The Adventures of Prince Orm

Chapter 1

A young prince by the name of Orm resided in Atlantis. He had the bluest ocean eyes which match the sea he lives in and the fairest hair. He often spent his time training with his cold and distant father who is the opposite of him. His father, Orvax had raven hair and only shared ocean-colored eyes with his son. After training, Orm would either spend the rest of his day with his tutors or if he were lucky, with his mother, Atlanna. His father simply wanted his heir to be the best at everything, so Orm had to have as much education as possible.

Orm is a bright child and spreads joy everywhere he goes. Atlanteans love their prince. But behind closed doors, events much sinister took place. Orvax is a controlling and abusive man. He controlled his wife, Atlanna, and his son. They would follow his tight schedules every day and if someone were to disobey, he would punish them. Orvax did not tolerate dissent. He often made the habit of sinking ships on the surface for game. He and his soldiers would laugh at the humans who were suffering and killed by their atrocious actions.

"A captain always goes down with his ship," Orvax would say once only one man was standing and left the man and his ship sinking to their demise.

Atlanna disagreed with his brutal idea of a game and they would often fight back and forth over this. It never ends well and Atlanna always comes back with a new bruise on her face which she later covers with make-up to avoid suspicion of their ongoing violent relationship.

Today, Orm woke up to the faint brightness of the sun on the surface shining throughout his bedroom. He is just eight years old but looks older for his age as Atlanteans age much faster than surface dwellers. Despite this, he is still small compared to the other Atlantean children.

Orm looked up at the ocean above and the faint bright light that came from the surface. Atlanna often told him stories about his half-brother who lives there. He often daydreamed about what his brother was doing and what he did from his day-to-day life. Did he have tutors like me? Do surface dwellers train for combat at eight years of age? What do they eat? So many questions and not enough answers. He decided he would ask his mother about his brother more after his training for the day. He likes hearing her stories about his big brother the most. It made him feel less alone in the world.

Orm scarfed down his breakfast at the royal dining table. After this, Vulko accompanied him to his first-ever training session. They swam in silence to the empty Ring of Fire. It appears his father is late to the training session, he must be busy with surface ships. Orm sighed but knew his father sometimes spent his time sinking ships to teach the surface dwellers a lesson from the murder of his great grandparents. The young prince decided a while ago that he wouldn't spend his time doing such hobbies when he becomes king, he would focus more on the betterment of Atlantis than attacking the surface.

Orm heard the roar of his father's war beast, a tylosaur in the distance. Atlanteans use these beautiful creatures in the wars whenever the time arises. Orvax once told Orm that the beast would be his when the time comes for him to become King of Atlantis. The little prince was thrilled by the idea of riding freely in the ocean upon the back of his father's creature that would be passed down to him.

"Greetings, my boy." Orvax arrived, sliding off of his tylosaur and eyeing Vulko, giving him a slight nod to acknowledge his presence. "Leave us, my vizier. We have much training to do today."

Vulko bowed and left them to their session. Orvax also motioned for the war beast to leave them. Eventually, Orm and his father were the only ones in the empty arena. The king grabbed a spear for Orm to wield for combat against him, tossing it lightly to him. Orvax twirled his own trident in his hand.

"One day this weapon will be yours." He grinned and glanced at the gleaming silver trident in his hand. "Until then, prove to me your worth as my heir." Orvax unexpectedly jumped to attack his son and slammed him down on the ground with the weapon. Orm gasped in pain and flinched backward from his father as Orvax continued to walk towards him.