《Three Nations: Gaia》


 Chapter 1

    Walking around Cosmos Market can be quite hectic. With constant yelling from the stall owners and the rumbles of customers looking for a bargain, the noise was deafening at times. And oh the sight, what a sight it is. The shuffles of people alone were sight to see. The many brilliant colors of rare exotic items and food brightened up every corner of the market. People from all over Gaia came to take a glimpse of things that they have never experienced. The exotic fruits of Thalassa were popular for its particularly sweet taste. The rich sought multicolored birds of Ouranos that sang melodies of heavens. There was something for everyone here.


    But Cosmos Market was truly famous for one reason. After all it was one of the only places to buy purified magic! It may cost a fortune to buy a tiny bottled up water, air, and fire, but many sought after them. They didn¡¯t do much. Without experience and talent it was useless to most people. Still people filled the Market everyday for them. And today was no different.


    Two customers bickered and yelled while the stall owner looked at them with glee. Why wouldn¡¯t he? With the way the two were fighting he would be making almost triple the amount he had placed on that particular item. And it was gathering a crowd of people. More customers for him!


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay you 800 vis for it!¡± A young boy who was sitting at a caf¨¦ across the stall observed them curiously. The customer who yelled was a tall man dressed very nicely with fine silk robe. The boy could see the man had other magic vials on his belt every time the man flared his arms around in the air.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay you 850 vis. You should only sell precious items like this to people who know how to use them!¡± The second customer spat out with a scowl on his face. He was short and definitely looked poor compared to the first customer.


    ¡°Know how to use them? Of course I know how to use them! I am quite a gifted magician if I say so myself.¡± The first man huffed and flicked his robes to proudly show the other vials.


    ¡°Magician? Ha! You think carrying around those bottles make you a magician? Rich guys like you think these are precious collectables but they are more than that! It¡¯s people like you that makes it hard on magicians like me to buy these damn things!¡±


    ¡°Now, now gentlemen. Please. I¡¯ll have more air vials coming in from Ouranos in just two more days. Won¡¯t one of you come in then?¡± More people gathered around the stall when the tension between the two men didn¡¯t die down. Some couldn¡¯t hide their excitement in hopes the two of them did fight. It was quite a rare sight to see two magicians fight with magic after all. The young boy leaned closer when he saw the rich man reaching for one of the vials on his belt. It was blue. Water magic.


    ¡°I don''t have time to come back in two days! I need that vial now. If you won¡¯t back off willingly I¡¯ll make you back off!¡± The first customer growled and opened vial with a big whoosh of his hands. The water inside the bottle gently floated out and circled around his wrist. The crowd¡¯s murmuring grew louder. The second customer visibly flinched, for he had been certain that the other man carried the magic vials for show.


    ¡°You- you think you can make me back off?¡± he stuttered. The crowd and the young boy held their breath as the second man made motions to grab something from his faded coat. It was a white vial. Air magic. ¡°I¡¯ll show you what real magic is like!¡± He made wide motions similar to the first man as he opened up his bottle. But unlike the first man¡¯s water that visibly circled his hand, air magic was invisible to the eyes. It looked much less threatening.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be sorry for this!¡± the first man yelled while wildly flinging his arm. His beautiful silk robe fluttered around him. The water rushed from his hand and towards the other customer. The second man screeched in fear as the water came closer to him and blindly swished his own hand.


    For exactly one second everyone held their breath. Then everyone hollered with laughter. Both customers¡¯ face turned red as neither of their magic did any damage to the other. All the water did was splash his hair. And all the air did was give a light breeze to the other man. Even the young boy couldn¡¯t stop his chuckle as the two duelers made fun of themselves with their show of magic. With their faces hidden in their hands both tried to run away from the jeering masses.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Wait! Wait gentlemen what about this Air Vial?¡± The stall owner yelled out after the rushing men with grief. ¡°Please I¡¯ll take 400 vis for it! Come back! Stupid wannabe magicians. It was such a perfect chance to make a profit!¡± the owner grumbled as he put the small white bottle away in a secure case.


    The crowd dispersed within seconds but the young boy remained on his chair.


    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± The sudden voice behind the boy startled him, though he quickly turned around with a big grin.


    ¡°Dad! I was just watching that stall with the magic vials.¡± He answered. ¡°There were two magicians who wanted to buy air magic and got into a magicians duel.¡± He continued to tell what he observed as his father took the seat in front of him.


    ¡°A Magicians Duel? Was it fantastical?¡± the older man¡¯s voice was filled with mirth as he asked his son.


    The boy¡¯s grin became larger ¡°No. It was quite UN- fantastical.¡± And the two of them laughed. ¡°Oh dad, have a piolab. I can¡¯t believe there was a stall that had them. Don¡¯t they usually grow around the summer?¡± As he spoke he took a bite of the purple fruit on the dish in front. The sweet salty taste filled his mouth. It was delicious.


