That evening, as Zero and Maeve arrived at the capital, they were met with another disheartening scene of devastation. While they had anticipated encountering desiccated rivers and ailing landscapes, the shocking addition of a newly erected castle subverted their expectations. This fortress, positioned approximately a hundred meters from the base of the castle tree, exuded an aura of foreboding.
Fashioned from a mysterious, obsidian-hued metal, the castle seemed to absorb the setting sunlight, imbuing its numerous towers with a radiant, almost incandescent, yellow glow. One particularly prominent tower, slightly askew, released plumes of smoke from its chimney, casting an eerie veil over the surroundings. The structure dominated the vista, an undeniable focal point.
A formidable fence encircled the entire perimeter of the castle, its towering pillars crowned with menacing spikes. Within the courtyard, a collection of pulsating spikes emitted a sinister dark red aura, contributing to the ominous atmosphere. Dryads maintained a vigilant patrol along the circumference, some wielding spears tipped with gemstones, while others held parchment pages that emitted a faint, ethereal white light.
Maeve's voice carried a note of curiosity as she whispered, "Where did they find pages from a grimoire?" The inscriptions on the parchment eluded them, yet the unmistakable surge of power emanating from them was palpable. "It's potent… Akin to a Higher?" Zero remarked, his tone tinged with apprehension. "Doesn’t smell like your mother's mana though." Zero's gaze drifted to the courtyard. "Speaking of the witch."
Within the courtyard, Nix engaged in conversation with an elderly gentleman. The man boasted a hairless head and a lithe, well-maintained frame swathed in robes of blue and white. Deep-set brown eyes, haunted by a lack of repose, gazed out. His grin unveiled slightly crooked, finely pointed teeth, while his elegantly tapered ears were bedecked with four resplendent golden earrings each.
Standing unshod, a grimoire levitated before him, its pages exuding a delicate yet vibrant green luminescence. With a simple gesture of his hand, the man caused the pages to flutter, gradually advancing to the book's conclusion. "Okay, we know where they got them," Zero observed, his voice threaded with uncertainty. "Now who did they get them from?"
Maeve's exhalation carried a hint of resignation. "He answers to the name Lord… He’s an Old God."
"Um..." Zero regarded Maeve with an intrigued expression, his eyes widening with curiosity.
Shaking her head, Maeve let out another exasperated sigh. "Which part, Lord or Old Gods?"
Zero's shoulders slumped as a faint grin danced upon his lips, a hint of self-deprecation twinkling in his eyes. "Both?"
Emerging from the heart of the All Tree, the Old Gods harnessed an unfathomable might. It didn't take them long to embark on the creation of the first Highers—Ivory, the Higher of Infinity, and Ebony, the Higher of Eternity. Hand in hand with these pioneering Highers, the Old Gods embarked on the ambitious task of crafting their own world, what would later come to be known as Arrithia. Nevertheless, their boundless power came with a formidable learning curve. As they endeavored to weave the fabric of Arrithia's inaugural island, an unexpected event occurred—another Higher emerged, and this was none other than Vol.
A mixture of disappointment and intrigue swirled within the Old Gods as they observed Vol's burgeoning capabilities. Embracing their roles as mentors, the Old Gods guided the Eternal Trio, facilitating the refinement of their vast mana reservoirs for astonishing feats of magic. Through countless seasons, they imparted wisdom, culminating in the ultimate lesson—the Old Gods entrusted the Eternal Trio with the task of instilling life into Arrithia.
Promptly recognizing the limits of their magical prowess, the Eternal Trio beseeched the Old Gods for the addition of more Highers. In response to their fervent appeals, the Old Gods forged six brand-new Highers from the very essence of the All Tree, each endowed with a divine purpose essential to the creation of Arrithia.
Quetz, the Higher of Light, exuded radiant flames that nurtured the burgeoning tapestry of life.
Norn, the Higher of the Mountains, brandishing his mighty hammer, shaped the islands, lifting them from the depths of the ocean and sculpting their topographies.
The twins, Zypr, the Higher of Life, and Zephr, the Higher of Death, stood as the pinnacle of the Eternal Trio's design, for life and mortality were forever intertwined.
Nix, the Higher of the Void, harmonized existence beyond the realms of Ivory and Ebony, her role entailing the consumption of the negative mana intrinsic to the formation of life.
Lastly, Protos, the Higher of Time, presided over the unceasing cadence of the cosmic clock, spanning the entirety of Arrithia's existence and extending far into the boundless void of the universe.
