~Chapter 3: Prince Asher.~

Xzander's smile faltered, looking up at his nurse. "Who,....Did you catch who poised..." The boy looked down to his hands, then clenched them to fists.

Nash did this....

"No, sir. There was no visible trace of....Sir, please, stay in bed." Xzander tried to get off the bed, his feet touching the chilling tile. "No, I need to see Nash." He grumbled, and took the straps off his arm, and the heart monitors. That idiot thought I wouldn't wake up.... so, he killed mom and dad. And he thought he would get away with it.

"Actually," Xzander spoke, facing his nurse, "Tell Nash I died. I doubt he would come to the fake funeral you are going to hold for me." Xzander said, his voice steady. "And, you will have everyone else think I'm dead. I am still Prince Xzander, and you will go by my words." Xzander stood high and mighty with his words, even though his head felt light, and his heart thumped two times faster than its usual quick beating. But, besides the straight, monotone face, the nurse nodded and kept silent.

"Thank you, Lady Lilly." He said with a smile, "For being my doctor." He added, and put a hand on his nurses shoulder. When he was young, he would call his nurse Lady Lilly since she always wore a hair clip with a Lilly on it. And Xzander never was the one to keep the high-and-mighty role so stiff. He liked being connected with his people.

He liked seeing smiles and not the sorrowful glances he would usually get.. The pleading ones..

He got a glance of the woman's fingers fidgeting. She truly cared for him..

Xzander sighed, and turned around, "Don't feel bad for me." He gave a smile, "Or worry. I'll be living among the commoners." Xzander put his hair over his shoulder, "I've got to keep this place running from the inside, in a place where no one would expect me to be." Lady Lilly smiled, a genuine smile, and nodded to Xzander. "You were always the one who won that battle in my eyes, Prince. Just be careful. Change your appearance, Hun." She acted almost motherly.

Lady Lilly never had children of her own...

And now that Nash was in control, she wouldn't ever have a husband either. Not until Nash had a wife at least.

"Take care. And when you can, put your thoughts into Nash's head when he chooses the wrong decision. If you can't, try to make many others do so. Thank you, Miss William." After Xzander left the room, he heard her crying, not for the reason he was leaving, but for the reason she needed to make the news of Xzander being dead believable. And considering she was his doctor, she most likely would cry at the death of her only patient.

Xzander somehow snuck his way up to his room, changing out of the awful grubs he had to wear, and into something new, his usual fitting. Jeans and a white and gold shirt. He grabbed a few needed items, and tossed them into his bag. Before he left the room, hand holding the strap of his bag (he wore almost like a purse), he got a glimpse of his sword.

"Don't get too cocky." His fathers voice repeated in his head, with a sigh, he left the sword there, and continued on his way out the door, and through the side halls where he knew no guards or maids would be. He ignored the thoughts of his parents being gone for the meantime, he needed to get out before he had a mental breakdown. He went through a side gate, immediately feeling the cold weather on his face, cold and stiff. It was warm just the other day.... but "just the other day" was a month ago for him. Xzander got himself off of castle premises quickly, going to the village. But, not indirectly going through it. He would be going into a guard filled place blindly if that was the case.

Xzander went through the forest, he knew there was a treehouse in there he could stay in. And by treehouse, I mean, house. Not a child game play house. It was abandoned a couple years ago, but I had people keep it clean. Just in case I didn't get the throne.. Always be one step ahead... I need to remember that.

Xzander climbed up the ladder to the treehouse, getting onto the porch, then he took a look around at its wooden figure. The wood was old, but beautiful in its own way, sturdy but free. Xzander let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, then looked at the porch instead of the house, seeing a small table and chair. Both wooden. He went inside the house, and it wasn't too big but he didn't need much. There was a sink, bed, toilet, shower, and a small stove. Just what he needed. He was content with the house, it was peaceful and calm.

Xzander set his bag down, and went to the closet on the side. Thankfully the young man that used to live here was neat with his belongings and worn clothes to Xzanders taste. There's even some clothes of white and gold, he wouldn't wear them due to the risk of standing out, but he liked that the man was a supporter of Xzander being King. Made the boy very happy, actually.

