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stuffylana · 5 years

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The Last of Millenniums, chapter one

Genre: Science Fiction

Word count: 1610

Tag list: @amongwriters @storyteller-kaelo @mouwwie @alinakerrin @indievixen @nkta-ink @starrywritingg @magsiswritingnow @outaspacestudent @crypticsx @wasting-ink-not-youth (omg it’s already eleven of you, and I haven’t even posted a chapter yet *the tears of recognition streaming down my face*)

The chapter is under the cut!

‘... and after years of work, we are ready to announce that our first book, The Last of Millenniums, is available on bookplate.sg!’

It’s happening. The history of twenty-ish centuries is revealed.

I have always been curious about the past. It always is the reason why the world became the one we live in now. And, to be honest, I always thought I had to be born a couple of centuries ago. All this technology-controlled life doesn’t feel right. My own personality doesn’t feel right. While everyone does their job and starts a family, I keep on searching for my own self. It’s hard, especially when you read the old books (thanks to the Internet that has so many of them in free access), and see that lots of people had the exact same problem in twenty-ish centuries: they had to find their purpose. And it’s always different for everyone.

But there is one thing I know for sure: if you have a life to live, then live it to the fullest, do your best and never give up. Well, if you live with your parents, then don't take this advice too seriously. Sometimes, giving up on what you want is the only way to avoid arguments with them.

Okay, I lied. I’m not sure about that. It’s difficult to be sure if you don’t even know who you are and why you exist, but I’m gonna figure it out. In some ways, I hope the new book helps me with that, and that’s why I’m here, at the presentation, - to get my copy signed and, of course, ask some questions.

But somebody in front of me grabs a microphone I was going to take, and clears their throat.

‘How was the given information researched?’

‘We used the last-millenium written books and newspapers along with the websites. Also, we used our ancestors’ notes and journals to deepen the information with some POV.’

‘And how can we know all the facts are true?’ they pluck the bottom of their shirt, and embrace a flash drive hidden under the belt. They quickly glance at it and put it in the pocket instead, glaring at me. That’s just a flashdrive, for goodness’ sake. Or is it not?

‘We never claimed they all are. Please don’t forget it’s a work of historical fiction, and that we tried our best to describe a thousand years in one novel, and some things were made up in the process to add a fictional twist. However, all settings, events with historical value, and used names are the ones that genuinely existed the days the events took place.’

Oh, I’m excited. I’m not even mad that they took the microphone right out of my hand; the questions were exactly what I wanted to know. Although, there is one thing I still have to ask about.

I step forward and take the microphone as they pass it again.

‘Does your story confirm or deny the existence of superpowers shown in the movies?’

‘Neither.’

‘Then how is it historically accurate?’

‘Just like the old history student’s books. Have you ever read about mermaids in them?’

‘No, but since we have explored forty percents of the world ocean, we know they are real!’

‘Yes, but they weren’t important for the world development. Neither are superpowers. Next question, please!’

Phew. Is this the decent reason to think they don’t exist? I hope it is.

Since I was a child, I have had some strange moments with the lights. Sometimes, the rooms became just as light as I needed them to be, and sometimes they were so bright that I couldn’t keep my eyes open. It was rare, but it happened. I hope those were just some dreams I had, but sometimes it felt way too real. But if superheroes didn’t affect history, then they just didn’t exist? They can’t appear out of nowhere, right?

‘Hey, are you okay?’

Somebody softly taps my shoulder, and I turn around to see who it is.

‘I’m Calea Reesence,’ the girl, who is now in front of me, extends her hand, and I shake it. ‘I see you’re quite interested in my father’s work, aren’t you?’

‘What?’ I turn my head back. Right. I was staring at the wall with a book cover the whole time. ‘Yeah, kind of. I love history.’

‘So do I,’ Calea smiles and adjusts the sleeves of her dress. Oh goodness, her smile is… dazzling. I would say I love it if it wasn’t this bright. She is bright. ‘What should I call you, mysterious stranger?’

Despite the tenderness of her voice, it still makes me flinch.

You met an awesome girl. Don’t mess it up.

‘Sorry for being rude. I’m-’

‘Carthie, we’re leaving in five!’ my brother interrupts me, and I sigh. This is too early!

