Chapter 1

Josh continues to write his introduction to the world of Otellus.

Chapter One

 

First, there is Pacaris, located on the south-west of the country, and the smallest region.  Pacaris was where the object from space collided with the country, and where the first Praestia and Praedux were formed.  The region itself is magical, and where the Praestia are more powerful, using the object that was still in the ground, untouched, to heal themselves and keep the country going.  Pacaris has no cities; it is mostly grassland, with a few villages and towns dotted around the area.  It remains untouched by evil, mainly because of the great power that the protectors, the Praedux with their Praestia, have.  The master Praedux of Pacaris, Ethaniel, is one of the very first to receive the power and he is now old and close to death.

 

Moving north to the central-west of Otellus is Industrictus.  As the name implies, this region is where the majority of industry happens in Otellus.  The region is full of packed, towering cities, each full of burning furnaces and other industrial professions that pollute the skies.  Stone roads instead of forests and fields, dark clouds of smoke instead of blue sky.  Very few Praestia can be found in this area, and the majority you would find here are poisonous and hardy, making it a dangerous and miserable place to live in.  Those that do live here are low on money, only able to afford one of the tiny houses packed in with thousands of others, with a low-paying job in one of the numerous factories.  The master Praedux of Industrictus, Carrenium, is the youngest of all the masters, and his focus is on developing Otellus with power.

 

To the very north-west of the country, the land changes completely.  Viridicor is full of woods and beautiful landscapes, moving high up into the mountains.  A complete contrast to its lower region, the master Praedux, Norelia, focuses on keeping the land untouched by industry and pollution, and she looks to providing the best habitats possible to the wild Praestia.  The towns of Viridicor are more natural, with no massive structures or walls.  Some of the Praedux in the region live with their Praestia in the wild, with no care for human civilisation.  The mountains of Viridicor reach hundreds of feet into the sky, and the further up, the less Praestia found.  The hardiest and air-born Praestia can only be found so high.

 

Further east, to the central-north of Otellus, is the region of Frugastus.  Fairly similar in density of cities to Industrictus, Frugastus is a lot more fashionable and fancy, with every city and building designed to look modern and posh, to meet the residents.  Frugastus is where the majority of wealthy folk choose to live, in large estates that are well-spread out around the land.  The cities are large and rich, protected by huge stone walls that keep everyone who doesn't belong outside, and the citizens found in the land are just as unwelcoming.  The master Praedux, Alathast, is the wealthiest man in Otellus, intent on keeping his region 'better' and 'bigger' than all the others.  With no care for politics, war or any other issue, his focus is developing his region to keep it modern and rich.

 

In the very centre of Otellus, south of Frugastus and east of Industrictus, is Capulus, the capital region.  It is in this large and highly populated region that the queen of Otellus, and the overall leader of the Praedux, Estellia, resides.  The land is very flat, full of plains which had been used for several civil wars in the past.  The capital city itself is an impenetrable city, surrounded by thick, stone walls that even the strongest of explosions wouldn't be able to get through.  The city puts all of Frugastus to shame, and the beauty of Viridicor some contest, too.  The city is beautiful, strong and rich, the biggest landmark of Otellus.  In the centre of the city is the palace, the most stunning building of the land, which as stated, the queen and her husband resides.

 

At the centre of South Otellus, separated from Pacaris by a large forest and river, is Mysideo.  Mysideo, led by Praedux master Myron, is a very strange region.  The citizens are strange, unwelcoming, chilling and it is said that the ghosts of dead Praedux and Praestia wander the region at night.  Few people go there, and none of the citizens bother with leaving.  Myron is one of the oldest of Praedux, and it is said that all four of his Praestia are ghosts, and that when he dies, he will stay as Praedux master in ghost form.  Nothing much is known about Mysideo, except that it has strange power.

 

South-east of the country is Prodiculum, otherwise known as the 'Sunny Region'.  Prodiculum is a port town, set on a large, strong pier above the ocean.  The citizens here are friendly, and many of them are tourists visiting from other countries in Pavenarius.  The ocean is calm and relaxing, and also where the majority of aquatic Praestia can be found.  The region is ruled by the fun-loving Praedux master, Feriana.  Feriana is a young, beautiful woman whose main ambition is to train Praestia in battling.  Prodiculum is home to the PBA, otherwise known as the Praestia Battling Arena.  It is in this grand stadium, that the five-year regular tournament is held to crown the best Praedux in Otellus.  It is also the one event where all nine Praedux masters, minus Myron and Xagraver, meet up to oversee the event. 

