High up on the jagged peaks of Mount Elara, where the winds howled like angry spirits and snow dusted everything in a blanket of white the air was crisp and biting. This was the border between two nations that had been at each other's throats for a whole century. Magda, the snowy mountainous land where people grew huge from their tough diets and endless training always ready to fight because they were so tired of being attacked. And then there was Hira, all green and fertile with way better life standards, more people in their armies, and superior weapons thanks to some ancient science techniques passed down through generations.
I mean, can you imagine? After all that bloodshed, they were finally meeting to sign a peace treaty. The king of Hira was too ill to come himself, lying sick in his palace far away in the lush valleys. And Magda? Well, Magda didn't even have a king—it was a militarized state, run by generals and warriors who lived for the battle. But even they were worn out from the constant raids and skirmishes. So here they were, on this neutral mountain, trying to end it all.
Perched on a rocky ledge above the meeting spot were two figures invisible to the humans below. One was Kia, a Cupid with tousled golden hair that shimmered even in the dim light, his wings tucked neatly behind him. He had that surreal look about him—sharp features, eyes like polished emeralds, and a smile that could melt hearts if he let it show. Beside him was his friend, another Cupid named Lia. She was smaller, with flowing silver locks and wings that sparkled like fresh snow. They were both from the heavenly realms, sent to watch over love in the mortal world, but today they were just goofing around like old pals.
"Look at that guy down there," Kia whispered leaning closer to the edge. "The general from Magda—he's massive! Must be at least seven feet tall, all muscle and that stern face. Handsome in a rugged way, don't you think?"
Lia giggled covering her mouth with her hand. "Oh Kia, you're terrible. Yeah, he's tall alright. Those broad shoulders, that jawline… like he was carved from the mountain itself. But shh, we're supposed to be observing, not ogling."
Kia grinned his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come on, Lia. Admit it, he's got that warrior charm. And the queen? She's no slouch either. Beautiful, graceful… but stuck with that old king. You know, she deserves someone like the general more than her husband. Way more passion there, I bet."
They both burst into laughter, Kia slapping his knee while Lia shook her head trying to stifle her giggles. "You're incorrigible, Kia! But yeah, imagine that—a forbidden romance across borders. Too bad it's just a treaty signing."
The mood shifted in an instant though. Kia's face turned serious, his hand reaching for the bow slung across his back. Without a word he notched two arrows glowing with a faint pink hue—the kind that sparked true love, or in this case, something way more dangerous. He aimed down at the two figures below: the tall general from Magda, dressed in hairy leather clothing bleached to a stark white so his people could blend into the snow during battles. On his head sat a crown-like structure made of gleaming steel intertwined with the sharp teeth of a snow leopard, marking his status as leader. And facing him was Queen Shala of Hira, her royal dress a stunning blend of Chinese Hanfu and Japanese kimono—flowing silk in deep crimson and gold, with wide sleeves that fluttered in the wind, making her look like a flower blooming in the harsh terrain.
"Kia, what are you doing?" Lia hissed her eyes widening in horror. "That's against the rules! You can't just—"
But it was too late. Kia released the arrows and they whistled through the air slicing toward their targets with deadly precision.
Lia didn't hesitate. She snapped open her wings—iridescent and powerful—and launched herself downward in a blur trying to intercept them. "Stop!" she cried but the arrows were fast.
Kia narrowed his eyes extending his hand. With a surge of telekinesis he nudged the arrows mid-flight curving them just enough to dodge Lia's path while still hurtling toward the general and the queen. They zipped past her feathers by inches.
Lia gasped realizing she couldn't catch them in time. Thinking quick she landed right between the two humans still invisible to their eyes. She spread her wings wide forming a shield of ethereal energy hoping to block the shots. The general and Queen Shala were oblivious, focused on the parchment spread out on a flat rock between them—the treaty that would end the century of war.
