Elysian's first day at Tala Academy was nothing short of remarkable. Galahad, the head swordsman's master, watched in awe as the young boy displayed his exceptional skills. His strength and technique surpassed those of older students, leaving Galahad astounded.
"Absolutely astounding!" Galahad exclaimed, unable to contain his admiration for Elysian's talent. The young boy engaged in sparring sessions with older students, and each match showcased his remarkable abilities.
Thailos, who had befriended Elysian, couldn't help but be amazed by his new friend's prowess. "You're incredibly hard to beat!" Thailos remarked, clearly impressed by Elysian's skills.
However, not all students shared Thailos and Galahad's admiration. Some grew envious of Elysian's rapid progress and undeniable talent. Among them, a boy named Lucian muttered, "I'm going to beat that punk later," clearly harboring resentment. Thailos, ever supportive of his new friend, dismissed Lucian's words with a confident retort, "Like you could, Lucian."
As Elysian navigated his first day at Tala Academy, he found himself both admired and envied.
Elysian, walking alongside his new friend Thailos, couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and excitement. Their shared experiences on the first day of school had already forged a bond between them.
"You know," Thailos began, "we could hang out sometime, you know! Although, I can't let you beat the older kids," he added playfully, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Let me be your partner, my friend."
Elysian's face lit up with a bright smile. "Just call me El!" he replied enthusiastically.
Thailos chuckled. "Call me T! Not Thailos, not Thaaaaylos, just T."
Elysian grinned and suggested, "Or how about Thai?"
Thailos considered for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Men, you have no taste! Oh well, Thai works well," he said with a playful nudge, sealing their newfound friendship with laughter and camaraderie.
Elysian, now named El, eagerly shared his day's adventures with his mother, Lyria. Her eyes sparkled with interest and nostalgia as he mentioned his new friend, Thailos.
"How are you, my dear son?" Lyria inquired, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
El couldn't contain his excitement. "Well, I met a new kid! His name is Thailos, and he lives just a few blocks away. He's the son of Sir Galahad."
Lyria's face lit up with recognition. "Oh wow, Galahad is teaching now? He was your father's partner when they both worked for the King!" She spoke with a mix of nostalgia and excitement, reminiscing about the days when she and Sirius had been close friends with Sir Galahad. The connection between their families added an extra layer of joy to El's newfound friendship with Thailos. "We should invite them to dinner sometime!"
As El and Thai's friendship continued to grow stronger, so did El's progress in all his classes. Their days at Tala Academy were filled with shared laughter and countless adventures, making them inseparable companions.
However, a mysterious air hung over the school as news of the prophecy circulated among students and staff:
"In Biringan's realm, a hero shall arise, To wield the 'Malakas Blade' 'neath endless skies, A lineage unknown, destiny untamed, With power dormant, in their name proclaimed."
"What the heck is that?" Thailos asked one day, his brow furrowing with curiosity as they both sat in the expansive library.
"I don't know," responded El, equally intrigued.
"I heard there's an ancient book section in the library. Care to join me and see what this prophecy is all about?" Thai suggested, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
El nodded in agreement, and they quietly followed Thai as he led the way. Just as they began their exploration, they were startled by a voice:
"Hold it up, boys!" the voice called out, causing them to turn abruptly. It was a girl their age, beautiful yet exuding an air of intimidation. Thai, in his nervousness, blurted out, "Don't eat me!"
The girl chuckled and introduced herself, dispelling their fears. "I'm Raven, not a monster. Now, lead the way."
With Thai leading the way, they ventured into the dark section of the library. Curiosity had drawn them here, but Raven's presence added an element of mystery to their quest.
"Why are you so interested in this book? Are you looking for something too?" Thai asked Raven.
Raven's response was a quiet murmur, adding to the enigmatic atmosphere surrounding her.
The trio eventually reached the book section, and a shivering wind blew through the ancient tomes, sending a chill down their spines. Thai couldn't contain his excitement, exclaiming, "Whoa, this is creepy and awesome!"
