Chapter 1
The blue clouds of Kaiousei swirled around with the elegance and grace of those born of its line. It was these clouds that mesmerized Thalassa on a daily basis. The youngest of the royal family of Kaiousei could often only be quieted by the flow of the planet's clouds. Not much older than an infant, Thalassa was already bewildering her family. They saw a great future for her. Queen Eris of Kasei, a branch of the main family of Suisei from which Kaiousei, too, came from, had spoken mildly of the young princess' future. She had never spoken of the other princesses, Nereid and Neptune, nor had she spoken of Prince Triton. However, Eris had spoken mildly of the subject, and she was cryptic at that. So while her mother and father still pondered it, they ceased to speak of it.
On this day, the oldest princess Nereid had been responsible for Thalassa. Thalassa, however, had become a bother with her incessant crying, and so the eldest princess had left the young girl in her chair to stare out of the castle window to the great blue marble that they circled. Unlike the kingdoms of Suisei, Kinsei, Kasei, Meiousei, Earth, and the Moon, Kaiousei's kingdoms were not located on the planet's surface. Most of the planet was merely a mass of blue clouds swirling in a waltz all their own. And so, like Mokusei, Dosei, and Tennousei, Kaiousei's kingdom resided on one of the satellites that circled the planet loyally.
"Come along Thalassa." The little princess broke her gaze at the clouds to look at her second sister, Neptune. Even though Thalassa was but a child and could not speak, she still had thoughts and opinions of her own. In her opinion, Neptune was the better sister. Thalassa eagerly reached out for her sister and was rewarded with one of Neptune's sweet, beautiful, songlike laughs. While Neptune, herself, was still naught but a child she seemed so much more mature and graceful that Nereid, or even their mother.
Thalassa giggled at the thought of her mother and then proceeded to try and chew of Neptune's wavy locks of sea-like hair. Neptune didn't protest it, for she knew it would be a pointless fight. With a soft smile, she left the playroom and proceeded down the hall to the gardens. From the gardens she went to the schooling room. Triton and Nereid were already there. Triton reached out for his youngest sister, but the little girl clung to Neptune. Triton recoiled with a hurt expression. "Well how to you like that?" he said, "My little sister doesn't like me."
"She just needs her 'Neptune Time,' Triton," Nereid said. "That's just how she is."
"You're just jealous because she likes me better than she does you," Triton said childishly with a wide grin.
"I am not jealous!" Nereid insisted.
"That's enough you two," Neptune said. "You'll scare Thalassa. Anyway, it doesn't matter because she likes me better than both of you." Neptune and Triton laughed together as Nereid turned away. Thalassa laughed, too, but found herself more interested in chewing on Neptune's hair.
Their laughter was soon interrupted when their mother, Queen Larissa, burst into the room. Knit brows and pale skin obstructed the queen's usual grace and beauty. "Children, come," she said in a calm manner that seemed forced, "You four are to go to the safe room. Triton, I want you to stay with your sisters."
"Mother, what is wrong?" Triton asked as he stood.
"It may be nothing," the queen said. "I don't want to take a chance. Please do as I said." Triton and Nereid nodded. They and Neptune proceeded to the safe room. It had windows with bars and the walls were very thick. The room was built in case of battle or invasion. They had never used it before save for punishment. There were three beds, a crib, a large table, some chairs, a bookcase, and a communication screen. There was also a dividing wall to separate Triton from the girls.
As the three girls went in, Triton noticed a guard post himself outside of it. "Please stay here with the children," their mother told the guard. "They are not to leave, and only Areia is to enter and leave." The guard nodded.
"Mother-"
"Not now, Triton," she said. "Areia will bring your supper this evening. Until then, please behave and stay here. Either your father or I shall return this evening to see you." Triton nodded. As the door closed, the four siblings worried about what might be going on.