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Chapter 21 – Shadows Over the Sunlit Empire
As the moon fell the sun rose lighting up the Blessed World of angels and demons
The Light tore Thought alk darkness in an instant reaching the eyes of many in imperial Academy student woke up.Then they they're
Was a announcement "All students are needed to get ready and head to center of imperial academy dean has an announcement to make ".All students Rushed there and Saw the dean of academy " All of you are here so lets begin ". " As you all know we live in the world call end Alacona Where there Is only one pice of land and other covered in oceans .
The world was vast, but all its stories bled from one land.
Altara—a single colossal continent surrounded by unending oceans. A world where oceans were myths, dragons once ruled the skies, and empires crushed mountains in their march toward power. Here, bloodlines defined fate, and realm ascension determined authority.
Atop the highest tower of the Imperial Academy, a glowing map hovered, ancient mana binding its borders in light. It pulsed as Dean Ollivier addressed the elite class of prodigies.
> "You wish to change the world? Then learn its bones first. Before you bend the sword, know which direction it points."
The students listened—not all with interest, but none dared ignore.
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The Land of Altara: Divided Power
Altara is divided between three dominant empires and four sovereign kingdoms, each with its own culture, weapons, and ambition. Peace is a delicate dance; alliances are little more than pauses in conquest.
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The Three Great Empires:
1. Kiel Empire (Northwest Altara)
The center of military strength and noble authority.
Home to House Veridian, House Vortigern, and House Evernight.
Known for its structured Sword Paths, disciplined magical academies, and legacy of rebellion.
Holds three of the world's five 7th Realm experts—a feat unmatched in history.
2. Solaran Empire (Southern Altara)
A realm bathed in eternal sunlight and endless deserts.
Cities built around ancient sun temples, ruled by an emperor believed to be divine.
Warriors control flame, light, and beasts.
Their elite units—Sunfire Templars—can level fortresses in minutes.
3. Nostraem Empire (East Altara)
Shrouded in moonlight, mist, and mountains.
Known for illusionists, ritual magics, and beast-kin bloodlines.
Often dismissed as secretive, but feared for their mastery of forbidden arts.
The elite Moonveil Assassins have killed kings without drawing a blade.
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The Four Sovereign Kingdoms:
1. Verindor Kingdom (Central Plains)
The merchant heart of the continent.
Controls the majority of trade and magical artifact circulation.
Values neutrality, but will sell to the highest bidder.
2. Drethish Kingdom (Far West)
Rugged land of warriors and monster-hunters.
Specializes in spear formations and beast cavalry.
Known for fierce independence and brutal justice.
3. Vaelcrest Kingdom (Frozen North)
Hidden within snowfields and glaciers.
Birthplace of some of the greatest mages, especially ice sorcerers.
They rarely leave their homeland unless summoned for war.
4. Cindale Kingdom (Eastern Marshlands)
Dark, damp, and deceptive.
Masters of poison, traps, and espionage.
Their assassins are feared even among Nostraem's elites.
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"Do not be deceived by titles," Dean Ollivier continued. "Empires may fall. Kingdoms may rise. But strength defines who lives to write history."
He turned, eyes locking onto three students.
> "Valen Veridian. Marcus Alderwood. Alexander Calvus… Your mission begins at dawn."
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Mission: Emberveil
Their objective was simple on paper—investigate the strange silencing of border towns in the Solaran Empire.
But all three knew better. Nothing in Altara was simple.
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The Journey South
The trio departed in silence.
Valen rode at the front, cloak fluttering behind him like a war banner. The air around him thrummed with unspoken pressure—Ares and Thanatos always whispering behind his eyes.
Marcus followed calmly, sword sheathed, every movement calculated. His mind processed every turn in the road like a map—each detail was a potential ambush or opportunity.
Alexander rode between them, humming softly.
> "They say Solaran sunsets turn the sky golden," he smiled. "Do you think we'll get to see it?"
Neither of the others replied at first.
> "If we survive," Valen muttered.
> "If we're lucky," Marcus added.
> "Then I'll make sure we do both," Alexander finished, still smiling. Not naive. Just hopeful.
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Three Views, One Mission
The group camped at the edge of the Emberveil border. The terrain was already shifting—golden sands and scorched winds sweeping across what once were farmlands.
That night, beneath the stars:
Marcus pulled out a map and red-threaded pins. "Look. Three towns vanished in five weeks. Not raided. Vanished. No bodies. No messages. Silence."
Valen narrowed his eyes. "It's not a rebellion. It's a purge."
Alexander poked at the fire. "Then maybe we can stop it… or help someone escape."
> "Why do you always care?" Marcus asked, eyes studying him like a puzzle. "People die every day. It's not your job to save them."
Alexander didn't hesitate. "If it's not mine, then whose is it?"
Valen chuckled. "That's why you're dangerous, Alex. You'd walk into hell if someone said they were cold."
Alexander gave a soft smile. "Would you follow me?"
Valen didn't answer.
But Marcus? He stared into the fire, thinking:
> "He's perfect. Kind. Brave. Pure. The people will believe in him… and when I need to erase the Imperial Family—he'll be the perfect blade. One even Lucifer won't question."
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Arrival at Emberveil – Solaran's Border City
Two days later, they entered Emberveil.
The city was a sun-bathed fortress of sandstone and gold—temples taller than towers, fire-banners fluttering in the dry wind, and soldiers in red-plated armor lined across rooftops like statues.
But something felt wrong.
Too clean. Too perfect. Too silent.
Valen stepped past a fruit vendor whose cart was untouched.
> "No children. No markets. No beggars. A city this clean is either dying… or hiding something."
Alexander knelt by a closed flower shop, picking up a sun-crushed petal.
> "They're scared to come outside," he said softly.
Marcus had already marked the exits, noted guard rotations, and copied temple sigils into a mental ledger.
> "Let's start at the outer district. If someone's hiding the truth, that's where it will crack."
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End of Chapter Preview:
As the sun set over the scorched rooftops of Emberveil, casting long shadows down the stone alleys, a storm was quietly brewing.
Beneath the city's sacred temple, in chambers buried under ash and gold, figures in sun-marked robes whispered to the flame.
Waiting.
Praying.
Plotting.
The Children of the Sun God were ready to feed their faith with blood.
And three students from Kiel—the heirs to chaos, justice, and truth—had just stepped into the lion's den.