Caralocia Chapter 1: Tales of the Past

Chapter 1: Tales of the Past

         These are the tales that have been passed down from generation to generation. Some of these tales also recall the past of Acorni's, one of the main characters, life to give a sense of understanding for there are many references on these tales throughout the book.

The Story of Uchibran the First of the Order

         Uchibran, a hallowed name of both a great man and his great-sword. For Uchibran, as the legend goes, was the first warrior of the Caralocian people. With his wife, Aquacoria, they came to the destroyed land of Caralocia in search for refuge from the many wars that had occurred on Earth at the time, long before history was written down there. Aquacoria was the first elemental wielder who controlled the water, as without water life cannot exist. Caralocia was broken into five great masses of land when they had arrived: The Isle of Dragons (Nature), The Mountains of Heaven (Earth), The Winds of Peace (Wind), The Springs of Life (Water), and The Flames of Hell (Fire). Each region was controlled by the dominating element, much like it is now. The planet was shattered into these regions due to the warring elements that fought for decades over who would control all of the planet.
         When Aquacoria and Uchibran arrived at the Springs of Life, they found out that the elements wished to befriend them, each of them wanting the same thing from the newcomers: allies that could possible win the war for them. Uchibran, realizing their intent (At least the intent of the earth and fire elements, though he thought that all the elements wanted to use them), was appalled at the mere idea of being allied to any of the elemental clans. However, in contrast, Aquacoria found belonging with the water and wind that greeted them with much kindness. The water and wind from then on became great friends due to their new found allies. Uchibran, understanding Aquacoria's wisdom and want, followed her to the water and wind's sides. The fire and earth, now seeing the spawning of this new threat, quickly erected a pact to defy the alliance of water and wind. Nature in comparison to its cousins was a humble, peaceful race of elements not wanting conflict with either side; thus, it remained neutral attempting to keep itself out of the war.
         One year passed on the alien planet, in this time Aquacoria and Uchibran fought many battles against the vicious earth and fire. However, not only battle happened in this one year, but Aquacoria gave birth to five children that would later become known as: Acoron (Earth King), Naton (Nature King), Wanon (Wind King), Fleman (Fire Queen), and Aquaan (Water Queen). Their parents now hoped that maybe the five children could later grow up and bring peace to this pointless war. Seventeen  brutal years passed, and with them the children became mature adults capable of leading the five new clans that spurred up due to refugees finding the new planet and training in the ways of the elements. They too trained with the element they represented, but always tried to teach peace to the element. The elements accepted their new allies, especially Nature who greatly accepted the peace offering and joined the sides of the water and wind. But yet, some still clung to their old ways like a baby and his favorite toy. The earth and fire attempted to corrupt Acoron and Fleman. Their will was strong, however, and then managed to make a rebellion within the elements to fight against the twisted earth and fire. The corrupted elements easily fell due to the great power of the holy elements.
         With the corruption destroyed, peace settled over the war torn world. Uchibran one day fashioned together five crystals of immense power that when placed in the five temples of each element it healed the shattered planet in a matter of minutes. The Caralocian Order was from then on established and it consisted of the five original clans that were now united. The leaders of each branch of element from then on had to wear the mark of hope, or in Caralocian tongue Cara (mark) loc (of) ia (hope), on their forehead; just as Uchibran had before them. Now all members of each branch also had to be named after their clan: Acor (earth), Aqua (water), Wan (wind), Nat (Nature), and Flem (fire).

