Chapter 115 — The Split of the Heavens
The fairy fluttered higher, circling once above the dim forest path where moonlight broke through the trees in gentle silver lines. Its wings shimmered faintly like fragments of dawn before it turned back to Akira, who was walking beside it in silence. The scent of moss and wind carried faint traces of home — the direction where Kakashi and Sakumo waited.
"And now," the fairy said softly, "the history of creation is done. It is time to tell you how Mystic Planet became Empyrean Schism."
Akira glanced at it, one brow raised. "Wait—there's still more?"
The fairy gave a small laugh, though its tone was far from light. "Yes, Crown Prince. Much more. I only know fragments — the time of creation, the transformation of Mystic Planet, and the war between Ruby and Sapphire that brought the first era to an end."
Akira frowned slightly. "A war? In a world like that? Why would such a world need war?"
The fairy's glow dimmed, its tone turning grave. "You will understand when you hear how Mystic Planet became Empyrean Schism. Now, listen carefully."
As they walked, the leaves stirred around them as if time itself was whispering. Each step they took along the forest path began to shimmer faintly, and translucent visions appeared around them — glowing images floating between the trees, like the forest itself was showing memories from another world.
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"Empyrean Schism," the fairy began, "means the heavenly divide — a rift that split a once-whole paradise. It was not always like this. In the beginning, Mystic Planet was ruled by one kingdom — Liminal Expanse. It was vast, radiant, and undivided. The world flourished under the ancestors of the emperor of Liminal Expanse, and peace lasted for an age beyond measure."
"But then," the fairy's voice deepened, "came the era of Vestaer Ignis, the first Emperor of Ruby, and Coralia Thalassa, the first Queen of Sapphire. Both were powerful — descendants of ancient lineages that commanded opposing elements: fire and water, blaze and tide. And yet, they shared a soulbond — something that should have united the world forever."
Akira tilted his head. "A soulbond?"
The fairy nodded. "Yes. They were soulbound — two halves of one essence, born to balance each other. But such a bond between two different elemental lineages had never existed before. Until then, soulbonds were only known to occur between those of the same origin, like you and His Highness — two souls resonating from one realm or clan. But when Ignis of Flame and Thalassa of Tide bonded, the world itself shuddered."
The glowing visions around them shifted, showing two royal figures — a man wreathed in crimson aura and a woman surrounded by flowing blue — reaching for one another across a glowing sea of light.
"Their union should have brought harmony," the fairy continued, "but their clans — the Ignis and the Thalassa — refused to accept it. The Ignis clan believed flame must never bow to the sea; the Thalassa clan believed tide must never be tainted by flame. They forced them apart. Both were made to marry others, bound to the laws of power rather than the truth of their souls."
Akira's expression darkened. "So the clans destroyed what the world itself had chosen."
"Exactly," the fairy said quietly. "And that was their greatest mistake. Their refusal gave birth to resentment, grief… and finally, war. The War of Ruby and Sapphire — the war that split the heavens."
The forest air trembled as if echoing the fairy's words. The visions shimmered — showing fire and water clashing across the sky, continents cracking, oceans boiling, mountains melting into storms.
"When the war began," the fairy whispered, "even the skies tore open. Flame devoured the clouds; waves drowned the stars. The world broke apart, and from that destruction, Empyrean Schism was born — a divided world with three lands:
Ruby, in the North — ruled by Emperor Vestaer Ignis's bloodline, now known as the Blaze Clan.
Sapphire, in the South — ruled by Queen Coralia Thalassa's descendants, now called the Aqua Clan.
And Goshenite, in the Heart — the last throne of Mystic Planet, ruled by the descendants of the final King of the unified realm — the royal line of Liminal Expanse."
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The shimmering memories faded slowly into the night air. The forest became silent again, save for the soft sound of the wind and their footsteps on the moss-covered ground.
"That," said the fairy at last, "is the story of how Mystic Planet became Empyrean Schism."
It turned toward Akira, its eyes glowing faintly.
"But now, Crown Prince, there is something you must know about your own lineage."
Akira looked at it curiously. "My lineage?"
The fairy nodded. "Yes. The current Emperor of Liminal Expanse — your grandfather — formed a soulbond with the Second Princess of Ruby. She is the aunty of the current Emperor of Ruby, and also the queen the wife of emperor of Ruby—mother, and your grandmother. Because of that union, your bloodline is connected to both royal families."
Akira's eyes widened slightly. "So that means the Emperor of Ruby is my uncle?"
"Exactly," the fairy said. "Which also means that the Crown Prince of Ruby — your cousin — was born just one hour before you. You and he grew up together, and the two of you once played as brothers. But history repeated itself in a way no one expected."
Akira tilted his head. "How so?"
The fairy's tone softened. "The last great war between Ruby and Sapphire ended because of two little ones — the heirs who carried both lines of power. One is the Fifth Prince of Ruby, who is also the Second Prince of Liminal Expanse… and the other, the Second Prince of Sapphire.both are soulbond."
Akira blinked. "Wait — why is the Fifth Prince of Ruby also the Second Prince of Liminal Expanse?"
"Because, Crown Prince," the fairy explained, "you and your family carry both bloodlines. All princes of Ruby — except the Third — share the lineage of Liminal Expanse through the queen's side. But only the Fifth Prince can use both bloodlines' power. You have the royal blood, but not the dual awakening he possesses."
Akira frowned thoughtfully. "Then why doesn't the Third Prince have the bloodline of Liminal Expanse?"
The fairy replied gently, "Because the Third Prince is not the Emperor of Ruby's son, but his nephew. The Emperor of Ruby himself does not bear the Liminal Expanse blood — only the queen does. Your mother, her two sisters, and their younger brother share that heritage. But none of them — not even the queen — hold both powers in balance like the Fifth Prince does."
Akira nodded slowly, the forest light reflecting in his eyes. "So the 5th Prince… is the first to carry both flames truly united."
The fairy smiled faintly. "Yes, Crown Prince. He is the bridge between the three royal."
As they reached the edge of the forest, the trees parted, revealing Kakashi and Sakumo waiting by a small campfire. The soft light of dawn began to rise, scattering gold across the leaves.
Akira looked ahead silently, then whispered,
"Then maybe… this time, history won't end in war."
The fairy hovered close, wings glimmering like starlight.
"Perhaps, Crown Prince. If the children of two worlds remember what their ancestors forgot… peace may finally be reborn."