Ekhros (English version)

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

The eight cities of the nation of Ekhros eagerly awaited the presentation of the future ruler. The main city of Ekhros looked more ceremonial than ever, its high, protective walls encircling the city like an ancestral embrace. Though crowded, the streets allowed citizens to walk without difficulty. But today, the crowd gathered in the center, eager to witness the grand event: the presentation of the future heir to the throne of Ekhros.

This city was deemed the most beautiful among the eight cities, and all the citizens of Puerto Porlín, Contropela, Krastur, Súyam, Tartur, Nuritas, and Soctus wore white as a sign of respect and celebration. In the center of each city, a huge water bubble floated majestically, called Kurminos. Through its crystalline walls, the ceremony was visible. The air vibrated with contained excitement, the clocks seemed to stop as time stretched as if fate itself held its breath. And within that bubble, the future of the royal dynasty would be revealed. The eyes of the crowd were fixed on the watery surface with anticipation.

From the main balcony of the enormous white palace, King Satír proudly watched the crowd eagerly awaiting the presentation of the next ruler. Beside him, his wife held the baby heir, who slept unaware of the magnitude of the moment. Queen Ukreel smiled at him and nodded, sharing the excitement that filled the air.

"Cities and inhabitants of Ekhros!" he raised his voice, his resonant tone echoing, "today is a very glorious day for all of us. With great pride, I present to you the future heir to the throne of Ekhros."

The crowd held its breath, their eyes fixed on the little being representing the continuity of the royal dynasty. The wind whispered secrets as King Satír held the baby aloft, as if offering the world a precious treasure. In that instant, the past and the future intertwined.

Satír raised his voice once more.

"Here is... Princess Amiona!" he announced proudly.

The crowd stirred, their murmurs filling the air. A girl had been born, and her arrival was more than a simple presentation ceremony; it was an event that transcended centuries. The citizens looked at each other, their impressions varied; some found the news unsettling, as if the ancestral balance had been altered.

Others, however, felt unwavering excitement. It was the first time in four thousand years that a girl was born into the royal family.

Princess Amiona, small and fragile in her father's arms, represented hope and change. Hearts filled with joy. The crowd, like a unified chorus, began to chant her name. "Amiona! Amiona!" The voices rose, reverberating through the streets. They would celebrate her name for days, months, even centuries. The princess, with her innocent gaze and ancestral lineage, became the beacon of a new era.

Behind the king and queen stood their five guardians, the protectors of the royal family.

"This day will undoubtedly be very memorable for everyone," said Ternon in a hoarse voice, addressing his companions. He was a very old Ekhronian, and as a powerful sorcerer, he knew this occasion would transcend centuries.

"Indeed, this day will never be forgotten," replied Sipros, his voice rougher. He was a white tiger nearly two and a half meters tall.

His fur, white as snow, was adorned with red stripes that looked like glowing rubies. But the most astonishing thing was his enormous wings that extended majestically. He belonged to the Letohoiko race, legendary creatures that lived up to six thousand years. His penetrating gaze encompassed centuries of history, and his loyalty to the royal family was unwavering.

"Gentlemen, it's no wonder," said their companion and friend Cork. "She will be the first queen to rule Ekhros."

"A queen with silver eyes," spoke Kery, the fourth guardian, his reddish mane making his green eyes shine. He looked at the three and continued, "There will be no one like her," he affirmed.

"Except for the first king," spoke Corman, the fifth guardian, in a hoarse voice. His blonde hair and white skin enhanced his beautiful Asian features. Everyone knew the story written in the books; Kery gave him a bored look, and he smiled at it. "But it's true, it's written in the history book, Kery."

"I mean in this time and the future, Corman," he huffed.

"Don't start," warned Sipros, looking at both of them. "Remember, we're at an important ceremony."

Satír turned and walked towards Sipros, looking him in the eye and smiling.

"My king," he said in a deep, strong voice.

"Sipros, as tradition dictates, from now on, you will be the personal guardian of the heir princess," he said firmly.

"I will serve and give my life to protect her," Sipros replied, bowing his head.

Satír smiled, giving a slight nod.

"Your Majesty," said a servant, bowing his head, "the kopro3 is ready."

"Then it's time to stroll through the city streets," Ukreel smiled and took the child in her arms. The five guardians, with serious looks, nodded and headed towards the kopro.

"This walk will be more ceremonial than ever," a figure with short hair and a small beard covering his chin joined the group. "Congratulations, Your Majesties," he continued with a broad smile and a slight bow.

"Uncle Urquel," Satír responded with a smile. "Thank you for being here."

"We're family. Besides, we couldn't miss the presentation of the new... I mean, the new heir to the throne."

"She is very beautiful," said Uriaka, Urquel's wife. She walked over to Ukreel and caressed the little princess's head. "She looks like her mother."

"Thank you, Aunt Uriaka," Ukreel smiled.

"Will you join us in the kopro?" Satír asked his uncle.

"Of course, it wouldn't be the same if the whole family didn't participate in the walk."

