Arkadia

Chapter 3

Thalassia

The rivers of Thalassia shimmered beneath the moonlight, winding like silver through the forests before flowing into the vast emerald sea. Lanterns floated gently across the water, drifting past stilt houses built above the tide. The people of the Water Tribe moved quietly through the night, guiding their narrow boats between the docks as they carried nets filled with fish.

Serenya stood at the edge of the Tidepool Temple, her bare feet sinking into the wet sand.

"My Lady." Serenya turned toward the voice. "Who are you?" she asked.

Before her stood a soldier wearing golden-brown armor—the colors of Terranova. His shoulder was wounded, and he held it tightly as blood stained his armor. The soldier bowed. "I was sent by King Borak to ask for your help." Serenya looked at him with concern.

"What happened?"

"The Pyrrathis army attacked Terranova. Many of our people have been injured." Serenya's eyes widened. She had not yet heard that Pyrrathis had invaded. "King Borak is sending boats carrying the wounded to Thalassia." Without wasting another moment, Serenya turned to one of her guards. "Gather the healers at once. Tell them to care for everyone arriving from Terranova."

"At once, my Lady." The guard bowed and hurried away. "Wait," Serenya called before the guard disappeared. She looked back at the Terranova soldier. "Let me heal your wound first." She raised the Water Gem in her hands. Soft blue light flowed from the Gem and surrounded the soldier's shoulder. Slowly, the wound closed, and the pain disappeared. Within moments, it had completely healed, leaving only the dried blood on his armor. "You may go now," Serenya said gently. "Return to your people and help them."

"Thank you, my Lady." The soldier bowed deeply before leaving. Afterward, Serenya walked alone to the shore.

As she stood beside the sea, she could feel that something was wrong.

The ocean was restless. Its waves no longer moved with their usual calm. Instead, they churned as though they were trying to warn her of something."The balance..." she whispered. She closed her eyes. Deep in her heart, Serenya knew this was only the beginning.

More blood would be spilled before it was over.

Voltaris

The cliffs of Voltaris rose like sharp fangs above the stormy sea. Black rocks stretched across the horizon as lightning split the sky again and again. Storms never left this land—they were a part of it, filling the air with endless thunder and rain.

On top of a tall stone cliff stood Kaelen, bare-chested as rain ran over the scars that covered his body. His white hair clung to his shoulders while he held the Lightning Gem high in his right hand. It glowed with the power of the storm.

Thunder answered him.

Behind him stood his warriors, dressed in dark leather armor with silver markings painted across their faces. They kept their distance from their keeper, for everyone knew of Kaelen's terrible temper. When his anger rose, even the lightning obeyed him.

A messenger ran through the rain and dropped to one knee before him.

"My Lord! News from Terranova! The Fire Keeper is leading his army. Villages are burning, mountains are falling, and the Earth Tribe is suffering heavy losses."

Kaelen tightened his grip on the Lightning Gem. Sparks burst from his hand and danced through the air. Above them, the storm grew darker as thunder rolled across the sky. "Draven..." Kaelen growled.

The messenger lowered his head." The Earth Tribe is asking for our help. They say the balance of Arkadia is—"

He stopped speaking as Kaelen turned toward him, his eyes glowing like white lightning.

"Balance?" Kaelen said coldly. "Where was this balance when fire spread across the land? Where was it when the mountains fell? Balance is just a word used by those who are afraid to fight."

The Lightning Gem shone even brighter. Bolts of lightning shot from his hand and struck the wet stone beneath his feet. Several warriors stepped back, and some even dropped to one knee—not out of respect, but out of fear.

Kaelen laughed.

"Let Draven believe his flames make him king. Fire always falls before the storm."

He raised the Gem high into the air. A bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky and struck it directly. White energy flowed through his body until the air itself seemed to vibrate. Kaelen turned to his warriors.

"We will not hide while the kingdoms burn!" he shouted over the thunder. "When Draven least expects it, we will strike. And when lightning meets fire, the world will learn who is truly stronger!" His warriors answered with a loud roar that echoed through the mountains. But deep inside, many of them felt uneasy. They had seen what Kaelen's anger could do. Some feared his storm just as much as they feared Draven's fire. Above them, lightning split the sky once more. Kaelen smiled as he looked into the storm.

"I'll meet you on the battlefield, Draven," he whispered. "And I will be the one to end you."

Noctarys

Deep within the realm of Noctarys, Nyxara sat upon her throne, watching a magical crystal before her.

Inside the crystal, she observed everything happening in Voltaris. She laughed as Kaelen's image appeared.

"Kaelen truly believes he is the greatest," she said with a mocking smile. "He thinks he can do anything."She laughed again.

"Such arrogance." Standing beside her was her loyal adviser, Aadhar, who quietly chuckled with her.

"That pride will be the reason Voltaris falls," Nyxara said, a sly smile spreading across her face as though she had already planned the future.

"What is your plan, my Queen?" Aadhar asked. "Will we help the Fire King destroy the other tribes of Arkadia?"

Nyxara slowly turned toward him before leaning back on her throne." Not yet," she replied. "Let them fight each other first. Let them weaken themselves until their armies are exhausted." She looked into the darkness beyond the throne room, her smile growing even colder. "Let the son of fire enjoy playing king." Her eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. "When the time is right... we will show them who the true ruler of Arkadia is."