The kingdom of Astria was a grand sight to see filled with tall towers and homes that spawned for miles out.
Ships were flying everywhere in the sky and on the roads below there were carriages being pulled by four legged creatures that had antlers on ther heads and scales on their backs.
Behind the kingdom were beautiful mountains and forest of purple and lavender colored trees. This was the only kingdom in the land of Vanaheim, homeland of the Astren.
Astren were a race that practiced spiritual magic, spatial magic and astral projection. They had a deep connection to the spirit world, and they worshiped the goddess of death.
In the palace behind the castle which were both settled in the middle of Astria at the top of a mountain a young female Astren was walking down a long hall.
She was dressed in royal garments which she found to be uncomfortable as she tugged at the tight clothing sticking to her skin. Her dark curly hair kept dropping down over her eye which was causing her to be frustrated.
Around her neck she wore a necklace with an ankh symbol which was a gift she received from her grandmother. Her name was Saria Vatris and she was headed to meet with her friend who was a noble and one of the most profound knights of the kingdom.
She turned down another hall to see a tall man with brown skin and long black hair with golden eyes staring outside of a window looking out at the kingdom. He wore light armor over expensive garments. His piercing eyes glanced in Saria's direction and quickly his gaze softened.
He turned toward her and bowed his head with a warm smile.
"Konichita juni motu anat tsuku dandor tani watachi liken?" He asked in a strange language as he took hold of her hand and pressed his lip gently on the top of it.
She rolled her eyes as she pulled her hand away with a smile.
"Yes, I have made my arrangements for us to leave, Vesryn, and would you stop speaking in Astrari it's not befitting of you." Saria said playfully as Vesryn sighed with a sly grin on his face.
"The queen has agreed to let you and that guild you work with have this quest. I get to accompany you and as long as I'm safe you'll get paid extra." Saria said confidently as Vesryn nodded with a smile.
"Good, I'll go and fetch them so we can set out at your leisure." Vesryn said as he waved his hand as a wisp of energy formed. A moment went by before a portal opened beside him.
"Well while you do that, I'll be visiting Ky." She said as she stepped past him. Vesryn looked surprised and immediately grabbed her arm. She paused and looked at him with a soft glare. He let go and took a step back.
"Why do you continue to associate with that peasant?" Vesryn questioned as Saria shrugged and started to turn away again. Vesryn moved so he could block her path causing her to frown at him.
"Why does it concern you so much whom I associate with?" Saria asked as she placed a finger on his chest. Vesryn sighed as he gently grabbed her finger.
"He's careless and is suspected to be the thief that's been stealing from the middle region. You're going to be a queen someday so it's wise for you to act like it." Vesryn said, which appeared to upset Saria as she pushed on his chest angrily.
"My sister is the one that's going to be queen...that's not my dream! Now go and meet with the guild while I go visit Ky. Also, will your squire join us?" Saria asked as Vesryn shook his head slowly.
Saria frowned before she turned and stormed off. Vesryn sighed in frustration as he watched her walk down the hall.
"You really do know how to make her seem less calm." A feminine voice remarked from behind Vesryn. He turned to see Saria's sister who resembled Saria.
They were twins and they also had a twin brother. Saria's sister's name was Syndra and Vesryn often viewed her as a more calculating version of Saria.
Syndra was known for her scheming which Vesryn had no qualms with for it was the thing he liked about her the most. Vesryn grinned ever so slightly as he turned to face.
"Hello princess Syndra, you know it's always a pleasure to see you." Vesryn bowed his head and took hold of her hand. He gently kissed her hand the same way he did with Saria. Syndra rolled her eyes and chuckled a delicate laugh.
"Before you go about your little quest, I'd like to discuss something with you." Syndra said as she placed a finger on Vesryn's chest. She looked at him with a taunting gaze that forced a grin on his face.
"If this is a means to seduce me then you're wasting your time. Now pardon me, but I have more important matters to tend to." Vesryn said as he began to step around Syndra but she grabbed him by the arm. She had a stern look on her face as she looked up at Vesryn.
"Don't flatter yourself so much, Vesryn. You're not my type but what I want to discuss with you may put certain things in your favor." She said as she turned back the way she had come and started walking.
She glanced over her shoulder and waved for him to follow. He was uncertain about what she meant but he was now curious to find out what she wanted.
Reluctantly, he shrugged and marched after her unsure of what she was planning to reveal to him.
*
In the middle region of Astria, a large commotion was going on. Guards were running through the streets pushing people out of the way as they were chasing a hooded figure.
The person running was carrying a large bag on his shoulder. Strapped to his belt was a pouch filled with silver pieces. Silver pieces was one of the few resources used as currency.
The cloaked figure turned down an alley while he waved his hand causing the area to freeze behind him. He heard the sound of the ice shattering as the guards burst through his ice wall.
He cursed as he waved his hand again but downward creating ice at the bottom of his feet causing him to skate down the alley.
"Get back here thief!" A guard said as he thrust his hand forward as a magic circle appeared in front of him. A beam of fire came bursting from the magic circle and spiraled down the alley after the cloaked figure.
He looked over his shoulder to see the fire approaching and he waved his hand upward creating a giant wall of ice.
The fire immediately melted the ice, but it created a mist that obscured their vision. When the guards could see clearly the cloaked figure had disappeared.
