War.
War has existed long before mankind. In the beginning, they claim that the Almighty arrived and created life on this planet, but due to a war in the stars, they were forced to leave their planet behind, leaving their first creations, the beings of light known as the Angels, behind.
When the Angels were forced to leave, attempting to aid their creator in his endless battle, they created life of their own. The Dragons, in turn, made their own creation, and the Giants rebelled. Elves, too, went to war with their creators, and humans refused to follow the order of the elves and were eventually stabbed from behind by the creatures they created, the Demons.
War has always existed, and it will always exist. It is an endless cycle. That doesn't mean war is always happening, though…
The conflict with Gallenth was the bloodiest war in history to date. Gallenth was the first land to exist, being the place where the Almighty settled. It was the land where Haru was born, said to be birthed when a star landed upon the ground, and most importantly, it was a land led by the tyrant king of philosophers, Sylas, Lord of the Titans.
The war with King Sylas has long since ended, and nearly one thousand years later, Gallenth no longer rages with the rest of the world. Prince Sylas, the twenty-fifth, is considered a calm and peaceful ruler, unlike his ancestor, King Sylas, who battled Haru and even the Ebony Knight.
Now, in the present day, the world's ire has shifted. No longer did they stare at Gallenth, the first land. Instead, their view was focused entirely on Mordheim. The realm of swords was truly a hellish place.
It was said that its land was founded by Haru and her Knights, and served as a testing ground before Haru would later go on to create the plane of Esteria, a place where chivalry stood above all else. In their final battle, Haru wounded the Ebony Knight, and legend has it that he fled deep within Mordheim, eventually dying of the wounds Haru left upon his body.
It was speculated that the creator of demons had become a demon himself, and like when all demons died, his death left a curse behind on the world. One forged in shadow and blood.
Nowadays, the realm of swords is terribly cursed. The world's largest dungeon, the blood ocean, surrounds the land, and until the Elder Hydra, the boss of the blood ocean, is slain, the land will be cut off from the rest of the world, covered with a massive barrier. Only thanks to powerful mages, blessed with magic that can warp space, are people able to escape this hellish place, and escape many would want, for behind the barrier stands Mordehim itself.
Islands of frost and ruin. Spell Swords who try out their new Core Masks on the people for fun. Blood sacrifices to tap into the powers of the underworld and call forth the Ebony Knight's creations. Lords who abuse their power, and a shogun who has declared war on the entire planet.
These were just a few of the faults with the cursed land.
It wasn't always that way, though. The barrier around the land was only put in place shortly after the age of Haru and the Ebony Knight. Many people believe that the land became filled with ice and hell the moment the Ebony Knight died, but that wasn't actually true.
Fifty years after the Ebony Knight's death, Mordehim was still a peaceful land…
Nestled along the southern coast of the Mordehim Empire, a cluster of villages remained untouched. Sheltered by distance and fate, they lived in peace, unbothered by the storm that consumed the world beyond.
These villages were home to three banners. The Red Elephants, famed for their use of form and creation magic and their ability to weave it with their martial arts. The Blue Dolphins, famed for their traversal of the sea and their abilities to fight in any intense ocean biome. And lastly, the Black Dragons, the strongest banner, famed for their use of the Core Masks and mastery of the swords.
Nearly nine hundred years ago, or rather, fifty years after the death of the Ebony Knight, our story begins on a little beach, known as Chrysanthemum Beach.
Grandma Zen stood tall in the middle of the beach, her posture defiant against the long life she had lived. Her grey hair was in a tight bun, and fierce blue eyes sparked with barely concealed annoyance. Her robes fluttered gently in the ocean breeze, revealing sandals weathered by countless journeys. The old cane-sword in her hand rooted her authority into the ground, and she radiated an aura that was both revered and intimidating.
The sun stretched lazily across the vast expanse of Chrysanthemum Beach, bathing the sand in shades of molten gold and honeyed amber. The air was thick with the salty tang of the Southern Ocean, mingling pleasantly with the earthy fragrance of smoldering driftwood and the faint aroma of incense burning in honor of ancestral spirits. Gentle waves whispered secrets as they lapped delicately against the shore, their rhythmic caress calming yet invigorating to the soul.
