“Honey, hurry, get up, put this on,”

Things were moving way too fast.

“Ok momma,” I say

Hi, my name is Orla. I am 10 years old. War has broken out in the Kingdom of Orieno. We used to be a peaceful kingdom but then the kingdom of Abaddon wanted their prince to marry me. They tried a sneak attack but our animal spies told us about it a month before they actually did it. Then they tried to block our food supplies but since they didn't know where we got our food that did not work. Now they are trying to use brute force to break in, which has not been working, or so we thought, but now we are losing men left and right. They are almost at the front gate and are surrounding the castle, so now how are we going to escape? Hopefully, my mom, Queen Adriana, has a plan. She hands me a maid outfit and I know what she planned.

“Hurry this way,” my Mom says, directing me to the maid quarters where she is now talking to the head maid “Do not let her out of your sight until she is safe on that boat," she says with a few extra details.

“Yes Ma'am,” Sarah, the head maid replies.

Mom gives me one last hug before running back upstairs.

“Ok Orla get a scrubbin," Sarah hands me a mop and pail, and indictes to the kitchen floor.

"Okay," I say. I take the mop and start scrubbing the floor. Sarah watches me intently, making sure I'm

doing it the way she wants. I finished the floor after about an hour.

“Very good," Can you cook?” she questions when I'm finished.

"Yes, I can cook. I'm pretty good at making a variety of dishes." I say confidently. "I can also bake cakes and cookies."

She smiles and nods approvingly. "That's good. I'll have to test your skills soon," she says as she stands up. "Do you have any questions for me?" I shake my head no.

“Quick down there,” a man shouts from above.

“What do we do?" I ask Sarah. 

"We do nothing,” Sarah replies with a calm voice, "We stay quiet and still. It's important not to draw attention to ourselves."

"Well, what do we have here?" said the evil king when we all lined up against the wall as told. The king's face was stern and his eyes were narrowed. He seemed to be sizing up each one of us, trying to decide who would survive and who would not. We all stood in silence, afraid to move.
"We are going to have a contest" he laughed "Whomever can make it to the boat in five minutes will get to live" We all bolted for the boats, sprinting as fast as we could. The king laughed and watched as we all fought for our survival. In the end, only one made it to the boat in time.

“Keep going you're gonna make it” Sarah pants from behind me

POW BAM

Shots ring out. I stop and turn around and the king’s men are firing at us. He is laughing. I look for Sarah. She is still running towards the boat. I continue running

BAM BAM POW 

With more shots, I reach the docks. I don't stop running as I board the only boat I watch as the docks explode with Sarah on them.

The boat sails away as I glance back and see her still screaming in pain. I take a deep breath and try to process the nightmare I just witnessed.

Two days out to sea and a storm rolls in. The crew batten down the hatches and the storm rages on. The waves grow higher and the deck begins to creak and groan. All hope is lost as the ship is battered against the rocks. In an effort to survive, I grab hold of a long boat and manage to launch it into the tumultuous sea. With every ounce of strength, I row away from the sinking ship, praying that the storm will eventually subside.

In the last five years, I have been at sea, battling storms and finding islands. My journey has been filled with adventure and excitement. I have seen some of the most beautiful places and met some tribes. I have also experienced many dangers and faced many obstacles. Every challenge I overcame was a reminder of my strength and resilience. But now I am finally seeing my destination, the Kingdom of Abaddon!

“Uh oh,” I say to myself, another storm. I start paddling for the shore like a crazy person. I'm too late. I'm surrounded by the waves. I'm stuck. The waves are beating down on me. I'm thrown out of my boat and underwater. My boat is beating against the rocks. I black out.

“MOTHER!!” a young man yells. “MOTHER HURRY!!” The man is leaning over me shouting to his mother to come I look at my torn clothes compared to his tunic 

As I slowly regain consciousness, I find myself lying on the soft sand of the shore, a young man and his mother hovering worriedly over me. The woman's eyes are filled with concern as she examines my injuries, her hands gentle yet firm as she tends to my wounds. The young man looks at me with wide eyes, silently taking in my appearance, his curiosity evident in his gaze.

“What is your name young traveler?” the woman soothes.

“My name?” I ask.

“Yes,”  the woman clarified.

“And where do you come from?” The young man wonders aloud.

Uh oh how was I going to tell them I was me, Orla, whose name quite literally means Golden Princess? Nope, I could not do that and tell them I was from the Kingdom of Orieno, no way. So I would have to go with a simpler name like Cordelia, which means Daughter of the Sea.

“My name is Cordelia,” I say, and “I am from the Kingdom of Orieno." I wait for their reaction, expecting them to react with surprise or confusion. Instead, they just nod and smile, accepting my story without question.

