Ever since I was liberated from those chains, that girl with the piercing eyes had been leading me on a relentless pursuit. I couldn't understand where we were going or why; I only knew that stopping was no longer an option. With every step, I felt as if an invisible disaster was stalking us unseen, yet undeniably present.
Somewhere deep within me, a quiet certainty began to grow that this escape was not just about survival, but the beginning of a destiny neither of us fully understood.
We descended deeper into the heart of the dense jungle. The darkness was so thick it felt as if we were tearing through the night itself. The wind whistling through the trees carried a strange dampness cold, heavy, like the silence that precedes a storm. The ground was slick, and the scent of damp earth rising from beneath the fallen leaves filled my lungs with every breath.
From somewhere in the distance, a sound resonated. Deep, heavy… almost like clouds colliding in a thunderous roar.
The girl did not falter. There was no hesitation in her eyes, as if she knew exactly where we needed to be. After walking for some time, a faint glow suddenly appeared amidst the forest's gloom. At first, I thought it was an illusion, but the light grew brighter as we approached.
And then…
My feet stopped of their own accord.
Before me stood a massive and breathtakingly beautiful waterfall. White water cascaded down with such force it looked as if the sky itself was touching the earth. Its roar echoed throughout the jungle. The mist made the air even colder, and behind the waterfall…
There was a cave.
Hidden so perfectly that it seemed nature itself was shielding it, it was visible only to the most observant eye. Without a word, the girl walked straight toward the falls, pausing for a moment to look back at me. That single look conveyed one thing: I was safe now.
Yet for reasons I couldn't explain, safety itself felt like the beginning of something far more dangerous.
As we stepped behind the curtain of water, the world suddenly went quiet. The roar of the falls became muffled instantly as we entered the cavern. The darkness inside was unique neither pitch black nor entirely empty.
Inside the cave, water dripping from the falls collected slowly on the floor. A shimmering light rose from the water, not quite white, not quite blue as if the light itself was breathing within the liquid. That radiance fell directly upon the girl's face, which had been veiled by a dark cloth until now.
She remained perfectly still for a few moments.
Then, she slowly raised her hand and grasped the fabric. Her fingers trembled slightly, as if this choice wasn't easy even for her. The air in the cave seemed to transition into a standstill. Only the sound of water droplets echoed… tap… tap…
And then…!
She pulled the cloth away.
The moment the veil fell, I saw something I had never even imagined.
The story goes like this…!
Sambhala, a vast and mysterious subcontinent, is surrounded on three sides by the deep ocean.
The first region is the Golden District, the heart of Sambhala. This is where the royal bloodlines reside, preserving the legacy of their ancestors. The great merchant houses are also based here, controlling the gold, the trade deals, and the sea routes. This realm is not just the center of governance, but a hotbed of politics and conspiracies.
Seated at the pinnacle of this realm is the Queen of the Subcontinent: Layla.
Layla is more than just a Queen; she is the sole ruler of all Sambhala. Her command is not limited to her kingdom; her influence touches every district, every sea route, and every individual. They say a single glance from her can stop a war, and a single decision can grind a kingdom to dust.
The Black District, submerged in the shadows of the sea, connects the Golden District to the Main Provinces. It remains a wound so deep that people rarely speak of it openly.
The Main Provinces consist of four districts, each representing a different type of power:
Great Element District: Home to those who master the five elements Water, Fire, Air, Earth, and Space. Here, nature is not just felt; it is understood and commanded. To these people, fire doesn't just burn, wind doesn't just blow, and water doesn't just flow they are manifestations of their will. This district is considered the center of Sambhala's most ancient and powerful arts.
Arma District: In this district, power means weaponry. The warriors here don't just hold a sword, spear, or bow; they feel them. Every weapon is alive to them, forming a spiritual bond with its wielder.
Fema District: This district is inhabited by the strength of beasts. Its people can channel the powers of wild animals the roar of a lion, the vision of a hawk, or the agility of a snake. It is a symbol of raw force and instinct, where the line between human and animal blurs.
Vana District: The protectors of nature. Its inhabitants utilize the power of plants, vines, roots, and the earth itself. This power is used less for destruction and more for preservation. The people of Vana believe that nature is not to be commanded, but to be negotiated with.
The balance between these four districts is what makes the Main Provinces strong.
I was wandering through the markets of the Arma District everywhere, the shouts of traders, the clinking of iron coins, the sharp scent of spices, and the roar of the crowd. I was simply making my way through the throng when suddenly…
THUD!
Someone collided straight into me, shoving me backward.
"Hey! Watch where you're..."
Before I could finish my sentence, my eyes landed on her.