In the mystical realm of Astra, where every living being possesses magical abilities, there are six kingdoms: Celestria, Verdantia, Pyrothos, Abyssalia, Terramor, and Aurrorium.
Verdantia is an emerald paradise cloaked in the embrace of a verdant jungle that stretches as far as the eye can see.
Celestria is a land surrounded by breathtaking beauty, its landscapes adorned with rolling hills and crystalline rivers that dance through the entire kingdom.
Pyrothos is a land dominated by towering volcanoes, where the earth pulses with the primal energy of molten lava.
Abyssalia is a kingdom hidden in the depths of the ocean, shrouded in mystery and secrets.
Terramor is a land steeped in ancient times, where every stone and tree whispers the tales of a bygone era.
Aurrorium is a frozen landscape covered in snow, bathed in the shimmering hues of the northern lights.
In a small village nestled on the outskirts of Celestria, untouched by the hustle of the outside world, its people embrace the tranquility that surrounds them.
As villagers leave their houses to do their daily tasks, some gather crystal-clear water from the nearby river for various purposes. Others work in the golden wheat fields. Meanwhile, children laugh and play freely on the cobblestone streets. Life here unfolds like the petals of a delicate flower.
The peaceful silence of the village was shattered like glass by the thunderous hooves of approaching horses, and a sense of uneasiness swept through the air. Villagers gathered at the village entrance, sending their children back to their homes out of caution.
As the children returned to their houses, the villagers saw twenty armored men approaching, their faces covered by dark hoods. A shroud of darkness emanated from their very presence, enveloping the once bright and cheerful village in the gloom.
The mysterious horsemen's advance came to a halt at the village entrance, their horses snorting aggressively. But the villagers stood firm like a wall, stopping anyone who dared to enter their peaceful home.
One brave villager stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. "Who are you?"
Before the horsemen could respond, another villager interjected, "Leave our home now."
One of the horsemen with dark-colored hair dismounted, his face covered by his hood as he stood face-to-face with the villagers. "Who is your leader?" he asked in a deep voice.
In response, the villagers sent a seventy-year-old man forward. "I am known as the elder here."
The horsemen's leader confronted the village elder, "I would like to talk to you in private."
The village elder looked at the steady wall of villagers behind him. "Let them in," he said calmly.
Some villagers were concerned about inviting strangers into their village.
The elder responded with a calm and innocent tone, "There's no harm in inviting some visitors." He reassured them, and the villagers agreed, moving out of the way of the horsemen.
Seated across from each other in the center of the village, the horsemen's leader and the elder faced each other, while the other horsemen and the villagers maintained a respectable distance.
The horsemen's leader addressed the elder in a commanding tone, "We need resources for our journey. We'll leave as soon as we get them."
The elder's response was firm and unwavering. "I know who you are. You and your men are rogue magicians. Wherever you go, you bring chaos. And you think we'll help you? You have come to the wrong place. You may leave our home now."
The rogue leader's response was unexpected. "Very well, we'll leave your home," he said, standing up from his chair. "Good day." With a respectful gesture, he extended his hand for a handshake with the elder.
Respecting the rogue leader's gesture, the elder extended his hand for a handshake.
As their hands met, a chilling smile appeared on the rogue leader's face, even visible through his hood. The rogue leader's grip tightened around the elder's hand, his voice dripping with malice, "Did you actually think I'd listen to you and leave?" The elder immediately regretted his decision as he heard the leader's words.
The rogue leader's hand began to glow with dark magic as he started to channel it into the elder's body, causing him an enormous amount of pain. The rogue leader smirked evilly. "What do you think, old man? Still won't give me what I want?"
The elder responded with a loud, "Noooooooo!" As the elder declined again, the rogue leader started sending waves of his dark magic surging through the elder's body. With each surge of magic, the elder's veins darkened, and he began to scream in pain. His screams echoed throughout the village.
As the villagers heard their elder screaming in pain, they all rushed toward him, but their advance was halted by the remaining rogues. The villagers found themselves surrounded.
One of the rogues said, "You are not allowed to interfere." The elder kept on screaming in pain, his screams echoing through the villagers' ears.
The villagers couldn't bear hearing their elder in pain any longer and shouted, "Leave him and take what you want."
The leader's grip on the elder's hand loosened as the villagers' words reached his ears. With a sinister smirk, he released the elder's hand, causing the elder to crumple to the ground. The villagers rushed to their fallen elder as the rogues stepped aside.
As the villagers reached their elder, they carefully lifted him, placed him back on his chair, and started to heal him, trying to ease his pain and bring him back to consciousness.
Meanwhile, one brave villager confronted the rogue leader. "You will pay for what you have done to the elder."
The rogue leader's response was swift, "Ugh, fine."
Extending his arm toward the villager who dared to challenge him, with a flick of his finger, a purple ray filled with dark magic shot forth, piercing through the heart of the brave villager. The lifeless body of the villager fell to the ground with a loud impact.
The villagers were shaken by how effortlessly their comrade was killed. In desperation, they cried out loud, "Take what you want, just leave us be!" The rogue leader responded, his tone filled with malice. "What do you think my plan was? But now your old man has made me change my plan."