dylan didn’t know whether to feel proud or disgusted. His whole life, he had been obediently following Thorn’s orders, carrying it out without a thought or a question about what he was doing. This was how Thorn had trained and taught him. He imagined himself as the people of Cobra, always in fear of him. I don’t have a choice now. I will have to do as Thorn pleases, or I will be the one killed. This is dangerous, but I’ll do it. For Thorn. Dylan packed himself a knife, a sword, some clothes, food, and water in a black backpack. Here I go.

CHAPTER TWO

The next day, Dylan set off. He met a ferocious cougar, but that was no big deal for him. He had somehow scared it off. Soon, he found himself in Eclipse territory.

“Hi! My name is Milana! What’s yours? I haven’t seen you around here!” A high-pitched, eager voice rang in his ears. He looked to the side and saw a young girl, maybe seven or six, running towards him. He instinctively pulled out his knife. What am I doing!? She’s so young, she’s no threat. Dylan eyed her warily.

Suddenly, a massive weight slammed into him, and he thudded to the ground. He felt his hand lose grip on the knife, which was now pointing straight at his neck. Dylan glanced up. It was a teenage boy, a bit older than Dylan. He had a suspicious look on his face and was glaring at him. That surprised me. It shouldn’t have. I shouldn’t have gotten distracted by the girl. Why was I not attentive this time? Dylan scolded himself. He felt blood begin to pour from the spot where the boy was piercing his neck with the knife, choking him.

“You better not try to kill Milana, stranger!” The boy held the knife and pressed it harder into his neck. Dylan made a painful gasp and gritted his teeth against the pain.

“Stop, Saber! Can’t you tell he is not that big of a threat now?”

By now, Dylan’s vision was blurring, and he gasped for air. He had never been beaten before. If only I'd been more attentive… He abruptly felt the knife loosen on his neck and the weight being lifted off his chest. He lay there for a few moments, choking and wheezing. He shut his eyes as he felt the hood being pulled off him. Oh no…they’re going to see my eyes! I have to open them, though…they’re going to think that something strange is going on. He blinked them open and sat up dizzily. “I-I think I’m going to pass out.” He put his head in his arms. The others were staring at him. Staring at his eyes.

“Raven. Remember the legend…the myth?” The one called Saber whispered.

“Yes. Called the Abyssal Flame. Born with eyes like midnight seas, storms obey his silent plea. A pendant glows at his chest—An ancient pulse, shaped by fate’s own hand. He walks where loyalty and lies entwine, with power enough to bend time. His path is lone-to destroy or save. The world hangs still on his final choice, where truth and destiny shape the skies. In the dark abyss, his light remains-a flame unseen, but always free,” The girl called Raven recited.

“I thought it was just a myth,” Milana said in awe. 

“We’ll take him to Axel. He’ll decide what we would do with him.” Saber snapped back from uncertainty, and together, Raven and Saber dragged Dylan as he struggled to get free. Did I just see a hint of fear in their gazes? And what was ‘the myth’ about an Abyssal Flame? He thought hard and couldn’t think of anything that Thorn had taught him. Maybe she didn’t know about it.

“Stop moving, stranger,” Raven snarled, “Or else you will be dead before we reach Axel.” Saber threatened him with Dylan’s knife again. Dylan stopped struggling and reluctantly walked with them to the Eclipse Base. I hope I will have a chance to tell my side of the story. And I also hope I get that knife back. Why was I so stupid and didn’t bring an extra!?

Deep down, Dylan knew that wasn’t going to change anything. He wouldn’t use the knife on Axel’s people, or else he knew he wasn’t ever going to be accepted. A mighty roar interrupted his thoughts. He looked ahead sharply and saw a bear. A grizzly.

Oh great. Another predator? He must’ve sniffed out my blood. Guiltily, Dylan looked down. His hoodie and neck were stained with his blood. He didn’t even realize until now that he was having trouble breathing. I should be fine. 

“AAAGH!” Milana screamed in fear and tried to run away. “No, DON’T!” Dylan grabbed her. “If you run, he’ll chase.” This was what Thorn had taught him when facing off with predators in training.

“Please, let me handle it.” Saber ran towards the bear with Dylan’s knife. The bear growled hungrily and charged towards him. Dylan barged in just in time and pushed Saber out of the way. The bear’s here for me. No one else should get hurt. “Give…me the knife,” Dylan panted.

“Trust me.” “We shouldn’t trust him, he is probably from the Cobra Tribe!” Raven shouted.

“Well, DOES IT LOOK LIKE WE HAVE A CHOICE?!” Saber threw the knife at Dylan, and he caught it. He then threw the knife into the forest. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Saber yelled. Dylan ignored them and knelt in front of the massive bear. “I’m not going to hurt you…don’t hurt us,” Dylan whispered. “We are not prey. Go away and find others.” 

