The western Sea Kingdom: The City of Waterblue (Capital)
On the vast blue carpet of the western Sea, the first oceanic city was built by Moonlight D gar. Strangely enough, the founder of the Amphibian Empire, which once ruled over the Four Seas, was a human.
Despite the passage of centuries, Waterblue still stands proudly amidst the waves that caress it from every direction.
From afar, the city appears like an enchanting dream at the heart of the ocean, where lights shimmer in the darkness of the deep, surrounded by a transparent dome that shields it from the sea's crashing waves.
The city is divided into three unique tiers, each telling its own story.
The upper tier floats above the sea, tilted slightly upward like a rose atop its stem, supported by a colossal pillar at its center. From this height, one can gaze at the distant horizon and enjoy the sunrise and sunset, as sunlight reflects off the water's surface.
This tier tells the story of luxury, where nobles and high-ranking officials of the amphibians reside, seated atop the throne of power.
It brims with grand palaces and magnificent buildings, adorned with shimmering aquatic gardens, where water flows through artificial waterfalls and flowers bloom in vibrant colors.
Here, daily life is intertwined with opulence—festivals and grand ceremonies are held, and critical decisions that shape the fate of the kingdom are made.
The second tier is the largest and most vibrant, built at sea level and surrounded by towering walls that obscure the ocean's blue. Access to the sea is only possible through its colossal gate, which is encircled and guarded from all sides.
This tier is distinguished by its neatly arranged square buildings, harmoniously aligned with an orderly network of streets, all of which lead toward the heart of the city. At nearly every corner, small shimmering lakes reflect the sunlight, bustling with dolphins that swim gracefully, adding a magical touch to the atmosphere.
Beyond the city gates stretches the ship port—a world alive with motion, where the sounds of arrivals and departures intertwine. The docks are teeming with activity, as tasks move swiftly and the shouts of sailors rise above the hum of conversations among travelers. The refreshing scent of salt fills the air, mingled with hints of seaweed, stirring the senses. The closer you get to the edge of the harbor, the more you feel the scattered droplets of water brushing against your face, the result of waves crashing against the piers.
The third tier was built beneath the surface of the sea, where sunlight gradually fades, casting the city into an atmosphere of mystery and shadow. In this submerged world, the lighting is dim, yet the transparent dome that encloses the city allows for a clear view of marine life. Fish of various colors swim gracefully around, and the coral reefs shimmer in vivid hues, resembling underwater works of art.
But beneath this beauty lies a tale of hardship. Crumbling buildings are scattered throughout narrow, polluted alleyways, reflecting a harsh reality. Here dwell the poor and the marginalized—those who found no place for themselves in the amphibian society.
Corlis De gar, who had not yet seen more than twelve springs, stood before the window of the Hall of Kings, his eyes gazing at the crashing waves of the sea. The cries of seagulls echoed in the distance, while light breezes slipped through the window, playing with his golden hair. He instinctively closed his shimmering green eyes.
Like other amphibians, Corlis resembled humans in appearance, as his amphibious features only emerged upon contact with seawater.
The prince moved toward the massive wooden table in the center of the hall, made of lotus wood and adorned with carvings reflecting the beauty of marine life. The surrounding chairs were decorated with seashells. As he passed by the stone statues of former kings, they emanated a sense of history that enveloped him.
Corlis sat down for breakfast, his hand flipping through the pages of his book, trying to revive his memory and recall the events of the novel he had finished reading the night before.
At that moment, the knight Nile entered — of House garow, a family that, in the span of a mere century, had risen from common folk to nobility closely tied to the royal family, thanks to the ship trade.
Nile was a handsome young man, tall and in his twenties, with brown hair and deep gray eyes. His broad shoulders carried a gray cloak, while his yellow-hilted sword hung at his waist.
Nael was considered one of the strongest warriors of the Western Sea Kingdom, and thus, he was honored with the title of royal guardian knight to Prince Corlis.
Prince Corlis spoke to Nile, who stood at the far end of the hall, surrounded by the grandeur that defined the Hall of Kings. With a warm smile, he said, "Would you share this meal with me, Nile? You know I don't like eating alone when someone is nearby."
Nile replied in a formal tone, placing his hand over his heart in a gesture of respect: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your generous invitation, but I'm not hungry. I had my breakfast earlier, and besides, I have an allergy to sea cheese."
His voice carried deep courtesy, yet he couldn't hide a trace of amusement in his eyes.
Quickly, Corlis removed the cheese plate from the table, smiling as he looked at the knight Nael. Jokingly, he said, "Do you have another excuse, Sir Nile garow, or do you simply enjoy watching me beg? And since when have you been this formal in your speech?"
sNile fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter as he sat on the chair beside the prince, where the lights shimmered from the golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. He said, "I wanted to play the role of the disciplined knight, but it seems it doesn't suit me."
Prince Corlis and Nile shared a meal together, the atmosphere filled with laughter and playful banter. Nile, with his sharp tongue, threw out cheerful remarks about others.
Prince Corlis was a shy young man, lacking confidence, as if shadows of doubt surrounded his every step. But when he was with Nile, he became a completely different person.
Nile's laughter and quick-witted jokes lit up the hall, making Corlis feel as though he were shedding the heavy cloak of shyness that burdened him.
