It has been years since the battle of the plains of Thaloria and the mysterious disappearance of Althoria. Life in the Solaria Empire had marched on. Edward, now king, had secured the throne, expanded his kingdom, and forged an empire. Yet, a void lingered in his heart a memory of a fiery woman he met in the chaos of war, one who disappeared like a whisper carried by the wind.
Edward's empire flourished Dornia bore him two sons in quick succession. The elder son, Prince Alden, inherited his father's most features with also his sword talent and ambition, while the younger, Prince Kael, possessed his mother's emerald eyes and sharp mind. The brothers were separated in age by a mere year, their childhood marked by rivalry and shared expectations.
Three years after Kael's birth, Edward took a concubine, a noblewomen named Lyandra Venire, whose family was influential in the eastern territories. Though Dornia maintained her composer, whispers of her discontent traveled the court. Lyandra bore Edward a daughter, Princess Aria, five years after Kael's birth. The young princess quickly became the apple of her father's eye, her laughter filing the halls of solayrne.
Far to the east, near the border of the elven and human continents, lay a secluded village called Oakbryn. Nestled at the edge of a sprawling forest, it served as a key waypoint for travelers, adventurers, and traders crossing between the continents. The village boasted a bustling market square where villagers sold hunting equipment, freshly caught fish from a nearby pond, and well-crafted wooden goods. It was a place of life and movement, but for Althoria, it was a refuge—a place to hide in plain sight.
Her life as a mage had always been one of isolation and secrecy. Now, she harbored an even deeper secret. She was with child, a child she knew belonged to Edward. For a mage of her caliber, conception was rare, and carrying the child to term had taken years of both nursing and struggle. That was why she chose this village, far from the eyes of those who might seek her.
Eyndor was born beneath the silver moonlight, a radiant boy with blue hair like his mother's and golden eyes that seemed to hold the mystery of the gods themselves. Althoria raised him alone, teaching him the ways of light magic and guiding him through the first stages of his abilities. She watched as the boy grew, discovering the uniqueness within him—a strength that surpassed even her expectations.
Yet, Althoria knew her time with him was finite.