‘Sorry…’ I begin, but Calea cuts me off with a sweet chuckle.

‘You apologize too frequently, and we just met. I take it Carthie is your name, right?’ She smiles again and twists her thumb ring.

‘Right. But could you please call me Phoebe? I just like it better.’

Calea raises her eyebrow and squints her eyes. Great. Why did I have to tell her this? We won’t probably see each other anymore.

She takes a glass of dragon fruit champagne from the tray one of the waiter robots brought, and exhales.

‘Yeah. It really fits you. Phoebe… I hope we can meet someday again. I wanna use this name more often. Nobody has called themselves so for centuries. Here,’ she pulls out her phone from the dress pocket and gives it to me. ‘Give me your number. I’d like to have a cup of coffee with you someday. We could, you know, talk about names and stuff…’

She keeps saying something, but I don’t really listen. A girl just called me out? I didn’t mess up? I? Didn’t?

Okay, I should probably just type my number and get excited later. Furthermore, she might have thought my brother was my boyfriend, so maybe she just wants to be friends.

I’d love that too, though.

As I touch the numbers on the keyboard, my brother comes up and smirks, but doesn’t say anything.

‘Here,’ I smile and return Calea her phone. She takes it, and our fingers touch but I don’t know whether it was accidental or not. ‘I saved it.’

‘I’ll call you tomorrow, then,’ Calea locks her phone and puts it back into the pocket. ‘Have a good day.’

‘You-’ I cut myself off the moment she hides in a crowd. Ugh.

‘So you’re going on a date?’ Elriot smirks again, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, and we both head to the exit.

‘It’s just a walk. Moreover, I’m not sure she would call. She must’ve been nice, that’s all.’

‘If you say so.’

I unlock my handbook as Elriot and I exit the building, and the light gleams on the display. I look up, and a smile touches my lips. The night lights are already on, among the infinite constellations. When I was a child, I thought they were the moons, but now I know: the moon isn’t half as beautiful as they are. Maybe, that’s because they change colors as they shine?

I smile to myself again as we approach the car, and Elriot touches the button to open the door.

‘So, carrot, did you get your copy signed?’ mom asks as we get in. I forgot to!

Ugh.

‘No, I didn’t.’

‘Well, she has a chance to,’ Elriot’s lips curl into a half-smile, and he elbows me.

‘Elriot!’

‘What? It’s not me who has a date with the author’s daughter!’

‘And you, as a nice brother to have, should’ve stay mute about it. It’s not even a date, and I told you that!’

‘Of course, it’s not.’

Mom smiles and turns around to me when the car stops at the red traffic light.

‘I’m happy for you. Don’t forget to get some good sleep! I won’t wake you up if you’re gonna stay up next day.’

I don’t reply and turn my sight back to the sky. Why can’t Elriot keep his mouth shut?

I’ve already had my heart broken before, and he knows that. The last thing I would ever want is to hear the words of sympathy if it doesn’t work out. We don’t even know each other. And even though I thought it would be a date, I don’t think I want it to be one anymore.

It’s nearly midnight, and we are finally home. As I come into my room after washing my hands, the first thing I do is fall on my bed with eyes closed. I don’t wanna do anything but sleep.

The robotic voice reminds me that I still have one more thing to do.

‘Good evening, Carthelia. Would you like to journal today?’ my best friend, Velmena, levitates closer and hands me my tablet. My secret tablet nobody can see.

‘Sure,’ I sit on the bed and take a tablet, unlocking it with a finger.

‘Do you want me to bring you something else?’

‘No, thank you, Velm,’ I give her a short smile, and she levitates back to her charger.

Journaling… This is my only way to track what’s going on. Or, maybe it’s not. I just love it.

I open my journal app and note things that happened tonight. My phone vibrates, and I smile the moment new text appears.

Unknown, 11:57pm:

Hey, Phoebs, is that you? It’s Calea. Just wanted to make sure I got your number right.

The new day is going to be good.

