[ Eirian Continent – Milbong Rainforest ]
In the depths of the rainforest, the beasts dwelling within were restless and fearful. Screeches and growls could be heard from every corner, creating an ominous cacophony alongside the chaotic footsteps of these fleeing.
Many sought refuge within their territories, hiding underground, inside caves, hollow trees, or even in the false security offered by their nests, even though they knew that the relentless energy rampaging through the rainforest was beyond control.
Storm clouds were gathering and expanding across the orange dawn sky at astonishing speed. The birds squawked in fear at the threatening thunders and flew off in different directions, trying to flee from where that dangerous energy was emanating. The gales shook the treetops violently and the earth's vibrations increased as the thunder roared with more ferocity.
In the heart of a vast crystal-clear lake floated an island surrounded by towering cliffs. But, unlike the rest of the rainforest, no sound emerged from within that island, now plunged in a gloomy silence under the grayish clouds.
The beasts, the plants, even the elements sensed it: something was awakening.
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[ Hathor Kingdom ]
The Belenos district is located on the border where the kingdom of Hathor borders the Milbong rainforest. This district is renowned among warriors, hunters, herbalists, and merchants; a place visited by all those seeking to gain combat experience or harvest, as well as buy and sell medicinal plants and beast carcasses.
However, in recent months, Belenos was the topic of conversation in every mouth of the kingdom, not because of its known attractions, but rather because it had become the main stage where the beasts of the rainforest and the strongest warriors of the kingdom were clashing to death.
The beasts that inhabit the Milbong rainforest have certain degrees of intelligence depending on their evolution level, so many choose to ignore or avoid humans, focusing on hunting beasts of lower levels to satisfy their appetite and in turn protect their territory.
One day, without any precedent, the beasts joined forces to attack humans for reasons unknown, Hathor being one of the first kingdoms to be besieged. Humans thought that the beasts had finally reached an intermediate level of intelligence, inclined more towards conquest and expansion than the protection of a certain territory.
Thus, all the kingdoms bordering the Milbong rainforest were forced to dispatch their best warriors to form a line of defense to prevent the beasts from destroying everything in their path.
That morning, however, the infamous battlefield that for the past five months had greeted the dawn with cries of war, and stained with the blood of enemies and allies alike, was completely deserted.
This was not because either faction had emerged victorious, but rather, the beasts that had been constantly attacking the Belenos district had suddenly withdrawn, unleashing confusion and unrest among the warriors.
Several of them looked at the cloudy sky as they sensed the strange flow of aether that enveloped them like a veil, but they all remained calm and stayed at their posts in case the beasts took advantage of the situation to launch a surprise attack.
The storm clouds that had surged in the center of the rainforest had completely covered Belenos and spread rapidly over the other districts, reaching the capital of the kingdom in a matter of seconds.
The ground shook violently, causing everyone to lose their balance and sink to their knees. The warriors' mounts shrieked in terror and tried to flee. At that moment, they finally realized that something was wrong, although it was too late.
The impetuous aether penetrated every inch of the kingdom as if searching for something, and then suddenly stopped, though it remained pulsating in the air, exerting a slight pressure on humans and beasts alike.
In the kingdom's capital, Iabet, people who had begun their morning routine like any other day, now lay sprawled on the ground, trying to regain their footing after the sudden tremor that struck every district.
The hathi had never experienced an earthquake, so they were all bewildered and scared, not understanding what had happened or what to do in that kind of situation.
"The sky!" A woman from the crowd exclaimed in terror, and the people looked up with a sense of foreboding clutching their hearts.
Aside from the dark clouds, hundreds of strange, glowing sigils spread out in huge rings around Iabet, covering the entire capital like a dome.
Unconsciously, the hathi turned their gaze to a gigantic wisteria tree blooming in the heart of the capital. This tree was a national emblem that existed even before the founding of the kingdom, which was called 'enedina'. There were several enedinas around the world, and one of them was in the capital of Hathor.
The hathi valued and respected this tree as a sacred treasure, as it played a very important role in their survival. In addition, it was located on the Acropolis, where their monarchs and other important figures resided, making it the most influential and vital place in the kingdom.
As the lilac flowers fluttered wildly, the tree emitted an unusual golden glow similar to the sigils floating in the air. The thick branches that covered much of the capital like an umbrella swayed vigorously, producing eerie creaking noises.
When the noise became unbearable to the ears of the inhabitants, the enedina stopped swaying. The hathi looked nervously at the tree and then at the sigils that remained static in the sky.
For several minutes, there were no movements or sounds. Everyone waited anxiously, wishing that the sigils above their heads would fade away.