Flashback Piece

 This is a piece of a larger story that I am currently writing, but I specifically wrote this section for a prompt asking for a flashback that shapes a character’s current path in their story. There are more details, but the context around this scenario would probably warrant it’s own post to be honest. This does portray Hads Leppet at a young age when he is currently trying to escape his own castle during an attack per the character bio I posted a few short days ago. If there is any feedback/comment/questions you have about decisions I made during this piece feel free to ask. It feels weird to post a chunk instead of the whole thing, but that story is sitting at 30K words right now and most of it is… not ready for other eyes at the moment. At least, that’s how I feel. Maybe I will begin posting other sections because I do want to maybe start getting feedback so I can start revising it. Besides that I will be back tomorrow with another post!

---

“Evelyn? But she’s been a member of the house for years and she would never betray us!”

“That’s correct Hads, now get away from that man, you don’t know him.” Evelyn’s voice had returned to more normal, but Hads could see on the other side that she was poised to use force if necessary.

“Look I can’t really explain,” Ilioneus pulled out his tattoo, glowing brighter than the flames engulfing the castle around them, “but if you come with me, we can bring the people who did this justice and save this house.”

Hads stared at Ilioneus, he had always come off as cynical and angry with no purpose for living other than to complain about it. Yet here, when Hads looked into his eyes, he could see something that he never expected out of the man: Purpose. That look of determination he had only seen once before…

Years Ago

“Watch out son, this path goes right along a tall canyon so you better be careful.” Erik was leading the way while Hads followed.

The two had come out for an early morning hike as Erik would be leaving for the summit later that day.

“Hey dad”

“Yes?”

“What do you guys normally talk about at the Summit, I can’t imagine it’s more interest than training me how to use my sword!”

“You would be right, “ Erik responded with a chuckle, “But these talks are important as they could have lasting effects on the direction of the continent.”

“But why does it even matter? You said everyone already agreed to everything a long time ago, what even needs to change?”

“Ah, but those questions are precisely why we need to have this talk in the first place. As we move further and further past the collapse people change, cultures change, most importantly, desires change. We need to make sure we’re always keeping an open dialogue and to create compromise to ensure that these changes don’t become something that opens up a conflict. Peace isn’t found in this land with the sword, it is found with the mind.”

“Still sounds boring.”

“Oh yes, very much so.”

It was during this time that Hads realized just how much down the path they had gone, it was the farthest he had ever gone down this path. His father normally stopped before they even got close to this point, but it was a fun surprise to make up for his departure.

“How high up are we again?”

“Very, it’s important that you do not look down, otherwise you would only doom yourself.”

Overly confident, Hads made the grave mistake to go against his father’s advice. Upon his first peek down he immediately realized the error of his ways. The black maw that was the canyon seemed to twist in on itself and rush past. He could feel his legs wiggle as his grip tightened on the rock that he was using for support. Sweat started to drip down his face as moving suddenly became a seemingly impossible task for him.

“Uh… Dad!” He tried to keep the fear from his voice, “I… uh… I looked down!”

“Now why did you have to go do that…” His dad, slightly disappointed came over and try to help him along.

“Can we just go back, we can just come back another day!”

“We’re closer to the end than we are to the beginning, we can take the other route on the way back to the castle.”

“Oh god oh god oh god oh god…” The words tumbled out of Hads mouth, “I don’t think I can do this.”

“Come on, don’t worry,” Erik extended his hand, “Just grab my hand and I’ll bring you the rest of the way.”

“Ok,” Hads did his best to psych himself up, he didn’t want to disappoint his dad even though he sensed that he was already past that, “here I go!”

Right as he reached out his hand, he could feel the ground beginning to give away beneath him. The screams of his father became muffled as he felt his once solid footing completely give away into nothingness. It was almost unfair in his mind, that the second he gave up one source of support, his other gave up as well. He wanted to let out a scream, but that would be pointless as he closed his eyes, ready for whatever awaited him at the bottom.

A jarring sensation of being stopped ripped him from his resignation. Scared that he was dead, he cracked open an eye curious as to who had saved him. He could see his dad, somehow he had made it in time. He was laying flat on the thin path, almost falling off himself. His hand was wrapped around Hads’s lower arm, a grip that was so tight it hurt Hads a little.

“I got you!” came the determined words of his father.

As Hads fully opened his eyes and looked up he saw right into his father’s eyes. In that moment, nothing would’ve prevented his father from grabbing him. The pure focus and determination swelling up from those eyes filled Hads with confidence. His dad wouldn’t let him die here otherwise he would’ve failed his most important mission.

Present

It was that sensation that Hads could feel from Ilioneus and deep down he knew that he could trust Ilioneus for this very reason. He looked over at Evelyn, who was very much expecting Hads to leave Ilioneus behind.

“Sorry Evelyn, I have to leave with Ilioneus”

Those words seemed to spark a bit of rage from Evelyn, “You will leave him right now! And you WILL come with me!”

“Listen to him you old hag, he’s made his choice.” Ilioneus shouted back, looking at Hads expectantly.”

“Follow me.” After those simple words were uttered, he quickly dove out of the the newly formed hole in the wall. 

Ignoring the screams and the incoming guards, Ilioneus as quick to follow. He made sure to dive into the pool with Hads as the two began to make their way through the castle grounds.