Sinister Bonds

Chapter # 1

2 Years Earlier 

In a faraway land of Scarlette, an ardent family was leading a loving life. Away from the worldly crowds, cramped lives they were away but connected with everyone, living a peaceful life filled with smiles and a big family connected by heart. Things were fixed and no harm was lingering on their head anymore. Almost like an eternal reprieve which would save themself from any harm. 

Just like this, away from abhorrence, Adrian and Raven started their new life with their sweet kids, leading effervescent moments.

“I am going to the market.” Adrian’s voice came. Being a farmer his job is hard but satisfactory. They were happy in their fields and home large enough for five persons. Adrian and Raven later had two more kids after Amber. 

Twenty years have passed since the birth of Amber and things have taken a turn for the better. “Papa! Take me with you!” Amber’s who is twenty years old now, her voice came with her raven hairs waving in the air, amber eyes glittering in hope. Following her trail her two years younger sister came. Having same hairs but obsidian like her Father, “No, She always go to check out boys!” She whined, getting down.

Adrian smiled at his daughters, putting his hand on his waist, “Fine then, the one who wants to come has to carry the cart.” 

“What? That’s not fair, you are the one who should carry it.” Amber complained, “That’s the price, Princess.” He laughed a little, turning to leave. Amber clicked her tongue at Zaria and left with her father.

“Mama!” Zaria then went to her mother to complain about Amber being spoiled. “What is it?” Raven hummed, cleaning the dishes, her sapphire eyes shining brightly as usual. “Amber is getting out of hand! She is going to the market with Papa again to check out boys!” 

“Why don’t you do the same?” Raven giggled, turning to her daughter. “She pisses me, over a meaningless breakup takes the whole house on her head.” Zaria hissed, stomping her feet on the ground. “Call it a lesson, Sweetie.” Raven winked.

“Nobody listens to me here. Just you watch, I am going to leave this place and join a cult one day!” Zaria shouted with sheer determination which made her sound like her Father. “Good Luck with that!” Raven shouted back, laughing a little at her. Since Adrian and Raven led a life of independence, they didn’t force their kids to restrict to rules too- except arbitrary ones. “You guys have nothing. No special power.” She frowned, closing her arms at her chest. “Huh? Special power?” Raven asked, tilting her head in confusion as her son and Zaria’s twin brother, Alyan came, the boyish version of Zaria who apparently wasn’t taught manners thanks to her Mother. 

“Exactly. You guys have no powers. Papa is from Ella but can’t use magic and you, we don’t even know where you are from.” Alyan said coldly, taking a seat and eating an apple.

“Well, that’s because my clan was killed when I was a child and grew up with your Father, I never had time for it. We lived a happy life so we didn’t need this.” Raven grinned, dodging the constant taunts of her children who didn't know anything about their parents. 

Adrian and Raven mutually decided to hide what happened to their children so they could live in solace but seeing other’s kids kinda made Alyan, Zaria and Amber left out in terms of power. They didn’t even know they had the strongest blood in their veins.

“You guys were so boring… you should have at least stayed at the cult so we could be strong. It is so frustrating that Alroy gets every girl.” Alyan hissed, gritting his teeth, talking about Ezra’s son.

“Well, Alroy is a werewolf, not a wizard.” Raven reasoned. “Still, you guys should have something cool.” Zaria asked, Raven doesn’t even remember what time. “Well, we do have you.” Her smile grew wider, earning serenity to see her kids. Both twins groaned in annoyance, Alyan rolled his eyes as the twins continued to complain to their Mother about their legacy having no exceptional talent. Wanting to learn magic but not knowing in which skill they are good at. 

To Amber and Adrian who were going to the market, “Papa… please..” Amber frowned, pulling the cart. “Come on, do it. This will make you physically stronger.” Adrian smirked, patting Amber’s back to encourage her but she was not enlivened. “Come on…” She groaned, stopping. 

“Okay then, I am going ahead and open the shop, you come soon.” Adrian smiles, winking at her. “Papa! That’s not fair.”

“Guess who wanted to come along.” Adrian laughed, putting his hand behind his head walking away. Amber’s mouth gaped, gritting her teeth in anger. “You are an insensitive old man!” She shouted, stomping her foot. “Is that how you are going to join Crimson Devils when you can’t pull a cart?” Adrian smirked, taunting and hitting her sensitive nerve and left.

Curling her hands in a tight fist, a growl escaped her lips, talking to herself, “Don’t… mock me.” She said, fueling in determination. Amber had always admired Xander, she wanted to join his cult for a long time. 

Amber grabbed the cart and began to walk, following her Father’s trails who actually left her in the heat. But it didn’t take Amber long to lose her spirit and sit under a tree to rest for a while before proceeding further. As she leaned back on a tree, sitting in a lull state under shades an unfamiliar voice came,

“Leaving a cart in an open area increases the chances of theft, you know.” Opening her eyes with a frown, she looked up and saw a boy a little older than her, having long hazel hairs reaching to his neck and sharp handsome features, smirking at her. “I dare to steal a single apple from it.” She smirked back, getting up to face the guy. 

“Too bad, I already did.” He smiled, showing her the apple but the moment she did, she snatched it away and put it back. “Don’t bother me.” She scoffed, grabbing the cart again, sensing it’s lighter than before. 

“Listen. Give back what you have taken before I make you.” She said calmly, turning to him. “What? I stole nothing.” He shrugged but she appeared behind him, pushing him down and holding his arms at his back, taking his bag filled with fruits and vegetables and putting it back. “I am sorry, I was just hungry.”

