Ken slowly opened his eyes beneath the shade of a crooked tree in the woods. As his awareness returned to this peculiar world which he knew as the Solo-Ground, his eyes traced soft, dappled light filtering through the large leaves overhead.
The Head Lit-Land!
His gaze was inevitably drawn upward to the overwhelming, sun-sized, and unmoving sphere of light that hung like a radiant jewel in the sky. The celestial wonder that dominated those lands was Bayad.
It was the sole source of illumination that Ken knew, as it cast its warm, white radiance upon his home below, which light, far from harsh or blinding.
At its luminous center floated a small and enigmatic black sphere. No one knew what it was, so no one even bothered to name it.
Underneath Bayad, wrapped around it in an intricate dance was a serpent-like dragon, colossal and daunting. Its obsidian scales contrasting sharply with Bayad's brilliance. Slumbering, the star system-sized creature was a constant spiral presence, coiling, and weaving in elaborate loops, yet never moving, eternally chained to the luminous sphere.
ObsidianScales!
Also known as Leviolitheon.
Leviolitheon's enormous shadow stretched across the land in ten spiraling loops, projecting impenetrable walls of swirling darkness that obstructed the view to the horizon. These ten coils of shadow separated the ten Lit-Lands, keeping them divided from each other.
The lands these shadows covered were called the Shadow-Lands.
Ken's sight briefly fell upon a hovering fragment of an obsidian scale, which fell off Leviolitheon's frame a long time ago.
Then his sight went further down.
Beneath these celestial wonders lay Felinn, a colossal tree so immense that its grandeur defied comprehension. It stood directly under Bayad, its roots delved deep into the ground below whilst its vast trunk spanned a couple of hundred miles in perimeter. Lush mosses and intricate carvings adorned its surface, remnants of generations past.
The colossal banyan-like tree stood thousands of miles tall, and its branches stretched wide into the sky, covering a couple thousand miles of land with their immense shadow.
Within the intricate web of Felinn's branches and leaves existed a world unto itself; a thriving ecosystem brimming with life and wonder.
Exotic creatures and flora called this arboreal wonder home. Birds with dazzling feathers flew between the leaves, while luminescent insects created a mesmerizing display of light in the perpetual twilight.
As Ken strove to sit up, he took in the scenery around him. This was not under Felinn, but a remote corner of the Head Lit-Land around it, filled with the diverse life sustained by Bayad's glow.
His home city lay closer to a fallen-to-the-ground obsidian shard than Felinn itself. Sights glimpsed but distances unmanageable to cross on foot.
Tales told of perpetual dusk shrouding lands beyond Bayad's radiance, known only as the Dark-Lands. Tales told of feral creatures that had evolved in perpetual dark, warped by generations of dusk, were enough to turn blood cold. What wonders or horrors existed where light faded to black, he did not know for certain. However, he knew that the boundaries of the Solo-Ground itself seemed endless, with no other Bayad dotting the skies, it was but a vast plane devoid of familiar celestial markers.
The scope of it all stoked his curiosity. What discoveries might be made by ranging further, beyond familiar borders into unknown territories? Questions lingered as his Grandmother's tales whispered in his mind of dark frontiers and untold mysteries existing where Bayad's light failed to reach.
Best not to dwell on such things, he thought.
There was an adventure to be found much closer - within the tranquil glades and secret groves of this remote forest corner if only he dared to explore.
"Ken!" Aria's voice called out, breaking through his daydream. He turned to see his childhood friends, Aria of the GildedManes tribe, and Kael of the RedNecks Tribe, both eight cycles old like him, standing a few steps away.
Aria gleamed with a natural poise and grace. Her rose-pink eyes contrasted prettily against fair skin with a gentle blush. Long golden locks cascaded down her back in soft waves. Though small, she carried herself tall with the supple physique of a natural artist. Yet then, she wore an expression of concern. "Stop skipping class and goofing around." She scolded gently, her gaze shortly turning toward the distant horizon where the first Shadow-Land loomed, shrouded in perpetual darkness. Her words carried a unique resonance, making each syllable resonate in his chest. "You're going to get in trouble again."
With a head of bright red hair that refused to lie flat and creamy skin, Kael, ever the prankster, flashed a mischievous grin. "Yeah, Ken, you'll miss out on all the fun if you keep napping under trees!" His large green eyes sparkled with boyish energy and enthusiasm. Though he had not yet grown into his athletic frame, he moved with an adventurous spirit. Friends flocked to his side, drawn in by his playful grin and loyalty. There was never a dull moment when that little firecracker was around.
Looking at them, Ken couldn't help but chuckle.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he took in the scent of the forest and the warmth of the Lit-Lands. Physics here seemed to dance to an entirely different tune. Ken felt a cool breeze ruffle his hair as he inhaled, the air carried a fragrance that combined the sweetness of blossoms with an exotic hint that defied earthly senses. Every breath was a symphony of sensations. Nearby, a crystalline stream babbled, winding through lush bushes.