"Ah, Cordelia," the young man replies, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I have heard many tales of the Kingdom of Orieno. Tell me, what is life like there?"

"Well it used to be pleasant but then the king of Abaddon tried to make well the princess marry his son. So now I don't know, when they came I left"

"You have nothing to worry about now. The king was overthrown by his nice brother." He replies quietly. "Please come inside," the woman says warmly, holding the door open for Cordelia. "We have heard stories of the Kingdom of Orieno's beauty, but our home may seem humble in comparison. Nevertheless, you are welcome here, Cordelia."

"I am sure I will love it."

The four-room hut consists of three beds a kitchen and a bathing room.

Meanwhile, in jail, the town witch keeps going on about how the Princess has returned.

"Listen, everyone! The Princess has returned!" the town witch proclaimed, her voice echoing through the cold, stone walls of the jail. The guards exchanged skeptical glances, unsure whether to believe her or dismiss her as delusional.

“Oh shut up you old hag the princess is dead the old king killed her and her parents,” one guard said.

Back at the hut

 "Thank you for your kindness," Cordelia says gratefully, stepping inside. "Despite its appearance, your home feels warm and inviting. I am eager to hear more stories of the Kingdom of Abaddon and share my own experiences with you."

"I am glad you find our home inviting," the young boy chimed in, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Tell us, Cordelia, what kind of adventures did you have while escaping the Kingdom of Orieno? Oh, my name is Luke this is my mom, Iris,”

Cordelia took a deep breath and smiled. "Well, it's been a long journey, and I can't begin to tell you all the places I've been. Let's just say, it's been a wild ride!" From navigating treacherous waters with pirates, Cordelia's adventures were filled with danger and excitement. She had encountered various cultures, mastered new languages, and acquired skills she never thought she would possess.

That night  Iris came to Cordelia’s room bringing her a warm dry nightgown and a dress for the next day as well as saying “good night,”

The next day Luke was up and moving chatting with his fellow mates

“Ooh, a girl?”

“I already said that she is a girl,”

“On the beach?”

“The south one,”

“Is she cute?"

“She’s beautiful,"

At that time, Cordelia walks out of the hut Luke's heart skipped a beat as Cordelia emerged from the hut, her golden hair glistening in the morning sun. The conversations among the youths instantly ceased, their eyes fixated on her graceful stride and radiant smile.

"Wow, she's even more stunning up close," one of the boys whispered.

"I think I'm in love," another chimed in, earning a playful shove from his friend.

Luke couldn't help but blush, realizing that he wasn't the only one captivated by Cordelia's beauty.

"Hey Luke, aren't you going to introduce us to your beautiful friend?" one of the boys teased, nudging him playfully.

Luke stammered, trying to find the right words, before finally saying, "Guys, this is Cordelia. Cordelia's eyes twinkled with amusement as she greeted Luke's friends, her voice gentle yet confident. "Nice to meet you all," she said, flashing a warm smile. "I'm excited to get to everyone,”

She gave each of them a firm handshake, before moving on to the next. She made sure to greet everyone with the same level of enthusiasm, as if they were all the most important people in the whole world.

As Cordelia greeted Luke's friends, the boys couldn't help but shower her with compliments. "Wow,

you're even more beautiful in person!" one exclaimed. "Luke's a lucky guy," another added with a smirk. Cordelia's cheeks flushed slightly as she graciously accepted their praise, her confidence shining through.
Then the unthinkable happens the town witch jumps out at them. The witch begins ranting about Luke and Cordelia's relationship, accusing them of being in love and warning of dire consequences. Everyone stands silent as the witch storms away.
"Um, who was she?" Cordelia asks

"She was the woman who was here earlier," Angel one of the boys, says. "She was asking about you."

Cordelia's face darkens, and she asks, "What did she look like?"

"She was tall and slender, with long black hair and blue eyes. her face was burnd in an explosion. She was wearing a black dress and had a necklace around her neck."

" I think I know her," Cordilea says quietly

"You do?"

"Yes, I do." She replied with a smile. "It's not something I'm proud of, but it's the truth. She was burned because of me."

"How come?"

"she helped me get away She risked her life for me. I'll never forget that."

Cordelia’s revelation hung in the air, a palpable tension enveloping the group. The boys exchanged glances, their jovial demeanor replaced with a mix of shock and curiosity.

“Wait, you mean she got burned because of you?” Luke asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Cordelia nodded, her gaze steady. “Yes, she did. It’s a long story.”

The boys leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Cordelia took a deep breath and began her tale. “It happened a few years ago. We were both living in a small village by the sea. She was a kind woman, always helping others. One day, our village was attacked. She helped me escape, but in the process, she got caught in an explosion.”

