This chapter is mostly to show Zemuria's prehistory, for those who have not played Trails yet.
*
The continent of Zemuria.
A land filled with fantasy, and yet at the same time, the unknown.
This was a land created over twelve hundred years ago, by a singular entity, the goddess known as Aidios.
Aidios blessed the land, allowing civilizations to rise and flourish. These soon joined together to what was known as the Ancient Zemurian Civilization.
They were split into seven factors, one each blessed by a dominion by the Goddess herself. Aidios parted from her own power the entities known as the Sept-Terrions, singularities of the known elements.
Lost Zem. The Earth Sept-Terrion, governance over the element Earth.
Ark Rouge, the Fire Sept-Terrion, governance over the element Fire.
There was also the Sept-Terrion of Water, which had governance over the element Water. And the Sept-Terrion of Wind, which governs over the element Wind.
Typically when it came to fantasy worlds such as Zemuria, one would think the Dark and Light elements wound round off the list. However, that wasn't for the Goddess Aidios.
The land of Zemuria was special. It had two tiers for the natural elements of which binds worlds together.
The lower tier which were the most common people could see in their daily lives. They were Earth, Fire Water and Wind.
And yet there was a special tier above that. This was known as the Three Higher Elements.
Time. Space. Mirage.
The Goddess Aidios even blessed Zemuria with the elements to perceive time and space. As for Mirage, that one was a bit special, which allowed one to bend reality, gaining control of the material world.
Aidios also parted three Sept-Terrions for the Three Higher Elements, which the first one being the Sept-Terrion of Time.
After that was the Sept-Terrion of Space, Aureole.
And lastly, the Sept-Terrion of Mirage, Demiourgos.
Seven Sept-Terrions to govern the seven elements. To ensure none of them went haywire, Aidios took it upon herself to bless each one with a Holy Beast. The Holy Beast would only watch over its assigned element unless one faced danger to its own life. Only then would one of these Holy Beasts act.
And like that, the Ancient Zemurian Civilization flourished under the guidance of the Goddess Aidios.
This was well over twelve hundred years ago on this land, split into seven factions to let humans worship an element to their choosing. Among these clans rose the Hexen Clan, a clan of mages and witches that became proficient in magic. And the Gnomes clan, a clan proficient in crafting.
However, this peace would not last forever. Aidios saw these factions grow stronger and stronger by the day. Even without strife, their advances with technology preceded that of the normal boundaries.
To the point to where one of the seven factions developed an autonomous floating island, akin to Paradise itself, the Liber Ark.
Aidios soon realized these factions were growing too powerful.
She took it upon herself to enact the Trial of the Goddess.
Aidios had one goal for humanity during the Trial of the Goddess. That was for humans to develop new perspectives on life. Just experiencing peace everlasting was but one of them.
And so, Aidios plunged the world of Zemuria into strife and ruin, allowing humanity to experience great natural disasters for the first time...
This horrific event eventually came to be known as The Great Collapse by post-modern Zemurians...
Many lives of each faction were lost during that dark time, societies crumbled from war due to lack of resources. And yet there was hope, the creation of the Septian Church, a church designed to worship Aidios.
As a result of the Great Collapse, many of the Sept-Terrions became lost or destroyed. With humans having their faith waver the Septian Church acted as a new beacon of hope to let one praise Aidios for those who still believed in her.
The great climax of the Great Collapse ended when two factions fought each other as the owner of the two Sept-Terrions that still existed.
"It was this clash between the survivors of these two clans that lead to the birth of Cold Steel, to which could not have been sealed like the other Sept-Terrions could."
"Therefore, it resulted this being split into seven parts, perhaps to mirror the elements themselves. With each part stored into entities known as Divine Knights...", A firm yet resolute voice spoke out.
"And with the creation of these Divine Knights, the Great Collapse had ended its long period of strife, allowing the Septian Church to gain a strong footing. So strong that we would see the creation of the Septian Calendar, the very same one we use in our daily lives now.", The firm voice continued to say. At this time, a smile appeared on their face.
This voice seemed to belong to a middle aged figure, who could be seen sitting in a rocking chair next to a cozy fireplace that was currently lit. Burnt oak wafted in the air, creating a fuzzy and warm atmosphere. Crackling and popping sounds would echo in the living room this figure was currently in.
"Da!", Another voice spoke out beside him. This voice belonged to a much smaller figure. In fact this one was currently being held in the rocking chair by the larger figure. A very small child who appeared no more than one year old, but was already starting to speak their first words.
It wasn't just them in the chair either. A large book with several detailed pictures could be seen on different pages, written in a language that didn't seem to be English, nor Japanese.
"Oh? So the prehistory of Zemuria has caught your attention, has it? Well, showing you the Great Collapse will be all for today. Little one, you seem to have a keen interest in learning.", The older figure said with a smile.
"Da!", The little child also responded happily.
However at this time, as the older figure closed the book, he continued to slowly rock the chair. The little child felt this constant rocking motion, and started to yawn.
"Isn't it too early for a one year old to start learning? He had just started to speak his first words, dear.", A gentle voice voice said, slowly walking into the living room. She took her sweet time, due to the large belly she currently had. It looked like this figure was pregnant, and was in the later stage of her pregnancy.
"Oh? Are you sure you're fine to be up and about, Kasia? You're due any day now, aren't you?"
"I am fine for now, thank you for asking. I've seen you've already entered your doting mode, fufu.", The woman said, who appeared to be named Kasia. A big smile formed on her lips seeing the little child fall asleep from the rocking.
As for her appearance, she had dark indigo hair that was tied into a singular braid, letting it flow on her right shoulder, and with matching eyes. She wore a white shirt with a jade brooch over her neck. Over her shirt was a pale green sweater and a magenta shawl over her shoulders. To top it off was a navy blue corset and a long tan skirt She had a gentle expression.
"Can't a father love his son?", The older figure asked.
"Of course he can.", Kasia responded. She then walked over and gave the man a kiss on the cheek. Kasia then leaned down, only to pick up the small child back into her arms. Kasia began to cradle him back and forth.
"But little children need plenty of rest to grow strong and healthy. I still think it's too early for him to start learning. You even started started with our land's history!", Kasia berated the man in a soft voice, not wanting to wake the little child up.
"You should have seen the look in his eyes, Kasia my dear!", Only for the man to stand up, placing the closed book under his arm. He then walked over to have another look at their child.
"He has the eagerness to learn. He should start his studies. In fact, it should be his duty, as firstborn to none other than a brigadier general to this nation."
"There you go spouting nonsense again...", Kasia responded with a giggle.
Seeing this the man picked up the child from Kasia and Kasia didn't stop him.
The man spoke out with a smile.
"And I, Giliath Osborne, will see to it that this child sets his own two feet firmly on our proud nation, the Erebonian Empire!"