Here, in this paradoxical realm, Ken found solace in the constancy of friendship and the allure of adventure. As he looked back at Aria and Kael, he felt a profound sense of gratitude for having them while living in the extraordinary homeland they called Arin.
Grinning and without saying a word in response, Ken just stood up and began to dance playfully, as he always did; a stupid childish dance. Kael instantly started to laugh.
Ken chuckled, the sounds resonating with the extraordinary lush paradise around him. He was leaping and spinning in the thriving ecosystem teeming with diverse life around him. Dancing below towering trees of all shapes and sizes, their leaves shimmering in the ethereal light, reached for the heavens, and the air was alive with the sweet symphony of exotic birds and creatures.
He felt it all through every fiber of his being as he continued to dance and laugh.
"Idiot!" Aria chuckled along with them. The sound of their laughter harmonized with the symphony of life around them.
Ken continued to dance in the intricate patterns of light and shadow until he heard someone else far away calling his name whilst running towards them. It was his little brother, Ben, who came running to the three, his eyes wide with excitement. "Ken!" He called out, breathless when he reached them. Ken stopped dancing and looked at Ben with a gentle smile.
Ben, whose raven black hair mirrored Ken's own, stood beside his older brother, a minor contrast in age but sharing an undeniable family resemblance. Unlike Ken's black eyes, Ben's eyes were the color of polished silver, glistening with youthful curiosity and excitement. At seven cycles old, he was only slightly shorter than Ken, a testament to the rapid growth that marked the early years of their lives.
"You won't believe it! Our older brothers are looking for you. They want you to go hunting with them!" Ben said full of eagerness.
Ken blinked in surprise. He could not hide the astonishment in his voice as he replied, "Are you sure, Ben? You know father usually doesn't allow it." Ken never understood the reason behind it.
Nevertheless, Ben nodded vigorously. "I heard them talking, and they said they've got Father's permission this time. They want you to tag along!"
A rush of delight flooded Ken. He had always longed to be included in his older brothers' undertakings, to earn their approval. But today might be the day he would finally be part of their circle.
"Really?" Ken wondered, his voice marked with hope.
"Really." Ben affirmed with a beaming smile, "Come on, they are waiting." Ben eagerly began to run homeward.
Ken prepared to follow his little brother, "Cya!" He said waving at Aria and Kael as he readied himself to sprint. But both of his friends wore expressions of concern, their worry etched on their faces like subtle drops of sweat after a run.
"Ken!" Aria began, her voice gentle but filled with worry. "Don't go."
Kael nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting the unspoken concern they both shared.
Ken, however, was brimming with excitement, his heart pounding in anticipation. He barely heard their words as he hurried to join his brothers. With a quick smile and another wave, he turned and began to run behind Ben.
He swiftly passed Ben. "Let's race little brother," Ken said without turning back.
"I'll win this time," Ben screamed.
As the brothers raced home, Aria's and Kael's worry was trailing like a whisper on the wind. Aria called out to Ken again, to offer some rushed advice, but he was too caught up in the thrill of the moment. His eager footsteps echoed in his ears as they drew nearer to their destination.
The city that loomed before them was one of nine marvels scattered across the Head Lit-Land. This was ScaleFell, belonging to the SilverEyes tribe, guardians of the Dogma of Wit. Gears and thermometers adorned every spire and wyvern-shaped weathervanes spun in the skies.
As Ken and Ben entered, their breathless excitement mingled with the bustling sounds of industry and steam. History seemed to whisper through the very stones and pipes of this place of mesmerizing beauty. The clanking of machineries blended with the melodies of everyday life.
Weaving through the narrow, mazelike streets lined with ornate buildings that were adorned with vibrant tiles and intricate patterns was like navigating the inner workings of a great machine. Towers punctuated the skyline, their graceful silhouettes decorated with blinking lights and shaking propellers.
In this enchanting place, arched doorways led to hidden courtyards, where fountains sparkled with crystal-clear water. Balconies with delicate twisted iron railings, gauges, and pulleys overlooked bustling markets below, where colorful fabrics billowed like sails in the wind. Exotic spices scented the air amid blooms, joined by the hiss of steam and a ring of forged metal.
It was hard to believe that a ruthless enemy subjugated his people.
As they ventured further into the heart of the city, Ken and Ben passed by the mosaic-covered domes that graced many buildings, their designs forming intricate, geometric puzzles that told stories of a bygone era. The city's architecture was a testament to artistry, each structure a piece of living history.
Their footsteps echoed on cobblestone streets, harmonizing with the laughter and chatter of the city's inhabitants. The people who recognized them called out to Ben, "Hullo Master Ben!" A woman said.
