" When the gates were sealed, our first curses were born."
From the Drowned Hymns, Verse VII
In a temple filled with dark purple light emanating from faint torches placed in the cracked walls, the symbols carved on the floor are illuminated. Three guards stand around the temple, looking like massive statues, each with its own distinct characteristic, as if each one represents a different type of emotion. In the center, sitting on a throne, is a dark entity whose size surpasses that of any of the guards.In the center of the temple stood a figure, whose appearance suggested he was no ordinary person. He wasn't of a bulky build, nor very tall, wearing a long cloak. He seemed to sway, not from the wind, but from the powerful aura radiating from him. He carried a long spear on his shoulder, with a sharp blade atop it. Upon looking at it, it seemed as if it was made of emptiness itself, between reality and nothingness.In front of him was a long stone, emitting an immense magical energy. It had an inscription etched into it, as if it were some kind of contract. To his left was a small dagger, shimmering with the purple light. The person knelt on one knee before the entity, extended his hand to the small dagger, and effortlessly slid it across his hand. Blood poured out profusely in that moment. The guards' expressions changed. Some displayed fear, while others took a step back, as if hesitant. One guard's eyes widened in excitement, as if he was enjoying the scene.
The person extended his hand toward the stone contract and clenched his fist tightly, as if trying to make the blood spill more onto the contract. Just a few seconds passed, and his veins darkened. His aura changed, and his eyes turned a deep blue.The dim torches flared brighter, and the air grew heavier, as though something had awakened."
The dark entity, which had remained silent from the beginning, resting its hand on its cheek, saw its stern expression shift into a smile that filled its face, as though it had achieved its goal.Hours passed in just a few minutes... and what no one, neither the common folk nor even the royal classes, in a world balanced by five kings, could have expected, was the massacre from a king who everyone thought would protect them in such moments... Fire consumed everything in its path—homes, trees, and children... blood soaked the ground, and the screams of men, women, and children burning alive filled the air. It was "a genocide aimed at wiping out humanity."
But what... Amidst the rising smoke filling the air and the suffering of the living, that person watched the strange event from above with pleasure, as if his goal was to exterminate every human on earth. A wide smile accompanied his face, which turned into an evil laugh reflecting the joy he felt seeing people suffer.
While he laughed that eerie laugh, feeling the power within him, four people appeared before him, each of them now less powerful than him, but still not less imposing. They were the Four Kings, and he was their Fifth. They met him in a tightly arranged formation, signaling the start of a battle—not just to reclaim the throne he believed he solely occupied, but for the lives that had been lost and tortured under his rule.
The first king, named "Zeraphiel", or the "King of Celestial Winds", stood out not only for his sharp intellect but for his calmness and wisdom. He was a symbol of freedom, carrying a long sword that glimmered silver, with a golden hilt. Despite his strength, he did not believe in pointless battles or indiscriminate killing and held a belief in protection before destruction.
The next king, "Ragnar", was the complete opposite. He was loud, loved the battlefield, and fought without mercy. He was known for his cold flames and didn't carry a weapon! Instead, he preferred to fight with his bare fists. Though he was loud and merciless in battle, this did not deny the truth that he was loyal and kind-hearted, the most faithful of his royal friends. He symbolized the Phoenix, as though he embodied it.
The third king, "Azray", was marked by vitality and energy, finding balance between seriousness and humor. The "King of Tides", he had the ability to control seas and oceans at will. He was nicknamed "The Eye of the Sea" because he could see the future through water's reflections. He was the kindest among them, the shyest of the kings.
"Morgan", the fourth king, spoke little. His features were mysterious, his face pale, and his eyes looked tired. He always appeared in critical moments, without warning. He wielded two swords, seen only by those who came close to death.
As for the fifth and final king, the one they called the "Ring", nothing was known about him except that he was symbolized by emptiness.
The second king, Ragnar, spoke with an arrogant tone, "That was clear from the beginning."
The fifth king didn't respond except by giving a side smile, further irritating Ragnar as if he was confident in himself. If there were spectators, the battle would have seemed already decided—four kings against one, who had nothing but his eternal emptiness... ridiculous! But... in an attempt to ambush him from all directions, none of the four kings moved a single inch. Not even a twitch in his eyes. He didn't abandon his side smile. He took his hand out of his pocket and...