The boys listened in silence, their eyes wide with shock. “I managed to escape, but she was left behind. I later learned that she survived, but was severely burned. I’ve always felt guilty about it.”

Luke reached out, gently squeezing her hand. “It’s not your fault, Cordelia. You couldn’t have known what would happen.”

Cordelia gave him a small smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Thank you, Luke. That means a lot.”

Just then, a loud crash echoed through the town, followed by the witch’s cackling laughter. The boys jumped to their feet, their faces filled with determination. “We need to do something,” Luke declared, his gaze meeting Cordelia’s. “We can’t let her terrorize our town.”

With a nod of agreement from the others, they set off towards the source of the noise, ready to face whatever challenge lay ahead. Little did they know, their lives were about to change forever.

The group of boys, led by Luke, rushed towards the source of the noise, their hearts pounding in their chests. Cordelia followed closely behind, her face set in a determined expression. As they rounded a corner, they came face to face with the witch, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

“Ah, the brave heroes have arrived,” she sneered, her voice echoing through the deserted streets. “And look, the traitor is with them.”

Cordelia stepped forward, her gaze meeting the witch’s. “I’m not a traitor,” she said firmly. “I did what I had to do to survive.”

The witch laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines. “Survive? Is that what you call it? You left me to die!”

“I didn’t know you were still alive,” Cordelia replied, her voice barely a whisper. “I thought I had lost you.”

“Well, you were wrong,” the witch spat. “And now, you will pay for your betrayal.”

With a swift movement, the witch raised her hand, a ball of fire forming in her palm. But before she could launch it at them, Luke stepped in front of Cordelia, his eyes filled with determination.

“We won’t let you hurt her,” he declared, his voice echoing through the silent town. “We won’t let you hurt anyone.”

The witch’s laughter filled the air once again, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. As the boys stood their ground, ready to protect their friend and their town, they knew that this was just the beginning of their fight.

The witch’s laughter echoed through the deserted streets, but the boys stood their ground. Luke, standing protectively in front of Cordelia, clenched his fists. “We’re not afraid of you,” he declared, his voice steady.

The witch sneered, the ball of fire in her hand growing larger. “You should be,” she retorted, hurling the fireball towards them.

With a swift movement, Luke pushed Cordelia out of the way, narrowly avoiding the fireball. The boys scattered, seeking cover behind the nearby buildings. The witch cackled, launching another fireball towards them.

Meanwhile, Cordelia, who had been knocked to the ground, slowly got up. Her eyes were filled with determination. She knew she couldn’t just stand by and watch. She had to do something.

Summoning all her courage, Cordelia stepped forward, her hands raised. She began to chant, her voice rising above the witch’s laughter. A gust of wind swirled around her, extinguishing the fireballs mid-air.

The witch’s laughter died down, replaced by a look of surprise. “What is this?” she demanded, her eyes narrowing at Cordelia.

“This is us fighting back,” Cordelia replied, her voice echoing through the town. The boys, inspired by her bravery, joined her, standing together against the witch.

As the battle raged on, they knew this was just the beginning. They had a long fight ahead, but they were ready. They would protect their friend and their town, no matter what it took. The witch had underestimated them, and she was about to learn just how wrong she was.

“ENOUGH” shouts a man. 

Its the prince of Abaddon and he has come to rearest the witch

The shout echoed through the deserted streets, causing everyone to freeze. The boys turned to see a man striding towards them. His eyes were hard, his jaw set. It was the Prince of Abaddon.

“Enough!” he repeated, his voice booming. He was looking at the witch, his gaze filled with contempt. “Your reign of terror ends now.”

The witch sneered at him, but there was a hint of fear in her eyes. “And who are you to stop me?” she retorted.

“I am the Prince of Abaddon,” he declared, drawing his sword. “And I have come to arrest you.”

The witch laughed, but it was a hollow sound. “You think you can defeat me?” she asked, raising her hand to summon another fireball.

But the prince was faster. With a swift movement, he lunged at the witch, his sword aimed at her heart. The witch barely had time to react. She let out a shriek as the prince’s sword pierced her, the fireball in her hand fizzling out.

The boys watched in awe as the witch collapsed, the prince standing over her. He turned to them, his expression softening. “Are you all right?” he asked, sheathing his sword.

“We are, thanks to you,” Luke replied, relief washing over him. The others nodded, their faces filled with gratitude.

The prince nodded, turning his attention back to the witch. “She won’t be causing any more trouble,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “I’ll make sure of that.”

As the prince led the witch away, the boys knew that their town was safe once again. They had faced their fears, stood up to the witch, and with the help of the Prince of Abaddon, they had won.

As the Prince of Abaddon led the witch away, the boys watched in silence. The town, once filled with fear and chaos, was now eerily quiet. But it was a silence of relief, not of dread.