The bear looked confused, then grunted and trotted away. “Thank you.” The others looked shocked. Their shock began to wear off as Dylan walked with them to the Eclipse Base without a word, head bowed. I don’t know what they are going to say about me. I’m waiting for judgment. Don’t do anything wrong and be attentive, Dylan reminded himself.

CHAPTER THREE

By the time they got to the Eclipse Base, the gash in Dylan’s neck was red and painful, even though it had stopped bleeding. Dylan was wheezing and panting for breath. He had never been prepared for this.

They entered the Base. It was gold and silver, unlike the Cobra Base, dull, dark, and grey. Raven pushed Dylan to the ground. He was too weak to protest. He knelt before Axel. I hope I get accepted. If he failed, Thorn would most definitely kill him. “What is the meaning of this?” Axel boomed. 

“We found this stranger roaming around in our territory. He was carrying a knife and was glaring at Milana. Saber attacked him and pulled the knife on him. We thought we would bring him to you for you to decide what to do with him,” Raven declared.

“Good choice, Raven. Good job, Saber,” said Axel. Thorn had never praised or complimented me. And I was not glaring at Milana. They are trying to get rid of me. “What is up with those blue eyes of yours?” Axel asked. 

Dylan struggled to speak and finally rasped out, “I am not sure, sir. I was born with them.” “What’s your name?”

“Dylan, sir.” The soldier beside Axel whispered something to him. He caught ‘blue eyes.’ Why are they so interested in my eyes? I know that they are unusual, but still…something strange is going on. I know it. “Excuse me, sir, may I ask, why are you so interested in my eyes? I know they are unusual, but this much attention is unnecessary,” Dylan said politely. “You’ve never heard of the Abyssal Flame myth?” Axel asked. “I’ve heard it once or twice from Raven and Saber, but other than that…no,” Dylan said. “I can tell you are from the Cobra Tribe. You are well-known, you know? Thorn’s assassin.” Dylan thought with a sick feeling, he knew. He knows that I am her assassin. He’s going to kill me. If I don’t get accepted, I will be wanted in Cobra. Something glinted on Axel’s neck. The pendant! It would be easier than I expected. I lost my knife, but I have a pocket knife too. Perhaps I’ll do it at night, like I always do. “Guard, bring Dylan to the nurse to heal that wound, then to the dungeon,” Axel boomed. He didn’t do it, Dylan thought with surprise, . he didn’t order for me to be killed. So unlike Thorn. “Thank you for sparing me, sir,” Dylan whispered gratefully. “Thorn kills intruders?” Dylan hesitated. I shouldn’t be giving away information from Cobra, but this should do no harm. 

“Yes, she kills whoever enters the territory that is not from Cobra.” The guard grabbed Dylan and walked with him to the healer.

“This looks infected. How long have you had this wound?”

“About three hours ago,” Dylan replied. “It should be fine, Dylan, just get some rest and it will heal soon,” The nurse observed. She put some ointment on the wound, and Dylan walked with the guard to the dungeon

. He knew there was no point in disobeying. The guard locked him in there. Ok, now how do I escape? Dylan started examining the dungeon door the moment the guard left. It was heavy metal, impossible to break through. He started to lose hope. What should I do? I need fire to melt it, and I don’t have any. But…I do have…my pocket knife. Dylan used it to pick the lock. In deep, left, right, down, left, Dylan thought. He was remembering what Thorn had taught him. Suddenly, the lock clicked open. It was late at night. Perfect. BANG! CRACKLE! BOOM! Fire exploded in the dungeon, and burned Dylan’s hand as he jumped and rolled out of the way. The Base is on fire! Another explosion happened near one of the dungeons. Dylan ran towards the door. It was blocked. Dylan turned around to see the flames lapping a centimeter from burning him.

CHAPTER FOUR

“Get away!” He held out his hands and closed his eyes. Abruptly, he could not hear the crackle of flames anymore. Dylan opened his eyes and saw…water. Water rushed from his hands to all the flames, extinguishing all of them in one blow. Dylan was shocked. What happened? He tried again, but nothing happened.

Suddenly, the door cracked open behind him. He pulled out his pocket knife, and sharply turned around.

It was Raven. “Relax, Dylan, it’s only me.” She raised her hands in submission. Dylan slowly put the knife back into place. “How are you still alive?” Raven seemed very confused. “I was almost certain you got killed by the fire!” 

“Honestly, I have no idea.” Dylan held out his hands, and water shot from them again. He was breathing hard. 

