It was just after dawn when Chroma and Keno finished gathering crops that they had been growing in the garden for the past few weeks. Chroma and Keno were twin elves both around 12 springs old that lived with just each other.

  “Wow, can you believe we were able to make a large healthy farm?” Exclaimed Chroma.

  “I bet the humans our age on Earth couldn’t do this,” replied Keno.

  Chroma knew it was expected from Keno but it was still just uncalled for, “Not all human kids are like that”. “Lets just bring the crops to the market,” Keno scoffed as if he hadn’t heard him.

  They brought their crops to the market to sell. “Fresh produce!” Chroma yelled trying to get everyone's attention, “Fresh produce!” Fortunately it had worked, however Chroma wasn't surprised and he could tell that Keno wasn’t either. Everyone came running to their stand buying items, leaving really large tips and donations, and asking questions.

  “How are you managing?” asked an elf, “Why won’t you let one of us take care of you?” questioned another elf, “Where are your parents?” inquired a witch,”Why do you guys always wear masks?” asked a demlin. Keno abruptly shouted, “EVERYONE SHUT UP’’. It had startled everyone. It even startled Chroma. Everyone stopped talking, paid and left.

  It was around noon when they closed shop and packed up their things. Chroma gathered the leftover crops while Keno counted the money. “671, 672, 673, 674 silvers” (the currency) “Wow, that’s a lot!” replied Chroma, “and we still have loads of crops left.” “Let's just get these back to the cabin,” said Keno.

  Once they put everything in the cabin they went to the materials market and bought some hunting tools such as bows and arrows, quivers to hold the arrows, knives, and spears made to catch fish. “Now we can hunt for animals for us to eat!” exclaimed Chroma excitedly. Keno looked at him as if he was an idiot, “We've got to learn how to use these first”. Of course Keno had to say something to make it negative. But Chroma knew he was right. “Well then let's start learning!”

  Keno and Chroma had went to the nearby forest to find and hunt some small animals. They then noticed something glowing from a distance. Keno was curious as to what it was but didn't want to go near it. Then he saw Chroma racing to it without thinking twice. “Chroma, get back here!” he yelled. Chroma didn't listen.. Of course he hadn't listened. Keno chased after him and saw him staring at something.. Or things.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  In front of them were a glowing paint brush and eraser. Chroma picked up the paint brush and Keno picked up the eraser. Both objects seemed to absorb the glow when they were picked up. “What do you think these are?” Chroma wondered. Keno inspected the art utensils. “I’m not sure.”

  “The brush has paint on it!” Keno watched as Chroma bent down to draw a xeshroom. Suddenly, the fungi became 3-dimensional and then a real-life object. Keno and Chroma both stepped back as the illustration became real.

  Keno developed a theory as he looked at the eraser which he was holding. He went to test the eraser. He bent down and rubbed the eraser on the grass by his foot. The grass had disappeared. He chuckled, then it turned into a laugh. He had never laughed before. He turned to Chroma who was looking at him in shock with a hint of fear. Keno stopped, then spoke, “Don’t you see what power this holds?” Chroma was silent, “We could become rulers! We could take over the world!” Continued Keno who had might as well lost his sanity.

  Chroma was shocked, confused, scared even. He had never seen Keno act like this. “N-no that's horrid!” replied the scared elf. Both the twins were silent for what seemed like eternity. “No?” Chroma could see the insanity in Keno’s eyes, “NO?” Keno repeated with a louder tone.

  Chroma said again, “No!” Chroma saw Keno go silent for a while. “Well then,” Keno started, “If you don’t want to share the power with me, I’ll have to take it all to myself!” Chroma understood what he meant immediately as Keno charged towards him with the eraser. With the paint brush Chroma quickly drew a wall to block Keno from reaching him. It stopped the power driven elf just long enough for Chroma to get out of the way.

  Chroma needed to move quickly if he wanted to stop Keno. He saw Keno charge for him again but this time instead of reaching for the paint brush it seemed as if he was trying to erase Chroma. Chroma drew another wall and quickly before Keno erased it he drew a cloud meant to fly him. He had drawn the cloud just in time and managed to get on before Keno erased the wall.

  The cloud had worked and before he knew it Chroma was flying on it. This time Chroma had charged towards Keno and had a plan. He knew that Keno would try to erase the cloud, therefore he was going to jump over the cloud and land on the other side of Keno while also snatching the eraser from him. To his surprise it had actually worked.

  However suddenly Keno grabbed the knife from his belt to stab Chroma with it. In defense, Chroma wasn’t thinking properly and used the eraser to erase Keno. Keno disappeared due to the eraser. He was gone. Chroma’s only family left was gone.

  Chroma began to tremble, tears began to form in his eyes as he dropped to the floor. His breathing became uneasy and then finally he began to sob. He cried, he cried so much a puddle almost seemed to form beneath him. That was the first time he had ever cried in his lifetime.