“Honestly, if you are hungry, tell me.” She sighed, getting off from him and offering him an apple. His eyes lit up in glee, taking it from her, “Thank you very much… uh..”

“Amber.” She smiled. “Thank you very much, Miss Amber.”

“Amber is just fine.”

“Oh, okay… I am Zaar.” 

“Strange name.” She chuckled, turning to leave. “Wait.” 

“Hmm?” She stopped, turning to him, “Let me help you, you gave me food. I should do it.” He offered politely. “Really?” She asked happily. “Yes.” He smiled back.

“Thanks Zaar, there you go.” She was looking to pass this weight to someone and when Zaar offered she hastily agreed as they began to walk toward the market.

As they were walking Amber spoke up, “Well. Are you going to tell me why you are here or shall I force it out?” She sighed, stopping in her tracks and turning to him.

“Huh?” He tilted his head to her in bewilderment. “What do you mean?”

“Do you think I am stupid who wouldn’t know you are not here to steal but for something else? Come on, tell me.” She shrugged, continuing walking. Confident in her powers, Amber firmly believed if he attacked her she could take him on.

Zaar stared at her face for a long time before bursting into a peal of laughter at her words which caused her to arch an eyebrow. “What?” 

“No.. it’s just..” He trailed off nervously, looking away with a glint of embarrassment creeping upon his cheeks. “Hmm?” She leaned closer to take a better glimpse of his face, “I just want to get acquaint with you.” He confessed.

“Why is that?”

“Uh.. Because.. Umm, Look, let me be honest.” he stopped turning to her. “I saw you last month near the cliff and since then I can’t stop thinking about you so I was looking for a way to talk to you.  And this moment… meant a lot to me.” He blurted hurriedly, shutting his eyes, hoping she might not slap him. 

A smirk appeared on Amber’s lips, closing her arms at her chest and contemplating his beguiling form emitting timidness evoked a chuckle from her. Zaar was astonished and looked up at her, wanting to know. “Well, thank you. I didn’t I am so pretty.” She said playfully. “You are.” he whispered, not removing his eyes from her, forming an intense eye contact which made her blush faintly. Taking a step back, Amber looked away, muttering, “Let’s go.”

Zaar passed her cute smile and nodded, “Sure Ma’am.” He grinned and pulled the cart as they went to the market. Amber’s hands were resting at the back of her head, whistling as they were walking, “Are you new here?” She asked casually.

“Yeah… I shifted here from Capital last year.” He told her. She made an ‘o’ face and nodded, “Why did you shift here? I mean Capital is so nice. Were you a noble as well?” After eradicating Priest Gordon and his methods, the only person who gained a high status was rich, it doesn't matter if you are a normal person or a light or dark magic user. 

“Nah… just a local. Dad has his business there but it failed so we shifted since market here is quite moving.” 

“I see. That’s true. Do you know we provide provisions to His Majesty as well?” She told him excitedly. “Really?” He asked, intrigued.

“Yes. My Father is a farmer. You know Amber farms? They are ours, named after me.” She told him proudly as he was engrossed in her talk. “Wow…” He mused. 

They entered the Market as people around began to greet Amber and she did the same, “Ah my, your new friend?” an old lady asked. She grinned and nodded and Zaar’s exhilaration knew no bounds after hearing her call her his friend in just one meeting. 

“Thanks for calling me your friend.” He said sincerely, smiling at her. “What? You helped me to come all the way from the forest. It means a lot. Thank you.” Her smile grew wider turning to him. “Thank you.” He said sweetly, going with her.

“Seems everyone here knows you.” Zaar mused, looking around as they were greeting each other. “Oh, yeah. I was born in Vronti and was brought up here.” She told him. “Oh.. You are too sweet anyways, Anyone would love to talk to you.” Zaar complimented her. Amber blushed faintly, passing him a faint smile sheepishly. Compliments melt her instantly and when a cute guy like him says it, enhanced it’s worth even more.

She opened her mouth to reply but a hand grabbed her ear, lifting her up. “Ouch!”

“Is that why I left? To make someone else do your work, huh?” Adrian’s pissed tone came, pulling her hairs scoldingly. “Ow, Ow, let go, Papa, I am not six anymore!” She winced, pulling away from her Father. “You are no longer than five to me.” He said, narrowing her eyes at him.

“That’s not fair.” She pouted, moving back. “Anyways, tell me why is he carrying your stuff?” He demanded. Amber chuckled nervously, tugging her hair behind her ear, not knowing what to tell Adrian but Zaar spoke up, “Good Afternoon, Sir. Your daughter gave me food, that's why I wanted to help her.” He told him earnestly. Amber stopped and looked at Zaar in faze but impressed too. “Oh.. I see.” 

“Moreover, he is my friend, he is going to help us too.” Amber added, taking Zaar’s arm and taking him with her. “Take the cart, Papa, I am going to show Zaar around.” She winked and ran away with her Adrian sighing in disappointment but ended up smiling at his chirpy demeanor familiar to her Mother and picked the cart with one hand and went to his shop.

He started his shop, packing the provisions of the Castle and putting them aside for the knight to come and pick them up. He was working while espying on his daughter from time to time so she wouldn’t get far away with a stranger as it’s her habit of befriending any person she finds but couldn’t help but to smile captivating at her daughter who was lost in her world of happiness,  praying deeply in his heart that the smiles of his family and loved one remain constant and no evil eye could hurt his home.