With a sigh, Xzander stripped of his shirt and went to his bag once more, putting his shirt on the bed along with his cloth bag. He got his knife out of the bag and went to the sink, standing over it, and looking at himself in the mirror. He took a breath, a gulp, then splashed his face with water. Xzander took another moment before looking into that mirror, but when he did look again, he saw him as a kid. Six or seven years old. He had short hair, a vibrant smile, but these eyes that pierced your soul and spoke more than his words could. Xzander groaned to himself and grabbed a lock of his hair, quickly swiping his knife through it, cutting it short and very uneven with the rest.

Xzander looked himself in the eyes, but kept going, cutting it unevenly until he would fix it. It took him a moment before he started to actually see the tears streaming down his face. His lip quivered and his jaw clenched, slicing through the last bit of hair. "Ngh," he groaned and dropped the knife, his hands on the side of the sink while he bowed his head, facing his detached strands of hair that laid in the sink. "You hell-hated imbecile!" Xzander yelled, biting his lip so hard after, it may have even bled. Wanting to scream aloud, he didn't want to be heard. He couldn't be heard. It would be bad if he was, Miss William may have already notified the castle Xzander was passed away. He kept his yells of pain in, a hand gripping at his chest, signaling the pain he was feeling. The small hiccups weren't that loud. The whimpers barely even made it past his clenched teeth.. He groaned, wiping his face and sniffling. He needed to be strong. He needed to get stronger. For mom and dad. He needed to be their revenge. He needed to be there. Just there. In that castle. Sitting on the throne. And now that he was content with his head. He knew it was what he was going to do. Even if it costed his life.

Xzander picked up his knife, looking in the mirror at his scraggly hair. He wiped the tears away, and gave himself a confident, but weary, smile.

"You will be the King, Xzander. If it's the last thing you do." He spoke, his voice soft as silk but at the same time as rough as gravel.

He licked his lips and wiped the hair off his shoulders and defined chest. Even though he was still young, he definitely shown how much he worked for the body he had now.

Xzander cut his hair slowly, making some of the front come in front of the left eye, and the other side was brushed behind his ear. It was definitely a shaggy look.

A month in, he wasn't noticed, and they held a funeral for him, his mom, and his dad. But all coffins were shut. And his brother didn't show. Xzander watched the funeral from a far-but-nearby tree.

Nash was clearly annoyed with being on the throne. And it showed. He was angry at everyone, or just plain old mean. He made sure people spoke up. Nash wouldn't even let the village buy their own food without giving them strict orders. Good thing I had started to make a garden the week I did, he's got guards patrolling all over the small village. Making sure no one is stealing. Or better yet, getting more food than their pet mouse can eat.

My hair wasn't on my nerves anymore, I got used to it. It feels a lot better, it doesn't make the outside so hot.. Which is a plus, I guess.

Six months go bye. The village got smaller.....The children are skinnier..and I've found myself giving food to kids when they come near my garden. I don't mind, though. They're always nice, and they have no clue who I am. I'm just glad they are adventuring out of the village, away from the people who are making them into pets. Away from Nash's hands. They would get to know the terrain better, just in case they needed to rush away from their homes. I've even shown some of the ones who come twice a week, places they can hide. I've had my own adventures in these woods that no one had ever known about.

Nash would be weeping in anger on the throne, but to the public eye, he would seem content with life. But, I knew better. I know how much pressure it is putting on him. But, I also know my brother. And he is one for keeping his word....and his main words were always "Ill be King until there is no more."

Xzander flinched, sitting upright from writing in his journal. "That's it." A grin spread across his face.

"I'm going to kill the King."

It's been a year. The village, or whatever was left of it, maybe around 800 people were mourning. It's the day of the last crowning. When Nash became king. But, I was plotting something evil, much like the villains in your local story book. But, I'm actually going to be the hero, believe it or not!

Xzander had his whole plot laid out, and he was very happy with how it would go. The kids come and go, one came a few weeks ago, but he hasn't seen them again yet. The little one said he had something for him, but he hadn't received it yet. Maybe he was still preparing it?

The boy was only eight, short brown hair, big blue eyes. He was definitely a courageous one. Someone was knocking on Xzander's door at the very moment. It was around midnight, maybe even later. And Xzander was getting ready to leave and head for the castle. The knock startled him, he never got many visitors, and hadn't ever gotten any visitors at this hour.

