《Titan's Avatar》 Prologue - Old Stories In the beginning, there was only Chaos. For eons, the entity sat alone in a vast nothingness. Chaos wondered why he was here and the point of his existence in the void. Time passed, and Chaos discovered emotion, the fondest of all was loneliness. Soon the loneliness overcame Chaos, and he wept. He wept and cried to nothing but the void. He desperately craved for the loneliness to end. For someone to be with him. The void listened to the woe of Chaos and took pity on him. From the tears of Chaos came Creation. The answer of the void and the end of his loneliness. Chaos marveled at the ethereal beauty of Creation. She went to him and brought the sad entity into her tender embrace. She told him to cry no more, for she would end his loneliness forever. Creation cupped the face of Chaos and wiped the tears from his eyes. Creation gathered the great multitude of tears and created a great globe of water. This she named the Sea. Creation then sacrificed some of her very own flesh to create a solid surface in the vast world. And this she called the Earth. Creation then held the globe gently and blew on it. Creating the majestic blue air which she called the Sky. Chaos was astonished at the beauty of her masterpiece. The sea a beautiful sapphire, accented by the verdant land and crystal skies. Creation went to Chaos and asked him to hold her, for she was fatigued. Chaos couldn¡¯t help but ask if this was real for he still could not believe. She hugged him tight assuring that her touch was real as the world. At this moment Chaos discovered a new emotion. Different from loneliness. He felt it warm him as he looked at the beautiful face of Creation. He felt love. The love of Creation and Chaos was so great that a strong flame came to be. The great fire warmed the world. The Sun it was called. Under the warmth of the Sun, the love of Chaos and Creation blossomed further. So mighty that it might last forever. And from this came the Moon. A symbol of the eternity of their bond. After a night Creation made the most special gift of all. She made life, so much life that she might end loneliness forever. Birds and Beasts she made. From the earth and sea, she made humanity. Humanity was created in the image of Chaos and Creation. Too, man, she gifted free will so they may make their own destiny. She granted them emotion so they may love. Mortality she gave them so they would value the life she so carefully crafted. Chaos gave way to Creation, and they both watched her children with great love. Creation finished with her great gift went to lie with Chaos. Creation and Chaos in their love conceived six children. The six children were mighty with the power of both their parents. They were called the Titans and were given the duty to watch over humanity. Dimitr the eldest of the six. The power of the Earth he was given. His will would be his greatest quality. The ability to stand fast he would inspire in man. Loire the second of the siblings. He was given the domain of the Sea. His strength of mind would be his greatest quality. To always dream and wonder he would inspire in man. Alizeh the third. The great Blue Sky she was given. Her passion would be her most excellent quality. Humanity she would protect like the great blue. Fourth who came was Eawa. The power of life she was given like her mother. Her love and mercy would be her greatest qualities. The care and love of life she would give to the host of the world. The fifth would be Aisha. The power of the Moon she would be given. Her patience would be her greatest quality. In man, she would inspire eternity. That love and emotion last forever. To not be absorbed in the physical world for it does not last. The youngest of the siblings was Sol. The radiance of the Sun he was given. His greatest quality would be his confidence. Sol was the most special of the siblings, his determination making him the strongest. In man, he would inspire hope. He would encourage freedom. To never give up and push forwards no matter the odds. Sol was the greatest beacon of man. The Titans would watch over the world to ensure no calamity would befall it. For Eons they guided humanity, leading them into a Golden Age. As Creation and Chaos watched over the world like dutiful parents. But nothing lasts forever and the time of peace would soon end¡­ As Chaos watched humanity his horror at their actions grew. He watched as humanity would come into the world innocent. But then they changed. Greed and baser emotions always overcame them. Not wishing to interfere with the gift of free will. Chaos could only watch as man would slay each other. Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers. Destroying the beautiful world his wife had toiled over. Chaos didn¡¯t understand the point of it all. The children of his wife that he loved so at first. We''re slowly becoming an abomination to him. He went to Creation and asked her to take their free will away, to force them to be good. Creation wouldn¡¯t yield. She told Chaos that life¡¯s greatest challenge was to choose what''s right. To learn from your mistakes and to choose the better path next time. If they were forced to do what''s right wouldn¡¯t that all be a lie? A false peace. Chaos was angered with the decision of his wife.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He then discovered a new emotion. One that made him cold and crushed all previous. He found hate. He hated men for what they did to each other. For disregarding his wife''s many gifts. To Chaos humanity no longer deserved the gift of life. Life was a privilege that they had abused and no longer deserved. While Creation slept, Chaos went down to the world. He created abominations only capable of slaughter. He named them the Husks. Imbuing them with his power tainted by hatred. He sent them out to destroy mankind. Thus the great war began. Creation could not believe her husband¡¯s great betrayal. The gifts she made for him he now wished to destroy. She pleaded with him not to commit such an atrocity. But Chaos would not listen. He could not listen. To him wasn¡¯t it better to end all of life, than rather it suffer for all eternity? Chaos could not bear to watch the world suffer. As much as his wife could not watch it burn. Their views separated them, their bond was broken¡­ With the bond of Creation and Chaos broken, war engulfed the world. The Titans rallied humanity to prevent their extinction. For hundreds of years the war raged, Humanity and the Titans could not prevail. It was a war of attrition, and humanity was losing. Billions of lives consumed by Chaos. Creation had vowed that she would not interfere in the destiny of man. But the cries of her children would cause her to break it. On the eve of the last battle. When humanity was bloodied and bruised; up against a wall with no hope in sight. If they lost here, they would be extinguished. Despair almost consumed them but, Creation came to them. She shined her light onto the world. Giving a small portion of her power to humanity. The power of Creation. A weapon that only goes as far as your imagination. Most called it magic. With it, she gave them light in the dark. With a new found hope, Humanity and the Titans bravely faced the adversary. Believing that they could overcome fate itself and prevail. Many noble souls burned brightly that day. Sol the greatest of all, his determination to save humanity inspired every person. Victory seemed like it would come, even with the numerous casualties they started to push the Husks back. But like a mighty wind snuffing out a fire. Chaos entered the battle. He refused to let humanity live. His presence increased the ferocity of the Husks and humanity began to lose. They could only flee at the might of Chaos. Sol overcome with fury at his father, led the Titans to battle. But they were fighting for naught. What could the Titans do against their father, Chaos himself? As Sol and his sibling lay broken and defeated, their mother reached out to them. She offered them a choice. They could die and let humanity perish. Or she could ignite their souls giving them great power, but at the cost of their lives. Sol did not hesitate to accept, even if they died¡­ He wanted humanity to live. It was his duty. Renewed the Titans stood up from the dirt. They were resolute. They would defeat their father no matter the cost to themselves. Sol and his siblings fought their father to a standstill. But still, could not defeat him. But at this time Creation stepped in for a third and final time. She used the remainder of her power to seal Chaos away. Chaos was too weak from the conflict with his children to resist. He could only curse her. Proclaiming that his actions were a kindness humanity did not deserve. He promised her that he would return and she would pay for stopping him. In a great display Chaos and the Husks, were sealed away. Leaving Creation exhausted. She went to recover, entering a deep sleep that none knew if she would wake