Beneath the sand

Rania walked through the barren lands of Shegen, far from Lomana, the land of the Original Titans. She held Kiich-ten in her arms, hoping to find someone who could help her. But it felt hopeless; she was in the middle of nowhere. There were no Titans in Shegen, and she had been walking for days. She had just used the last of her food. All she wanted was for her child to live.

She had left the Original Titans miles behind, and it would be impossible for them to track her. The ground was dry and covered in red sand, and leafless trees dotted the landscape. The huge sunset turned the sky red, and a massive storm approached from ahead. She thought this might be the end.

Suddenly, she saw a sword with markings on it. It was in its sheath, looking like a royal weapon, and it hadn't been there long. Its owner might come looking for it. She picked it up and prepared for the storm.

As the storm drew close, Rania quickly took off her cloak and wrapped it around baby Kiich-ten. She stuck the sword in the ground to reflect the sunset's light, then lay beside it, shielding the child from the storm.

The storm hit, fierce and relentless, and Rania screamed as it battered her. It raged for what felt like an eternity, then finally moved on. Rania had died, the storm's impact too much for her. But she had protected her child, and Kiich-ten was still alive. He cried out, but no one was there to hear him. He was alone in the wilderness.

Princess Vegian of the Jegonee Titans and her guards flew toward the lost land of Shegen. They rode on titan birds, which looked like small dragons, heading for where the princess had dropped her sword. They landed and began searching.

"The sword is in its sheath. Dig around; the storm might have covered it," said Princess Vegian.

As they searched, sunlight glinted off one guard's armor. He followed the reflection to its source and spotted something shining in the sand.

"Princess, did the storm do that?" he asked, pointing.

The others stopped and saw the sword, but wondered who had removed it from its sheath and stuck it in the ground. It might be a signal from an enemy.

"Go and see what's around it. Watch for traps the storm might have hidden," Vegian ordered one guard.

The guard approached the sword cautiously, watching the ground. As he pulled the sword from the sand, he heard a faint cough. He swiftly kicked at the spot, revealing something buried beneath the sand. The others tensed, ready for an ambush.

"We could be attacked from beneath. Prepare to fight!" the princess called out.

The guard prodded the sand with his foot, then heard a baby's cry, muffled by the sand. He quickly began to dig and uncovered a living child, still protected by Rania's cloak. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"It's a child, Princess," he said, staring at the baby's red hair.

Vegian approached and looked at the woman's body beside the child. She recognized a mark on Rania's hand—it was the sign of a Moon Titan. Rania stirred, using her last strength to speak.

"Please, protect my child. His name is Kiich-ten. He is destined for greatness," she said, then was lifted into the sky by a strange force.

Princess Vegian cradled the child in her arms, feeling a deep joy. She had always wanted a child of her own. She knew she would do anything to keep this child safe.

"Which Titans give birth to children with hair like this?" asked a guard.

"Blood Titans," Vegian replied. "This might be the last one. They are said to have special abilities. I saw this in a vision. Something led me here, to find this child. We'll take him back to Jegonee City."

The princess and her guards mounted their titan birds and flew back to the city.

Jegonee City was one of the most advanced of the Titan realms. It had towering buildings and was ruled by the powerful and kind King Leo, Vegian and Lawrence's father. At that time, Lawrence was only a year old, and his mother, Queen Zean, was a cruel woman.

Vegian and her guards landed near the palace. She hurried inside with the child, hoping her parents wouldn't notice. But Queen Zean watched from above.

Vegian bathed and fed Kiich-ten, dressing him in royal fabric. She felt a deep happiness with him in her care. But soon there was a knock on her door.

"What do you want?" she asked the guards who stood there.

"The king wishes to see you," one guard said.

"With the child," added the other.

Vegian wondered how her father had found out. It couldn't have been her guards; they were loyal to her.

She wrapped the child carefully and went to the throne room. She found King Leo seated with Queen Zean beside him. Vegian knew they would want to send the child away. Her mother always influenced the king, but she was determined to protect Kiich-ten.

"You brought a foreign child into our kingdom," the king said. "Why?"

The queen sneered. "And you dare dress it in royal clothing? Is this your plan, to raise it because you can't bear children?"

"The child was lost," Vegian said. "I found him after his mother was taken in Shegen. He isn't ordinary, Father. You always told me everything happens for a reason."

The king seemed to consider her words.

"The child must be killed," the queen insisted. "He is a curse."

The king shook his head. "No, Zean. He will stay in the palace. He can eat at my table."

The queen glared at him and stormed away. Vegian ran to hug her father, overjoyed. The king was surprised; she had never shown such affection before.

"I agreed to keep the child because I see darkness in Jegonee's future," the king said. "He might bring some light to that darkness. But when I die, you and the child must leave. Your future isn't here."

"What do you mean, Father?" Vegian asked, frightened.

"Just remember when the time comes," the king replied. "The child is special."

King Leo's words were a shadow over Jegonee City, hinting at a dark future, and the start of its uncertain fate