In the Toloria Highlands, during the season of Nyr'hal—when frost and shadows consume the land—the imperial astrologist declared this winter the harshest in eight centuries, since the founding of the Acota Empire.
Snow fell relentlessly, transforming rivers and oceans into bottomless pools with frozen surfaces that shimmered like glassy portals to the spirit realm beneath. In this time of eerie convergence, citizens huddled within fortified cities, guarded by powerful nobles and grand mages, anxiously awaiting the moment when the sun would pierce the darkness once more. Ancient lore promised that safety would return only when the sun god shattered the veil between mortals and the heavens.
Only those of exceptional might dared traverse the icy wastelands in these turbulent time and dark seasons, braving creatures of myth and legend that slithered from the depths.
A solitary woman advanced across the endless snow, somewhere deep in the mountains across a large field.
With each step, her sturdy boots—crafted from monster leather—crushed the brittle ice, while delicate snowflakes clung to her cascading, moonlit curls—a mesmerizing blend of gold and white.
Perched on her shoulder, a tiny drakona, no larger than her palm, playfully exhaled puffs of blue fire into the frigid air, its antics a rare spark of joy amid the desolation.
Yolana's eyes hardened as she read the letter clutched in her scarred hand. Her rich brown skin and dark, flowing coat stood in stark contrast to the pristine snow around her.
She halted.
Silence permeated the frozen land.
"Marriage," she snarled, her power igniting the paper into ash that drifted to the uneven ground. "How audacious."
The letter detailed yet another political maneuver from the Royal Court—ministers scheming once again about her marriage and the continuation of her bloodline.
Thirty years ago, Yolana had earned her title as a war hero at the tender age of eight. As the sole survivor of her households extermination under the previous emperor, she had risen from the ashes to become the fierce, battle-hardened right hand of the Great Princess, reclaiming her title and lands through sheer prowess and potent mana. Yet, six years ago, her master disappeared and left only a letter to Yolana.
From her master disappearance, the emperor, the Great Princesses older brother, sent lavish gifts, warm letters and feigned familial affection to Yolana in an effort to keep her closely tied to the empire.
Yet, Yolana knew a dark truth.
Beneath his kind words lurked a seething hatred and a desire to see her perish on every battlefield. Bound by an oath to her master, she could not bring herself to kill him, no matter how deeply she despised him.
Lifting her pale green eyes to the colourless sky, Yolana whispered as the wind howled and the earth rumbled like a child's frantic drumming, "Master, if you can hear my prayers—"
The frozen ground cracked like a spider's web, and jagged shards of ice erupted around her like the teeth of a colossal beast.
"Guide me to the right path and protect my people."
In that moment, enormous jaws of ice opened from the wasteland and swallowed her whole.
A great golden light, reminiscent of the gods of ancient lore, pierced the sky and scorched the land.
Yolana soared toward the heavens, ablaze like living fire.
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
Somewhere, in the demon realm.
"My son," a voice echoed through the vast chamber.
Chains groaned, rattling like the whispers of the damned as they coiled around a colossal figure, their weight sinking deep into its scarred flesh. The creature stirred, its breath uneven—each exhale a guttural snarl that sent tremors through the stone beneath it.
It was a thing born of nightmares. Its serpentine body sprawled across the cavernous space, scales the color of midnight shimmering like liquid void. Seven sets of massive, tattered wings twitched at its back. A wolf's head, crowned with towering, jagged antlers, lifted ever so slightly, its hollow, abyssal eyes staring into nothingness.
A slow, labored breath. Then another. The beast's form pulsed, its restraints barely containing the raw, pulsing energy within.
"Kanos Hellos," the voice spoke softly.
The monster shuddered, the sound of its growl reverberating through the chamber—low, primal, and laced with something deeper.
A small palm touched this colossal beast snout, the woman staring into her child's eyes. "My son."
She leaned forward, kissing the breathing scales.
"Mother has found away for you, but you must succeed this time."
A tear slipped from her eyes.
"If you don't have her heart by the next blood moon," she murmured softly, her head against his, stroking his nose gently. "You will lose youself."
She opened her eyes, a blazing fiery red glowed brightly in the dark chamber.
"Our gods blessing will become your curse."