"Good waking to you, Master Ben!" An old man called from afar.
The calls kept on going from all sides, and from all kinds of people. Ben kept on running with excitement he did not even notice them. The only thing on his mind was to beat Ken in this race.
But none called out for Ken.
As he ran, Ken always felt that within this architectural wonderland, adventure awaited not only in the wilderness but also in the hidden corners and bustling alleys of their extraordinary city, where every turn held the promise of discovery and wonder.
Entirely forgetting about his little brother whom he left far behind, Ken reached their home first.
He entered the gardens of their family's dwelling. The house itself was nothing short of majestic, its size and grandeur rivaling that of a palace from a bygone era.
Ken rapidly reached the spacious halls with eagerness, his footsteps echoing through them. They were adorned with intricate mosaics and ornate archways. As for the walls, they were decorated with richly woven tapestries that depicted scenes of history and myth, their colors still vibrant even with the passage of time.
In a corner of the vast entryway, Ken's hunting gear was neatly arranged inside a box. The gear he used to use during his hunting trips with his father now lay in wait for him to take on his first hunting trip with his brothers.
He leaned down onto the box to grasp his weapons, which were finely crafted and cared for. They gleamed with a polished sheen. His black garments, stitched with exquisite sterling silver and masterful detail, were a testament to the skill of the family's tailor.
As Ken gathered his supplies, his eyes fell upon his flute nestled among the fabrics. A gift from his father on his last name day. While his father loved hearing him play it during their hunting trips, he thought his brothers would think it ill-suited for their expedition.
After a moment's thought, Ken gently put it aside inside the box. "Perhaps next time!" He whispered.
Ken wasted no time in collecting the rest of his equipment, feeling a surge of excitement. As he readied his bow and secured his knives, he felt a sense of pride in belonging to his family's legacy. Today, he was going to fully earn his place amongst his brothers as one of the House Argorus.
It was then that Ben rejoined his brother. Panting and huffing, he rested on both his knees.
Ken chuckled. "Where are they, little brother?!" He asked.
"Outside," Ben said whilst panting. "The tailgate," He added.
"Come," Ken said as he began walking.
Ben stood straight, huffing, and he tagged along.
As Ken marched to venture into the hunt with his older brothers, nervousness, joy, and a deep desire to make a good impression swept him. He hoped this would be a turning point in his relationship with them, and a chance to prove himself worthy of their respect.
But Ben's presence served as a reminder of the bonds that tied them together as a family. Though young, Ben's enthusiasm and eagerness to include Ken in this special occasion spoke volumes. Ben in his own way, always tried helping to bridge the gap between Ken and the rest of their siblings. A surge of affection for his little brother went through Ken like an electrical current.
And when he arrived at the gathering spot, his older brothers were already there, waiting.
Surrounding Ken and his younger brother Ben were their six older siblings, a formidable and striking group. All of them shared the same light-toned skin, raven-black hair, and piercing silver eyes that seemed to shimmer with an innate wit and wisdom. They were a slender yet remarkably muscular and tall bunch, each one a testament to the strength and endurance required for a life as the Hunters of Arin.
Dan the eldest, with hair neatly tied in a warrior's braid that hung down his back, his authoritative presence setting the tone for the group.
Iskar possessed a wild mane of untamed locks that cascaded over his shoulders, giving him an air of untamed intensity.
Kailan had his hair cropped short and precise, reflecting his meticulous nature and unwavering focus.
Darien wore his hair just below his ears accentuating his strong jawline and commanding presence exuding an aura of discipline.
Levi had his hair adorned with intricate tribal braids that hinted at a connection to the traditions of their ancestors, lending him an air of mysticism.
Jed's long hair flowed freely, unbound and unburdened, embodying a spirit of adventure and wanderlust.
Their hair, despite its uniform blackness, showcased an array of distinctive styles that reflected their individuality.
Together, they made an intimidating sight, a united front that now included Ken. As he stood among them, a sense of pride and belonging was beginning to creep into Ken's heart. Today was not just a hunt; it was a step towards becoming a true part of this prominent family, where bonds of blood ran deep, and the ties that bound them were enduring.
They nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions serious but not unkind. One of them, his eldest brother, stepped forward.
"Father has given us permission to take you with us on the hunt," Dan said, his tone measured. "But remember, Ken, this is not a game."
He just called me Ken, instead of just "you", this is a first.
Ken nodded, his determination clear. "I won't let you down," He replied earnestly.
The six brothers shared a glance, and for a moment, Ken thought he saw a hint of pride in their eyes. Perhaps, just perhaps, today would mark a new beginning, a chance for him to earn his place among them.
"Well said," Dan agreed.
With their acceptance, Ken's heart swelled with gratitude.
"Let's move," Jed declared as he marched first.
The rest followed.