Darkness Revealed

His horse was tired from the long journey; he had reached the opening of the forest just before dark. He pulled the reins to make the horse stop as he stared at the opening of the forest; is this really what he wanted to do? There was no turning back once he entered but Brayden knew this was what he needed to do to quiet the demons in his soul.
Getting down from his horse, he grabbed the reins and guided the stud into the opening. The stream shouldn’t be far; he remembered well, there he would allow them both to rest and hydrate.
He hadn’t told anyone where he was going; since he heard Harper’s voice and saw the memories from Christian he knew this was the only way. It could very well be trickery on both their parts, trying to lure him into a trap, but it was a chance he was willing to take.
He sat on the boulder just in front of the stream as his horse hydrated himself, thinking back everything he had recently found out. Nothing made sense, yet everything made sense. From a small age he knew he was different, he always just assumed he came from a strong lineage; but now it seems as if part of that lineage came from the supernatural. So many unanswered questions swarmed his mind as fear began to take over his heart. What if everything he ever knew or believed in was a complete lie? Was his father protecting him from his heritage for some reason?
His father had been his idol for as long as he could remember; always taking Brayden everywhere he went, teaching him how to be a great warrior, readying him to lead the kingdom both in battle and in harmony. Yes, it was time to find out the truth; how else would he be able to fully protect his family and his kingdom?
Standing up he walked over to his horse, running his hand over the beast’s neck and side he grabbed the reins and began once again guiding it deeper into the forest. Noises of all kinds surrounded him as he continued his walk, it would be fully dark soon so there was no time to haste.
The moon began to show full and bright as he saw the open field of lush grass a short distance in front of him. She would be just beyond that, waiting for him. Taking a deep breath he pulled his sword out of the holster on his side, he had no idea what to expect but he would be prepared either way.
As he made his way past the opening he saw her; standing at the front of the cottage, her long red hair flowed effortlessly over her shoulders. Even as his enemy, her beauty took his breath away. He had loved her greatly once, trusted her with his life; but that was long ago, she was the enemy now.
“There’s no need for that, warrior,” she said as she motioned to the long blade of steel his hand was holding. “That is yet to be seen, witch.” He never budged, still weary of her intent. “Suit yourself, but the beast needs to rest,” his horse began to fidget restlessly. She was right, it had been a long harsh ride getting here. Holstering his sword he began unhooking the saddle and released the reins; he slapped the horse on the rear telling it, “go now.” Still holding the saddle in his hands he re-focused his attention on her. A slow grin began to rise on her face as she said, “I was talking about you,” as she turned and entered the cottage.
His mouth clenched as he gritted his teeth in frustration; mumbling under his breath as he walked towards the cottage, “same smart mouth as ever.” He laid the saddle at the front of the door before entering, she was standing in front of the fire; her hands folded together in front of her. They watched each other intently, neither saying a word at first.
He caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of his eye; reaching for his sword, ready to protect himself, he stopped just short of fully releasing it from the holster as he recognized him. Christian! Ugh, he should’ve known!
“I should have known,” Brayden was feeling anger build up, he hadn’t expected her brother to be here; truthfully he didn’t really understand his own need to be here. “You will need us both, Brayden, to find the answers you are looking for. It won’t be easy for you, but it is needed in order for you to understand.” Christian knew his presence was needed; after all Harper herself had no idea until he showed her as well.
“I had no idea my brother sought you out until a few days ago; it seems that we both have been fooled and neither knows the truth. I called upon you to ease our confusion and seek the truth that only Christian can help us find.” Her eyes spoke of innocence as Brayden listened silently; his instincts were telling him it was okay but his head was still cautious.
Walking further into the room to stand by his sister’s side, Christian raised his hand as he said, “well that is not exactly accurate, sister. There is one other very important piece to this puzzle that we must seek out. She is the only one that can shed light on everything in its entirety.” Great, Brayden thought to himself, it seemed as though this mystery gets better and better, “what do you mean another person? She? My patience cannot take much more; I’d suggest we get to it. Explain this nonsense, I have wasted enough of my time and energy looking for answers I didn’t even know I had questions to!”
