GAIA'S CHILDREN PROLOGUE
NOTE:
This story is a work of fiction. None of the names, places, or events are based on reality. Any resemblance to real world imagery are entirely coincidental and not intended.
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The landmass of Xylphania covers most of the known world of Gaia to the current civilisations. Xylphania was home to numerous civilisations, as well as animals and fiends, the first of which were hunted, and the latter of which were feared.
For centuries had civilisations raged war, suffered famine, disease and sorrow, destroyed one another in what was no less a grab for greed and power. Never had the lands of Xylphania ever united under one leader.
And yet, She let such history be, and did not interfere. Her fertile lands provide no distinction between any of her children; Gaia was neither merciful nor cruel. She was content to let those who shared off her bounty to act as they wish, so long as they did not destroy the land.
But as She spread her soul seeds throughout the land, She unknowingly created souls with a fragment of her power; one would rightfully call these souls Her children; Gaia's Children.
She loved them dearly, for Her children were able to connect to her, to give and respond, and so she gifted them with powers. Powers that were able to rent the earth on which Xylphania stood, stir the oceans, call down the sky, sunder the sun. Powers to nurse and heal, to soothe and aid, build and enable the weak.
She let them walk the boundaries of the land freely, to allow them to use their powers as they will.
Civilisations learnt of these great powers. Learnt, and feared the consequences of crossing the will of those who wielded such power. The civilisations rose together to control and limit the actions of Her children, chaining them with words and fruitless laws. Many were captured and forced into menial labour, others were used as the might of civilisations in wars for territory.
They called Her children Mages, after the folktale species which wrecked rampant with arcane witchery and devilish acts.
Eventually, the first Mages were used beyond their longevity, and returned to Her. Civilisations let out collectively relief as those accursed powers were beyond reach. Any offspring the Mages could produce were effectively terminated soon after birth. The land was free from the fearful power the Mages possessed.
Then the second Mages were born.
What made a Mage wasn't blood and flesh. Her power came to be through the soul of the living. All those born were equally likely to inherit Her strength and will. A child of a Mage was not guaranteed to wield such power.
Knowing this, the second generation of Mages were brutalised even further than the first. Many were put in slavery, to be used as servants and sexual outlets. Some were put into underground fights to the death. All of them died. Their forced offspring were used for entertainment, and disposed of once they were of no use.
Their blood seeped into Her body. The civilisations thought themselves free and mighty.
Alas, they brought the wrath of Her upon them.
All was calm, and one day, the sky grew red as howls echoed across the land. Demonic fiends preyed on the weak and unwary. Raging storms tore up shelters and homes, howling winds swept through the land. The seas rushed inland, sweeping villages by the handful, destroying countless lives in an instant.
The chaos paused, and those left behind wept in the residue destruction.
But She was still angry.
Suddenly the land on which the civilisations lived on split. Deep canyons appeared, empty abysses swallowing up communities as they fell. After much movement, the landmass of Xylphania was split into four parts. Each were as far apart to not be seen in the dense fog which surrounded the canyon.
The communities on each quarter were stranded. They were left with no homes or comfort. Left with no means to breach the gap which separated them from one quarter to another. An ambience of despair and horror settled on those remaining, and extinction seemed likely.
But from the fog, bridges of light appeared. Slowly blinking into existence, the wide beam of light bridged the vast gap between the lands, connecting Xylphania together once again.
The communities watched in awe as each bridge was complete. They saw the figures who they knew were responsible for creating the connections. They felt great shame and guilt as they watched the figures disappear into the fog once again.
For the third generation of Mages had appeared.
She was not cruel. She has unleashed her wrath, and She had learnt from it. She understood the civilisations' fear of her great power, the need to reassure one's self of a place in the world.
The third generation were wary. They hid their powers well, blending in with the communities. Many held the image of a homely medic, providing herbs and poultices for the weak and injured. Others hid in the shadows, healing the land and helping those in need.
