An Immortal Promise

[Jeni]

An Immortal Promise: Yenix's Story

Yenix, the guy everyone loved to hate. Well, they didn’t love to, they just did. He was mean, rude, and he didn’t talk much. And when he did say something, he was so cold and unfriendly that people wished he would just say silent. No one trusted him, he never gave anyone a reason to, he lied…. a lot. Everyone suspected that he was hiding something, but no one quite realized what it was.

~8 Years Ago~

“Hey Yenix, you think we’ll be the best one day?”
“Of course we will! I can promise you that!”
“Well then come on, get off your butt and let’s have another practice duel!”
“But you’ve already beaten me a bunch today, haven’t you had enough yet?”
“You’ve won some too! Come on! We aren’t going to be the best if we don’t practice! Please?”
“Fine, fine. You know I could never say no to you, Ney.”
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“What’s that smell?” Yenix mumbled as he rolled out of bed much later that night. He wandered over to the open window, following the smell of smoke and the rising commotion outside. His eyes snapped open, a look of horror on his face as he stood, frozen in place, paralyzed by the sight before him. He watched, transfixed as the red, orange, and yellow flames curled around the buildings across the street, spreading quickly from house to house with no sign of slowing down. After what seemed like several minutes, reality him and he bolted from his room as he heard a thud come from his parents’ room. “Mom? Dad?” He called, pushing open the door as he ran inside. He skidded to a halt, petrified as a shadowy figure, carrying a long sword, turned to face him. Yenix glanced over, tears stinging his eyes as he saw his parents’ lifeless bodies before he turned and ran.

Yenix burst through the front door, meeting a sight of people running everywhere, fire spreading rapidly as everything was consumed in chaos. He saw to distinct groups of people fighting, which he would later learn to be the Guild and the Collective, and he sprinted to the shed and grabbed his axe, then proceeding to run down the street at an unbelievable speed.

“No…” He whispered, stopping in front of his destination. He hung his head, and saw something that hit him harder then the burning house in front of him.
“Ney.” He sighed, gently picking up the discarded axe at his feet. It was gold plated with silver blades, it was very pretty and unique, and at the bottom was a ruby. Yenix knew she would never be without it. Looking from her axe in his hands, to her burning house in front of him, he dejectedly came to the realization that she was gone. His parents, and now Ney, his best friend. They’re all dead. There’s nothing left here now… He though miserably. Gripping Ney’s beloved axe tighter, he threw his own into the flames. “We made a promise, and I intend to keep it. I will be the best, for you.” He said with determination, deciding that he would keep her axe until the day he died and use no other.
“I can help you with that.” Said a cold voice from behind him.
“What?” Yenix asked, spinning around to face him. He was a tall, hooded man, carrying two blades covered with blood and ancient writing.
“I said, I can help you be the best.”
“Who are you? And why do you want to help me?” Yenix demanded, his grip on Ney’s axe getting even tighter.
“You show some great potential and seem to be well on your way to becoming great. The Collective could use a fighter like you in our fight against the Guild.” The man replied with a cold grin.
“The Collective? The Guild?” Yenix questioned. “Who are they?”
The man smiled. This will be easier than I thought. He thought smugly. “My name is Nerinick. I can teach you all you need to know. Will you join us?”
Yenix hesitated. He had never heard anything about either the Guild or the Collective, and wasn’t sure if he was making the right choice.
“I know what you have lost. I can help you be the best fighter. You can avenge their deaths.” Nerinick added, knowing he had just struck gold with his last sentence.
Yenix nodded. “Yes. I will gladly fight for you.”
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For eight years Yenix trained daily in the Collective. It was grueling hard work, but he was determined to keep his promise to Ney. He endured cruelty and torture from the merciless Collective members, and was told a web of lies so complex it turned his world upside down. He knew only what Nerinick told him and continually drilled into his head everyday. That the Guild was evil and they were the ones who attacked his village and murdered his family. He knew nothing else, and wasn’t never told even an ounce of the truth. Fueled by all the lies, and his lust for revenge for his parents and Ney, he quickly rose in rank and became a valued and trusted member. Nerinick gave him a dragon, so that Yenix could use him to relay information, yet Yenix was never given the chance to bond to a spirit, something he really wanted.

Then came the day Yenix had been waiting for. Nerinick entrusted him with an extremely important mission. Yenix was to go to the Guild and join them, masquerading as a candidate and gather useful information. Of course, he would be highly rewarded. If Yenix succeeded, he would finally get an opportunity to Bond, and get an honorary rank within the Collective council. Yenix gladly accepted, this mission would be like the countless others and he was positive he would succeed.

After joining the Guild, he was a jerk to everyone, all produced from years of torture and cruelty with no one showing him a speck of friendship. He was a product of the Collective, like a machine, sent to do whatever he was told and not to question his orders. However, something changed during his stay, and it started the day he bonded to his Spector, Ihsan. Over time, he gradually learned the truth about the Guild and the Collective and the web of lies he had been told started to rapidly dissolve. He started to like the Guild and realized that the past 8 years had been wasted. He finally had a spirit companion, and a friend, after so long of being alone. When he received a summon from Nerinick to report to headquarters in person, he was unsure if he really wanted to continue down his path. While practicing with Saige something snapped. He was reminded again of the promise he made, 8 years ago when he was just nine. He had a complete change of heart, and realized just how much he had come to like the Guild. After Saige discovered his secret, Yenix immediately chose a new path and chose to betray Nerinick and join the Guild. However, Nerinick was notified that Yenix had become a traitor and decided to take him out, quickly. Both because Yenix was much too knowledgeable about Collective secrets, and the fact that Nerinick would not tolerate betrayal. He rallied his troops and stormed the Guild, his only objective was to kill Yenix. He planned it well, getting Yenix away from his companions and Ihsan. Using an ancient spell, Nerinick created a magical ring so he could finish Yenix without any interference. Yenix fought hard, determined to prove he was done lying, but Nerinick easily overpowered him and struck him down, laughing malevolently. With his mission accomplished, Nerinick signaled for a retreat. With Yenix dead, he left with his remaining troops and headed back to Collective headquarters without a second glance.