The Azure Empire—a land born from centuries of war and bitter feuds between humans and demons, yet now thriving under an age-old peace. Over a thousand years have passed since the Empire's first king, Sol Raizen, unified humans and demons under a single banner after his fateful victory over Demon King Derous. His descendants, the Raizen family, have ruled ever since, guiding the empire with strength and diplomacy. Now, King Dezaral Raizen sits on the throne, ruling for over thirty years with wisdom and fairness, his influence stretching across human cities, demon strongholds, and even the newer settlements of the elves.
One of the most enchanting places in this vast empire is a small village near its border called Athnes. Nestled amid lush mountain valleys and winding rivers, Athnes is known to many as the "Village of Blessings." It's an idyllic place, where humans and elves live in harmony, sharing their lives and labors in the shadow of The Lonely Hills, a towering mountain crowned by an ancient, mystical tree known as the Divine Tree. This tree, believed to house the spirit of the god of the forest, has protected the village from outside harm for as long as anyone can remember. Legends say that when the elves first came to this land two centuries ago, they encountered this god and received its blessings, granting the village prosperity and peace.
The people of Athnes lead a modest but bountiful life. They are hunters, farmers, and craftsmen, and the rare ores found in their mountains bring wealth when traded throughout the empire. On any typical day, the villagers work together, sharing laughter and kindness, children playing by the river, and elders telling old tales beneath the sprawling branches of the trees.
But one day, everything changes.
A violent storm sweeps over the village, its howling winds bending trees and its rain flooding the mountain paths. Few dare venture out in such weather, but a lone figure climbs the steep and treacherous slopes of The Lonely Hills. Cloaked and hooded against the elements, the stranger makes a determined ascent, slipping and struggling over the slippery rocks, pressing forward as thunder rumbles in the sky.
After hours of grueling effort, the figure reaches the peak, where the Divine Tree stands in all its glory. Even in the storm, the tree radiates a calm, mystical light, its leaves glowing with a faint, otherworldly blue that seems to pulse like a heartbeat. The stranger approaches, and as he nears the base of the tree, he draws a small pendant shaped like a crescent moon from within his cloak and places it carefully onto a stone beside the tree.
Suddenly, a soft rumble shakes the ground. The pendant seems to melt into the stone, and with a low, grinding sound, a hidden door appears at the base of the tree, leading downward into darkness. The figure takes a deep breath and steps inside, descending into a cold, damp stairway that spirals downwards into the mountain.
The stranger ventures deeper, his torch casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. At last, he finds himself in a grand chamber—a vast open cavern with high ceilings, where ancient statues line the walls, their eyes seeming to watch his every move. In the center of the chamber, a circular array of nine thrones stands, with the largest in the middle and four on either side. Each throne is unique, carved from different stones, adorned with symbols and sigils that glow faintly in the torchlight.
Scattered around the room are piles of gold, silver, and ancient treasures. At the center of it all, resting on a pedestal before the largest throne, is a sword emitting a faint purple light, its blade gleaming with a strange energy. The stranger approaches, reaching out, but as soon as his fingers graze the hilt, a sharp shock runs up his arm, forcing him to recoil.
Before he can react, a voice fills the chamber, echoing as if from the very stone itself. "It is surprising to see you here… king," the voice says, its tone laced with curiosity and a hint of something darker. "Tell me… what has brought you to the place of your ancestors? What do you seek among the relics of the past?"
The stranger stands still, his heart pounding as he stares into the shadows, feeling a chill that has nothing to do with the cold air of the chamber. He takes a steadying breath and replies, his voice quiet but firm, "I've come seeking answers… answers about the Raizen legacy and the power hidden here."
The voice chuckles, a sound that reverberates through the air. "Then, King Dezaral, prepare yourself. For the answers you seek lie in trials you cannot yet imagine."