Chapter 1

The Beginning

“Trase, wake up!” a stern voice called out from downstairs. The boy rose with a start. His black hair was matted down from the night before. Footsteps can be heard coming upstairs and made its way to his bedroom.

“Mom, get out!” Trase said, throwing his pillow at her.

His mother caught it and said, “You’re going to go to the park with dad today.” Trase walked towards the mirror and wiped the gunk out of his eyes.

“Do I have to?” he questioned.

His mom put the pillow back on the bed and replied, “Yes, you do. You haven’t spent anytime with your father lately.” Trase was seventeen and use to enjoy his father’s presence. This time around, he did not.

“What’s the matter with you and your father?” his mother cried out. Trase walked passed her and did not respond. “I don’t understand why you are behaving this way, Trase!”

Trase ran the water in the bathroom and returned to his room, pulling off his shirt. “Mom, I don’t want to see Dad today. I just don’t feel like it,” Trase protested.

His mother put her hands on her hips and shook her head in disbelief. “That’s unlike you, Trase. I can order you all I want, but will I ever get through to you?” She approached her son and stood in front of him. Trase was slightly taller than his mother was. He has gotten most of his looks from his father though.

“Listen, Trase. Do whatever you want. But you’ll have to face your father whether you like it or not,” She finished her plea and walked back downstairs.

Trase watched her leave and sighed heavily. “Why, must she do that all the time?” he asked himself.

He went back into the bathroom and washed up. The phone rang and Trase’s mother picked up. Trase finished in the bathroom and called out downstairs “Who is that, Mom?”

“It’s Coby!” his mom called back. Trase ran downstairs with his towel wrapped around his waist and grabbed the phone. “Put on some clothes!” his mother yelled, hitting him with an empty soda bottle.

Rubbing his head, Trase answered “Coby, what’s good?”

Coby happily responded, “Everything’s fine at this end!” Trase and Coby had known each other for their whole lives. They were like brothers.

“Where are you right now?” Trase asked.

“I’m at my uncle’s house,” Coby answered.

“Isn’t that far from here?” Trase asked.

“No, it’s right here at home, the Dark Realm!” Coby laughed.

Trase laughed along with him and said, “When are you coming back?”

Coby spoke with a little sarcastic tone, “In like two years, bro,” he laughed and corrected himself, “We are just leaving. We’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

Trase smiled and responded “Okay, Coby.” They said their good-byes and hung up their phones.

“What did he say?” Trase’s mom asked.

Trase shrugged and said, “I don’t know. I forgot.” He walked back upstairs leaving his mom breathless. It took almost one hour for Trase to get ready. He was a young man who cared about his appearance in public. He climbed downstairs and was ready to leave, until the front door flew open. It was Trase’s dad. His father had the same color skin as Trase. These were two noble men who loved each other’s pride, until something rose up from the grave and separated them.

There was a long silence. Trase’s blood ran cold as his glared into the eyes of his father. He was certain that his dad felt the same cold rush.

Trase’s mom spoke first. “Hello, David. It’s good to see you home,” She approached him and kissed her husband.

“It’s good to see you to, Emily,” David returned. Trase sighed deeply as he met his mother’s sad eyes. He couldn’t hurt her.

“What’s happening, pop?” Trase said looking down at the carpet.

“I just came back from the Tunna Lowlands,” he replied.

Emily smiled, knowing the fact that the two still loved one another despite their troubles. “Where are you going?” Emily asked Trase, in hope that he would say “nowhere”.

Trase smiled and said “Coby’s house,”

Emily frowned, but then quickly smiled. “Oh, okay. Off you go now”. She said opening the door for his exit.

“See you later, pop,” Trase said as his walked out and closed the front gate behind him.