The year was 719, according to Alyssa. Wait I thought I was supposed to go back twenty years but I only went back sixteen years what happened? Returning my focus I turned to look at her again, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It was comforting to see her familiar face, yet unsettling to realize my memories remained intact despite my journey through time. A vivid image flashed through my mind - the acrid smell of smoke, the clash of steel, and Sarah's determined face as we fought side by side on the battlefield. In the future I'd left behind, I had risen to the rank of Grand General, spending seven long years on the front lines of a brutal war. Now, thrust back into my childhood, I grappled with the enormity of my situation. What exactly was happening? The questions swirled in my mind as I tried to make sense of this impossible turn of events
The memory of my encounter with Byuke, the angel who called me the "Prodigy One," lingered in my mind. Questions raced through my thoughts: Who were these Covenant Angels? Where did Byuke come from? And why me? Why was I designated as the "Prodigy One"? I shook my head, realizing that dwelling on these questions would only lead me in circles. I needed answers, but where to start? As I stood there, hand on chin, lost in contemplation, Alyssa's voice broke through my reverie. "Master Alister?" With effort, I pulled my focus back to the present, returning my attention to Alyssa.
Alyssa Lin, my faithful servant since I was six, stood before me. Despite being my age, she came from a fallen noble household, her upbringing a far cry from the privileged life I knew. Her family's circumstances had forced her into service young, but I had chosen her as my personal attendant. She was slightly shorter than me at five feet and two inches,
with hair the color of a vibrant sunset and eyes as green as spring leaves. Her freckles danced across her cheeks when she smiled, a charming feature that softened her otherwise serious demeanor. Though not raised as a noble, Alyssa carried herself with a quiet dignity that spoke of her resilience and strength of character.
"Alyssa, prepare my clothes and tell me, is breakfast ready?" I asked, trying to regain my composure.
"Breakfast is ready, my lord. What kind of clothes would you like to wear?" she replied efficiently.
I turned, considering. "Simple attire will do, Alyssa."
"Of course, sir." She presented me with a linen cream shirt with rolled sleeves, black slacks, and embroidered suspenders - casual yet refined attire suitable for around the house.
As I dressed, a thought struck me. "Alyssa, I need my mask," I said softly.
Her puzzled look caught me off guard. "Your mask, my lord? What mask are you referring to?"
I rubbed my chin, feeling the smooth, unscarred skin beneath my fingers. Of course - I had forgotten. In this time, the incident that necessitated the mask hadn't happened yet. The realization was both jarring and oddly comforting.
"After breakfast, I'd like to speak with Father about starting sword training," I announced, my voice carrying a hint of determination. Inwardly, I mused on the irony of the situation. Years of combat experience resided in my mind, yet here I was, preparing to start anew. The academy loomed in my thoughts - to attend, I needed a foundation. For some odd feeling I decided to unleash some of my elemental abilities realizing I can use them now. A moment of excitement washed over me I hadn't been able to after that incident. With a new realization with elemental abilities, my path lay in becoming an elemental swordsman. In order to reclaim ískios, I needed to position myself as the next head of the house. "I'll have to devise a plan for that later," I murmured to myself, already plotting my next moves in this complex game of strategy and power.
"Alyssa, is my father in his study?" I asked, lifting my head to meet her gaze.
She nodded, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "I believe so, my lord. However, he's preparing for a trip to Coralnox on royal orders."
This news piqued my interest. "I see," I replied, my mind already racing with the implications. "Let's hurry then. I need to speak with him before he departs."
With that, I strode purposefully towards the door, my determination evident in every step. The impending trip to Coralnox could complicate my plans, but it might also present new opportunities. Either way, I needed to act quickly.
As the head of House Blackmier, my father had been summoned to the town of Coralnox on royal business. Our family's impending journey carried the weight of both duty and intrigue, hinting at the complex political landscape we navigated as one of the four kingdom's main noble houses. Under the Royal Family of Froststorm
The Royal House of Froststorm stands at the pinnacle of the kingdom's nobility. Their lineage is marked by striking blue frost-kissed hair and purple eyes that crackle with electric energy, a visual testament to their elemental mastery. The Froststorm rulers wield both icy and lightning elements with unparalleled skill, their power as formidable as it is beautiful.
Their ancestral sword, Glacelight, is a marvel of magical craftsmanship. When conjured, it can freeze enemies in their tracks or unleash devastating arcs of energy, embodying the dual nature of their elemental control.
The current royal family consists of four children - two princes and two princesses - each heir to this legacy of power and responsibility. Their royal crest, featuring intertwined snowflakes and lightning bolts, symbolizes not only their dual mastery but also the balance of these opposing forces that defines their rule.
The House of Blackmiers stands as masters of shadow and moonlight, our dual affinities setting us apart in the realm of elemental control. Our shadow element grants us the power to manipulate darkness itself, bending it to our will. We move unseen, create illusions, and uncover secrets hidden in the depths of obscurity.
Complementing this, our moonlight element allows us to harness the ethereal radiance of the celestial body. This luminous power enhances our abilities, granting us strength that waxes and wanes with the lunar cycle. Together, these attributes make us formidable in both stealth and mystical arts, our abilities as enigmatic as the night sky itself.
In the realm of the Blackmiers, shadows are far more than the mere absence of light; they are repositories of secrets and gateways to hidden truths. Our mastery over these ethereal forms allows us to stretch and manipulate darkness, revealing glimpses of realms beyond ordinary perception. This unique ability has made our family unparalleled in the art of intelligence gathering.
