Jace Eldraz Short Story: “I’m Not Your Brother”

Disclaimer: This story is completely unedited. I apologize for any errors within it.

“I’m Not Your Brother”

Clutching the back of the tree elf’s neck, Jace constricts his airway as he wants him to know death will consume him soon enough. The Dark lord has brought the soldier to his knees, as his body is covered in cuts and bruises. Standing in the grassy knoll outside the Kingdom of Glades, a smug grin crawls across Jace’s face as he sees the approaching foes emerge from the front gates. The full moon’s light bounces off the approaching soldiers' armor, toward the dark shadows around him. Slowly moving his glare behind him, he sees more tree elf warriors bound in chains, surrounded by his vasgoth forces. Most of the troops he has conquered have been devoured by both himself and his forces. The recent rush from fresh blood consumption has only propelled Jace into the upcoming conflict. 

It has been some time since he has last seen his brother. The years have seemed to shoot by as he has risen the ranks within the vasgoth empire. As the disciple of Knold, the Lord of Blood, Jace has found himself with more power and responsibility than he ever imagined. While waiting for the perfect moment to strike, Jace waited as patiently as he could before standing against his despicable brother, Charden. Ever since they both ran from their father’s wretched rule, Jace has always known where Charden has laid, where Charden hasn’t the slightest clue his brother still draws breath.

Both found a life on the opposite side of Mallencia where they were raised, but only one followed in the pathetic footsteps of their bloodline. Jace scoffs while watching his brother walk out in front of his army, with his general by his side. Wearing his newly fitted crown of a people sharing no blood or history with their own. The large Crown of Antlers sit atop his head, as the pelt of a bear is flung across his back, hiding the elven armor beneath. Charden has become quite the man, as he is bigger than Jace remembers and also has acquired a fair amount of facial hair. Jace’s heart throbs as sweat beads on his forehead. “At long last” he utters.

Charden’s brows raise as his jaw falls askew; the reaction Jace wanted. The dark lord holds up his hand, then flutters his fingers in an eerily manner as his grin grows. His fangs peek out as his yellow eyes break through the night sky. Just about 20 feet away, the King of Glades halts himself and his men behind him. 

“Jace?...” Charden says as he looks around with widened eyes at the sudden scene unfolding around him. 

“In the flesh. I figured you had forgotten about me. Did you really think you’d be the only one to go against Zorick? You knew how bad it was there for me. What he did to us… What he would do to me once you fled!” Jace’s grin fades as his brows point down and his lips purse.

“Jace…” Charden looks past his brother, seeing his defeated men and yellow eyes attached to a great number of vasgoths. “What… what did you do?” 

Jace lightly snickers as he shakes his head slowly. “What you made me do.” He continues to chuckle. “I left Dremonia… I found a new home. One where I can be who I truly am. One where my cowardly brother cannot leave me to rot!” Jace lets go of the soldier's neck, then grips the hilt of his sword which hangs from his sheath. The soldier lifts his head up.

“King Charden, Pleas–”

“Silence!” Jace brings his hand down on top of the soldier's head, driving his claws into his forehead. The soldier screams in pain as blood drips down his face.

“Jace stop!”

“My king, I believe–” Charden’s general says beside him but cannot get through to Charden.

“Let’s talk about this! Please don’t do anything ra–”

“It’s too late for talk! You think you can run from everything!? Run from what your family did! Run from your mistakes!” Charden’s eyes glisten in the moonlight as Jace continues his rant. “Okkin, Jadina, and Lucaria are still trapped there! Decaying as every day passes! You have no idea the torment Zorick will put them through now that we are both gone! You started this!”

“Jace… Why… why didn’t you come to me? Why go to–”

“I went to the one being strong enough to kill both of you! To kill the two individuals responsible for my torment! Knold saw promise me in… He saw what I am! What I can be! He assured me I’d have my retribution… And that starts today.” 

Jace takes his claws out from the soldier's skull. His body falls to the ground as Jace brings his fingertips to his lips. He swipes one claw, covered in blood, across his tongue. Charden looks on with horror at the disgusting display. “Mmmmmm. He also showed me how to become more powerful than you could ever imagine. The vasgoth gift has opened my mind.”

“A gift!? It is a curse! How could you do this!? You cannot allow Knold to fool you! He’s using you, Jace! You’re the son of the man who made it his life goal to kill him! Can’t you see the irony!?”

