The world was once a single heartbeat. They say that in the beginning, the Ether—the essence that connects all life—flowed freely through the heavens, the earth, and the souls. But the balance was broken when the seven evil spirits rose up against the angels of the Eternal. Since then, the history of the world has been nothing but a chain of wars between light and darkness, between what must exist... and what cannot be allowed.
The continent of Eryndor was divided after that Great War: four kingdoms rose from its ruins, each guided by an ideal.
Axia, the largest kingdom and that of humans, strong but fragmented, still struggles to survive among the dust and sand of its borders with Nethrael the fifth kingdom of the seven evil spirits that still lie sealed in the depths of the kingdom, since the most powerful archangel of the Eternal, Elyos, sealed them with the help of the other archangels in a colossal struggle, which would not have been necessary if mortals had been able to control these seven fallen thrones that were once archangels and now burn with desire to conquer and tyrannize the mortal world.
Ailoria, the kingdom of the druids, where life sprouts even in the shadows and the magic of nature speaks with its own voice.
Sylvanor, the elven empire, where the forests breathe wisdom and the leaves chant the names of the ancients. And Mistforge, the stronghold of the dwarves, where mountains burn with fire and steel becomes will.
Four kingdoms that share the same fear: that the seal of the seven thrones will be broken... and darkness will walk among them again.
Years later, at Axia...
The sun was burning over the desert, and the air seemed to cut through the skin. It had been three years since Jaser left home. Three years since he decided to become someone worthy of a rank.
As he raced through the dunes, Jaser recalled his last morning in Branvel... the beautiful and warm Branvel, the village where he grew up in the northern region of Axia, between the villages of Kampiss, Sandor, and Memphis. His mother, Alara, had made him a freshly baked bread, her smile shy but full of concern.
—"Jaser... Remember, son, that the greatest strength is not always in the arm, but in the heart. No matter how far you go, go home," — her mother said with teary eyes.
His father, Jandur Lowen, hugged him tightly before releasing him to lift the glowing steel from the forge:
—"You are my son, Jaser. No matter what you face out there, remember that we love you, first and foremost son, and come home.
—"I know, dad, take care of mom and Leah."
—"That's done, son!"
And Leah, his little sister, embracing him at the height of her waist, whispered:
—"Promise me that you will come back... that you will always come back.
—"Yes little sister, I'll see you again soon," —Jaser nodded while smiling at her.
Finally, Jaser left for the south, to begin his hard physical training.
As you heard, his name is Jaser, he's twelve years old. Brown hair, green eyes... and no rank.
No element. No awakening. Just a dagger, a body hardened by heat, hunger and training.
Jaser's combat skills were very high, since he had not awakened his element. Most people awaken their element and focus on elemental aether control, abandoning physical training and melee combat.
The Aether is the supernatural force that flows through all living things and the world itself. It is the essence that connects matter, life, and magic, and acts as a channel for supernatural elements and abilities. Its manifestation varies according to the individual: some control it such as fire, water, wind or earth; others, as ice and thunder, and celestial beings as light or darkness; and certain beings can manipulate it in more abstract ways, such as healing.
Bottom line: Aether is the life energy that allows mortals and wizards to interact with the world of elemental magic.
At the age of seven, everyone awakens their element... fire, water, wind or earth. All of them, but Jaser was an exception.
Their days begin before dawn. He runs between the dunes, balances on the rocks, hits the air until his arms burn. The sand gets into his wounds, but that's also part of the training. His village master, Tojiro, used to say, "If the skin doesn't bleed, the soul doesn't grow."
Every day repeat the same movements: Blow to the air. Turn. Sweep. Thrust. Again and again. Until his breath mixes with the wind.
And while you're training, think about the Annual Rank Examination. The only time warriors across Axia can prove their power to the Council of Captains. Su goal is clear: to enter, even if it's as an Initiated Rank.
That morning, while resting on top of a rock, the desert wind changed. It brought something different... humidity. Vegetation.
—The north... Kampiss must be near, — Jaser muttered.
It was time to leave the desert behind and move towards the green mountains, where the traditional combat tournament was held. That tournament was an ideal opportunity to show the results of his training.
The change of landscape was almost unreal. From the golden sand to the green of the hills, to the murmur of the rivers, to the smell of life.