“It’s…you…you’re the Abyssal Flame!” Raven concluded in surprise. “How…what?” “You’re the Abyssal Flame,” Raven repeated.

After she explained the myth, Dylan understood. This was why everyone was interested in my blue eyes. This was why they feared me. Thorn never taught me about this. Why? “I understand, Raven,” Dylan said. “But I don’t belong here. I know I don’t.” “You are staying here,” Raven declared. “No choices.” Dylan sighed.

The next few days, the people of Eclipse avoided him, like the people of Cobra. Dylan had his hood back on again. This is the reputation I had built with the help of Thorn. I turned myself into a monster. Dylan heard the sound of a bow ready to shoot. He turned around, ducked expertly out of the way of the flying arrow, pulled out his knife, and pointed it at a man.

“So you don’t fear me, do you? Pretty brave,” Dylan snarled as he pointed it closer. The man was shivering with fear.

“DROP IT, Dylan,” Saber said threateningly. Dylan bowed his head in submission and pulled it back, inches from the man’s face. He put his hands in his hoodie pocket and walked away. I can’t forget about my mission. I will have to do it. Kill Axel. Tonight.

There were two things that Dylan always kept with him. His pocket knife and a pack of cigarettes. He took out one and lit it, leaning against the protection wall. Dylan didn’t always smoke, only when he was stressed, which was hardly ever. “You smoke?” Raven came up to him.

“Not always,” He replied.

He didn’t have friends here. Not like he had any except Thorn in Cobra. Raven and Saber were just keeping an eye on him. Milana avoided him like the Plague.

CRASH! Dylan heard the protection wall cracking, and Thorn burst in. “Cobra Tribe, ATTACK!” This wasn’t part of the plan! What is Thorn doing!?

“Hi, Dylan! This is your time to kill Axel and steal the Pendant! Go!” Dylan ran off and cornered Axel against the wall. He took out his pocket knife. Then, he hesitated. He showed kindness when I first got here. I…I don’t want to kill him. “Sorry, Thorn. I can’t do this,” whispered Dylan. BAM! Thorn barged in and slashed Axel with one, smooth, powerful blow. “NO!” Dylan screamed. “You FOOLISH boy, thinking you can disobey me without consequences? Don’t you remember what happened before!?” “I…I-” Thorn charged at him with her sword and slashed at him. Axel was lying there, blood staining his clothes. I am not her puppet. She can’t use me. This is for Axel. Dylan tried to use his powers, like before, but it didn’t work. Ugh! He grabbed his knife and expertly dodged and swiped. Yet, Thorn was way more experienced. She knocked his knife to the ground with a clatter. I’m weaponless! I’ll have to use physical strength. “RECKLESS! You are not what I trained you to be!” “You TRAINED me to be YOUR PUPPET! You used me to get what you want!” 

Thorn took another powerful swipe and knocked Dylan to the ground. Raven knocked Thorn out of the way. “RETREAT! Cobra Tribe, RETREAT!” “I’ll be back for you,” Thorn hissed at Dylan, “Traitor! I raised you! I’ll kill you next!”

 CHAPTER FIVE

“Axel?” Dylan rasped out the Eclipse’s leader’s name. He slowly got up off the ground and limped towards the beaten leader.

“...Dylan…” “I’m so sorry!” Dylan gasped, horrified. “This is all my fault! I never meant for any of this to happen. I was just obeying Thorn’s orders!”

“This…is not your fault. This is my fate. My purpose, my destiny. And yours is to guard the pendant. I know you have divided loyalty. One day, you will have to choose.”

The pendant lifted off Axel’s neck and rested heavily on Dylan’s chest, glowing an ocean blue. “What!? Wait…no…don’t leave…please…” Dylan knelt beside Axel and whispered, “I will never forget you and how kind you were to me.” Axel’s eyes had a final glow as they went out. Like fire, you blazed through the forest, powerful. Now that the fire is out, a new beginning has started. Rain began to shower down, drenching all those who were watching. Dylan could hear their murmurs of reluctance and uncertainty. He knew they didn’t trust him to make the right decision. But Axel did.

“Why didn’t he choose you, Saber? You are strong and determined! You would certainly be a good leader,” Milana murmured. “I don’t know, Milana, I don’t know. We will have to trust that Axel made the right decision.”

Dylan overheard that and bowed his head. “It’s true. Saber would make a great leader. I don’t know why he chose me. I have divided loyalties, like he said.” I could take this pendant to Thorn. She would be pleased that I have returned. Or she might kill me for the pendant. But Axel trusted me. I don’t want to break that trust.