 

The final region of Otellus is found in the far north-east of the country, which is a huge, tall forest.  Even less is known of Silvatrum than Mysideo, simply because hardly anyone dares enter the forest.  Due to the sheer size, finding a route through it and out of it is impossible unless resident there.  However, Praedux master Boralei, is a wise man who lives to understand the Praedux and how they live.  The residents of Silvatrum are seen in a similar way, the wise folk of Otellus who prefer to remain in peace and uninvolved with the rest of the country's welfare. It is Boralei who has been researching the topic of how Praestia and Praedux came to be, and where many of the different theories came to be.  Boralei is also the queen, Estellia's, brother, and was who many of Otellus' citizens wanted to be king.  The man is known as a tactical genius, and despite Silvatrum's usual peace standing, it was their arrival in the battle at Vegrasus that turned the tide, at least until Xagraver detonated the bomb.  Silvatrum's forces took a major blow from the explosion, and they have remained hidden in their forest ever since.

 

*             *             *

 

“Woaaah, information dump.” Josh looked to the door as Lolly returned, holding a glass of water and skimming the paragraphs quickly.  “Y’know, that’s not what you want to do with a story.  You want to like... I dunno, space it out?  Maybe describe each region when we reach it?  Cause... no-one’s really gonna remember this stuff when they actually get to that place.”  She sipped on the water as she begun reading the section more thoroughly, “Tis well written though, aye.  Just... not all in the same place.”  She confirmed her point with a quick nod, curly hair bouncing slightly.

 

Josh gave a brief sigh, “Really?  That means I have to put this somewhere where I won’t lose it until it’s needed... You should be my official editor, here.”

 

“Ahaha, of course.” Lolly replied, patting him on the shoulder momentarily, “And also... You put that you left the room twice in the prologue. I meant to say earlier, but I kinda forgot.”  Josh frowned, scrolling up the document and noticing the error.  He quickly deleted the error, giving a second sigh.  “Gooooood.  Editor Lolly has a nice ring to it, aha.  How much do I get paid?”

 

Josh made a ‘tch’ noise, before replying, “Tempting to make a pound joke, with pound being the physical punch thingy. But that’d be mean. The only currency I can offer is gratitude.”

 

“That sounds foreign; can I exchange it for proper money?”  Josh decided to ignore that, looking back at his screen.  The silence didn’t last long, as Lolly soon continued to say, “Anyway, get off that thing, we’re going out.  You still didn’t reply to Laura, so she’s forcing me to drag you out so she can murder you.”  Josh cursed out loud, taking his phone back out.  “Aye, you’re an idiot. We can establish how much so later, now moooove.”

 

“Yes ma’am.” Josh fake saluted, switching his monitor off and literally being pushed out his bedroom by the much shorter girl.

 

*             *             *

 

“A-Are you sure about this, my lord?”

 

The stutterer had no confidence problem, and to have trouble with his speech was a rarity.  No, it wasn’t being shy that caused the stutter.  The Aralache Mountains reached up to five and a half thousand metres, towering over the region of Viridicor below.  The mountain range consisted of three summits, the middle being the highest.  This summit happened to be the one that Lord Ethaniel, master Praedux of Pacaris, and his assistant were climbing.  Already over three thousand metres high, the weather reached way below freezing point, and the raging blizzard made it near impossible to navigate safely.  For some reason, this blizzard was especially bad, as if nature itself was angry. 

 

Ethaniel cursed as he tripped; only regaining his step thanks to a quick reaction from his assistant.  “Bah.  Thank you.  And aye, of course I’m sure... this storm shouldn’t be happening.  My suspicions are that Glacird is in trouble...  Silvird has vanished, and the forests are out of control... and even more recently, more and more people are falling ill.  That would mean that Infird isn’t clearing the air as he usually does... And now the mountains are out of control?  Glacird is the only bird I have ever found in person... I know I can check... argh.”  He slipped again, and for the second time was rescued by his assistant.  “Th... Thank you, Nelphen.”

 

Nelphen helped the old man back to his feet, almost slipping himself in the process.  Nelphen was a young and energetic man, purple eyes full of the hope and life that only one without experience could bare.  Though now, so high up and frozen, the eyes were near devoid of hope, and the spikes of his usual purple hair faded with frost and snow.  Ethaniel, however, was nearing the end of his expected life.  Being a Praedux, that lifetime was extended by around forty years.  For Ethaniel, being a Praedux master, he’d been gifted with an even longer life, and even now was 147 years old.  He’d always been a stubborn and brave man, but it was obvious to the young boy that a journey such as this could be the end of him.

 

“Y-You could’ve stayed behind...” He protested, lips numb from the cold, sticking close to his master, “Th-This journey is dangerous for you, my lord.”

 

“For heaven’s sake, Nelphen, stop calling me lord.” Ethaniel suddenly snapped irritably, shooting him a glare, “We’re thousands of metres high and freezing to death... Who gives a damn about formalities?!  I’m well aware it is dangerous, boy, but you alone wouldn’t have even hit a hundred feet before breaking your leg... I-I know... I know where Glacird nests.  I chose you... because you are my top assistant.  So... are you going to keep helping me?  If not, then I will have to command you to go home.”

