5975 kilometers away, Republic of Kairos, on the Aslan continent, the city of Elarian was preparing for the council elections…
(Umar Kahne's POV)
The sun was a fiery orb in the sky over Elarian, casting its golden rays over the bustling streets. It was another exhilarating day in the city that never seemed to sleep, and my brother Isma and I were right in the heart of it, our feet barely touching the ground as we raced through the city.
"Try to keep up, Umar! Or are you too distracted by the street magicians?" Isma taunted, leaping over a cart with the agility of a seasoned acrobat. His laughter echoed through the air, a challenge I was more than ready to meet.
Elarian was alive with wonders. To our left, a group of dwarves was locked in a heated debate over a luminous piece of amethyst, their voices a deep rumble. Nearby, elegant elves in flowing robes perused through a collection of mystical scrolls, their fingers tracing over ancient symbols. A little further down, orc kids, not much older than us, playfully wrestled near a gurgling fountain, their tusks glinting in the sun. At the end of the shaja street, A trio of farfadets played a high-pitched tune on tiny flutes, their wings a blur, while a group of goblins argued over who had the weirdest trinkets for sale. "Excuse us, coming through!" I shouted, dodging a grumpy gnome on a hoverboard. A couple of fairies darted around us, their laughter like tiny bells, adding a sprinkle of fairy dust to the air.
I picked up the pace, weaving a path through the crowd, a mix of locals and exotic creatures. We zipped past a stall where an elf with hair shimmering like moonlight was selling skyberries and moonpeaches. "Hey, Umar, bet you can't do a flip over those moonpeaches without triggering their glow!" Isma challenged, his eyes dancing with mischief.
"Watch and learn!" I replied, focusing my energy. With a swift spell casting, I enhanced my agility. I launched myself into the air, flipping gracefully over the moonpeaches, which emitted a soft, enchanting light as I soared above them.
We raced on, the city a blur around us. Our laughter mingled with the sounds of the marketplace – the haggling, the mystical chimes, and the soft strumming of a lute somewhere in the distance.
Our route took us past a billboard featuring Mom's campaign poster for the senate. "Unity for a Brighter Tomorrow," it read. I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride, even as Isma made a joke. "Think she'd approve of this shortcut we're taking?" he asked.
"She won't be mad if she doesn't know!" I shouted, trying to catch up to him.
As we turned a corner, I caught sight of a mysterious figure in a hooded cloak. His eyes were a deep, mesmerizing red, and he smiled at me, a knowing, enigmatic smile that sent a shiver down my spine. Boom! Distracted, I collided with Mr. Grolby's fruit stand, sending Stardust apples and Glitterpears flying in a sparkling cascade.
"Umar, you're supposed to dodge the obstacles, not create new ones!" Isma laughed, taking advantage of my tumble to dart even further ahead.
Mr. Grolby, the local fruit merchant ogre, his skin a vivid shade of green, was less amused. "You little rascals! My precious fruits!" he exclaimed, his arms flailing in exasperation.
"Sorry, Mr. Grolby! We'll bring you double tomorrow!" I shouted, already back on my feet and dashing after Isma.
"Double trouble, more like!" Mr. Grolby called after us, shaking his head but with a grin spreading across his face.
"Watch this!" Isma called out, a mischievous glint in his eye. With a flick of his wrist and a casted spell, he conjured a series of wind gusts, propelling him forward. He soared over a group of startled market-goers, landing gracefully on a nearby rooftop.
"Not bad!" I yelled back, grinning. I wasn't about to be outdone. Channeling my energy, I cast a simple levitation spell. For a moment, I was weightless, soaring through the air. The world below was a blur of colors and movements, a living tapestry of Elarian's daily life.
Our race transformed the city into an acrobatic playground. We leaped from rooftops, flipped over alleyways, and sprinted up walls. Our movements were fluid, a dance honed by years of playful rivalry.
I launched myself off a high wall, twisting mid-air to land perfectly on a narrow ledge. The thrill of the chase, the rush of the wind – it was exhilarating. Isma was just ahead, his figure a blur of motion as he bounded across the cityscape with the grace of a cat.
"Come on, Umar, keep up!" he taunted, dashing along a narrow beam.
I concentrated, drawing mana from my core, and cast a speed spell. Instantly, my legs moved faster, a blur of motion propelling me forward. I was catching up, the gap between us narrowing with every heartbeat.
Our race took us to the outskirts of the city, where the buildings gave way to the lush embrace of the forest. The cool shade of the trees was a welcome respite from the sun-baked streets of Elarian.
