Prologue 0.1 - The First Crack in the Web
When I arrived at what appeared to be ruins, I found nothing but emptiness. Broken pillars stood scattered, and the unyielding snow lay undisturbed, silently embracing the stones that had rested there for ages. After spending a day in this snow, I could tell it was infused with some kind of magic—or art. Every snowflake that touched my skin drained a small portion of my strength, slowing my movements bit by bit.
Fallen stones bore ancient symbols, though time had eroded them beyond recognition. From a distance, the structure resembled a church—something familiar, yet difficult to recall. In my understanding, a church is a place where people seek aid when afflicted by sickness or curses, whether for themselves or for others. A sanctuary. A refuge. A place once known as a "foster house," where priests and sisters welcomed all who entered. But that must have been long, long ago.
Without wasting any more time, I pressed forward into the forest, wandering without a clear goal in mind. The weather remained unchanged, even after days had passed. No matter where I looked, there were only snow-covered trees and bushes, shrouded in an eerie silence—a silence that could lull one into stopping, into resting. But giving in to that temptation could be fatal, as fierce blizzards would sometimes strike without warning.
Once again, I was lost in thoughts — thoughts about what I am, looking for a memory that can recall me what person or kindred haven't need to eat, drink, rest, or sleep after hours or days.
Leaving that thought behind once again, I found myself standing before a lake. Unlike the previous one, this lake was smaller and, strangely enough—not frozen. The lake was surrounded by tall trees, their long branches strangely bare of snow. As I glanced around, my eyes landed on a silhouette. My first thought was that it might be the same lady I had seen at the previous lake, and without hesitation, I began moving toward it. As I drew closer, a sharp voice rang out, laced with suspicion.
"Stop right there! What are you doing here?" It was unmistakably the voice of a boy.
The boy was probably the same height as me, with hair the color of charcoal. I couldn't recall the name of his shuzoku (species), but he bore a resemblance to a fairy. He wears a long white mantle that touches the ground, making it hard to move. I couldn't raise my guard, as it might make him think I was a foe. I didn't want to create a misunderstanding, especially since he was only the second being I had encountered in days. Perhaps "person" wasn't the right word to describe his race. The best idea I could come up with was to start a conversation by introducing myself:
"My name is Yu. What about you?"
"Why would I give my name to a stranger? Especially to someone who can't even give their full name?"
"It`s just Yu"
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Some hours passed, and Will was in a carriage with his brothers, heading toward the destination of the ceremony. The ceremony would be held in Lapis.
Lapis is the capital of Kyrtas and is the biggest city into this continent, the continent's name is "Lazuli".
A long time ago, when divinities and celestials still roamed the earth, there existed a land named "Azule". In this vast land, teeming with forests, mountains, lakes, and even great oceans, thousands of species lived in harmony, each unaware of the others' existence. The land was separated by invisible borders, crafted by the Sfenx clan. These borders were impossible to cross and were designed with a singular purpose in mind: to prevent the species from making contact. The gods knew that such a union would bring about an imbalance that would disrupt the delicate harmony of Azule. But the balance of the land was disrupted by the Sinx. Breaking them was deemed impossible—finding them, even more so. On that fateful day, the Divinity forsook the land and declared:
"Foolish mortals. Instead of living in the unknown, harmony and peace, you turned your back on your Sentinel. In your hunger for the unknown, you abandoned all that was given to you.
For that, We shall no longer offer our protection. This land shall be cursed with twelve Unknowns.
And every time a threshold of death, loathing, and malice is reached, one of them shall awaken—
An entity of ruin, bent on destruction.
And you shall face them... alone."
After the Divinity turned their backs, war erupted—not because of their absence, but because of mortal nature. What followed would later be known as the 'First Encounter.' In its aftermath, the land split. And with time, it came to be called Lazuli.
On the road to Lapis, the carriage passed through a few villages—Ragna and Ariet—a city named Cleorh, and eventually crossed the border from Cyrus into Kyrtas.
Ariet is the largest village in Cyrus, home to thousands of people, most of whom work the land. The village is governed by a figure holding the title of Belyus, a rank granted by His Highness. In the absence of the Belyus, leadership falls to their king.
The villagers tend apple orchards, corn and wheat fields, and they are known for producing holy water. Ariet is also renowned for its military—second only to that of the capital city, Ruseforth. The village is breathtaking, especially now that the trees bloom. On either side of the road stretch vast fields filled with blossoming trees in shades of pink, red, and, curiously, turquoise. Even their father, usually reserved, allowed a flicker of happiness to show on his face at the sight.
As the carriage passed through, the villagers lit up with joy, gathering to welcome the noble convoy and mounted soldiers. Children laughed as they were lifted onto horses, and breaks in the journey turned into moments of warmth, laughter, and shared stories.
It took us fourteen days to reach Cleorh, a city often referred to as the "last line of defense." Known as the "fortress," Cleorh is strategically placed in the middle of the mountain chains, positioned along the only path that leads into the Cyrus nation from the southeast. Its placement offers both protection and dominance over any who would attempt to pass through the treacherous mountain passes. This place has never been targeted by invaders, and it stands as a point of pride for Cyrus. The people here primarily work in mining, trading, and keeping watch over the surrounding region.
The city features numerous factories that process ores and produce weapons for the military, along with a few stores selling antiques and clothing. However, its primary income comes from the bustling bars and entertainment districts, which attract many travelers and merchants.
There are many multi-story buildings, each designed to withstand the harsh mountain environment. The houses, with their tall, sturdy structures, often have at least one upper floor, topped with large, sloped roofs that mirror the style of modern architecture. The exteriors of these buildings are dyed in deep, dark hues, such as shades of grey, brown, or charcoal, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the mountain backdrop. These dark tones not only complement the surrounding landscape but also serve a practical purpose, absorbing the heat from the sun and offering a shield against the chill of the high-altitude winds. The houses are not placed randomly but are arranged in a way that makes it easy to move between them. The road is paved with smooth stones, allowing for easy travel throughout the city.
Our first stop was an inn near the cathedral of the city. When we arrived in front of it, our father told us we would rest here for a few days, then left for the military base—likely to inform them of our arrival. Just as we were about to get out of the carriage, a voice greeted us:
"Welcome to Cleorh, young Masters. We are thrilled to have you here. I will now show you around your rooms. Please, follow me."
From the outside, the inn gave off the impression of an old, sturdy building—three stories tall, constructed from brown timber, with a steep, broad roof that made it resemble a small castle. As we stepped inside, we found a front desk for welcoming guests and handling reservations. The ground floor featured a few waiting chairs, and a small library filled with books ranging from history to poetry.
Since our reservations were already made, we headed to the first floor, where the guide showed Abril to his room. Abiguel's room was on the same floor, four doors down from Abril's.
"Now the only one left is you, master Will. Let`s go toward your room"
I nodded as a response, and we moved toward my room. My room was in a different building, in the depth of the yard. The building was similar to the inn, resembling a small castle. The room was simple, a desk with one chair was found in a corner, and in the other corner a large window and a small bed.
"Your father said that your staying will be for three days, and you should do whatever you want, but to be sure that you will arrive in time for your departure. Do you have any questions or concerns, master Will?"
"Do you know when lord Atya will be back?"
"As far as I know, he will return late in night after he finish his affairs at the military base"
"Thank you —"
"I must apologize, I didn`t present myself yet — my name is Alicia, master Will."
"Thank you Alicia"
"Enjoy your staying in Cleorh, master Will"