These six Highers, collectively referred to as the Second Forgings, collaborated seamlessly with the Eternal Trio to infuse life into Arrithia as the Old Gods embarked on an odyssey into the mystic void, plunging themselves into its enigmatic mysteries.
Years waned before the Old Gods returned to Arrithia, only to find its promised serenity and harmony elusive. The All Tree, custodian of cosmic equilibrium, birthed the Dragons into being, entrusting them with the task of preserving balance whenever others faltered, inevitably thrusting them into conflict with the Highers.
Upon their return, the Old Gods, aware of the growing war between the Highers and the Dragons, endeavored to find a solution. They offered an olive branch to each of the Five Dragon Chiefs—a magical core originating from the Higher's citadel, granting the Chiefs the ability to establish their own realms within the cosmos.
Acknowledging this gesture, the Chiefs brought an end to the war, albeit at a price—the All Tree bore grievous wounds. As the damage spread through its core, the Old Gods hatched a plan to salvage the guardian from the precipice of obliteration.
Fastening the All Tree to Arrithia, they utilized Vol as a conduit, forging a link between the two domains. Vol channeled every ounce of her strength into constructing this connection, yet in the process, she surrendered herself to the Long Sleep—a boundless slumber that befalls Highers who stretch their powers to their limits, birthing the very island upon which they stand today.
In due course, the denizens of Arrithia underwent a transformative awakening due to the interweaving bond with the All Tree. Magic began coursing through the land, and with time, individuals known as Arrithians emerged, blessed with their own mana and distinctive auras, heralding a fresh epoch in the mystical realm of Arrithia.
Zero's hand began its ascent, his features twisted with disgust. "No," Maeve's sharp voice cut in, snapping like a whip. "We're not related."
Zero's demeanor underwent a complete transformation, as if a burdensome weight had been lifted off him. "Oh, thank goodness."
"Seriously?!" Maeve's expression soured further, her gaze intense as it bore into him. "Did you really think I would have married you if we were related?"
"I mean, I don't know," Zero attempted to maintain a composed expression, but cracks began to form as he struggled against Maeve's fierce glare. "You have some pretty unusual… Interests."
"I can't stand you."
That evening, as Zero and Maeve arrived at the capital, they were met with another disheartening scene of devastation. While they had anticipated encountering desiccated rivers and ailing landscapes, the shocking addition of a newly erected castle subverted their expectations. This fortress, positioned approximately a hundred meters from the base of the castle tree, exuded an aura of foreboding.
Fashioned from a mysterious, obsidian-hued metal, the castle seemed to absorb the setting sunlight, imbuing its numerous towers with a radiant, almost incandescent, yellow glow. One particularly prominent tower, slightly askew, released plumes of smoke from its chimney, casting an eerie veil over the surroundings. The structure dominated the vista, an undeniable focal point.
A formidable fence encircled the entire perimeter of the castle, its towering pillars crowned with menacing spikes. Within the courtyard, a collection of pulsating spikes emitted a sinister dark red aura, contributing to the ominous atmosphere. Dryads maintained a vigilant patrol along the circumference, some wielding spears tipped with gemstones, while others held parchment pages that emitted a faint, ethereal white light.
Maeve's voice carried a note of curiosity as she whispered, "Where did they find pages from a grimoire?" The inscriptions on the parchment eluded them, yet the unmistakable surge of power emanating from them was palpable. "It's potent… Akin to a Higher?" Zero remarked, his tone tinged with apprehension. "Doesn’t smell like your mother's mana though." Zero's gaze drifted to the courtyard. "Speaking of the witch."
Within the courtyard, Nix engaged in conversation with an elderly gentleman. The man boasted a hairless head and a lithe, well-maintained frame swathed in robes of blue and white. Deep-set brown eyes, haunted by a lack of repose, gazed out. His grin unveiled slightly crooked, finely pointed teeth, while his elegantly tapered ears were bedecked with four resplendent golden earrings each.
Standing unshod, a grimoire levitated before him, its pages exuding a delicate yet vibrant green luminescence. With a simple gesture of his hand, the man caused the pages to flutter, gradually advancing to the book's conclusion. "Okay, we know where they got them," Zero observed, his voice threaded with uncertainty. "Now who did they get them from?"
Maeve's exhalation carried a hint of resignation. "He answers to the name Lord… He’s an Old God."