 

Nelphen gave an exasperated sigh, before simply saying, “Yeah... Yeah, Sure.”

 

*             *             *

 

“Well, finally!” Before Josh or Lolly could even knock, the door was flung open to reveal a rather irritated looking girl.  Dark brown hair reaching down to past her shoulders, dressed in a black and white t-shirt and black jeans.  Laura was always one to dress up as a bit of a tomboy, and she occasionally had the personality to match it.  Laura was the main reason that they called Lolly... well, ‘Lolly’.  Lolly’s actual name is also Laura, but Lolly soon became a nickname... Josh couldn’t even remember why.  “Geez, what’s the point of having a phone and not replying?”

 

“I was busy writing!” Josh protested, before reaching forward to hug her, “I’m sorry.  Lolly’s booked me in for a conversation on how much an idiot I am later.  But for now, I’m here.  And I’m deeply sorry, and all that stuff.  If it makes you feel better, I’ll play Kingdom Hearts with you.”

 

“Isn’t that single player?” Lolly piped up from beside him.

 

“Well, by playing Kingdom Hearts with her, I probably mean watching her play.” Laura didn’t seem to mind that comment, and began heading back inside the house.  “Wait, what?  You mean now?  What’s Lolly gonna do?”

 

“...I could ‘play’ it with her too, I guess.” Lolly commented with a hint of sarcasm, “But hey, you brought it up, can’t take it back now.”  Laura was already half up the stairs, so Lolly, dirty feet and all, soon followed her up.  Josh sighed, taking his shoes off, and was about to follow them when someone emerged from the kitchen nearby.  The longish brown-haired boy stopped as he saw him.

 

“Oh, Josh.” The boy greeted, before continuing forward, “Didn’t know you were here.”

 

Josh frowned staring at him, “...Ryan?  Hey, Laura, are you aware you’ve got a weirdo in your house?”

 

“Yeah, I’ve got three!” Came Laura’s reply from above him.

 

“Ouch.” Ryan commented, before taking a gulp of the water in his hands and heading upstairs, “You’re the one just standing in the doorway.  Did I hear something about playing Kingdom Hearts?  Cool, I’m playing too!” He then proceeded to hurry, as fast as the glass of water would let him, upstairs to join the two girls. 

 

“It’s a freaking single-player game!” Josh yelled after them, before reluctantly climbing the stairs after them, “God damn it.” 

 

And of course, this surrender led to... “Josh, Josh!” Laura’s excited exclamation of his name caused a flinch from the older boy, and he soon felt his arm being tugged.  For no reason, considering he was already paying attention to the cutscene.  “This is the pretty bit!  You have to watch it all the way to the end... so pretty...”

 

“I can see, dear.” Josh replied dryly, giving her a gentle pat on the head, “I happen to be watching.  And this is just the beginning scene... Even I’ve got this far.” He sighed slightly as he watched the excited girl, “This is gonna be a long afternoon, huh?

 

*             *             *

Eight years previously...

“M-My lady, Estellia... Lord Hathal.” The messenger boy practically collapsed into a kneeling position before the throne of Capulus, panting and gasping for breath.  Sweat poured down his face, making it clear he’d been running for quite some time.  The throne room of Capital City was the grandest, largest and most beautiful building in all of Otellus.  Statues of past kings and queens lined the sides, their known partner Praestia constructed at their feet or shoulders.  The current queen, Estellia, master Praedux of the fire element, sat at her throne.  At her feet sat a large Bengal tiger, watchful eyes unblinking and fixed on the young man.  Estellia herself was dressed in a long, flowing red dress, and the material itself appeared to be on fire, though that was just an illusion.  At her side, was a considerably older looking man with greying hair and an untidy beard.  King Hathal was not among the Praedux, and was but a normal man, hence why his age was far more noticeable than his wife.

 

Estellia gave a simple nod of her head, her beautiful hair as red as her element undisturbed by the gesture.  The messenger took this as a cue to speak, and rose to full height, swaying slightly on his feet.  “Xagraver...”

 

“Lord Xagraver, messenger.” Hathal replied gruffly, giving the boy a stern look.  But to both their surprise, the boy shook his head as dark anger crossed his features.

 

“N-Not Lord... traitor...” The messenger took a few moments to regain his breath, before beginning to explain, “Xagraver is a traitor.  As we speak, he leads Otellus’ military forces towards the capital.  Vegrasus is in danger... We must... We must help.”

 

Although Hathal’s features showed both disbelief and shock, Estellia’s well-defined face remained emotionless.  “That is of no surprise... though I didn’t expect it so soon.  Very well, thank you.  Tell Sergeant Durain to prepare the army... we march at dawn two days from now.   Go.”  The messenger bowed hurriedly, before hastily leaving the room.  Estellia rose to her feet, and almost in sync, the tiger followed.  Hathal watched her leave the throne room with a worried frown, and he was soon left alone besides the two guards and their Praestia at the doors.