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The Twelve Scions

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Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Dark Coast of Antares

It was a night in the beginning of summertime when those destined pair began their journey. Their paths in life finally lead to this moment, to a place where everything began. This place was miles away from their home and they had never been on a train this far and long, away to somewhere completely new to them.

The region of Antares was the northern edge of La Shania Mirepa island nation and many of its parts were still lush with untouched nature. The only presence of civilization were tiny lights cascading in the distance like fireflies. Other than that, there were only outline of pine trees, crags and hills loomed in the darkness of Antares, creating a mysterious, wild yet enchanting landscape.

One of the twins, Skylar 'Lars' Sykes, were looking at this beautiful Antares' scenery from the train windows with a contempt smile on his face. Despite the calmness, his heart was beating hard with overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity, dread and excitement, all rolled into one. It felt louder than it should have to him because of the silence that the other passengers had left behind.

Meanwhile, the other twin, Skylen 'Len' Sykes, took advantage of this comfortable silence. He was fast asleep with his head resting on his brother's shoulder. Quiet, wispy snore that sounded like a faint whistle escaped his rosy lips and his slender arm slung over his brother's as if it was a pillow, clutching it for safety and comfort.

A slight rattle was felt throughout the train. It mildly flickered the lamps and made a slight buzz. It was the fourth time already ever since the train set into this region, but it was the one that successfully awoke Len. Hazily, he opened his brilliant blue eyes that were identical to Lars and began to yawn and stretch. Lars waited for him to recollect his consciousness before he started to talk to him.

"Feeling better?" Lars asked.

"Yeah, my neck hurts though," Len said. "Are we close?"

"Should be there soon," Lars said. Lars offered him a bottle of water and Len gulped it down enthusiastically. He let out quite a satisfied 'ah' afterwards, like it was the best water he ever had.

They traded smiles and continued their ride in giddy silence. They were excited, rightfully so. Once the train finally stopped, they could finally live the life that they want. All the things that held them back, they freed themselves of that. This journey that they started, was to seek their own happiness and independence.

As the train approached the twins' destination, announcement of the next station stop resounded throughout the train. The twins quickly prepared themselves, double checking their luggage which were a backpack and a suitcase for each. They traveled light because they only prioritized the necessities, not personal attachments, as they agreed upon.

Once the twins disembark at the station, warm sunset - like lights welcomed them to Antares. It was way past midnight by then so there weren't many people up and about, giving the place a colder impression instead. It didn't fare any better outside the station either as the twins were welcomed by cold wind and silence there. The empty street in front of them had a row of flickering streetlamps that seemed to beckon them into the gloomy darkness.

"So where is this Angel's Snack?" Len asked as he adjusted his stuffed backpack.

"Just a few blocks from here. Let me take a look on the map."

With the pointers from the phone, Lars led their way into the dark city to find their lodging. The silence of the night made the whirring sound of the twins' suitcases' wheels stood out. There were fleeting doubts on their heart that this place was a ghost town as everything was too quiet and dark, with lights from the windows were pretty much the only confirmation there are actual people living here.

However, Antares seemed like a perfect getaway for people who wanted a simpler, quieter change of pace, and it was exactly what the twins were looking for. Antares was the first region in La Shania Mirepa to be colonized since the discovery of the island in South Pacific Ocean and the outskirts were mostly left alone, creating many sleepy districts.

Even in the dark, Lars could tell how weary the buildings were, beaten by weather and age. Most of them were just a stretching line of sad commercial buildings with some branded by 'for lease' or 'for sale' signs. There were few houses and closed shop stalls between them, some decent looking, some in various state of rundown.

"It might be too late to ask this but... are we going to be alright, Lars?" Len asked.

"Of course, we are." Lars held back a yawn and continued. "This is just the beginning. It's okay to be worried but we'll manage, one day at a time."

"Yeah you're right, we got each other, after all," Len said with a sheepish smile.

"Maybe you'll be more at ease once we get to this cool place I got us. Angel's Snack is said to be the best bed and breakfast around. Trust me, it's gonna be great!"

"Is it still open at this hour? I mean, it's really late now."

Lars casually swatted the air. "Oh don't worry about that, I've made the arrangements beforehand. I've paid the extra charge so we should be worth the trouble."

"Wow, you really thought this through, huh?"

Lars reached over and ruffled Len's blond locks to a mess. "Of course. Anything for my lil bro."

"Chill, you're only older by 7 minutes."

"Doesn't matter, still counts."

Lars and Len lightly chuckled at that, the most vibrant of sound in that silence. Those sweet exchange did more than just reassuring the anxiety of their unknown future. It reminded them of their resolve; to be together and be independent at last.

The alley that the twins took led them to a small plaza where it branched to five red brick paths. On the center of the plaza, there was a fountain on which a disfigured looking statue stood that under the flickering streetlamp, seemed almost threatening. It was vaguely humanoid, covered in moss and had a set of wicked horns and spikes on its back where the water trickled out. It seemed to succeed on unnerving Len.

It was just then when Lars sensed a surprised jerk movement from Len. Len had heard something, his eyes widened and dead set on the branching road to their left. The road was left shadowed by willow trees on each side that eerily slow danced by the wind.

"Lars, d - did you hear that?" Len whispered.

"Hear what?"

"Just listen."

They waited until the wind passed by before they could make out what was it that Len heard. Lars had thought Len probably heard whizz of wind and spooked himself thinking it was something else. However, as it turned out, it really was something else. It was the voice of a woman, singing melodiously haunting the night.

Len pulled the sleeve of Lars' shirt and whimpered. "Lars, let's go already."

Lars gulped. "But... Angel's Snack is that way, Len."

"What? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no," Len chanted. "There's gotta be other way!"

"There isn't. Angel's Snack is just few blocks away and if we take another road, it'll take us all night circling a hill and trust me, it'll be a lot scarier there with dark forests all around."

Len whined, his feet fidgeting. Meanwhile, the singing didn't stop and somehow got even louder now that they noticed it. None of them could make up the words but there was something about the melody that just pulled Lars' heartstring. He thought it sounded beautiful, but also deeply melancholic like it was sung in grief.

Lars took a deep breath, mustering his courage to compensate them both and placed his hands firmly on Len's slender shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm here with you, alright? There's nothing to fear. Look down if you're scared but never let go of my hand. You got it?"

After a pause, Len weakly nodded. His hand clamped shut on Lars' and they marched on through the dreaded road. Lars was cautious the whole time, watching every window of the buildings around them, deep down imagining what if they'll see a ghastly face staring back. The alleys were especially unsettling, as they were lit enough to see but also dark and grim enough to think that something unthinkable was there.

Within a short walk, Lars and Len discovered the source of the voice. It came from a big building that was long forgotten by history after a terrible fire seemingly consumed it. The walls were charred, the roofs were partially gone, and even from the street, one could look inside into the depth of darkness in its great hall. Lars knew he shouldn't look, considering the possibility of what he might see there, but something felt like pulling his eyes there.

As the sky cleared from the clouds, the moon was finally revealed to illuminate the dark world. At that moment, time felt like stopping, or perhaps that was just the twins being hypnotized. Lars watched as the moonlight hit the building, shining through one of the holes on the roof to split apart the darkness inside. In the faintest glow, Lars and Len could finally make out what was inside. A woman draped in white.

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