Echoes of Cain
I felt a surge of frustration, but I kept my face impassive. I couldn't let my emotions betray me. I had lived with the weight of my choices for too long; now, I had to live with the consequences.
I took a few steps back, moving to the higher ground, eyes scanning the terrain. The ridge was steep, jagged rocks jutting out like teeth. The soldiers weren't foolish—they knew better than to follow me up there, not without proper footing and strategy. But I wasn't looking for an escape, not yet. I needed them to see that I had nothing left to lose.
"I'm not going back," I said, louder now, my voice carrying over the wind that had picked up, swirling dust around our feet. The soldiers paused, their eyes flicking to each other, then back to me.
"You'll die out here, Cain," the leader spoke again, his tone almost pitying, but laced with that same unrelenting certainty. "Alone in the wilderness, far from the throne you once coveted. Do you truly think that's a better fate than returning to your father's judgment?"
I let the words hang in the air for a moment. A cold gust of wind swept through the ridge, rustling the dry leaves in the trees, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
"Maybe," I said quietly, meeting his gaze with a fierceness that surprised even me. "But it's a fate I choose. A fate with no chains, no father's wrath, and no kingdom that would call me a traitor."
For a moment, the soldiers stood still, watching me, and in that silence, I could feel the years of my struggle—the weight of every decision, every choice—pressing in around me. The soldier with the scar on his face looked at me, and for the first time, I saw something other than disdain in his eyes. Something like respect—or perhaps acknowledgment. But it vanished quickly, buried beneath the loyalty to his king, to his orders.
One of the other soldiers, younger and more eager, stepped forward, clearly impatient. "Enough talk! He's just a traitor, a coward. We take him back now."
But the leader held up a hand, silencing the others. His gaze never left me, weighing something. Then, with a heavy sigh, he spoke, his voice lower this time, almost weary.
"We do not have the right to kill you, prince Cain. Not here, not like this."
For a brief second, I thought he might turn and walk away, that maybe—just maybe—he would let me go. But I knew better than to believe in such fleeting moments of mercy.
Before I could react, the younger soldier lunged forward, his sword drawn, his intentions clear. It happened so fast that I barely had time to raise my own weapon in defense.
The clash of steel rang out, sharp and violent, and I spun with the movement, narrowly avoiding the first strike. The soldier grunted, swinging again, this time with more power, but I parried with the flat of my sword, redirecting his force into the rock behind me.
I pushed him back, creating enough space between us to gain a few precious seconds. The soldiers weren't expecting me to fight, to stand my ground. They hesitated, their eyes darting between their leader and the momentary chaos I had created.
But in the back of my mind, I knew this wouldn't last. I wasn't fighting for survival anymore. I was fighting for freedom, for the fleeting chance to be more than just a name, a title that had already sentenced me to death.
With a final, desperate movement, I turned and dashed for the edge of the ridge, leaping toward the dense forest below, my heart pounding with every step, my thoughts racing—If I can just reach the cover of the trees, if I can just get lost again...
I heard them shout behind me, the sounds of pursuit quick and furious. But I didn't look back. I couldn't. If I was going to survive this, I had to believe, for one last time, that I could escape.
Then when all hope was gone, two figures appeared in front of me.
I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my ears, struggling to make sense of what I was seeing. My breath hitched, and I could barely comprehend the figures that had appeared in front of me, blocking the soldiers. They were too familiar, too impossible.
---
The hunt for Cain had started the moment we received the king's orders. But for us, it wasn't just another mission. This was personal.
It always had been.
The first days after his exile were a blur of uncertainty. News had spread quickly: Cain, the prince who defied his father, the traitor of the nation, was on the run. And the king wanted him dead.
But what the king didn't realize was that his soldiers were not the only ones hunting Cain. We were too. Kais and I had fought alongside him for years, through every battle, every bloody campaign, side by side. We weren't going to let him face this alone. He was our brother, our prince—no matter what his bloodline dictated.
