Chapter One: Incomplete

         Antonia's blonde hair, glistening like the morning sun, circled in the air, mimicking her body's movement as it twisted, her staff sweeping through the air toward her opponent Joneen Farshal. Joneen's fiery hair, complimented by her hazel eyes, hung tightly in a secure braid. Swiftly, Joneen arched her back, knees quickly bending, so Antonia's staff harmlessly passed over her blood red shirt, barely avoiding a finishing blow. In response, Antonia swung her staff once again at Joneen who instantaneously brought up her staff to block it. Antonia, her exquisite blue-purple eyes full of concentration, rabidly swung her staff at Joneen who blocked every one with amazing speed. Dodging and blocking, Antonia and Joneen circled each other, eyes intent on catching any advantage.
         To the students who encased the match, the eighteen year old Joneen and the surprisingly, fifteen year old Antonia seemed unstoppable and infallible. The two Riders, one fire and one black, though separated by age, seemed perfectly matched in skill. The two fought, not giving up any advantage to the other. For a few minutes, it seemed they had reached a standstill; fortunately, when Antonia swung at Joneen's knees, she was unable to counter properly and in result, lost her balance.
         With the luck of catching the first advantage, Antonia's eyes shone. With amazing speed, Antonia unleashed a fury of moves and helpless Joneen could barely block them. Finally, Joneen fell and Antonia quickly placed the butt of her staff on Joneen's neck and their instructor, Earth Rider Ocurai, called "match". Smiling, Antonia removed her staff and held her hand out to a worn out Joneen, who took it gratefully. Then, as usual, the whispers started, whispers doubting Antonia's skill. None of them could see past her young age, assuming that you had to be old to have her skill. No one took the time to understand, or even get to know her. They made assumptions and kept clear. Fatefully, Antonia never seemed to notice. She always wore a smile and greeted everyone as if they were old friends.
         If people had gotten close to her they would have seen something that deserved pity instead of anger and assumptions. They would have realized she was incomplete.
         Antonia had been born without the ability to comprehend even the simplest dark side of people. She never lied, and always worked her hardest, which played a great deal in her abilities. In most aspects of life, she was perfect, her only flaw being that she trusted everybody.
         Most people strive for the perfection she'd been born with, not seeing the problem. How can you appreciate the good in life if you do not know the bad? Without the knowledge of evil she was venerable and incomplete.
         Confidently, Rider Ocurai walked toward Antonia, and just as he was about to congratulate her, a cry broke through the crowed, stopping him. "Lord General Antonia." The young voice cried as everyone looked around for the owner. It only took an instant for a young man to burst into the room and run straight toward Antonia. Falling to his knees, the young man bowed his head to Antonia who nodded back to him. With a little bit of confidence, the young man lifted his blonde head and rested his brown eyes on her. "Lord General Antonia, I carry terrible news from your second in command. The Manoin Army... it's on its way to Athea." The young man cried. "Two scouts were sent to investigate...one returned. With his dying breath he relayed a short message, 'We're going to kill you; every last Athean is to die.' The Navy has already been deployed to deal with the water assault, but we need your command to mobilize the army."
         "Jermai, you have done well. Send the command to mobilize, I will go to the Council of Nations and get aid." Antonia responded.
         "Meaning no disrespect, hurry. From what I understand, we don't have much time, and alone we are as good as dead." Jermai replied, standing.
         "Alright, now go. I will join the army shortly." With a quick nod of his head, Jermai ran out of the room toward Athea. Once she was out of sight, Antonia turned toward Ocurai. "Rider Ocurai, I am afraid I must depart. My army needs me."
         "You may go Antonia, and... good luck, you'll need it." Ocurai smiled. With a last nod, Antonia exited the room and walked into the white Rider City toward her black dragon. Heavenly Father and Honored Mother. Please watch over her, she is very special. Ocurai prayed before turning his attention to his remaining students.

         There are many fortresses in the world, built strong and enduring. The Council Building of Nations seemed to blow them all away. Its mighty walls, made of thick stone, towered over the surrounding land, giving off a sense of foreboding. Unlike the gleaming white walls of the Rider City, The Council Building stood dark and cold. Tall dark towers rose over the wall adding to the menace. Feelings of fear and evil filled all who approached its doors, making them want to leave. Once inside people would need a guide, for the Council Building was a large maze that, unless you knew the way, you'd easily become lost and in danger of your life.
         Down one of the dark hallways, headed toward the Council Chamber, proudly walked Antonia. Her long blonde hair laid straight down her back, as she floated to the end of the hall making a right turn. Her white skirt, with splits all around, flowed with her, revealing the shimmering golden underskirt. As she turned another corner, Antonia quickened her step nearing her destination.
         Ordinarily, Antonia would never have been so hasty as to walk to the council on her own, even if she did know the way, but something had changed in her, something making her quicken her steps. Later on she would discover that her steps had been guided by fear, a new emotion for her. At that moment though, when everything changed, she was completely oblivious.
         As the hallway's end came into view, a door became known, one made of black wood. Standing guard were two soldiers dressed in full uniform. When they saw her starting to approach, they made to block her way, but she was to quick for them. In only an instant, she'd reached the door and walked through it into a black room where a table stood surrounded by 13 people.
