"Romulus! Come! Come faster!"
The distant cry of a young boy chimmed, drawing closer.
Rainer drew a deep breath, opening his eyes to the evening sun. He was drenched in water and felt cold. It was not the cold brought from being wet, but from being revived in the body of the dead.
"Romulus! That's him! I drew him out of the river! I think he's dead."
Rainer glanced around and found that he was in a meadow with a few gnarly trees and a river running nearby.
Soon, two shadows loomed over him and he looked up at them. A pair of rugged, young boys, no older than ten.
The taller looked at the shorter one with a perplexed expression.
"You said he was dead, Remus!"
"What does it matter?"
"I wouldn't have taken my sweet time getting here, then!"
"Whoa! Hold on, Romulus! Look at his eyes! They're glowing!"
"Hey! Don't try to change the— ah! It's true!"
Rainer sighed softly and stirred as he tried to sit upright.
As for the boys, despite their apparent awe and bewilderment, they were quick to help him up.
"A-are you okay? What's your name?"
"You look the same age as us, but why are your eyes glowing?
The boys were all over his face, curious as they showered him with attention. They exuded the childish exuberance befitting of young boys meeting a potential playmate.
Rainer looked between them with lethargy in his eyes and uttered in a cracked voice.
"I-I am Rainer, Rainer Manslayer... I do not know where I am, or have... anywhere to go."
Hearing this, Romulus became hesitant but Remus grinned. He glanced at Romulus before turning back to Rainer.
"Come with us!" He excitedly beckoned, and Romulus nodded in agreement after a beat.
Rainer blinked, surprised at their benevolence to a stranger. The glow in his eyes faded and he revealed a soft smile.
–––
Months later...
Far in the distance of the flat grasslands, Romulus and Remus ran around, playing warriors with sticks. Sheep and goats bleated and cried all over the place closer to Rainer.
Just to his side, a man dressed in a long, flowing tunic herded them.
He soon came to a stop, rested on his staff, and let out a contented sigh. His eyes drifted to the children in the distance and he smiled.
"Aren't you going to play with them, Rainer?"
The man asked lightly without looking at him.
Rainer glanced at him and scoffed.
"When I beat them they sulk for weeks! And I'm not even a girl! Their egos are too fragile."
The man's smile turned amused, and he seemed to make a decision.
"You've been with us for months now, Rainer. I think it's time I tell you who they really are... But I want you to promise me that you will protect them."
Rainer looked at the boys playing in the distance and smirked.
"Worry not, Faustulus. I always protect my friends."
Faustulus nodded, content with his answer.
"Good."
–––
Years later...
Three young men sat under the extended shade of a roof beside a small hut, making a ruckus.
"When I rule I shall make my kingdom the grandest ever! All my people, new and old, shall be as my children, and I their father. Together, we shall conquer the world, making the largest ever family and bringing about world peace!"
Romulus seemed like he was about to bang his head against the wall from his brother's sheer ignorance.
"It won't work, Remus! Ruling over everyone doesn't lead to peace! Just because you consider them family doesn't mean they won't betray you! Besides, I'll be the ruler!"
Remus gasped and frowned at his brother's apparent disdain for his dream.
"How would you bring about peace then?!"
Romulus smiled darkly and answered.
"Force! The strategic use of my army! I shall claim lands, subjugate nations, and have them fight my other battles! While my own people live in peace and prosperity!"
Remus' brow rose in confusion.
"How would that bring about world peace?"
"Fear!"
Romulus all but deafened everyone with his passionate outcry.
"Once the unconquered nations know that I am invincible. They will not dare challenge me, and my people will be at peace."
Remus' frown deepened, disappointed at his brother's answer.
"But we can't change the world that way!"
"It was never meant to be changed!" Remulus snappily retorted.
Suddenly, they both turned to Rainer to serve as the tie breaker.
"Rainer, you understand me, right? If we can change the world, then why not try?"
Remus proffered and Romulus clapped back.
"If it is world peace you want, then your plan would lead you on a lifetime of warring! Don't be a fool, brother!"
Remus placed a hand on his chest, his eyes deep and thoughtful as if sensing something, and all at once he turned to Romulus.
"It's possible." He stated without an once of doubt. "I feel it in my soul. The fire of change within me."
"Nonsense!"
Romulus gesticulated angrily.
"Use your head! Think! Why are you so dumb!!!"
Remus' eyes wavered at the rebuke, and he looked hurt. Immediately, he stood up and ran away.
Seeing this, Romulus hesitated, sighed, and stood up as well.
"You can't rule if you're this soft, brother." He muttered and walked the other way.
Meanwhile, Rainer's eyes were impassive, thoughtful as he considered the events unfolding.
There was knowing in his eyes, even as he suppressed a smirk from rising.
–––
A few more years later...
One night, Rainer strolled across the grassland for some air. Suddenly, he sensed someone lying on the grass ahead. It was Remus, and he seemed to have noticed him too.
Remus glanced up and smiled before patting the grass next to him.
"Join me, Rainer. I would like some company tonight."
Smirking, Rainer walked up to him and lay down.
Seeing this, Remus smiled and looked at the sky.
"So tomorrow's the day..."
He uttered letting out a sigh full of hope.
"To return to my homeland and claim back the throne stolen from my family. I know we'll win. I can feel it."
Feeling the nice, cool wind pushing across the grass and over him, Rainer yawed and nodded.
"We've–I've made preparations. Victory is assured, don't worry."
Remus smirked and glanced at him.
"Is this your way of saying I should have done more in your sabotage missions?"
Rainer chuckled.
"No that's my way of saying I did all the work. Even Romulus was more helpful."
Remus looked away, smiling confidently.
"You know I'm better at fighting, Rainer. I'll make it up to you guys on the battlefield tomorrow. So just sit back and watch me."
Rainer simply snorted and looked away.
After a while of silence, Remus spoke again, albeit solemnly, and even a tad tentative.
"You know...I see the stars and see the possibilities. I want to build a great empire one day, Rainer. One made eternal by carrying on my spirit long after I've decayed to dust."
That said, he turned and glanced at Rainer.
"You're strong, Rainer. I hope you help my people long after I am gone."
Rainer shot him an odd glance.
"What? Are you dying tomorrow?"
Remus let out a sharp laugh, finding the thought humorous. When he settled down, he looked at Rainer with eyes gleaming with trust.
"With you watching my back what enemy can slay me?"
–––
*Crackle!*
A storm raged as Rainer knelt in the mud beside a bleeding Remus. He lay motionless with deadened, dull eyes.
Ahead, Romulus frantically paced about in his armor. A sword in his hand, one dripping with Remus' blood.
"I had to do it, Rainer!"
He stopped and looked down at them with tears in his eyes.
"In a few years, he would have led this kingdom to ruin! The gods couldn't possible have chosen him to rule!!"
Rainer was expressionless, but deep within an aching numbness pulled at his heart.
He found this odd because he knew the legend. Rainer always felt that there was a good chance of this repeating, even with his presence. And yet—
'It still hurts...'
Remus seemed to mutter something, and he bent down to his face to listen.
"R-Rainer... Please, fo-forgive my brother."
He whispered in a weak, barely discernible voice.
"Help him... For it was fated that I die. For how else was my spirit to be passed down upon my people?"
He stated then pecked him on the cheek.
Shocked, Rainer looked at him and Remus smirked.
"You were...more of a brother to me than Romulus ever was... So Live. Carry on my fight. My...dream. Dearest brother."
He whispered, letting out a sigh as life faded from his eyes.
*Crackkk!*
There was a bright flash of lightning and Rainer hugged him tightly.
"I will fight... To you, Remus. I make this promise."