from. On the battlefield, the Titans lay dying. Even with his death, imminent Sol felt at peace. Humanity had been saved from Chaos. In his last moments, he called the six greatest warriors of humanity to him. He and his sibling had come to a mutual agreement. The world would need protectors when they died. For Chaos would surely return. Taking their power, the Titans forged the Guardian Stones. Each Titan infused a warrior of their choice with a stone. Their power becoming a part of them so they and future holders would guard the world at their passing. These six and their inheritors would be the Avatars. They would embody the Titans power. With their work done, all of the Titans but Sol passed at peace. Sol still had words that need to be spoken with his inheritor. Conditions for his stone¡¯s use had to be applied. He promised the warrior that if his power was ever misused that calamity would befall the holder. And access to his power would be lost. In his last breath, he asked the warrior to save humanity not only from Chaos. But from themselves. For that was truly their greatest enemy. Then Sol, the mightiest son of Creation and Chaos. The light of humanity passed from the world forever.
¡°Mom! The story just can¡¯t end like that?! What happened to the warriors? When will Chaos comeback?¡± A young child lamented. His mother only laughed at his outburst. A musical laugh it was, like crystal bells ¡°Well, all of the warriors except the Avatar of Sol. Went on to make the Othrys Alliance across the sea. The Avatar of Sol made the Star Empire.¡± She paused, and a forlorn look crossed her face. ¡°But forty years ago the last emperor wanted more. He went to war with the Alliance and well my son you know who lost.¡± She smiled sadly. ¡°Was us losing the war the great calamity that Sol warned the warrior of?¡± The child asked. The mother looked out the window of the small cottage they resided in. The morning rays defined her features. Hair like threads of gold framed her delicate features. And brought out the unusual color of her amber eyes. Her beautiful face, had a somber expression etched onto it. ¡°The weak can only bow to the strong. Our emperor was made weak by his greed. So now we all pay the price.¡± A sad smile tugged at her lips. ¡°Now, enough of old stories. Hurry to the town square and get the rations for today. And don¡¯t cause trouble with any of the Alliance guards! You worry me too much with that hotheadedness of yours.¡± She ruffled the boy''s light brown hair and shooed him along. ¡°Alright! Alright! I¡¯m going, mom!¡± The boy jumped out of his mother lap and scrambled to the door. He gripped the door knob tightly. He paused and turned to face her. His amber eyes held a fire deep within them. ¡°Mom¡­ One day do you think we will be free?¡± She gave him a light smile. ¡°One day¡­ Yes, I think we will be free.¡± The boy gave his mom an elated grin and bolted out the door. His mother watched him from the small dining table. The rundown cottage desolate without the energetic boy. ¡°Oh, Aiden¡­ I only wish fate was so kind.¡± Crystal tears fell from her soft amber eyes. Each drop holding a small hope for her dear son. If Aiden only knew the heavy price of freedom. Chapter 1 - Alslein Alslein was one of the poorer towns in the Parvus province. After the war, the Alliance divided up the Empire into many separate territories. Parvus was on the lowest rung of all the territories. It wasn¡¯t a large producer of goods, nor did it have any substantial resources. The province of Parvus did provide a good amount of labor. Many people from Parvus were forced into labor camps or went to serve in other regions as cheap, and expendable products. Alslein was allowed more liberty in the fact that it had usable farmland. The people could work the land but under the strict supervision of the Alliance. But they couldn¡¯t do anything if the Alliance wanted to take them away or simply kill them. So they were still no better than slaves. Aiden ran down the dusty roads as fast as he could. He hoped he would be able to make it to the stand before the line got too long. Aiden ran by the many village traders and offered a quick hello. Many people traded the little food they were allowed to keep for other essentials. In Alslein food is what made you wealthy. Aiden rounded the corner and slammed right into the back of the line. ¡°Fuck kid! Watch where you''re going! Before I shove my foot where the sun doesn''t shine!