Drakon (OC backstory)

warning: contains mentions of ab/se and some violence
Darkness enfolded the soul once again, shrouding it with shadows. A boy cried softly in a dark corner as screams could be heard above. All he wanted to do was shut them out and run away into a world where troubles never existed and he could see the light of day again. He hoped his sobs could drown out the anger above him, but it only grew worse. Above, he could hear his brother and his mother speaking. 
“Mother, where is Artie?”
“He’s been a bad boy. He’s back in the cellar.”
“I want to see Artie again…”
“Become a disappointment like him, and you can go down with him.”
“But he isn’t a disappointment.”
“Hush now. Your brother can be forgotten, but you have a bright future ahead of you…”
                                                                   . . . . . . . . . 
Leaves rustled against each other and birds chirped their quiet morning song. The sky was painted pink and gold by the shining sun that had begun to rise over the horizon, creating shadows of towering trees on the glimmering morning dew grass. Even the hunter and the hunted were at peace for now. But the hunter could not hesitate. He raised his bow into position, aiming it at the unknowing deer that grazed at the fresh green grass at its hooves. 
He was ready to let go of the arrow when someone yelped behind him. “Artie, no!!”
The deer’s head shot up, alarmed, and galloped into the forest and out of sight. Artemis sighed and turned around to face his younger brother, who looked up at him with big and frightened eyes.
“You almost killed the momma deer!! I warned you before you accidently hit it!” The little boy told Artemis.
Artemis gave him a slight smile. He didn’t tell him he was aiming at it on purpose. “Sorry, Apollo. Thank you for telling me.” he ruffled his brother’s hair, who slapped his hand away from his head.
“You better be thankful! A baby deer could’ve lost its momma today!” Apollo sniffed. He raised his head to look up at his taller brother. “Can we go back home? I’m starving!”
Artemis chuckled and took Apollo’s small hand in his, beginning to walk in the direction of the Fallen Flower camp. “Yes, Apollo. I’ll get us dinner in a bit. What are you hungry for?”
“Fruit or vegetables,” Apollo replied, and Artemis laughed.
“Usually, kids wouldn’t be this eager to eat healthy things. You are a strange kid.”
“Not any stranger than you!” Apollo retorted. “You look all scarred up and emo, as if you went through a battle or somethin.”
Artemis flinched a little. He avoided looking at his scars and pulled his sleeve over his arm. “Whatever,” he said, ruffling his brother’s hair again. “C’mon, let’s get back home…”
. . . . . 
The camp was bustling with activity, as always. A few adults passed him and didn’t even glance once at him. Others, however, gave him cautious or wary looks. Most, however, were looks of jealousy or a spark of passion and admiration. He hated all these mixed feelings within their eyes - it confused him. 
Apollo ran ahead of him to hug a red-headed, freckled boy about the same age as him. They laughed and spoke in chattery tones, as if they hadn’t seen each other in ages. 
“Blaze! Wanna come over to our tent to have dinner with us tonight?” Apollo asked the flaming haired boy.
“Sorry, but mom is making us cake and ham today! I can’t miss that!”
Apollo’s eyes sparkled and he turned around to Artemis. “I - I changed my mind about the fruits and veggies - can I eat over at Blaze’s tent today?”
Artemis, who was always protective about his little brother, hesitated, but nodded after considering his happiness. “Alright, but be back home right after dinner!”
Apollo’s eyes lit up and he bounced up and down with Blaze. “Yay! C’mon, let’s go to your tent!” he took Blaze’s hand and they ran over to the far side of the camp where Blaze’s family often slept. Artemis sighed, hoping his brother would be alright without him, and walked into his own tent to make himself dinner. 
                                                    . . . .  . .
	“Mother…” Artemis walked up to his mother slowly. She didn’t even turn to look at him. It was as if she wanted to pretend he never existed. Artemis tried again, pulling at his mother’s cotton dress. She whirled around, nearly slapping him.
	'“What?” she snapped, and her expression only grew angrier at the dress he awkwardly twirled around in.
