Chapter : Before the Monsters Came
Location: Northern Edge of the Mistwood Expanse – Morning
The morning sun sliced through the dense canopy, painting streaks of gold over the mossy trails. Birds scattered from the underbrush as Anay, Kael, and Liora trekked deeper into the forest. The air was thick with dew and ancient silence, broken only by Kael's ever-bubbling voice.
"Hey Anay," Kael said as he kicked a pinecone ahead of them like a football. "Random question. Where are you from?"
Anay glanced at him, adjusting the straps on his pack. "India."
Kael grinned. "Ahh, nice! That explains the calm, polite vibe. I'm from Germany."
Liora, walking ahead with a spear casually balanced across her shoulders, added without turning, "Italy."
Anay blinked. "Wait, what? You're from Germany, and you're from Italy... then what are you doing in an academy in India? Shouldn't you both be training back in your own countries?"
Kael laughed, hands behind his head. "You're not wrong. But you see, that's the beauty of it! The Astral Academy isn't bound by borders. Scouts come from all over the world. Once they find potential, it doesn't matter where you're from. They recruit, train, and elevate you."
He spun once and walked backward, grinning. "We could be from the moon for all they care, as long as we can fight!"
Anay looked thoughtful. "So... you can still represent your home country, even if the academy is based somewhere else?"
Kael nodded. "Exactly. We're kind of like international cadets. But more... magical."
Liora added softly, "But it wasn't always like this."
Anay turned to her. "What do you mean?"
Kael slowed his steps and sighed. "You really don't know, do you?"
Anay shook his head.
Kael pointed toward the distant ridges. For a sec. Storytime."
They keep walking. Continusly. The forest dimmed as clouds crossed above, lending a hushed, sacred air to the moment.
Kael continue to walk forward saying "Before the monsters came, the world was divided. There were seven continents, hundreds of nations, and countless borders. Every nation had its leaders—some wise, some not so much."
Liora quietly added, "And every country believed they were better than the next."
Kael nodded. "Wars broke out. Land, power, pride... We destroyed nature, ignored balance, and kept chasing more. There were peace efforts, yeah, but..."
He glanced at Anay. "We were fools."
Anay stared at them looking at the dirt in the land. "And then?"
"Then," Kael said, his voice quieter now, "the portals appeared. The monsters came. Not all at once. First, it was strange readings. Disappearances. Cities gone overnight. Then came the open rifts—tearing the sky, vomiting beasts not of this world."
Liora's gaze hardened. "And suddenly, we weren't seven continents anymore. We were one frightened species."
Kael leaned back, eyes toward the canopy. "That's when everything changed. Nations collapsed. Those who survived had to unite or vanish."
Anay asked, "So that's how the Human Territories were formed?"
Kael continued, "We had advanced technology, medicine, and culture. But our hearts were closed. And when the portals opened—when the monsters came through—we weren't prepared. Not because we were weak… but because we were divided."
Anay clenched his fists softly. "So… what changed?"
Kael smiled faintly. "We lost everything. Cities burned. Nations fell. For the first time in centuries, humanity had a common enemy. One we couldn't ignore. And in that shared desperation… something beautiful happened."
He gestured to the wild forest surrounding them. "We united."
Liora finally turned. Her voice was quiet but resolute. "We had no choice. When survival became the only goal, old grudges stopped mattering. Flags lost their meaning. And from that chaos… a new order was born. The Global Alliance."
Anay's eyes widened slightly. "The one that governs the academies… and protects the human territory?"
Liora nodded. "Yes. A unified world. One where merit, heart, and potential matter more than heritage or blood. That's why students like Kael and I can train in India. That's why you can one day represent the entire world."
Kael stepped ahead, walking backward with a grin. "We're not just training to defend a country anymore. We're training to protect everyone."
Anay looked up through the rustling leaves. Morning sunlight poured through the canopy, painting gold across his face. "We… really are one now."
Kael nodded. "Finally. Took a few disasters, some dimensional portals, a whole lot of monster invasions, and even more stubborn humans… but yeah. We're one people now."
The three of them walked on, the forest path winding into deeper shadows. But their hearts were lighter than before.
Because they no longer walked alone.
They walked as one.
To be continued...
"Exactly," Kael said. "And the academy systems followed. They realized power wasn't in borders. It was in balance, in potential. So they started picking students based on affinity and spirit, not passports."
Anay fell silent. The breeze tickled his hair as thoughts churned in his mind.
Kael smiled softly. "So yeah, you're from India. I'm from Germany. She's from Italy. But today, we walk the same path. Because we're free. Because we chose this."
Liora added, voice firm, "And because we must. If we don't walk this path, someone else will suffer for it."
The forest resumed its song—a faint whisper of leaves, the distant call of birds.
Anay stood. "Then let's keep walking. We've got more than a peak to reach now."
Kael hopped to his feet, grinning. "That's the spirit. Let's see what this forest hides next."
Together, they moved forward. Not just as students. Not just as warriors.
To be continued...