¡± A burly man raged. He gave Aiden a swift kick knocking him into the dirt. Aiden boiled in anger but could do nothing but swallow it. Nothing good would come from getting into a fight. He had cold sweats thinking about what his mom would do if he came back with no rations. Not to mention if he came back looking like a lumpy potato. ¡°Why is it everytime I find you, your ass is in the dirt or a brawl.¡± A young voice goaded from behind Aiden. Aiden cursed and looked to see who would dare insult him. He turned to see his friend smiling like a pig in an orchard. ¡°Oh Hiram, surprised to see you doing something useful this morning.¡± ¡°Oi! Sleeping is doing something useful! Unlike you, I take care of myself.¡± Hiram gave Aiden a playful smirk. ¡°Well, now we both get to enjoy being at the back of the line.¡± Aiden rolled his eyes. He gripped Hiram¡¯s hand which in turn lifted him off the ground. Hiram had been Aiden¡¯s friend for as long as he could remember. Hiram was as lazy as could be most of the time. And his sharp tongue could make people cough up blood. But he was like a brother to Aiden. They had been through thick and thin together. Every brawl Aiden ended up in Hiram would come charging in like a mad bull. When Aiden was in the dirt, he could count on Hiram to pick him up. ¡°Haa¡­ I hate being the one to get rations.¡± Hiram gave a deep yawn. ¡°I can hear my bed calling me.¡± ¡°Quit whining you always sleep in while everyone else does the work.¡± Aiden scoffed. ¡°How''s the rest of the family?¡± ¡°Well, Mom and Pop are working the farm as usual. Mom recently had Liz do some bead making. She hopes to sell ¡®em in town, bring in some extra food. And Mark is still cute as can be; he started crawling yesterday." He gave a sigh. ¡°And I''m not in a warm bed but standing in line with a hopeless idiot.¡± Aiden massaged his temples at the last remark. Ignoring the insult, he was too shocked at how someone could be so lazy. A commotion at the front of the line interrupted the pair''s banter. ¡°Hey, let''s go see what''s happening.¡± Aiden grabbed Hiram and dragged him to where a circle was forming. Hiram did not have a good feeling about this. ¡°Go home you old hag! Food is only for those who can work!¡± A group of Alliance soldiers had pulled an old lady out of the line. ¡°B-But please my grandchildren need food!¡± she sobbed. She held onto the soldier''s boot desperately begging. ¡°Not our problem you¡¯re all easily replaced.¡± ¡°P-Please don¡¯t do this, I beg of you. Please, just one ration that''s all I ask!¡± ¡°Enough you piece of filth! You¡¯re not even worthy to lick my boots!¡± The soldier violently bashed the butt of his rifle into the old woman''s skull. She gave a shriek of pain and held her head. Blood poured through her fingers. The soldiers all laughed at her cries. Aiden felt his face burn at the injustice. His feet began to carry him forward. He couldn¡¯t sit idly by and watch as those monsters abuse a helpless old lady. ¡°Aiden! Don¡¯t do it. They will kill you. Hey! Listen to me damn it!¡± Hiram tried to pull Aiden back. Aiden shrugged him off and continued forward.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Hey! You bastards leave her alone she just wants food!¡± Aiden yelled at the guards. ¡°Oh, what''s this? A little boy who thinks he''s a man?¡± The group''s laughter increased ten fold at the soldier''s remark. Aiden burned in anger. ¡°You think you''re better than us! You''re nothing more than a bunch of animals wearing a human''s skin!¡± ¡°Watch your mouth brat before I shut it for good.¡± ¡°You''re all a bunch of cowards. No man would attack an old lady who only wants food!¡± ¡°Brat I warned you once, now don¡¯t blame me for being rough!¡± The soldier made a grab for Aiden his face red with anger. Aiden quickly ducked under his arms and gave him a swift kick to the shin. The soldier grunted in pain and smashed his knee into Aiden''s stomach. The soldier towered over Aiden and began to kick him repeatedly. The soldier gave his last kick, breathing harshly after the beating. Aiden vomited onto the ground. He clutched his ribs tightly a small line of tears ran down his face. The soldier bent down and grabbed Aiden by the hair. He liftedhim close to his face. ¡°You''re lucky I didn¡¯t kill you today brat. But what fun would that be? No, I¡¯ll spare you only so you can die a dog''s death. Befitting a little. Slave. Like. You.¡± He spat the last part out venomously and threw Aiden back into the dirt. ¡°The rest of you back in line! Before I give you all a similar punishment. You would all dare to bite the hands of your masters!