	“Chris gave me this,” He told her shakily, then held out a flower to his mother as a peace offering. His mother took it - and then crushed it between her fingers, the petals falling to the floor.
	And soon he too fell to the floor, and he felt just like the petal his mother had crushed.
					. . . .  . 	
All was quiet - for now. It was past dinnertime, and Artemis was feeling anxious. What was taking Apollo so long? He left the tent to go to Blaze’s family’s tent. It was a small tent with a warm orange glow emitting from it. He whistled, which was the camp’s way of letting people know that someone was outside their tent. 
Blaze’s mother, a fragile woman with bright hair equally as orange as Blaze’s, popped her head out of the tent and smiled softly at him. “Are you here to get Apollo?”
“Yes, actually. I want him to come back home,” Artemis replied politely. 
“They ran off into the woods - I told them not to go too far, but I’d check on them if I were you.”
“The woods?” Artemis held in an exasperated sigh of annoyance. “I’ll go check, I suppose.”
He began to trek into the forest, the sun’s light beginning to fade away and leaving darker shadows on the ground. Panic started to rise within him as the shadows reached for him. Where could Apollo be?
There was a rustling in the thicket of bushes ahead of him. He attempted to walk through the bushes, but sharp and prickly thorns stabbed at him. He hissed between his clenched teeth but continued on. The shadows of the tall trees almost made it hard to see, but he could make out humanoid shadows in the distance behind a thorny thicket. “Apollo! Blaze!” Artemis called out. The shadows froze for a moment before dashing away. “Wait! It’s me, Artie! Apollo, you need to come home! It’s getting too dark out! I don’t want the Ruby S-”
Drakon barely had time to call out before a hand tightened around his mouth, muffling his voice. He started thrashing at the figure holding him captive. 
“Shhh,” They said in his ear, making Artemis flinch. “The children are safe with us… for now…”
The Ruby Slayers - they caught Apollo! Artemis’s heart pounded rapidly and he struggled to get out of the Ruby Slayer’s grasp.
“Hush now. I will make death quick and painful for you,” and suddenly, a blinding pain jolted into his side, and he fell onto the grass, gooey crimson creating a puddle around him. He gasped for air, but it only made his side more painful. The shadows disappeared, and he attempted to get up, but he was in too much pain. He could feel himself getting weaker…
“Apollo…” He groaned, feeling the metallic taste of blood bubbling in his throat. He choked and coughed, and soon his world went dark.
. . . . . 
The camp was in ruin. So many people were taken. Including Apollo - Artemis’s beloved brother. The only one who made him feel loved in those dark times…
Blaze’s mother cried at his side. “I should have told Blaze and Apollo to stay at camp! It’s all my fault!” she howled sorrowfully. 
Artemis was too weak to speak, but anger bubbled inside him. He hated her for being so irresponsible. He hated himself for not saving Apollo. He wanted to scream and destroy everything he saw with all his heart. He wanted to let the world see his rage and get his brother back. He just wanted… to see Apollo…
He swore to get him back. No matter how long it took, he would find him again. He would prove to his parents that he wasn’t a disappointment by getting Apollo back - alive. 
                                                           . . .  . 
Years past. Apollo never came back. But Artemis still had hope. Even if it was a very small hope, it was still there.
He’d gone on several hunting parties just to search for his brother, and often got distracted to the point where he’d mess up several hunting parties. 
But one day… One day he had hope. He wanted to lead his own hunting party today and find the Ruby Slayer camp that Apollo had been taken in to. So he gathered everyone who he trusted most and led them into the forest one evening. 
“Artemis,” Crystal, a girl who had constantly annoyed him ever since Apollo had been captured, said. “Don’t you think… You should just let go?”
“Let go?” Artemis snapped. “No. I’m getting my brother back, no matter how long it takes.”
Crystal looked uncomfortable and exchanged glances with the others. Artemis regretted bringing Crystal on the hunting party - she was always constantly trying to ‘bring out the good in him again’ and ‘trying to bring his old self back’. The old Artemis was a silly fool who spent his time enjoying the flowers of life and not taking good enough care of Apollo. He hated that past Artemis. 