The next day, Dylan and Raven went out to gather food for the Eclipse Tribe. After a little while, Raven sighed. “We hardly got any food! Let’s separate to find some, more faster.” Raven went into the deeper parts of the forest, while Dylan scouted back and found another way. He had not been long gone before he heard a rustling sound. Warily, Dylan pulled out his knife. “Who’s there? Show yourself!” Slowly, something began to emerge in a circle, surrounding him. Shadow! And Gideon, Steven, Victor, Snake, and Lyla!

“Thorn wants you…” Shadow hissed smoothly, like a cunning snake about to strike. Dylan crouched and held his knife straight at Shadow. I can’t beat all of them! They…they want the pendant! Snake lashed out with his sword. Dylan dodged, but at the same time, Victor swiped at him. The sword cut Dylan’s side. 

He gritted his teeth in pain and fury and threw his knife, knocking Victor down. Shadow charged at him and swiped with her sword. It caught him in the neck. Dylan gasped in pain as the wound from before reopened. Lyla slashed at him, catching him on the shoulder. Gideon was finally able to knock Dylan to the ground.

He was wounded, and was gasping for breath. “How…can…you be so cruel?” Dylan wheezed. “This is how cruel you should be,” Shadow snapped. “You are such a traitor!” 

Gideon stood over him. “We looked up to you. Feared you. But you are a traitor. You betrayed the Tribe that Thorn raised you. Dylan, you should feel lucky. But no. And Thorn will deal with you fairly.” I don’t believe that. “You fought well, former assassin. But not well enough. We are taking you to Thorn, whether you want to see her or not,” Snake hissed. Victor struggled to stand up. “You good, Victor?” Lyla asked. 

“All good,” Victor grunted. Together, Gideon and Shadow supported Victor while Lyla, Steven, and Snake guarded Dylan, making sure there was no escape. Dylan limped along, fighting for breath. The Cobras were sure to deal with him. Not fairly, but how they want to. And Dylan was sure that it was not going to be good.

CHAPTER SIX

The others went for a drink in a nearby stream and left Dylan handcuffed and tied by his neck to an oak tree. He let his head drop while he waited for the others to come back. His neck, shoulder, and side really hurt. He knew that they were more than halfway to the Cobra Base, but he was getting weaker by the minute.

“Dylan, we brought you some water,” Dylan raised his head and looked up to see Steven carrying a jug filled with water. “We thought you might be thirsty.”

“What’s the point? I’m going to die anyway,” Dylan rasped. But he still drank. After that, Shadow and Snake untied him and pulled him up. Dylan looked up, closed his eyes, and swallowed hard. I can barely breathe, or stand up! They continued the walk to Cobra, but slowly.

“Ah, Dylan, I’ve got you in my hands at last, you traitorious assassin!” Thorn paced in front of Dylan, who had collapsed in front of her the moment they reached the Base. “I’m going to carry out my last promise. Slowly. Painfully.” Dylan groaned in pain and closed his eyes, his breath coming in short gasps. 

“But,” Thorn said smoothly. “I will take what is rightfully mine first.” Suddenly, like a snake striking, Thorn lunged forward and grabbed the pendant and forcefully pulled it off with a snap. “N-no…” Dylan whispered hoarsely. I was responsible for it! I can’t afford to lose it! Now it is in the wrong hands. “Guards, take Dylan to the prison and heavily guard him! I’ll deal with him later. For now, I am going to use the pendant’s power. I am going to be the most powerful in all the lands!” Thorn said gleefully. The guards dragged him away. Dylan glanced at Thorn. She was examining the pendant. It was crystal blue with green on the outside.

“Move along!” Steven grunted. They headed down to the dungeon and they threw him in one of the cells, and chained his arms and neck to the wall. “This should be enough, and anyways, his knife is gone and he is weak. There is no way he would ever be able to escape. No one will come to save him. He is traitorous to both Tribes, not just ours.” Shadow snarled the last word, locked the prison cell, and left. He could hear her heavy footsteps going up the stone stairs. Dylan could barely see in the dim light of the prison cell. To make things even worse, he couldn’t breathe. Like at all. His wounds hurt more than a tiger’s bite. He closed his eyes, trying to save some breath. Worst of all, his feelings were hurt and stung by Thorn’s cruelty. I’ve listened to Thorn all my life. Carried out her orders. I was obedient and loyal until now. Doesn’t my life mean anything to her? She really only took me in to use me so she doesn’t have to do any work to gain what she desires. His last thought before he lost all his consciousness was, Why did I ever listen to Thorn’s orders? The pendant is in her hands. I’ve failed the Eclipse Tribe and betrayed the Cobra Tribe. I’m sorry…

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Dylan! Dylan! Wake up!” Someone was gently shaking him. Dylan blinked open his eyes. He was in the same prison cell, but it was even darker than before. He squinted and could just make out a silhouette of a girl. Who is that? Is it Shadow? Or another of the guards or soldiers?