Isma, always the faster one, was just a blur ahead. He used a quick spell to create a series of small wind currents, giving him an extra boost. I countered with an earth spell, my body propulsed in the air as the ground suddenly rose, closing the gap between us.
We were like two spirits of the forest, racing through the dappled sunlight. The air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and the whispers of ancient trees. Our laughter echoed through the forest, a sound as free and wild as the birds overhead.
"Last one to the Old Willow is a rotten Troll turd!" Isma called out, his voice filled with the thrill of the chase.
"You're on!" I replied, my energy renewed by the challenge. We plunged deeper into the forest.
As we reached the Old Willow, we collapsed under its shade, both of us panting and grinning like fools. The city, with all its wonders and mysteries, seemed a world away. "Guess it's a tie," Isma said, grinning.
"Yeah," I replied, still catching my breath. "But next time, I'm beating you for sure."
"Hehehe, I can't believe you wiped out at Grolby's stand!" Isma teases, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Hey, I was distracted! There was that guy with red eyes, I had never seen that shade before, like rubies," I shoot back, trying to sound nonchalant.
Isma raises an eyebrow. "Ruby like eyes? Dad talked about that the other day, a tribe of the people of Mande, some of them have eyes like that, you know ? Maybe you would have if you actually listened instead of reading books all day!".
I roll my eyes. "They're advanced magic, bro. Plus, You're the one who should be reading more, don't you want to be an arcanist ?"
He grins, "I'll probably take the double path with gearmancer as well."
I look at him, surprised, "Gearmancer ? Is that not too much ?"
Isma chuckles and says"You're one to talk, don't you want to be an arcanist, a warlock and! An ascender? You brainy imp."
He had a point, but I was not going to let him win,"Well, I am a genius after all, the laws of you common folks don't apply to me."
"Pfff, the only thing you're a genius at is getting your ass in the weirdest fruits." We burst in laughter and keep teasing until we decide to do what we had come for, explore the deep forest, today, no matter what, we had to see beyond the Old willow.
The thrill of exploration always excited us, and today was no different. The forest around Elarian was known for its magical aura, and as twelve-year-olds who had just started harnessing our mana cores, it felt like a playground waiting to be discovered. "Hey, since we're in the forest and there is no one around, do you wanna play mage?" I asked, knowing Isma would never refuse a chance to beat me.
"Let's go, I'm game!" he said, just as expected. Isma and I faced each other with wide grins, our eyes sparkling with the thrill of competition. The air around us hummed with anticipation, charged with the magic we were about to unleash. We stood in a small clearing, surrounded by towering ancient trees, their leaves whispering secrets of the ages.
I initiated the duel with a burst of speed, darting towards Isma with agility honed through our two years of training. As I closed in, I launched [Aqua Arcanum], creating a whip-like stream of water. With a fluid movement, I cracked the whip towards him, aiming for his feet. Isma nimbly leaped over it, countering with a swift, precise kick aimed at my side. I rolled away just in time, feeling the whoosh of air as his foot passed by.
Seizing the moment, Isma cast [Pyro Puzzles], sending a barrage of small fireballs in my direction. I dodged, each movement a blend of practiced [Enhance], a spell I learned from pronto, one our seniors at the academy, as I weaved through the fiery onslaught, "seriously? You learned [Enhance]?! We're supposed to be second years!"
I chuckled in satisfaction since I had to give Pronto all my lunch money for four months to get him to teach me the spell. In response, I summoned [Zephyr's Push], directing a powerful gust of wind to scatter his fireballs and simultaneously unbalance him. Isma, however, skilfully used the momentum to flip backwards, landing gracefully and readying his next move.
I then executed [Luminous Lure], conjuring orbs of blinding light to disorient him. As the orbs danced around Isma, I used the distraction to attempt a low sweep with my leg. But Isma's reflexes were sharp; he jumped, avoiding my sweep and casting [Earth's Embrace]. Roots and vines erupted from the ground, aiming to ensnare me. I backflipped out of their grasp, feeling the rush of adrenaline fueling my movements.
A mage duel was a spectacle of flashing spells and swift, calculated physical maneuvers. Every move could be the last, even for its game version. We were shadows in motion, our bodies moving with the precision and grace of seasoned fighters, I was glad I did not drop the martial arts class since my first year. The forest around us was alive with the echoes of our spells and the thud of our feet against the earth.
As we continued, I prepared my final tactic. I feigned fatigue, slowing my movements, luring Isma into a false sense of security. He saw an opening and lunged, his fist enveloped in a fiery aura from [Blazing Bolts]. Anticipating this, I activated [Mist Mirage], creating an illusionary clone that took the brunt of his fiery punch. Meanwhile, I circled behind him, unseen.