After a few hours, they’d found… nothing. Nothing at all. But Artemis refused to quit looking. That would just make him more of a disappointment than he already was. 
“Artemis, it’s getting dark. Let’s head back,” Crystal insisted. Artemis growled something under his breath.
“I agree. We don’t want to run into any Ruby Slayers in the dark,” another agreed. 
“We don’t have as good of night vision as they do,” another said.
Artemis whirled around and gave them all a withering look. “Shut up! We WILL find that camp, and we WILL get my brother back. If you don’t want to help me, then go back to your camp like cowards! I don’t care!”
They went silent. A few backed up a few steps but didn’t go anywhere. Crystal stood her ground stubbornly. “Artie. Let’s go home. I can make you some soup and help you feel-”
“No!!” Artemis boomed. “I have had enough of you! Stop trying to get in my way of finding my brother - how would YOU feel if you lost the only family you have left?? How would you feel if the only person that made you feel appreciated just got captured and didn’t know whether they’re dead or not?!” 
They all went silent. This time, for good. Because suddenly, Ruby Slayers emerged from nowhere and sliced their throats, silencing them, and knocking Artemis to the ground. Artemis screamed at the top of his lungs for help, but something bashed against his head and he fell silent, and his eyes closed. 
.... 
He blinked. Twice. Light burned his eyes. He groaned in pain, his head feeling bruised and achy. A bright, pink-haired girl smiled down at his face with a very big grin. "Hello sunshine!" she greeted him. 
Artemis narrowed his eyes at her. "Ruby Slayer scum..." 
"That's not very nice," The girl's face faded into a frown. "I'm actually named Vibrant. And I'm not scum. I'm a queen!" 
"You look too young to be queen..." 
"Shut up!" Vibrant snapped, giving him a light slap. "That is no way to respect a queen!" 
"I don't have time for a silly girl playing princess - I need to find my brother," Artemis growled, pushing past her. He pulled at the iron bars caging him, but they wouldn't budge. He pulled harder. 
"It's not use, I've tried that too," Vibrant told him. 
"Why the heck are you in here if you're a Ruby Slayer?" He asked grumpily. "Did you betray them? Can you help me get out of here?" 
"Nah. I'm just annoying to them, so they lock me up in here when they think I'm being annoying," She shrugged. "And I don't think I should help. You're a Fallen Flower, after all." 
"Please?" Artemis begged. "I need to get my brother back." I can't believe I'm begging for help from a little Ruby Slayer girl. What has my life come to? 
"Hmmm... Maybe, I'll think about it. For now, wanna be friends? You seem like a cool dude," Vibrant said, holding out her hand. It reminded him of his little brother's small hands he used to hold when he took walks with him out in the forest. His heart panged with sadness. 
"I'd rather not be friends with my enemy." 
"Awww, c'mon!" She insisted, reaching her hand out further. 
Artemis rolled his eyes and gave her a weak handshake. "Only if you promise to get me out of here later. OK?" 
"Only if I find you likable!" Vibrant smiled back. 
.... 
A day passed. Artemis found out why the Ruby Slayers kept locking Vibrant up - she wouldn't stop talking!! She spoke all about her crush and her best friend 'Raven' and how she had dreams about when she was a Fallen Flower. And then a certain surprising conversation sparked up. 
"I really wanna be a Fallen Flower again - the Ruby Slayers are all just so grumpy and mean. I may not seem like I mind them thinking I'm annoying, but inside, it really hurts. Like, a lot. You know?" She pointed to her chest. "It makes me feel all achy inside and just... downright depressed. The only one who makes me feel loved is Raven, my best friend. But she began her medical training last week, and she's getting grumpier and stuff..." 
Artemis felt a slight pang of sympathy. He felt as if he could relate to her. But he didn't want to show it. 
"Maybe... Maybe if I help you escape, I can come with you? I want to become a Fallen Flower again." She told him in almost a whisper-voice. 
This was his chance! Finally! "Fine," Artemis said. "You can come with me. Just... help me out of here." 