“The only thing I see is the fear in your eyes! And soon… The blood pouring from your throat.” Jace turns around to his army of vasgoths. “Do it!” 

In unison, the vasgoth ascendants all step forward, taking a dagger to the throat of Charden’s remaining men. “NO!” Charden yells. The blades slice open the throats of the helpless tree elves. Blood pours out and spills in front of their kingdom. 

“Now!” The general beside Charden yells, commanding the elves to charge forward. Jace unsheaths his sword and points it toward the oncoming Glades army. The vasgoths behind him rush out, all carrying scimitars and their overwhelming bloodlust. Jace knows his forces are just as ready as he is for this day. 

Standing still, Jace and Charden allow their soldiers to rush in and clash within the land between them. As the weapons bash together, flesh torn from bodies, and screams ring out, Jace and Charden keep their eyes locked on one another. Jace’s smug grin creeps across his face, as he practically begins salivating at the thought of his brother’s death. Suddenly, Charden’s eyes squint, and brows scrunch. He grips the hilt of his sword, then rips it from the sheath which he tosses to the side. Simultaneously, they both rush toward one another. 

Within the battle hysteria, the two powerful Eldraz men meet in the middle. Jace slashes his sword out, which Charden deflects. Jace continues his rageful onslaught, as he has fantasized about this moment for some time. However, with each blow he sends, Charden finds a way to defend. 

The King of Glades swings his sword hard and fast, causing Jace to do what he can to get his weapon in front of him. Stopping the strike, Jace’s blade bounces off and forcefully is sent out of his hands. His eyes widen and his heart drops as he is not prepared for such a powerful slash. Off balance, Jace can only watch as the front of his chest plate is grabbed by his brother. Charden pulls him, then drives his head into Jace’s, knocking him back. Dazed from the strike, he stumbles back and trips on his footing. Hitting the grassy floor, Jace looks up to find Charden’s large hands coming down toward him. In a swift motion, he grips both sides of Jace’s chestplate swings him around, and launches him through the air. 

Skipping across the ground, he is sent away from the clashing forces. He plunges his claws into the dirt, stopping himself from flying back further. Looking up, his eyes lock with Charden’s, as the scowl on the king's face radiates through the night. 

“Jace!” Charden points his sword in his brother’s direction. “It doesn’t have to be this way! You can stop this!” 

Jace clutches the dirt beneath him as his face fumes. His nostrils flare, growl escapes his fangs, and eyes widen. He pushes off the ground, darting off toward Charden. “Never!” He slashes his claws, again and again. Charden continues to step out of the way, duck, and deflect the strikes. The more he misses, the angrier he gets. “You coward!” Jace continues to swipe his claws at Charden, who continues to evade. His hand gets swatted away, then the king kicks him in the chest. Once again, Jace finds himself being tossed away from the battlefield. 

Racing to his feet, Jace holds out both hands, flaunting his claws. Charden takes a few steps forward, then holds out a hand with his palm facing his brother. “Stop for just a moment! Please… it isn’t too late for you Jace. We can…” Charden quickly moves his head in all directions, looking over the chaos surrounding them. “We can fix this.” He sighs. Jace shakes his head.

“Look at you. At the disgust on your face. You pathetic fool! You hold empathy for those you’ve adopted, but not the ones who share your blood!” Jace grinds his teeth as he wears his scowl.

“I had to Jace! I’m sorry, but I had to! There was no hope there! You know better than anyone!”

“All I know is you’re weak, and our father is a disease! Both of you deserve nothing but death! Both of you will suffer! Both will watch as I take everything from you!” Jace dashes forward, then slashes his claws at Charden. Charden continues to dodge and back step to avoid Jace. However, Jace is bound to land eventually. In an upward motion, Jace swipes his claw, connecting with under Charden’s chin. Blood splatters out from the king. 

Charden steps back, as Jace wears a grin. Reaching up he wipes the blood from his skin, feeling the cut. Looking down at the blood now on his hand, Charden’s brows drop and eyes squint. He shoots a glare toward Jace, then throws his sword to the side as he begins to march in his brother’s direction. Jace’s eyes widen at how quickly he moves and the expression he wears. Wasting no time, Jace darts forward, looking to strike with his sharp talons again. As he lashes out, Charden backhands the attempt out of the way. He then shoots his hand out, gripping Jace’s throat. 

