Chapter 1: The Rift of Nations
The world of Elaria was once whole, a land where the elements coexisted in harmony. Fire, Land, and Ice—three primal forces that shaped the very foundation of existence. The ancients wielded all elements freely, their mastery unchallenged. But as greed and ambition grew, so did the fractures between those who sought dominance over the land. What began as mere disputes over resources escalated into a war that shattered the balance of Elaria forever.
The Great War and the Birth of Three Nations
Centuries ago, the three greatest elemental factions waged war, each seeking control over Elaria's vast resources. Fire, with its insatiable hunger, sought to expand, burning forests and melting glaciers. Land, strong and unyielding, refused to surrender its dominion, constructing massive fortresses to defend itself. Ice, cold and calculating, sought to suffocate its enemies beneath eternal frost.
The war lasted over a hundred years, leaving behind nothing but scorched wastelands, frozen ruins, and shattered mountains. The once-unified world was divided, and three great nations rose from the ashes: Ignis, the kingdom of flames; Terran, the land of unbreakable warriors; and Glacius, the frozen empire of the north. Peace was but an illusion, for even after the war ended, hatred remained. Centuries of bloodshed had solidified their grudges, making true reconciliation impossible.
To protect their borders and maintain their power, the nations formed an elite order of warriors—the Shadows. These highly trained individuals carried out dangerous missions, from hunting rogue warriors to espionage and assassinations against rival nations. To become a Shadow was both an honor and a burden, for it meant a life dedicated to endless conflict.
The Shadow System and Ranking
Every nation trained their Shadows rigorously, ensuring that only the strongest could serve. The system was divided into several ranks:
Amateur – The lowest tier, consisting of trainees who had barely begun their journey. They were often assigned minor tasks, such as patrolling borders or assisting higher-ranked Shadows.
Bronze – Shadows who had completed their training and proved themselves in combat. They were given regional missions and reconnaissance tasks.
Silver – Skilled warriors capable of handling solo missions and taking down rogue Shadows.
Gold – Veterans of many battles, assigned high-risk operations, including sabotage and assassinations.
Platinum – The highest rank, consisting of legendary Shadows who shaped the fate of their nations. They answered only to the ruling authorities and carried out missions that could change the course of history.
Shadows could only rise through the ranks by proving themselves in battle, completing missions, or defeating higher-ranked opponents. However, before one could even become a Shadow, they had to prove themselves in the Shadow Tournament—a brutal competition where only the top five fighters earned the right to enter the order. The tournament tested not only strength but also strategy, endurance, and elemental mastery.
Raizen of Terran
Amidst the political chaos and ceaseless conflict, a young warrior named Raizen stood at the crossroads of fate. Born in Terran, he carried the unshakable will of the land. His signature element, Earth, allowed him to wield seismic force, manipulate terrain, and form unbreakable barriers. But unlike many of his peers, Raizen was not content with mere strength—he sought something more.
From a young age, Raizen questioned the wars that had plagued the three nations. He saw past the propaganda, realizing that endless battles only fed the cycle of hatred. Though he trained relentlessly to become a Shadow, his goal was not to destroy, but to unite. He believed that if he rose through the ranks and earned the respect of his people, he could become a leader capable of ending the centuries-old strife.
However, achieving such a dream was easier said than done. The system was built upon war, and those who sought peace were often seen as weak. If Raizen wanted to change the world, he first had to prove that strength and unity were not opposites. And to do that, he had to win the Shadow Tournament and claim his place among the elite.
The Tournament Begins
As the day of the tournament approached, warriors from all over Terran gathered in the grand arena, eager to prove their worth. The rules were simple: defeat your opponent by forcing them out of the 25-meter boundary or incapacitate them. Out of the 32 competitors, only five would be selected as Shadows, and their performance would determine their initial rank. The stakes were high, and failure meant fading into obscurity.
Raizen stood at the center of the battlefield, feeling the weight of destiny on his shoulders. He clenched his fists, feeling the pulse of the earth beneath him. He was ready.
To win was only the beginning.
To rise was the true challenge.
And to unite the nations? That was the impossible dream he refused to let go of.
End of Chapter 1.
To be continued-