    ¡°Thalassa¡¯s oceans have been quite warm this year. I believe they are going to have a great harvest.¡± The dad explained as he took a piece his son was handing to him. ¡°Yum. I can eat a ton of these!¡±


    ¡°They are terrible for your cholesterol sir. Please only eat one. You too Jae. The sodium content in that fruit is disgusting.¡±


    The boy turned to the woman who said his name. ¡°But Melinda! They¡¯re so good!¡± Jae stated as he bit into another piece and tried to hand another piece to his dad.


    ¡°Jae. You¡¯re young. But your dad isn¡¯t. So unless your dad want to hand over the presidency to the vice president, I suggest he doesn¡¯t eat it.¡± Melinda emphasized the last sentence with a glare.


    ¡°Now, now Melinda. A little Piolab isn¡¯t going to drive me into an early grave. Though I do have to admit Moss will do quite a job even if I do happen to drop dead from eating too much of this sweet and salty goodness!¡±


    ¡°Mr. President!¡±


    ¡°Alas Melinda, you don¡¯t have to make such a horrified face. I won¡¯t eat another piece just for you. It¡¯s also time to make our way back to the Hall right? Let¡¯s go Jae¡±


    As Jae and his dad stood up from their chairs the guards that were standing nearby stood in attention. Silently the men followed behind them as the three of them made their way to the car.


    It should have been a sight to see for the people in the Cosmos Market. But Jae watched as everyone around them ignored them. People went their way unknowing of their President¡¯s presence. Air and fire magic: Illusion. When Jae peeked behind his shoulder he saw the two magicians synching their magic that made this possible.


    Soon the entourage entered the cars that were waiting for them. Jae took his seat besides his dad while Melinda took the seat in front of them. The car ride was peaceful, and Jae watched the window as the scenery passed by him.


    Gaia was a beautiful country. Skyscrapers reached for the heavens as the cities grew with the population. As their car came to a stop at a light, Jae watched children rush outside from one of those buildings. Few of them held their phones out as they played a game even Jae loved playing. Gaians enjoyed a technological revolution that expanded the way of life. But most importantly Gaia boomed with open trading and welcomed both Thalassa and Ouranos. Tourist from both countries increased and Gaia benefited.


    Jae glanced at his dad who was busy reading documents. He watched his father¡¯s brow knit close together in a frown. Sometimes Jae will ask what¡¯s wrong to only be reprimanded by Melinda for asking. ¡®Jae you know Mr. President can¡¯t tell you!¡¯ So now he doesn¡¯t bother. As more scenery passed them by, Jae¡¯s eyes began drooping and quickly he fell asleep at some point.


    It seemed like mere minutes passed when he opened his eyes and watched Melinda take out her tablet and frown.


    ¡°Mr. President, Emperor Sho has sent a message.¡± Melinda handed him her device. Whatever Emperor Sho must have written brought a smile to his father¡¯s face.


    ¡°It seems like we are going to have a great time Thalassa! Emperor Sho has invited us to see the Challengers Competition. What luck.¡± Jae¡¯s dad smiled as he clapped his son¡¯s shoulder lightly.


    ¡°Really? But isn¡¯t that event only for the people of Thalassa? I heard others aren¡¯t allowed to watch?¡± Jae asked sleepily


    ¡°Well it looks like the present I bought for Emperor Sho today won¡¯t go to waste. This is really quite something Jae. Quite something!¡±


    ¡°Mr. President, we arrived.¡± Melinda announced when their car reached the Hall. The guards opened their door and stood in attention as they got out of it. Jae¡¯s dad nodded his head in greeting to the people waiting for him.


    ¡°Gentlemen, tomorrow is an exciting day. Gaia and Thalassa were once enemies. But our great leaders came together to end the war between us. How far we come! We opened our doors to Thalassa and gained benefit of trade between us. But Thalassa has always been closed to us. But tomorrow we make history. In celebration of our one hundred year of peace, Thalassa¡¯s doors will finally open!¡±


    Jae¡¯s heart fluttered when the small gathering of people roared with cheer after his dad¡¯s speech. Thalassa was finally open. And he was going to be one of the first Gaian in over one hundred year to enter it. ¡®Thalassa here I come!¡¯

 Chapter 2

    ¡°Wake up Jae. We¡¯re almost at the border.¡±


    Jae woke up with a jerk. He couldn¡¯t believe he fell asleep! When he looked up, his father smiled and pointed at the window.


