◇ Empire's Most Wanted ◇ Prologue Part 1

Instructions

My name is Illythia. And this is my story. The attack was sudden. Unexpected. At least, it was for my 4-year-old brain. Giant Ionnsaigh ships decorate the sky, glinting like stars in the night even though the sun was halfway through its climb in the sky. Bright bursts of blue plasma shot out, cannoning off towards our city. The Ionsaigh, they have always not liked us that much. But never have they openly attacked us. I stand in my room, frozen by the window, wondering what is happening. My Dad rushes into my room “Follow me” He says “they have come for us” He oddly didn’t look shocked. his face held a calm that likely came with parenting, not wanting to scare me. But you can’t hide what festers deep inside. And what I saw inside, was dread. We walked for a long time. My parents flinching at every small rustle in the grass. I stuck close to their sides, not quite understanding what was happening but understanding the urgency. Eventually we get to a big purple cave-like rock. I had hidden here many a session of hide and seek. It was sheltered and protected. Difficult to see those hiding inside. My parents sat me down there. “Wait for us here” my mum says, desperation and fear lacing her voice. “Don’t come out for any reason. Please” They both hug me tightly. I hold them, small fists bunching up their clothing, not letting go. My mum slowly pulls back and carefully takes off her necklace. My wide eyes stray to the piece of jewellery and my grip on her loosens. I know she wants me to let go. But I don’t want them to leave me. She reaches the chain around my neck, gently securing it, pressing her palm against the charm where it rests on my chest “Look after this until I get back” she whispers to me. “Come on Shivani!” my dad urges. I don’t know where they are going. Or why they must leave. “I know Magni” she sighs, hesitating before pulling me close in a final hug. She cups my face and kisses my forehead before she stands, taking a few steps back, leaving a small distance between them and the rock I am sheltered under. They open their wings; my dad’s a midnight black and my mum’s a fiery red. They give me one last, loving look before they fly off into the sky. I sit, sheltered in the rock, waiting. I wipe the tears off my scaled cheek, the same colour as my dad’s. I peak over the rock, my green eye and my normal eye scanning the forest around me. I see a weird blue substance burn through the pale grass and melt the white rocks nearby. I start to fiddle with the necklace, nervousness overcoming all other emotions. What was happening?

Notes & Credits