Many men. Some as great as palladins of the kings! Some as lowly as the scamming hawkers around. Some successful, some poor. What do these two opposites have in common? They seek Happiness, fulfillment.. they desire peace of mind.

In the Alkhian plains, a hot and humid region located just under the sun, lies a kingdom. The Kingdom of Altriche. A walled society, spanning the whole plain, Often you find traders coming in and out.

"Weeee!" A cart, on which a small young boy rode cruised down a hill, the passerby around chasing the boy with their eyes. The boys black short hair, blue sharp eyes struck odd to most of the brown haired black eyed folk.

The kingdom of Altriche, is separated into 4 distinct rings. The central ring known as, "Superio Pecunia" the smallest, but the most lavish ring full of politicians and nobles. The second shortest ring, "Media Pecunia" as the name suggest, this is full of media and entertainers. New journalists, explorers, traders and upper middle class folk. The second largest ring is, "Communi Pecunia" which is of the common people and labourers. And the outer rings is, "Servus Pecunia" where the military is stationed, and where the menile workers live.

The walls are not so high, and can be climbed over by a ladder and a person of enough stamina. Now, back to the cart boy, he was currently riding down a hill in Communi Pecunia. Most of these folk have brown or black hair, but they also have brown eyes. While blue eyes isnt fully impossibly, it's quite uncommon.

Such blue eyed folks are usually seen and referred to as "piger" or lazy people. Since they derive from the innermost ring, Superio Pecunia. They dont do much work and laze around but get a part of the other rings' taxes. They get paid to do nothing and sit around.

As the boy rode down the hill, infront of him he saw a light pole, it was far too late to save the boy, or for the boy to steer away. He would bash into the pole. Best case scenario, he gets bruised up but lives.

As the people around gasped, a few moments before the boy could hit the pole, a boy dove at the cart, diverting his cart. The cart flew off to the side and stopping it, but the boy who diverted the cart hit the pole and hurt his back.

A bearded man screamed in the distant; "Oi you piger! Pay up! Cuz of your carelessness my boy got hurt! You rich folk do nothing but bother us workers.. idiots.." It was made clear, this man was the boy's father, the boy and his father however did not share any similarities. The boy had white hair with dark black eyes, the so-called father had reddish brown hair and brown eyes.

The crowd around starting scolding the "piger" about his actions and how a boy could have died because of him. However the boy's expression remained vacant, he reached in his pocket, grabbed a bag of coins and put it on the ground, before abandoning his cart and running off. The man slowly reaching at the bag as the boy ran off.

Just then, the white haired boy spoke up, "Hey! You aren't my father!"

The "father" flustered started stammering before excusing himself and hiding in a house, of course this was met with people scolding him for trying to steal money.

Before anyone could even glance back, the white haired boy was gone.

In the distance, two kids were seen running down the streets, both giggling to themselves.

"My noble like appearance really served me well!" Said the black haired boy.

"Oh yeah Kieran. You pickpocketed someone, hit me and then pretend to pay me back with your money! That plan is absolutely genius!" Said the white haired boy.

The boy with the blue eyes, "Kieran" looked in the distance to notice the outer ring, Servus Pecunia filled with smoke and dust, the type you would see after a battle with explosives or gunfire.

The outer stationed guards called "Elite Knights" did not have firearms, only melee weapons referred to as "King's Edges" even though the king did not contribute a penny. They had unusual powers, all of the Elite Knights having something no other citizen had, it was called the "Gift of Mana" or more commonly known as "Donum Mana."

Mana is a special channel unlocked by those chosen by the king himself, they serve the king in protecting the kingdom of Altriche. Recently, Few and fewer Elite Knights have been promoted, with currently there being only 5 stationed at each gate.

It isn't that Altriche has no firearms or gunpowder/ammunition to use them, they have plenty, however... it is reserved for the guards in the inner Superio Pecunia known as "Lorem Regis" who protect only the King and Nobles have firearms and the gift of Mana.

In the outer ring, the Head of the Elite knights, Sir William Rose, an old yet stern and strong man oversaw the protection of the empire and acted as the first line of defense. The Outer Ring had three "layers" of defense, the front squad, the middle squad and lastly the back squad.

In the event of an emergency that penetrated the front squad, a bell was rung once, the middle squad falters, bell is rung twice, the back squad falters, the bell is rung thrice.

The bell ringing once was an unusual occurrence. However as Kieran saw the chaos in the outer ring, his ears fell on the unknown but still recognizable sound of the bell. The bell rang once.

"Soren.. I don't think that's a good sign right there.. maybe we should go to the inner part of Communi Pecunia.." Kieran replied turning to Soren who was considering his options.

"Err... Nah! If we go back those adults are gonna scold us and take the money, I'm sure the next two squads will handle it just fi-" Before Soren could finish his reply, the bell rang once more, or I should say, twice more.