    ¡°Look. There it is. The Great Divide.¡±


    Instantly Jae¡¯s eyes went round at what he saw. In front of them was a massive wall of Ice. It was magnificent. Jae turned left and right and as far as he could see the Ice wall stood proudly with no end in sight. ¡°How tall is it?¡± Jae asked in wonder. He couldn¡¯t even see the top of the thing!


    ¡°It¡¯s 10 miles high, 6 miles deep and the wall surround all of Thalassa.¡± His dad informed him. ¡°This was one of the biggest obstacles during the great war. And only when Gaia and Ouranos allied together were they able to breach this.¡± He paused for a moment. ¡°Thalassa. What a beauty she is.¡± He whispered. Jae couldn¡¯t agree more.


    As their ship came closer to the border, the Great Divide became even more massive. Every Gaian gathered at the windows appreciating its magnificence. Even the stoic guards and magicians couldn¡¯t stop the wonders from showing on their faces.


    ¡°From this point on please put on your protective glasses please!¡± People took out the glasses they had been provided at the beginning of the trip as the intercom announced.


    ¡°Why do we need these?¡± Jae quietly asked.


    ¡°Oh you¡¯ll see soon enough.¡± Was his father¡¯s reply.


    And soon enough he did see! The lights. It was so bright! The wall reflected lights of every color and the closer the ship got the brighter it shone. Soon, even with the protective glasses most people had to avert their eyes. Jae tried his best to keep staring but he too turned away when it became too much.


    ¡°Just a little more and the lights should die down.¡± The ship¡¯s intercom announced once more. Moans of relief were heard throughout the ship when it indeed died down. ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen of Gaia, let me, as your Captain, be the first to welcome you to Thalassa!¡±


    At first Jae couldn¡¯t see anything, but besides him he heard his dad gasp out loud. Impatiently Jae rubbed eyes so that he could see what his dad saw. Little by little his eyes adjusted and he too gasped.


    There were so many activities all around them! Sailors were on ships and boats yelling across each other. The flurries of marine activity were overwhelming on their own but something else really caught Jae¡¯s eyes. People walking on water!


    ¡°Dad look!¡± Jae pointed at the ocean and just behind the water he saw people going about their ways as if they were on land. As Thalassians saw their ship approach some of the people who were underneath the water jumped out and stood on top of the sea as if it was the most natural thing to do.


    ¡°Imbedders¡± Jae heard the near by magicians whisper. As their ship made their way to the dock, more and more Thalassians came out from under the water and stood to watch them curiously. The Gaians on the ship gawked at the sight.


    Then one of the onlookers from the sea raised her hands and shouted.


    ¡°Welcome Gaians to our kingdom!¡± And from within her hands bubbles came out and floated gently in the sky. More people followed after her and yelled out their greetings while making their own bubbles. The people on the ship with Jae started to laugh in wonder and waved and shouted back in greetings.


    Jae watched as his dad stand up and make his way to the outside deck.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°Look! It¡¯s the President of Gaia!¡± and more hollers of greeting were heard.


    Jae¡¯s dad waved his hands and spoke.


    ¡°Thalassa! Thank you for welcoming us to your beautiful kingdom. We Gaians heard many things from diplomats and tales from sailors of Thalassa. But I think I can speak for all of us when I say I never could have phantom how beautiful this place is!¡± he paused when he heard shouts of agreement. ¡°And we are honored to be in this place now.¡± And he bowed.


    The Thalassians on the sea yelled and more and more bubbles flew into the sky in celebration of this historic moment. Inside the ship, Melinda came to stand next to Jae.


    ¡°Look that¡¯s Emperor Sho.¡± She whispered in his ears. And Jae saw him. Standing on top of the deck stood a gigantic man with long white beard. He held his trident of legend and even this far away Jae could see his warm smile. It was obvious his dad saw him too when he took another bow in Emperor Sho¡¯s direction.


    Jae watched as the Emperor held his trident out and in an instant the bubbles that were flying in the sky turned to little ice crystals. They were suspended in the air as if they were attached to a string in the sky. The Gaian magicians gasped in shock at the show of Emperor Sho¡¯s magic.


    As their ship made dock, everyone was eager to finally take their first step in Thalassa. The excitement filled the air when Emperor Sho with his royal guard made their way towards them. Jae¡¯s dad once again smiled and held out his hand. The Emperor took it and they shook hands.


    ¡°President Saw! I welcome you to my Kingdom. And as always you have your way with words! Come let us celebrate!¡± The Emperor¡¯s voice boomed. Up close the emperor was much bigger than Jae¡¯s father. His figure loomed and his dad had to crane his neck to see him eye to eye.


    ¡°Emperor Sho, I can¡¯t wait to see and learn more of your Kingdom. And I want to thank you again for inviting us to the Challengers Competition! To think we will be able to witness such thing was unimaginable!¡± Everyone nearby could hear the excitement in the Gaian President¡¯s voice.