“It’s me, Raven!” A look of recognition flashed across Dylan’s electric blue eyes. “What are you doing here? This is just going to get you hurt,” Dylan groaned.

“What do you THINK I’m doing? Saving you, of course!” She began to untangle the chains around his neck. Dylan rested his head against the wall to make it easier for her.

“You are so reckless, Raven, coming here all by yourself!” “Well, would it be better to just leave you here to die?” Dylan met Raven’s gaze. They were full of warmth. Raven blushed.

“I don’t want you to get hurt. I would die if it makes sure you are safe.” How did I turn into this? From Thorn’s assassin, to a soft teen! “Are your cuts okay?” Raven touched his neck. At this moment, he had almost forgotten about them. Now that she had reminded him, he was aware that they were stinging. Not as bad as before, but stinging. 

“I should be fine,” Dylan said. Raven finished untangling all the chains. Dylan stood up and staggered. Raven caught him. “How did you get all the way down here without anyone noticing?” Raven supported Dylan as he limped to the door. “I used a disguise!” Dylan looked, and for the first time, noticed Raven wearing a black hoodie, just like his. “I claimed to be here to send a message to Thorn! Clever, huh?” “Yes, very clever,” Dylan replied. “But how are we going to escape?” “I told the guard at the door to meet at Thorn’s room in 30 minutes, and to spread the word.” Raven said. “This should give us enough time.”

Dylan and Raven hurried along as well as they could. They’ve managed to make it into Eclipse Territory before they stopped. “Where’s Saber?” Dylan panted. “He doesn’t know. He would think it was also too dangerous for me.” Raven walked alongside Dylan as they made their way to the Base. “I can tell that he likes you,” Dylan smiled faintly. “He listened to you when he first pinned me down, and he makes an effort to hang out with you.” “You really think so?” Raven murmured, and then looked at the ground. “Yes,” Dylan replied simply, but inside, he felt…sad. I don’t know how I feel. Saber has feelings for Raven. Does she like him back? I feel…jealous.

“Where’s the pendant?” Raven abruptly stopped and stared at his chest. He looked down and gasped.

“I forgot that Thorn took it! I’ve got to go back!” Raven hugged Dylan tightly. “No, we can get it later. Eclipse is without a leader.” “I…don’t want to be a leader.” Dylan looked down guiltily. “I can’t. Saber is fit to be one. They don’t trust me, Raven.” Dylan locked eyes with her once again. A glimmer of understanding sparkled in her black eyes.

“Now that I know you, I trust you with my life. So will everyone else. You are not alone anymore, Dylan. You have me. So I need you to trust me now, okay? I know exactly how you feel.”

Dylan smiled for the first time in a long time. “Ok, but how do you know how I feel? You’ve never been me.”

“When I was younger, maybe five or six, I was a thief. I stole other people’s belongings to get enough money to get things essential for my survival. Axel saw my potential, and trained me to be a guard. The others didn’t trust me. But I proved myself in battle and threw them out of danger’s way. That’s how I became what I am now.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Dylan and Raven reached the Eclipse Base. They were both exhausted. 

“Raven!” A voice filled with fury came from the left. Raven turned to see Saber. “Why’d you leave without telling me? You could’ve gotten hurt!” 

“If I had told you, you wouldn’t have let me go!” Raven said defensively. “Well, at least tell me where you went,” Saber’s angry voice echoed around the Base. He suddenly noticed Dylan standing nearby.

“Why did you bring HIM back?” he snarled. Dylan pulled his hood up and took a step back. “Can’t you see he is not trustworthy? He betrayed Cobra. How do you know he wouldn’t betray us as well?” “Saber makes a good point,” Dylan whispered to Raven.

“You don’t even know him that well!” Raven’s voice was rising in anger. “You don’t know what he’s like! Dylan might seem cold and dangerous, but he is not, I swear!” Saber went silent, staring at Dylan with treacherous and threatening eyes.

“Dylan…where’s the pendant,” Saber hissed. Dylan dipped his head in shame. “I’m so sorry, Saber, Thorn took it from me. I couldn’t stop her.” Saber was turning red from fury. He lashed out with the sword he was holding and knocked Dylan down. Dylan didn’t blame him. The pendant was my responsibility, and I lost it. I deserve this. He propped himself up to see Raven pounce on Saber. A surprised look crossed his face. He didn’t expect Raven to attack him. Saber dropped his sword and dipped his head submissively.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “Dylan, you can stay.” 

“Who made YOU leader?” Raven was angry. He had never seen her angry.