With Isma momentarily distracted by the clone, I closed in. Using [Binding Breeze], I conjured a subtle whirlwind that wrapped around his legs, restricting his movement. Before he could break free, I leaped forward, delivering a gentle but firm tap to his shoulder, signaling the end of our duel.
"You've gotten faster, Umar," Isma admitted, impressed as he regained his balance.
I smiled, panting from the exertion. "And you've gotten stronger," I replied. "But remember, strategy can be as powerful as strength." I winked at him. "Those books I read? They're not just about spells."
In the heat of our scuffle, I didn't realize how close we had gotten to the edge of a precipice hidden by the overgrowth. One wrong move, and suddenly, the ground beneath me gave way. With a yelp of surprise, I found myself tumbling over the edge. The fall felt like it lasted forever, even though it was only a few seconds. Panic surged through me as I grasped at the air, trying to find something to hold onto. But there was nothing – just the rush of wind and the blur of the forest around me. Then, with a thud that knocked the wind out of me, I landed. I lay there for a moment, dazed, trying to process what had just happened. My heart was racing, and my breath came in short, sharp gasps. I could hear Isma calling my name from above, his voice laced with worry. "Brother! Are you okay? Umar!" he shouted down to me.
Gathering my composure, I replied with a shaky but firm voice, "I'm... I'm okay, Isma! Just a bit shaken." I carefully sat up, assessing my condition. Aside from a few scrapes and bruises, I was surprisingly intact.
As I glanced around, I realized I had landed on a secluded ledge, obscured from above and perched precariously above a further drop. The relief that washed over me was palpable – it could have been a much more severe fall.
Isma's face, etched with concern, appeared over the ledge. "Hold on, Umar! I'm coming down!"
I quickly responded, "No, wait! It's too risky. I'll find another way up."
I paused, taking in my surroundings. The ledge, I noticed, led to an opening in the cliffside – a cave it seemed. "Isma," I called up, "There's something down here. It's a cave, I think. I can wait in it while you go get some help!"
From above, Isma's voice was tinged with worry. "Can't you just use a spell? Let me try to levitate you or something!"
I shook my head, even though he couldn't see it. "Our spells have limitations, remember? At our level, they need a stable base to work from, and this ledge is too narrow and unstable. Besides, we both have nearly depleted our mana cores with our earlier duel. I doubt I have enough magic left to safely levitate or create a solid platform. Neither do you."
Isma's face showed understanding, mixed with concern. "Okay, Umar, but be careful. I'll go back and get help. Don't take any risks."
With a nod, I watched as Isma reluctantly withdrew from the edge. I turned towards the cave, feeling a mix of apprehension and somehow, excitement. This unforeseen detour might just lead to something incredible, a secret part of the forest we had never explored. Taking a deep breath, I stepped cautiously into the cave, eager to uncover what lay within its shadowy depths. Meanwhile, Isma would be racing back, I was just scared of our parents reaction…
In the cave's dim, eerie silence, every sound seemed amplified, making the atmosphere tense with anticipation. As I ventured deeper, the faintest noise caught my attention, a soft rustling that seemed out of place in the stillness. My heart raced, a mix of fear and curiosity gripping me.
I knew I needed to see what it was. Summoning the last reasonable remnants of my mana, I whispered the incantation for a light spell. A soft, warm glow emanated from my hand, casting long shadows on the cave walls. The light flickered over the rough surfaces, creating an ever-changing tapestry of light and dark.
I moved cautiously towards the source of the sound, my light leading the way. The rustling grew louder with each step, heightening my apprehension. Then, all at once, a bird burst from its hiding spot, wings flapping wildly as it darted past me, seeking escape.
The suddenness of its appearance startled me, and I let out an involuntary scream, more from surprise than fear. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the bird disappear into the cave's mouth. Standing there in the aftermath, I couldn't help but laugh at myself, relieved and slightly embarrassed. "Man, good thing my brother wasn't here to see that," I thought, imagining the endless teasing I would have endured for screaming at a bird.
With the immediate scare over, I began to take in the cave more fully. It was unusually large and seemed to stretch far back into the darkness. The more I observed, the more I realized that this cave could be a perfect secret base for Isma and me. It was hidden, spacious, and right now, it felt like our own undiscovered territory.
As I explored further, planning and dreaming about turning this place into our own private haven, something caught my eye—a soft, pulsating glow deep within the cave. Curiosity rekindled, I moved towards it, the light from my spell casting an eerie glow on the walls. The glow seemed to beckon me, promising secrets and discoveries. With each step, the glow grew brighter, hinting at something extraordinary lying in wait in the depths of the cave.