When the Mages were discovered, the civilisations made no attempt to control them. They feared the wrath of the land if they were to injure Her children. They also understood that the Mage's power could be used for good. The wide Starbridges connecting the continents were an ever-lasting reminder of a Mage's might.
Communities in each continent prospered. The Mages were left undisturbed, free to enter civilisation to do as they pleased. In return, the Mages used their powers to protect and shield their chosen communities.
The centuries passed. Slowly, the presence of Mages diminished as a whole, their gradual disappearance sparking an interest in keeping Mages in the world. However, She had a cycle of activity and sleep, and She was to go into a deep slumber of many centuries before she awakened once again.
She was not blind. She knew that her power must remain in the world, for Her departure meant the veil of the Rift would grow weaker. So with Her remaining powers before the deep slumber, She created five special soul seeds, which will bloom in her absence. Five special seeds which she took great care in preparing.
Thus did she depart.
And thus did the world feel her absence. Wells of impurity sprung in all corners, dark winds blew in, wrapping communities in despair. Monsters of the night multiplied, hunting with vigour.
And thus did the remaining Mages band together to act as the link between the slumbering Her and the world. They created giant relics, to anchor the continents in place. They established sanctuaries through the lands, safe from the power of darkness. They shared their knowledge with the people, giving them gifts of healing and protection.
The communities came to value the Mages. Those who accepted their gifts were named Druids. The knowledge spread through the latter generations.
As the presence of Mages in the land diminished, the rulers of each civilisation made an effort to persuade the remaining Mages to join them. Some accepted. Some chose to live in the wilds of the land. The Mages gave to the communities as they received in gifts, friends, heart and soul. Even with the fading presence, there were strong bonds with the Mages and the people.
It was said that one day, however, that before She awakens, the last Mage will have returned to the land.
And on that day, chaos shall reign, once again.
Until the next bloom.
- A legend of the Mages, passed down through generations.
AUTHOR'S NOTES Thank you for picking up this story and for reading the first half of the prologue. Please understand this break to explain a few things to keep in mind. This is a work of fiction, and deals with fantasy and magic. There is little sex in the beginning chapters, however, the action will ramp up further through the story. Plot elements still feature heavily to progress the story, so if the reader is seeking sexual encounters as the main focus, this is not the story for you. This prologue serves to set up the world for which the story takes place, for the world I envisioned for the story is quite big. The main cast is not introduced until later chapters. This is my first story I have submitted to a site, so please bear with me. I would appreciate any comments and constructive criticism. You can send them to aexiv125@gmail.com. Thank you for reading once again. The second half of the prologue awaits.
- Dolgan. __________
[Following the great quake in history, Xylphania was split into four continents. The civilisations on each continent put aside their differences, and advanced in society on each of the continents.]
[On the western fragment of Xylphania, the country of Hurahn was formed. Boasting men and women known for their peerless physical strength, they set to erecting strong buildings and training their people for battle. Fearless, bloodthirsty and savage, the Hurahn people were eager to conquer the other continents. Only mountainous paths and chill conditions surrounding the Starbridges quelled their movement, for they could not protect themselves against the harsh nature. Mages were rarely seen in Hurahn, for they were seen as abominations.]
[Opposing Hurahn, on the eastern fragment, was the Pryhn Empire. Putting themselves to faith after the great quake, the religion turned towards prayer for sustenance. Beautiful cities were formed, aristocratic hierarchies were in place, with the Arch Priest of Pryhn ruling the Empire. Many Druids found themselves converted into Pryhn faith, for their power of healing and protection. The divide between the poor and rich was enormous, however, and corruption ever seeped through the higher ranks of society.]
[Along the shattered islands and small fragments of land along the south, laid the Allied Tribes of Demishn. The tribes banded together, and chose to live a simple life. They lived off the land, and gave back to the land. In the past, many Mages who chose the solitary life chose Demishn as their home continent. They defended their land savagely, eliminating those who strove to conquer them from the west, and those who strove to convert them from the east. The tribes welcomed any who sought refuge from the two large countries, but gave harsh judgement to those who dared harm their people.]
