Arkadia

Chapter 1

Aeralis

One night in Aeralis, Elyndra slept peacefully in her chamber until a gust of wind burst through her window, startling her awake. She looked upward as her eyes widened, and a vision unfolded before her.

She saw Arkadia falling into great peril. The balance that the six tribes had protected for generations was about to be broken.

She saw the Fire Keeper. She couldn't recognize if it was a woman or a man — standing atop a mountain of ash, his right hand raised as the Fire Gem blazed in a palm, like a second sun.

She saw a vast army. They knelt one of the fire tribe, while flames licked at their armor. The Fire Keeper's ambition seemed unstoppable. Behind him, shadows spread silently across the land, swallowing villages, forests, and even the skies. At first, Elyndra believed it was merely smoke from the flames. Then faces emerged within the darkness, whispering to one another, and she realized it was the work of a Fire Keeper, the Shadow Keeper. While the world's eyes remained fixed

Then she saw the six Gems floating in a perfect circle, each radiating brilliant light.

Without warning, fire lashed outward. Lightning struck. Oceans surged. The earth split apart. The winds screamed.

The circle shattered.

The six Gems scattered into the darkness.

The sky itself turned into blood, bleeding like an open wound. Rivers of fire poured from the heavens like rain. Even her city, Aeralis, crumbled piece by piece, falling into the endless abyss below. She heard the screams of her people as the winds carried them to their deaths.

At the very end of the vision, a faint image appeared.

A lone figure stood against the chaos.

She could not make out the person's face, only the silhouette of a woman clad in gleaming armor, holding a long spear. In her hand was a gem that shone brighter than all the others. The woman stood as though she were destined to unite—and rule—the six kingdoms.

Elyndra could not tell whether what she had seen was the truth... or merely a hopeful illusion. She awoke gasping for air, clutching at her throat as she struggled to breathe. "The Fire Keeper... will rule Arkadia..."

*****

On the next day, Elyndra immediately summoned the Council of Aeralis. "We must prepare," she began solemnly. "Last night, while I slept, the winds visited me and revealed a vision."

"What did you see, Lady Elyndra?" one of the councilors asked. "There will be war."

Whispers spread throughout the council chamber.

"In my vision, I saw Draven marching to conquer all of Arkadia. His first target will be Teranova." She clence her fist. "And if one day comes, I want him to know that we are prepared, that we Aeralis will not fall so easily."

Not everyone agreed.

Among the council sat Soleman, an elderly councilor and the former Guardian of the Air Gem. Elyndra noticed his troubled expression. "You have something to say?" she asked him. "Must we truly answer violence with violence?" Soleman replied.

Elyndra frowned. "What do you mean, Councilor?"

"The rivalry between Teranova and Pyrrathis has existed for many years. They have fought endlessly over disputed territory. Why should we involve ourselves in their conflict?" Elyndra remained silent, allowing the other councilors to speak first.

"At the moment, perhaps it is not our concern," said Ilmari, one of the younger council members. "But if Lady Elyndra's vision is true, then it becomes our responsibility. Our duty is to preserve the balance of all Arkadia."

"But we are not ready!" Soleman shouted. "You know that, Lady Elyndra!" Of all the tribes, the Aeralians were the least accustomed to warfare. They valued wisdom, diplomacy, and peace beyond battle.

"If we choose war, do you truly believe we can win? Countless lives will be lost if we act recklessly."

"But your words sound like surrender, Councilor Soleman," Ilmari replied.

"Isn't it wiser to prepare ourselves now so that we may defend our people when the time comes?" Soleman's face flushed with anger, and the council chamber erupted into heated debate. The council was divided. Some supported Ilmari's call for preparation, while others stood with Soleman and favored peace. Before the argument could continue, the chamber doors opened.

"My Lady." One of Elyndra's scouts, whom she had sent to observe the land below, entered the chamber and bowed before her.

The room fell silent. "The armies of Pyrrathis are currently marching toward Teranova."

The council immediately broke into another wave of arguments over what should be done.

Finally, Elyndra had heard enough. She struck the armrest of her throne with her right hand. A powerful gust of wind swept through the chamber, silencing every voice at once.

"You all have your own opinions on how we should face this crisis," Elyndra said calmly." There is no shame in choosing peace over violence. Seeking peace is never cowardice." Soleman looked up hopefully.

"But what lies before us can no longer be solved by peace alone." Her voice grew firm.

"We must be willing to fight—not for conquest, but for the survival of our people and the protection of our homeland."

"What is your decision, Lady Elyndra?" one of the councilors asked. She turned toward the scout. "Soldier."

"Yes, my Lady."

"Go to the King of Teranova and warn him that Draven intends to invade his kingdom. For now, that is the help we can offer."

"As you command, Lady Elyndra." The scout bowed deeply before departing. Elyndra then addressed the council once more.

"For now, Aeralis will not interfere in the conflict between Teranova and Pyrrathis. Instead, we will strengthen our own defenses and prepare our warriors. When Draven turns his ambition toward the other kingdoms, Aeralis will answer." No one objected.

One by one, every member of the council bowed in agreement.

*****

Pyrathis

Beneath the roaring volcano of Pyrrathis, rivers of molten lava churned and boiled with relentless fury. Standing upon a stone balcony overlooking the crater, Draven gazed over the inferno before him. It was there that he summoned his army and declared his true ambition.

The Pyrrathians built their homes where no others would dare, hammering iron halls into cliffs that trembled with the earth’s fury. They were a people of scars and strength—broad-shouldered, ash-streaked, their bodies hardened by the heat that would kill outsiders in a single breath. Fire was not their enemy. It was their bloodline.

" "My brothers and sisters, we have spent far too long living beneath this volcano. How long will we sharpen our blades and never use them? How long will we live in a peace that keeps us trapped while the other tribes hide behind their Gems?" A murmur rippled through the gathered Pyrrathians.

He raised his right palm and showed the fire gem, shining bright like a sun. ""Under the rule of my father, Vaelor Pyrrathis, we were never raised to become servants to the other tribes. He taught us to stand with pride, not to bow before anyone. And now... our time has come. From this day forward, we will be the ones who rule."

He closed his fist around the gem. Flames spiraled up his arm, coiling across his shoulders, until he stood clad in fire. The heat was unbearable, yet none turned away. Pyrrathians did not fear burning. To them, fire was not death. It was glory.

Draven let the silence stretch, let his people drink in the sight of him crowned by flame. Then he spoke again, softer now, his voice like embers hissing in the dark.

“While Earth hides in stone, while water hides beneath the sea, while air drifts above and Lightning boasts from its mountains, what do we do?” “Burn!” the warriors roared in answer.

“Yes. We burn. We claim. We rise.”

Draven lifted his gaze toward the distant horizon, where he knew the other tribes guarded their gems. He could almost see them: the sea-born healers, the stone-fisted guardians, the storm-riders, the dreamers in the clouds, and those wretched keepers of shadow, slinking in their caverns.

All of them clung to the fragment. All of them pretended to be content. He clenched his hand again.“ They will kneel,” he whispered, though no one but the flames heard him. “Or they will burn.”