Saying this, the kings, along with Uriaka, Urquel, and their son Aclistu, boarded the kopro. Under the beautiful purple sky, they took the stroll through the streets so that all the citizens could get a closer look at their daughter. The five family members, in their royal attire, greeted the citizens as enthusiasm spread.

The five guardians followed the carriage on foot, and with them was Sayura, the female Letohoiko guardian of Prince Urquel's family. Unlike Sipros, Sayura's stripes were gold, shining beautifully in the sunlight.

As they advanced through the crowd, many murmurs were heard. People speculated about what the future would hold and what the baby would be like as a ruler.

***

Everyone was satisfied with the day of Amiona's presentation, and when night fell, the kings and Sipros left the little princess in her room to rest.

As every night since Amiona was born, Ukreel sang her a lullaby while walking back and forth in the room. Her sweet voice filled the space, always managing to lull her to sleep.

"Let me take your hand, I'll show you a place where we can fly... We will fly to the sky. Heading towards silence, where words fade and only the truth remains. Heading towards eternal rest, where hearts find peace, and dreams intertwine with the stars. And there, in that hidden place, we will recover what we have lost, the fragments of forgotten memories. We will find our destiny, traced in the threads of time and sealed with a kiss under the moon."

Ukreel sang.

"Tomorrow, I want us to go to the Dorai Meadow," she said softly as she settled Amiona in her cradle.

"Of course," Satír commented.

"Take care of her, Sipros," Ukreel said.

"You can go to rest, don't worry," he bowed as the kings left the room.

Sipros approached the cradle, gazing at Amiona for a few moments, remembering the first baby he had cared for since birth. He nestled next to the cradle and then closed his eyes, surrendering to his ancient memories.

***

The tradition of the Rainbow Garden is a beautiful and significant custom. Every baby born is taken to this magical place, where the garden's guardian selects a flower especially for them. That flower reveals the gift that has been bestowed upon the baby.

In the Dorai Meadow, the flowers chosen by the Rainbow Garden bloom, but they can only blossom for four days a year. That's why all Ekhronians from the main city and other cities and villages travel to the Dorai Meadow to obtain the flower that represents the essence of their gift. Once they obtain the flower, it remains fresh throughout the year and only withers on the day it blooms again.

While the kings debated with the guardians about which flower would be revealed to the little princess, the rest of the morning flew by quickly. With their flowers in hand, they turned and returned to the palace.

***

Corman stared intently at the ruins that used to be his home, looking at that place with nostalgia and anger. He knew that back then, he was very young and inexperienced, and the mistake he made by trusting that he could defeat his enemy in a fit of rage gnawed at his heart.

That night, he had lost his family. If only he had known his brother's thoughts back then, he berated himself, hitting his head with his fist as if reprimanding a child for several years, but now he clenched his hands into fists, digging his nails into his skin.

Kery watched Corman a few steps back. She looked at him with sadness on her face; it hurt her to see him in that state because she also felt it, knowing that suffering.

Deciding not to let him suffer his pain alone, she approached him slowly.

"Are you okay?" she asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Yes," he sighed. "What are you doing here?"

"You're not the only one who suffers the loss of your family, and I know it's good to talk about it."

"Thanks, but that's not what I need..."

"I'm not going to tell you what everyone else always says, to forget it and move on with your life. I know how you feel; I also want revenge. I want to avenge my father's death, just as you want to avenge your family," she concluded.

"Unfortunately, they will never be able to leave their confinement. So our vengeance will remain with us until they no longer exist."

"I know... I wish King Satír had executed him when he had the chance," the bitterness in her voice was palpable.

"We all wish the same."

They remained silent for a few moments, and Kery let out a loud sigh before speaking again.

"Changing the subject... Tomorrow morning, I will leave for Sascos lands. The king wants me to bring the painter Merdoli to paint the first portrait of the princess."

"I suppose you should go rest then."

They fell silent again. Kery bit her lower lip, thinking of something else. She had paused that conversation when Princess Amiona was born, unable to find the right moment to talk about it. But she needed to tell him before she left. She sighed and said:

"When the Spring of Destiny did not activate our soulmate marks, I couldn't say it then, but... But we can still be together until one of us finds their other half," she took his face in her hands and looked into his eyes for a few seconds before kissing him. She waited to see if he would reject her, and when he didn't, she kissed him passionately.

Corman had always felt attracted to Kery, but when the Spring of Destiny didn't reveal their marks, it didn't mean that the desire he felt didn't exist. He felt a strong attraction to her, so for the moment, he would enjoy her company. He held her tightly in his arms, caressing her thighs and then squeezing them hard.

She pulled away from him long enough to take off her clothes. Her large breasts were a delight for Corman. He grabbed one of her breasts, squeezing it lustfully before bringing it to his mouth. She moaned as she felt the soft touch of his tongue on her skin, warm and moist.

When he had finished with her breast, he picked her up effortlessly. Kery moaned continuously, wrapping her legs around his waist as they savored each other's hungry kisses. Between kisses, caresses, and moans, he carefully laid her on her back on the floor. Love was not present for him, and she knew it. She would settle for that, after all, he had not yet found his other half.

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3 -The kopro in Ekhronian language means "royal carriage."