1 <●~{Prologue }~●>
🐍🔱REBIRTH🔱🐍
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Serpent Dunes.
An island continent full of magic dwellers of both the old arts and the new.
A home to normal magical creatures and humans, but beneath the golden waves of sand lie ruins and remnants of folk so old, so powerful, so cruel, so vile, so hateful, and magical they could send a chill deep into your bones and fear into the deepest, darkest corners of your minds.
The Na-gin.
The Serpents.
Even after countless wars and battles leading to ruination they survive albeit in very, very few numbers with a blood thirst that the deserts cannot dry nor the sun diminish.
Humans, on the other hand, prosper peacefully and happily on their side protected by stone and the wild jungles. Humans have been living harmoniously for centuries now and have long forgotten the blood wars their ancestors sacrificed themselves for. They have long forgotten the rivers of blood that ran instead of water, the mountains of skulls and corpses, the changing of the land as it soaked the blood of both human and serpent.
But the serpents have not.
They still remember their dead, mourn their lost and sing songs of their vanquished sons and daughters.
When the current Sultan faces threats of a long dormant foe starting to stir from its nest, he summons powers of the ancient to kill the evil festering at his wall. He searches high and nigh, day and night, in hopes of finding a warrior worthy to wield a sword, carry his nations flag with pride, and magic course through his veins.
The Sultan does not expect to find a snake fighters blood in a extraordinarily beautiful golden eyed babe, a fire burning in her magical eyes that could drown out stars with veins pulsing in magic and a destiny rare receive.
The fate of Serpent Dunes relies on a young maiden.
The last Snake Fighter.
◆~×_____PROLOGUE _____×~◆
'Next.'
Aksel growled disgusted and annoyed as he pinched his nose bridge with his thumb and index. It was both revolting and horrifying to see such violence especially since this sort of abuse was being inflicted on infants under his watchful eye. What kind of a king did this? But he was desperate and Aksel was paying the price.
The dead snake was removed, the wailing, injured baby taken back to the arms of his sorrowful guardian and the sand in the pit was cleaned away of spilt blood. The people beside him made no sound except for their breathing, one couldn't make conversation after witnessing such a barbaric test. Aksel was surprised his Vizier hasn't spilled his lunch out at the sight of blood and was composed even after one of the previous infants had been of his own kin.
The sand pit where the testing took place was circular and small often used for animal fights between a mongoose and a cobra, two roosters, two cats, two dogs or even between a scorpion and a snake, it's walls high enough to keep its audience away from danger and the thick black bars protected lest the wild animals decided to climb up. The herald announced the next child's name, his family, his status and where he belonged from. A royal guard entered with another infant, this babe was as common as the previous had been and he placed him in the middle on the soft sand and left. The heated sunlight falling down like a column from the ceiling onto the baby in a dark and cool room. The baby made no noise as he wondered what was going on and Aksel waved his richly ringed fingers uninterested towards the guard holding the wooden flap, the rope went down at the signal and out slithered a normal snake that was dangerous but not venemous. The baby made its first sound of distress and Aksel felt his heart clench tightly in his chest. This was someone's child, someone's flesh and blood, due to becoming a father again recently he felt his heart melt helplessly as the baby started crying big fat tears at being left alone in an unfamiliar surrounding.
The snake slithered side to side on the sand making its way towards the crying infant that kicked it's legs making clouds of dust somehow sensing the danger creeping towards it, another guard got ready to nock an arrow, everyone held their breaths either with anticipation or fear. The babe was no more than eleven months having being able to sit upright but not flexible enough as a child.
Perhaps the witches and wizards were wrong, that a snake fighter being born was just a miscalculation in the stars or a false reading on the bones. Magic was uncertain wasn't it? There was never a clear answer or sign of what it intended to do or say. The snake struck with a pounce and had only grazed the babe's ankle with his long fang drawing droplets of blood and eliciting painful cries when an arrow tip pierced deep into the snakes head and stuck to the ground but the child's cry did not stop as it screamed at the pain he'd received making Aksel swallow.
'No, he's not a snake fighter.'
The king said gravely as he watched a guard enter and awkwardly hold the crying baby trying to soothe him but the infant shrieked and shrieked kicking and thrashing his little arms and legs. Aksel and his company could hear the baby even as it was lead away from sight and they all watched silently as a sweeper came in, taking the remnants of the dead snake and shoving fresh golden sand onto the previously bloodied one.