El introduced himself, "I'm Elysian, but you can call me El."
Thai interjected with a laugh, "And I'm Thailos, but T works just fine, Raven."
Raven, appearing unimpressed, pointed to a specific book. "There it is. That must be the old book we're looking for."
Thai, with his usual playful banter, couldn't resist a retort. "All books here are old! Be specific!"
Raven, rolling her eyes, indicated the red book that held the answers to the mysterious prophecy.
Raven reached the book from the top shelf using a floating spell cast "Lipad!" she chanted and the book floated right through her hands. "Woaaw, you are creepy!" commented Thai.
El chuckled as he watched Raven roll her eyes once more. "This is a book about ancient races!" Raven exclaimed, her tone carrying a hint of frustration. "Borrrriiiing!" Thai sighed in agreement.
El's eyes widened with amazement as he noticed the pictures within the book come to life, each image telling a tale from ages past.
The book began to narrate the story of the first man in the world. It all began with a god named Bathala, who grew a colossal bamboo tree in the heart of the forest. To their astonishment, the bamboo tree unfurled, revealing the first man, named Malakas.
Malakas felt loneliness, prompting Bathala to create a companion named Maganda. Together, Malakas and Maganda became the first King and Queen of Biringan, ushering in an era of peace and harmony. Yet, as the world flourished, so did a dark force fueled by the desire for power. The benevolent King and Queen sought guidance from Bathala, who granted them the power to seal the menacing serpent.
The book delved into the epic battle that unfolded between Malakas and the serpent, a struggle that endured for a thousand years. As the world became populated with diverse creatures, the serpent struck a sinister deal with an encanto who harbored ambitions of claiming Malakas' throne. This cunning individual became the first Sorcerer and was known as "Bakunawa," meaning devourer. Bakunawa, with his insatiable appetite, consumed moons and stars, spreading fear throughout Biringan as he laid waste to the realm.
Malakas, recognizing that he was no longer strong enough to confront Bakunawa, turned to Bathala once more, offering prayers for salvation. Bathala answered his plea by creating a hero named Matibay. The hero and Bakunawa engaged in a fierce battle, but despite Matibay's bravery, he could not defeat the serpent.
In an act of selflessness, Malakas, driven by love and compassion for his realm, chose to seal himself away, transforming into an ebony sword known as the Malakas Blade. Matibay, wielding this formidable weapon, confronted Bakunawa once more, ultimately defeating the serpent. As punishment for his sins, Matibay sealed Bakunawa, ensuring that the malevolent force would trouble Biringan no more.
The Malakas Blade, having fulfilled its purpose, disappeared from sight, remaining a legendary artifact lost to the annals of history.
El, Thai, and Raven sat in awe as they absorbed the epic tale of Biringan's ancient past, marked by gods, heroes, and powerful artifacts. This newfound knowledge had ignited their curiosity, and they couldn't help but wonder if the Malakas Blade's return might be connected to the mysterious prophecy they had encountered.
"Hold it right there! Mister Thailos, you do know that this is a restricted area?" boomed a voice, causing Thai, El, and Raven to freeze in their tracks. Thai quickly devised a plan, whispering to his friends, "When I say run, you two run."
With a sense of urgency, Thai exclaimed, "Uhm, run?!"
At Thai's signal, the trio sprinted away as fast as they could, leaving behind the towering and furious Kapre librarian, Ms. Booksworth. El and Raven managed to escape the chase, but Thailos found himself ensnared by the powerful Kapre. He was swiftly carried away, destined for the headmistress's office.
As the dust settled from their escape, Raven couldn't contain her excitement. "That was fun!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with adventure. "Let's eat lunch together," she added, extending a friendly invitation to El.
El, feeling a newfound sense of camaraderie with Raven, agreed with a smile. "Sure, let's do it!" Their misadventure in the library had brought them together, and now, they looked forward to sharing their lunchtime tales and building a unique friendship at Tala Academy.