"Hello? Prince, Xzander?" A faint voice spoke, but familiar.

Xzander rushed to the door, and opened it, revealing the boy, in which was named "Asher", the one who supposedly would have a gift for him. How did he know Xzander was,...well, Xzander.

"You're okay!" Xzander said, a smile on his face while he brung the boy into his arms, the small and frail limbs clinging onto Xzander so easily. He was starting to get worried when the little one never came back..

"Of course I am!" Asher said with a grin, "I was just preparing something." And then it was only then that Xzander noticed, the boy was holding a small knife like weapon. It was sharp, but had an arrow shaped head, and a handle for your hand. "It's a type of throwing knife, Xzander!" Xzander looked to the kid that handed him the knife, then he shut the door, setting the kid on the ground. It was definitely cold in the room, but warm enough for the little one to take off a layer of his thick clothing. "Well, did you make this?" Xzander asked. Asher nodded, "Mhm, and I wanna call it a surian knife! Kinda like those things ninja's have! They're called shurikens, right?" The kid asked, and Xzander nodded. "Yeah, that's it." He chuckled. "When did you invent this, exactly?" Xzander asked.

"A couple years ago... And I was in that crowd, watching...it really made me wanna throw one at King Nash's throat." Asher said, clear annoyance in his voice.

"Well. I think, I can do that for you, now." Xzander gave a grin. "What do you mean?" Asher asked, innocence lacing his small voice.

"You will just have to see." Xzander smiled and looked over the knife, running his finger across the handmade blade.

"It's fairly crafted. You did well, little one." Xzander said, but then hummed, "I need you to tell me how you knew it was me. I never go into town, and I never talked much around you. My hair is shorter and-" The boy cut Xzanders rambling off, "I saw the scar on your stomach the day you were farming outside....you lifted your shirt to wipe your sweat... I saw the scar then.." He whispered, looking away, as if embarrassed on the fact he was spying. "I didn't have anything else better to do, and it was weird seeing someone live so far out in the woods... So, I spied on you, sometimes." Asher looked back up to meet Xzanders eyes. "Well,.." Xzander laughed, "you are much like me, Prince Asher." He grinned and ruffled the boys hair, leaving the doorway to grab his small bag, tossing it over his back as if a backpack.

Ashers eyes lit up, "You really, Woah! You're so cool!" The small boy giggled and hugged Xzanders leg. Making him chuckle. "Okay, tough guy." Xzander sighed, "I've gotta get going. You should get back home. I don't even know how you snuck past the guards." Xzander shook his head. The boy really did remind him of himself.

The boy tended to follow Xzander until he was off the ladder, "Now, go, Asher." He said in a strong and stable voice, higher than mighty almost.

"But-" the boy stammered, then sighed, "Fine." He huffed and started heading back to the village. But Xzander couldn't sit around and watch the kid get home safely. He had a murder to pull off.

Once he was in the castle, in which; he snuck in from the side, a thick set of vines went up to his bedroom, so, he climbed from there. Some of the more pushed out bricks helped his leverage too.

His bedroom wasn't the highest, only two stories.

Once he was in, he hid for a moment to catch his energy and strength back. But the next moment, he knew he needed to get going unless he wanted to kill his brother in plain daylight.

Xzander quietly made his way around the castle, getting into his brothers room with ease due to the old knife he had in his back pocket. He easily threw the knife, aiming for the knight that guarded Nash's rooms neck, and killing him almost instantly. The room was dark besides the light from the moon coming through the window.

Xzander hadn't practiced with a blade at all the past year, nor the surian knife in his pocket.

Xzander learned to keep his breathing steady when he was young, sneaking around the castle at hours he wasn't supposed to. He heard a thump behind him, in which made him flinch, and his heart race. He heard a small grunt from someone on the other side of the door, sounding as if an accident, or maybe...

