I was running.

I was running as fast I could, weaving through the trees, straying off the dirt path. The rain was pouring heavily on me, soaking me in salty liquid. My heart was pounding, adrenaline my fuel, being chased by a fear that had haunted me since I was born-

I tripped on a tree root and crashed to the ground, yet I was still trying to scramble away. I had to lead it far away... I couldn't let it get close to them...

But I was pulled by my coat and dragged across the wet marshy land. It showed no mercy, even as I tried to break free I knew I couldn't escape this time.

I tried to wiggle out of it's grasp, but it had the strongest of grips. I tried to pull off it's fingers but they were immovable.

Desperate, I tried to punch it - but it seemed as though his hand was made of steel.

I heard a sound similar to white noise - and I knew what that meant.

The portal.

I didn't realize I was so close! I didn't realize that we had such little time! I...

I didn't realize that they were in such danger.

I was pulled up to my feet and shoved into the portal, and was met with a shadow hanging over me.

A castle of gold, with red banners draped, flags of flames and fire, torches lit up the front steps. I recognized this castle, and knew without a doubt why I was brought here.

"Please! Don't bring me there! It'll bring a destruction so great-" I pleaded, but it didn't listen and just shoved me towards the steps.

"Some Dark Element you are." It grunted.

Although I knew I was a Dark Element, that didn't mean I was evil! Yet it still broke my heart to hear those words...

I was thrust through the front doors, following the red carpet to the throne room. The marble floors and murals on the ceiling did little to comfort me, knowing what was waiting at my destination.

I walked by paintings of past rulers, and when I saw the latest one, I went deathly pale and struggled even harder.

But my efforts were thwarted. I was pushed into the throne room anyway.

The floor was the same marble tile, the red carpet stretching out towards the big, golden throne with carvings of embers and flames, a tapestry of blazing hot infernos behind it.

And there sat the King himself.

His skin was a voluptuous violet, his veins bulging out, his body muscular and fit, and his jaw wide and strong. His hair was ebony and styled, his eyes as white as his sclerae, his suit of black and golden armor as protective as ever.

A sword gleamed in his left hand, a dark aura around its blade. His grip on it was loose enough for it to fall, yet it never did. It was like it was binded to him.

His menacing atmosphere almost made me want to scream, but I contained myself and reduced it to just a gulp.

I was pushed forward in front of the King, stumbling for balance.

"Hello." The King greeted bluntly. All I did was stare at him in terror. Tension filled the room almost instantaneously from his words.

"Well? Don't you have anything to say? It'd be a shame to have a chance to live, but die for not speaking, wouldn't it?" He asked, his voice altered sternly.

My voice returned to me. "I don't care about my death! So long as you don't use me for your evil schemes." I seethed.

"I didn't say your death would be brought to you this very moment. I was only mentioning a possibility. You have a list of duties you must do to serve our kingdom. No, our new kingdom."

I gritted my teeth.

"I'm not even a citizen of this kingdom! How can you expect me to serve you if you don't even have the right to order me around!" I yelled.

"Because if you don't serve this kingdom, there will be consequences. You don't want your family to be harmed, do you? Especially not... your little pair of twins." He said. His face remained cold as stone.

I was short of breath. I couldn't possibly let him harm them... not my precious Rachel and Lukas... and certainly not Ryan, either...

"No! Don't hurt them!" I screamed, lunging towards him. But that figure behind me held me back.

Now that we were in brighter conditions inside, I could actually see what that figure looked like. He was a knight of sorts, with the same black and golden armor, his helmet gleaming with battle scars.

"I won't. As long you're willing to help me, that is." A slight smirk surfaced on his face.

After a few moments of contemplating, I sighed. I knew this was the only choice.

"F-fine. I'll do your dirty work. Just leave my family alone." I muttered.

And then, the King soared into a mighty laugh, loud enough to send chills down my spine. The knight pushed me out of the room, down into the dungeons, sentenced to this cruel, cruel blackmail.