500 Years Ago – The Fall of the Tower
For centuries, the Kingdom of Norwyn one of the largest kingdoms in the continent of Havren, had been locked in a relentless civil war. The aristocrats, corrupt and ruthless, ruled with an iron fist, exploiting the commoners for their own benefit. But the people refused to bow forever. A rebellion ignited a desperate struggle for justice and freedom.
For four years, blood stained the kingdom's lands. Battles raged across cities and villages, turning once-prosperous towns into ruins. Victory seemed within reach for the revolutionaries... until the sky burned red.
A massive meteor, blazing like the sun, crashed into the capital of Dravon, obliterating everything in its wake. Over 25,000 lives were lost in an instant. But the meteor was no mere rock from the heavens. When the dust settled, what stood at the impact site was something beyond comprehension
A tower.
A colossal, otherworldly tower, its structure resembling obsidian laced with eerie, pulsating blue veins. And from within it... came the Aethervores.
Horrifying creatures, their bodies warped by unnatural energies, spilled forth from the tower, slaughtering anything in sight. Panic and chaos engulfed the land as the monsters ravaged villages and cities.
But something else happened that day.
Humans, once powerless against the unknown, suddenly awakened to Aether.
The mystical energy surged through their bodies, granting them abilities beyond imagination. Some wielded flames, others controlled the wind, and a select few developed talents never before seen in history. This was the dawn of Arcanum the birth of magic.
And so, the world changed forever.
Year 1101 – Licus Town, Havren
The sun cast a golden glow over Licus Town a peaceful settlement in southern Havren. Unlike the grand capitals of the kingdoms, Licus was a humble town known for its abundance of herbal plants. Merchants and travelers often stopped by, drawn by the high-quality medicinal herbs cultivated by the townsfolk.
Inside a modest herbal shop, a boy stirred awake to the scent of dried leaves and morning dew.
Caius groaned as he sat up from his wooden bed, rubbing his eyes. His short, messy brown hair stuck up in odd directions, a testament to his restless sleep.
"Ugh… morning already?" he mumbled, glancing at the sunlight filtering through the window.
Before he could even stretch, a familiar voice called out
"Caius! Get up and help with the store!"
It was his mother, Elara, a former Reaper and now a respected herbalist in town. Despite retiring from her dangerous profession, she was still as sharp as ever.
Caius sighed. "Yeah, yeah. I'm coming."
After quickly dressing, he made his way to the shop's front, where his mother was already preparing herbs for the day's customers.
"Elara, we're running low on Lunisroot," a woman in her forties noted as she browsed the store.
Elara smiled. "I'll have Caius fetch some later. He could use the exercise."
Caius raised an eyebrow. "I feel like that was an insult."
His mother chuckled. "Take it however you want."
As he sorted the dried leaves on the counter, a small hand tugged at his sleeve.
"Brother, can you take me to school today?"
It was his little sister, Lyra, looking up at him with expectant eyes.
Caius sighed. "Fine, fine. Let's go."
A Town on Edge
As they walked through the bustling streets, the town's atmosphere felt tense. People whispered among themselves, some glancing around anxiously. Others stood in groups, engaged in heated arguments.
Lyra clutched Caius's sleeve. "Brother… why do people always fight?" she asked in a small voice.
Caius glanced at the scene—a group of merchants arguing with townsfolk, voices rising in anger.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But it's always like this here."
Despite its peaceful exterior, Licus Town was filled with unrest. Poverty, disputes over trade, and fear of the unknown made tempers run high.
After dropping Lyra off at school, Caius made his way to his favorite spot—a **large tree** at the edge of town. He leaned against the trunk, letting the gentle breeze wash over him.
A world without Aethervores… what would that even be like?
As he pondered, chaos erupted in the town square.
---
The Silver Reaper
"An Aethervore was spotted near the outskirts!"
The news spread like wildfire. Panic surged through the streets as people gathered, arguing over the validity of the claim.
"Impossible! The Reapers guard the borders—"
"I swear I saw it! We need to leave before—"
Before the tension could escalate, a man in dark combat gear stepped forward. His presence alone commanded silence.
"Calm down," the man spoke, his voice firm. "I am a Silver-Rank Reaper , and I assure you—the Aethervore has already been dealt with."
Relief washed over the crowd, but unknown to them, the Reaper's words were a lie.
---
Beyond the Town Walls
At the outskirts of Licus, a gruesome sight awaited.
One Reaper lay dead, his body torn apart. Two others were gravely wounded, their breaths shallow.
And standing over them… was a nightmare in the shape of a beast.
A higher-ranked Aethervore.
The Silver-Rank Reaper, realizing the danger, gritted his teeth. This wasn't just any Aethervore.
"Damn it…" He drew his weapon—a **curved blade infused with Aether.** "We're dealing with something above my pay grade."
Before he could react, he heard it.
Footsteps.
Fast. Approaching.
His instincts screamed danger.
"Where—?" He activated Trace, an Arcanum spell that revealed the positions of nearby enemies.
His blood ran cold.
The Aethervore had already closed the distance.
"Shit—"
SLASH!
The beast's razor-sharp claws tore through the air, forcing the Reaper to block at the last second. Sparks flew as his blade met the monster's strike. But before he could counter—
It vanished.
A gust of wind blew past him. Then, a sickening crunch.
He turned just in time to see his injured comrade— impaled.
"NO!"
The wounded Reaper used his final breath to push him back.
"Go. Warn the town…"
Clenching his teeth, the Silver-Rank Reaper had no choice but to flee. He ran. Faster than he ever had in his life.
Aethervores swarmed around him, but he cut them down as he sprinted towards the gates.
Just a little more—just a little—
SHIIING!
His vision spun.
Darkness.
His body collapsed. His head… rolled away.
And as the town of Licus remained blissfully unaware, the true nightmare was only beginning.
---
End of Chapter 1