'I cannot stomach another test, I am done for today.' Aksel announced almost getting ready to rise but his vizier stopped him by surprisingly saying 'The next is the last one for the week, your majesty, please, just this last one, I hear she may be hopeful.' The king slumped back curious and asked aloud 'She?' Vizier Silas nodded 'She is Captain Ajax's niece, a very beautiful baby.' The king considered the vizier and his words, Silas rarely praised anyone else besides himself so the man might be actually impressed this time. The king eyed captain Ajax, a handsome young man in his early twenties and probably one of a many few to acquire the title of captain of the kingsguard at such a youthful age. Ajax tensed as the herald called.
'Sonali Hayes, daughter of Fahad Hayes and Nina Hayes, Serpent Dunes wealthiest sea trader. And niece to Captain Ajax.'
He added the last part looking pointedly at the captain who glanced annoyed in his direction. Ajax saw as a guard came and placed his niece who was dressed in expensive richly golden finery on the sand. Instantly as expected to Ajax her eyes caught Silas' attention. 'This one is a unique one, your majesty. Look at that eye colour. So strange, so foreign.' Silas commented stroking his pointy beard thoughtfully. The King grunted in reply, agreeing with his advisor and not trying to voice the hope he felt. The small group of men stared strangely at the infant placed below them in the small circular sand pit. The baby sat straight on her back but she couldn't walk, only crawl. She stared back at her keen observing viewers with a child's curiosity. The child held extraordinary beauty, that much anyone could see.
'Shall we see then?'
General Ashbel asked growing slightly impatient and speaking for the first time. The sight of seeing an infant bitten by a snake again and again was revolting and despicable. None passed the test. Most of the men had their doubts quietly growing in their minds that perhaps the royal castle witches and wizards were wrong. So far there wasn't even the hint of any snake fighter.
Were the kids too young?
That was the only explanation that held logic. That most of these infants were too young, still unable to access their magic. 'Are you sure she's capable?' The young captain asked with a grimace, he didn't have the stomach to witness his beloved niece getting injured. Though he was a trainee for the kingsguard and a squire months from knighthood, seeing snakes bite babies or hearing their shrieks wasn't settling well with Ajax. He didn't even believe in the legends of the snake fighters and knew the others thought the same. If there were to be any snake fighters it would be from the royal lineage, since centuries ago it was their ancestry that held the title.
The baby sat in the pit staring up and back at the adults observing them. She was cheery than the other babies before her and seemed completely unaware of what was happening around her. This baby didn't feel frightened, she didn't cry nor did she feel nervous. Either her mother or nurse did not pay her attention at all for it to feel vulnerable away from their arms or it was an optimistic baby. 'Let us hope she is, the color of her eyes suggest she may possess magic.' Replied King Aksel, he wished that she showed the signs of a snake fighter, he desperately needed one, his Kingdom depended on one. And he wouldn't stop looking until he found one.
The king gave a nod to the servant holding the wooden flap door rope and the servant nodded back before pulling the rope down to let the deadly snake slither out of its confinement as it's trap door was pulled up. Aksel furrowed his eyebrows as the cobra stood on its belly and hissed at the golden eyed baby. Ajax tightened his fists but didn't let his gaze waver. He silently prayed that no harm befell the baby but knew it was unlikely. 'Why is there a poisonous snake in the pit? I had ordered all the tests be made with snakes that possessed no venom.' Asked the king looking at the vizier who bowed his head making his chin reach his chest before replying. 'Your majesty's court decided that since she is magical we should take, extreme, measures.' If Aksel was displeased he didn't show it but Ajax worried silently. The baby looked confused at the snake then at the adults watching her. She stared at the brown cobra for a while, then she started playing with sand that she was sitting on uninterested in the creature of death. Seeing it's prey distracted the cobra pounced fiercely at the beautiful baby and everyone held their breath waiting to hear the loud painful shrieks of the infant, the tension of death or pain hanging heavily, but....
There was none.
With the amount of force the cobra had attacked it was flung back with twice the same amount in rebound and hit against the small pit wall.
Suddenly everyone became more alert, the king sat straighter.
Had their eyes tricked them?
Was it true what they had seen?
The cobra regained it's slippery stance and pounced again. Each time it pounced it was deflected off by an invisible force shield bubble. The baby that was behind this magic showed clear signs of fear at the first pounce and wailed a little in distress. When the snake hit the wall, when it flung back, she found amusement. Slowly her fear and shock for the snake turned into humor which led her to giggles then she burst out laughing at the snake's pathetic attempt to bite her. The long fangs of the snake dripped with poison but they could not hurt the baby.
'Is she the one?'
General Ashbel asked astounded. The legend of snake fighters was all that it was.
A legend.
