After the chaos, insanity, near-death experiences, questionable "experiments," and the emotional collapse of the previous chapters…
…you would expect this one to be explosive.
Someone exploding.
Something exploding.
Or Nyxar exploding.
But no.
This chapter was, for some cursed, cosmically comedic reason…
weirdly calm.
Back on the Road
The group was once again inside the carriage, the wheels rattling along the dirt path as they headed deeper through the plains. Everyone was… shockingly, almost disturbingly peaceful.
Nyxar, sitting by the window, had Mini Bella curled up in his lap like a shadow-bell-beast-cat hybrid plush toy. He absentmindedly pet her while reading or talking to his grimware.
(It was impossible to tell if he was reading from the grimware or the grimware was reading him.)
Vespera, on the opposite seat, was indulging in her favorite pastime:
petting the mini jaguar.
Her absolutely favorite mini summon.
The tiny shadow cat purred like a small chainsaw while she played with it, occasionally dangling a silk for it to chase.
Belos, meanwhile, was asleep.
On Sebastian's shoulder.
Drooling a little.
Like a rich noble child who had never been through anything traumatic at all despite VERY CLEARLY having trauma.
Sebastian, being Sebastian, sat perfectly straight with zero complaints, holding a map open while Ember and Sylas leaned over him trying to calculate the safest and most efficient route to the next kingdom.
It would've looked like a peaceful family road trip if you ignored the fact that half of them were not mentally stable and two of them had murder-activated superpowers.
The Kingdom Lore Dump That No One Asked For (But Everyone Needed)
Sebastian cleared his throat dramatically.
Sebastian:
"Alright, since we have a bit of time and everyone seems… calm? Surprisingly? This might be a good moment to explain the kingdoms."
Ember: "I feel like you're foreshadowing something."
Sebastian: "No, no. Just giving context."
Narrator:
He was absolutely foreshadowing something.
But we ignore that.
He unfolded the map, tapped the northern area, and began.
1. Frosthelm — The Ice Box of the World
A kingdom buried in snow.
Not cute snow.
Not Christmas snow.
'Your eyelashes freeze and fall off if you blink too slowly' snow.
Its people were sturdy, silent, and probably allergic to warmth.
Their capital, Glaciarhold, was carved into an actual glacier because apparently building normal houses was too easy. Beautiful architecture, rune-covered walls, ancient carvings—everything was cold.
Cryomancy ruled the north.
The Winterlords ruled Frosthelm.
And Frosthelm ruled absolutely no one, because they didn't talk to anybody.
Nyxar, listening while petting Mini Bella:
"So basically introverts with superpowers?"
Sebastian: "Yes. Essentially."
2. Saharith — The Giant Oven Kingdom
A desert kingdom full of pyramids, scorching heat, divine magic, sandstorms, and enough sun exposure to fry an egg on your skull.
Sebastian explained that its people wielded Sunfire magic, Sand magic, and Necromancy because apparently they liked variety.
Their armies rode giant camels and swung unreasonably large scimitars.
Everyone else in the carriage:
"…That sounds terrifying."
Sebastian:
"Yes. And that's our destination."
Everyone:
"…why."
Saharith was allied with the plains kingdom, Verdania. The alliance was old, strong, and built on mutual respect and the mutual understanding that both sides could obliterate you if needed.
3. Verdania — Home Sweet Murderous Home
Sebastian shifted to the center of the map.
Verdania.
The plains kingdom.
A place of farms, forests, hills, mead, giant feasts, ancient runes, and the occasional monster attack that villagers handled by yelling and throwing axes.
Sebastian:
"This is where all of you are from."
Nyxar and Vespera didn't look shocked.
Mostly because they both had murder-ville energy already.
Verdania was friendly, hardworking, honorable, full of traditions…
and had an alarming number of alcoholic beverages.
Rune magic strengthened their warriors.
Their knights were feared.
Their farmers were somehow even scarier.
4. Thyriath — The Forest Kingdom of 'Do Not Enter'
Sebastian pointed to the deep green area.
A massive ancient forest.
Elven territory.
A place where stepping off the path meant dying or becoming a tree or both.
Thyriath was breathtakingly beautiful…
and breathtakingly deadly.
Their capital was built ON trees.
Silverwood spires, glowing lakes, spirit lanterns.
Sebastian described it with the tone of "it's pretty but you're not allowed there."
The elves used druidic magic to control plants, wind, animals, and possibly your life choices.
Their borders were so protected that even a lost pigeon would be interrogated before entry.
Vespera: "Sounds lovely."
Sebastian: "They would kill you."
Vespera: shrugs.
5. Corsairea — Ocean Kingdom of Fish, Ships, and Taxes
The southern sea kingdom.
Ships everywhere.
Trade everywhere.
Merchants everywhere.
And at least three pirates at any given moment.
Port Seaview was their capital, full of ships, stone castles, lighthouses, and money.
Their navy was powerful.
Their sea mages controlled tides.
Their sailors controlled chaos.
Sebastian: "Very wealthy. Very connected. Very loud."
Sylas: "So… Verdania but wet?"
Sebastian: "Pretty much."
Kingdom Relationship Summary — Or 'Who Hates Who'
Sebastian wrapped it up:
Frosthelm — Doesn't talk to anyone.
Thyriath — Talks only when absolutely necessary.
Verdania + Saharith — Strong alliance bros.
Corsairea — Friends with everyone because money.
Saharith — Scary.
Thyriath — Scarier.
Frosthelm — Scariest but too cold to do anything.
Then he folded the map and looked at Ember and Sylas.
Sebastian:
"So! Any questions?"
Ember raised a hand immediately.
"Just two:
Which kingdom are we from?
And where exactly are we going again?"
Sebastian answered calmly:
"You are from Verdania. We are traveling to Saharith."
There was a long pause.
Narrator:
"At this moment, Ember deeply regretted asking."
The Chapter Ends With the Narrator Having a Breakdown
Narrator:
"Congratulations. You have survived the lore dump chapter without having a seizure.
Hopefully.
Probably.
I'm unsure.
Good luck on the next one."