"Um..." Zero regarded Maeve with an intrigued expression, his eyes widening with curiosity.
Shaking her head, Maeve let out another exasperated sigh. "Which part, Lord or Old Gods?"
Zero's shoulders slumped as a faint grin danced upon his lips, a hint of self-deprecation twinkling in his eyes. "Both?"
Emerging from the heart of the All Tree, the Old Gods harnessed an unfathomable might. It didn't take them long to embark on the creation of the first Highers—Ivory, the Higher of Infinity, and Ebony, the Higher of Eternity. Hand in hand with these pioneering Highers, the Old Gods embarked on the ambitious task of crafting their own world, what would later come to be known as Arrithia. Nevertheless, their boundless power came with a formidable learning curve. As they endeavored to weave the fabric of Arrithia's inaugural island, an unexpected event occurred—another Higher emerged, and this was none other than Vol.
A mixture of disappointment and intrigue swirled within the Old Gods as they observed Vol's burgeoning capabilities. Embracing their roles as mentors, the Old Gods guided the Eternal Trio, facilitating the refinement of their vast mana reservoirs for astonishing feats of magic. Through countless seasons, they imparted wisdom, culminating in the ultimate lesson—the Old Gods entrusted the Eternal Trio with the task of instilling life into Arrithia.
Promptly recognizing the limits of their magical prowess, the Eternal Trio beseeched the Old Gods for the addition of more Highers. In response to their fervent appeals, the Old Gods forged six brand-new Highers from the very essence of the All Tree, each endowed with a divine purpose essential to the creation of Arrithia.
Quetz, the Higher of Light, exuded radiant flames that nurtured the burgeoning tapestry of life.
Norn, the Higher of the Mountains, brandishing his mighty hammer, shaped the islands, lifting them from the depths of the ocean and sculpting their topographies.
The twins, Zypr, the Higher of Life, and Zephr, the Higher of Death, stood as the pinnacle of the Eternal Trio's design, for life and mortality were forever intertwined.
Nix, the Higher of the Void, harmonized existence beyond the realms of Ivory and Ebony, her role entailing the consumption of the negative mana intrinsic to the formation of life.
Lastly, Protos, the Higher of Time, presided over the unceasing cadence of the cosmic clock, spanning the entirety of Arrithia's existence and extending far into the boundless void of the universe.
These six Highers, collectively referred to as the Second Forgings, collaborated seamlessly with the Eternal Trio to infuse life into Arrithia as the Old Gods embarked on an odyssey into the mystic void, plunging themselves into its enigmatic mysteries.
Years waned before the Old Gods returned to Arrithia, only to find its promised serenity and harmony elusive. The All Tree, custodian of cosmic equilibrium, birthed the Dragons into being, entrusting them with the task of preserving balance whenever others faltered, inevitably thrusting them into conflict with the Highers.
Upon their return, the Old Gods, aware of the growing war between the Highers and the Dragons, endeavored to find a solution. They offered an olive branch to each of the Five Dragon Chiefs—a magical core originating from the Higher's citadel, granting the Chiefs the ability to establish their own realms within the cosmos.
Acknowledging this gesture, the Chiefs brought an end to the war, albeit at a price—the All Tree bore grievous wounds. As the damage spread through its core, the Old Gods hatched a plan to salvage the guardian from the precipice of obliteration.
Fastening the All Tree to Arrithia, they utilized Vol as a conduit, forging a link between the two domains. Vol channeled every ounce of her strength into constructing this connection, yet in the process, she surrendered herself to the Long Sleep—a boundless slumber that befalls Highers who stretch their powers to their limits, birthing the very island upon which they stand today.
In due course, the denizens of Arrithia underwent a transformative awakening due to the interweaving bond with the All Tree. Magic began coursing through the land, and with time, individuals known as Arrithians emerged, blessed with their own mana and distinctive auras, heralding a fresh epoch in the mystical realm of Arrithia.
Zero's hand began its ascent, his features twisted with disgust. "No," Maeve's sharp voice cut in, snapping like a whip. "We're not related."
Zero's demeanor underwent a complete transformation, as if a burdensome weight had been lifted off him. "Oh, thank goodness."
"Seriously?!" Maeve's expression soured further, her gaze intense as it bore into him. "Did you really think I would have married you if we were related?"
"I mean, I don't know," Zero attempted to maintain a composed expression, but cracks began to form as he struggled against Maeve's fierce glare. "You have some pretty unusual… Interests."
"I can't stand you."