“No one…”

“Then don’t give orders!”

The people watching murmured uncomfortably. Dylan seemed to shrink. “I-I’m sorry, I don’t want to cause conflict,” Dylan stammered. “You are not doing any harm, Dylan.” Raven’s eyes softened. Over her shoulder, Dylan could see Saber and could practically hear his jealous thoughts

. It’s clear to me that she likes Dylan. But it’s okay. If Raven doesn’t like me naturally, I will make her like me.

Saber scowled at Dylan. It’s not my fault! I even told her I think you like her! Dylan tried to tell Saber through his glance at him. He didn’t seem to understand and turned away. Dylan sighed.

Then, an ear-piercing scream broke the silence of the night. Dylan whipped around and saw Thorn. Thorn was holding Milana captive. The weird thing was that Thorn had two swirling masses of green on her hands. She had powers. She got them from…the pendant! “DYLAN! YOU’RE MINE!” Thorn lunged at him, with 3 of her guards and soldiers following close behind. Raven ran forward and attacked Thorn. 

“Raven, no!” Saber cried. Dylan took a deep breath. Moonlit tide, rise and flow, mighty oceans, start to grow, by storm or stream I call you near, water’s power, strong and clear. Dylan made a wave motion with his hand and a fierce wave of cold water hit Thorn, driving her back before her powers could hit him or Raven.

“What the-” “The rain falls gently, washing lies away, a rising tide drives villains from the fray, no dark shall hide where clear streams flow, water humbles the cruel and it grows,” Dylan whispered.

“Give. Me. Milana.” “Never!” Dylan made the motion with both of his hands and a humongous wave hit Thorn once again, this time it will knock her back all the way to Cobra. Milana stood there with the pendant, shocked and fearful. “It’s okay,” Dylan soothed. “You’re safe now.” Dylan crouched down and took the pendant as well as examined Milana. “Are you hurt?” “No, I’m not, I’m fine,” Milana said. “Thank you!” Dylan turned to Raven. 

There was something glistening under the moonlight on Raven’s arm. Blood! “You’re bleeding!” Dylan exclaimed. “Come with me.” Saber scowled at Dylan. He ignored him and walked with Raven to the forest. They arrived at a moonlit lake.

“Water can heal you,” Dylan whispered. He gently dripped water over Raven’s wound and just like that, it slowly disappeared completely! 

“Whoa,” Raven said in awe. Dylan took off his hoodie and waded into the cold water. He went under, and came up again a second later. Raven gasped. All his wounds from the earlier battles were…gone.

“Come in,” Dylan said joyfully. Raven hesitated, then took off her jacket and joined him. The water was cool and refreshing.

“I didn’t know you could do this,” Raven whispered. “Water can do anything,” Dylan replied. He looked at Raven. She was looking up at the moon. Her black eyes reflected the starry night.

There was a crunch behind them. Dylan turned. It was Saber! He had tripped over a tree root and fell on dead leaves. Raven started laughing. 

“Clumsy Saber! Never imagined that could be a thing!” Saber turned red in embarrassment. “Hey, Saber.” Dylan came out of the water and put his hoodie back on. Raven did the same.

“What are you doing here?” Raven asked. 

“I wanted to know why Dylan brought you here.” Saber gave Dylan a friendly look. He’s faking. He doesn’t want Raven to know that he hates me. I don’t blame him. I stole his love.

“This is what he showed me.” Dylan stood on the side, watching Saber and Raven as they waded into the water, in deep conversation.

CHAPTER NINE

Dylan, Saber, and Raven walked back together. Dylan trailed behind as the other two talked.  Maybe she thinks of me as a friend and really does like Saber.I’m happy for them. I really am. The moment they reached the Base, Dylan headed towards his temporary room.

“Wait,” Saber called. “Tomorrow we are going to cast stones to see who the people want as leader.”

“Sounds good,” Dylan walked all the way to his bedroom and left the door ajar. Saber did the same. Raven headed towards Dylan’s bedroom.

“Hey,” She said as she came in, closed the lights, closed the door, and climbed into his bed. “What are you doing here?” Dylan muttered. “Go hang out with Saber.”

He didn’t mean to sound bitter, but he did. Raven pulled the covers up on both of them and hugged Dylan. “You know that I like you, right? I consider Saber…as a…friend.” Dylan looked up, surprised. “You do?”

“Can’t you tell?” Raven asked and then punched Dylan playfully. She met his eyes and smiled, snuggling closer. What they didn’t know was that Saber was watching them. His eyes lit up with jealousy and fury, and he turned and stormed back to his room.