Story of Acorni's Test of Will

         Since I was a young boy I was trained to fight for our great country. The training was tough, mentally demanding, and even insane on some occasions, but it always showed us what we could do and what our own futures would become. Soon came my time to take the Test of Will, the test that would show me my very own marks and the element that would come to be my partner. Many did not survive this test; however, that was what the test was made to do, I was ready for this so-called test. The test warps you to a hazardous wastleland, a place where beasts remain unchecked, ready to kill you at any second. Finally, I was there, that place that looked and even smelled of death and suffering. Already I was under a massive siege of monsters that hoped to kill me; however, I had triumphed... barely.
         Hours came by like mere seconds and glorious nightfall was upon this twisted hellhole. I foraged the little food and water I could and made my way to my new shelter, a dark cave in the side of an eerie mountain. I went to the very back of the cave where I had already set up a fire for warmth. The cool night air that breezed ever so gently on my face, and the crackle and blanket of heat, gave me what little peace I had in this damned place. I looked at the ground now, dust and hard rock made up the earth. The ground looked so unforgiving; however, I had no choice, I lay down on the ground slowly until my head stared at the cave ceiling. I remembered my homeland and how great it was in comparison to this place. I wanted to go back, I would give anything to go back, but I had to stay for the sake of my honor and order. My eyes grew heavy on my face, slowly I slipped away. My last feelings and thoughts were on how unusually soft and comforting the earth felt. It felt as if I were sleeping in my cushioned bed at home, but it was the earth, I could just tell.
         Morning rose, I got up and set out again into the wasteland, still seeking my element. The wind blew at my back ushering me forward. At that moment I remembered a saying from my people “May the winds always be at your back, friend.” I chuckled at the saying as I ran on searching for a sign of the element. I heard a noise behind me. I swiftly turned around, ready to battle anything that got in my way. Nothing. I turned back around, shrugging off the feeling of being followed and ran on. Soon after I sensed an evil presence filling the air, suffocating me. The earth quaked and trembled to my left. I nervously turned my head left and saw a giant ogre with a huge battle-axe standing there smiling menacingly at me. I had no weapon, only my bear hands. Quickly assuming the situation I attempted to run, but the ogre proved to be a worthy runner. He picked me up effortlessly and held me by his face. Again he smiled at me. “You’re not going anywhere, puny man!” he bellowed in my ear. He licked his lips as he said, “You look mighty tasty right about now. I guess I’ll eat you for a snack.” Terrified I struggled to get out of his grasp, all of the effort was futile. He opened his mouth and I slowly began to be moved toward his mouth. I'm going to die I thought. I don't want to die though. Help me someone! Anyone! I pleaded in vain his mouth was merely centimeters away from me now, and the acrid smell of his mouth stung my nose as I looked inside the dark abyss. I lost all hope.
         Suddenly an earthquake began and through the ogre to the ground shattering his battle-axe on a large stone. I flew out of his hand and smacked the floor knocking the air out of me. I felt my back be split open by what seemed to be thousands of knives. I looked over at the ground and saw a shard of the giant's battleaxe. I scurried over to it and used it as a dagger. I jumped onto his skull and begun plunging the shard into his forehead. The scene was a mess of sweat and blood. My short brownish gold hair was now dyed with red blood from the ogre's head. Soon the beast was dead and the blood spewing from my back mixed with the freshly drown blood of the ogre. I dropped the shard that was covered in inches of blood. I walked on, pain being my constant companion at this time. Every step I took I felt more blood gushing out of me. I looked at my hands now and my hand and the scenery around it seemed to be blurred. I collapsed on the sandy ground. I don't care anymore, I thought. “Take my life you damn desert...” I whispered painfully, losing will to live I closed my eyes for one last time.
         A ringing filled my eardrums as I lay on the ground. I struggled to open my eyes from the dried
blood. Finally, I opened them I saw a figure glowing in the desert. His figure, however, was not blurred
by the pain of death. I whispered softly, “W-who ar-are you-u-u?” There was no answer. The figure only stared at me with pride and mercy in his eyes. I decided to ask again, “Who, I ask one last time, are you?”
         The figure opened his mouth and ushered these words, “I am who I am! What can I be except who I am? For my name is Acoron, first of the line of Acor! Who, I ask now, are you?” His words seemed to have the very essence of pride in them.
         “I am n-nothing,” The words escaped my shallow breath, “I haven't even earned my name yet, nor my element. It doesn't matter, I shall-l s-soon be dead an-anyway.”
         Acoron stared at me again this time with ambition in his eyes, “Then rise, Acorni (Earth Will), the next of my line, and gain new-found strength in yourself and the very earth that shall for now on serve you.” Acoron vanished in the air, and where his spirit was now lay his blade, Acoron. I crawled over to the blade and put my hand on the hilt of the great blade. Soon, the earth seemed to encase me. I didn't struggle as the earth seemed to heal my wounds and use my blood to make the marks of hope on my forehead, life on my chest, honor in my right hand, glory in my left hand, truth on my right foot, and victory on my left foot. Soon the earth went back to its original state in the ground and I effortlessly got up on my feet. I looked all around my body at the new glyphs and marks that dotted my body. My back was completely healed.
         “Amazing!” I exclaimed in triumph. I drew the sword which seemed to be as light as a feather. The test was over and I returned to my original world, Caralocia.  When I returned, I told of my great adventure and with Acoron in my right hand I proved to my brothers and sisters I told no lies. From then on I served my people righteously as the heir to the throne of Acor. Wherever I went now, I had hope in my eyes, honor and life in my heart and I righteously served the Order with Acoron from then on.