Luke turned to his friends, a small smile playing on his lips. “We did it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. The others nodded, their faces reflecting the same mixture of relief and disbelief.

Cordelia, her eyes still shining with determination, stepped forward. “We did,” she agreed. “But we couldn’t have done it without each other.”

The boys nodded, acknowledging her words. They had faced their fears, stood up to the witch, and with the help of the Prince of Abaddon, they had won. But more importantly, they had done it together.

As the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the town, the boys knew that a new day was dawning. It was a day of hope, of new beginnings. The witch’s reign of terror was over, and they had been the ones to end it.

But they also knew that their journey was far from over. There were still many challenges ahead, many battles to be fought. But they were ready. They had faced the witch and won. They could face anything.

As they watched the sunrise, the boys made a silent promise to each other. They would stand together, no matter what. They would protect their town and each other, no matter what it took.

And so, as the new day dawned, the boys stood together, ready to face whatever came their way. They were no longer just boys. They were heroes.

The next day the Prince comes to visit Cordelia and invites her to stay at the palace.

The next day, the town was still basking in the relief of the witch’s defeat. The boys, now hailed as heroes, were going about their day when a royal carriage pulled up in front of Lukes’s house. Out stepped the Prince of Abaddon, his regal attire a stark contrast to the humble surroundings.

He approached Cordelia, who was standing in the doorway, a look of surprise on her face. “Cordelia,” he began, his voice gentle yet commanding. “I have come with an invitation.”

Cordelia looked at him, her eyes wide. “An invitation?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

The Prince nodded. “Yes, an invitation to stay at the palace. Your bravery and determination have not gone unnoticed. I believe you could be of great help in ensuring the safety of the kingdom.”

Cordelia was taken aback. She looked at her friends, who were watching the exchange with wide eyes. She then turned back to the Prince, a determined look in her eyes. “If it’s for the safety of our kingdom,” she said, her voice steady. “I accept your invitation.”

The Prince smiled, a look of approval in his eyes. “Very well,” he said. “Prepare yourself, Cordelia. A new journey awaits you.”

As the Prince left, Cordelia turned to her friends.

“You can’t go” luke cries out

“Yeah” the others agree

“Guys this is what I came here for”

Cordelia’s words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the reality they were facing. Luke, his eyes welling up with tears, shook his head. “But Cordelia, we need you here,” he said, his voice choked with emotion.

The others nodded in agreement, their faces mirroring Luke’s distress. They had fought together, won together, and the thought of parting ways was almost unbearable.

Cordelia looked at her friends, her heart aching at their distraught expressions. “I know,” she said softly. “And I’ll miss you all. But this… this is something I have to do.”

She stepped forward, pulling each of them into a hug. “Promise me you’ll take care of each other,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Promise me you’ll keep fighting, no matter what.”

With heavy hearts, they nodded, making their promise. As Cordelia climbed into the royal carriage, she took one last look at her friends. They were no longer just boys. They were heroes. And she… she was about to become a part of something bigger.

As the carriage pulled away, the boys watched in silence. They knew their lives were about to change, but they also knew they could face whatever came their way. After all, they were heroes. And heroes always keep their promises.

All the way to the palace Cordelia couldn't help but remember her purpose, to get revenge on the king for ruining her life and her kingdom Oreino’s peaceful times.

As the royal carriage rumbled along the cobblestone path, Cordelia’s mind was filled with thoughts of revenge. The King of Abaddon had brought ruin to her life and her kingdom, Oreino. Now, she was on a mission to set things right.

She looked out of the carriage window, her eyes taking in the changing landscape. The humble houses of her town gave way to vast fields and then to dense forests. The journey was long, but Cordelia didn’t mind. It gave her time to plan.

She remembered the peaceful times in Oreino, the laughter of the children, the bustling marketplaces, the vibrant festivals. All of that had been taken away by the King’s greed. Cordelia clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. She would not rest until she had avenged her kingdom.

Meanwhile, back in the town, Luke and the others were coming to terms with Cordelia’s departure. They missed her, but they also understood her mission. They made a pact to train harder, to become stronger. After all, they were heroes, and heroes always keep their promises.

As Cordelia’s journey continued, she knew she was not alone. She had her friends’ support, their promise echoing in her heart. She was ready to face whatever lay ahead. For her kingdom, for her friends, and for herself, she would fight.

But now the king was locked up in a dingy dungeon. How was she supposed to get her revenge? I mean lets be honest here, being locked up is punishment enough.

“Hey are you okay Cordelia,” askes the Prince

“Yes your highness, I’m just thinking,” she replies

“You can call me Rocky,”

“Ok Prince Rocky,”

“No just Rocky,”