The next day, Saber gathered all the people of Eclipse. “We are going to cast stones to determine who you want as leader. There is a pile of smooth, gray stones and you guys will take a stone and put it either on my side, or Dylan’s. Everyone will vote except us.” Dylan watched as the first person cast a glance at Dylan, and walked to Saber’s side and placed his stone there. After another five people did the same thing, it was Raven’s turn. She looked at the stone in her hand, and glanced up at both of them uncertainly.

“I’m sorry, Saber.” She walked over to Dylan and placed her stone at his side. Dylan could tell Saber was trying hard not to lunge at him. After that, Milana, a man, and a woman placed their stones at Dylan’s side too.

At the end of the vote, one of the soldiers counted the stones on each side. Saber went first. “10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20…twenty stones.” “7, 8, 9, 10…ten stones. Saber won the vote!” 

Dylan dipped his head to Saber. “You're the leader now.” He stepped down and walked to the edge of the crowd. “Come and gather food with me.” Saber walked up to him and they walked out of the camp.

Dylan was on high alert. He didn’t trust Saber that much.

“I’ll go look over there,” Saber muttered, pointing left to a deeper part of the forest. “Stay here.” “Ok,” Dylan said, confused. Why would he want me to stay here? Wouldn’t it be faster for us to split up and find food? Although, I did get injured and held captive last time I did this. “We meet again, Dylan…” Dylan looked up to see Snake.

“Get away,” he snarled. “Where’s Saber?”

“Here,” Saber said, approaching with a sinister smile. “Saber…” Dylan said cautiously. “What are you doing?” 

“Raven is mine! You stole her away from me! If they capture you, she will have no choice but to be with me,” Saber smirked. “I made a deal with them.”

Shadow emerged from the bushes. Steven held out his glistening knife. Saraphine gave him a smug smile. They are doing the same thing again! If they catch me, they will make sure I will never escape again. “It was not my fault!” Dylan scoffed. Help me! Grant me the power of wind and sea! “Saber, I don’t want to hurt you! This is not who Raven wants you to be!” “Dylan, you’re weak! What happened to that assassin on the inside?” Saber jeered.

Dylan lunged at Snake and took him down. Saraphine pinned Dylan down. He kicked her hard. She yelped and loosened her grip just enough for him to escape. He scrambled up to see Steven throw his knife at him. He dodged before it could stab into his heart, but it grazed his arm. Dylan sent a blast of water straight at him. He got knocked back. Finally, he was standing face to face with Shadow. “Retreat, Shadow, and bring your minions with you,” Dylan panted. “You have lost this battle.” “I might’ve lost this one, but there are more to come. You will not survive until the end, I can promise you that!”

 CHAPTER TEN

“You are so annoying, Dylan!” Saber snarled. “I will make Raven like me!” He grabbed his knife and cut himself on his hand.

“Saber, stop that!” Dylan cried. Saber closed his eyes in pain. Then, when he reopened them, his eyes were smug. He ran back towards the Eclipse Base. What is his plan? Dylan ran after him. When he reached the Base, the crowd was glaring at him. “What happened?” Dylan asked.

“You tell us what happened!” Raven stormed up to him. “You attacked Saber!”

“What? No! He did that himself!” 

“...No, it was him…” Saber fake-grunted in pain. He was lying on the ground. “I can’t believe you would do this!” Raven accused. Dylan backed away a few paces.

“It wasn’t me, I swear!” She turned her attention back to Saber. 

“Are you okay?” Raven wrapped a piece of cloth around Saber’s hand. Saber gave Raven a loving gaze. “As long as you’re here,” Saber replied.

Dylan couldn’t take this anymore. Saber built his and Raven’s relationship on a bunch of lies and framing! He backed away some more and ran, tears in his eyes.

Dylan didn’t stop running until he was way out of Eclipse and Cobra’s territory. He looked back one last time and turned away. He didn’t belong in either of them.

It was getting late. Dylan had reached a meadow that overlooked the city. Thorn had told him that it was dangerous there and that he should never go. But why should I trust her after what she’s done? He managed to find some wood and a shallow cave deeper into the meadow. Dylan scratched stone with stone a few times, and it lit up with an orange flame. He added the wood he had gathered. Dylan hugged himself. It was cold. His pendant glowed bright, giving him light always.

He didn’t know when he had dozed off, but by the time Dylan blinked open his eyes, it was very bright outside. The fire had extinguished itself. He climbed out, towards the light. Dylan continued his lonely journey to the city. Maybe it would be better there.

By the time he got there, it was almost dark again. “Excuse me,” Dylan asked a lady walking past, “Do you know how to walk to the nearest…’hotel’? Thorn had taught that that was where the city people slept if they were visiting from somewhere else.

