Before the World Crumbled [Karameida x Pazzo]

Long ago before the age when people lived in the skies, there was an evil god named Malpercio who summoned the "Dark Brethren" and destroyed the other gods as well as went to War with humans. Following this violent battle, the world lay in ruin and the land itself poisoned. The wizards who had beaten Malpercio destroyed his evil in its entirety but they could not destroy his curse nor his power, so instead they sealed them away within five end magnus. They buried them deep underground and sent them skywards. These became the Island nations that make up the world. In this world in the sky people evolved and gained "Wings of the Heart", the wings being a reflection of the individuals heart and allowing them to fly. This world where magic and technology exist side by side. The people, never knowing the evil that lay beneath their very feet. But as any great story has taught us, that which has been buried does not always remain buried. There are those who desire power above all else, and are willing to destroy the world to obtain it.

However, this story takes place thirty years before the world crumbles to its ruin.

It revolves around two people both of whom are protected by guardian spirits and in the Empires "Dark Service". Even in this world of supernatural and technological wonders, those who have guardian spirits are few. For very few people are able to hear a guardians voice. Those who bind with a spirit are granted protection as well as power.

This world appears peaceful as there have never been any large scale wars between the five island nations. As we all know though, appearances can be very deceiving. Alfard, Empire of the Flame, a nation who believes itself above all others, employs guerrilla warfare to gain what it wants. The five Island Nations live in an uneasy alliance, where fights and skirmishes happen in secret.

Sadal Suud. A small nation with a leader under the Empires thumb. It has Pherkad, The Ancient Capital. Nunki Valley, a Valley filled with monsters but is the only path between the Capital and a small village. Cebalrai, The Farming Hamlet, A small village that sells produce and the like to the Capital. And last but not least, Moonguile Forest, the people of Sadal Suud are wary of this forest and have legends speaking of an ancient evil sealed deep within the forest.

Diadem. Also a small nation but they are a proud and strong people and are often at odds with the Empire. Here there lies The Shrine of Winds, unknown to any and all within Diadem except for the King whose sworn duty is to protect the shrine and the evil that lay within. Castle Elnath, the residence of the King as well as where the Knights of Diadem are located. The knights are exceptionally skilled in combat, they are brave and loyal to the king. They would willingly lay down their lives to protect their King. Sheliak The Castle Town, a decently sized town located near Castle Elnath. Cloud Passage, a passage of clouds that connects the the town to a fishing village, filled with monsters, it is quite dangerous. Then there is Nashira The Fishing Village, a small fishing village that makes a living by catching fish and selling it. They are a superstitious people and believe bringing strangers on their boats is bad luck and scares the fish away. The Lesser Celestial River, the river the fisherman make their living off of. It is an off shoot of The Greater Celestial river.

Anuenue. This nation is quite a bit bigger than the others, the people of Anuenue are a festive people and are opposed to any and all forms of strife. They have a history of remaining completely neutral to all of the other island nations. Here there is Komo Mai The City of Flowers, Komo Mai has the School of Magic where people from all over the world come to study. Then there is the Ancient Library of Magic, this Library has been abandoned for centuries and is overrun with monsters as well as having strong magical seals placed everywhere. The Holoholo Jungle, a confusing maze of trees, ledges and dead ends and filled with many deadly creatures. It is impossible to navigate through this Jungle without first receiving a landmark stone. Opu The Waterfall Village, a small village off a little ways from any main roads. The Celestial Tree, a Tree of gigantic proportions, it blooms once every thirty years and is a time where the entire island celebrates. No one is sure how the tree grew to such a size nor how it sustains itself.

Mira. Mira is a strange island that sometimes disappears. To reach the island you must travel through the trail of souls. If you veer off course you are likely to fall into an outer dimension that is filled with monsters that will devour anything that happens to find itself there. The main city Balancoire Borough of Illusions is located in the center of the island. It is called the "Borough of Illusions" because of the fog. The fog seems to have a life of it's own, thickening to the point you feel your lost in another world. Next is Nekton The Shrine of the Spirits, located near the top of the island. Here is where you come to gain a spirit. Because Mira shifts between different dimensions the barrier between realms is very thin, allowing spirits to enter our world. Then there is Reverence The Picture Book Village, it is exactly how it sounds. It is a village that looks and operates like a pop up picture book. A little ways down there is Detourne The Mystical Gardens, to the people of Mira, Detourne is nothing spectacular but to outsiders it's a confusing puzzle where the laws of physics don't exist. And lastly is Parnasse The Confectionery Village, it is located near the bottom of the island and is a village made entirely of sugar, candy, pastries and all kinds of sweets.

