A Love Unlikely Chapter One.
This is a disclaimer. Please do not continue reading on if you are under the age of 18 or the required age for viewing such material in your area. Thank you. ALSO!!! This will become a series, this particular chapter has NO YIFF. It will be added later on though I promise. Thank you all. __________________________________________________________________________________________ A Love Unlikely. Book One. The Ocean's Kingdom.
It seemed as if the insides of Castle Algharest were shining like the wings of a Seraph in Heaven. Another glorious day would bless the Kingdom of King Alister Belious and Queen Sage Belious. Another boring day, just like yesterday and the day before that and so on. When would something interesting happen to me? I thought to myself bleakly as I laid in bed and stared at the ceiling.
Everyday it was the exact same thing, or so it seemed. I would wake up and go through my tutoring and exercises since I was the crown prince of our kingdom.. I'm sure that there are tons of people in the city that would love to be the Prince of "The Kingdom of Belious." But it didn't seem like it was worth it anymore. I know I might sound a bit ungrateful or selfish for asking for more even though I was already the Prince. Besides it's not like I really have that much royal obligation. For the most part it all went to my sister Hollie. She was born before me and besides she doesn't exactly share the same problem as me. I'm gay. Thankfully though everyone in the castle already knew this, which provided me with an overbearing amount of relief. My sister would become Queen Belious when the time came.
I assume she'll get married to some stuck up, crybaby of a king from some foreign kingdom. When that happens everything here in Belious will change for the better or the worse. Either way I didn't really care what happens to our Kingdom, as long as it's not some horrible tragedy of sorts. I just wanted something interesting to happen for once in my dull life.
The only thing of interest that ever happened here were the occasional visits we would get from Pirates from across the Sea. They would try to attack our Kingdom but it never took long for them to be completely obliterated by our Navy. Sometimes it made me wonder what would happen if a band of pirates should ever succeed in breaking into our castle. Not like it mattered anyway. I gently sighed to myself as I kept my mind in deep thought, before I was interrupted anyway by a light tapping at my chamber door. "Who's there?" I quietly said. I was answered only by silence until I heard a light reply. "It's Rook the Butler, I was told to tell you it's time for Breakfast your royal highness." I frowned as I heard him say that. "Rook, relax you don't need to be so formal around me."
The old badger smiled wearily at me. "My apologies Prince Artemis." I smiled back at him before dismissing him and getting ready for the day. I looked at myself in the mirror and frowned in dismay. I looked so tired and worn out and it wasn't just this morning either, there was always a troubling look about my stature. I dismissed the thoughts from my head though before getting into some clothing. The wardrobe in the back of the room provided me with many choices, but I already had my mind made up. I grabbed some black tight cloth pants along with black moccasins. A smile slowly crept upon my face as I adorned myself in my favorite robe. It was crafted from the finest silk of Black and Purple. The robe covered my legs and met my moccasins at the floor. A glorious purple sash was tied around my waist as well. "Better hurry before Father throws a fit." I said aloud. Quickly I made my way to the Castle's dining room and I was met by the familiar figures of my Mother, Father and Sister. Father had a very serious expression on his face. Mother was smiling at me as usual and Hollie wasn't even paying attention to us.
I reluctantly took my seat at the part of the table that was opposite of my sister. "How are you doing this beautiful morning Artemis?" I looked over to see my mom just positively beaming at me. I blinked and sighed before slowly replying. "I'm fine, just fine." Hollie was usually quiet in the morning but my father hadn't said a single word at all and this worried me. I could see a piece of parchment in his hand and I'm guessing whatever that parchment said was why he was so upset. "Everyone, it seems that our Kingdom is in danger." When Father said this my sister didn't really seem to care, Mother's everlasting smile quickly faded and I stared at my father with uninterrupted attention. "What do you mean were in danger?" I cautiously asked. He shook his head before sighing and explaining himself. "We're going to be attacked by a group of Pirates who have branded themselves as "The Godless." My mother didn't seem to concerned anymore and neither was I. "So what Father, we'll just destroy them like all the others." I shrugged.
He gave me an annoyed look for a reply. "No Artemis, it's not that simple this time. You see The Godless are actually a pretty successful group of pirates, just the other week they murdered the royal family of The Kingdom of Son'te." I could feel butterflies in my stomach now. Why this was just lovely it seems like our Kingdom would be at war once again.
And lets face it, I wasn't exactly the war type I was a Red Fox. I had bright green eyes and snow white fur that covered my whole body. My Father was a Red Fox as well but he had completely black fur and golden eyes. I thought he looked like a Wolf. My Mother was pure white like me. While Hollie resembled my Father. We were a family of Foxes I don't think we seemed very adept at War. Not like we'd be on the front lines anyway though. Breakfast went on as usual except for the fact that my Father didn't say much at all. I dismissed myself from the table and back to my room. I sat on my bed and stared out the window at the sea that reared our Kingdom. Were we really going to be attacked and did we really have anything to fear? Either way I didn't want to keep thinking about it and end up having a damn anxiety attack.
There was that annoying thought at the back of my mind though. Could this be what I was looking for? Could this be the rush I so desperately wanted? I stared at myself in my mirror. What was I thinking? This is a potential war on our hands. People, innocent people could die. And I was excited for it? Something was really wrong with me. But I guess that was just the affect these dull lifeless walls had on me after being kept behind them for so long. I clinged to the ring on my finger. It was a ring my Mother gave me when I was still a cub. It was a ring of black marble that was adorned with our Family's house crest. A golden fox with his eyes closed and behind him was an encrusted silver moon. Did I expect some type of guidance from the ring? A light sigh found it's way out of my throat as I looked at the floor.