We possess the power to blend seamlessly into our surroundings, rendering ourselves invisible to the untrained eye. Our illusions can deceive even the most vigilant observers, allowing us to move undetected through moonlit gardens or bustling ballrooms alike. This talent for stealth and deception makes us invaluable in matters of espionage and covert operations.
However, our shadow element is not without its perils. Prolonged use exacts a heavy toll on our psyche. We risk losing ourselves to the darkness we command, our humanity and inner light gradually dimming. It's a constant battle to maintain balance, to wield the shadows without becoming consumed by them.
Our Moonlight element ebbs and flows with the lunar cycle, its power shifting with each phase. During the New Moon, our ability to conceal ourselves reaches its zenith, rendering us nearly undetectable. The Full Moon heralds the peak of our elemental prowess, our spells at their most potent and far-reaching. As the moon wanes, we gain the power of Dreamwalking, stepping into the realm of dreams with ethereal grace.
In these dreamscapes, we navigate treacherous terrain, seeking hidden truths or delivering crucial messages. Yet, this realm is fraught with danger; nightmares lurk in the shadows, ready to ensnare the unwary traveler.
Our mastery extends to the manipulation of silver threads, a unique aspect of our Moonlight element. These mystical strands weave spells of remarkable versatility - mending broken hearts, unveiling illusions, or crafting protective veils of shimmering light.
Moonstone, a gem intrinsically linked to lunar energies, serves as a powerful amplifier for our abilities. We wear moonstone amulets to enhance our connection to the moon's ever-changing power, allowing us to channel its energy with greater precision and strength.
The Blackmiers bear the mark of our lunar affinity in our very appearance. Our skin is pale and almost translucent, as if bathed in perpetual moonlight. Our eyes captivate with mesmerizing shades of violet or deep indigo, flecked with silver that hints at a profound, melancholy wisdom. Our hair, a deep midnight hue, seems to move with an otherworldly grace that defies gravity itself.
Among this ethereal uniformity, I stand as a singular enigma. Born with silver-white hair and deep ocean-blue eyes, I deviate from the family norm while still embodying the other quintessential Blackmier traits. As the youngest of four siblings - with two older brothers and an older sister - my unique appearance sets me apart, a moonbeam amidst the night sky of my family.
The House of Stonewarden stands as a pillar of elemental mastery, their affinity for Earth element unrivaled in the kingdom. Their very essence resonates with the ancient mountains, their veins pulsing with the power of stone and soil. With mere whispers, they can shape impregnable fortresses or summon earth-shattering quakes, their control over the land both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
The current generation of Stonewardens boasts three sons, each a testament to their lineage's strength. Their appearance mirrors their elemental bond - hair the rich, deep color of mountain soil and eyes reminiscent of storm-laden clouds. These physical traits serve as a constant reminder of their connection to the very foundations of the world.
The House of Lysandor stands as a beacon of divine power, their bloodline infused with sacred attributes. Their mastery extends to the realms of Exorcism, Purification, and Healing, making them revered and sought after throughout the kingdom. The current generation boasts five children - three sons and two daughters, with a set of twins among them.
The Lysandors' appearance reflects their celestial connection. Their hair shimmers like spun gold, catching and reflecting light as if blessed by the sun itself. Their eyes are amber orbs that hold the intensity of a midsummer day, piercing and radiant. This ethereal beauty serves as a visual testament to their divine gifts, marking them as conduits of holy power in a world of elemental magic.
The House of Flameheart embodies the raw power of fire, their elemental mastery evident in every aspect of their being. Their lineage is marked by distinctive fiery birthmarks, a visual testament to the inferno that courses through their veins. In battle, the Flamehearts move with the grace and unpredictability of wildfire, their movements both mesmerizing and lethal.
Their signature ability is the manifestation of Inferno's Edge, a sword of pure flame that leaves trails of sparks in its wake. This weapon, as beautiful as it is deadly, symbolizes their mastery over their element.
The current generation of Flamehearts consists of two children - a son and a daughter. Their appearance is as striking as their abilities. Their hair cascades like a fiery mane, a mesmerizing blend of copper and flame that seems to flicker with each movement. Their eyes, reminiscent of molten metal, smolder with an intensity rivaling a blacksmith's forge, reflecting the passionate and fierce nature of their elemental affinity.
I departed my room and ventured into the grand entry hall, its magnificence striking me anew. The cavernous space stretched before me, its ceiling lost in shadow, creating an air of mystery and grandeur. Beneath my feet, the black marble floor gleamed, reflecting the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. The light fractured and danced across the walls, painting them with ephemeral constellations. In my previous childhood, I had taken this splendor for granted, but now, with eyes opened by experience, I marveled at the sheer beauty of my ancestral home. Each step through this opulent corridor reminded me of the legacy I carried and the power that flowed through our lineage.
I completed my journey through the grand entry hall, Alyssa's quiet footsteps echoing behind me. As I approached the door to my father's study, my hand poised to knock, a familiar voice cut through the silence. My older brother's words, tinged with a hint of challenge, halted me in my tracks. The moment of confrontation I had been anticipating had arrived sooner than expected.
"Hey there, Alister. What are you doing in this wing?" Seraph Blackmier's voice carried a dubious tone, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You know Father doesn't like to be disturbed when he's in his study."
I turned to face my older brother, allowing a hint of the hostility and resentment I felt to show in my expression. My voice was cool and measured as I replied, "I have a matter to request from him."