Alfard. The people of this nation believe they are superior to all the other island nations. They believe they are the "elite" and are destined to lead the inferior nations. The people of Alfard have abandoned things like magic and Wings of the Heart, and instead rely on mechanical winglets and technologies such as guns and tanks. They have erased any and all natural beauty from the island and have replaced it with tall metal buildings, factories and man-made marvels. At the heart of Alfard lies the Upper Capital the area where the nobles and government officials reside. Then there is Mintaka the Imperial Capital, this is where you'll find the shops and is also where the rest of the Empires elite live. A ways from both of these is Azha Village. A small village that ekes out a living mining Iron Ore from the lava caves. The Azhani people are treated as inferior by the rest of the Island, they are pushed day and night to deliver shipments to the capital and are paid very little for their efforts. Lastly there is the Nihal Desert a desert of such intense heat you can not traverse it without carrying flame ice. Flame ice is so cold not even lava from the lava caves can melt it.

Within the Nihal Desert resides the "Dark Service" a battalion of elite troops who accept missions that the normal imperial forces cannot. They are loyal only to a government official by the name of Baelheit. They do anything and everything he asks of them and never question the orders.

There are also the Celestial Alps an island of mountains that belongs to no one. The Greater Celestial River, the main river which flows throughout the entire world. And beneath everything lie the Taintclouds, a thick layer of poisonous clouds that separates their world from whatever lay beneath it.

In this unbalanced world we begin our adventure...

Imagine if you will, A large rough reddish sandstone room cut by hand. Around this room are niches cut into the walls that serve as benches and chairs. Several torches, lanterns, and candles provide a soft orange light, casting dancing shadows across the rough sandstone walls. This area serves as the waiting room for the "Dark Service" commanders, where their operatives linger patiently while the brass hash out a plan behind the heavy wooden doors to the north...

The air was cool and palatable despite the sweltering temperatures of the Nihal desert, Likely due to the chunks of blue misty flame ice placed about the room...

Soft music could be heard permeating the heavy oak doors to the south...

Splayed out on one of these long sandstone niches is Aran Rhendall, a fairly handsome man with shoulder length auburn hair and usually alert, watchful green eyes. Tonight however they were not so watchful nor alert. They stayed focused on the torch thrust into the iron wall bracket above his head, and watched as it guttered and hissed. He chewed at the piece of sugared snackroot between his lips, savoring the taste of the confection while he let his mind wander.
Nightime... He should be warming some young woman's bed... Not lying on an uncomfortable rock listening to Rowiel click her damned heels endlessly on the sandy stone floor...

His massive two handed sword rested in its brown leather scabbard just within arms reach...

At his breast was an ornate boiled leather drawstring pouch containing his 20 card magnus deck...

His guardian spirit of darkness and shadow, known only as Shade, slumbered in the deep recesses of his mind, her velvety soft presence comforting to his thoughts...

Aran flexed and stretched his muscles lazily...

He was born and grew up in the island kingdom of Diadem, and was a professional fisherman in his youth. It was hard and nasty work, with low pay. When his fighting prowess and affinity for spirits was noticed by the empire, they secretly made him an offer. An offer he could not refuse even if he wanted to. He was now a member of the "Dark Service", a clandestine arm of the Empire, an organization of agents used to gather information about the other kingdoms, as well as carry out operations that the empire could not handle directly.

The swordsman had been summoned here just a few moments ago... Likely about to take one of those missions now...
Aran didn't care about the ethics. It was good pay, and he didn't have to deal with any more damned fish.
He shifted, and slowly slid his legs off of the bench and onto the floor, placing his muscular hands on the bench on either side of him. For a moment he regarded his gorgeous companion, admiring the way her shapely legs would mortise and flex with each graceful step...
She had not stopped pacing since they had got there...

Aran brushed his sandy colored hair from his stubbled face, grinning mockingly up at her.

"Woman, If you don't stop that, you are going to wear holes in your boots..." He murmured softly...