The days blurred into one long search, but we didn't falter. We followed every lead, every whisper. Cain had always been the one to lead us through impossible situations, but this time, we had to find him before it was too late.
It was the village of Karam that was known for it's population generosity, in the north, that finally gave us a clue. The villagers had seen him—a man who looked like he didn't belong, but whose presence commanded attention. At first, they had trusted him, but after the traveler came through, everything changed. He recognized Cain. And from that moment, it was clear—our prince had no place left in this world.
"I think we're close," I muttered, my eyes scanning the path ahead, though my heart was already bracing itself for what we might find. "Cain wouldn't leave a trail that easily, but he couldn't have gone far. Not without some sign of him."
Roshan, always the more reckless of us two, grunted, his eyes narrowing. "He's a smart one, no doubt. But we're smarter." He glanced over his shoulder, the shadow of his sword just visible beneath the cloak. "Let's hope the villagers didn't turn him in before we could reach him."
The village stood ahead of us, nestled in a valley like some forgotten relic from another time. It was peaceful, almost too peaceful. The kind of place Cain would've disappeared into, away from the war and politics. For a fleeting moment, I imagined him living here, blending in with the simple folk, at peace.
But then I saw the fear in the villagers' eyes. They had no idea what they were caught up in, no idea the storm that was about to come crashing down on them.
"You think they'll help?" Roshan asked, his voice soft, though I knew the question wasn't meant for me. It was a question we had both been asking ourselves for days. Would they turn on Cain? Would anyone stand with him, or would they let the king's wrath consume everything?
I shook my head. "I don't know. But we'll find him first."
We moved through the village cautiously, not wanting to draw attention. Our cloaks helped shield our faces from prying eyes. People went about their business, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
It wasn't long before a few villagers noticed us, their eyes wary, their glances lingering longer than was comfortable. I caught a whisper of Cain's name on the wind, and my stomach dropped. We were close.
As we turned a corner, I spotted him. Cain. There, standing near the edge of the village, his eyes scanning the horizon. He looked like a man who had been living in constant fear for too long, his posture tense, his eyes haunted. It was the first time I had seen him truly lost—not a man in control of his destiny, but one whose fate had been torn from his hands.
His gaze met mine, and for the briefest moment, I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes, followed by a guarded wariness. It hurt to see that look on his face, but I understood it. He had been alone for too long. He probably thought we were ghosts, memories from a life he once knew.
"Cain!" I called out softly, but the wind carried the words with an urgency. "It's us. Kais and Roshan."
---
"No… it can't be them," I muttered to myself, disbelief clouding my thoughts.
But the voices—those voices—cut through the chaos like a lifeline.
"Kai—s! Roshan!" I choked out, barely believing it as their names left my lips.
They didn't seem real. How could they be? The weight of exile had been so heavy, the months of isolation so long, I had convinced myself that they were lost to me forever. Yet here they were, standing before me, side by side, as if nothing had changed.
Cain's eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed to freeze, like a trapped animal. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his blade before he recognized them and lowered it, though his stance remained defensive.
He stared at both of them, the tension slowly fading from his shoulders. He opened his mouth to speak, but then something changed in his eyes. He turned toward the horizon, his expression tightening once again.
They followed his gaze.
The soldiers.
At first, he thought it was just the wind playing tricks on his eyes, but then Kais saw them clearly—patrols, moving through the trees, their armor glinting in the fading light. The king's men had found him.
Roshan cursed under his breath. "They're here."
Cain's expression darkened, and he quickly reached for his sword, his movements swift but measured. "We need to leave. Now."
We didn't need any more words. We moved as one, slipping into the shadows of the forest, keeping just out of sight. The soldiers wouldn't be able to catch us—not yet. But Cain's instincts were sharp. He knew they would follow, and they would be relentless.
As we ran, Kais glanced at Roshan, and for a brief second, He saw the same determination in his eyes that had carried them through countless battles. They were soldiers. They had faced death together before.