#writeblr #writblr #science fiction #romance #lgbt fiction #the last of millenniums #i love you all so much thanks for the support #💕

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fangirlmomentsandmytwocents · 7 years

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The Dark Mermaid by Christina L. Barr Book Blitz

The Dark Mermaid Christina L. Barr Publication date: September 5th 2017 Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

“True love is not a myth. It’s mystic. It’s a force in the universe that draws two people together, resulting in incredible power, for either good or complete chaos.” On the day Luna proves that she is powerful enough to be her father’s heir, she is banished for saving the life of an enchanting human boy. Her father, the king, gives her two options: kill Ian and regain her honor by the time she comes of age, or be destroyed. Luna finds shelter in forbidden waters and comes under the protection of her father’s greatest enemy, the Sea Witch. As her ward, Luna becomes a fearsome warrior, but struggles with the fear of turning her powerful magic dark. With only days remaining before her seventeenth birthday, Luna finds Ian sailing the seas in search of answers. Luna is determined to escape her father’s wrath, and the Sea Witch’s plot of revenge, but dark forces won’t allow her to live a human life without making an impossible sacrifice.

Goodreads / Amazon

Want to receive a free song inspired by the book that Christina sang herself? Fill out this form here before Sept 9th!

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EXCERPT:

True Love When I returned to the lair, the Sea Witch was much too distracted gutting her catch of shark to care much about my adventures. She had no idea that I had found Ian and kissed him. I wanted to keep it that way. For all she knew, I spent my day with Napa, and I most certainly didn’t fight my sister to the almost death. I made sure to heal my wounds before she saw me. I hid the pendent, dagger, and lock of hair in a satchel and hoped the Sea Witch wouldn’t be able to sense the magic. I also had to hope that she wouldn’t sense any special magic in me. It was odd that I wasn’t fatigued from my battle. Instead, I felt energized. My magic was leaking out of my body. I tried to keep my movements limited and to remain completely calm. Unfortunately, somewhere between the chewing of our dinner, the Sea Witch cocked her brow at me in suspicion. “Did Napa bring you a new gift?” “Why do you ask?” “I sense new magic.” I panicked on the inside, but I would not allow that panic to the surface of my thoughts. Of course, she would have been able to sense the pendent. I reached into my satchel and handed it to her without any fuss, and I hoped she didn’t ask any questions about the other item of interest. “Napa didn’t know any better.” “Interesting.” It only took a moment for the Sea Witch to analyze what it could do. I don’t know why I was so surprised when she disappeared. “This would be more useful on the surface world.” She tossed it back to me and became visible once more. “Quite interesting.” “Very.” I grinned hard and continued feasting, but I had the sense that she knew I was hiding many details from her. It’s not that I didn’t trust her. I just wanted to make sure she would take the news well, so I didn’t have to worry about her killing everyone outside of our immediate sphere. It wasn’t easy. I wanted to tell her about Ian’s infatuation with me. It was flattering after my father threw me away. I wanted to tell my mother how his smile enchanted me, and now, I was under his spell. I tried to get him out of my head, so the Sea Witch wouldn’t find out, but while I brushed my hair and stared into the broken mirror Napa gave me, I began to imagine that I was staring at myself from his point of view, and I knew I was truly as beautiful as he made me feel. The thought of never seeing him again was crushing my heart and suffocating my insides. There had to be a way to see him again beyond tricks, smokes, and mirrors. “Luna, what’s wrong?” I saw Ian’s face too clearly in my mind. She must have known that I was thinking about him, but that wasn’t so strange. I could still hide the truth for a little while. “Why would something be wrong?” She floated in front of me with a furrowed and curious brow. “Because you never sing.” I hadn’t even noticed. I was singing the same song I sang to Ian when I first said goodbye. If he had his hooks in me that deeply, was there truly any escaping him? “You’ll think I’m being a fool.” The Sea Witch surprised me and held me by my shoulders from behind. “Out of the two of us, I’m the one that made a blood oath with your father. You could be foolish for a thousand lifetimes and not end up as foolish as I once was.” Perhaps I was being unfair to her. If she were trying to be a real mother, she deserved a chance. As my elder, she might have sound advice to put my mind at ease. “Napa told me that humans believe in true love. I know it sounds childish, but I think I’m experiencing it. I’ve found true love.” I was so embarrassed that I kept my eyes focused