The next morning, John and James rose before the first light touched the palace walls. The air was still, and the guards were yet to begin their rounds. Without a sound, the two slipped through their chamber window and crept into the nearby forest. They didn't stop until they were deep in the woods, far from prying eyes.
"Now we're alone," James said, scanning the dense trees. "I want you to show me what's happening to you. Whatever's waking up inside you, I need to see it."
John blinked, confused. "What do you mean? I'm not hiding anything."
"You are. That thing you do in your sleep. I've seen it."
"I don't know how it happens," John insisted. "There's nothing to show."
James thought back. He'd seen it surface only during moments of fear. Then, with a sudden spark of an idea, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small knife.
"James, what are you " John began.
Before he could finish, James lunged. Not to harm him, but to shock him. The moment John registered the danger, a wave of invisible energy burst from his body, knocking James backwards.
"James!" John rushed to his side. "Are you hurt? Why would you do that?"
James groaned but managed a smile. "That's what I needed to see. It only comes out when you're scared. You have no control over it... yet."
John stepped back, shaken. "I don't understand what's happening to me."
"We need to find out," James said firmly.
They walked further into the wilderness until they reached a rocky cliff edge, jagged and steep.
John looked out across the drop. "Maybe if I push it far enough, I'll see the truth."
James frowned. "Wait. What are you doing?"
But John didn't answer. He stepped forward and leapt.
James shouted after him in horror.
John's body plummeted toward the rocks, but just before hitting the ground, something shifted. The fall slowed, air thickened, and he landed softly, as if gravity itself had bent to cushion him.
A gentle voice echoed in his mind. "Hello, John."
He looked around, panicked. "Who said that?"
"I'm inside you," the voice replied calmly.
Before he could respond, John's world faded to black. He fell into a deep, trance-like sleep.
In this dream realm, a figure emerged from the mist, a creature not of nightmares, but of ancient power. It began to speak.
"Years ago, your father came to me. Your mother was dying in childbirth, and he begged for help. I gave him my magic chaos magic so she could live and bring you and your brother into the world."
The vision changed. John saw the pain, the ritual, the moment magic entered his mother's womb.
"You were the firstborn. You carry more of my power. When your father died, I left his body and entered yours. Not to possess, but to fulfil a promise. I am here to guide you. We are one now."
John tried to understand, but it was overwhelming.
When he opened his eyes again, James was kneeling beside him at the cliff's base.
"John! Are you alright?"
John sat up slowly. "I think... I met it. The thing inside me. It spoke to me."
James stared. "What is it?"
"I don't know. But it said it helped our mother survive childbirth. It's part of me."
Before they could say more, guards emerged from the trees. The Queen had discovered their absence.
"You were told not to leave," one barked. "You're coming with us."
They were dragged back to the palace and thrown into a cold stone cell.
"Why are we being locked up?" John asked bitterly.
The Queen stood beyond the bars, regal and stern. "You disobeyed orders. Guests who cannot follow rules are no longer guests."
That afternoon, in the high council chambers, the Queen met with the rulers of neighbouring realms. A kingdom had fallen overnight, struck by beasts no one could identify.
"This cannot continue," one of the kings said. "We must act."
The Queen stepped forward. "There may be a connection. Two young men from the wilderness are in my custody. Their story resembles an old legend."
She told them of a man who, two decades earlier, had used chaos magic to save his wife. Twins were born, and from that moment, the balance between worlds began to shift.
"I believe these boys may be his sons," she said. "And that their existence may be tied to the breach that allowed these creatures into our world."
"We need to see them," one king declared. "Immediately."
Meanwhile, in the prison cell, John and James met two other prisoners. One sat in silence, face hollow with grief.
"I've lost everything," he muttered. "The creatures took my village. My family. What's left for me?"
The second man scoffed. "Southlanders," he sneered at John. "This is your fault. You brought the magic that ruined everything."
John was confused. "What are you talking about?"
"The chaos magic. The barrier that held the mythical world apart—it broke because of your people."
James leaned closer. "What barrier?"
The man explained, "It's said that one born of chaos will enter the tomb beneath this city. There, he'll meet the ancient dragon and be purified. Only then will he gain the power to stop the invasion."
Another prisoner snorted. "Old tales. Who believes that anymore?"
Still, the storyteller added, "There's a witch at the edge of the city. She can see what's hidden, maybe even who the chosen one is."
James turned to John. "We can't stay here. Who knows what they'll do with us?"
John nodded. "We need answers. Let's get out."
They turned to the man who claimed to know escape routes.
"Don't drag me into your plans," he muttered. "I've seen enough trouble."
"Please," John said. "You said you've got nowhere left to go. We still have a chance to find the truth."
After a long pause, the man sighed. "Fine. That gate's not even locked right. The hinges are weak, knock them loose and run."
James didn't waste a second. He grabbed a rock and hammered at the rusted hinges. One by one, they snapped free, and the gate swung open.
The two brothers slipped into the night. The other prisoners made no move to follow.
As they sprinted through back alleys, James whispered, "We need to find that witch."
John nodded. "Let's go to the edge of the city. It's time we discover who we are."