Drawn in by the hypnotic glow, I continued to approach, my curiosity burning brighter with each step. The light, which had started as a faint glimmer, grew into a radiant beacon, illuminating the cave's deeper recesses. There, nestled in a small dip in the ground, I found the source of the mysterious light: a seemingly ancient wooden chest, its edges worn with time.
The chest itself was intriguing, carved with symbols and patterns that hinted at a history long forgotten. But what truly captivated me was the object resting inside it. Bathed in a soft, pulsating light of purple and white, it lay there as if waiting for someone to discover it after ages.
It was an intricate artifact, unlike anything I had ever seen. Its surface was adorned with writings in a language I didn't recognize, the characters swirling elegantly across its form. The artifact's design was complex, with intertwining lines and shapes that seemed to move and change as I tilted it in the light.
Despite a flicker of caution in the back of my mind, my curiosity was overwhelming. I reached out tentatively and picked up the glowing object. It felt surprisingly warm to the touch, and a tingling sensation spread through my fingers, up my arm, and into my chest. The light from the artifact intensified, casting a surreal glow around the cave.
As I held it, a sense of awe washed over me. I wondered about its origins, its purpose, and the stories it might hold. This was no ordinary find; it felt… Significant. As I marveled at the glowing object, turning it over in my hands, a sense of unease crept over me. The artifact seemed to cling to my palms, refusing to be put down. Panic began to set in as it started glowing even brighter, the light intensifying until it was almost blinding.
Amidst my growing alarm, I began to hear sounds - or were they voices? At first, I couldn't tell if they were echoing within the cave or resounding inside my head. But as the voices grew louder, it became clear: they were whispering directly to my mind, a cacophony of a million voices speaking in unison, yet saying things I couldn't understand.
The panic within me surged as the artifact's light reached an overwhelming crescendo. Suddenly, a mist-like essence began to emanate from it, swirling around my hands and enveloping my body. It felt as though it was seeping into me, an otherworldly force taking over. My feet left the ground, and I found myself levitating, suspended in air, the artifact still firmly in my grasp.
In this trance-like state, visions bombarded my senses. I saw flashes of inexplicable scenes - an explosion, screams and cries, landscapes and places beyond my comprehension, all flashing by too rapidly to fully grasp. The chaos of my mind was overwhelming, a torrent of images and sounds that I couldn't make sense of.
Then, amidst the turmoil, a voice cut through - clear, distinct, and laden with sorrow. It was a feminine voice, tinged with sadness, saying, "I love you. Forever and ever." The words resonated deeply, leaving an imprint on my soul.
In that instant, the world around me shifted. I felt a sensation of moving, of being transported somewhere else, even as consciousness began to slip away from me. As I drifted into unconsciousness, the last thing I heard was the voice of a boy, probably around my age, calling out, "Master, maste-"
Then, everything went dark, and I succumbed to the void.
* * *
Meanwhile, Outside the reach of the three known galaxies, exact location unknown, a ship was navigating in the unknown…
(Aelyana Basilisk's POV)
Lost in the endless void of space, my thoughts swirl in a turbulent storm of resignation and despair. "Here I am, Aelyana of house Basilisk, the last of my name, adrift in a place even the stars don't know. Three months have passed since our Starstride Lantern dimmed, our star map became an enigma, leading us nowhere. How did it come to this? The corruption, inexplicable, leaving us wandering in an uncharted expanse.
300 lives look to me for guidance, for hope, but what do I have left to offer? Our resources dwindle – food, water, the very air we breathe, all counting down to an inevitable end. Six months, maybe less, until we're suffocated by the void that surrounds us.
Father, how I miss your strength, your wisdom. You left us too soon. If only I had been there, for a final word, a final farewell. And Uther... the thought of him ignites a fire of rage within me. He will pay, I swear it, but what good are oaths in the face of our extinction?
Here, in the silence of my quarters, the walls seem to close in, a physical manifestation of the despair that grips my heart. I am their duchess, their protector, yet I feel so utterly powerless. Is this to be our legacy? The once-proud House of Basilisk, fading away into the obscurity of space?
I think of my father, of all he stood for, and a pang of sorrow cuts through me. I should be fighting, striving, but the weight of our plight is crushing. My people, my responsibility, and I'm failing them. It's a bitter pill to swallow, this helplessness, this slow march towards our end. I'm haunted by the faces of my people, their eyes reflecting a mix of fear and fading hope. They try to hide it, but I can see it. Every rationed meal, every conserved breath, a reminder of our dire situation.