The Beginning of What Seemed to be The End

         The past of the Caralocian Order, however, is shrouded with betrayal. There will always be people who abhor peace just as there will always be the beauty of Nature. These people brought us to the brink of destruction by what they attempted to do. What fools they were... what naïve fools they were. They knew not of what they did, and before their idiotic minds could realize it they were slain. For one beautiful, bright day they came to the holy temple of each clan and killed the leader of the clans in an attempt to gain power. The leaders’ deaths did not only angry us who now attacked them in retribution, but our very power source, the elements. Such betrayal had destroyed a seal that we knew not of and unleashed demons of each element upon us. The betrayers were quickly slain, but so were we. It was a genocide that happened in a mere hours. Seventy-five percent of our population were cut down in the matter of three hours.
         Those of us that escaped the elements rage fled to Earth, the hellhole that our ancestors fled from. Now Earth became our only refuge from the elements that now terrorized our home world. We were shocked at the events that occurred so early in the morning and in a mere day most of our Order was killed. Hope, one of our major abilities seemed all but a distant relic... unreachable. Two years of exile passed on Earth, and with it the yearning to return to our now destroyed home world. I was not appointed leader of the Acor and likewise the other heirs were appointed. We met countless times to decide what was to come of our people. Constantly we argued about what we should do, stay here or attempt at taking back Caralocia.
         On the two-year anniversary we met and we, this time, were all in agreement. It was time for us to take back our homeland. A small group of each clan was gathered to combat the main demon of each element that we would have to destroy and maybe with their destruction the calming of the other
beasts. My target was a black fox with scarlet red eyes and giant thorns that came out of his back. In a three hours we were back on Caralocia. I was near the Temple of the Mount, our holy temple of earth. The black fox sat at the entrance of the Temple. I became blind with rage at the mere thought of what they did to the holy place when we were gone for two years. The black fox turned around and glance at me. He stared into my soul. I couldn't move, my legs were struck with fear of some sort. The black fox walked over to me and began laughing maniacally. I shouted, “What's so funny, beast! I shall destroy you to avenge the loss of so many of my brothers and sisters!”
         The fox laughed again, “I am a demon now. You can't kill a demon. Didn't your mommy ever tell you that?”
         That comment made my blood boil and I viciously yelled back, “If I have to seal you away I care not! Anything to keep you from destroying anymore of my people!”
         “Come then, child...” The fox whispered, “come and meet your doom!” In a matter of seconds the fox was on me pushing me back with every attack he threw at me. I attempted to retaliate; however, the fox appeared too powerful and soon I fell over on my back, pushed over by the evil power flowing throughout the fox's veins. He tried to leap at my throat, but I quickly hit and rebuked him with the butt of my hilt. He was thrown back and now I was on the offensive. Soon my attacks seemed to subdue the beast and I prepared to make the final strike.
         “You can't kill a demon....” The fox's words rang throughout my mind. I remembered now I couldn't kill him. I had to seal him inside of me. I threw Acoron into the ground and a large seal appeared on the floor. I siphoned all my energy to the fox's soul and pulled both soul and body into my spirit and sealed him inside me. When I sealed him his power seemed to fight with mine in my body. I could feel my body churning, fighting with itself. My mind wasn't my own anymore. The fox seemed to try to take over my mind. However, my will proved to powerful and I defeated the corruption that was taking place inside my body. I had a pounding headache after that. I stumbled my way back to my allies who were fighting the lesser demons. With Acoron in hand I raised it up when in the middle of the fight and yelled, “The Mountains of Heaven are now ours once more! The fox is sealed!” The demons became powerless and the group sealed the demons inside of them just as I did now. Some didn't survive the internal struggle with the demon and fell victim to its corruption. That man was soon slain. All the leaders and groups did the similar thing that I and my group had done. Long lost victory had washed over us now. We had reclaimed Caralocia, and must now begin to rebuild. Soon, the demons that we had sealed away became less corrupt due to exposure to our pure and honorable souls. Soon, found out they were once elementals twisted into demons due to madness and rage. Soon, they became our allies and due to their strength we ushered in a new era of peace. The demon fox I had sealed in me would later become known as Nacor (The Redeemed).