Based on Picture Three : War of the Heart
by: Vanilla14

“Daddy, tell me the one about Arslan again,” a little girl pleaded to her father. Her long beautiful red hair fell lazily in tangles around her face.
“Jasmine, honey I told that one last night,” her father replied. He had told this story many times before and knew that he would tell it many more. His daughter put on a sad puppy dog face that forced him to give in. “All right,” he said. Gray hair was sneaking in his light bluish hair making him look older then he really was. “Once upon a time in the city of Fores there was a man named Arslan. . . .”

Up above in the tree tops sat a tall teenage boy about 17. His unusual light blue hair color, and bright blue eyes were only a few of the things that set him apart. He had a thirst for adventure, danger, and anything else that challenged him. Over the past few years a war had been going on in the world and in a few days, he would join it. The war had started years ago, over a reason that no one could remember. He only knew that everyday people like him fought, and everyday people like him got killed.
With a swift leap, Arslan jumped out of the tree and landed swiftly on the ground. Thousands of thoughts hummed inside his head. He had so many people to say goodbye to, and so many things that he had to do before he left. Without watching where he was going, Arslan ran into someone in front of him.
“Just like always,” a light purple haired girl said as she got up, “you’re not watching where you’re going.”
“Oh Kiera,” Arslan began. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Kiera said as her voice became more serious. “I heard that you’re leaving tomorrow.”
“I don’t see the point in this war,” Arslan said as he looked into Kiera’s eyes. “Just because witches and fairies have never got along is no reason to throw humans in too.”
“I know,” Kiera replied softly. Tears threatened to burst out of her light eyes. “The only reason humans were thrown into this was to keep our alliance with the fairies. If we don’t the witches would kill us all and you know it.”
“There is one other reason,” Arslan said. “And that’s to protest you. If you, the only heir to the thrown, is killed then this city will start it’s own war. We won’t have to worry about the other one, we’ll kill ourselves off .” Silence filled the conversation for what seemed like hours.
“Promise me you’ll come back,” Kiera said softly.
“You know I can’t do that,” Arslan said. “With thousands being killed everyday there’s no way for me to know that I won’t be one of the thousand that is picked. But you have to promise me something. Promise me that you’ll stay in the city. If you even go near the city line you could be kidnapped or even killed.”
“I won’t promise that,” Kiera said. “This is my war too and I want to fight.”
“You are not to leave this city,” Arslan shouted. “If you get killed then every death has been for nothing.”
“You are one of my best friends Arslan,” Kiera said in an almost inaudible voice. “But you have much that you need to learn.” With that Kiera turned and walked back up to the castle that loomed over the city.

“Daddy,” Jasmine interrupted. “Skip to that night.” She shifted her body so that she was snuggled tight under the covers.
“Alright honey,” her dad replied.

Kiera lay silently in her bedroom. Green drapes covered the windows and a long dark green blanket covered her body. Silent tears fell down her cheeks. She couldn‘t stand for Arslan to leave her. Not now, not ever. All through her life he had always been there for her. He was a perfect friend, and she knew, that without him, she couldn’t go on. Quickly she wiped her last few tears from her eyes as she climbed out of her bed and crept out of the castle. Above her a beautiful full moon lit up the heavens. The light guided her through the city and toward his house. She was only half aware of her surroundings as she walked past a man draped in black. The man began following her, silently stalking his prey.
“What’s a girl like you doing out at a time like this?” The man sneered as he advanced on Kiera.
“You’re a . . . . a wizard,” Kiera stuttered. She felt her body go numb. She tried to move but she couldn’t. She tried to scream but only air came out. Slowly she could feel her body lose its energy. After only a few more seconds, she collapsed onto the grass.

Arslan wasn’t sure what made him get up but he could tell something was wrong. Quickly he got out of bed, pulled on his robe, and ran outside. In the distance he could see a tall dark man carrying away Kiera. Without thinking Arslan went back into his house, grabbed his sword, and then followed the kidnapper. Arslan silently followed the man, occasionally hiding behind trees when the man looked back. After what seemed like hours the man stopped in a large clearing. Hundreds of tents dotted the ground, and thousands of witches and wizards walked through the small village, talking hastily about their plans.
“Now that we’ve got the girl the Fores will fall easily,” Arslan heard a witch nearby say. “There’s no way that they can stop us now.”
Arslan knew better than to try and take on this village alone. Instead of attacking, Arslan retreated back to the city to try and get help.
“Master Jones,” Arslan said once he was back in the city. He was standing in front of the army commander and the army that was set to leave today. “There is a wizard camp in the forest. They have Kiera held prisoner. You must attack that camp.”
Jones just stood there for a moment as if making up his mind. “Lead the way.” Quickly and quietly Arslan zigzagged through the tress, being careful not to step on any of the leaves that lined the ground.
“We’re here,” Arslan said unnecessarily.
“Surround the clearing,” Jones barked to his soldiers. He waited patiently while his men obeyed his command. “Go!” The soldiers surrounding the clearing charged into the new battlefield. While the men clashed in battle, Arslan made his way to the tent that he has seen the man take Kiera into. Standing guard over her body was two tall muscular men. With quick swift movements, Arslan plunged his sword into the first man, quickly withdrew it, and then slashed the other man’s chest into thousands of pieces.
“Thanks,” Kiera said as Arslan untied the ropes that held her prisoner. “I wasn’t sure if you would come.”
“I’ll always be here to save you,” Arslan said as he helped Kiera up. “Now I have to get you out of here. Just follow me.” Arslan lead the way through the bloody battlefield and into the forest. They walked for what seemed like hours before they emerged back into the city.
“You saved my life,” Kiera said. “Is there anyway I could ever repay you?”
“Yes,” Arslan said. Slowly he leaned in and kissed Kiera. “I can‘t live without you. Please marry me.”
“I. . .” Kiera stuttered. She was too surprised to talk. Instead she simply nodded her head yes.

“After the war they were wed and . . . .” the father drifted off. He looked over at his daughter which was now fast asleep. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead. “You’ll never here the end will you?”
“There isn’t an end yet,” his wife said as she entered the room. She was wearing a long purple robe that matched her hair perfectly. “Though the war was more than I thought I could handle. Everyday I worried about you. Everyday I was afraid that I wouldn’t see you again. But then, in the end we made it and we lived happily ever after.”