1 The One and Only, Princess Anastasia

Many, many years ago, there's an ancient city called Atlantis. It's where the gods, demi-gods and goddesses once inhabited. The God of Atlantis had three sons which he loved dearly. The one he hold most dearly to was Prince Alexander. His first son was a powerful general and a really handsome man. Even though Prince Alexander was a demi-god, he is still as powerful as his father. He is half human because his mother was a servant whom his father favored.

Prince Alexander was respected in all of Atlantis City. He was a great fighter and inherited great supernatural power from his father. As of now, no one ever won his heart except for one woman, Princess Anastasia.

Princess Anastasia was born a human but her powers were gone at birth. It was a terrible curse caused by one jealous concubine in the palace. She was jealous that her lover, Julius didn't choose her instead he chose a commoner. Before the princess was born, the concubine went to pray in the temple asking the gods to place a curse on the princess. The gods listened and cursed Princess Anastasia to be a human who will not live until thirty years old. Her mother, Lady Maya, was favored by a demi-god named, Julius. Julius has supernatural power but it's different compared to Prince Alexander. Julius' power was premonitions, but he failed to detect the curse which landed onto her daughter. Compared to Prince Alexander, his power wasn't that strong. Prince Alexander have both physical and mental strength which is far more powerful than having premonitions.

At a young age, Princess Anastasia was gifted in academics and arts. Her power was gone since her birth and many people didn't know how to lift the curse. She was considered an outcast by the royal families. The God of Atlantis showed kindness to Anastasia and gave her the Princess title.

Today was coming-of-age festival where all girls from royal families can gather and all males can select which girl they would like to marry. Princess Anastasia saw that every girls dressed up prettily for the festival but she stayed behind. She thought, "What's the point of going when I'm just a normal human being?" She went back to her room and saw a servant holding a box.

" What is that?" She asked out of curiosity.

"Your highness, someone wanted to give this to you. Please take it." The servant bowed her head and handed the gift to Princess Anastasia.

"A gift? Then, I shall take it. You can leave." The servant bowed and left.

Princess Anastasia opened the box and let out a slight gasp.

It was a beautiful white dress and it came with a beautiful headpiece. She took it out and saw a small message:

To my dear Princess Anastasia,

You are my beloved. Please wear this tonight and I'll see you.

Love, Prince Alexander.

Princess Anastasia smiled. Prince Alexander was her first love ever since they were young. Their parents were close to the God of Atlantis. They exchanged messages and saw each other a few times. Ever since he left for war, she hasn't seen him for many years. She was glad to know Prince Alexander remembered her.

She tried on the dress and wore the headpiece. She can't wait to see Prince Alexander at the festival tonight.

The festival was filled with beautiful girls and their families joined to cheer them on. Princess Anastasia went to the festival with her mother and father. The coming-of-age festival was once in a life time for every girls in Atlantis City.

"My daughter has grown into a beautiful lady in a flash. Your father and I are very for you. Whoever you're getting married to, your father and I will always support you." Lady Maya looked at her daughter with pride in her eyes. It didn't matter whether her daughter was different or not, she loves her.

" Mother, father, I'll see you in a bit." Lady Maya and Julius smiled at each other as they waved to Anastasia.

"What are you thinking, my love?" Julius held her hand as they walked towards the stage.

"I'm worried for our daughter, her power is gone and I don't know which family can accept her. I know we are close to the royal families but I want her to get married in a normal family. Have a her own kids and live each day." Lady Maya looked at Julius and he comforted her, "I understand but our daughter might not think like that. I can see in her eyes that she wants to get married to a royalty." Julius had the same fear but he trusted his instinct.

When the festival started, everyone started to cheer.

The announcer for the festival listed some of the missions for the women in order for the men to choose their wife/wives. First, it's to impress the man with handiwork such as sewing. Secondly, dancing skills and last one is to let the man choose which lady he will be marrying.

When it was Princess Anastasia's turn, everyone heard the rumors that her power was gone due to a curse.

"She's the cursed girl! Get her out! Get her out!" The crowd started to shout and throw vegetables and other food at her. Lady Maya looked at her husband in shock. Julius started to squeeze between the crowd and headed to the stage.

Few minutes later, a ball of light came flashing into the crowd causing a huge explosion. The man landed on the stage and protected Princess Anastasia from the crowd with his cape.

"My beloved. Are you hurt?"

That deep voice...

She lifted her head up and their eyes met. The man with the azure colored eyes, tall and masculine, long black hair and with the most beautiful smile.

"P-Prince Alexander?" Princess Anastasia was speechless.

"I'm sorry I came late, stay behind me. Let me handle this."

Princess Anastasia nodded and hid behind him.

"If one of you want to throw at her, go through me first." The crowd went silent.

"It's Prince Alexander! Prince Alexander! How can he be with the cursed girl? It's wrong!" One of them wanted to fight with him but he ended up on his bottom from Alexander's power.

"Y-You! I'll tell on your father!" One of them yelled.

Prince Alexander chuckled and said, "Who do you think you are? If my father was here, he would've killed you in second. I'm being nice to you. So, leave."

"You shouldn't be with that witch! She is cursed!" One lady was mad because she wanted Alexander to marry her daughter.

"My daughter is supposed to marry you! How can you betray her like that?" The lady was furious.

"I'm sorry, but who is your daughter?" Alexander recalled no one. The lady's eyes turned purple and she gathered her energy to attack Anastasia.

"Close your eyes, Anastasia." She closed her eyes and hid behind him.

In a flash of light, the lady collapsed with blood coming out in all orifices. The crowd was too scared to remain and everyone ran away. Everyone was fearing Prince Alexander, the offspring of the most powerful God of Atlantis.

"My beloved, they are gone now." His deep voice soothed Anastasia and she looked up to him.

"Were you hurt?" She asked. He shook his head and hugged her.

"If anyone hurts you, I'll pay it back three times... no... a hundred times. You're my future wife. It's my responsibility to protect you."

"But my powers are gone from the curse, I'm useless." She looked down and Alexander lifted her chin, "You're my beloved, even if you don't have power... you still have me. The strongest general in all of Atlantis." Anastasia giggled, "You're such a narcissist."

Both of them giggled and hugged each other. Few seconds later, Julius and Lady Maya came back, "Anastasia, are you hurt? Are you alright?" They were so worried about what happened.

"Don't worry. Prince Alexander protected me."