As his windpipe is crushed, Jace claws at Charden’s grip, but cannot escape. His brother holds up his free hand, then pummels it down again and again directly onto the side of his face. Each blow nearly knocks Jace unconscious, until it does. Jace is snapped out of reality, then directly back into it as Charden shakes him awake. 

“Wake up!” He shouts as he shakes Jace. Jace’e eyes open wide as he takes a deep inhale as he is startled by what is happening. Now that he is awake, Charden continues his onslaught. The king kicks out his leg, causing him to drop to a knee. Then he shoots forward, kneeing him in the nose. Jace flies onto his back, landing in a dirt patch. He begins to wheeze, as his throat is in immense pain and wounds continue to pile up. Reaching down, Charden grips Jace’s chest plate, lifts him up, then smashes his fist back against his face. Jace slams back down, hitting the back of his head against the surface. 

Charden takes both hands, and tosses him in the opposite direction again, this time sending him into a tree. Jace continues to wheeze as he leans up against the bark. Charden marches over, brings his foot up, then drives it down onto Jace’s chest. His eyes nearly pop out of their sockets as his brother's boot cracks the armor plating. Reaching down to the boot, Charden removes a dagger from a socket. He takes it, then drives it into Jace’s shoulder, connecting him to the tree. 

“RAAWWWHHHH!” Jace screams as his flesh is pierced. Charden takes his foot off his brother, then takes a few steps back. His general rushes to his side, leaving the dying down battle. 

“My king, it seems the vasgoths have begun to retreat.”

“No! Get back here!! Stay and fight! I command you!!” Jace shouts as he tries to unlodge himself but fails. 

“Thank you…” Charden places his hand on his general’s shoulder. “Give me a moment, won’t you.” The general nods and makes his way back toward his forces. 

Slowly, Charden steps to the side of Jace. Keeping a distance, he takes a seat. He sighs and shakes his head, as he looks out toward the aftermath of battle. Many tree elves were killed in the skirmish. However, it seems more of Jace’s forces either surrendered or were killed. 

“I thought you were dead… I mourned you, Jace…” Charden says as his eyes begin to water. Jace tilts his head and looks toward him with a grim stare. “Not a day went by when I didn’t think of you… of any of the others… I’m sorry, brother… I know it was selfish to leave you. To leave all of our siblings. But… I had to. It was the only way. I couldn’t risk any of you telling our superiors. I would have deemed a traitor to the state. I don’t know what Zorick would have done… I… I couldn’t stand by and allow him to use me to become a weapon. Someone who is bound to obey and murder thousands of innocents.” Jace’s lips purse as a slow growl escapes them.

“I’m not your brother… He died the day you left.” Charden looks away and wipes his watering eyes. His emotions begin to surface as tears stream down his face. The king begins to sob, as Jace just continues to stare with a blade cut through his skin. 

“How could you do this, Jace? How could you? You’re better than this… You had your problems but you deserve better than–”

“No, I don’t… I feel at home beside the monsters of Mallencia. For they are the ones who hold true power… For they will be here long after you’re slain. It is only a matter of time.” Jace whispers.  Now that the fight is over, he grows tired. Charden watches as tears continue to drip down his cheeks. 

“You could stop everything. Come to Glades with me. We can… we can find a way to fix you.” Jace shakes his head slowly.

“You can’t fix me… Not only is there no cure, but I want this. I like the curse. I’m stronger than all of you because of it… and one day… everyone you love will bow to me… or die… I hate you, Charden… I can’t wait to watch your world burn.” Jace’s expressionless mug tells Charden all he needs to know. Charden nods, still wearing a look of loss. He places his hand on the ground and then pushes himself to his feet. 

“Goodbye Jace.” Charden says as he turns to walk away.

“You aren’t going to try and kill me?” Charden shakes his head.

“I owe you that much… Come here again I may not be so forgiving… No matter what you say, you’re still my brother. If you ever change your mind or need anything… please… please come back to me.”

Jace just grunts and then tilts his head away. He looks off into the night sky toward Castle Veronica, his new home. Being among the vasgoths is suiting for Jace, as he feels a sense of power and pride. Something he never felt in his childhood home of Dremonia. As he lets his mind race, he hears Charden’s footsteps fade off in the distance. Not even taken as a prisoner, Jace snickers as he believes his truly is a fool. Especially since there is no doubt in his mind that one day he will conquer all of Mallencia. However, for now, he must sum up the strength to stand and walk back to his master. When he finds him, he will have to give an explanation of today's events, which will not be pleasant to either Jace… or Knold.