    Emperor Sho laughter boomed once more. ¡°Oh you are going to have a great time here! Let go now! I¡¯m sure you are starving.¡±


    Quickly everyone began following after their leaders. Jae walked with the procession and he looked left and right to take in the sights. More people gathered now and Jae could see stalls similar to what he would see in the Cosmos Market with variety of things.


    ¡°Look Melinda piolab!¡± Jae stated as he poked her in the shoulder.


    ¡°Jae.¡± Melinda¡¯s warning was simple but effective. Jae sheepishly looked at her and made motions with his hands in surrender. ¡°Don¡¯t cause any trouble.¡± She warned once more.


    ¡°I won¡¯t! But there¡¯s so much to see!¡± he whined just a bit. ¡°Can¡¯t I just take a quick look at the stalls? In and out. I¡¯ll be right beside you again within 15 minuets. No 10 minutes! Please Melinda?¡± The moment she sighed Jae knew he won her over.


    ¡°Back next to me in 10 minute. Got it?¡± She waved her hand at one of the guards. When Jae opened his mouth to complain she glared once more ¡°Take the guard or you¡¯re sticking right next to me.¡± Jae sighed while she smiled ¡°Please look after Jae.¡± She told the guard. The guard nodded.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡¯ the young boy stated eagerly pushing at his new personal guard. The guard followed along quietly. There was so much to see! Jae rushed from stall to stall. New fruits!


    ¡°Gaian boy, do you want to try this?¡± An old shop owner held out an orange colored fruit. ¡°I bet you never tried this before!¡± Jae eagerly nodded and tried to take a bite of the new fruit. But before he could the guard next to him stopped him.


    ¡°No¡± was all he said.


    ¡°But! Please?¡±


    ¡°No¡±


    Jae sighed and gave the fruit back to the shop owner. ¡°Thank you.¡± He told him


    ¡°Hey Gaian boy! Come look at these!¡± Other shop owners shouted towards him holding out a trinket. ¡°Look these are precious pearls from deep under Thalassa! They are good luck.¡± Jae bounced his way to the next stall. The necklace was pretty.


    ¡°Is that water inside the pearl?¡± Jae asked the stall owner in wonder. Jae watched a little drop of water swirling inside the tiny trinket.


    ¡°Sure it is! That tiny drop of water was purified from the depth of Thalassa.¡± The stall owner proudly stated holding out the necklace so that Jae can inspect it closer.


    Jae looked over at his guard and even before he could ask, he answered.


    ¡°No¡±


    ¡°Ugh!¡± Jae groaned. What was the point if he couldn¡¯t do anything?


    ¡°5 more minuets.¡± The guard stated sternly.


    ¡°Already?¡± Jae exclaimed in horror. There was so much he wanted to see. ¡°Ok, ok one more stall!¡± Jae stated and pushed his guard faster to the next stall. But before he could someone bumped into him. Jae groaned quietly before apologizing to the person he bumped into. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t looking where I was going.¡±


    The man he bumped into growled. ¡°Gaian.¡± The man spat out. Hostility dripped from his voice. Soon Jae felt hands on his shoulder as the Guard pulled him behind.


    ¡°We are guests of Emperor Sho. If you have any complaints with us here, does that mean you have complaint against your Emperor?¡± The guard growled.


    The Thalassian growled again and Jae saw his guard going for his gun. Jae grimaced. ¡®Oh no this is my fault¡­¡¯


    ¡°Whoa, Whoa! Old man! Emperor Sho said to treat our esteem guests from Gaia with respect!¡± Suddenly a boy stepped between the men.


    ¡°Get out of the way Hwa!¡± The man growled loudly. The boy who the man called Hwa raised his hands. Suddenly water surrounded his whole arms. The growling man visibly flinched.


    ¡°Are you going against our Emperor?¡± Hwa asked sternly. The Thalassians around them began whispering. Jae took a step back when his guard kept him closed behind him.


    ¡°Of course I¡¯m not.¡± The man growled and he backed down. Jae felt relief course through him.


    ¡°Good. Then on your way you go.¡± Hwa stated and the water magic he casted disappeared. The Thalassian boy turned to the two of them when the man was no longer in sight. ¡°Welcome Thalassa. Don''t mind guys like him! Most of us are excited you are here! But I think you should make your way back to the procession. They are pretty far ahead of you now.¡± Hwa stated with a smile.


    The guard nodded his agreement and thanked him. Jae stared at the boy. He couldn¡¯t have been that much older than Jae himself. But he was able to cast magic without a vial! Jae startled himself when he felt hands on his shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to go Jae.¡± And he followed his guard back into the procession.