         As soon as she walked in, the man sitting at the far end rose to his feet in anger, large fists slamming onto the table. "Antonia," he cried in a booming voice, "what is the meaning of this?"
         "Forgive my rudeness Irresto, but I had no choice. My need is dire and needs to be addressed quickly. I had no time for formalities."
         "What is so important?" Irresto demanded, His long white pony tailed hair swinging.
         "I have received word the Manoin army is on its way to Athea. Two scouts were sent, only one returned. With his dying breath he gave to us a message."
         "What was the message?" Merass, the Sarseus representative, asked, his brown eyes filled with curiosity.
         "We will kill you; every last Athean is to die." Antonia replied solemnly. "You all know how deadly they are. Athea doesn't have a hope of surviving without your aid. Please, we need your help."
         "And why should we help?" Saran, the Nacaran representative asked, her brown air held tightly in a braid. "The message said only you were in danger. Why should we risk our country's lives for you?" As all the members of the council looked at Antonia curiously, she sighed.
         "Because after they are done with Athea they will come after you. It is better to remain united and stand strong than divide and fall. Besides if you were in our situation, you would be here asking for our help. We have helped you on countless occasions, isn't only fair that your help us? Think of where you would be if we hadn't help."
         "That's a good point, however, you did bring this on yourselves." Saran replied, her small hands folded before her. "If your country had just stayed out of their way and hadn't made such a big deal out of your support of the light, they might not have come to your country at all."
         "What were we supposed to do?" Antonia asked. "Just let the darkness ruin our land? Are you suggesting that we should just sit back and let evil destroy light?" She demanded. "I don't know about any of you, but I will not sit by while our lives are being destroyed."
         "You make a good point Antonia, but so does Saran. Why should we risk our lives, and the lives of our countries to help you fight off a fate you brought on yourselves?" Merass asked.
         "Because our lives and way of life is at stake." Antonia replied. "I don't think you truly understand what will happen if Athea is aloud to be destroyed. We are the greatest supporters of light, The Founder herself created us. If we die, The Ultimate Evil will have no opposition. He will conquer Narsayes one country at a time, and then he will come after you. It is in your best interest to help us."
         "Are you suggesting that we are helpless without you? That without Athea the world will fall?"
         "Yes I am." Antonia replied. "I can see it now, you've been corrupted. How can those who don't see the light, fight for it? You've all given in, which leaves only one country to fend off the darkness."
         "Two, Antonia." Irresto replied. "Aquaria isn't here, and I believe they are still of the light."
         "Of course." Antonia bowed. "I can see that you all have already failed. If you refuse to help you will be destroying your souls. If you sit here and let us die, then you will not find any salvation after death. You will join The Ultimate Evil deep in the embrace of the keeper of lost souls."
         "How dare you speak of the council in that manner." Saran cried. "We have done everything to protect Narsayes. We are not corrupt."
         "You have only protected yourselves." Antonia exclaimed. "You have never risked your own lives, only those beneath you. Do you call that helping? You are nothing but cowards."
         "You see, that girl is nothing but a liar."
         "A liar! I would never lie." Antonia cried. "I wouldn't be gaining anything by lying to you."
         "Oh really, then why do I see fear in your eyes." Saran asked.
         "I don't even know what fear is." Antonia exclaimed. "If you see it in my eyes then it is completely coincidental to the situation. The matter is Athea's life depends on your decision."
         "This girl is untrustworthy, I vote to dismiss the request." Saran replied
         "You can't do that, we need you." Irresto demanded. "Besides, you can't vote without all 13 members of the council."
         "Yes I can." Saran responded her small hands falling to her lap. "I vote to dismiss the request; whose with me?" One by one the 11 members of the council raised their hands and Antonia's heart sank. As her soul started to break, she felt a strange wet drop come from her eyes. She quickly raised her hand and let the drop run onto it. Antonia then just stared at the wet drop, confused.
         "What is this?" Antonia asked, almost to herself.
         "It's called a tear. They come when you a re sad." Irresto replied shakily.
         "Sad, sorrowful, depressed, dishearted, dispirited." Antonia said to herself, desperately trying to understand. "Something one feels when they are afraid of unhappy like when someone dies." Antonia then turned toward Irresto. "Am I crying?" She asked as tears rolled down her cheeks. Antonia watched him; her golden head tilted to one side, tears streaming down, as Irresto's eyes started to tear.
         "Yes child, you are crying." Irresto explained. Then, after he wiped the tears from his eyes, Irresto turned towards the council. "Fine, Traitors. We will go and fight on our own, until we breath our last breath while you sit here, and watch. Then maybe you'll grow a conscience and save the rest." Irresto walked around the table towards Antonia, then, resting is arm around her shoulders, and he guided her out. "Antonia," he said softly, "once you gain control of yourself again, go to your army and prepare it for the battle ahead. I'll go to Aquaria and seek help. If something goes wrong, don't loose faith. Keep trying to find help. If you can't, don't run. Fight and die, like a true Athean Warrior. Promise me."
         " But the council, it's corrupt. They will never help us."
         "You don't know that, they may have a change of heart." Irresto comforted. "Now, promise me.
         "I-I promise." She stuttered.
         "Thank-you." He said to her. " I know you're confused. If we make it through this, I promise I'll explain everything." With a final goodbye, Irresto left Antonia standing in the hallway.