[To the north, nestled between two mountainous ranges, was the Zelhn Kingdom. A sworn hero of the people gathered followers after the great quake, and brought much hope and love to the people of the northern continent. Choosing to be a ruler of these people, the hero married, and gave birth, starting the royal bloodline of Zelhn. He ordered a central city to be built, where his castle was to be, and gave instructions for the construction of villages and outposts through the land, so all his people could be satisfied. He ruled his people fairly and justly, and bred little to no hatred from his people. The land in turn was bountiful, providing the Kingdom with produce all year round. Many Mages lived a life of peace and prosperity in the Zelhn kingdom.]
[Many refugees seeking to hide from the cruel blade of Hurahn, or the brainwashing of Pryhn, often fled to Zelhn or Demishn. Zelhn had open arms for refugees, finding common labour for the men and women to find a purpose in life, and provided food and a roof over their head for the duration of their stay. Demishn integrated the refugees into their tribes, teaching them their ways.]
[For this reason, Zelhn and Demishn remained friendly, if unofficial, allies, helping each continent through the worst of troubles. In times of Demishn drought, merchants from Zelhn passed over the Starbridge linking the two lands, bringing much needed food and water. In times of Zelhn strife with skirmish, Demishn offered troops to combat and force invaders out of the land. It was a settled arrangement that both continents were happy for.]
[Hurahn and Pryhn, seeing the alliance between Zelhn and Demishn, attempted to create a truce of their own. However, their views were significantly different, with Hurahn's focus on brute strength colliding with Pryhn's methods of converting and eliminating non-believers. The truce failed, and both countries remain in a tight war against one another.]
[For generations, the same history repeated. Pryhn and Hurahn invaded Zelhn and Demishn, but were successfully repelled by joint efforts. Pryhn and Hurahn remain in a deadlock, fighting in a bloodbath which surrounded the Starbridges on both sides.]
...
"But Natasha?" a small voice came from in front of the room.
Natasha looked up from the book she was reading from and directed her attention to the child with a raised hand. "Yes, your Highness?"
"Why can't Pryhn and Demishn be friends?" the boy asked with a confused expression.
Natasha smiled at the boy. "They believe in two different things, your Highness. And sometimes, when two people believe differently, they will hate each other."
"But I like different things from Lokien! He likes playing with girls, but I like playing by myself," the boy questioned. "We like each other!"
"Not everyone is as kind-hearted as you, my prince," Natasha said. "They don't understand that being friends doesn't mean they have to like things the other person does, but more about respect."
"Then why can't someone be friends with them both? They can then be happy!" the boy exclaimed.
Natasha smiled and patted the boy's head. "That'll be up to you, Prince Tiwaz Zelhn. You are first to become King after your father, so you should make it something to do when you wear the crown."
Tiwaz smiled up at Natasha. "I will! I'll make sure everyone becomes friends!"
Natasha picked up her book, smoothing away her grey-speckled white hair. Staring at a stray hair, she lapsed into thought.
She had been in service to the Zelhn royalty for two centuries, as Court Mage. Two long centuries, knowing that her kind was slowly dwindling. Ten Mages, no more, existed in the world. There had been no new Mages brought into the world for the past seven decades.
What will happen to the Kingdom she sought so long to protect when she breathed her last? How will the world survive the loss of those who passed power through the land, keeping the Rift at bay?
She dreaded the answers, but she knew that she had to play a part in preparing for the last bastion. And she had one purpose; to teach the child in front of her all she knew on how to rule justly.
"Let's continue with the lesson, your Highness," she said smoothly as she flipped a page.
The prologue is complete. For readers who are still interested, I hope you gained a bit of understanding of the world I imagine.
Please send any comments to aexiv125@gmail.com. Until the next chapter.