Aras had just turned one year old. With his striking white hair and deep blue eyes, he was beginning to understand the complexities of this world around him.
In his small hands, he held an old, dusty book — its yellowed pages and worn edges opening the door to new worlds. He carefully opened it and began to read.
The book contained a large, detailed map titled:
"One Continent, Four Races, Many Kingdoms"
In this world, there was only one vast continent. Upon it lived four major races: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs.
These races did not live separately; instead, they intermingled across many small kingdoms, city-states, and empires. Each held its own power, fought its own wars, and forged its own alliances.
The book explained that at the heart of the continent lay the Kingdom of Eryndor, a small human kingdom governed by democratic principles. It was a rare place where different races and cultures lived together. Here, the voice of the people mattered deeply, and the king ruled with the welfare of his subjects in mind.
Aras looked up from the map and thought:
"This small kingdom is like a peaceful island among great empires."
The following pages detailed wars, alliances, struggles for power, and political intrigues. But Aras's home — Eryndor — was a rare haven of peace and unity in the midst of such turmoil.
The Four Races
Humans
The humans were diverse, with varied skin tones ranging from pale ivory to deep bronze. Their eyes were sharp and curious, and their hair colors spanned from dark black to chestnut brown, but some rare individuals like Aras had striking white hair and deep blue eyes that set them apart. Humans were adaptable and resourceful, building cities of stone and wood, with bustling marketplaces and democratic councils.
Elves
Elves were tall and slender, moving with an effortless grace. Their skin shimmered faintly, like moonlight on water, in hues ranging from soft gold to pale silver. Their pointed ears peeked from beneath flowing hair of silver, white, or deep green. Their eyes glowed with ancient wisdom, bright green or sapphire blue, reflecting centuries of knowledge and magic. Elves preferred living in grand arboreal cities, their homes woven into the branches of ancient trees.
Dwarves
Dwarves were stout and muscular, their skin rough and weathered like polished granite. Their hair and beards were thick and coarse, often braided with metal rings, in colors of fiery red, coal black, or stormy gray. Their eyes were sharp and bright, usually amber or dark brown. Dwarves carved their homes deep into mountains, crafting magnificent halls of stone and metal, thriving on craftsmanship and mining.
Orcs
Orcs were large and powerful, with skin tones from dark green to deep gray. Their features were strong and angular, with prominent jaws and sharp tusks that protruded from their mouths. Their eyes burned with fierce amber or glowing red light. Their hair was coarse and wild, often tied back in warrior knots. Orcs lived in rugged fortresses scattered across harsh, rocky lands, proud of their strength and warrior culture.
Aras's mother was named Elira. She was human, quiet but strong. Her white hair was soft, framing her serene face, and her blue eyes mirrored the calm of deep lakes. Elira moved with careful steps, as if afraid to leave a trace, but her presence filled the room with warmth and protection.
Aras's father was Kalen, also a human. He had dark hair, sharp black eyes, and a stern expression. His silence spoke volumes, and his every word was weighed with intent. He was a man who carried the burden of his duties, serious and unyielding.
Between them, Aras stood out — a child of both worlds, marked by his unique white hair and deep blue eyes. Though small, his gaze held a quiet strength and curiosity about the world he was just beginning to understand.
As Aras closed the book, he realized that his home, the Kingdom of Eryndor, was a fragile sanctuary — a small but shining beacon of hope and democracy surrounded by a continent rife with conflict and ambition.
And though he was still too small to make a difference, he felt a stirring inside — a promise to grow, to learn, and one day to protect that fragile peace.