"A long, long time ago, during a time of chaos and destruction, two brothers were born: the elder, beneath the silver light of the Crescent Moon, while the younger, the golden light of the Morning Star. Twins, their love for each other ran thicker than blood, and, blessed by the gods, they grew to become the strongest warriors of their clan.
Determined to put an end to this eternal conflict, the brothers set out on a journey of conquest: a war to end all wars. With each victory, more people flocked to their banner, and, in the end, only the worshippers of the Abyss remained. The brothers and their army engaged in a battle against the children of the Abyss and her devout servants that lasted seven days and seven nights, until, on the dawn of the eighth day, they emerged victorious.
With the people united, the brothers created an idyllic kingdom spanning all the lands of Aevia, ruling together as one. What followed suit was a time of peace and harmony, where the people knew nothing but love, joy, and prosperity.
Until, one day, the elder brother, driven by greed, betrayed the younger and waged war on his own people for the throne.
Once brothers, the two fought against each other as enemies once, twice… numerous times, neither one being able to best the other. With each passing battle came the deaths of innocents, their paradise marred by the death and destruction of old. However, as light beats dark, so, too, did Day beat Night, and the revolution ended with the younger's sword piercing through the heart of the elder.
The Kingdom now only had one ruler.
Lightbringer. The Hero King. The people heralded the King's name as he, once again, made Aevia the idyllic world that we live in today.
As for the elder, his name was Erased from history, eternally forgotten, while Night, the Crescent Moon, was forever declared the people's poison.
The End."
With a small smile and tone of solemnity, the girl closed the worn, thin storybook, much to the disappointment of the awed children sitting around her.
"Awwwwh!"
"Next story, next story!"
"Woooow, the Hero King was so cool!"
It was always a wonderful experience, getting to see the excitement of the children as she read to them, watching their childish imaginations give life to a story written only in words.
"Come, children. Princess Harmonia is a very busy lady. She can't read only to you now, can she?" The girl would give the old headmistress a grateful smile as the children quieted down, though some still pleaded to her with their eyes to stay. "Everyone, say: 'Thank you, Princess Harmonia.'"
"Thank you, Princess Harmonia!"
The roaring cacophony of the children's thanks elicited a small giggle from the girl as she stood. "Thank you for being such good listeners! Don't forget to do so for the headmistress as well, okay?"
"We won't!"
"Good." The girl would give the children one, final smile. "Have a wonderful day, children!"
"Goodbye, Miss Harmonia!"
——
A soft, tired sigh escaped the Princess's lips as she waited patiently for her carriage to arrive at the Palace, staring out the glass window to catch a glimpse at the life of the people, her people, as she passed them by. She was pleased to see that on everyone's faces was a look of contentment and happiness as they went about their daily lives working the smithy, selling produce from a stall, shopping for a magic crystal, and more. The Kingdom of Aevia, as envisioned by the Hero King, should always be a paradise for the people. In such a world, the people's happiness, naturally, was a given.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as her carriage wound down the streets of the city, attracting, no doubt, the attention and admiration of the people. And yet, something caught the Princess's eye as her carriage rounded the corner: a young boy, clad in worn, dirty clothing, glaring at her with defiant, brown eyes.
Then he was gone, leaving the Princess to wonder what exactly she had seen, and why the boy was looking at her in such a manner.
Thankfully, or, perhaps, unfortunately, she would not get much time to think about the boy as her carriage rolled to a stop in front of the large, golden gates guarding the entrance to the beautiful, garden road leading to the Palace, a towering, decorated statue of the Hero King standing tall in the center of the ornate, marble fountain a ways in front of the actual gates to the Palace.
Her home, she supposed, though it was difficult to think of it that way.
The Palace was a sprawling edifice and a work of art. Made of pristine marble, it had the quality of gleaming under the light of the Morning Star. Poetic, in a way, while also giving it a sense of prominence and regality. Its facade was adorned with intricate carvings that depicted scenes of historical grandeur and the gods, decorated with gold and crystal. Even from a distance, she could see the tall, arched windows dotting the Palace walls, the stained glass, she knew, reflecting a beautiful spectrum of colors into the hallway.
As her carriage passed the secondary gate, the skyline became more and more dominated by the central dome of the Palace, topped with a golden spire whose light would never extinguish so long as Day continued to live. Multiple towers and turrets surrounded the majestic dome, each crowned with elaborate finials and flags fluttering in the breeze.
To the Princess's surprise, waiting by the marble steps leading to the Palace was her brother, Crown Prince Alain Harmonia, and she rushed out of the carriage with controlled glee the moment one of the servants opened her carriage's door.
"Brother."
"Elluin." Her brother, as usual, greeted her with his usual faint yet warm smile, his eyes glimmering with an ever-present sense of curiosity and amusement. "You should head over to Father's study. He wants to speak with you."
Elluin gave her brother a small, grim nod in return, the excitement she had upon seeing her brother disappearing as she heard that her Father, the King, wanted to speak with her. It had become rarer and rarer for him to speak directly with her as she grew older, and what conversations that they did have now were short and always about official business. This summons to his study, she presumed, would more than likely, once again, be about her duties as Princess. "I see. Thank you, brother. I will head there right away, then." It was never a good idea to keep her Father waiting.
"Hey, Elluin?"
She'd stop her ascent of the stairs to the Palace, turning to face her brother. "Yes?"
"Welcome home."
Elluin would hesitate for a moment, the words giving her a mixed feeling of guilt, for she never thought of the Palace as her home, and warmth, since it came from her brother.
"Thank you."
With one last look at her brother, Elluin climbed the stairs, the grand doors closing behind her with a solemn, silent thud as she entered the Palace to meet with her Father.