“Oh yea. Do you want directions?” 

“Yes please, thank you,” Dylan said gratefully. “Walk straight and when you see the road split, go left, right, then left again.”

“Thank you so much,” Dylan murmured. “No problem.” The lady eyed him. “You look young! How old are you? Do you even have money?”

“Uhm, I’m fifteen,” Dylan replied uncertainly. “I…don’t.” What is that? We don’t use ‘money’ back in Eclipse or even Cobra!

“Where are you from? You can’t go to a hotel without money! They won’t let you!” 

“Have you heard of Cobra? I come from there,” Dylan tried to find the right words to explain.

“Yes! You are so young to be in that!” The lady gasped. “I was raised there.” Dylan didn’t tell her the part of who raised him and that he was an assassin before. Now that I think about it, there is so much more to learn about here. I don’t want to live here. SO complicated. “Nevermind,” Dylan muttered. “Thanks anyways.” Now where am I supposed to go?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Dylan really missed Raven, however harsh she was when he left. He missed her cheerful, honest personality. Dylan remembered how her eyes glowed, reflecting the moonlit sky. He remembered when Raven had told him she liked him. It had been a week since he had left Eclipse. Dylan had wandered into a lush forest and had built a hut. I have survival instincts, but I have to go. I have to go back. I can’t stay here forever!

The next day, Dylan set off again before dawn, heading towards home. It was too lonely, too quiet without the hustle of the people in Eclipse.

He walked back to the city. The bright lights were blinding him.

He hadn’t walked far when he heard a sound. A faint sound of a girl crying, to be exact. He ventured deeper into the meadow and entered the familiar forest where Saber and Raven and the others gathered food. He went down to the lake, following the faint sound in the distance, and saw a girl.

She had shiny black hair, with her back facing him.

That’s…Raven! “Raven…” Dylan murmured hesitantly. He reached out to touch her shoulder, but then recoiled. He didn’t know whether or not she was still upset with him. Raven turned around. Her eyes lit up with joy when she saw him, and grabbed him in a tight hug. Dylan was surprised, but quickly reacted and hugged her back.

“I’m so sorry!” Raven sobbed.

“You were right!” Dylan didn’t care at this moment. He was overjoyed to see her again. He was grateful to feel her presence, pressing close to him once again. Dylan cried with happiness.

“I didn’t realize how much I missed you,” Dylan said tearfully. Dylan stared into her loving eyes and brushed her dark hair back.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve believed you before. You were right. Can you forgive me?” Raven whispered tentatively.

Dylan looked down, smiled, then, as a response, he kissed her. Raven recoiled in shock and pleasure and leaned into him, kissing him back. Dylan closed his eyes.

The last thing he saw was Raven’s long hair flowing in the rising sun.

They headed back to Eclipse. Together. “What happened to Saber?” Dylan asked. “He’s okay. He’s back at camp.” This is my fate. It is to be with her. But my destiny is still to come. I choose to save. Dylan suddenly understood.

Axel’s fate was to lead Eclipse. To build a strong foundation. Another person will take over and build the rest. Thorn is no longer my leader. I’m no longer her assassin. I don’t have to listen to her orders, or anyone’s at this moment. Raven hugged him and rested her head on his shoulder. Dylan smiled. He got who he wanted. At the start, he would have said this was impossible, and that he wouldn’t ever get this close to someone, especially if the someone was from Eclipse. But now I am free. Finally.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Dylan was nervous to see Saber again. Things didn’t end well last time. Saber was standing in the center of camp when they arrived. Dylan finally got to see Saber again. “I-I’m sorry Dylan. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I don’t know what I was doing. You were never weak. You were courageous. I was the one that was weak, betraying you.” Saber knelt down in front of Dylan. Dylan recoiled in surprise. He did not expect such an answer from Saber, the fierce warrior. “It is not your fault. I knew you were jealous. I don’t blame you.” It felt weird to be saying it out loud. “Honestly, you are a brave warrior. Jealousy drove you to be like that. I truly want you to be the leader of Eclipse.” Saber stood up again. “Thank you, Dylan.

EPILOGUE

“Your life is in danger. You have the pendant. Others will come for you.” A voice whispered. “He bears a pendant of shadow and flame. Those who crave his power will hunt him, whispering his name like a curse. He may fall, but his blood will unleash a storm that none will survive,” Another voice whispered. The boy woke up, gasping in fear. It was just a dream…but I am sure that something is most definitely wrong. Something sinister is about to happen, and I have no power over it.

READ THE NEXT BOOK!

COMING UP:

THREADS OF DESTINY, ECHOES OF THE PENDANT BOOK TWO:

THE RAVEN’S SHADOW