I sit here, staring into the void, feeling like I'm being swallowed by it. The vastness of space, once a realm of wonder and adventure, now feels like a prison. We're cut off, alone, with no way to call for help. The silence is deafening, broken only by the quiet hum of the ship and the distant, muffled sounds of my crew trying to maintain some semblance of normality.
Lost in my somber reflections, I was startled by a familiar voice. "My Lady," Lord Eleric Seltyr, my shield, addressed me with his usual respectful tone. "Dinner is ready. Please, you must come eat."
I barely glanced at him, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me. "Eleric, just distribute the food. I can't face them right now. I have no appetite."
He didn't move, his voice steady but insistent. "My Lady, neglecting your health helps no one. You need to maintain your strength. The people are worried; they haven't seen you in days. Morale is fading. They're becoming restless."
His words, meant to be encouraging, felt like needles. My frustration, simmering just below the surface, began to boil over. "Don't you think I know that, Eleric? What good does it do to maintain appearances when we're hurtling towards our end? They look to me for hope, and what can I give them? Empty reassurances? False hope?"
Eleric's face remained calm, but his eyes betrayed his concern. "Lady Aelyana, this is not the time to succumb to despair. You know, Your father used to say, 'if you believe it will work out, you will see opportunities. If you believe it won't, you will see only obstacles.'"
His words, echoing my father's wisdom, stung sharply. I felt a surge of anger, mixed with a deep, underlying fear. "How dare you lecture me, Eleric? You think I don't know my his words? I am trying, but what can I do trapped in this void? We're running out of everything – hope included!"
Eleric's expression softened, his voice soothing yet firm. "My Lady, I am only trying to help. Your father wouldn't want you to give in to despair. He would want you to fight, to survive, to find a way."
Tears welled up in my eyes, my anger giving way to grief. "I know! I know that but I'm just so tired, so scared. I miss him. I miss feeling like we have a chance."
Eleric stepped closer, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of my emotions. "I know, My Lady. We all miss him. But you are not alone in this. We are all here with you. Let us share this burden. Come, join your people. They need their duchess, and you need them."
His words, compassionate and understanding, reached through my turmoil. Nodding slowly, I wiped away my tears, feeling a fragile thread of resolve form within me. "You're right. I can't hide away. They need to see me, to know we're in this together."
Together, we walked towards the dining hall, a small step towards facing the uncertainty of our situation, but a step nonetheless. In the company of my people, perhaps we could find some solace, some shared strength in these dark times.
The moment Eleric and I entered the dining hall, the atmosphere subtly shifted. Faces lit up with strained smiles, a fragile facade to mask the underlying anxiety. We all partook in this unspoken act of defiance against our grim reality, exchanging pleasantries, laughing a bit too loudly, and forcing jokes that hung in the air, tinged with desperation.
Amidst the feigned cheerfulness, Zephyr's brooding presence cast a long shadow. His recent violent outburst over a trivial mishap was a stark reminder of the simmering tensions among us. His sullen, angry glares stood in stark contrast to the strained levity around him.
As we tried to weave a tapestry of normalcy, a sudden, jarring commotion shattered our fragile bubble. The room erupted into chaos, and a wave of cold dread washed over me. "What's going on?" My voice barely rose above the sudden clamor.
Captain Malkom, usually a rock in the stormiest of seas, was pale, his words faltering. "My Lady, we've hit a space rift... we're being pulled in!" His voice was tinged with a terror that chilled me to the bone.
Instantly, the room transformed into a maelstrom of panic. Cries of fear and despair ricocheted off the walls, creating a cacophony of terror. Faces that moments ago held smiles now twisted in horror. People looked to me, their Duchess, their eyes mirroring the fear that gripped my own heart.
In the midst of this chaos, Zephyr's voice cut through like a knife, dripping with bitterness and defeat. "We're all going to die! What's the use?" His words were a catalyst, fueling the growing hysteria.
Eleric tried to calm the rising tide of panic, but his words were drowned out by the crescendo of fear and desperation. The ship shuddered violently, a groaning beast caught in the grip of an unseen monster.
The world around me started to spin, the walls seeming to close in. Lights flickered, creating eerie shadows that danced across the panicked faces. The sensation of being pulled deeper into the rift was both terrifying and disorienting. Reality itself seemed to warp and twist.
In those final moments, as darkness enveloped us, the sounds around me began to fade. Screams and cries echoed in a surreal, distant manner. A sense of helplessness overwhelmed me, a feeling of being swept away by forces far beyond my control. My last conscious thought was a silent prayer, not for myself, but for my people, as we plunged into the unknown abyss of the space rift.