Xzander opened the door, and saw Asher, getting up from a small pile of blood pooling on the tile floor. "What are you doing?!" Xzander whispered almost silently. "I-I, Uhm, I didn't mean to!" Asher whispered back, but Xzanders time was almost up. The usual guard swap out was coming up, and the guard the dead one was supposed to swap out with was coming. And fast. Xzander pulled Asher into the room quickly, barely making any noise besides the rustle of cloth shoes. Xzander bit his lip, and held his hand over the boys mouth. He leaned down and whispered into the boys ear, "Do not make a sound. Do you hear me?" Asher nodded and ran to the corner, hiding in the darkness.

Xzander started walking towards the bed, it sounded almost too quiet, but to make everything better,...the bedsheets crinkling brung the quiet to a halt. A guard yelled down the hall, and without panic, Xzander brung the susian knife from his pocket. And watched the black outline of his brother walking to the doors from the side, to think of where his move would be from. Becoming hesitant, Xzander got impatient, and threw the knife too soon, but it didn't strike his brother. It went silent with a swift movement of the Kings shadow. The air seemed to still with the quiet, the only thing Xzander could think was "It didn't work!" and "Can he hear my heartbeat?"

As his panic started to rise, he looked around the room, seeing a glimpse of a shining gold lit up by the moon. A reflection. That was Nash's sword. And it was in a glass casing on the wall. Shit.

Xzander gulped, the twenty seconds that went by from when he threw the knife, was going by so slow, it seemed to suffocate him. He had to kill Nash. And he had to do it right. The doors opened quickly, and two guards came into the room, turning on the lights. My heart seemed to skid to a stop, seeing my brother standing almost less than a foot away from me. Seeming very, very, pissed. His face and eyes, filled with hate, dread, and sorrow. Was he ashamed of what he was doing?... Was he ashamed of himself?...

The susian knife in his hand, he quickly went to punch Xzander, which he dodged and grabbed his wrist in the action. Almost, but not forgetting his susian knife in Nash's hand, he saw his brother try to stab him in the stomach once more. He flinched backwards, pushing his hand to the blade. A strike of pain ran down his arm, then a surreal gasp from Xzander escaped his lips. "Hello, my deceased brother." Nash whispered in Xzander's ear, just before he twisted his arm that was in the grip of Xzander's hand, and grabbed Xzanders wrist. He twisted, and made his brother fall to his knees again, pulling his hand away from the susian knife. "No! Stop it!" The boy in the corner yelled to Nash, the guards looked over to Asher, stopping what they were doing after they moved the dead body out of the way. Nash looked at the boy with astonishment. "Wow, you brung along a companion? I didn't think that was of you, Xzander." Nash spat Xzanders name like venom, twisting his hand more to the point it popped and broke, earning a fairly loud yell from Xzander, along with a "Go to hell, you imbecile!" Xzander spat back, but quickly looked back to Asher, who was getting taken up by the guards. "Bring the boy here." Nash said, making Xzanders breathing hitch.

No, no, no....I should've made sure he went home! Dammit!

Xzander jerked his hand away from Nash's, and quickly got away, to his feet, and in front of the guards. "He did nothing! He's just a kid, take him home, please-" Xzanders babbling was cut short once the other guard started to hold him back, but not without a fight from him. Nash grinned at his panic, and Asher let out whines for a moment but saw Xzanders struggling. It must have flipped a switch in the boys head. Asher started to stand straight and walk to Nash with his head high. "Your highness." Asher said, almost to be disgusted with the name.

Nash scowled, then grabbed the boys shoulder, holding up the susian knife. "This is yours isn't it?" Nash asked, "No! No! It's mine! I, I-I made it! Asher has nothing to do with this! Please!" Xzander begged, clear tears streaming down his face, "I'm sorry!" He yelled. Asher nodded to Nash's question, both ignoring Xzander's pleading.

"Okay, boy." Nash said, and hummed, "Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be the dummy thats tested on for your little knife?" Nash asked, and Asher shook his head, looking away, his confidence faltering with fear.