"So," the current head of the Black Dragons asked, a grin on his face. "Who do you think will win this race, old lady Elephant?"
"Obviously, I will win." The leader of the Blue Dolphins announced, placing her hands on her hips.
"I wasn't asking you." The Black Dragon's commander snorted. "I was speaking to the leader of the Red Elephants." Grandma Zen wasn't the only one who stood at the ready. Next to her were the two other leaders of the three banners, which stood tall in their little fishing village. The leader of the Blue Dolphins was a tall, yet lean, woman. She was a master of the sea, able to sail anywhere and even plunge into the deepest depths of the ocean. Black Dragon's leader, on the other hand, was shorter, with dark skin and dreadlocks. He wore expensive black robes and carried a claymore imbued with powerful fire magic on his back. Together, with Grandma Zen, they were the leaders of the village, watching over it, raising the young, and turning them into fine warriors.
"We have quite the show now." The Blue Dolphin's leader giggled, and she folded her arms, staring out at the crowd before her. It was filled with young kids, all around ten years old. "This year's race will be interesting. How sad for you two, though, that it is a race across the sea. My group is sure to win. The one I have chosen is practically as good as I am. She'll be a true lady of the sea when she grows older."
"I wouldn't be so cocky." The Black Dragon's leader shook his head. "I have my own secret weapon, and I know old lady Elephant has done the same. Isn't that right? Mrs. Zen? Your thoughts?"
"She came." The old lady's lip sagged slightly into a heavy frown. Her eyes were focused on two people who were scattered across the beach from the others. "To think, she came and she brought 'it' with her. Is she planning on participating?"
The other two leaders turned to see what had upset her mood so much. In front of the three of them were all the kids they had cultivated and trained this year. Three would be taking the great race today, with the rest coming to watch and cheer on the three selected candidates. Off to the side, however, was another group entirely.
Two people stood on the other side of the beach. The first was a young boy. He was only ten years old, and he had messy black hair, pale skin, and a pair of dull purple eyes that somehow matched Zen's own, filled with knowledge that shouldn't be. Zen always felt enraged when those eyes looked at her, but it was the creature next to the boy that truly caused her blood to boil.
A mobility chair, built with wheels, was placed on the ground next to the child. A woman rested in the chair, a blanket covering her lower half, which was gone. She only had one arm as well, and loose, shadowy black robes clung to her frail form. A black veil was placed over her face, masking her head, but behind it a stream of black hair flowed down her back. Despite the cool summer air, the sand around the woman was being coated in flecks of ice.
"Looks like Titania came." The Black Dragon's leader also had a frown on his face when he noticed the pair, and he awkwardly scratched his chin.
The Blue Dolphin's leader looked a little confused. "She's the one from Rossum, correct?" The Blue Dolphin leader had only recently moved to Chrysanthemum, so she was still relatively new when it came to a lot of its people.
"That's right." The Black Dragon's leader nodded. "Lady Titania was a warrior from Rossum. She and Grandma Zen here personally fought the cruel king. Sadly, unlike Zen, Lady Titania didn't have what it took to keep up in that fight, and she was badly injured. Her wounds are full of dark mana, which makes it impossible for her to recover. Because of the war and the state she's in, Titania was kicked out of her homeland, but Zen offered her a place here."
Grandma Zen's lips curled more. "The only reason I allow her to live here is due to Orion and his spawn." Her eyes gleamed slightly, and she looked back out to the crowd. "Truly, the Red Elephants are blessed. With him on our side, I know I'll have a worthy successor."
The crowd was comprised of a diverse group of kids, but three stood out above all others—the three who would be participating.
Noble was a young eleven-year-old girl. She had ginger hair that was tied back into a ponytail, and she wore a simple swimsuit. Noble was part of the Blue Dolphin's banner. She had already become quite famous due to her powerful form of water magic and her special core. Thanks to her unique bloodline, her abilities had evolved and changed further.
The girl had a large grin on her face and was casually talking to one of her rivals. Arch was a year older than Noble, and he had black hair that was swept and wild. His eyes were a vibrant green, and unlike Noble, he wore his robes, not bothering with swimwear. The two were chatting about the upcoming race and who they thought would win.
