In the Northern part of the Meadow Kingdom, in an abandoned area of their forest, there lies a stone slate with a foreign writings on it that was soon identified as the ancient writings of the kingdom. Not long after, rumours started circulating around how it was a portal towards a different dimension. It was said so as the heat within 5 meter radius where it stood is unbearable, making no man dare enter and investigate the phenomenon. With its growing popularity, the King had heard of the commotion and had his messenger plaster on public bulletin boards of those who could successfully find the root of the situation will be rewarded handsomely, and what encourages most men and women alike, is the promise of becoming part of the Jade rank's investigating unit. The second highest rank of adventurers in the kingdom.
Tens of thousands took up the quest and courageously visited the area when they heard of the prize, but due to its heat and with the invisible force put up by an unknown that acted as its barrier, this somehow led to some of them give up and forget about becoming a jade adventurer. Those who pushed through had experience the weird force of the stone, it is said that before they could get near it, people would get blasted off. And on the following days, even those who came near the barrier, they would get sick and then die mysteriously. Even the kingdom's most powerful mage at that time--a part of the highest rank given to an adventurer, the ruby rank--the twenty-year-old Nyx, can't cast a powerful shield that would protect them from the stone's power. She is someone who gained such intense light when her strength was read over at the guild fortress. But even with a genius like her couldn't figure out what was happening in the forest.
She, too, was deemed the greatest mage of the entire continent. And with this information, this brought distraught to the people and convince the King to close the forest through their rallies.
Years of investigating its origin, the King has finally declared the area forbidden by any living being, from anywhere in the world, and must never go near it. As the King saw how the phenomenon isn't harmful to anyone unless provoked, he closed the part of the forest and is now known as the 'forbidden forest' from 'forbidden area of the northern forest'.
And with the S-rank and A-rank missions getting fewer and fewer, the newer generation of ruby adventurers has become a mentor of other ranks and so their reputation sunk from being the most powerful to the most effective mentors and being the best commander of the castle. Those jobs are mostly already taken by jade ranks. With this, the King has regarded the ruby rank useless as there are no longer demons to defend the kingdom from. He then distributed the three remaining ruby to be a part of the council.
Nyx became one of the best commanders in the castle and with her great power, she rose to power and was always seen by the King's side no matter where he goes. Words were also passed on how the King wouldn't make decisions without her despite already having an adviser, but it was never confirmed. Although it seemed like Nyx was living a life that others can only dream of, her promotion comes with a dark secret that no one ever heard of. She soon would have constant sleepless night caused by the whispers from a mysterious shadow late at night after she's reach the deepest part of her sleep. This went on for months. The first nights it happened, there were only faint sounds that she would just shake it off, thinking she was just tired from work. But as it kept going on, there will be moments she could feel someone's breathing near her ear and it would constantly wake her up.
This caused Nyx to get distracted from her job all the time, her mind would be invaded with questions of what could be the meaning of her daily nightmare and who could be calling to her. She itched on having to investigate it herself but how? She's tasked to never leave his majesty's side.
One day, Nyx could no longer resist her curiosity and decided to bring her brilliant horse, Eli with her to take a quick look and investigate little by little. As creepy as it is, the moment she decided to go and have a look, the whispers continued until the sun rose. Nyx believed whatever it may be was trying to lead her where she must go.
And so on the day she chose to leave, she followed the voice and noticed how it gets louder whenever she takes the right path, but this had her worried. The voice lead her towards the Northern Forest, the forest where the stone slate is. It now has become clear to her, this is where her dreams would show her before waking up to the calling.
She finally remembered. Vividly.
As soon as she stepped inside the forbidden area, she was drawn by the calmness it gives and walked towards the stone she investigated years ago.
It was weird. Before, with all the people she's with, it was always uncomfortable and unwelcoming.
She thought it was completely different from when they were investigating the land for the mysterious stone slate. Back then, it burns the flesh yet chilling on the inside. It was indeed a phenomenon they couldn't comprehend.
As Nyx walked slowly towards the stone slate, nearer and nearer, her footsteps became lighter. She felt lulled and relaxed. The thought of resting under the shade of a gigantic tree in the middle of a beautiful meadow crept within her. It was as though something is telling her what to do, like she was hyptonized. Unknowingly, she touched the stone slate and before she could react with what she just did, it suddenly let out a bright red light. It was so bright, it almost had it blinded. But as it was only daytime, it isn't as visible from afar and there she lost consciousness. Since that incident, Nyx was never found again. They only found her horse wandering around the forest, dehydrated and hungry after a week of searching.
When they couldn't find a trace of her, they had her deem as dead. With jealous politicians from around the world wanting to take her in and have her work for them, the king could only come up with it as the reason for her disappearance.