Long ago, in a land far, far away, lived two brothers—two sides of the same coin in more ways than one. Inseparable, yet as different as night and day.
They were born under strange circumstances. Their mother, Irene, had never shown any signs of pregnancy—no swelling belly, no birthing pains. Yet one day, there they were: Ash and Evan. The townsfolk feared them. People always fear what they don't understand, and ignorance often breeds hate.
Ash was the older, but it never mattered to them. To them, they were one and the same.
Despite their mysterious origins, they were startlingly normal. Normal enough, at least. They played, laughed, fought, and lived like other children. If not for the crippling isolation and the cold stares from everyone in town, they might have had a typical childhood.
At school, Evan was the brain—sharp and curious—while Ash had more grit, more instinct. But again, to them, none of that mattered. They were brothers. They were whole.
Ash was hot-headed and fiercely protective, while Evan was more level-headed and empathetic. They fought often, as brothers do, over things trivial and crucial. But underneath it all was a deep, unshakable bond.
Their mother, Irene, was their rock. She had been thrown out by her parents for keeping the boys, but she never wavered. She often said, "This may not be the life I planned—but with my boys, it's the life I want." She was young, but strong. Resilient. The very picture of a loving mother.
They lived in a small, narrow-minded town called Euphoria—ironic, considering there was nothing euphoric about it. The people there were superstitious and closed off, and two mysteriously-born boys didn't sit well with them.
Life wasn't ideal—but for Ash, Evan, and Irene, it was enough. It was their version of perfect.
Until everything changed.
When the boys turned sixteen, strange things began happening around town. First, small things—wilting crops, odd weather. Then, mysterious deaths and outbreaks of disease. No one could trace it, at first.
But in time, all suspicion fell on the brothers.
The town decided the boys were cursed. Monsters. Witches. And they came—torches and pitchforks in hand—marching to the family's home to cleanse the town of its supposed evil.
Irene saw them coming. She knew what would happen. She gave her sons a bag of food, told them to run, and swore she'd never forgive them if they stayed. They didn't want to leave—but they obeyed.
She stood alone as the mob descended.
They dragged her out, demanded the boys' location. She pleaded with them—"They've done nothing wrong!"—but they didn't listen.
Meanwhile, Ash and Evan ran through the woods. But Evan stopped.
"We have to go back," he said.
Ash hesitated. "Mom said—"
"I'd rather have her hate me than die for me," Evan snapped.
They argued. Then they heard the mob splitting into search parties.
Evan slipped away, heading back. Ash stayed behind, torn. But in the end, he followed.
Back at the square, Irene was being tortured. The town planned to burn her alive as an example.
Evan watched from the shadows. He was about to rush in when Ash tackled him from behind.
"It's her or us," Ash said.
Evan fought to break free, hatred brewing in his heart. But Ash held him down, stronger than him.
And then… they heard her scream.
She was asked for final words.
"Wherever my children are, I hope they find everything good in this life. And I hope you all outgrow your ignorance."
And then, they lit the fire.
The screams of their mother echoed through the air.
Evan cried out.
The mob turned. Someone had seen them.
Ash panicked.
He pushed Evan forward and shouted, "It's him! He's the witch—it's all his fault! Him and his cursed mother!"
Evan stared at his brother in stunned silence.
The mob, confused, grabbed them both.
In private, they interrogated Ash first. He told them everything. Lies. That their mother practiced dark magic. That Evan helped. That he was innocent.
Evan said nothing.
They gave him a choice: prove his innocence—by lighting the fire to execute his brother.
He said yes.
On the day of the execution, Evan approached the stake. Ash was bound, terrified.
Evan leaned in and whispered, "For survival."
And then, he lit the fire.
Ash's screams filled the air—raw, bitter, betrayed.
And Evan's silence spoke volumes.
And so… the story begins.