Last was the final participant. A little younger than Arch but older than Noble. He had dirty blonde hair and dull golden eyes. He wore simple black robes but had them pulled open and undone, his sleeves and leggings rolled up to allow for mobility. His name was Sieg Hawker, son of Orion Hawker.
"You two know I'll win, right?" Noble asked, her smirk growing. "I was made for water-based things like this."
"Don't get cocky." Arch laughed and folded his arms. "I won last year's race."
"Because it was on land." Noble nodded. "This year is in the sea. I'm gonna crush you both. Here, that new boy."
Sieg didn't say anything. He had remained silent and just stared out across the water, waiting for the race to truly start.
Chrysanthemum was made up of three small islands. They were all barely connected by slivers of land forming a circle. In the center of the three islands was a lake, but on the outskirts of the island was the beach, which was connected to the ocean. Across the water was a separate bit of land not connected to their village. It was small and rocky, not suitable for much, but today it would be where they'd be racing to.
"Let's get this stupid thing over with." Sieg sighed.
"Stupid?" Arch's smile faded and became a frown. "It's your first time taking this test, right? It's not stupid; it's tradition. Every year, we do this so we can see the efforts the banner leaders are putting in. They say back in the day, Lord Oda competed in a race with Black Sigurd and Han Yuan. The race was to determine who would become the first official Shogun of the Empire. Thanks to Lord Oda winning, we don't have to worry about worshipping the Dragons like Sigurd's clan does, nor do we have to worry about the way of Martial Cultivators since Han was so mad he ran back to his homeland."
This race existed as a mimicry of that grand event fifty or so years ago. Grandma Zen had been the first one to come up with it, and now every banner from their village, all three, would compete, using the youths they have trained that year.
"Alright, you brats." Grandma Zen called out, and she tapped her cane down hard on the ground, getting the many chatting children to fall silent. "It's about time. Racers, line up."
Sieg, Arch, and Noble all made their way over to the edge of the ocean, stepping off the beach and getting in ankle-deep.
The leader of the Blue Dolphins clasped her hands together. "In the name of our founder, the first shogun, Lord Oda, we do this."
Next, the Black Dragons' leader spoke. "Let your mana rise and deepen. Ascend and fly free. May your Core be shaped into the finest mask, one that will fool even the Light. May your magic be forged into the greatest sword, one that will split the oceans and the skies alike. May your heart ascend and your will endless."
Grandma Zen began to tap her cane on the ground over and over again. "Let the fifty-third race begin!"
And like a bullet had been fired, the match started. Instantly, Noble and Arch both used their spells.
"Row Aquatic Form!"
"Row Ice Bridge!"
Noble jumped belly-first into the water, using mana to boost herself forward. When she hit the ocean, she sank into it, and the water began to glow and twist her form. Aquatic magic was an evolved form of water magic, able to do things regular water spells couldn't. In this case, Noble's entire body was transformed into the shape of a glowing, astral-like dolphin. She was far larger than a normal animal, and her speed was dozens of times faster, as she fired out like a missile.
Arch, on the other hand, raised his foot and then brought it down hard. He unleashed a wave of ice and frost, which rapidly froze the water. As he stepped forward, more ice blasted out, connecting all the way to the other island, and his ice shoved him across it, like a railroad, boosting him to insane speeds.
That left Sieg as the only one who didn't cast a spell right away. Instead, the boy jumped back, turning his mana on to full blast. He got away from the water instead of towards it and then took a running start forward.
"Row Electric Wave!" Suddenly, Sieg blasted into the air, using his spell to shift and change his magnetic pull. "Row Electric Spear!" More lightning surged around him, and this time Sieg was coated in an aura of energy that narrowed and shaped. He became the spear, his magic forming the construct of it around him. It was massive, and it hummed with untold power. Finally, he used his last spell. "Row Electric Giant!"
The beach shook, and many of the kids all gasped and jumped back. Even the two banner masters looked shocked, while Grandma Zen had a massive smile on her face and kept laughing.