Nash let go of Ashers shoulder, and went to Xzander, pleasure in the "Kings" eyes. "Please, stop this! Please! You know you are doing wrong! I saw it in your eyes! I can help you!" Xzander pleaded, trying to get from the guards tight grip. "Make him watch." Was all Nash said before the guard grabbed my head, making me look at Asher, who was getting grabbed by the second guard in the room. The boy started struggling again and I immediately knew what was coming, I tried to get out of the guards grasp, I tried so very hard. Kicking, hitting, even throwing my head like a maniac to hopefully hit the man or hurt him. But I did no damage. But. I finally got free, just before Nash threw the knife, I grabbed his arm and slipped the susian knife out of his hand, my other left hand, throwing a hard left hook to my brothers jaw. Nash faltered, grunting, and stepping back. Xzander tossed the susian knife at the glass incasing the sword was in, causing it to shatter. He ran and grabbed the sword, the two guards focusing on him instead of Asher. "Run!" Xzander yelled, looking back at the boy, his brothers sword in hand. Asher gave a sorrowful look, but nodded, running off through the halls as fast as he could. Xzander growled under his breath, then the guards are the ones that came at him first, he sliced and cut, stabbed and slain. Killing both of the guards. Xzander panted, but didn't take the time to catch his breath, so, he charged, skidding to a stop when his brother started to cry. Nash fell to his knees, "I'm sorry! Please! Don't kill me!" He yelled, surprising Xzander. But the moment of hesitation was enough for Nash to throw the susian knife he had picket up from the shattered glass when Xzander wasn't looking. The knife almost struck his heart until he moved over, making it hit his shoulder, piercing quite deep. Xzander hissed, but ignored it once his brother started moving again. He groaned and got ready to swing, the pain in his hand and the partially broke one was starting to burn, sting, grow almost. He heard someone running down the halls, but paid no attention. He had his brother right where he wanted him. Xzander swung, and before it cut hit his brother, he ducked, grabbed the sword handle, and jerked it out of Xzanders unstable hands. Nash, chuckled and pushed his foot upwards, hitting Xzander in the jaw with his foot. Nash quickly did a back walk over to get standing while Xzander stumbled backwards, groaning in pain. But that didn't stop him. Xzander was stubborn in the worst ways. He ran towards his brother, pulling the susian knife from his shoulder and wielding it. Xzanders strength was far too low. He couldn't do much when his brother pierced his stomach once again, making him falter. He yelled, dropping the knife. His stomach seared with pain, and the grin on Nash's face was uncanny to the one a year ago. "Now, you can claim your rightful spot in the coffin six feet down." Nash said, "Oh, and tell mom and dad: I'm sorry, for the coffee's bitter taste. I guess, I wasn't ever that good at making drinks in the first place." Nash added, admitting to the murder of Xzanders parents. Though, that infuriated Xzander, he couldn't do anything but fall backwards, the sword being pulled out of his stomach by his brothers ruthless hands. Out of nowhere, the sound of Nash's screams flooded my ears. My heartbeat slowing, but my eyes finally opening once again. I saw Asher standing behind Nash, a blade that looked much like my old one, going through my brothers chest. Right in the heart. A smile came to my face, although, Asher's worried look broke my heart. He looked to me as my brother fell to his knees, shock on his face. And the fear that Xzander had been seeing every now and then. So he really was scared, who would have known..

Asher started stammering and crying, but the sound of louder footsteps, and metal armor came from the far end of the hall outside the doors. "You need to go.." I said with what little strength I could. "Please,...out the window,... there's vines,... leave this country... Find a village... Don't go home, they will get you.. Take your knife,..it's evidence.." I tried to speak loud enough for him to hear, but Asher kept nodding and crying. Then I thought of something. "Take my necklace to remember me,....Little Prince Asher." Xzander gave a faint smile, and before he shut his eyes, he let Asher take the necklace off his neck, then the susian knife from the floor. Xzanders brother was dead already and Xzander himself would be too soon. But he did his job. He killed the King.... but his last mission was to save the boy. "Now go, Asher. Be strong for me?....okay?..." My voice started to become faint, I couldn't see straight, but I knew he nodded. And I knew that Asher would do exactly as I said. Because that's what a friend would do....and Asher was my only friend since my fake death. The only one who knew...Me.

As I drew my last breath, I heard the window open, and then..... quiet. After a few moments, I knew Asher was gone, and leaving the Country. The guards flooded the room, none seeing the window as an enemy escape route. They thought it was a kill on both. They thought I killed my brother and my brother killed me. And Asher was safe.... There was no evidence he was here.... but now,..who will rule?....

who will take the throne and build the country back up?...

Who will take my place?...