Kampiss stood among cloud-covered mountains, with its houses of stone and wood, and its square filled with people from all over Axia.
I had never seen so many people together. Merchants, fighters, curious people. And, of course, the tournament contenders.
He pushed his way through the crowd, dagger on his belt and sweat clinging to his neck. The air was fresh, but the atmosphere was fraught with tension.
—New around here? — A youthful, mocking voice asked him.
Jaser turned around. A boy of about seventeen looked at him with a mischievous smile, his hair red as a flame and his eyes a deep red. He wore a bandage on his forearm and an open jacket, showing the tattoo of the fire symbol on his chest.
—Renji, — he said, holding out his hand. Rank: Fire Element Veteran... and champion of love. You?.
—Jaser. —He answered, shaking his hand. —No rank...
—No rank? —He laughed, in a tone of disbelief. —And what are you doing here, brat?
—I train, — Jaser nodded.
—You train for what? — Renji asked with great curiosity.
Without thinking twice, Jaser replied:
—To be king someday.
Renji looked at him silently, and then let out a laugh.
—HAHAHA! You have guts. I like you. Come on, I'll invite you to something.
They entered a crowded tavern, where the wrestlers were eating, drinking, and flaunting their powers. Renji asked for two jars of mead and slid them towards Jaser.
—You know, Jaser? — he said, looking at the golden foam. —Here everyone believes that power is born from the element. But fire, water, earth or wind... they are nothing more than reflections of the soul.
Jaser was both curious and defiant.
—Then why do you use fire?
Renji smiled, raising his hand. A small flame danced on his palm.
—Because my soul burns for all that it loves. Women, fights, life itself.
Jaser rolled his eyes. He was not surprised by his answer because it perfectly reflected the first impression he gave him.
Renji let out a laugh.
— Come on, brat! If you're really going to participate, I need to see what you're capable of. Tomorrow, at dawn, on the east hill. Bring your dagger.
Jaser nodded.
— "Perfect. An opportunity to measure my training."
The sun was barely rising when Renji was already there, stretching out his arms and smiling confidently.
—I thought you'd be late.
Jaser smiled.
—I'm not one to sleep when there's something to learn, —he replied, drawing his dagger.
Renji ignited his fist with fire.
—Rule number one: don't kill each other. Rule number two: don't hold back.
The air vibrated between the two of them and Jaser stepped forward.
"Come on... Let this begin." —thought Jaser.
The fight was fast, brutal and precise.
Renji was releasing fiery bursts with elbow and fist movements.
Jaser dodged, using the terrain, taking advantage of his aggressiveness to his advantage. His dagger whistled with each thrust.
But Renji was no ordinary fighter, you can tell he handled fire at a very decent level. Every stroke of his burned with real heat, and every movement had rhythm.
—Scorching kick!
Renji threw a kick engulfed in fire. Jaser blocked it with the dagger, the blade grew hot, and he burned his fingers.
— "Damn... Its strength is real."
Rolling to the side, Jaser jumped onto his back and threw a double thrust that he blocked with his forearm and couldn't reach his body.
Renji looked at him with excitement and surprise.
—Not bad, brat, — he said, smiling. But you're missing a spark.
Jaser responded with an upward kick that took him back a step. His fire went out for an instant. Renji looked at him in surprise.
—Wow... you have technique. You don't have aether, but you fight like you do.
"Not yet... but soon I will have it." —thought Jaser
Renji lowered his fists, laughing.
—It's decided. I don't know who you are, Jaser, but I want to train you. Tomorrow the tournament starts so we shouldn't keep fighting. I hope to see you there.
—I'll be there, —Jaser replied with a smile.
—And when I'm done, if I make some money, I'll invite you to a decent inn. I don't want you to sleep on the floor again, got it?
Jaser smiled for the first time in days.
—Done.
That night, as the Kampiss Mountains slept and the moon reflected off the river, Jaser felt something for the first time... a subtle vibration, a pulse inside the chest. His breathing was rhythmic, and for an instant, the air around him moved differently.
— "Is this ... ether?"
But on the horizon, the stars seemed to burn harder.
And unknowingly, at that very moment, the echoes of an ancient darkness came back to life beyond the borders of Axia.