“In the Ferrowildes, it’s hunt or be hunted.” The gentle voice of a woman filled the dimly lit room as she read from an old, worn book. The soft glow of the lamp casting warm shadows on the walls. A small boy nestled beneath a patchwork quilt, his wide green eyes sparkling with curiosity as he listened intently to his mother’s every word.

“Long ago, before anyone walked the lands of Ferrowilde, the gods waged fierce battles against each other. Each god sought dominion, their power clashing like thunder in the heavens. They fought with weapons made of their own essence, spilling their blood, sweat, and tears into the void, creating an explosion of colors that painted the night sky with vibrant hues. From this divine conflict, stars were born, glimmering in the darkness like the eyes of unseen beasts. Soon, from the chaos and the gods’ profound magic, a world emerged — Ferrowilde.”

The boy’s imagination soared as he pictured the battle of the gods, lighting up the cosmos. His mother continued, weaving tales of grandeur.

“Ferrowilde flourished to life, teeming with magnificent Beasts of all shapes and sizes. They prowled the dense forests, swam through the sapphire seas, and soared through the vast, open skies. These Beats, creations of the gods’ fierce energy, were both beautiful and terrible, reflecting the very nature of the gods themselves.

“Realizing their fierce battles had accidentally birthed this world, the gods felt of pang of pity for Ferrowilde, empty and devoid of sentience. In their compassion, they set their sights on creating something new — something that could rule over the Beasts. And thus, Man was born, stepping onto the soil of Ferrowilde with dreams of dominion and control.”

The child stirred beneath the quilt, captivated by the unfolding tale he had heard millions of times before. “Did they get along with the Beasts, Momma?”

“Not at first, my dear Arin,” she replied, smiling softly. “As Man spread across Ferrowilde, they sought to tame the untamed Beasts. But the Beasts were wild and free, refusing to submit to the dominance of these newcomers. A great war erupted, one that shook the very foundations of the land. Beasts fought valiantly, determined to protect their home, while man wielded tools of magic gifted to them by the gods themselves.

“When the gods heard of this conflict, they were alarmed. They had bestowed magic upon Man to help them tame the wilds, not wage war. In their desire to assist, the gods led Man deeper into the mysteries of magic, teaching them to harness the elemental forces of Ferrowilde. Statues of the gods appeared all throughout the land and temples dedicated to their worship sprung forth like flowers after rain. Towns and villages blossomed and with each passing day, the Beasts were pushed further back.”

Arin frowned, his brow furrowing. “But that doesn’t sound fair. What about the Beasts? Isn’t this their home, too?”

“It wasn’t fair,” she replied, her tone turning somber. “One god, in particular, felt the greatest sorrow for the Beasts. Abreel, the god of Nature, watched as Man grew powerful, overpowering the Beasts and turning their weapons against each other like the gods did. ‘Our own fighting has created a world that mimics us,’ Abreel lamented. ‘Do you not feel horrified for them? We should join hands with Ferrowilde and bind Man to its own creation, ensuring that the balance of life is preserved.’”

“Did the other gods agree?” Arin asked, eyes wide with anticipation. 

“Yes, they did. In a moment of unity, the gods gathered, hands clasped together, and decided to grant Man one final gift: the Heart of Dominion. Gabriel, the god of War, declared, ‘With this, we off to Ferrowilde. May our transgressions be repaid with a gift, a mean for Man to connect with the Beasts instead of ruling over them.’”

The room fell silent as Arin processed the gravity off the moment. “What happened next, Momma?”

“Ferrowilde accepted the Heart, a pulsing gem of raw power, and buried it deep within itself, where roots of the Eldertree grew thick and intertwined. This act was an apology and a gift — a means to establish a connection between Man and Beast. From the Heart of Dominion, a new bond was formed, allowing certain humans to become Beastlords — wielders of power who could connect with Beasts and understand them on a level beyond mere control.”

Arin leaned closer, enchanted by the tale. “That’s how Beastlords were made, right?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice rich with pride. “These Beastlords could channel the essence of the Beasts, embodying their powers, and connecting them in ways that were once thought impossible. This new alliance brought a temporary peace between Ferrowilde and the gods, and for awhile, all seemed well.”