A heavy knock brought me out of my sorrow induced trance. "Artemis, it's your father open up now please." I trudged over to the door and slowly opened it, revealing his grim and somber looking face. "Son, I need you to do me a favor regarding this whole fiasco with these pirates." I looked at him and nodded implying my understanding. "We'll need assistance from the Mages at Belious Tower for this upcoming siege. The reason why I need to send you is because you have the most influence then any of us do over there. I'm a swordsman, your mother is a healer and even though Hollie is a Mage she's tutored by our private sorcerers." I blinked and nodded slowly. "Their Headmaster is also quite fond of you if I do recall, so please ask him for his aid in this upcoming siege."
A forced half smile made it's way on my muzzle. "I'll do my best Father." He patted on me on my back. "I know you will Son, but before you go I want to give you something." My ears tilted to their side with curiosity. My father handed me a sword that was sheathed in a black and purple scabbard. Was this what I thought it was? My father's most prized sword? Abraxas? "The time of war is upon us my son, and although I wish I could shelter my children from it's horror I know that this time I will not be able to." The sword seemed to weigh down on me with a great sense of responsibility that I couldn't seem to muster. "Thank you fa-" I looked up to see that he was already gone. Time couldn't afford to be wasted especially when "The Godless" were capable of being here by evening. I kept on my pants and moccasins but quickly discarded the robe and sash and opted instead for a dark purple dress shirt. One button was left open at the top. I grabbed Abraxas and fastened the sheathe to my belt.
I bid goodbye to my Mother before leaving. I would've said goodbye to my Father as well but I couldn't find him anywhere in the castle. And I'm sure Hollie could care less either way. By the time I reached the center of town I could feel myself losing my breath. People were seeking refuge in their homes already and not even the first sign of "The Godless" has appeared. I could even see some people trying to take refuge at "The Tower." No doubt in my mind Master Erukia was very happy about that. He was a male dragon in his late 30s. He had dark green scales and deep blue eyes that seemed to challenge everyone. The long hill The Tower stood on didn't make my ascension any easier as I sprinted up the path towards the front gate.
"Let me in please, it's Artemis Belious!!!" Worry filled my mind. What if Master Erukia hated my family that much he didn't even want to see me anymore? I was about to start knocking but the door slowly opened to reveal Erukia looking down at me. "Greetings Prince, I know why you're here and of course I'll help your father in the upcoming battle." This brought a smile to my face. "The feud still stands though Artemis, I don't forgive your father and I'm not doing this for him. I'm doing this for the kingdom." "I understand Master Erukia." This made him chuckle lightly. "I'm not your master anymore, you're no longer my student. You graduated some time ago." Part of me wanted to hug him but I wasn't sure how that would turn out. "I'll always think of you as my Teacher though Master Erukia." He smiled at me when I said this. Then a shocked look covered his face. "ARTEMIS WATCH OUT!" I looked to the sky and saw a massive cannon ball heading for my head. It was too late though. I didn't have time to form a barrier. I closed my eyes and winced. But the cannon ball never hit me. Before Erukia and Myself stood a giant wall made of stone. Erukia looked at me with annoyance. "You need to watch yourself more carefully." He snapped. I looked at the ground. He must've picked up on my feelings quickly. "Artemis I didn't mean to be angry, it's just I don't want one of my favorite students and The Prince end up dead!" "I know you don't Master Erukia." He patted me on the back and gave me a light hug. "Make haste back to the castle this war has started!" "But Mas-" He pushed me forward. "I said go, I'll handle everything here." I nodded at him before making my hasty return to the castle. These Pirates hit harder than I thought they would.
All around the sky was black and red filled with Gunpowder and smoke. Houses were missing roofs and the ground was being torn apart. I could spot the castle off in the distance all I had to do was make a right at the Tavern and...What?! They were sending out foot units? A few feet away I spotted one of the pirates trying to rip the shirt off a teenaged girl raccoon. I drew my sword and charged for the man impaling him in the stomach. He didn't even hear or see me coming until it was too late. The young woman thanked me before running off. I kept running towards the castle and I felt a prick in my neck. Instantly I hit the ground unable to move. "Grab him quickly!" Shouted one of the pirates. I was lifted by a large black bear wearing black leather pants and a white torn shirt with black boots. I was hefted onto his shoulder and carried towards what looked like a giant city of boats on the shore. I tried to scream, I honestly did. But nothing came out. I couldn't even cry. Belious was doomed.
These weren't just pirates we were dealing with. It was a kingdom of boats...
I was taken to the largest ship in the fleet. My vision was too blurry by now to make out any of the details. Then I was taken to a room which I guessed was their captain's lodge. I was gently laid on the floor as my vision cleared up. I looked around this room I was in. The windows were made of stained glass. The table was made of solid polished cherry wood. There were a few alcohol cabinets throughout. And behind the desk was a large black chair with it's back turned towards me.
It was facing the only part of the window that wasn't made of stained glass. Through this window I could see the destruction of my birthplace and kingdom. Suddenly the chair turned around to face me. In it was a white and grey husky with icy blue eyes. He was adorned in fine tight black leather pants with tight brown pointed boots. A long with a white dress shirt that had the top three buttons left undone. I could see his chest fur through the little opening. He wore a golden chained necklace with a silver ring around it. I looked into his eyes and he looked back into mine. My throat went dry and I just wanted to cry but now wasn't the place. I looked at him in the eyes determined to keep my gaze.
He flashed a little sinister grin at me. "Welcome Prince Artemis Belious."