But Kia wasn't done. He unfurled his own wings leaping off the ledge and soaring down like a shadow. In a flash he grabbed Lia around the waist hauling her upward away from the arrows' trajectory. "Lia, no! This has to happen," he grunted as they shot skyward.
For a split second Kia became visible to the mortals below—just a dark figure streaking through the air so fast it was like a phantom. A powerful gust of wind followed in their wake whipping up snow and rocks startling the entire mountain. The ground trembled slightly loose pebbles tumbling down the slopes.
Down below Queen Shala stumbled from the sudden blast her elegant dress billowing wildly. She teetered on the edge of a drop her arms flailing. But the general reacted instantly lunging forward to catch her. His strong arms wrapped around her waist pulling her close against his chest. Time seemed to slow as their eyes locked—his dark intense gaze meeting her wide surprised one. In that moment the arrows struck true piercing their hearts with an invisible force.
A warmth spread through them like nothing they'd felt before. Queen Shala's heartbeat quickened pounding against her ribs as if it wanted to leap out to him. Her cheeks flushed under the cold air her breath catching in her throat. She saw him not as an enemy general but as a man—tall handsome with scars that told stories of battles won, his bleached leather armor hugging his massive frame the snow leopard teeth in his crown glinting like trophies. And he? He felt a pull deep in his chest like a fire igniting after years of ice. Her beauty up close was overwhelming—the way her Hanfu-kimono hybrid draped over her slender form the silk whispering against his rough hands. Their lips parted slightly breaths mingling in the frosty air. It was intimate raw like first-time lovers discovering each other for the very first time. A smile tugged at her lips soft and genuine and he mirrored it his stern features softening into something vulnerable.
For a heartbeat they were lost in it—the world fading to just them. No wars no borders just this electric connection sparking between their souls.
But reality crashed back hard. Behind them stood their armies—rows of Magda warriors huge and imposing in their white camouflaged gear axes and shields at the ready. And on the other side Hira's soldiers more numerous with gleaming weapons forged from ancient sciences bows that shot arrows farther than any eye could see swords etched with runes for extra strength.
Queen Shala pulled away abruptly straightening her dress her face composing into regal calm. "Thank you General," she said her voice steady though her heart still raced. "That wind… it came out of nowhere."
The general nodded releasing her fully stepping back to his side of the rock. "Indeed Your Majesty. The mountains can be treacherous. Shall we proceed with the signing?"
They both leaned over the parchment their hands brushing just once more sending a secret thrill through them. With quills in hand they signed sealing the peace—or so they thought. But deep down that forbidden spark had been lit and it would burn everything to ashes.
Up above hidden again Kia and Lia hovered in the clouds. Lia yanked her arm free glaring at him. "What have you done Kia? This isn't just some prank. You caused an illegal love—one that could shatter everything!"
Kia shrugged though a flicker of doubt crossed his face. "They deserve it Lia. After all that war? A little love might fix things."
But even as he said it he knew he'd crossed a line. The heavens wouldn't let this slide. And down below the seeds of chaos were already sprouting.
The meeting wrapped up quickly after that. Armies on both sides cheered thinking the century of hate was over. Queen Shala mounted her horse a sleek black steed from Hira's fertile plains glancing back at the general one last time. He stood tall on his snow leopard-pelted saddle his white armor blending with the landscape. Their eyes met again brief but loaded with unspoken promises.
As the groups parted ways descending their respective sides of the mountain the wind picked up again carrying whispers of what was to come. Magda's warriors trudged through the snow their huge frames cutting paths like giants. Hira's forces moved with precision their superior numbers forming neat lines weapons glinting under the weak sun.
Kia watched it all from afar Lia silent beside him. "You think it'll work out?" he asked finally.
She sighed shaking her head. "Love like that? In a world like this? Kia you've started something big. And illegal. Heaven's gonna come down hard on you."
He forced a laugh but it sounded hollow. "Nah it'll be fine. What's the worst that could happen?"