**Eternal Decay – Chapter 1: The Shadow and Light of the World**
Ages before the birth of mankind, two gods clashed in a battle that shook existence itself: one was the God of Light, the other the God of Shadow. Their powers were so immense that they annihilated one another, yet fragments of their essence remained upon the earth. Where the God of Light had fallen, abundance and prosperity blossomed; where the God of Shadow perished, he left behind the curse known as the Decay Plague.
Thus, the world was divided between two opposing forces. These powers could no longer intervene directly, only influence the world through those who could wield them.
The Kingdom of Morneth
Morneth was a land of wealth, ruled by a powerful royal family who cared little for the needs of its people. While the nobility thrived, most of the common folk lived modestly. To the south of the kingdom lay several towns afflicted by the Decay Plague.
Those who carried the disease were forbidden from entering the heart of the kingdom. Once a month, merchants—clad in protective garments and masks—ventured into the plague-ridden towns to sell food and clothing.
These towns functioned as isolated enclaves, bound by strict rules to prevent the spread of the contagicon.
The Solaris Empire
Situated between Morneth and Aurelia, Solaris occupied a strategic position. Its people were hardworking and of modest means, led by a king both stern and just.
The empire sought balance among the surrounding realms, excelling in military training and mastery of war tactics.
The Aurelia Kingdom
Aurelia stretched across a prosperous continent, a realm of order, wealth, and safety. Its people lived under strict yet stable governance, confident in the strength of their rulers. The kingdom's army was formidable, its holy knights embodying the ideals of trust and justice in the eyes of the people.
Main Characters and Their Families
Darius Crowe
Residence: A plague-ridden southern town of Morneth
Family:
Father: Gareth Crowe – Stern and authoritarian, beaten down by a life of poverty
Mother: Elara Crowe – Gentle and selfless, the glue that holds the family together
Older Brother:Lucian Crowe – Fragile and compliant, a contrast to Darius
Personality:Cold-headed, strategic, observant, cautious of life
Appearance:Short-haired, broad-shouldered, and muscular
Elias Thorn
Residence: A prosperous city within Aurelia
Family:
Father: Varian Thorn – A disciplined and powerful general of the kingdom
Mother:Lyanna Thorn – Graceful and kind, shaping Elias's compassion and sense of justice
Personality: Just, merciful, brave, and disciplined
Appearance: Long golden hair, athletic yet elegant physique.
Nexus – The Inner Magic System
The world was not solely defined by swords and strategy. Within every human existed an innate network of energy: the Nexus.
The Nexus was activated through the harmony of body, mind, and spirit.
A wielder could generate power by channeling their own Nexus; no external energy source was required. Magic succeeded only when the user's will, body, and spirit were prepared.
The stronger the spell, the greater the toll it inflicted upon both body and soul. Powerful magic left behind exhaustion—physical and spiritual alike.
A user's capacity determined the potency of their magic; the more skilled they were, the more devastating their abilities became.
Ranks of Mastery:
1. Apprentice– Capable of minor effects; magic succeeds if the user's will, spirit, and body are aligned.
2. Adept – Able to weave more complex combinations; success depends on spiritual and physical readiness.
3. Master– Magic extends to shaping environmental effects; requires complete alignment of will, body, and spirit.
4. Grandmaster – Wields high-impact, destructive spells; usable only if one's entire being is in balance.
5. Legendary – Unlocks the full potential of the Nexus; such spells inflict severe temporary damage to the soul, though immense in power.
6. Archon– Magic at a universal scale; if the user's body, spirit, and will endure, it can be cast—yet it inflicts tremendous temporary physical and spiritual harm.
Notes on Use:
* If the user's will, spirit, or body is not prepared, the Nexus will not function. One must be fully ready to cast magic.
* Should the wielder be of God or Demi-God level, they may wield any magic without side effects, regardless of strength. The same applies to those who wield a divine relic—though perfect resonance with the relic is required.
Principles of the World:
* Outer beings, such as gods or their emissaries, cannot directly interfere with the world. If they descend, they lose 80% of their power.
* Should they attempt to invade or force their way in, their unleashed power will rebound upon them with twice its force.
* Gods may send lesser subordinates to the world, but only those below a certain threshold of power. Even then, these subordinates cannot directly interfere. This law binds all outer beings.
Elements and Forbidden Arts.
Every individual is born with an elemental affinity. While this affinity grants greater control and stronger techniques with that element, it does not prevent them from wielding others. A mage may use any element, though their innate affinity grants them heightened mastery over one.
Important: Forbidden spells are not bound to any element. If one's soul and body permit, they can be cast. These forbidden arts are immensely powerful, though they come with dangerous consequences.
Elias Arc – Academy Side Characters and Their Affinities
Elemental Affinities
Elias Thorn – Light
A protective and guiding energy; excels in healing and defensive arts. Learns with steady control.
Riven – Air
Fast and fluid energy; highly skilled in agility and precision attacks. Ahead of Elias in mastery.
Lyra – Water
Flowing energy; capable of creating subtle defensive ripples and adaptive techniques. Progresses with patience.
Kael – Earth
Resilient and stable energy; adept at channeling heavy strikes and defensive barriers.
Mira Vel – Fire
Intense and destructive energy; with strong will, can unleash devastating offensive power.
Seraphine Lume – Ice
Control-focused energy; effective in slowing and restraining opponents.
Dorian Kal – Lightning
Sudden and swift energy; excels in rapid strikes and reflex-based combat, though risks physical exhaustion.
Torin Grell – Earth
Steady energy; supports endurance and defensive fortitude.
Fenric Hal – Water
Flexible energy; able to shape minor streams and guiding flows.
Arion Vey – Fire
Aggressive, attack-centered energy; difficult to control when used recklessly.