Elarion—a vast and ancient realm—was a land where aether flowed through every living being like blood through veins. Magic, combat essence, alchemical transmutation, and weapon arts were all manifestations of this primordial energy.
The continent of Elarion was divided into several major kingdoms and domains. From the northern mountains to the northeastern heartlands and across the central plains, the Kingdom of Virelion stood dominant. Its capital, Highspire, was home to the realm's most esteemed arcane and martial academy—The Order of the Third Sun. People from across the continent travelled to Virelion in the hopes of being enrolled. The kingdom was renowned for its military might, its elite Mage-Knights, and its rigorously disciplined academies.
South of Virelion lay the Ironstep Clans' Domain, a rugged land ruled by powerful martial families. The region held only one true city, its capital: Ironstep. Nestled among steep hills, the city was built from top to bottom—its clan heads resided in the high terraces, while commoners, merchants, and travellers dwelled below. Despite its harsh terrain, Ironstep was the largest city on the continent.
To the east of Virelion lay Elaris, the mystical homeland of elves, dwarves, and spiritfolk. This enchanted realm was ruled jointly by the King of the Dwarves, the Queen of Spirits, and the High Queen of the Elves. Its capital, Silvenreach, rested near the legendary World Tree, its roots said to touch the core of the world and its branches reaching into the stars.
In the far south sprawled the Free Guild Cities of Alchemorra—a confederation ruled not by kings, but by the four most powerful alchemical families. The cities, though modest in size, held unmatched influence. Each family controlled their domain with strict boundaries:
Goldglass: The most prosperous and volatile city, known for its erratic experiments and explosive trade.Smeltgrave: A city powered by steam engines and combustion magic; wealthy, dangerous, and infamous for its black markets.Vesperade: A serene oasis built through chemical irrigation, famed for botanical wonders and alchemical flora.Quickswitch: A nomadic, gear-driven city that moved along rail routes powered by aether cores. It was the most eccentric and unpredictable of them all.
At the very heart of the continent lay the Great Wastes—an abandoned battlefield, haunted by the ruins of ancient wars. It was a graveyard of forgotten cities and cursed villages, now home only to aether-twisted beasts and outlaws cast from the realms.
To the far east sprawled the most dangerous and mysterious region of all: the Fractured Lands. This uncharted territory was largely unexplored due to its unimaginable dangers. Swarming with monstrous aether-beasts that had never been slain or even fully seen, it was a place shrouded in legend. Some believed it held ancient relics, lost secrets, and the resting places of powerful and forgotten entities.
DING—DONG—DING.
The bell rang, marking the end of the lecture.
Sameer stretched and groaned. "Finally… that boring history lesson is over."
He picked up his satchel and walked out. Yet a dull ache lingered in his back—the pain from his Soul Mark hadn't faded since the morning. Usually, it pulsed briefly and subsided, but today was different. He had ignored it earlier, thinking it would pass. Now, it throbbed steadily under his skin, like an ember refusing to go cold.
As he made his way through the academy grounds, he noticed a crowd had gathered near one of the central spires. A Runestone Announcement was being displayed, but there were too many people for him to see or hear what it was about. Curiosity prickled at him, but he couldn't get close.
Shrugging it off, he wandered toward the academy gardens and found a quiet corner on the far side. The stars shimmered above, unobscured by clouds or city lights. He sat on a stone bench, watching the night sky in silence.
Then a voice spoke from behind him.
"It's a good view from here. Helps wash away the day's weight, doesn't it?"
Sameer turned his head—and to his surprise, the one speaking was none other than Prince Kael Ardentis.
Caught off guard, Sameer nodded slowly. "It is nice," he replied, his voice quiet.
They both stared up at the stars, the silence between them not awkward, but oddly calming.