The story of Aureaus

As I said, my life was not worth mentioning at the time. Winter had brewed through Bladenon approx. 4 years after Aureaus disappeared. These 4 years were depressing. I was 19 years of age, and was beginning my training as a guard in Lord Kildayus' army. His father was still in the army, and had shown much dislike to me. Winter was dark this year, much colder. People were getting frostbite and many homes had to be evacuated due to the frost.The hero Kildayus did nothing. People watched from their cold homes, the bright lights that were emitting from the home of Kildayus. If something wasn't done, we would all die.  

I was walking down the cold road in my training armour ready to go to the Villa. People looked at me with such hate. Such despise. People were getting sick of Kildayus, and I knew why. These people were suffering. Starving. I didn't look at them. I continued to walk and I met Kildayus at his Villa.  

"You are late, Kaelus. I can't have my soldiers late when an invasion is happening, can they. Get into formation." He yelled. 

"But sir, the people, they are suffering. They caused my late arrival" 

"At this moment, the people can wait." 

We continued our training formation and did drills. I was a Militiaman and became a commander of a 5 man squad.  

"Kaelus, your first mission is a single man raided one of our outposts. Find out more information. Come back with it. Go pronto." Kildayus was obviously afraid of the situation. One man raiding a Bladenonian outpost. This man must be found. I gathered my soldiers and told them the plan.  They were eager, and overconfident. One even yelling out that it was all a lie and an April fools joke. I didn’t answer. We marched off into the distance. Despite supposed constant survelliance, it was a while away. It took around 25 minutes walking speed.  

"Oh my.." I whispered. 

The outpost was in ruins, bodies everywhere. It was recent as well. 

"Men, be on guard. We want all survivors here" 

I lead the scouting party into the outpost. I was scarred for life what I saw. These men were all killed the exact same way. They were mutilated. I don't know how someone could do this. 

A choking noise came from behind. A soldier of mine was holding his neck.  

"Jaque, what happened?" I took his hands off his neck and a sword mark was left. He instantly dropped to the ground. I was scared. This man was no ordinary bandit. He was skilled. "Stick together" I whispered. I moved forward and heard no response. "Guys, next time res-" 

No one there. 

No one at all.  

I was half expecting an April Fools, but that was gone when I saw the man standing a metre in front of me. He was hooded, wielding two massive blades. 

"Kaelus, good to see you" 

"How do you know my name, and where is my allies?" 

"They are dead. Useless. Didn't put up a fight. I know what has been happening in Bladenon. Suffering, resentment. They are on the edge of dying. I am trying to get the attention of Kildayus." 

"Who are you?" I asked. 

"Aureaus" the man said. My mind gave me many questions, and I couldn't move. 

"Aureaus... I'm going to die, aren't I. For abandoning you..." 

"It seems like it, but.. if you were to help me take down Kildayus...we could become friends" he added with a smirk. "I know I can trust you, you can see the suffering of Bladenon, which will eventually become its fall. Help me...Help me bring prosperity" He held out his hand. 

I grabbed his wrist and he grabbed mine. 

"Brothers" we both said.

Darkness is an evil that can be eroded with hope.  

These words were a saying of Aureaus. These were the only ones in my mind at the moment. As my heart rate increased, so did the tendency to reenact those words. I ran faster, and faster, and faster. Darkness overcame me. I fell over.  

"Someone's gonna be in trouble" 

Bandits! I have to hide. I ran through the street, hiding in a nearby bush. By the sound of those words, he saw me. Footsteps became stomps as they came closer and closer and closer. 

Finally, a torch came past. I tried to lower my heartbeat, so the bandit wouldn't hear me. Didn't work. The bandit was visible perfectly, the fire glaring into his eyes. Evil. Evil eyes. Dead eyes. His eyes locked onto mine. 

"Nice ransom I can get for this kid" 

He jumped into the bush and I instinctively threw myself out of there. I bolted. The man was fast. The man was fit. I infact, being a fifteen year old, was not as fit as him, let alone strong as him. If he captured me, I was as gone as an Orc's innocence. I turned a corner. If this was in daylight, I would have lost him by now. The bandit took out his club and ran faster. I fell to the ground. I was finished. It was over for my life as a free man. He came closer until he fell over. A person stood above him. The fire showed his eyes.  

It was Aureaus.  

My heart skipped a beat. He really was a hero. He had come for me. The bandit stood up and whacked Aureaus across the face with his club. I couldn't move. My body was frozen from the tension. Aureaus got up and punched the man. He stayed standing. He punched Aureaus and he fell to the ground. He raised his club and I closed my eyes. I quickly got up and ran for my life. 

After that moment, I never saw Aureaus again in my childhood.