The Carter Chronicles: World of Adventures

Prologue: The Forebears

In a far, far away land, a fancy and enormous mansion sat on the foot of a small hill. A woman with her hair braided into a bun walked nervously in a fully furnished and decorated room, her emerald dress swaying around her. Her husband, who was once a composed and elegant man, looked stricken. Fourteen adolescents, seven males and seven females, occupied the adjacent room, feeling as if their time was wasted by these two elders. Finally, the couple decided to confront these adolescents about a secret supposed to be long well-hidden.

"Hello, thou children," the woman said nervously, her voice cracking. She was fumbling at the gemstone bracelet on her right wrist.

"We have a—" The man paused momentarily, before continuing, "—secret that we must tell ye."

"What is it?" The oldest, Taverno, asked. He was, as he described himself, the manliest of them all. He felt that the fate of the other thirteen always rested on his shoulders. He always led them to safety whenever possible.

"Thou shall tell us!" Barlen said while clutching his bow. He was certainly not liking the suspense the two were building. He played with the bowstring and fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Do we have strange visitors?" a girl called Astrid asked curiously. She was the wisest, and others often believed her spirit came from the ancient peoples, smarter for her age.

"No, no, no. This is much worse, my dear... Ye see, there's this curse. It was set upon by the witch, back in the old times when our beloved ancestor Carvintellus had stolen an artifact from this witch," the father explained.

"What do ye mean, curse?" Astoria, the overlooked child, questioned them.

"A family curse, it is," said the woman, implying they're all blood-related.

Fourteen pairs of eyes fixated on them, some were confused, a few scared, but most curious.

"Ye are all going to die young, in a few weeks, exactly," The father said, all too quickly.

Pandemonium and panic carpeted over the family like a shroud.

"Is there a solution?!" Advant shouted over his hysterical brothers and sisters. Advant was the one most head-on with solutions. He always thought of ways to help, but this time, he had nothing in mind.

"Yes!" the man nodded quickly and vigorously. "But it is risky! It might doom all of you more."

"Do it! Now!" Henry, who never doubted what he liked, motioned.

"But—" the woman tried explaining.

"We don't care! It's life or death!" Lorvem screamed, his neck's veins showing. He always cared about choices. To him, everything was life or death.

"It is, indeed," the mother whispered and looked at the father. She held his hand, making sure that their gemstone bracelets touch. They raised their hands and two orbs of light appeared from their chests. Wind blew from no distinct location. Frames of paintings fell to the floor. Silk curtains swayed crazily. The couple exploded, disintegrating. The orbs of light divided into fourteen and went to each, giving them a unique and extraordinary power to help them survive and thrive.

The eldest of the men, Taverno, became the leader of them all. He became the ancestor of the warriors and the heavens. He had power over the weather. He oversaw every detail. He was "king."

Advant became the ancestor of land, adventures and communication. He delivered messages amongst creatures and his siblings. His descendants were credited for achievements in technology.

Lorvem had the power to summon the dead and give life. He was also in charge of diseases and illnesses, and it was up to him if plagues spread or not. He was responsible for the Middle Ages' bubonic plague, and had spread it by randomly appearing in houses clothed in black, swaths of darkness following him. Most were terrified of him.

Barlen had the power of music, poetry and archery. He can predict the future, listing down prophecies in future generations to come. His gentle look proved for him to be the most approachable of them all.

Bardom received the power of using any weapon, commanding armies and forces, starting wars, and changing forms. He was the ancestor of warfare and transformation. He was the most rugged of them all and his patience was non-existent.

Maradon can build anything and summon fires. He can command automatons and inventions. He became Bardom's favorite brother, just because of the weapons Maradon build.

Henry received the power of food and beverages. He was also a patron of health. He was Taverno's favorite younger brother, sharing with him the power of the weather.

Hilthea, the eldest of the women, became the ancestor of family, children and marriage. With a fellow sister she shares the power of peace. She is also called the ancestor of home and warmth for her loving and amiable personality.

Basil, who was fond of green pastures, can grow herbs, plants, vines, shrubs, trees and forests. She can give trees the power of speech and action.

Astrid, the most artistic, became the most brilliant and mature. She had more than the knowledge and skills of Archimedes. Not only she became a wise elder, but she also turned out to be an excellent war leader and tactician, a feared opponent of Bardom. She can also read into people's minds voluntarily.

Astoria became the ancestor of water. Her abilities included summoning sea creatures and making and controlling bodies of water.

Anastasia had control over the animals and the hunt. She became an exceptional archer, like her favorite brother, but she was undoubtedly better. She never missed when she shot.

Megaria, who had a sly and cunning personality, earned the power of magic. She can cast spells, jinxes and curses of all kinds. She was also the ancestor of oaths, crossroads, and destinies.

Vergara, the youngest of all fourteen, received the power of beauty, seduction and love. Like Hilthea, she can restore peace. Together with Basil, she helped in maintaining the beauty of the biodiversity.

Together, they were the fourteen ancestors who ruled the world before. Their descendants earned their powers, destined for greatness.

But it was themselves who tore each other to pieces, ending their reign and taking the lives of more than a hundred thousand people. Two of these fourteen escaped, never destined to return, as the continent of Fantada disappeared from the face of the earth. It was sent to a magical portal, where only the bravest can come through. Their legacy was forgotten by the normal humans and the rest was buried underneath, deep down in the ocean, hopefully never to be recovered again.

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Author's Note: Please comment all your suggestions, recommendations and complaints. Thanks!