ATLANTIS

Chapter 5- Elizabeth

"We are the Atlantian tribe, native to the tropical island of Atlantis. Over the centuries we have adapted for better chances of survival. When a full blood, Apprentice Atlantian (that is the rank we are on) is fully immersed in water, we grow tails like a fish. We also each have an individual power, such as Ashley can heat water, and I can talk to sea animals. Erica here knows every nautical coordinate, wind knot, and depth wherever we go in the sea. But if an Atlantian uses their power too much, it starts to control them. In order to be an Apprentice, you have to be 1,000 moons old and gone through the 12 moon training-"

I do some mental math.

"Wait, you guys are about 83 years old when you get your tails and powers?!" I ask, admonished.

"What's a year?" Ashley asks.

Amy and I both laugh hysterically. Rene, Erica, and Ashley just stare at us with wide eyes. Amy clears her throat.

"12 months, AKA moons." Amy replies.

"The average Atlantian life span is about 7,000 moons." Erica says, the information flowing from her mouth.

"Which equals about 583 years and 4 months." I add on.

Rene clears her throat.

"Now back to MY story. In the scrolls, which are our source of information, it says that a human is a mythical creature, and it says that our lifespan is 7 times longer than its. About 800 moons ago, someone proved that wrong. I was very young at that time and did not bother to listen to the news of the town. A human who had claimed her name was Amelia Earhart washed ashore on our beaches. She said that she had a contraption called 'a plane' that had crashed and sunk in one of those waves. She had somehow swam to our island. She lived with us for a long time. Amelia liked our ways and wanted to become one of us. In order to do this, she would have to fight, proving her worth, to get her powers and tail. In order to keep them forever (they were not permanent) she would have to prove her loyalty by forming a bonding relationship. After 3 moons of training, she finally defeated The One-"

"Wait," Amy inquires "Who's the one?"

There is an awkward silence

"She is called Lauren Sharktail." Ashley says, mysteriously. "But her power is the knowledge of an old fighting technique, which is called Tae-Kwon-Doe. If a human defeats one with the Tae-Kwon-Doe powers-"

"Like what Amelia Earhart did," Rene cuts in.

"If a human defeats her, she will earn her tail and powers. As Rene was saying, she will have to make that special friendship." Ashley says.

"Now back to my story, AGAIN!" Rene growls with a frustrated laugh.

"Amelia Earhart defeated Lauren and earned her tail and powers. But she still had to make the relationship. So our Council sent a few Atlantians, mixed gender, and Amelia on a quest to recover a lost guard. Amelia grew close to a male named Sam Greenweed. Her Majesty, Queen Adrianna, watched them closely. She allowed Amelia to keep her tail forever. An accident happened, and poor Amelia died. Sam came back, heartbroken. He grew older and wiser without her, and is now part of the Council. I forgot to tell you- If two Atlantians mate, they mate for life. Sam could never have anyone else but Amelia. Sam is strong, and knows Amelia's battle strategies very well. If you want to defeat The One, you might have to work with him for training. My friends, Beth and Chloe read about battle strategies in their scrolls. They could tell you some strategies that they read and Sam could help you to put them to work."

Rene sighs as she finishes. She gulps down the rest of her cocoa, and a young child comes to fetch it.

"So I have to defeat The One, using Sam's training and Beth and Chloe's knowledge?" I ask.

"That's about it!" Rene says, smiling.

"Will Amy train with me?" I ask, tilting my head.

"Yep. Lets get started. Are you hungry?" Rene stands up and and stretches.

"I'm starved!" Amy jumps up. I nod my head in agreement.

"We'll follow me." Erica grabs our arms and leads us through a stone door and into bright sunlight.

🌺🌴😊❤🌺🌴😊❤🌺🌴😊❤

Thank you guys so much for reading! Please comment, question, or add grammar corrections!

🌺❤ -Elizabeth 👅💫