The ability to deflect all reptiles as one of its strengths was only recorded as a story they told children. 'Yes, she's the one.' King Aksel replied in awe. 'This is a miracle!' The vizier breathed out amazed. It had been months they were testing the babies in the entire Kingdom. Hoping and praying that a snake fighter be found amidst them. 'But the infant is a female.' General Ashbel voiced his concerned thoughts and looking at the baby girl analytically. 'That may be a problem.' Agreed the vizier nodding his head 'She will be strong.' King Aksel replied, his eyes still glued at the chubby infant that played in the sand and he was studying how the baby wasn't affected by the attacking snake at all. The cobra had now given up and just sat with its tail and body coiled in a rope like heap sticking it's forked tongue in and out again.
Probably annoyed.
Their attention was caught when the baby girl started giggling again. Shining a beautiful smile that showed her two front teeth growing. She was poking holes in the sand with her finger making googly noises and this act made Aksel's lips curl up. 'She may be strong sire, but she will grow up to be a respectable lady, the only weaponry she will have access to might be bow and arrow or a dagger, she will not be able to withstand a warrior's training.' The vizier replied thinking everything critically like he often did and as was his job. 'Snake fighters are different from ordinary magical folk and us humans, Silas.' The king replied finally taking his eyes off the infant. 'We cannot guarantee that she will be a strong warrior, a leader, she might have a strong mind but that is not all that is required.' General Ashbel said now worried as he thought more of the future.
'Women can be strong Silas, there have been many female warriors, even snake fighters, I do not doubt she will be any different.' Captain Ajax intervened scratching his dark dashing stubble. 'I have to agree with the general on this one, captain.' Silas piped in.
'What is her name again?'
Aksel asked in a soft tone. The baby's laughter was contagious and it could bring a smile on even the grumpiest of faces. The guard that had been holding the trap door rope snapped out of his daze before the herald. He too was shocked at how the poisonous snake did not harm the infant. 'S-sonali Hayes, your highness, daughter of one of Serpent Dunes richest sea traders.' The guard stuttered looking back at the baby girl. 'Sonali. The name suits her.' King Aksel said thoughtfully nodding his head.
'She will be a great warrior.' Aksel said confidently making the men around him raise a look at each other. How sure was the king? He was very confident about her greatness even while she was just a baby.
Ajax, who was still young and inexperienced in the presence of the king, asked out loud 'Sire, how are you so sure? She is but a child.' No matter the status and responsibility he held, she was still his niece, the others tensed at the boy's slip of tongue but Aksel smiled at his boldness. One did not speak or question the king unless spoken to but he was wise enough to understand. 'She has magic in her viens, which she is able to access at such an age.' He paused getting up from his chair and the rest did the same.
'She will be the greatest in history.'
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Hello there lovely reader! I hope you enjoyed the prologue and will like the book as well.
There will be some confusions and some things you may not understand but have no fear I'll be making glossary chapters as well for it to be easier for you to understand and feel the story.
But there will be a few terms and conditions I'd like you to understand before we move on further. 😉
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THIS IS TOTAL FICTION!
All the fiction created in this book is purely from my imagination, all the pictures, quotes etc. I use belong to their rightful owners and if I make or post anything made by myself it will be mine.
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DO NOT STEAL!
Please I implore you, let's be good kids and not go around posting my stuff and stealing my ideas and taking credit for it, don't wanna be nasty but I WILL be if you give me a reason too so please no use being a copycat.
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HEY BE NICE!
This is my first story so please have mercy with the comments, honest opinions are very much appreciated and you even saying that you don't like it is no problem but let's not use, ahem, indecent words.
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MATURITY?
This isn't very mature but there might be some gruesome and violent scenes or even sexual, indecent words to look out for, but I won't add many since I don't like them myself. If I do I'll put a warning sign.
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FEEDBACK PLEASE! 😄
You have no idea how much your feedback, votes, comments and even your VIEWS mean so much to me, they will inspire me and if I ever get writer's block your feedback will surely bring my motivation and inspiration back.
So please share my story as much as you can and help me make it famous.
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CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS...
Don't forget to enjoy, I want you to experience the feelings and emotions I had when I wrote and the feelings the characters felt as well.
I might cast some celebs as character description but I'll be choosing some art from social media's, so again, they don't belong to me I'm just using art to give a vivid description of my characters.
That's all for now!
BY THE WAY•••
The book's name is Rebirth but since this is the first part, I will be having different book cover titles but the book series name will remain Serpent Chronicles.
This universe, in which Gulmarg is in, is called 'Underworld', my other books will not be connected to this book in any way.
All copyright reserved ©
No part of this publication may be reproduced, disturbed or transmitted in any format or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
-MLsara 💖