on the teeth of the comb in my hands. I was responsible for ruining Ian’s childhood, and I delayed his life afterward. I didn’t deserve to feel such a consuming joy, especially if Ian were the root cause. “I’ve heard of true love.” The Sea Witch nicked my chin up with her finger to force her eyes into mine. “The humans teach it like a fairytale, but true love is not a myth; it’s mystic. It’s a force in the universe that draws two people together, resulting in incredible power, for either good or chaos.” “Chaos?” I laughed. Frankly, it was difficult to believe that there was an actual explanation to how I felt. Napa referred to love as “irrational logic”. I wasn’t sure if having a legitimate reason was worse or better. “How can what I feel ever lead to destruction?” “I’m not saying that it will, but true love is a dangerous magic.” The Sea Witch got uncomfortably close to my face. I tried to back away, but she swam around to observe me fully. Nothing about me had changed physically, but I’m sure she wasn’t seeing with her natural eye. “I can sense it on you. Your magic is stronger.” I thought of how quickly I defeated my sister, but then, I quickly pushed that out of my mind. “How is that possible? Is it just because I have feelings for Ian?” “No. That would be ridiculous, but it is possible that you’re drawn to each other for a reason.” She, once again, became agonizingly uncomfortable. I didn’t back away or cower from her glaring and curious eyes. I tried to be firm while I blanketed my mind with thoughts of training battles, meditation, and the past few lonely years of my life. I would not think of Ian, and I certainly wouldn’t think of the kisses we shared! Except, I completely did. I don’t know if my sudden memory of Ian’s kiss was vivid enough to burrow into her brain, but she certainly seemed more suspicious after I indulged in it. “You must have seen him again!” I covered my face. I would have hidden in my clam, but she was already inside of it with me. She grew impatient and pulled my hands away from my flustered face. “I did. Napa found Ian, and I went to see him. He gave me the dagger I had been searching for, and we spoke.” “That’s not the only thing you did.” I straightened out my body and tried to look a little taller and mature than I had been acting a moment ago. “We did share a kiss, yes.” Instead of lecturing me, she twirled around the cavern, shrieking in delight. I hadn’t seen her genuinely happy or excited over anything, so I was a little terrified. “Did he have magic?” “He didn’t seem to have knowledge of having magic.” “Perhaps he’s an amplifier,” she suggested with much intrigue. “What do you mean?” “They are extremely rare, but an amplifier can increase your magic, even without being able to use it.” She swam to me and clasped onto both my hands and smiled. “If you were to mate, you could create new magic for your offspring and leave your own power intact. If that’s true, you should definitely mate him.” “Uh…” My mouth opened in shock. The desire to feel and be more of an adult was ripped away from me. “I’m not ready for this conversation.” “Why? Do you love him?” “It’s preposterous that I love him!” “But you do!” She chuckled. “I see it in your eyes. I feel it through your magic. He’s made you more powerful. If Fate is pulling you to love this man, don’t push back. There’s no sense in fighting what will be.” Was it truly possible that Ian made me feel stronger? Was he the reason why I could use my magic to fight my sister so effortlessly? Even if it were true, what did it matter? I only wanted to control my magic so it wouldn’t accidentally go dark. I had no desire to be the greatest sorcerous in the world. It was silly to think that I could take human form and live with Ian. I hardly knew him. But, for some reason, the thought of leaving to discover the world with him began to fill my chest and gut with a ticklish light that turned into a glorious rumbling. I clutched onto my chest as I felt it vibrating. My entire body was radiating heat. I tried to convince myself that I was merely embarrassed, but my hands were tingling. “The thought of escaping with that human is causing your magic to burst from you,” the Sea Witch said. “You can’t deny what you want or may very well need.”

Author Bio: As the daughter of sci-fi enthusiasts and a pastor, Christina L. Barr has been taught to believe that anything is possible. She's been a serious composer as far back as twelve-years-old, and has had the opportunity to sing her songs around the world. In 2007, she graduated from Holly High School number nine in her class and attended College for Creative Studies. She started a pop culture website called The Gorgeous Geeks with her two older sisters, and was even featured on Times Magazine. Her addiction to writing emerged when she was eighteen and started her first novel. To date, she has nine novels published, fourteen completed, and her goal is to finish thirty books by her thirtieth birthday. She is currently a Creative Director and spends her days making graphics and videos.

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