Chapter 1

"Once upon a time, a man wandered around a vast land, looking for a home he could call his own. He passed through icy lands, grassy fields. He encountered vicious animals that tried to rob him of his life. What he only thought of was to find that place he had seen in his dream.

Those gigantic trees that could almost reach the skies. Those flocks of birds dancing around those trees. Those lions that fed on mushrooms. A land where there is peace and harmony.

He travelled for some years until he reached that place as he gazed at it from the top peak of a mountain. He just flexed his lips as the word 'Zimicah' sounded from his mouth. He was ...."

The little chatters from the children who sat on the ground listening attentively, made the teen telling the tale feel content as she shared the story that had made her jittery when she was still their age.

They were under a tree shade, taking temporary cover from the scorching sun. The six toddlers surrounded the story teller each folding their legs waiting to hear more. Words kept sprouting out from the beautiful girl, as her curly long hair danced with the wind. She was wearing a red top that only covered her chest leaving out part of her stomach. From her waist, a grey flurry skirt rested there reaching her knees. She was bare footed as she graced nature with her feet.

The group was filled with little girls of about six years. They were lovely and liked to hear stories. On the seventh day they would gather under this tree to wait for something.

"Aly!"

They all turned to look onto the other direction where a girl the age of their story teller called waving her hand. She was dark skinned with hair which was quite straight and a little long. She worn an armless green dress and like her friend, she had no shoes. She was really a true beauty.

"Adanna!" The story teller waved back at her as she dismissed the little kids. Yes it was Alyssa. She had grown beautifully and now her time had come. Time for her to let her wings shine. Sixteen years waiting for this very day.

She took off to the other side and hugged the other whom she had not seen since morning. The two walked back to the houses. They were welcomed by their friends as Alyssa got ready to attend her ceremony. She washed her face and took her yellow headband, looking in the river as she fixed some hair strands that had escaped her grasp.

After that she went to eat some pumpkins so that she wouldn't spend the night with an empty stomach. Finishing all of it, she drank some fluid before joining the crowd.

It was almost evening as they all gathered in front of the Chief's quarters, where she was going to be coronated. It consisted a cabin which was not plastered showing the bricks interchanging as it made that one structure. Beside the cabin there were two giant trees that were the tallest in the village. It had pink leaves and the buck was smooth making it hard to climb it to the top.

The chief had no guards for the village. It was so peaceful and away from any other living creatures unlike the ones inside.

Alyssa moved past her people. All being smiley and greeting those who were close to her. Those little children waving at her. They were calling her name as they complimented how pretty she looked.

She stopped when she was at the front, sitting on a sheer rock, which was carved with different patterns. It was under one of the trees and at the side a colourful feathered crown laid awaiting its owner.

When everyone had seated on the grass and some spread cloths to cover the soil so that they didn't get dirty. A group of people perfomed a traditional dance wishing blessings to their new Chief. Next performers were those little children who sang so beautifully and blew kisses her way.

All was going well, only the red moon was left to appear.

It suddenly started to darken little by little blackening as the villagers bowed to their leader. Alyssa acknowledged them as she raised her head looking at the moon that had started reddening.

For the past years, the previous chiefs had witnessed such a day and they were each gifted a power by the blood moon. The first Chief was given wisdom to improve the village's infrastructure and the like. The second, was given the ability to control the river, bringing in water by commanding it. The third, she was given the ability to communicate with the trees and water spirits. The fourth, was just kind hearted. He had no fancy powers or anything. The fifth, was an ordinary man who loved his daughter. She was the gift to him and his wife. He was Alyssa's late father.

And now it's her turn. She wondered what she would be gifted with. Maybe, an ability to control fire or to talk with the animals, or something more special. She expected something from the moon. Her heart kept pounding as she waited to attain her gift.

Right on that moment, little droplets of rain started falling, shocking the villagers who murmured to themselves some taking some few steps back from her. Some grabbing their children and shielded them from her line of vision. In an instant the little rain had changed the way they viewed and believed in her.

The showers started getting harsher and harsher, as the cloudless sky roared with the booming thunder. Lightning streaked lightening the darkness around them.

Cries were heard as the people ran about, taking shelter in their homes. Alyssa remained sitting as she looked upwards rain drops entering her eyes. Her mind was in turmoil as her sharp ears caught on what her people were murmuring about.

"Nothing like this had ever happened for the past fifty years."

"She has bad luck."

"She is cursed."

"Why would it rain when it is this clear and when it's a red moon, this is an omen."

"Kids stay away from her."

"She is not fit to be the Chief."