The people were now concerned more, the bell rang twice, what a force could penetrate the two layers of Elite Knights in a matter of minutes? Before people could process the incoming threat, the doom hit them, Bells from all around rang, it was not only the gate near them- The Northern Gate, but also the other three gates, all their defenses were penetrated, all of Servus Pecunia was defeated in just a few minutes!

Kieran and Soren did not care about getting scolded or even imprisoned for pick pocketing, they just wanted to make their way to the inner rings, however they were kids with little legs, sure they had stamina but they were too weak! They would not make it in time!

"Grab on!" A deep, husky and brave voice spoke, behind them they saw a Elite Knight, not just any though, Sir William Rose. On his white horse he held out his arm to grab on.

The two kids immediately grabbed on to the arm and got picked up onto the saddle, although they had to sit on the uncomfortable pommel, what other choice did they have?! Die?

The horse provided a substantial boost, Soren and Kieran noticed the invaders, men and women in white masks, resembling owls invading with.. measly daggers?

But they shouldn't have underestimated their power, as they witnessed a Elite Knight get snuck up on, stabbed and sliced so fast that as if the air did it.

Each ring, separated by a small river, but each ring higher than the last, on supports. The cross from Communi Pecunia to Media Pecunoa was easy, but as they reach the now significantly higher dangling bridge to Superio Pecunia, the gates closed.

A noble in green rose up on a tower, tapping his index and thumb together as a green wave radiated, the wave of green.. energy? Whatever it was, it contained a message.

The entitled sounding yet sophisticated voice read, "People of Altriche. We are afraid to announce the gate to Superio Pecunia is closed off. The protection and security of the Royal family and the Nobles is far above the protecting of the citizens, as the Royals are the foundation of this civilisation. The gates will be reopened when the threats leave. For now, we advise you to take shelter in homes and avoid the invaders."

As the message ending, a purple dome rose around the top of Superio Pecunia, as if secluding itself from the other rings.

"Don't fret! The Elite Knights are allowed. Just pretend to be my aquantainces, and they will let us in!" said Sir Rose.

The kids, too speechless and scared to speak merely nodded. Just on the bridge to Superio Pecunia however, Soren's eyes caught onto an archer, this time.. the invader was on the walls. He wasn't wearing the "owl" masks, his masks looked more like a eagle or hawk.

He fired an arrow, but unlike the other arrows bring fired, this wasn't a regular one. The very release of the string and arrow left two red shockwaves and yet, even that recoil didn't make the archer move an inch.

The tip of the arrow, whether it was from the very speed or magic imbued on it, the tip was lit with fire. The arrow left a trail of sparks and smoke behind.

"DUCK!" Soren screamed, yet far too late. Sir Rose and Soren managed to duck, but the arrow pierced through Kieran and the impact knocked over the horse which made Sir William and Kieran fall of the bridge into the giant pool below.

Soren was left on the bridge with a dead horse, as people ran past he saw one of the invaders.

...

...

No.

It wasn't an invader.

It was a devil. A heartless, weak, cowardly invader.

Rage, anger, sorrow built up in Soren's heart, but most of all.. his will to live built up. His eyes crying tears that were neither of despair or rage alone but both.

Everything seemed so slow to him, is this what happens to someone when they are about to die? Their world slows down..? Maybe to distract the individual from the inevitable..? It was of no use really.. Soren felt the dagger strike his clothes, pierce his flesh. A stinging pain filled him.

But.. he wasnt dead.. maybe because the knife didnt strike a fatal organ? The invader struck the second dagger straight into his heart.

But still, nothing. The boy held on, how? Why? He was going to die anyways, why delay the death and feel more pain?!

Meanwhile at the pool like ocean below, Kieran hit the surface of the water, a splash followed before he was in the water. Anyone would die from the mere impact of hitting the water from this high of fall unless they use their gift of Mana.

Kieran too filled with despair, agony and rage. His will to live rivaling Soren. As water filled his lung, a burn sensation ensued, his muscles gave way. But he too.. wasnt dead..?

Why delay the inevitable death you are to face? Why feel more pain before you die rather than a quick fast death?!

"Why do you persist." Soren and Kieran heard, a high, and surreal male voice spoke.

"I want to.. see the world.. I want to kill the invaders..!" Kieran spoke in his mind, to himself.

"I want to take revenge. Kill the invaders and anyone.. who hurts me or my friends...!" Soren spoke.

"You delay your death. Increase your pain, for a goal that is too late to pursue." The voice spoke.

"I want to fight till the end!" Both of them said simultaneously, of course, in their minds to someone who is probably a imagination.

"Fight who? Death? I hope your mortals come to terms with the fact, death is inevitable. It cannot be beat."

"Well I will do it!" They both spoke simultaneously once more.

"Ambitious... Fine. So be it, I.."

"I, 4th Deity of Ā̵̪l̸̜̫̋̈́k̸̔̆ͅh̸̬̏͒á̷͓͕͊į̷̛̼n̵̦̅͘ͅe̸͙̕͘ bestow on you mortals.. the Gift of Mana."

The two boys, feel energy, power.. something inexplicable flow through them.