Snap of his fingers
"Khkhkh" I can't describe their gasps. They lost their balance from just a single snap. How could the world not lose its balance with all its might... but this was not the end.___________________________________________________________
"And thus, the era of the curse was born six centuries ago. The world was thrown into chaos, injustice spread, truth perished, and the rights of people were stolen."
This was the voice of an old man sitting in the center of the village square, telling a story to the children surrounding him, who listened to his tale with innocent spirits and eager eyes. But only moments passed before they burst out laughing.
"A fable! It's just a legend."
In reality... it wasn't just the children who didn't believe these stories; even the adults were skeptical. The majority said that this tale was just a legend passed down to convince future generations that the descendants of the Fifth King, the "Empire," had inherited his bloodline, to explain their hatred of the lands of the other kingdoms and their attempts to seize their territories. Yet, this does not deny the truth that a small minority possessed fragments of the incomplete truth, leading to no clear answers.
But... does anyone truly hold the full truth?
Amidst the children's laughter and the old man's anger at their mockery of his story, Raigen laughed along with them, his face innocent. But his expression gradually shifted, as if he were lost in thought.
"Heeey! Whoever reaches the Ovalis Tree first gets my share of dinner!" Lira suddenly shouted.
Not even a second passed before Alric and Renzo dashed forward, with Lira leading, racing to see who would reach the tree first—just like always.
Before Raigen could join them, he curiously asked the old man:
"Old man, I want to ask you something. Where did you hear this story?"
"It is just a true tale passed down through generations." the old man replied, then added, "But why do you seem so interested?"
Raigen He raised his head and stared at the sky, his hand pressing against it as though trying to recall something.
"Hmm... I don't recall when I heard this before... it's like I've seen it."
A childish grin spread across his face, revealing his teeth as he suddenly turned and sprinted off.
"Alright, goodbye! Goodbye, old man! My friends left me behind! See you later!"
He rushed as fast as he could toward the Ovalis Tree, just like always—the tree standing before the glistening river, surrounded by soft grass, far from the noise of the city.
Raigen reached the tree to find all of his friends sitting there, relaxed, while he was panting, his heart racing from the run. He took a deep breath and then rushed with the last of his strength, throwing himself under the tree. His friends noticed his arrival as he tried to steady his heartbeat and regulate his breathing.
Renzo immediately asked as he arrived:
"Hey Raigen, why are you late?"
Raigen replied, his speech heavy as he struggled to catch his breath.
"I was asking the old man about the truth of that story."
"Hah, don't tell me you believe that."
Raigen hummed, then stood up, sitting cross-legged in the grass beneath the tree, and added:
"I agree that it might be exaggerated, but... I think it has something to do with that empire."
Lyra, her face grim, said:
"That damn empire... I can't forget when they destroyed the neighboring village."
A heavy silence hung in the air until Erik, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke, his hands clenched in tight fists.
"We're just numbers to them... And when the seven factions attacked them in response to what they were doing, they considered it an act of terrorism. Since that moment, their attacks on us increased, and they imposed even stricter limitations."
At that moment, Raigen picked up a stone and walked to the river, throwing it with all his strength. He turned, his fist clenched with resolve.
"We'll break their chains, one day."
Renzo stood up and walked toward him.
"W-Well, do you know how many factions there are? And none of them have been able to break these endless chains?"
Raigen said: "If the chains have no limits, then I believe freedom is the same."
In the middle of his speech, a woman's annoyed voice, laced with a hint of threat, could be heard. It was his mother, Hilda.
"Raigen!! This is the thousandth time you've stained your clothes, Raigen! How many times have I told you not to get them dirty with mud?"
"Once..." Raigen replied, his mother's gaze growing sharper. He quickly added:
"And a thousand... I won't do it again."
"Come, wash up and change your clothes. Your father asked me to tell you to catch up with him; he's going shopping."
Raigen smiled and turned to his friends, bidding them farewell.
"Alright, see you later. I'm off to meet him."
He hurried toward his mother, waving goodbye to his friends.
"See you tomorrow, Raigen."
He took his mother's hand and they exchanged a brief smile, though Raigen's mind was still occupied with the source of that strange story he had heard.