“Ever the impatient warrior,” Harper mumbled as she rolled her eyes, returning her attention to her brother, “who must we seek out?” Christian sat on the bench just left of the fire as he began, “Years ago I sought guidance from a coven just north of Abyss; I was looking for answers to my own questions. I came upon an elder, whose wisdom comes from centuries of living amongst the supernatural. She showed me things about myself, my powers and my family I had never known,” he was interrupted by Brayden’s frustration, “what does this have to do with me, warlock?” He was not here for a history lesson on powers of the supernatural; he just wanted the answers to his own questions.
Sighing heavily, Christian continued, “I’m getting to that. She made me drink a powerful tea that enabled me to see things outside of my own realm; things that changed everything. I saw the war coming, I saw my sister’s heart bleed, I saw destruction and mayhem at the hands of greed.”
Harper listened intently as Brayden found a seat in the chair on the other side of the room. Noting his flustered state, Christian continued, “Although I could not see everything, I knew that Harper would be detrimental to stopping the war that could destroy supernatural worlds; but that would not come easy as forces beyond our control are at play.”
“What forces, Christian? You speak gibberish! I have never seen a vision describing what you are talking about; how could I be the defining piece of a puzzle I didn't even know existed?” Harper had never had such a vision; and her powers were well higher than her brothers. “Are you not a Scarlet Witch? I have heard many tales of your so-called visions; maybe this is just a ploy?” Brayden had had just about enough; this was a wasted use of his time and was accomplishing nothing! “Take heed, warrior, I am in no mood for your insults nor am I above constraining your ill filled mouth if you do not shut it!” Harper was over his mouth and scrutiny of her; maybe it was best they end this now.
“Enough! Both of you! I am trying to make you both see there is a much greater danger here than the spat between torn lovers!” His voice boomed with anger; a characteristic Christian rarely showed, but these two were almost impossible. No wonder their love was so strong!
“Fine! Continue,” Brayden hissed through clenched teeth; sitting back in the chair conceding to the fact he was stuck here and will just have to wait it out. “Thank you! As I was saying, Harper as you know, in our world the belief is that everything that happens does so because it is the destined journey; but can be influenced by both good and evil. The two of you became part of each other’s lives because it was destined to be; a journey that ONLY you can embark on. Your path was written long ago; destined to be by each other’s side to ensure the war did not happen, and had you been left alone with no interference the journey would’ve taken a different turn. “
“When you came home after Horace’s attempt on your life I listened to your heart and your thoughts. The vision I saw at the hands of the elder came true as I saw your heart bleed; blood of pain and betrayal. You shut down, intent on revenge; this is not your nature. I watched from afar, listened intently to your thoughts and dug into my own realm and found Brayden. I watched and listened; nothing made sense, something was amiss. I returned to the coven I found so long ago and spoke with the elder; she made it very clear to me. The darkest of Warlocks have played their role in manipulation and set the wheels of war turning. In order to stop it, Brayden must embrace who he is. The spells of the darkside have been cast on both of you; blocking memories, giving false precedence. I can only guide but she can show you. We must go to her now and undo the damage that has been done.”
Brayden’s eyes widened as he took it all in; someone had placed a dark spell on him? Why? For what reason! He grew angrier by the second as he stood and spat, “I have no idea the reasoning behind someone placing a dark spell on me; no one, other than her could do such a thing!”
Stepping in front of his sister, Christian stared deep into Brayden’s eyes as he revealed, “Nae, Brayden, her love for you was too strong to do you any kind of harm. Look within yourself and you will see the clear picture of him placing the spell. Your fear overpowers your instinct; you are afraid to believe it but it is true. Speak the name Brayden!”
His head fell down as he stumbled back, catching himself on the chair behind him he uttered one word, “Luka.”