Legend of Antalasia

Chapter 1

The rain was falling in a torrent interspersed with loud bursts of thunder. Fierce lightning streaked across the dark heavy clouds like scratches. The strong gusts of winds shook and rattled the buildings; and bent the trees to their breaking point. Every living being including the animals and birds took shelter from Mother Nature's fury. Enclosed from the thunderstorm, three young children passed time in a corner room of a modest castle.

The eldest, John, a thirteen-year-old boy lounged across a chaise, flipping a coin. Intermittently, he ran his fingers through his tousled blonde hair making it messier. His handsome face was marred by a sullen frown and his deep blue eyes glazed over with boredom. Tossing the coin high, John tried to think of ways to irritate his younger sister, Antalasia.

"Oh, come on Sissy!! Do you have to read books on those betrayers?" grumbled Prince John.

His eight-year-old sister, Antalasia was sitting with folded legs by the table, reading a huge volume titled 'The Original Tribes of The Dragon Kingdom' while simultaneously playing chess with her younger brother, Michaelo. Her luscious, black hair fell silkily enclosing her slender, delicate frame. Her pale, ivory skin made her fathomless, black eyes stand out which seemed to look deep into your soul. Antalasia ignored John and continued reading her book.

"Daddy's spoilt little princess, Sissy, Sissy," goaded John.

However, he failed to elicit any reaction from his sister. Frustrated, John flicked the coin at his sister which she caught and began twirling with her fingers.

"Little showoff," muttered John and stretched on the chaise for a nap.

Michaelo, the youngest of the lot was six years old and was completely focussed on the chessboard. His looks were a perfect mix of his two siblings with silky, black hair and sparkling blue eyes. Innocence oozed from the young boy and his chubby, oval face pouted in frustration from losing the game.

"Antalasia, I'm bored. Tell me a story," whined Michaelo.

Antalasia pondered for a bit and said, "I'll tell you about the five tribes of The Original Dragon Kingdom. They are the Saphras, Karas, Gemmas, Boshchas and Scavas."

John scoffed without lifting the hand over his eyes, "Seriously, why would you waste time discussing those betrayers?"

Antalasia frowned and replied sternly, "Enough John. Papa always says that there are always two sides to a story. History is no exception."

John muttered under his breath, "Father's little pet."

Antalasia turned to Michaelo and asked, "Do you know who the tribes were?"

Michaelo began hopping on his feet and with eyes sparkling with excitement, he shouted, "I do. I do. Our ancestors, the Saphras were very spritiual. Their deity, Omvish gifted them the dragons."

Grinning happily, Michaelo continued, "The Karas are nomads who travel everywhere selling wares. The happy Gemmas are peaceful people who live along the coast. The strong Boschas live on the cold mountain peak of Baka."

Antalasia nodded and said solemnly, "The Boschas are the strongest. They can kill the strongest ox or even a huge Rhazaqat with one swing of their mace. Don't ever go near them unless it's your last hope."

Michaelo nodded seriously and continued in a hushed tone, "Scary Scavas live in the foothills on the other side of the Baka mountain."

Antalasia replied sternly, "Never go near them. No matter what. Even a five-year-old child in the Scava tribe knows how to kill a Rhazaqat."

John scoffed, "Oh Please. Don't listen to any of that nonsense Michaelo. The only scary things on this planet are the Rhazaqats and none of the tribes. Rhazaqats are the monsters that emerged from the dark side after breaking through The Great Wall. Do you know how a Rhazaqat looks Michaelo?"

Grinning wildly at Michaelo's petrified expression, John continued, "They are monsters with distorted human bodies. Some are around eight feet tall and look like chimpanzees. They are slow and easiest to kill. But others look exactly like us. You won't be able to recognize it as a Rhazaqat."

John continued in an ominous tone, "Father encountered one of these Rhazaqats on a trip. Angry at Father for hunting their kind, the Rhazaqat extended six flail-like weapons in a fan shape from his back. The weapons lifted up tall and began to pound on Father trying to beat him into a pulp."

Michaelo's lips quivered in fear, his eyes grew round and a reluctant whimper escaped.

"Stop it, John. You are scaring him," scolded Antalasia.

"Am I lying?" asked John.

Antalasia simply pursed her lips and tried to comfort Michaelo.

John wasn't having it. He continued, "In the dark zone beyond the Great Wall and in the Central Continent, there are monstrous trees too. They have long vines that they will wrap around you and squeeze you to death. There are other monsters too. Animals and insects that are a thousand times larger in size like the ten-foot centipede. Fusions of animals and insects, including the Rhazaqat with an elephant body and multiple snakeheads, and the half-lion half-rhinoceros Rhazaqat."

Michaelo ran to Antalasia and hid behind her, cowering in fear.

Antalasia began seething. She picked up Michaelo and began walking out of the room. However, John knew just the right buttons to push to irritate his sister.

John smiled evilly and said, "The tribes are useless. After The Great War, the Saphras became useless. The other tribes abandoned us. Forget the tribes Michaelo. The only thing that we need to learn and respect are The Sun Kingdom's teachings. They are awesome. "

Antalasia turned around and snapped, "That's not true John. That's just what The Sun Kingdom's history books say. The tribes are an important part of The Dragon Kingdom. The Saphras grew despondent only because their beloved dragons died in The Great War. After King John's death, King Masseo took over our kingdom. He used power and fear to control the tribes. The other four tribes rebelled. It is not the tribes' fault."

An old, tall man with a long white beard and long white hair stood by the doorway watching the young prince and princess argue. "ENOUGH!" he roared.

The children jumped in shock not having noticed the old man.

"Princess Antalasia, you should be ashamed of yourself for questioning The Sun Kingdom. You are the grand-daughter of the greatest army general from the Sun Kingdom. How dare you talk badly of them?" said the old man furiously, his face twisted in rage and his eyes glowing fanatically.

The old man was the royal family's tutor.

The old tutor stomped into the room angrily and began teaching in a monotonous voice knowing that he couldn't allow himself to lose his temper anymore at the princess or else King Charles would hang him to death. Michaelo still reeling from John's description sat quivering beside Antalasia while she pouted. John grinned away happily without a care knowing he was the old tutor's pet.

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