The sun was just beginning to rise over the city of Serida, casting golden rays over the magnificent Grand Alliance capital, a city of ancient and elegant splendor.

Serida was a breathtaking blend of nature and architecture—delicate elven spires intertwined with thick, green vines, fairy archways shaped like the trunks of colossal trees, and streets paved with luminescent stones that glimmered with a soft blue hue as the morning light hit them.

They were powered by magic , a vast ton of it , a small statement of how much power and resources the superpower of Pangea had at its disposal.

The city’s air was crisp, carrying the gentle scent of dragon flowers in bloom from the many hanging gardens that decorated every home and public space.

At the heart of Serida stood the royal palace, a towering marvel of craftsmanship and magic, said to be the grandest structure in all of Pangea.

Its walls shimmered with a silvery glow, crafted from enchanted stone that reflected the shifting hues of dawn. Tall, slender windows framed by spiraling columns opened up to expansive balconies, where lush green magic ivy spilled over the edges, almost as if the palace itself were alive and breathing with the forest. A trademark of fairy architecture.

A grand waterfall flowed down from the upper levels of the palace, cascading into a crystalline pool at the base and filling the air with the soothing sound of rushing water.

In one of the palace's sunlit chambers, Liv Aisha moved gracefully through her morning yoga routine.

Liv’s slender form was a picture of elven beauty, her movements fluid and precise as she stretched beneath the glow of the rising sun that filtered through the large, arched window. She had a regal yet untamed presence—long, flowing white hair that cascaded like a silver waterfall down her back, and piercing blue eyes that gleamed with intelligence and a hint of sharpness.

Her pale skin, smooth and flawless, caught the morning light in a way that made her seem almost ethereal, like a being from a story told by the firelight.

Liv’s exercise attire was simple, yet elegant—a flowing blue robe tied loosely at her waist, designed to allow freedom of movement.

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Her bare feet pressed against the cool stone floor, and she moved with the confidence of someone who had danced the same routine for centuries. This was a daily ritual that helped her maintain her razor-sharp focus, a preparation for the negotiations, discussions, and power plays that each day would inevitably bring.

As she held her final pose, balancing effortlessly on one foot, an elven servant entered the chamber with hesitant steps. She was young, dressed in a pale green dress that marked her station, and clutched a sealed letter in her delicate fingers.

The servant’s soft footsteps echoed in the room, but Liv did not immediately acknowledge her. Instead, Liv held her pose for a moment longer, inhaling deeply before smoothly lowering her leg and turning to face the servant.

There was an expectant silence as Liv's blue eyes fixed on the girl, noting the letter with a flicker of interest.

Without a word, Liv’s gaze shifted upwards as if to measure the servant’s potential. “Can you use wind magic?” she asked abruptly, her voice as smooth and cold as the breeze on a winter morning.

The young elf’s eyes widened slightly, and she gave a quick, nervous nod. Liv’s reputation for impatience and demanding standards was well-known, and the servant’s hands trembled slightly, though she kept them steady around the letter.

“Yes princess,” she answered.

“Good,” Liv said, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her lips. “Blow a gentle wind at me. I need to feel the morning air before I handle the day’s affairs.”

The servant hesitated, clearly weighing the consequences of a misstep.

Taking a deep breath, she raised her slender hand and whispered a quiet incantation. A soft breeze stirred in the chamber, carrying with it the cool, fresh air of the morning from the balcony. It fluttered through Liv’s hair, catching the long, silver strands and lifting them gently.

The breeze felt refreshing, like a caress, and Liv closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to enjoy it.

Opening her eyes, she gave a single, satisfied nod, the faintest hint of approval shining in her gaze. “That will do,” she said. “Now, the letter.”

The servant, her shoulders visibly relaxing, stepped forward and handed over the sealed envelope. Liv took it, her blue eyes glancing over the seal with an expression that was suddenly guarded.

Without another word, she dismissed the girl with a wave of her hand and turned toward the window, her expression unreadable as she broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

As she began to read, her face remained impassive, but her eyes sharpened, absorbing every word.

"

To Lady Liv Aisha, Royal Diplomat of the Grand Alliance,

I regret to inform you of a sudden and unexpected development regarding the nation of Aropia.