Facts VS Fantasy

Prologue: Part 1.

Take a breath. Yes, that's it.

A long, long time ago, in the hidden lands of Mania, an old wise being existed, ruling over his people like a mighty king would. He was just, always fair to his subjects and reprimanding those who acted contrary to his beliefs. The people of Mania loved him; during his reign the town flourished and crime was almost non-existent. The king was a powerful being – a god you might say – as smart and silent as an owl yet as cunning as a fox. Nevertheless, he exercised his might wisely and led the people towards the improvement of their lives wholly.

It so happened that the king was blessed with two sons; twins in fact. The twins' mother died during their birth – such a solemn event – but made the old king promise her that he would raise them to be as powerful, wise and just as he was. The old king, being immortal, promised to do so; though hurt by the fact that he would never get to see her in the afterlife.

Factia was the name given to one of the twins. Blessed with the wit and brains of his father, he grew up from a young curious child into a clever being, capable of finding solutions to almost all the problems in the world. With his factual knowledge, he conceptualized what we now refer to as 'science' and paved the way towards what you would call 'technological advancement'. Despite being as smart, Factia lacked in the human traits found in most of us, such as love, care, sorrow, the likes. Which is why he needed his brother.

The latter was named Fantasia. Blessed with his mother's creativity, and also part of his father's, Fantasia grew up to be a creative being, similar to all the famous artist and poets you could think of. With his artistic capability, he drew on the sitting stones to mark the progression of the human race. Fantasia could also tell interesting stories and compose some of the most amazing poems in the world. Unlike his brother, he could understand the feeling of love, sorrow and loss. Which is why Factia needed him: to teach him how to be human. The Old King loved both his sons equally nonetheless. He saw them a blessing to both him, the land of Mania and hopefully to the whole wide world.

A day came when the father saw fit to test his sons, after years of raising them up as he had promised. The Old king summoned his best hunters to go on a small expedition – a group that would later act as his heir's Counselling Unit. After all the arrangements had been made, the king dismissed the group, and called for his sons.

"Factia and Fantasia," he spoke to them.

"Yes, Father," the pair answered back.

The Old King smiled inwardly. Never had he thought it possible for him to bring up any live being so well, not to say a human being. Two, to be precise.

"A group of my best hunters and I will be embarking on a hunting expedition. For a week or two, depends."

The duo nodded.

"While I'm away, I expect all the daily routines to be executed as they always are. The farmers will harvest, the artisans will build, and the sweepers will keep the city tidy. You will oversee all the activities while I am away."

An easy task for the two. They had done this before.

"Yes, Father."

The king stared at the ceiling, distracted, for a moment.

"Is that all, Father?"

The Father looked back at them, remembering the main reason he had summoned them.

"No, not really."

The pair stared at him expectantly.

"My sons, I believe I have raised you well. Bestowed you with all the knowledge available to me, wisdom that will enable you to conquer the whole world yet appreciate the little things that really count."