Frustrated and angry they argued with one another before deciding to end pursuit.Sitting on top of a building was the cloaked figure.
He pulled his hood down and uncovered his face to reveal he was a young Astren around the age of twenty-one.
His locks fell around his face as he breathed heavily. His icy blue eyes looked up at the sky as he leaned back with a smile on his face. His name was Ky Virkas and he was a peasant that lived for adventure.
In the bag was food, clothing and a few magic potions he had stolen from various shops. This was his way of living, but it wasn't all just for him.
He continued to run from building to building until he made it out of the middle region. Ky was returning to his village which was in the outer region but a mile away from the middle region.
Eshelon was the place he lived his whole life which included living on the streets. At the age of seven his mother was abducted, and his father killed by assassins. It was only recently he was able to afford a house.
Ky arrived home to an older Astren in the middle of the street yelling at villagers passing by him.
"The gods have forsaken us for they have allowed these demonic scourges to plague our lands. It's the end of days and the gods wish to be rid of us for we have failed them!" He shouted as everyone laughed and mocked him.
Ky sighed as he walked past him to get to his small home that wasn't far from where the man stood. As Ky saw a few children playing outside his broken down home he felt a hand grab him.
He looked over to see the older man with a strange look on his face. "You've been touched by death, yet you still live in the world of mortals. Could you have been chosen?" The man questioned as Ky pulled away with a creeped outlook on his face.
He rushed away toward the children that were playing. They wore rags and were dirty. Ky lowered the bag he had over his shoulders and waved them over to him.
"Alright you little rascals, I got some stuff for you." He said as he pulled out clothes and handed them out to each of the children. Then he handed them bread and fruit.
Once he had given them all something he shooed them away. They laughed and waved goodbye as they ran down the street to rest in some random alley.
A solemn look formed on his face as he began to remember himself at that age. He remembered his brother and sister whom he tried to raise alone. Ky shook his head as he picked up the bag and approached the door to his house.
He paused when saw that it was unlocked. Ky crept in silently looking around the small and cramped building.
Silently, he placed his bag on the ground and crept down the small hallway. He created a blade for himself using his ice magic. Ky slowed down his breathing as a hope not to be heard by whomever was in his house.
He approached a door that was a jar and he saw a light coming from the room. Ky let out a deep breath as he got into position to enter. He kicked the door open and stepped inside as his ice blade grew larger.
His tension lessened when his eyes landed on Saria who was sitting in a chair reading. She looked at him with a blank on his face causing him to frown as he collapsed to his bottom.
"Would it kill you to stop breaking in here?" Ky asked as Saria raised an eyebrow at Ky. Then she slowly looked around the room at everything Ky had. Everything that he had stolen in the last few years.
"Okay, fair point but what are you doing here?" Ky questioned as Saria closed the book she was holding and placed it on the desk.
"You were quite busy I assume?" Saria said in a disapproving tone causing Ky to wave her off as he turned away.
"I'm a peasant and a lot of people don't want to work with peasants, so I do what I have to, Saria." Ky said in a serious tone. Saria stood up out of the chair and approached Ky who was organizing his bookshelf.
"You know I could easily help you form a guild or something." Saria said as Ky waved his hand to push her away.
"I'm fine with my current lifestyle, thank you though." Ky said as he grabbed a book from off the ground.
"Wasn't it Niyana that got you into this thieving habit?" Saria asked with a displeased look on her face. Ky glanced at her with and unhappy look on his face.
"Let's not talk about her, okay?" Ky said as Saria seemed to now regret her question. She nodded her head as she shifted her body in the seat.
"I'm accompanying Vesryn on a quest to find a magic artifact. I'd like for you to come with me since you probably need to lay low for a while anyway." Saria said as she jabbed Ky in the shoulder while he was putting the book up on the shelf.
He smiled as he turned toward her.
"Vesryn Shaynore? The knight that wants to slaughter me simply because I breathe the same air as you? I'll take my chances with the kingdom's guards." Ky asked with a slight chuckle until he saw Saria's expression.
"Are you denying a request from a princess?" Saria said in a serious but playful manner that made Ky laugh.
He clapped his hands and bowed his head while still laughing.
"You enjoy riling him up, don't you?" Ky pointed at her with a grin in which Saria responded with eyes rolling her eyes.
"We haven't seen each other in a while, and I know it's because of me. I wanted you to come so we could spend time together. Plus, if things go well, I will reward you." Saria said, pointing at Ky with a grin of her own.
Ky smiled while shaking his head as he went back to organizing his bookshelf.
"Fine, I'll oblige and come along." He said as he noticed a silvery blue stone on the ground. Ky bent down to pick it up and a sadden look spread across his face.
"Well, you should get ready cause we're heading out today. I'll brief you on the artifact and everything on the way there." Saria said from behind Ky who was surprised by the sudden departure they were about to make. He sighed as he placed the stone back on the ground and rose to his feet.
"I guess I'll pack a few things really quick." Ky said with little enthusiasm. Saria nodded with a smile as she headed for the door.
"I'll be outside." She said as she left the room leaving Ky by himself. He filled his cheeks with air as he pushed his locks back. When he let out the air, he bit his lip as he began to wonder what was in store for him next.