7 Righteous Symbols : Beasts of Alquemía

By K.M.L.

Seven creatures that possess a sacred ability called alquemía has been a legend told in the Five Great Kingdoms for centuries. People shuddered at the creatures' notorious title -- the Beasts of Alquemía. Long ago, the Beasts were locked in a cave for their misdeeds, but after a young boy committed a harmless wrongdoing, it quickly turned to a harmful atrocity.  The Beasts were freed from their prison and roamed the earth once again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.M.L.
• Release date: Feb 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798218159832

Book preview

1

The ninth of July was a sunny day in the Great Kingdom, Sonnemond, a quaint island with an arid climate, and home to hundreds of people. However, the sun’s heat couldn’t cut through the land’s afternoon chill. Sonnen townspeople wore sweaters and gloves as they strolled through the peaceful streets of their town, Solsity, still quiet with students in class on this last day of school before the beginning of summer break.

Shattering the quietude, an adolescent boy burst out of the wooden doors of the small, white-brick school building. Two boys and two girls followed quickly behind him, then a torrent of kids spilled out.

Those first five kids out the door—three boys and two girls—all lived close to one another and decided to walk home together, as they often did.

Walking in the middle of the group, Cyrus Sanders had a powdered pastry hanging out of his mouth and another with pink icing and sprinkles in his right hand. His sandy complexion, unevenly cut blonde hair, and big, hazel eyes shined in the sun. As he shuffled his feet down the brick streets—his white t-shirt lazily tucked into black pants and a slightly unzipped backpack slung off his right shoulder—he kicked up the loose dust.

His brother, Caleb Sanders, let out a meek cough as he rubbed the dust from his watery eyes. He pulled the visor of his cap down over his wavy blonde bangs. The third boy, Cody Sanders, swiped the dust out of his lengthy blonde hair. He squinted as he took his glasses off to clean them, then placed the spectacles back on his face. He looked at his brothers and marveled for a moment at how they could be triplets and yet be so different from one another.

Do you mind not kicking the dust into our faces, Cyrus? Cody asked.

Cyrus began to make excited, muffled sounds, puffing clouds of powdered sugar as he spoke. One of the girls, Sundara, took the powdered pastry out of Cyrus’s mouth.

That school party was so much fun! I ate so many pastries! Cyrus said.

I’m surprised our teacher let you take more home, giggled the other girl, Elizabeth, her yellow eyes glittering. Her loose blonde ponytail swayed about as she bounced down the brick road. She wore a light yellow sweater with a sunflower in the center and long sleeves that covered her hands. Her blue jeans complemented the sweater but her worn-out sneakers did not.

She’s always been a suck-up to you three. Whatever you guys wanted, all you had to do was ask, said Sundara, pulling at a piece of her bangs between her large, navy blue eyes. Her long, wavy, brown hair was tied in two ponytails over her chocolate skin. Her black, long-sleeve shirt was tucked neatly into her jeans, and her bag was slung off her shoulder. Good luck trying to get that special attention from your teachers next school year.

It’s a triplet thing. No matter what teacher we have they’ll suck up to us, ‘cause we’re just that cute, Cyrus said, wrapping his arms around Caleb and Cody’s shoulders. Sucks to be you, Sundara, since you don’t have any siblings.

Sundara shoved the powdered pastry back into Cyrus’s mouth.

Cyrus, you know better than to make fun of Sundara, Elizabeth said.

Wha-eve-a, Cyrus mumbled as he finished his powdered treat.

You know how much of an idiot my brother can be, Sundara. I hope you don’t take what he says seriously, Cody said.

Of course I don’t, Cody. I feel sorry for him. He just doesn’t know when to shut up, Sundara said.

Yes I do know when to shut up, Cyrus blurted.

As the kids walked down the street, they greeted school friends and fellow Sonnens. Friends and strangers alike waved back with kind smiles on their faces.

The kids approached a building that stood out from the rest, with its striking ruby red patterns on golden tiles that shimmered in the sun as if illuminated by a spotlight, and its peculiar shape—an octagon stacked atop a broad octagonal base and neatly topped by a wide golden dome. The building was the tallest in town, and it stood alone, with no markets or shops in the vicinity. Outside the fortress, men and women in sharp uniforms of red and black stood sentry and motionless. This was the great castle of Sonnemond.

A tall man stepped out of the castle in a white leather trench coat with gold buckles running down the front. Polished white shoes stuck out the bottom of his khaki pants, and white gloves hugged his hands. He had smooth almond-brown skin, golden yellow eyes, and rugged blue-gray hair with a dark barrette holding up his bangs.

With lively smiles on each of their faces, the townspeople bowed at the man. Cyrus and his friends watched the man make small talk with the townspeople.

It’s Helem, Caleb said.

I don’t know why he’s so special, Cyrus said.

Well Cy, King Apollo and Queen Adelaide treat him with the utmost respect, so we must do the same, Caleb said.

A guy like that isn’t deserving of this much respect if you ask me, Cyrus grumbled.

Nobody asked you, jerk, Sundara said.

Who are you calling a jerk!? Cyrus shouted.

Calm down, Cyrus, Caleb said as he rolled his eyes.

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder at Helem as she continued her walk. Helem caught her gaze and waved at her. She grinned at him and turned away, then something came to her mind.

Can anyone guess what tomorrow is? Elizabeth asked.

Let me think…is it someone’s special day? Cyrus said.

Actually it’s a special day for three special triplets, Elizabeth giggled.

Do you mean our birthday? Caleb asked.

Of course, silly, Elizabeth said. What are you boys doing for your big day?

We’re going to have a picnic at Essence Falls this evening, and tomorrow morning we’re having birthday waffles, Cyrus said.

C’mon, you boys are turning twelve tomorrow. You need to do something exciting, Elizabeth said.

It’s just another year, Cody said. Besides, I like our birthday routine.

I’m not surprised to hear that from you, Cody, Elizabeth said. Sundara and I will come with you this evening to the waterfall. More company will make it more fun.

I’m sure mom and dad will be excited to hear that you guys are joining, Cyrus said.

The kids walked behind the great castle where ten rows of cottages were built neatly side-by-side, each large enough to accommodate a family of five or more. The cottages’ yards had tidily cut grass with flower gardens. In between the rows of cottages were paving stones of different sizes and colors laid out in linear paths.

Sundara’s cottage and the Sanders’ cottage stood adjacent to one another with Elizabeth’s cottage standing across from the Sanders’. The kids said their goodbyes and Elizabeth crossed the stone pathway to her home.

Before the triplets could knock on the door to their cottage, it opened. A man and woman stood in the doorway.

Hi mom. Hi dad, the boys started.

Their mother, Everly Sanders, wrapped her arms tightly around her children.

How was school today, boys? asked their father, Henry