A golden construct that was nearly fifteen feet tall appeared. It was forged out of yellow, crackling energy, and it had the shape of an elephant but had no detail beyond the basic shape. Its trunk reached out, and it grasped the floating spear that Sieg had become, and it pulled the limb back.
"Y-You taught him the Embodiment of the Behemoth?" the Black Dragons leader asked in shock.
Grandma Zen just began to laugh, and the thunder beast thrust its trunk out and threw Sieg as hard as it could. The spear ignited the air, and in a massive crack, it launched forward, wildly flying past a shocked Arch and Noble. The island they were all traveling to was miles away, nothing more than a tiny dot, so the two kids had to push themselves as hard as they could to keep up with the flying Sieg.
"You old bat, that's not fair." The Blue Dolphins leader let out a sigh and shook her head. "How the hell did that kid even learn how to use that power?"
"He's his father's son after all." The Black Dragons' leader also let out an annoyed sigh. "Orion might be an absolute failure of a human being, but he was the holder of the Sword Saint title at one point. If not for his nature, he might have been the finest warrior."
"That's right." Grandma Zen nodded. "He has the same talents his father does and the same type of magic and Core, but unlike his father, he isn't a terrible person."
"Is Mister Orion really that bad?" Blue Dolphins' leader asked.
"He once stole all the funds our village had and gambled it all away." Grandma Zen responded flatly. "I hate him. Which is why it's all the more important I personally nurture little Sieg and ensure he becomes a great and noble warrior. Luckily, Orion is too busy training up that 'creature' he made with Titania."
The race was getting intense, the three kids pushing themselves as hard as they could. The crowd was cheering on their favorite one, while the three banner leaders watched on in pride. It was during this moment that the mood shifted when Grandma Zen heard the crunching of sand.
Titania had approached closer. The woman in black remained in her chair, and behind her, Davi was pushing her forward. The three leaders grew a little tense when Titania got near them. Davi let go of the chair and stood by his mother's side, but she flicked her wrist and signaled for him to leave.
Davi did the only logical thing and instantly made his way over to the beach. With a simple spell, he opened his vault and pulled out a fishing rod and began to fish, ignoring the race that was going on. Several of the kids all looked at him oddly, but none approached.
"Titania." Grandma Zen said slowly. "Enjoying the race?"
Titania just hummed, and the woman turned in her seat to look out across the ocean. Sieg was currently in the lead. Soon it would be over, as the blonde boy was rapidly nearing the island. "I'd like for Davi to compete if that is okay."
"Surely you're jesting." The Blue Dolphin leader laughed. "The race has already started."
"That's okay. You guys needed the head start. It's why I waited." Titania said simply.
Grandma Zen's eye twitched slightly. "No."
"Why not?" Titania asked, and the woman casually cocked her head to the side. "Afraid that your precious student can't beat my creation? Even after the head start."
"That's not what I said—"
"So then, there shouldn't be any harm in it?"
Grandma Zen gritted her teeth. "Fine, do whatever you want."
Titania turned away again, and she quietly muttered under her breath. "Ril Shadow Possession." In a flash, Titania's shadow stretched out, and it wrapped around Davi's. The boy's body grew rigid, and he shook slightly. His fishing rod dropped to the ground and landed in the sand.
The look in his eyes changed. He still kept that blank expression, but his eyes no longer glowed with a soft purple tint to them. They had become blue. Davi raised his arm, and he spoke. "Row Shadow Step." Shadows lifted, and Davi calmly stepped forward. And then he was gone.
Sieg flew through the air, the air leaving a trail of fire behind him. The small rocky island came into view, and he rammed into it knees first, shattering a wave of stone as the aura around him died out. He could hear Arch and Noble still running or swimming towards him. He had beaten them. He had arrived first—
"Took you long enough."
Sieg whipped around with wide eyes and stared in shock at his younger brother, who was sitting on a rock. Something was wrong because Davi's eyes were a shimmering blue, and he had a smile on his face, something Sieg knew would never be on the real one's face.
"Titania." Sieg's eyes narrowed slightly. A few moments later, the blue light faded, and Davi's eyes turned back to purple. He blinked and looked around, tilting his head in mild confusion, but he didn't say anything. Sieg sighed, then smiled softly. "Davi, what are you doing here?"
