I take a deep breath, feeling my heart pounding against my chest. My mother's hand rests on my shoulder, and I feel her trembling slightly. I turn to her, placing a hand on hers. "Don't worry, mother. We'll make it out of here."
But deep down, I'm not so sure. The sight of our family mansion in flames, our guards falling one by one to the enemy troops, and the disappearance of my father, all weigh heavily on my mind. I have always known that our family, the Nightshades, were a noble and honorable family.
My father had instilled these values in me from a young age, teaching me to always stand up for what was right and to never back down from a challenge. But on this fateful night, my world was shattered, and I saw firsthand just how cruel and unfair the world could be.
We begin to run towards the back of the mansion, away from the chaos of the attack. I can hear the sound of swords clashing, shouts and screams filling the air. The night sky is illuminated by the flickering of torches as the attackers make their way through the estate.
As we run, my eyes catch sight of an old book on a nearby table. It's an old book, the heirloom of our family left to catch dust without meaning. Without thinking, I grab it and hold it tightly to my chest. I don't know why, but something inside me tells me that I need to take it with us.
We reach the back of the mansion, where our carriage is waiting for us. Our guards are already fighting off the attackers, but it's clear that they won't be able to hold them off for long. We climb into the carriage, and my mother orders the driver to take us away.
But our escape is short-lived. The pursuing troops catch up with us, and our guards fight valiantly to protect us. But one by one, they fall, until only my mother and I are left. I stand in front of her, holding the book tightly in my hand.
Suddenly, an old man with piercing eyes emerged from the midst of the soldiers. His white hair flowed in the wind, and his gaze was filled with curiosity. Lucien felt a shiver run down his spine, for he sensed that this man was not to be trifled with.
As the old man spoke, his voice carried a power and authority that commanded attention. I couldn't help but feel a sense of fear mixed with curiosity as I watched him carefully.
"Who are you?" the old man asked, his voice dripping with a commanding tone.
"My name is Lucien Nightshade," I replied timidly, barely above a whisper.
"Lucien," he repeated slowly, as if savoring the name. "And what is that book you're holding?"
"It's the Book of Fate," I replied, clutching it tightly to my chest. "An heirloom of our family."
The old man's eyes gleamed with interest, and a sly smile formed on his lips. "Fascinating. And what do you plan to do with it?"
"I don't know," I said truthfully. "I just...felt like I needed to take it with me."
The old man chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "You're a brave one, aren't you? Fighting off my troops with a book."
I glared at him, my anger simmering just below the surface. "You attacked us! You took my father, destroyed my family!"
The old man raised an eyebrow in response, seemingly unfazed by my outburst. "True. But I can let you go, on one condition."
My heart sank as I braced myself for what was to come. I knew that any bargain struck with this man would come at a high price.
"What condition?" I asked, my voice shaking.
"You owe me a favor," the old man said with a sly smile.
My stomach churned at his words, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What kind of favor could he possibly ask of me?
"What kind of favor?" I managed to ask, trying to sound brave.
"That, my dear boy, is for me to decide when the time comes," the old man replied cryptically. "But I promise you, it won't be anything too difficult. And in return, I'll let you and your mother go free."
I knew I had no choice but to agree to his terms, for I feared what would happen if I refused. The old man seemed pleased by my acquiescence.
"You're a smart one," he said, nodding in approval. "Remember this, Lucien Nightshade. Life is like a card game. Sometimes you may not get dealt the best hand, but the skilled don't whine. They make do with it, so, always remember, you owe me - Nero Blackheart."
The old man walked away, leaving Lucien and his mother alone in the dark forest. Lucien couldn't shake the sense of dread that filled him. What kind of fate had he sealed for himself and his mother? What kind of man had he made a bargain with?
From that moment on, Lucien's life changed forever. He realized that the world was not as noble and forgiving as he had always believed. He would have to be strong and ruthless to navigate the treacherous waters of the world.