¡± The audience was already white with fear from the brutal display. The townspeople hurriedly went back in line. Like meek sheep who could only obey and follow. The soldiers stalked off. Their laughs and insults further humiliated the people. Hiram hurried over to Aiden. His eyes were watery from watching his friend beaten. ¡°Damn you¡­ If you¡¯d only listen.¡± He cursed. ¡°Shut up! You¡¯re a coward! You can hardly get out of bed. Let alone stand up for what''s right!¡± Aiden roared at Hiram. Hiram flinched at the remark apparently hurt. His brow darkened. ¡°You know Aiden. I think of you like my brother. But I won¡¯t jump to join you in a senseless death. I have things I care about as well. ¡± Hiram walked off with the rations for his family. Leaving Aiden alone in the dirt without a hand to pick him up. Aiden immediately felt regret at his words. He tried to call Hiram back, but the words caught in his throat. ¡°Damn it!¡± The tears poured further. He had no rations, hurt his friend and got his ass beat. Aiden cursed himself for not controlling himself. He just couldn''t watch them do as they pleased. It just went against something fundamental in him. ¡°You know son. That temper of yours is gonna cost you a lot if you don¡¯t control it.¡± A deep masculine voice said. Aiden looked up to see Elias. Elias had been a friend of Aiden¡¯s family for as long as he could remember. He was quite the bear of a man, limbs thick as tree trunks. His dark brown hair was unkempt and shaggy. His blue eyes were warm and soothing. He had the grandpa feeling to him. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to apologize. Hiram cares about you kid. Don¡¯t let him down. You don¡¯t find friends like that often.¡± ¡°I know that Elias¡­ It''s just, why do we have to suffer? We never did anything wrong.¡± Aiden asked quietly. ¡°That¡¯s just the way the world is. It''s a cruel one. We suffer and die while serving those who are stronger than us.¡± ¡°It''s just not fair Elias!¡± ¡°The world could care less if you think it''s fair. The world is a cruel place. Those that complain about fairness are the ones who die first.¡± ¡°Then what am I supposed to do. I can¡¯t do anything!¡± ¡°Listen Aiden; you¡¯re already strong. You¡¯re stronger than most of us. I don¡¯t know a kid in miles that would do what you did today. But you''re also rash and impulsive. What if you had died today. Can you imagine what that would¡¯ve done to Laura.¡± Aiden paled at Elias words. What would have happened if he died? His mom would¡¯ve been heartbroken. He could imagine her crying alone in their cottage. ¡°Listen Aiden. The day will come when we will need your strength. But until then. Get some damn self-control boy. And stop getting a foot up your ass every day.¡± Elias and Aiden both burst into a fit of laughter. The bystanders felt a chill run up their spine. The two we¡¯re mad! ¡°You¡¯re right Elias.¡± Aiden wiped a tear from his eye. ¡°But how am I supposed to go home today I don¡¯t have any rations.¡± Elias reached into his tunic and pulled out a paper bundle wrapped with string. ¡°Here, while you were busy getting friendly with the soldier''s boot.¡± He grinned mischievously. ¡°I was able to sneak up to the stand and snag ya some food.¡± Aiden¡¯s eye practically glowed in relief. ¡°Thank you, Elias! You¡¯re a lifesaver.¡± ¡°Haha, Clean yourself up and run home. Your mom is gonna be in a fury when she sees your face.¡± Aiden felt his blood run cold. He could already imagine the lecture he was going to get. Aiden used the hem of his shirt to wipe the blood off his face. He held the rations tightly to his chest. Aiden walked home as fast as he could. Running hurt his bruised ribs. Elias had a warm feeling run through him as he watched the boy¡¯s back. ¡®You¡¯re too kind for this world kid. I wish we all had even half of your courage.¡¯ Elias thought to himself. A voice next to him interrupted his thoughts. ¡°Boss word just came in from headquarters.¡± a man dressed in a cloak whispered. ¡°What did they say?¡± ¡°The earth is rumbling.¡± Elias visibly paled. It was too soon they were supposed to have another two weeks. Damn those bastards! ¡°Get word to the rest of the boys. Tell them to get ready for trouble!¡± ¡°Right away sir.¡± the cloaked man ran off and disappeared into one of the many dark alleys. ¡°Shit!¡± Elias cursed. They would be pushed back again. And still, they wouldn¡¯t have found any answers.