"I don't know," Davi said quietly.
"That's okay. Want to go fishing?"
"...Yes."
"Let's head back then. Here, I'll carry you—"
"What the hell is he doing here?" Arch reached the island and jumped off his ice bridge. He glared at Davi with narrow eyes. Seconds later, Noble arrived, and she looked just as confused.
"He won the race." Sieg shrugged.
"Like hell he didn't," Arch growled. "He wasn't even racing! What gives him the right? His win doesn't count."
Sieg shrugged again. "Okay. Then I won the race, and you still lost. Either way, a Hawker just kicked your ass."
Arch no longer seemed to respect Sieg. His eyes were filled with barely contained fury. He growled again, and the air around him grew colder. Sieg's own eyes narrowed, and he shifted in front of Davi, using his body to block any attack. An aura of electricity began to drip down his body, rapidly heating the air up.
"Will you two knock it off?" Noble sighed. "We lost, Arch; no need to get mad. We can try again next year."
Arch's shoulders sagged slightly, but his glare didn't fade. It remained on Davi. Eventually, he turned away and began to walk down the bridge of ice, heading back to the beach.
Noble watched him go before she turned and smiled. "Come on, you two! Let's head back! After every race, Grandma Zen always makes the best food! I don't wanna miss it!" She reached out and grabbed Davi's wrist, and Sieg's as well, and she began to lead them to the bridge, following after Arch.
When they arrived back at the beach, the other kids looked a little conflicted about the fact that Davi won. Eventually, it was decided to give the win to Sieg, as it was considered fairer. Davi didn't seem to care either way because he instantly got back to fishing.
Sieg stood in front of Grandma Zen, who reached into her robes and pulled out a golden medal. They draped it over Sieg's head as he bowed slightly; just when it seemed like things were coming to an end, though, a voice called out to Davi.
"In the first match, after Lord Oda won, it was said that Sigurd challenged him to a duel." Arch's voice made everyone fall silent, and the young boy stared at Davi, who was still quietly fishing. "The Black Dragons were created to honor Sigurd, who won the duel with Lord Oda but spared the shogun's life. Would you care to recreate that process? How about a duel?"
Duels were a serious thing in Mordheim. They were officially issued challenges and, in some cases, could be used to kill the opponent legally. Of course, being kids, that would never happen, but issuing a duel was still a serious thing.
The leader of the Black Dragons banner went to oppose, but he wasn't able to speak fast enough. "We accept," Titania said simply. "As his guardian, I shall accept and permit him to take this duel."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" The Black Dragons' leader asked, shaking his head. "Arch is one of the best students I have."
"And Davi is one of the best weapons I have," Titania stated. "I will allow him to engage in this battle. We'll keep it simple and make it go until the first knockout."
The Black Dragons' leader let out a sigh. "If you insist."
Davi was dragged away from his fishing, and he was forced into a circular arena that was forged out of coal, which the leader of the Black Dragons made with his magic. He was forced to place his fishing pole back into his vault, and much to his anger, a wooden sword was shoved into his hands. Arch also had one, the boy running his ice magic around it.
In Mordheim, all mages trained with a sword in their hand, weaving magic and blade into a dance. Banners served as early training camps to teach the younglings the art, and one day, should they be so lucky, they'd be able to join the Spell Swords and serve directly under the Shogun himself. Spell Swords were most famous for wielding Core Masks, something only the people of Mordehim could do.
Arch stood on the other side of the arena and held his weapon tightly. "I'm always seeing you out in the fields or near the lake. You always think you're better than the rest of us, don't you? Never bothering to train or play with any of the other kids. Even your brother will spend time, but you, you're just some loner who thinks he is above everyone else in the village."
"Arch," Noble spoke up, a frown on her face. "You're being mean."
"It's true." Arch defended himself, and several of the other kids all nodded. "That boy is bad news."
Davi didn't say anything and quietly stared down at the sword in his hand. The wooden blade felt awkward. All swords felt wrong whenever he had them. He didn't like it. Still, what else could he do? He heard his mother whispering in his ear, even though she was nowhere near him, and she didn't speak.
