The Merlinian Chronicles Book 1

Prologue

        Half-a-million years ago, in a cave hidden from the High Council of the Magic Realm, Poseidon stood next to Isis as she gave birth to their five children.

        “It is going to be okay,” Poseidon comforted the goddess, who was wincing with each breath.

        “No it is not, Poseidon,” Isis argued. “These children will not be welcomed, you heard the prophecy. And one of them will turn,”

        “Prophecies do not always mean what you think is obvious. We cannot be sure of anything at this time. We must-” Poseidon was cut off due to Isis screaming, as the first baby appeared.

Isis’s screams filled the cave, almost breaking Poseidon’s eardrums, until a tiny baby boy was in Poseidon’s arms, crying.

        “You are the first born child,” Poseidon said to the child. “You are a servant of the moon, with a silver aura. You are the very first master of all types of magic. This new magic shall be known as Sorcery,” Poseidon picked up a vial of amber liquid, feeding it to the boy. “This mixture of ambrosia and nectar, the food and drink of the Greek gods, will cause you to age to 16 years old. Your name is Merlin,” As Merlin drank the last of the nectar and ambrosia mixture, he was surrounded in silver, light. The light shined brightly, filling the cave until Poseidon and Isis couldn’t keep their eyes open anymore. Then, instantaneously, the silver light disappeared, and in Merlin’s place stood a tall, thin, teenager with brown hair, pale skin, and silver eyes.

        “Merlin,” Poseidon smiled and embracing his son. When he let go, he realized for the first time that his son didn’t have any clothes. Clearing his throat, he waved his hand and a blue robe covered Merlin’s body. Suddenly, there was a flash of gray and a tall woman in Greek armor appeared in the cave, an owl perched on her shoulder.

        “Athena,” Poseidon nodded, “I greatly appreciate your assistance,” Athena nodded.

        “They need to be taught, and I can’t think of anyone better than myself to do so,” she responded. Poseidon smiled and looked at Merlin.

        “Merlin, this is Athena, the Greek goddess of War and Wisdom. Your mother and I will not be able to see you and your siblings very often, so Athena will take care of you,”

Merlin opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Isis screaming once again, as the next baby made its way into the world.

        The next child was a girl. Once again, Poseidon lifted her up and told her what type of magic she is a master of, Ice. He named her Selenity, and fed her a mixture of nectar and ambrosia, aging her 16 years and clothing her. After he introduced her to Athena, he had to help deliver the next child.

        Many hours later, there were five children total. They were Merlin of Sorcery, Selenity of Ice, Gamma of Dream, Selene of Life, and Karforamor. Karforamor was special too, but in a different way.

        When Karforamor was born, he did not have an aura, meaning he had no magic and no immortality. Poseidon desperately tried to create an aura around Karforamor, but failed each time.

Damn it! He cursed mentally. The Oracle was right! This can NOT be good! Out of ideas, Poseidon placed a spell of immortality on baby Karforamor, before feeding him the nectar and ambrosia mixture, aging him 16 years and clothing him.

        The moment Karforamor was covered in a blue cloak, the cave was filled with a puff of green smoke and the smell of rotting fish. The smoke dissipated, and standing right in front of Poseidon was a short, stout woman with green eyes, seaweed hair, and green scales instead of skin.

        “POSEIDON!” The fish-woman squealed. “How DARE you cheat on me again! You will pay for this!”

        “Amphitrite, you know you can’t harm me,” Poseidon countered, clutching his trident. Amphitrite sneered.

        “Maybe I can’t harm you directly, but I can still punish THEM,” she glared at the children.

        She looked Merlin in the eye, growling.

        “You, little mutant, shall be stuck at the age of 16, until you marry a Sorceress. Good luck with that, little one. It will definitely take a while, since there are no other masters of Sorcery!” She turned to Selenity.

        “Little ice girl, every single time you use your aura, a little bit of it will solidify around you, until you are nothing but an ice sculpture, made from your own magical energy. The only way to end this curse is to experience Dimitrielle’s gift, and live to tell the tale,”

        “Gamma, the Dream girl, you will be forced to see the nightmares of every magical being and be forced to experience them. Each dream will go through your mind, will become your reality, driving you mad, until you are able to capture those dreams, turning them into magical energy,”

        “Little girl of life, you shall be forced into battle. You will have to experience violence, be thrust into that which is genetically against your nature. Violence and death will surround you until you can create your own home, free of any violent creatures, violent feelings, and death,” She turned to face Karforamor and looked into his eyes. Her expression softened, and she almost smiled sympathetically.

        “You have been cursed enough,” she said simply. She snapped her fingers and each of the children were surrounded in green mist. When the mist disappeared, Amphitrite was gone.

        “Why didn’t you stop her?!” Merlin yelled at Poseidon. “Why did you let her curse us?!”

        “If I’d tried to stop her, it would have been worse,” Poseidon answered simply. “Now, your mother and I must go. Outside this cave is a whole plot of land, just for you, with a castle. The entire territory is protected by very powerful wards. Enjoy your home, Merlinian Castle, in the Merlinian Territory,” Poseidon snapped his fingers and he and Isis disappeared in a flash of blue light, leaving the children all alone, with Athena.