Guardians of Rithmore | Inflowing Tide (Book 1)

Prologue

Everyone thought it was fireworks, it was the festival of one thousand years. One thousand years ago, the Rithmorian Alliance, six planets known as Hydrus, Furis, Petris, Brytness, Ayrless, and Laurus allied together to defend the galaxy of Rithmore against evil. Allura, a Rithmorian from Hydrus, stared anxiously as she clutched Nerina tightly to her chest.

Nerina, a six-year-old youngling of Hydrus, stared up innocently at her mother. Her silvery blue eyes were wide with wonder and curiosity.

Abaddon was the leader of the Quanadronians, he wanted nothing but death and destruction for the entire Rithmorian Alliance, to see the downfall of Rithmore. That was his goal the entire time, and the Rithmorian Alliance knew that, it was the reason behind the prophecy of the Six Guardians of Rithmore.

Marin, Allura's husband, frowned. They knew Abaddon was nearing."Allura? My dear, what's wrong?" He spoke softly, seeing her anxious and frightened expression.

"I... I can't believe the Alliance is making them do this! They're just kids!" Allura spoke, her voice cracked with grief and terror for her own child.

Marin's expression saddened, looking down at his little one. He knew they wouldn't be able to see Nerina grow.

None of the parents would.

Allura suppressed her sobs, knowing crying wouldn't help. But there was overwhelming grief, it felt like it tore through her heart. Her stormy blue eyes, stung with the glittering silver of her tears, made her vision blurry, making it hard to see her precious one. Allura's soft, blue, furry skin was slightly matted with her tears that she failed to suppress.

Suddenly, there was a loud explosion as the cheers from the people of Hydrus morphed into screams of terror. Nerina's body tensed, whining slightly in fear and worry, before Marin covered her soft, furry ears.

"Darling! Look at me, don't look at the explosions!" Marin smiled, his eyes stinging with tears.

Nerina cried out in terror as Allura held her tighter, as an explosion showered debris and flame covered rocks.

Allura was not willing to let Nerina go.

Close by was Aspyn, he was the same age as Nerina. He was only six years old and his warm, brown eyes were wide with terror as he stared at the bodies of his dead parents, crushed by large debris. He hardly had time to mourn his parents. He cried out in fear and grief as he saw four Quanadronian dogs, which were twice as large as Aspyn, tackle his childish form.

He let out a strangled scream. Pain flooded through his veins. The deep punctures made by their sharp teeth missed his arteries but punctured his voice box several times. Blood lightly splattered against his clothes and light brown fur.

Marin, filled with the fury of a father, howled as he ran forward, body slamming into the Quanadronian dogs. Nerina and Allura rushed towards Aspyn, who was barely conscious and bleeding profusely.

Allura's body tensed with horror at the sight of little Aspyn's throat with deep puncture wounds. Aspyn let out choked cries, yelling out in pain as Nerina pressed her tiny hands against Aspyn's throat.

Allura, who wore a medical satchel at her waist, bound his neck. Allura's hands trembled as she stared at Astoria and Haelos who had been Aspyn's parents and her best friends.

Allura's body tensed, sobbing as she turned around. As her ears stopped ringing, she finally heard Marin's agonized yells of pain. "Marin!!" She had shrieked out, crying out for her love, but it was too late.

The Quanadronian dogs were quick and deadly. They were large lizard-like dogs, twice the size of Rithmorian children. They were covered in black scales, with long, thick tails. Their teeth could cut through glass like butter, their claws even sharper than the sharpest of blades. There was always the scent of death and blood drenching the Quanadronian dogs.