The Storyteller

Story Two, Prince Samuel

I promised you a darker story, my child. I should have warned you that not all of these stories have what you call "happy endings". After all, these are the stories of creatures who endure what everyone endures, maybe even worse.

This is the story of Prince Samuel of the 13th Isle of the Shadow realm. Before the Shadow Realm was plunged under the earth by the vengeful god Ouro, it lived in a beautiful ocean. Prince Samuel was a fair prince. He ruled the 13th Isle with as much power as a king and was as kind as someone who knew true suffering and wanted nobody to feel that. Prince Samuel was also very strange. He refused to wed, which plunged his little kingdom at the edge of the world into war with the other 12 isles.

In one horrifying series of events, King Gorm planned to assassinate Prince Samuel. It was law, a law decreed by the Great Thirteen Shadow Lords, that for one to rule he must be wed to a princess to become king. Samuel was practically spitting on the law, thought Gorm to himself. Gorm did not care about the law. He never cared about anything except becoming more powerful.

Gorm sent a messenger to Samuel. "Prince Samuel of the 13th Isle, Lord Gorm and the other 11 Kings have declared war on you! If you do not wed one of their princesses by sundown today, your Isle and the people of it shall be handed over to King Gorm!" He declared. Samuel, who was sitting on his throne rather unkingly, stood to his full height. The room darkened and the temperature fell as the messenger began to shake, wetting himself in fear. "Tell Gorm that if he wants to declare war on my people, he will speak to me first." Spat Samuel. The messenger nodded and ran back to his boat, as fast as his legs could carry him.

Samuel sat on his throne, his bangs in his eyes. "Alistair, get the men ready. I have angered Gorm. Tell the citizens that they are to evacuate immediately." He commanded his trusty assistant. Alistair nodded and ran into the village. He banged on every door, calling to every man who could and would fight for his land to step forward and surge into their beast forms.

In the 3rd Isle, Gorm was preparing his men and the other 11 Kings for war. "Samuel dare think he can spit on the Lex de Oscura? Then he is damn wrong!" Roared Gorm. The 11 Kings roared in agreement. "Shadow Lord Gomara, give me thine divine strength!" Shouted Gorm. He stretched his clawed hand to the sky and black lightning crashed down around him.

All shadow kings and shadow princes could summon the power of their patron Lord. The Shadow Lords gave them the land and would help them protect it. As Gorm greedily took in every ounce of power, the other 11 Kings did the same. Soon, the room was filled with Shadow Lords. They roared as they sun came down, hiding behind the sea. "Come brethren! To kill Samuel and the 13th Isle!" He screamed. The men and Shadow Lords roared with him, then ran into their boats.

Samuel stood by the sea, his army ready. A storm was brewing, a storm so bad that it had him and his men on high alert. He looked to the sky. "Lord Grim, please let these men go home to their families safe and sound..." He prayed. "Give me the power to protect my home and their homes, to protect my people."

The sky began to churn violently and the sea became more violent. Samuel looked to his men, all of them in their beast forms. "If we fail to protect our home, then we shall fail by taking as many of them with us!" Shouted Samuel. His men roared and thunder shook the sky. Suddenly, black smoke began to rise next to Samuel. The smoke coiled, then took the form of a lanky man wearing a black cloak.

He wore a crown of coral and his black cloak had the stars on it. One of the constellations was The Hunter, Naginta. He stretched out a hand. "Prince Samuel, I am Lord Grim. Take my hand and I shall help you protect your people and your land." He told him. Samuel took the Shadow Lord's hand. In a flash of light, the Shadow Lord and Samuel were gone.

In their place was a beast, a beast far more ferocious than that of the 12 Kings. The beast had claws as black as a raven, horns that were sharp enough to cut through dragon hide, and wings that looked like the night sky. The beast's eyes were as red as fire and made the beast seem just as dangerous. It was beautiful, yet terrifying. It craned it's neck back and roared, releasing a horrifying black fire. The element of dark fire, which no shadow could control, was in the beast's claws.

The Never Flame was its name, and it was a dragon of the Shadow Lord Grim. The Never Flame was a creature of misfortune, death, and suffering. Black fire and Lord Grim were also masters of misfortune and death. The story of Lord Grim, Black Fire, and the Never Flame shall be told to you later, little one. For now, let us focus on Samuel and his men.

The war boats crashed into the shore and men of all the isles flooded out of them like rats escaping a flood. Samuel and his men charged, decapitating and tearing men of the twelve isles apart. Blood painted the isle, rain swept in and black lightning struck many of Samuel's men down. Samuel noticed that his numbers were dwindling quickly. "Men, to the castle!" He roared. He spread his wings and flew as his men retreated. He circled back, setting many enemies on fire. The black fire tore at their souls, draining them of their life energy, killing them instantly.

Samuel landed and was tackled by a beast. The beast was none other than King Gorm. Gorm circled Samuel, snarling and bearing his fangs. Samuel remained calm, which angered Gorm even more. He charged Samuel, hoping to knock him to his feet so that he may tear out his throat. Samuel slashed at his face, tearing out Gorm's eye. Samuel reared his head back, storing fire, stoking the flames. He shot the flames out, missing Gorm. At that moment though, The Great Snake God Ouro looked down and saw the bloodshed.

A bolt of lightning, normal lightning, struck each of the thirteen isles. The isles began to sink under the waves, sparing the shadow kings and their subjects. The isles sank under the earth and were settled beneath the earth. The twelve shadow kings who were fighting against Samuel, panicked and went back to their boats. As they sailed back to their islands, Samuel followed them.

He flew in front of them, glowing brightly. "I, Prince Samuel, wish to prevent another war! In the name of Lord Grim and The Never Flame, execute all of thee!" He roared. A bright light flooded over all of them, annihilating them. All of them, except Gorm. He had sailed ahead and escaped the attack, which became known as Samuel's Retribution. Gorm now sits on his throne, plotting revenge and to kill the next Shadow who takes Samuel's throne.

A new shadow is rising, young one. He will take Samuel's throne and will become the next King of the 13th Isle. His name is unknown, but I know who he is. Now, to tell you the story of the Apocalyptic Beasts.