ATHERTION

CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1

{MANY YEARS AGO...}

Once upon a time there was a peaceful and prosperous land of Vanxuim ruled by Emperor Bernard I and Empress Anastasia. The land of Vanxuim is a beautiful and breathtaking land to be in. It is quite much larger than normal land. The breeze flows as the sun shines above. Birds chirping on the tree branches in their nests.

It was a peaceful life for them and the people in Vanxuim. People live their lives normally. They all worked hard for their families living. They did their jobs more smoothly than ever,taking care of the animals in the barn,and taking care of the crops to be healthy and fresh. Miners go on deep caves,finding a lot more gold and gems than expected. They are quite well paid by the Emperor himself.

The people admire their Emperor and Empress for their good deeds and their patients. Though some are quite more interested in their son—Alih.

He was called a "Fragile prince" for his fragile body. His hair is different from either of his parents. Instead of having a black or brunette hair,he simply has silver hair with yellow eyes from his mother. He also has a slim body,which is the other reason for him being fragile. Nonetheless,the people do not bother it because he is the soon-to-be new Emperor of Vanxuim and rules it.

It would have been a great future for them.

Until it all changed because of the emperor's elder brother—Samson.

Samson was jealous of his younger brother Bernard because of his potential and intelligence. In the past,he was once the heir until Bernard came. It angers Samson that he wasn't the heir to the throne anymore. All because of Bernard.

He envied his brother so much and always pushed himself hard to be the heir once again. But all the hard work goes away. He even argued with his father about it. But none of it matters,as his father declares Bernard as his heir and the new Emperor.

Samson was in the library. He was bored since he has nothing to do. While finding books he wants to read. He found an interesting one. The book was untitled but the topic is rather.... interesting. To say at least. He picked up the book as he was somewhat interested in it. As he flipped to the pages of the book. Samson saw a "witch" being mentioned. The description is that they grant one person's wish or desire. But there's something in exchange.

Samson was intrigued by this. He thought that if he had made a deal with this so-called witch. He can finally rule the land that was once his,not his brother's. At night,he planned to go to the dark forest. He sneaked out of his room at the window.

The forest was quite dark as the sun set down replacing the moon. The air grew thicker with an eerie,unpleasant silence. It became cold and breezy. Samson had a lantern that is the source of his light while going far into the dark forest. Wolves howl as the full moon strikes. Crickets made their sound through the night.

Samson walks in the forest holding a lantern for light for him to see. He continues to walk as he has come so far,he encounters an old lady wearing all black cloth. He walks closer to the old lady and shouts at her to get her attention.

"You there! Stop this instant!"

He gripped his sword. The old lady stops and turns to face him.

The witch remained silent as she turned her head towards him.

Samson's face hardened.

"I know that you are a witch,stop this act of nonsense. I am here to make a deal."