Chapter 01
500 Years ago
Middle lands
It was a period marked by chaos, overseen by a lone mage. This solitary figure, burdened by the weight of her responsibilities, found herself increasingly powerless to quell the dragon wars that devastated the territories of an ancient kingdom. Despite her tireless efforts to seek help from neighboring realms and powerful allies, assistance never materialized, leaving her feeling isolated in her struggle against the devastation.
The mage appeared youthful, her long, cascading black hair nearly touching the ground, with bangs that framed her doll-like visage and fell gracefully to her chest. Her deep sea-green eyes, vibrant yet clouded with concern, mirrored the frustration she felt regarding the relentless conflicts that raged unchecked beyond her tower's formidable walls.
Ascending the stairs to the summit of her towering structure, she felt each step amplify her sense of urgency and despair. Once atop, she stepped onto a small balcony that jutted out from the roof, a vantage point from which she could survey the chaos below. The oppressive energy stemming from the unending battles bore down on her like a heavy shroud, suffocating her hopes for peace. As she gazed over the turmoil, the sounds of clashing steel and the roars of dragons echoed in her ears, amplifying her sense of helplessness. She exhaled deeply, wrapping her arms around herself as if to shield her heart from the pain of witnessing the destruction. “These conflicts... they need to conclude soon... but what can I do to bring that about? How can I, a single mage, alter the course of fate when all my powers seem inadequate against such overwhelming odds?”
In that moment, a youthful blue dragon perched on the tower behind her, his scales glistening in the sunlight. “Have you thought about the possibility of having two leaders? Or would one suffice?” the dragon inquired, his voice smooth and assured, sounding clearly masculine, or at least that was her impression, although there was a playful tone to his words.
“Max, why do you believe that having two leaders would work well?” she asked, turning to look at the dragon, her curiosity piqued by his unexpected proposition. As she examined him more closely, her eyes widening in recognition, she realized she knew him from tales spun in her childhood, stories that had danced in her imagination and now stood before her in vivid reality.
Max took a moment to reflect, allowing the weight of the situation to settle in his mind. “Perhaps the dragon clan leaders would experience some tranquility if there was a different governing force besides dragons, someone who could bring a fresh perspective to the ongoing disputes and help foster a sense of unity among the various factions.” As a young blue dragon, he felt the same frustration towards the persistent strife that seemed to engulf their lands, and he longed for a resolution that would benefit all.
She breathed out softly, her sigh reflecting the burden of her own worries and the myriad of thoughts swirling in her mind. “Did your father suggest that recommendation to you, perhaps drawing from his own experiences, or is this something you've come up with entirely on your own as you've keenly observed the various difficulties and challenges we encounter in our journey?”
He gave a nod and let out a soft sigh, his expression reflecting the weight of the situation. “Indeed. He wishes for Lyne to discover a means to put an end to this pointless conflict and the resulting casualties, as the relentless fighting has caused immeasurable suffering and heartache for countless families. The hope is that through Lyne's efforts, a path to peace can be forged, allowing communities to heal and rebuild after the devastation that has unfolded.”
Lyne acknowledged him with a thoughtful nod, her fingers gently touching his scales as she reached out to caress his head, the warmth of her touch lingering for a brief moment. “I’ll think about it,” she said, her voice steady yet reflective. “Please let your father know that I will take it into consideration.” With those words hanging in the air, she slowly withdrew her hand, feeling a mix of emotions swirl within her. As she stepped back inside, the door shutting quietly behind her, she was enveloped once more by the oppressive atmosphere that had settled in the space, an overwhelming heaviness that seemed to cling to her like a heavy cloak.
He recognized her with a nod and replied, “Alright. I will let him know.” With a powerful bound, he launched himself from the rooftop, feeling the rush of wind against his face as he ascended into the vast expanse of the sky. As he soared higher, a heavy weight settled in his chest, troubled by the pervasive influence of the war's dark energy and how it was seeping into the very essence of the realm’s sole mage, casting a shadow over their once-bright spirit and abilities.
Upon entering the expansive room, filled with the scent of aged parchment and ink, Lyne deeply contemplated the intriguing possibility of designating one or two authoritative leaders to effectively calm the restless clans. With a sense of purpose, she made her way to her well-stocked library, a sanctuary of knowledge, and settled onto the plush couch that had always provided her comfort during moments of reflection. Utilizing a touch of her inherent magic, she summoned several thick, dusty tomes that had long been resting on the shelves. As she flipped through their yellowed pages, she meticulously searched for any historical examples or precedents related to Elyasia that might bolster and support her innovative idea, hoping to uncover insights that could guide her in uniting the factions under a common leadership.
After going through approximately fifty books and making a considerable mess of her library, she uncovered an intriguing story about a ruler who was unable to uphold peace throughout his kingdom. This particular ruler had attempted to exert control over the dragons, creatures of immense power and wisdom, which ultimately resulted in catastrophic consequences that reverberated through the land. The chaos that ensued from his misguided efforts made her reflect deeply on the notion of leadership. As she turned the pages and absorbed the lessons of history, it prompted her to contemplate the idea of princesses taking on a more significant role in governance, especially since the kings of her readings had consistently demonstrated their inadequacy in fostering harmony and stability within their realms.
Following an extensive and meticulous two-year quest to discover two young girls suited for the captivating roles of princesses in her forthcoming production, Lyne ultimately identified the ideal candidates in the form of two sisters, Kira and Lira, who perfectly captured the essence and allure she had imagined for the characters. The sole complication was that they resided in the human world.
Refer to the one-shot: Forgotten History for more details.