The boy’s brow furrowed, sensing his Mother’s voice changing. “But it didn’t last, did it?”

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“No, it did not,” his mother replied, shaking her head slowly. “As time passed, the balance began to shift once more. Man, having gained power through their connection with the Beasts, grew fearful of the Beastlords. They viewed them not as allies, but as threats. ‘Why should a select few be chosen while the rest of us live in fear of the Beasts and now these Beastlords? Beasts are meant to be controlled, not bonded with,’ they said.

“And so, the very beings who had been seen as guardians became targets of persecution. The Beastlords found themselves fighting not only for their own survival, but also for the Beasts they had sworn to protect. A long and bloody war erupted, one that echoed the earlier conflicts between the gods themselves. Centuries of conflict followed and many Beastlords were hunted down and eradicated.”

“Why would Man do that?” Arin’s voice quivered. They had finally gotten to the worst part of the story and he wished for it to go away.

“Because fear often drives even the best people to commit horrible acts,” she explained. “They allow their own greed and desire for power to overshadow the bond they shared with the Beasts. In response to this great injustice, Ferrowilde reached out to the last remaining Beastlords, summoning them to forge a new alliance.”

“What did Ferrowilde do?” Arin asked.

“In its wisdom, Ferrowilde bestowed upon the Beastlords a powerful jewel known as the Beast King’s Jewel. This jewel granted them the power to command beasts, uniting them against the oppressive forces of Man. With its power, they rallied the Beasts of Ferrowilde to their side, launching a final battle against the people who betrayed them.

“The wage waged on for many days and the land itself seemed to cry out in anguish as the two sides clashed. The Beastlords fought valiantly, and the Beasts unleashed their might against those who would harm them. But the conflict ended with a bittersweet conclusion. Though the Beastlords emerged victorious, the cost was steep. Many lives were lost, and the bonds of trust were shattered. They had completed the cycle the gods went through.

“So, the Beast King, who had led the Beasts to victory, vanished during the final battle. Rumors spread that he became one with Ferrowilde, returning to the Heart of Dominion to guard it, ensuring no one would ever abuse its power again.”

“What happened to Ferrowilde after that?” Arin asked, his heart heavy.

“After the war, Ferrowilde fell into a deep slumber, allowing both Man and Beast to grow independently. It was if the land held its breath, watching over the generation that would come. Millennia passed, and the legendary Beasts roamed freely - the Night stalker haunting the shadows, the mighty Leviathan patrolling the seas, and countless others, each with their own tales and destinies.”

“Do people still fight the Beasts?” Arin asked, his mind racing with thoughts of adventure and bravery.

“Many do,” she replied softly. “Mankind has spent countless years seeking the Heart of Dominion, believing that whoever wields it, could turn the tide of power. Some have even attempted to exploit the Beasts, thinking they could dominate them once again. But they do not know the true nature of the Heart or the bond it represents.”

The boy’s brows knitted together. “What if someone bad gets a hold of the Heart, Momma? Would Ferrowilde wake up and be sad? I don’t want Ferrowilde to be sad…”

His mother brushed back his tousled brown hair, her expression turning serious. “If someone with ill intentions were to find the Heart, it would indeed bring grave consequences. Ferrowilde is a living entity, and it feels the emotions of those who inhabit its lands. The balance would be shattered, and the harmony we’ve fought so hard to maintain would be lost…”

Arin’s heart raced with excitement and dread. “Momma, do you think I could become a Beastlord? To protect the Beasts and bring peace between Man and Beast?”

She smiled warmly, her heart swelling with pride. “A Beastlord who protects Beasts? I’ve never heard of someone like that, but you can be the first, little one. You have the biggest heart for it. Enough questions now, alright? It’s time for sleep.”

With that, she leaned down, kissing him gently on the forehead before tucking him in securely. As she turned to leave, she felt Arin’s gaze follow her. She could see the curiosity in her little boy’s eyes. The echoes of Ferowilde’s creation story resonated within him, igniting a spark of bravery and determination.

“Goodnight, Momma. I’ll have the Heart one day,” he whispered, with a hint of conviction in his voice.

“Good night, my brave little one,” she replied softly, shutting the door behind her. In the silence that followed, the boy quickly drifted into dreams of adventure, dragons and hopes that one day… he would be a hero.