The Basics

**“April 16th of 1607 was a bloody tragedy for the inhabitants of Hanimal Kingdom. There were English soldiers everywhere, dragging my people around and slaughtering them mercilessly. Even citizens of Birmingham were hacking us into pieces as if we were livestock. Oh it was horrible!”

“Does anyone know what happened next?”

“We used our powers to defeat and kill those bastard Englishmen!”

“Not quite”

“We didn’t kill them dummy!! It’s against the rules!”

“Settle down Lora”

“Yeah, shut up Lora!”

“Guys, calm down. Lora do you know what happened to the Kingdom after 1607?”

“Of course! We moved to ‘Merica to get away from the Englishmen and went into hiding.”

“Correct! And do you know who helped us make it to AMerica?”

“Gasha!!”

“Gasha!!”

“I said it first!”

“No I did!”

“No I did!”

“Shut up, stupid.”

“That’s why I can hunt better than you”

“That’s why you’re a big human face”

“Alright that’s enough. Your homework tonight is to remember what you learned about Humans today. Go on home to your parents, and make no pit stops on the way. Understand?”

“Yes, Omega Nia”

“Yes, Omega Nia”

Lora and Lionel left with a wave goodbye. I wave back as I head back to my home as well. I’ve been teaching the same thing for 9 years now. Everytime I hear it I get more depressed. My people deserve respect and freedom. Not to be hid in the shadows of sinful creatures such as humans. Sadly, it’s the only way we know to live.

“Omega Nia, Alpha Qylis wants to meet with you to renew the barrier,”says Fabumi.

Fabumi is my right hand adviser in my clan. I am the leader of the the Tiger Clan and he helps me because even leaders get overwhelmed.

“Tell him I’ll meet him there at 8,” I say.

My ancestors and I, as well as other leaders of different clans have put up a barrier to cloak us. An average human being will look upon our place and see nothing but trees and birds. Large amounts of magic are able to be detected more and more as human civilization advances, so we have to renew it every 6 years. As long as we keep up on it, we’ll be fine.

“Fabumi, would you mind telling me the happenings of this week?”

“Of course not, your majesty.”

“I’ve told you a thousand times already. Just call me Nia,” I chuckle.

“Yes, Om—Nia. Tomorrow, you will meet with the Fyrèt Clan to discuss our annual celebration in December. Wednesday, you will teach the Tiger cubs how to hunt. Also, your half brother will be visiting from South America. And Thursday Gasha will be visiting for a week!”

Finally! Gasha hasn’t come to see us in 11 years. Back then my mother was the leader of my clan. In 2095, Humans created a machine that could detect large amounts of radiation and other waves of energy. Because of this, our barrier then was no longer stable. Strange objects called plastic found their way into our kingdom. Even domesticated animals roamed our pathways. My mother called upon Gasha to help us find another way to hide in plain sight. When she appeared, everyone was so relieved. There was even a big celebration for her return. After the big party, she taught Qylis to cite another cloaking rhyme that worked just as good. After we were saved once again by Gasha, she left and has been dead silent since. Even after Troy and I were crowned Omega and Alpha of our clans, there was no sign of her. She always came to greet the new leaders. I guess being alive for 4.5 billion years can take a toll on you.

“Nia, how nice to see you. How’s your mother?” Says Qylis.

“She’s in bed sleeping like always. How have you been?”

“Nothing much. Casting spells and cracking shells,” Qylis says with a chuckle.

I laugh. Qylis says that every time we greet each other. Sometimes he’s like a repeating record.

“Where is Troy?” I ask.

“Nobody knows where that bophead goes when he’s not being watched,” Qylis scoffs.

“I’m right here old manny,” Troy says as he jumps out of a bush nearby.

“Oh please, you couldn’t keep up with me even if I was 10 years older.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Hello to you too, Troy,” I say.

“Hello, my sweet adoring Omega Nia” Troy coos as he winks at me.

I roll my eyes and laugh. Troy is the leader of the Rhinosi Clan and his favorite thing to do is tease me. Since we were 4 he’s been giving me a hard time, but for us to be the top leaders of the kingdom we’re pretty good mates.

“Let’s hurry up and put up the barrier so I can go home please,” Qylis says.

“Sure thing old manny”

The barrier is 10 miles away from the edge of the clan homes. Those miles are just grass, swamp, and trees. No one is really allowed to come this far out. No one comes here by choice anyway. We have everything we need in the center village.

“We’re here.”

Troy and I shift back into our human forms. Qylis flies down next to us and we head to the barrier. As we get close we see a shadow on the ground. It looks like a rock, except for the fact that it appears to be moving. Troy immediately pulls out his bow and arrow. I extend my claws, on high alert. Qylis is on stand by. We near the animal and I hear babbling. I signal for Troy to stop to get a better listen. The thing continues to babble unintelligibly. I move closer to get a better look.

“Stay back. I’ll go see what it is,” Troy says.

“I’ll go with you,” I say.

“No you should st—”

“I am a Omega. I don’t need you to hold my hand daintily,” I say as I approach the creature.

I finally reach the moving rock. I peer down to examine it. It has a face! Eyes, mouth, nose and fingers. It’s skin is slightly pale. It’s eyes are the color of Qylis’ skin, a marine blue. It has dark hair on its head, like the night sky. It can’t be anything other than a—a.....

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