He wished he could show this version of himself to everyone, but the criticism he received from those around him wounded him deeply.
He had always been reproached for his weakness and seen as unfit to be the new king. Their words were like swords, piercing his heart and deepening his despair, making him feel as if he were trapped in a cage of doubt.
While Nile was glancing at the book beside Corlis, he asked with curiosity, "Is that a new book? Don't tell me you finished yesterday's book that quickly! I remember the last book I read took me four months to finish."
Nile let out a soft laugh, revealing his pearly teeth as small wrinkles formed beneath his eyes. He said, "When I was young, I used to read stories about the great figures whose names were immortalized in history. I only saw in them I lacked. In a way, it was a subtle form of self-flagellation. But over time, I realized I had been overlooking an important aspect — that those people also lacked things, just like us. The lesson here, my prince, is that no one in this world is perfect."
Corlis lowered his head, sorrow clearly etched on his face. In a hushed voice, he said, "It seems we're alike. I do the same thing. When I read stories of the great, I imagine myself in their place, living through the events they endured. I've always been drawn to their powerful personalities and the way they influenced others. And when I look at myself in the mirror, I wonder if I share even a fraction of their traits."
He swallowed the lump forming in his throat, trying to keep his emotions in check before finishing his question to Nile. The words danced on his tongue, yet he felt their weight—as if they carried the burden of doubt and fear.
"Tell me, Nile … do you think I'm capable of change?"
Nile turned around and grabbed the prince's chair, rotating it to the right so they were face to face—those hesitant green eyes now meeting a pair of steady brown ones. In a firm tone, like an older brother scolding his younger sibling, he said, "That question shows you don't trust your own potential. Change belongs to everyone, and no one can define your limits but you. So the change you seek—you alone can determine whether it's achievable or not."
Nile garow swallowed the bite of food in his mouth, then took a sip of water before continuing. "Do you know what your problem is, Your Highness? Your problem is that you don't do anything to pursue what you want. You're like someone who loves to read but never opens a book. I know it's a dumb example, but you get my point. You're trapped here in the palace, and it's been a long time since your feet last touched the sea. I know it's because of the queen—she wants to protect you—but that's only made you isolated from the world."
Nile smiled naturally, then added, "Don't worry. I'll try talking to the queen about letting you come with me to Rocks City. A friend of mine is getting married there, and I'll tell her I'll protect you. Nothing will happen to you. After all, I'm your knight—that's my duty."
Prince Corlis didn't say a word, nor did he show any enthusiasm for the idea. He rose from his seat and walked toward the large window that overlooked the entire kingdom. The view before him was enchanting—a vast carpet of blue stretching beyond the horizon, encircling the city.
Corlis gazed at the sea, wondering to himself if he would ever be able to cross that blue expanse to see what lay beyond. He imagined the creatures that might live there, the endless green fields he had so often heard about from old Jon Stone, and the towering trees that blocked the sky from view.
He remembered how, as a child, he used to listen to Jon Stone's tales of adventures in dense forests and the shimmering rivers that flowed between the rocks. Those stories had stirred an indescribable longing in his heart, as if they were calling him to step out of his shell. But now, those dreams felt out of reach, trapped behind the palace walls.
Corlis, still gazing out through the large window toward the horizon, said, "Have you ever seen the forest?"
Nile wasn't fully focused on the prince's words, as he was busy wiping his gleaming yellow sword with a white cloth, trying to remove the stains from its hilt. Still, he heard the question. After a brief pause, he replied, "The forest! You mean the tree line, right? I saw it in Green Piece City. It's the only city in the
Corlis smiled, imagining those giant trees towering above the palaces, as if they were ancient guardians watching over the world around them. Then Nile continued with enthusiasm, "You know, the only memory that still sticks in my mind from that island is when I faced a winged monster. I was used to fighting sea monsters, but fighting a flying beast was a completely new experience. Still, I managed to pluck one of its eyes out, cut off its four wings, and turned it into a roasted bird! I even brought back a piece of its meat to taste. And though its face was uglier than Lord Dgon Reba's, it actually tasted good!"
Corlis's frown faded with that memory, and he let out a light, involuntary laugh that brightened his innocent face. He returned to his seat, feeling a sense of lightness and cheer. Teasing, he said, "You should stop mocking others, Sir Nile, it might just turn on you one day."
Nile rose slowly from his seat, tugging at the edge of his cloak that had gotten caught between the chair's gaps with a practiced motion, as if it had become part of his daily ritual. Then he turned to Corlys, his eyes carrying a faint glimmer, as though he had just remembered something unforgettable. A small smile formed on his lips, and in a half-serious tone, he said, "You know, Your Highness… some habits aren't left behind, simply because they're a part of who we are."
Then he tilted his head slightly, as if a funny thought had crossed his mind, and added with a light smile, "Ah, and speaking of habits… it seems you've forgotten that today is the monthly council meeting. The queen is waiting for you. now "
Corlis froze in place for a few seconds, then his eyes widened suddenly as if a lightning bolt had struck his heart. "The meeting?!" he uttered it in almost a whisper, then bolted out of the hall without saying another word. His steps were so swift that their echo rang between the walls. He felt as though the ground was shifting beneath his feet, and each heartbeat in his chest sounded like a warning bell.
His thoughts raced as he rushed through the corridors: