The story begins...
The Eternal Kingdom is a breathtaking realm suspended between the flow of time and the breath of magic — a land where seasons intertwine, mythical creatures roam freely, and the skies sing with the voices of ancient gods. Hidden from the mortal world, this kingdom is believed to be eternal not just in age, but in beauty, spirit, and wonder.
Nestled within the cradle of the World Tree (Sylvalis), the Eternal Kingdom floats between realms — a place that defies normal maps. It exists in a pocket dimension known as the Veil of the Unfading Dawn, touched by celestial forces.
The sky never remains static. By dawn, it glows with golden-pink ribbons like living aurorae. By noon, it deepens into a high, clear sapphire hue where sunbirds and winged serpents soar. At night, twin moons orbit overhead, and constellations shimmer like runes etched by gods.
The air is cool, perfumed with wildflowers, mana-rich mists, and sweet sap from ancient trees. Whispers of forgotten languages drift in the wind, and breathing here naturally enhances one's vitality.
A massive enchanted forest where no leaf withers. Trees here pulse faintly with bioluminescent veins. The flora sings at dusk, and the fauna includes gentle stag-dragons, glowing moth cats, and crystalline butterflies. Time behaves oddly — a single day outside can be weeks within.
A chain of glowing, crescent-shaped lakes with silver-blue waters that mirror the stars even in daylight. It's said that wishes whispered at its shores ripple into reality if the heart is pure.
Towering cliffs blanketed in endless vines and windflowers. Suspended bridges made of woven moon-silk connect watchtowers that overlook the entire kingdom. This is where sky sailors and griffin riders take flight.
Sacred grasslands where magical fog rises each dawn, revealing stone circles, floating crystals, and hidden shrines. Elemental spirits are known to dance here, granting visions or temporary enchantments.
Rolling meadows where sun-kissed flowers open only to song. Farmers here grow luminous grains, goldenfruit, and wind herbs used in potions and spellcraft. Scarecrows here double as sentient guardians.
The Eternal Kingdom cycles through Four Seasons of Magic, each lasting three moons:
Spring of Blossoming Whim – Flowers bloom with giggles, rainfall carries memories.
Summer of Golden Dreams – Stars stay longer, fireflies grow as large as cats.
Autumn of Ember Song – Trees sing farewell songs, leaves fall in runes.
Winter of Whispering Stillness – Snowflakes hold illusions, and frost fairies paint dreams.
Weather Controlled by an ancient druidic order, the weather is influenced by celestial alignments and kingdom mood. If the people mourn, the rain cries softly. If joy fills the land, sunlight becomes liquid gold.
I was born into the royal family of the Eternal Kingdom, a land known for its radiant seasons and endless skies. But despite being born of royalty, I never once saw my parents' faces.
My father—once the King of Eternal—perished in a war that was won only by the sacrifice of his life. His death brought victory to the kingdom, but left a hollow space on the throne. My mother, the Queen, ruled alone for two more years after his passing. She carried the weight of the crown with dignity... until she, too, faded from this world when I was just a baby.
Since then, the kingdom had no King, and after her death, no Queen. Only silence filled the throne room.
Had I been sixteen or seventeen at the time, I might have claimed the crown. But I was only two years old—barely able to speak. At the counsel of the court and nobles, the crown passed to my uncle.
That, I now believe, was the kingdom's greatest mistake.
I was raised within the walls of the palace. It had everything a child could ask for—marble halls, a grand library, swordmasters, and golden chandeliers that lit up the night like captured stars.
Yet... freedom was the one thing I never tasted.
The castle walls that glittered with beauty were also barriers—high, guarded, and cold. I rarely left the palace grounds. I never walked among the people. I was a shadow prince—known by name, not by face. If someone from the kingdom were to see me now, they would not recognize their future king. Fourteen years passed like that.
On the day I turned sixteen, I stood before my uncle—the man who wore my father's crown.
He sat upon the throne in the Grand Hall, its high ceiling painted with celestial beasts. Guards stood like statues. I approached him slowly, my heart steady, my hands calm.
"I want my kingdom back," I said, meeting his eyes.
He studied me for a long moment, then smiled softly.
"Soon," he replied. "In a few days, I will declare you as the next king before the entire realm."
His words were calm. His voice was smooth. But something in his eyes—something sharp and unreadable—made my chest tighten.
I bowed and returned to my room.
That night, long after the bells tolled midnight, I heard a knock at the door. It was soft—almost cautious.
knock-knock
I sat up, heart beating faster. I walked across the polished marble floor and opened the door slowly.
A palace guard stood outside, face hidden beneath a dark scarf. For a moment, I froze—was this an intruder?
Then he stepped forward and pulled down the scarf.
"Yuuechi… uncle?" I whispered.
His face was worn with worry. His voice was low.
"We need to go. Now."
"What's going on?"
He stepped inside quickly and shut the door behind him.
"Your uncle—Jafarik—is planning to kill you. He has no intention of giving you the kingdom."
"What?!"
"I overheard the plan myself. You'll be poisoned, or made to disappear quietly. You can't stay here."
My blood ran cold.
Yuuechi moved quickly, retrieving a satchel he'd hidden beneath his cloak. Inside were a few folded clothes, a pouch of gold coins, and my training sword—the one I had held since childhood.
He handed me the sword.
"You'll need this. Take only what you can carry."
I stared at the man who had raised me, protected me, and never once asked for anything in return. He wasn't bound to me by blood. But he was bound by something greater—loyalty. Love.
"The blood of my family betrayed me," I said quietly, voice shaking. "But you… you never did."
"The bond of the soul is stronger than blood," he replied. "Now go. Don't look back."
I hesitated only once—then wrapped my cloak around me, tightened the belt of my sword, and stepped into the corridor.
I ran away from my home that night.
But where was I going?
I had never seen the world outside the palace gates. The forest, the towns, the people—I had no idea what waited beyond. I was a prince, trained in swordsmanship since I was small. I could fight. I could defend myself.
But I had never truly lived.
I walked under the cold stars, a black cloak over my head, my sword strapped across my back. The palace was far behind now, the warmth of its golden halls replaced by the chill of the wild.
And yet… I felt no fear.
Instead, there was something new stirring in my chest. A strange, powerful feeling I had never known before.
Freedom.
I could go where I pleased. I could breathe the night air. I could speak without permission. No more guards. No more rules. No more walls.
For the first time in my life, I was free.
People change over time. That is nature's law.
Some grow into kind hearts that light the world around them. Others twist into creatures of greed, spreading only shadows.
I never imagined that my uncle Jafarik would turn against me. He was kind to me as a child—or so I believed. I respected him. I trusted him.
But he destroyed that respect with his own hands.
Had he just told me, "You are not ready yet. Let me guide the kingdom until you are," I would have listened.
He isn't married. He has no children. I am the rightful heir. I would have waited, even wandered the world, if he had asked.
All I ever wanted… was to see the world. To explore its secrets. To step into places no one dared to tread.
But now, fate has done what I could not ask for.
It cast me out.
And so, here I am—walking alone through a dark forest, the trees towering around me like silent guardians. The moonlight filters through their branches. Crickets chirp in the distance. The cold wind wraps around my cloak, but I don't stop walking.
I don't know where I'm going.
I don't know what I'll find.
But I won't stop.
I will discover the unknown. I will learn, grow, fight, and one day—
Return.
This is my homeland. This is my blood. This is my legacy.
"Eternal..." I whispered, pausing just once at the edge of the forest. "You may not remember me now. But one day, you will kneel to your true king."
And with that, I stepped beyond the borders of the only world I had ever known.
My name forgotten.
My path uncertain.
But my will unshaken.
The journey had begun.