Long ago, an ancient conflict between the Sun and the Moon left behind a crystal of absolute magic, bearing witness to the end of an era. The two entities had once walked the earth in human form, wielding immense power that remained bound by the limits of the universe. When their war reached its peak, one of them fell, while the other vanished without a trace. Only the crystal remained, cast into the flow of a never-ending river, where the magic within it fell dormant and no longer influenced the world.
Centuries later, the rulers of Notchollow, the Northern Land; Gaelvorn, the Eastern Land; Ilgnisar, the Southern Land; Zepharia, the Western Land; Nimurelle, the Western Center; and Solcendria, the Eastern Center gathered within a grand assembly hall.
The towering stone walls were adorned with royal emblems, while six principal seats were arranged in a circle facing a long table at the center of the chamber. The two central seats were occupied by the rulers of Nimurelle and Solcendria, while the seat belonging to the magi remained empty, represented only by a king who carried authority on their behalf. The meeting proceeded in an atmosphere both tense and orderly, for the matter under discussion concerned not merely politics, but the balance of the world itself.
The discussions began with reports of faint signs believed to be connected to the awakening of the crystal. Several rulers voiced concerns that the crystal could become active again if discovered and touched by someone. The representative of the magi argued that such power must never rest in the hands of any individual. He emphasized that the world had already learned from the devastation of the past and must not repeat the same mistake.
The deliberations continued with proposals for a formal pact. The rulers agreed that the stability and peace of their people had to be preserved through complete control over the crystal. Beneath their words of peace, however, lay a shared interest in ensuring that such power would not fall into the hands of any force capable of shaking the order that had long been established. After lengthy debate, all the rulers finally signed a joint decree that would apply across every land.
When the meeting came to an end, the representative of the magi rose and read the final decree with a firm voice that echoed throughout the hall.
"Anyone who conceals or uses the crystal shall be regarded as an enemy of the world… a fugitive across all lands."
---
I spend a full day at sea, yet there is not enough fish to trade for dinner. They say I bring bad luck. They want me dead. Sometimes, I begin to think they may be right.
I walk to the river. The water is clear, flowing calmly, yet it brings no comfort at all. My face appears on the surface—dull, exhausted, barely resembling a human being. A tear falls, forming a small circle that quickly fades. I cup my hands, scoop the water, and drink it slowly.
As I pour the rest back, a blinding light reflects into my eyes. I squint, lean closer, and see it—a necklace caught among the stones at the riverbed. At its center, a black crystal gleams like a night sky filled with stars.
I lift it toward the sky, staring at it for a long moment. The light… is strange. Alive.
I hesitate for a moment. But curiosity overcomes everything.
My hand touches it.
"ARRKKHH—"
Instantly, my vision is dragged out of my body. The world spins, light streaks around me, and my body convulses violently. I try to pull my hand away, but the grip does not release. I hold back my voice, desperately trying not to draw anyone's attention.
Then everything stops.
The crystal falls.
I gasp for air, my body going limp. My hand burns and numbs at the same time. The stone lies there as if it has not just tried to kill me.
I tremble.
Magic? A curse?
I do not know.
The relic shop. Yes.
---
CLIING—
The bell rings sharply as I enter and place the necklace on the counter.
A man stands behind it.
A pipe rests in his hand.
SREEP—
HUUU—
He looks at me sharply. I lower my gaze. My fingers twitch restlessly.
"Where did you steal this, boy?"
Of course. That is the first thing he says.
"I did not steal it."
PLAK!
The slap lands hard. My ears ring.
"Did you steal it?" His voice sounds distant.
His breath reeks.
He wants a different answer. He wants an excuse to throw me out.
"I SAID I FOUND IT!" I snap. My stomach growls loudly right after.
Embarrassing.
"Of course."
TOK—
He places the pipe on the table.
He grabs my collar like I am a wild animal and throws me out.
"Fine," I mutter.
I am already walking before his shout—"GET OUT!"—fully fades.
I climb the village hill. The same wind, the same sea, the same trees. I sit. I wait. For what, I do not know.
Then—
DUAAR!
An explosion shakes the air.
Smoke and fire rise from—
The relic shop.
---
The place collapses within minutes. Charred wood, scorching heat, sparks dancing.
And among the ashes—
the crystal.
I do not think. I take it and hang it around my neck. I return to the hill, grab my cloak, and leave.
Night comes quickly. Hunger, even faster. My body is struck with pain again.
I fall.
My vision fades.
Darkness.
Something touches me. Wet. Soft. Sniffing.
I open my eyes.
A small cat walks to the river, dives in, and returns with a fish. It eats without caring about me.
"Fine…" I mutter.
I stand, take a stick, and sharpen it with my knife.
A spear.
I step into the water. The cold pierces my skin. My knees tremble. The cat watches me, as if it knows I will fail.
"Whatever. Just one fish."
I close my eyes.
The world falls silent.
Then—
it changes.
I can see… farther. Beyond the current. The shadow of fish moving where I should not be able to see.
What—
They draw closer.
Hold.
Now—
I drive the spear down.
I freeze.
Just like that?
A fish thrashes at the tip of my spear.
"Of course…" I mutter softly. "Eat this fish and sleep like royalty."
I start a fire. The scent of roasted fish fills the air. My body reacts instantly—relief, raw and overwhelming.
I eat.
Gone.
Still hungry.
"Tomorrow…" I mutter. "Tomorrow I sell this crystal."
The fire dims.
I fall asleep.
---
Morning comes too quickly.
I wake with a grimace. My stomach still complains, but not as badly as yesterday.
I return to the river.
I try to feel it again… that silence.
Nothing.
Birds chirp. Water flows.
The world returns to normal.
"…yes. Of course," I mutter. "Why would it be easy twice?"
I follow the river toward the next village—Edevane Village. The black crystal keeps tapping against my chest. Cold. Heavy.
I still remember the fire.
The explosion.
The old man.
I want to believe it is not my fault.
"Still alive, are you?"
The voice appears suddenly.
Close.
Too close.
I freeze, then hide behind a tree. I peek out.
Someone stands on the hill.
His body is wrapped in bandages from head to toe.
He walks down slowly.
"I walk all night without rest," he says, his voice dry, "and the first thing I hear is you touching it."
My throat locks.
He stops a few steps away.
"So you truly are holding it."
I cannot move.
"Kid."
Now he stands right in front of me.