"You wish to traverse the earth, so, on 'Kieran' I bestow the power of Harmonic elements!"

Lightning, wind, earth, fire and water circulate around Kieran, providing an air bubble for Kieran to breathe a blue gleam emanating from him.

"You wish to slay your enemies, so, on "Soren" I bestow the power of Raging Reality!"

Soren is surrounded by a fire shield around himself, the daggers burning to crisp, his wounds immediately cauterized. The invader attacking him burnt by the blaze and falling off the bridge.

A man climbed up on the walls, his build bulky but not too bulky, over his head a hood, his mask resembling a bear.

On his back a menacing hammer rested, his mouth opened, the glare of the sun almost highlighting him, he picked up his hammer slamming it down on the walls. His voice heard by everyone.

"Gravitas.. Calamitas!" His voice roared.

People who were in their houses or under structures under the advise of the emerald dressed noble, were crushed as a wave of gravitational energy crushed all structures, lone people being crushed, their spines breaking, their bones cracking, most being reduced to a pile of organs and flesh and bones all mushed up like mashed potatoes. Blood everywhere.

But then the voice of Sir Rose roared from the cavern;

"DIVINE FAITH: DEOS SCUTUM!" His voice echoed from the water of the cavern he fell in.

A yellow and golden domed rose rose around them, the topaz light blinding those near, everyone rose, the complete opposite of what happened outside, no gravity in the dome. People who has fallen in the water rose back up.

The archer who made them fall up fired another round, this time of 3 arrows. The arrows of even higher power, the dome fully blocking the arrows.

Inside the dome, Sir Rose's eyes flew a divine gold as if rushing with power.

His almost heavenly voice echoed through the kingdom, full of frustration and rage.

"NOBLES OF ALTRICHE! I FORMALLY DECLARE THE ELITE KNIGHTS TO BE NO MORE. A KINGDOM WHICH DENIES ITS CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO LIVE.. is no kingdom I wish to protect."

The nobles, their entitled fat selves, looking offended starting whispering about how "disloyal" their soldiers are.

The Invaders back off. But why so suddenly? Even the archer and gravity invaders retreat.

The kingdom's air is rotted with the smell of corpses and tainted crimsion with blood. All over the kingdom, squished and compacted pile of human remains laying there. The few who survived still having major injuries. But the weird part, the invaders who were there during the gravitational increase weren't even scratched.

The golden dome lowered, as Sir rose landed on the bridge, carrying the two exhausted boys he spoke.

"Unlike you Nobles and Royals. These two boys have potential." A pause ensued.

"I'm leaving. For good." Stunned silence followed, he had no means of transport or anywhere to go outside Altriche, where would he go!?

"I'm going to Vonheim" He spoke, Vonheim? Altriche citizens knew to their knowledge there were no kingdoms apart from Altriche, only small towns and villages!

Finally, the king stepped in, a fat, lazy idiot. He came out of the Inner gates, two guards in stead. His irritating voice spoke;

"William, if you leave. I will take away your gift of Mana. I am surprised you found out about Vonheim, but you step out of those gates, and I activate the hex!"

Hex? The gift of Mana being taken away? What was all this about..?

"You may be able to take my artificial gift away.. but you cant take away the kids' gifts! Face it. You, even the 'almighty all power magnificent' king of Altriche can't overpower the deities!" Sir Rose spoke. What was the deal with these artificial Gifts and hexes?

"You took away everyone's Mana long ago so no one would question your power! And then gave only the guards Mana, albeit artificial so they can keep your lazy asses safe, isn't it? Karvit?" Sir Rose spoke, his voice tinted with rebellious nature.

No one has ever dared to call the king by his name, let alone his first name. The King of Altriche, Karvit Altriche is the 17th generation of of the Royal family.

"How dare you! Fine.. if you really want to leave, I will make it easier, I BANISH YOU FROM MY KINGDOM! You dare to come back and I will finish y- or my soldiers will! Try going out their.. even the stupid children's natural Mana will go away."

Sir Rose sighed before whistling to call over a Royal horse to the much displeasure of the Royal guards, As He saddled on, he turned back to look once before riding to the gate.

The red and yellow light casted its glow on Rose, as he reached the outermost gate, two guards stationed who hadn't even helped during the invasion came out and threw a talisman.

A white chain came out of each talisman, surrounding Rose and his horse. Rose screamed as he felt his very soul being taken away- but was stopped as the talisman fell to floor.

The guards look surprised, as Rose's eyes glowed a yellow light once again.

"I knew it.. you cannot take away any Mana, be it artificial or natural.. you can only hurt them till they die.. well news flash, my Magic is based around protection.. or others, and myself." Sir Rose spoke in a triumphant voice, as he marched out of the gate, his horse galloping along the grass, he was now.. free.

"What will you do now, my lord?" A nobleman asked.

"Nothing. A new Elite Knight can be promoted easily.. less population means less food, it's good they all died.. now make these dirty survivors clean up their friends' remains.." The king spoke, in an all too careless voice considering he just disregarded the deaths of millions.

To Be Continued.