And they would face it again—together.
"Cain, get back!" Roshan shouted, his eyes fierce, focused on the soldiers advancing behind me.
But I couldn't move. I was rooted to the spot, my mind struggling to reconcile the sight before me with the cold, empty truth I had been living.
Kais glanced over at me, his face softening for a split second. "You thought we'd left you for good, didn't you?" His voice was low but there was a hint of something softer, almost like... regret.
I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn't come. Why? I wanted to ask. Why come back for me? After everything I had done, after the years that had passed, after I had abandoned them, how could they possibly still care?
"We don't leave our own," Roshan said, his voice cutting through my turmoil. He didn't even look at me—his attention was fixed on the soldiers—but there was no mistaking the conviction in his words.
I felt my chest tighten, my mind spinning. They're here.
They're really here.
They came for me.
I had never imagined this moment. Never thought I would see them again, let alone have them fight beside me. I had accepted the isolation, convinced myself that I would die alone, that I deserved to. And yet, here they were—unwavering, unbroken. It was like a dream, but the cold edge of reality cut through it. Why risk it for me?
Kais grinned, as if reading my thoughts. "You still don't get it, do you?" he said, almost teasing, though there was a warmth beneath his words. "We're not done with you yet, Cain."
The soldiers hesitated, but I was no longer paying attention to them. I could barely catch my breath. My heart, which had been racing with the cold fear of exile, now beat with something else. Hope. It was terrifying. A reminder of everything I had lost, but also everything I might have again.
"No, you're not alone," Roshan added quietly, his voice like a promise, and in that moment, I believed him.
I swallowed hard, finally finding my voice. "I— I thought you were gone," I whispered, the words tasting bitter and foreign. "I thought you wouldn't—"
Kais cut me off with a sharp look, his hand on his blade. "Don't make us say it, Cain." His gaze softened, just enough. "We're not going anywhere."
And just like that, in the midst of chaos, in the heart of battle, I felt the heavy weight I'd been carrying for so long begin to lighten. For the first time in years, I wasn't alone. Not anymore.
Roshan, eyes burning with unwavering resolve, was the first to speak."Cain, we couldn't just stand by while you faced this alone. We're with you—no matter the cost."
Kais, his usual calm now laced with quiet pride, added,"You did what had to be done to end the war. We won't let your father punish you for that."
Roshan nodded slowly, his voice softening."We kept our promise. We protected Asir while you were gone. But now… we need you."
A chill crept down my spine."Asir… I had to protect him. I promised."
"Don't worry," Roshan said, placing a steady hand on my shoulder. "He's safe. They all are… for now."
Touched by their unyielding support, I nodded in gratitude. "I appreciate your loyalty, but you're putting yourselves at great risk by standing by me. My father won't take kindly to your defiance. That's why I left...alone."
Kais flashed a defiant smile. "We're soldiers, Cain. We've faced worse than the king's displeasure. Besides, we're not just standing by you; we're standing for a cause we believe in; It's greater than that. We believe in you."
His words found a way to thaw something inside me—something I had thought had long since frozen in loneliness. For a fleeting moment, the bitter cold of exile, the weight of my name, and the despair that had consumed me since my departure seemed distant, replaced by a warmth I had not expected. They didn't just fight for me; they fought for the truth they believed in, the shared cause that had bound us together. I wasn't alone, not anymore.
As if to prove that the bond they spoke of was as unbreakable as the steel in their hands, Kais was right in front of me when a soldier approached him, ready to take him down. I couldn't help him; I was already locked in a battle of my own. But I rushed, my pulse quickening as I tried to finish my own fight swiftly, hoping I could reach him in time.
But before I could act, I saw it—a flash of metal, a swing aimed at Kais, and I knew that without a miracle, it would be the last strike. Time seemed to slow as my heart lurched, helplessness blooming in my chest.
