Elyndra — a kingdom blessed with bountiful resources, peaceful rule, and a land that floats above the endless skies.
The Kingdom of Elyndra is made up of countless floating islands, all connected by vast bridges of glowing roots known as Aetherroots. These roots stretch toward the capital, where the royal palace stands, guarding the kingdom's greatest treasure — the Aetherstone.
Aetherstone, a magical artifact of unknown origin, bends gravity itself, allowing the islands to remain aloft. Because of its power, massive boulders of earth float freely, forming the foundation upon which the Elyndrians built their homes, cities, and entire civilization in the heavens.
Beneath their shining world, however, lies an endless sea of thunderous clouds known as the Stormveil — a place wrapped in lightning, chaos, and mystery. No one knows what lies beneath it.
Even the royal family forbade anyone from descending, for long ago, explorers sent into the Stormveil never returned. Their fate, swallowed by the storm.
For centuries, Elyndra prospered. The skies were calm, the islands steady. Generations lived and died in peace — until one day, the Aetherstones began to dim.
At first, the tremors were faint. Then, cracks appeared in the floating isles. People started to whisper that the very heart of their world was failing. Alarmed, the High Council gathered the kingdom's finest minds — scholars, mages, and inventors — to investigate the cause. After years of study, they made a grim discovery:
The Aetherstone's power was fading.
Determined to save their home, the Council began an enormous research effort to find a way to sustain it. In the depths of the capital's old archives, buried beneath centuries of dust and forgotten texts, they discovered a book.
It was ancient and brittle, its title barely legible — "The Heart of the Sky."
Inside, it spoke of a source of power capable of rekindling the Aetherstone's dying light. The researchers believed this "Heart of the Sky" might be the key to saving Elyndra. The King ordered expeditions to locate it, sending teams of explorers and soldiers across the farthest reaches of the sky.
But none returned.
Each mission vanished into the storms or fell to unknown dangers beyond the clouds. The kingdom's forces grew thin, their hope fading with every failed attempt.
At last, with a heavy heart, the King stood before his people and declared a royal decree:
"From this day forth, every household shall send one of their own to train as a soldier of Elyndra. These brave souls will become the seekers of the Heart of the Sky. Though peril awaits, only through unity can we preserve our home in the heavens."
The people were silent. Fear filled their hearts, yet they knew — if the Aetherstone's light went out, they would all fall into the Stormveil below.
And so, with reluctance but determination, the people obeyed. That day marked the beginning of a new era — the rise of those who would later be known as the Descendants.
***
The carriage rumbled softly as it rolled down the narrow path toward the Sky Dock of Brimwell. Its wheels weren't pulled by horses, but by a glowing Aether Core fixed beneath the wooden frame — humming quietly as it pushed them forward.
Inside sat Kael Arven, his parents beside him. No one spoke much. The wind outside carried the faint scent of clouds and metal — the smell of the docks.
As the carriage reached the clearing, the view opened before them. Anchored to the edge of the floating island was a massive airship, its hull made of dark wood and silver plating, shaped like the ancient sea vessels from the old stories. Runes glowed faintly along its sides, feeding off the Aetherstones embedded beneath the deck to keep it hovering in place.
Guards in polished uniforms stood at the dock, their capes fluttering in the wind. Large K9 guardians — beasts bred with keen senses — padded beside them, sniffing through luggage as families lined up to board. The air was thick with voices, farewells, and the faint hum of Aether energy.
Kael stepped down from the carriage, taking in the sight. His hand tightened around the strap of his bag. This was it — the moment he had been dreading ever since the decree was announced.
His mother stood beside him, eyes already glassy. She reached out, brushing the loose strands of his hair behind his ear — something she always did when words wouldn't come.
"You've grown so much," she whispered, forcing a smile. "I still remember when you were scared of climbing the roof."
Kael chuckled softly, trying to sound calm. "You're being sentimental again, Mom."
His father said nothing at first. He only placed a firm hand on Kael's shoulder — the same hand that had guided him through every lesson, every chore, every day on the farm. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and steady.
"Don't rush yourself, son. Learn, survive, and come home."
Kael nodded. His throat felt dry, but he managed a faint grin. "I will."
They hugged him tightly — all three of them clinging to the moment as if time would stop for them. But soon, a whistle blew from the deck of the ship, sharp and echoing.
"All recruits bound for Elyndra, prepare for boarding!"
The guards began checking passes, calling names from a list. Kael took one last look at his parents before stepping toward the line.
Fen, his three-tailed hound, stood beside him, whining softly. Kael crouched down and scratched behind her ears. "Take care of them for me, girl," he said with a smile.
The hound barked once — almost like an answer.
And then, as the wind swept through the dock, Kael stepped forward — toward the massive vessel that would carry him away from Brimwell and into the unknown.