Chapter 1: Christening
My very first memory was of my christening ceremony. You see, whenever a new child is born in Lemuria, he or she is taken to King Hydros for christening, while everyone in Lemuria watches. My parents took me up to King Hydros, dressed in their finest Lemurian robes. He performed the usual ceremony for all Lemurian children. But, in my case, the end of the ceremony was very different from any child that had come before me. "What have you decided to name this child?" the king asked my mother.
"His name shall be..." My mother said, gazing into my amber-colored eyes and then back at the king. "Piers."
"Very well!" King Hydros' voice boomed.
He reached down and took me from my mother's arms and placed me in his. That is when the king sensed it; more power was emanating from me than he had ever known possible from any Lemurian child. King Hydros tried unsuccessfully to shake off the feeling of shock. "Your highness, is there something wrong with Piers?" Mother asked, with mounting concern.
"N-nothing at all, madam." the king stammered. "Nothing at all."
"If there is nothing wrong, your highness," Father asked, "Then why do you tremble?"
"I am trembling with joy!" King Hydros exclaimed.
"Why?" both my parents asked at the same time, dumbfounded.
Everyone else in Lemuria was wondering the same thing. "Because I believe your son is the chosen one," the king said.
"The what?" My parents exclaimed.
"Allow me to explain," King Hydros said delicately, "There was a prophecy made in Lemuria a long time ago."
"A prophecy?" Mother asked, still utterly confused.
"Yes." the king replied. "May I continue?"
My parents nodded. King Hydros cleared his throat and continued. "The prophecy stated, 'The chosen master of Water shall be born a native son of Lemuria.' He bears the mark."
"The mark?" my parents asked.
"Look at his wrist." King Hydros said, holding up my left arm. "That mark could only be on the true chosen one."
"I merely thought it was a regular birthmark." Father said.
"As did I." Mother agreed, sniffling. "But I never knew it that important!"
"Take it easy, dear." Father said, comforting her. "You will get sick again."
"I am sorry." King Hydros said, "I did not intend for you to be upset."
"I am sorry as well." Mother said, "I overreacted. I am very pleased to hear that about Piers."
"Now, let us finish the ceremony." the king said.
He then held me high over his head and his voice boomed out to the crowd, "I NOW PRESENT TO YOU, FELLOW LEMURIANS... PIERS!"
The crowd then started chanting my name, starting softly than gradually getting louder. Louder than for any other Lemurian child before me. During the chanting, King Hydros whispered to my parents, "Do not tell Piers what I have told you until you feel he is ready. Merely tell him to keep the mark covered at all times. Do you understand?"
My parents nodded. "Good." the king said, and he left to go his throne room.
And, that was my christening ceremony. My childhood, on the other hand, was a little rough.
