The city of Azulae is composed of four townships, also called administrative subdivisions. There is Dorma in the East, Besser in the West, Cadian in the South, and Jalaria in the North.

It was Jalaria where Stefan’s mother, Queen Wilma, came from. With her ruby eyes and frosted lips, she attracted princes, lords, and kings from around the realm. But her unsettling beauty is not why Stefan’s father chose her.

Jalaria is the home of Virgin Mages, wielders of a dark, mystical magic flowing underneath their land and can only be obtained by those pure. Legend says the magic beneath them was born out of Death’s bleeding essence when he was injured during the War of Gods. His bleeding essence soaked into the ground and created a sentient pool of magic underneath Jalaria that lured women to give themselves to Death. These women became Virgin Mages.

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Amongst them, a Sisterhood of Death emerged. Over centuries, their population grew into the tens of thousands.

Then the Hallow War arrived.

45 years later, only a hundred Virgin Mages remain. Most walk with pride despite the horrific price they pay to obtain such terror magic, while others choose to wear veils to hide the pain they inflicted upon themselves to obtain such power. Priestess Corrine, the youngest Virgin Mage, wears a tiny black veil.

***

Corrine has always lived in Jalaria, a township of towering structures made of ancient, dark metal built by the God Sfin. After being abandoned at age eight by her mother, she sought safety in the arms of the sisterhood of women molded to frighten.

Gela, known as Mother to Corrine, had been picking frost berries outside of their cottage when a courier arrived. In his hand was a letter.

King Stefan requests the presence of Priestess Corrine.