The sky never changed in Vayron Rafael , which is the name of a lone island drifting through an endless sky.
It was a place untouched by the world below — if the world below even existed. The island was surrounded by a sea of white clouds, sometimes calm like still water, other times swirling with stormlight.
The sky never changed much. It was always that soft, pale gold — not quite morning, not quite night.
Every person on Vayron Rafael shared the same surname: Rael. It was the name the holy Order gave to those who had been "blessed" to live above the filth of the world below. A name stripped of individuality. A name meant to bind.
People followed the strict teachings of the Holy Order, the mysterious rulers who watched over the island like gods. No one dared challenge their words.
No one... except maybe Akian Rael.
At nineteen , Akian wasn't the strongest or loudest of the Raels. But he was different. He asked questions. He looked at things too long. And worst of all — he looked down.
He sat cross-legged near the island's outer ridge, just beyond the ironstone fences that marked where the Holy Order said "the world ends." Beyond that was nothing but sky — vast, cloudless, terrifying. Forbidden to even glance at for too long.
Akian had sharp features, pale skin, and tousled black hair that always fell into his eyes no matter how much he tried to brush it aside. His eyes were silver-blue, distant and quiet, like they were always searching for something far away. He wore a dark cloak with a loose hood, often slipping through alleyways unnoticed.
While others dreamed of serving the Holy Order, Akian dreamed of the edge.
He often stood near the cliffs, staring at the swirling clouds below. No one knew why. Most feared that even looking down too long would curse you. But Akian wasn't afraid. He was curious.
Akian!" came a voice, sharp and worried.
He turned to see Jorin Rael, his closest friend — short, loud, and always anxious about the rules. His messy blond hair stuck out from under his cap, and he wore the traditional student robe.
"You're not supposed to be here!" Jorin hissed, rushing over. "The Watchers come this way during patrol!"
"They're not here now," Akian said, calm as ever.
Jorin looked over the edge and shuddered. "Why are you always staring down? It's... cursed."
"That's what they want us to think," Akian muttered.
Jorin glanced around nervously, his voice dropping. "You're talking like a Heretic. What if someone hears you?"
Akian looked at him. "Then let them hear."
Jorin sighed, rubbing his face. "You're going to get yourself thrown into the Sky Dungeons one day."
Akian didn't reply. Instead, he stood up and motioned for Jorin to follow. "Come on. I want to show you something."
The outer edge of Vayron Rafael was overgrown and quiet. Most people never came this far — it was marked as unstable ground, forbidden even to the Watchers. But Akian had explored it many times. There was something here. Something everyone else had forgotten.
He led Jorin through a narrow path between two crumbling stone walls. They ducked under vines, stepped over loose rubble.
"Where are we going?" Jorin whispered.
"You'll see."
They finally reached it.
Half-hidden by mist and nature, the broken house sat crouched against a jagged cliffside. It looked ancient — older than any building Akian had seen before. The roof had collapsed on one side, and blackened vines choked its windows. There were symbols carved into the stone—faded, unfamiliar, not of the Holy Order.
Jurin froze.
"Akian... this place is cursed. No one's supposed to be here."
Akian's eyes narrowed, scanning the ruin with a mix of fear and wonder.
"That's exactly why we're here."
Wind howled softly as if warning them.
The door was old, worn by time and weather, but still standing. It groaned softly in the wind, half-open — like it had been waiting for someone to return.
Akian placed his hand on the stone.
Jurin hesitated.
"Are you sure about this?"
Akian didn't answer. He looked back once, then forward again.
Together, they stepped forward and pushed the door open.
Inside, shadows waited in silence.
And somewhere in that darkness… something ancient stirred.
To be continued...