Beneath the blazing sun, the clouds parted, and the fierce winds died down.
On the cliff's edge, Jarius clutched the severed head of an eaglefolk in his hand.
He turned to face his trembling tribesmen, a grin spreading across his face.
"Clansmen, do you still remember the eaglefolk Royal Court's great conscription every decade?"
"Each time they called, our fathers, our grandfathers, rarely returned. The Gaoman Mountain Tribe has withered, teetering on the brink of extinction time and again!"
"They don't even see us as people!"
His words ignited a spark. The fear in the eaglefolks' eyes slowly burned into hatred.
Seeing their fighting spirit kindled, Jarius nodded inwardly and continued.
"Blood feuds can be avenged across nine generations! Today, I slew their envoy. In the future, when we grow stronger, we'll ascend the Sky Mountain and ask the eaglefolk King on his throne: Are the people of our tribe truly ants?"
"Are we truly ants?"
"No!"
"No!"
"No!"
The roaring cries shook Gaoman Mountain, the tribe's fury fully unleashed.
Jarius waited for their shouts to subside before speaking again.
"Then, from this day forward, we pack our belongings and migrate!"
"Far to the east, by the sea, stands a towering mountain, rich in resources, pristine and untouched—a perfect place for our Gaoman Mountain Tribe to rise!"
"Migrate!"
"Migrate!"
In truth, after slaying the Royal Court's envoy, the fate of every Gaoman Mountain eaglefolk was bound together—glory or ruin.
None objected.
-----------------
Three days later.
The Gaoman Mountain Tribe packed their belongings and, under Jarius's lead, took flight toward the east.
Soaring through the sky, Jarius glanced down at the wooden huts of their village below, silently vowing in his heart.
"One day, I will return."
-----------------
One month later.
After a grueling journey, the Gaoman Mountain eaglefolk Tribe, led by Jarius, arrived at the mountain by the eastern seaboard.
The eaglefolks marveled at the land, just as Jarius had promised—breathtakingly beautiful and brimming with resources.
Joy sparkled in their eyes.
Gliding through the air, Jarius and his tribesmen surveyed the land. Behind him, an eaglefolk warrior named Len suddenly called out in excitement.
"Jarius, this great mountain will be our home from now on! Give it a name!"
Jarius smiled and nodded.
He gazed at the majestic, towering mountain, memories of famous peaks from his past life flickering through his mind.
With a laugh, he said.
"This mountain is grand and magnificent, a gift from the heavens. I wanted to call it Sky Mountain, but that's the seat of the eaglefolk Royal Clan. So, let's change a word and call it… Paradise Mountain!"
"Paradise Mountain! A fine name!"
The eaglefolks didn't grasp the full weight of the name, but Jarius did. It carried the boundless ambition hidden deep in his heart.
The day was still young.
After scouting the area, Jarius led the eaglefolks to land near the cliffs.
They set to work, wielding bronze axes prepared long ago to fell trees and build wooden huts.
In less than a month, a village of wooden houses, much like their old home in Gaoman Mountain, rose upon the high slopes.
Thus.
The Gaoman Mountain Tribe began a new chapter of rest and renewal by the eastern sea.
Meanwhile, across the Felander Continent…
The Titans and Ancient Dragons were locked in brutal warfare, tearing each other apart.
Not only did countless Titans and Dragons fall, but nearly every race among Felander's myriad tribes suffered devastating losses.
Demigods bled, legends perished, and the world descended into chaos and darkness.
Twenty years later.
By the eastern seaboard.
The Gaoman Mountain Tribe had grown to over a thousand souls.
On this day.
Jarius was cultivating atop a cliff.
Suddenly.
From the distant western forests, an enraged shout echoed through the air.
"Asuna! Are you truly determined to drag us both to our doom?!"