In the center of the arena, Grandma Zen stood and clutched her cane sword. A scowl was on the old woman's face, but she shrugged her shoulders. "Normally, a duel does take place between the winner and the one who came in second place. This year, though, since Arch has challenged Titania's spawn, we'll have them do battle instead. On my mark, you two may start. It'll be until first strike. No more, no less." The old lady moved out of the center and tapped her cane down hard. "Begin."
"Row Ice Blade!" Arch leapt forward, ice exploding around his wooden sword, turning it into a claymore as he swung it down at Davi as hard as he could.
"Ril Shadow Possession."
Arch's sword came down, and Davi met it with his own blade. Blue and black mana erupted out of his flesh and coated his sword in what looked like fire. His blade rammed into Arch's, and there was a loud crack as the ice and wood snapped, Arch's sword breaking in two. Davi's weapon kept going forward, and it rammed into Arch's face, breaking his nose and part of his jaw. The force of the attack spun Arch all the way around, and he smashed into the ground headfirst.
The others in the crowd were silent, and the leader of the Black Dragons' banner looked like he was on the verge of having a mental breakdown.
Davi stared down at Arch with cold blue eyes and then turned away. He got a few feet before Arch managed to stand back up. The young boy spat out a mouthful of blood, and with a roar, he charged again, his mana rising.
Davi lazily spun around and pointed a finger forward. "Row Shadow-Flame Orb." Black and blue fire erupted from his fingertips, hissing and swirling into a ball. It began to grow in size, and it launched straight at Arch with the force to kill.
The attack never reached the boy, though.
Instead, it rammed into the back of someone who appeared in front of Arch. The figure wrapped his arms around Arch, keeping him safe, and the black fire washed over him. When the smoke cleared, everyone saw Orion standing, his back a blackened mess of flesh, but he still had a grin on his face.
"Looks like I missed one hell of a party, huh?" The man asked. His cheeks were a rosy red, and his words were slightly slurred. He was drunk. Just as quickly as he arrived, Orion turned around and pressed his finger into the center of Davi's head, knocking Davi out in one blow. "Sorry about my son. You know how kids can get." He hiccuped slightly and let go of Arch and threw Davi over his shoulder. "I'll go put him to bed."
"Now hang on a second." The Black Dragons' leader yelled in rage. "Your son nearly killed my student—"
"He was defending himself." Sieg spat out. "Your student attacked my brother while his back was turned."
"That doesn't give him the right to attack with the spell he did." Grandma Zen stated sternly. "If that attack would have landed, Arch would be dead." Her eyes bore into Orion's. "We'll be having a long talk about this. I hope you know that."
Orion hiccuped again and chuckled. "Sure thing, Grandma Zen. I'll use my rizz to get off lightly."
"I hate you."
"I'm not just going to let this stand." The Black Dragons' banner leader yelled out. "You and your family ruined this year's celebration! Do you think you can just get away with it after doing that-"
Orion vanished. One moment he was there, and then the next he wasn't. He simply couldn't be bothered to listen to the yelling anymore. He wasn't the only one who was gone. Titania was also missing. Only Sieg was left behind, and the boy awkwardly stood next to Noble, who placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down.
"The Hawkers." Grandma Zen let out a sigh and shook her head. "I really wish they would have simply gone to Rossum or died in the battle with Sylas. I fear we have a calamity that we won't be able to stop."
Meanwhile, Orion appeared back near the small home he shared with Titania. He wasn't careful with the woman and roughly shoved her chair down. His rosy look was gone, and his eyes were narrowed.
"What the hell was that?" He hissed out. "Were you trying to kill that boy?"
"He attacked our son." Titania casually adjusted her robes. "I was simply allowing Davi to defend himself."
Orion shook his head in disgust, and he turned away from his wife. "I can't wait till you die from those curses."
"I'm sure you can't." Titania clicked her tongue. "Unfortunately for you, I'm still going to be kicking for a few more years. So, in the meantime, just do your damn job and make sure our weapon is ready. The tool that will get revenge for both of us."
Orion walked away, still holding onto his son, but slowly, Davi stirred and woke up. He remained on his father's shoulder, blinking away bits of confusion. "Dad?"
"Hey Davi!" Orion gave a grin. "Let's go fishing."