"Yay!" Vibrant squealed. Artemis shushed her, and she fell back into a whisper. "I - I mean, yaaaaaay," she said very quietly. 
"So. Tonight?" Artemis asked. 
"Tonight!" Vibrant agreed. 
And a bond of friendship began to grow between the two. 
........ 
Soon night fell, and there were no Ruby Slayers bustling around busily. Vibrant took out a pick-lock and started to unlock the cage door. 
"You had that the whole time?!" Artemis shout-whispered. "Why the heck didn't you use it before?!" 
"Because, 1. It's better staying in a cage away from all the grumpy Ruby Slayers sometimes and 2. I wanted to wait until I knew I liked you until I got you out of here with me!" 
Artemis rolled his eyes and complained under his breath, following Vibrant out of the cell carefully. They made their way out of camp, slipping past a few sleepy guards easily. 
Vibrant looked like she wanted to squeal with delight, but she held it back and they both ran out of the tunnel. And then someone alarmed the other Ruby Slayers. 
"The prisoners are gone!" they shouted. Artemis grabbed Vibrant's hand and ran - ran faster than he had in his life. He couldn't be caught now! 
And then Vibrant jerked back and slipped out of his hand, screaming in pain as she tripped. She'd stepped into a bear trap hidden in the grass, and her ankle was caught in it. Artemis felt himself hesitate - he needed to run! To find his brother! But Vibrant - such a lonely, sad girl - he couldn't leave her behind. He'd feel so guilty... 
How would he feel if he were left behind by Vibrant, and was trapped in the Ruby Slayer camp forever, unable to find his brother ever again? He couldn't leave her behind, so he ran back and nelt down, trying to get the bear trap loose. 
"Artemis, run!!" Vibrant told him urgently. "Go on without me!" 
Artemis shook his head- and it was too late. The Ruby Slayers grabbed Artemis by the shoulders, dragging him away from Vibrant, and Vibrant screamed in pain as another Ruby Slayer forcefully opened the bear trap by a bit and pulled her leg out, scraping it against the sharp sides. 
"Vibrant!" Artemis shouted, thrashing around and trying to reach her. 
"Artemis, run!!" Vibrant screamed at him, throwing a large stone at the Ruby Slayer holding him captive. Artemis had no choice but to run and run. But he tripped, letting another Ruby Slayer drag him back to camp yelling and shouting. He was thrown into a tent, and he groaned in pain as his side hit a wooden desk. 
"Causing trouble now, are we?" a voice said smoothly from above him. A larger Ruby Slayer peered down at him with a menacing smile full of dark intentions. "I suppose we have no choice but to turn you into a Ruby Slayer right away. Bring the nectar here." the leader-like Ruby Slayer commanded to the others. 
Artemis tried getting to his feet, but he was kicked down. Artemis hissed in pain and clutched his stomach. 
"You aren't going anywhere. You will be under my command from now on," The leader's voice became suddenly sinister. 
No! I need to find Apollo and get Vibrant out of here! Artemis tried getting up again, and the leader grabbed him by his shoulders and squeezed them so tightly that he had to gasp in pain. 
"Misbehaving boys need to be punished. Stop struggling, there is no use." 
The other Ruby Slayers entered with a needle and something golden inside it. Artemis kicked at the leader holding him down, and a few other Ruby Slayers rushed to help hold Artemis down. 
Artemis began to scream. "Let me go! I want to find my brother!! Please!" 
He attempted to jerk away from the needle, but it pierced his arm and he yelled in anger. "NOO! Stop!! Please!!" 
He suddenly started to feel dizzy. His vision was blurring. No!! Stay awake!! I must find Apollo and get Vibrant out of here... Who is Apollo... My brother!! I have to... remember... Apollo's smiling, goofy face faded from his mind, and as did Vibrant's bright sunny smile. Only the bitterness of the abuse of his mother and the hatred towards himself remained. 
And then he was gone, a new shadowed soul replacing his. Who... Who am I? 
Category:Original Stories
Category:Fiction
Category:Original Stories (Finished)
Category:Literature