And then, just as quickly, the scene shifted. Roshan fell to his knee, the soldier's blade having struck him instead of Kais. Blood poured from his shoulder, dark and crimson, soaking his arm in an instant. The sight took my breath away. My friend, the one who had always been there for me, now on the ground, clutching his wound, his face pale with pain.
Something in Kais' eyes shifted. What had once been calm determination morphed into something raw and fierce. Without hesitation, he took down his attacker, and in one swift motion, he rushed to Roshan, both hands pressed to his fresh wound, trying to stop the flow of blood.
"You got it?" I heard Kais ask, his voice strained but steady as he tried to stabilize Roshan.
Only one soldier was left, I could take him down easily. "Yeah, don't worry." I shout.
"It's ok...don't worry about me..." Roshan's voice was weak, but his spirit was still strong, though I could see the grimace of pain contorting his face.
I stood before them, my sword still in hand, shielding both Roshan and Kais as I faced the remaining soldiers. Kais was tending to Roshan's shoulder, carefully dressing his wounds. But I could see it—the strain on Kais' face, the realization that he too was in need of urgent attention. They had fought their way back to me, had thrown themselves into the fray without hesitation, despite the danger.
Through the haze of battle and the fog of my own rage and fear, I heard a faint scream. It was a voice that carried over the din of combat—Kai's voice, loud and unmistakable, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I found myself grateful to hear it.
"Are you insane, Roshan! You can't just rush before me and put your life in danger for me! Don't ever do that!" Kais' voice was frantic now, his hands trembling as he worked to dress Roshan's wound.
"In that case, are you expecting me to just watch you die?" The question was sharp, direct, and full of a determination that could not be swayed by reason.
That stopped Kais cold. The moment of quiet that followed was heavy, filled with raw emotion, and I could see the internal struggle that flashed across Kais' face. The bond between them was undeniable, and it was clear they had never considered anything but protecting each other.
"That's what you should do," Kais muttered, almost to himself, his voice cracking with frustration. "Or do you want to die with me?" His eyes searched Roshan's face, hoping to make him understand the gravity of the situation, the consequences of his reckless actions. "I am just asking because I should be the one protecting you. Things could have gone wrong, and I—"
"Yes!" Roshan shouted, his voice filled with a fire that was unmistakable.
"Yes? What do you… No, you can't do that, I won't let you die with me."
The words fell from Roshan's mouth with a strength that only he could carry. "So, stay alive, no matter what the cost. Do it for me. If you don't value the importance of your life, stay alive for me, Kais! For us!"
I stood there, watching them, as their words wrapped around me like a cloak. I saw the bond they shared, a bond so powerful that it transcended the madness of this world. It was an unspoken oath, a promise, forged in the fires of battle and tempered by a love that neither war nor death could extinguish.
After some time together, I couldn't help but notice how their bond had grown stronger, as if a silent vow had been made between them—one that no enemy could break. It was a bond built not on obligation, but on the purest form of loyalty. A loyalty that went beyond simple friendship. I envied that. To have someone by your side that you could count on without question, someone who would lay down their life for you, and more importantly, someone who would stand by you no matter the consequences. I wanted that. I needed that.
And in that moment, I knew: though my own journey had led me to exile, a fugitive from my own blood, I was no longer alone. I had found brothers in arms, in Kais and Roshan, who would walk beside me through whatever lay ahead.
We may have been on the run, hunted by the king's soldiers, branded as traitors, but together, we had something worth fighting for. Something no king or army could ever take away from us. And that, in the end, was all that mattered.
Now that they were back again by my side, I had to protect them. I knew that if I told them to go far away from me and my troubles, they wouldn't obey at all. It was out of question for them.
In a way, I found comfort in this though.
I had to fight for my life, not because I wanted to but more because I had to protect them.
I only knew one way for that. I had to find the soldier in black armor, the one that unraveled death on the battlefield. We were linked, but I didn't know how yet.
I was determined to find him.
But before that, I had a promise to keep.
He was waiting for me all this time.