The Origin

Darkness. Nothing but darkness surrounds everything. An immeasurable, empty expanse with no stars, no boundaries, no life. Could this be a dark matter? Or something entirely different? A state of tranquility, an absolute void stretching into infinity.

Then comes a sound. Muffled voices, filled with urgency and despair.

— Time is running out! No pulse for seven minutes!

— We cannot lose him…

— Charge… Charge! Come on! One… two… three!

Silence. The doctors hold their breath, eyes fixed on the monitor, waiting for any response. The room seems frozen, charged with tense anticipation. Time slows. Someone takes a deep breath, preparing to admit defeat…

Then, suddenly—a barely perceptible, weak pulse. Almost unnoticeable.

— He's back! Pulse detected! Very weak… but it’s there! Keep the pressure stable, monitor its oxygen levels!

At that very moment, within the glass sphere that appeared alongside the newborn, a flash ignites—a burst of energy, akin to the birth of an entire universe. The emptiness vanishes, replaced by shimmering streams of light. A vortex of power begins to shape the first contours: boundless forests, sparkling rivers, towering mountains, and fertile valleys.

Years Pass…

Time flows differently in these two worlds. While only a year passes in Leo’s world, within the sphere, decades unfold. The first two hundred years in this realm are devoted to the formation of nature—flora and fauna emerge, colossal forests take root, deep rivers carve their paths, and mountain ranges rise. Life flourishes.

Then a new era dawns. Over the next 280 years, the first intelligent beings appear. They establish settlements, explore their surroundings, claim territories, study nature’s laws, and begin shaping their own societies. By the time Leo turns ten, 480 years will have passed inside the sphere, giving rise to advanced kingdoms and civilizations, each with its own customs and traditions.

The Source of Magic

Magic was born from the explosion that created the world within Leo’s glass sphere. This energy became a source of life, power, and wonder. Magic flows through all living and non-living things, manifesting in sacred places such as groves and ancient springs.

Magic’s Connection to Nature

Magic is closely intertwined with nature. The inhabitants of different settlements have learned to interact with this energy in unique ways:

* 🌿 Drevalis (Deepwood): Uses magic for healing and brewing potent herbal elixirs.

* 🏔️ Stonehollow: Harnesses earth magic to craft artifacts and reinforce weapons.

* 🌾 Meadowgrove: Uses magic to cultivate rare plants and accelerate harvests.

* 🌊 Riverfolk: Uses water magic for fishing and controlling river currents.

The Emotional Bond

Magic within this world reflects Leo’s emotions and inner state. His joy strengthens magic, while fear or sadness can make it unstable. When he feels happiness, nature flourishes; when he is troubled, the world darkens.

The Legacy of Ancient Civilization

The Academy of Knowledge in Greenhall was built on the ruins of an ancient temple, left behind by a powerful civilization. The study of magic incorporates their teachings—spells, rituals, and techniques for energy manipulation.

Cities of the Kingdom

1. Drevalis (Deepwood) 🌲

A dense forest inhabited by herbalists and healers. Peace and serenity reign here. The people of Drevalis study plants, prepare medicinal potions, and pass down their knowledge. The laws of nature dictate life, and the village elders preserve traditions through generations.

2. Riverfolk 🌊

A settlement nestled along a winding river, famed for its fishermen and craftsmen. The villagers construct wooden homes on stilts to withstand seasonal floods. The river not only provides sustenance but also the fuel industry. To the locals, the river is both guardian and life-giver.

3. Stonehollow ⛏️

A is rugged, mountainous land, home to artisans, miners, and adventurers. The mountains yield rare minerals, from which durable tools and powerful weapons are forged. Here, resilience is a way of life, and every challenge is met with determination.

4. Meadowgrove 🌾

A vast land of fertile meadows where farmers cultivate rare herbs and medicinal plants. Agriculture thrives, and the people of Meadowgrove cherish harmony with nature. Their grand harvest festivals are renowned across the kingdom.

5. Greenhall (Capital) 👑

The heart of the kingdom, where King Arax and Queen Flora rule. Greenhall is the political and cultural center, home to the Academy of Knowledge, where the best students from all settlements are invited to study. The Academy houses faculties of Magic, Healing, Craftsmanship, and Strategic Leadership.

The World Within the Sphere

High in the sky, Starlet, a swift and nimble dragonfly, soars. She glides between the towering branches of giant trees, darting from one city to another, attuned to the smallest shifts in the wind. Her delicate but resilient wings shimmer in the sunlight, and her movements are elegant and precise.

She gathers knowledge for those who seek answers, listens to the whispers of the trees, and watches for omens in the heavens.

The forests, fields, and rivers seem peaceful—but Starlet senses something is wrong. Days and nights have become unpredictable. The weather shifts without warning, as if controlled by an unseen force. She hears the murmurs of the trees and sees unease in the eyes of the forest dwellers.

Something is coming. But no one knows where.

She beats her wings and ascends toward the stars. But her stars are not real—for she has never seen the true cosmos. She does not yet know that beyond her world, another exists.

Leo’s Glass World

The year is 2234. Humanity roams the stars, searching for a new home. Aboard one of the deep-space research vessels, a boy named Leo travels with his family, his sister Lyra, his mother, and his father.

Since birth, every child is gifted with a glass sphere. These spheres grow alongside their owners, reaching 15 cm in diameter. But Leo’s sphere is different. It hovers in the air, always by its side, and changes color—from deep blue to brilliant gold.

Each sphere is unique, bearing markings that evolve over time, reflecting its owner's life path and emotions. Leo’s sphere is etched with interwoven stars, symbolizing his relentless desire to explore and discover.

But the sphere is a mystery. No one knows how it works, why it appears at birth, or where it goes upon death.

Leo believes his sphere is more than just a floating companion. He knows it connects him to something far greater than the world around him.

Mish – The Healer from Drevalis

The young mouse Mish was born in Drevalis, the most remote settlement of the Forest Kingdom. His family was known for their humility and diligence, and from an early age, Mish showed a deep interest in medicine.

As a child, Mish observed nature closely, learning how herbs could heal wounds, and cold water could reduce fever. Even as a small mouse, he helped the elderly healers—gathering plantain leaves, drying hawthorn berries, and listening intently to stories of miraculous remedies.

As he grew older and became a healer himself, his skill became widely recognized. However, his curiosity and keen sense of observation led him to unusual conclusions: he believed that healing was not just about knowing herbs, but rather a science—one that needed to be studied and improved.

His ideas seemed strange to the people of Drevalis, who were accustomed to traditional methods, and soon Mish realized that his future lay beyond his home village.

Determined to start a new chapter, he set off for Greenhall, the capital of the kingdom, hoping to establish his own clinic. He dreamed of creating a place where he could combine traditional healing with new methods, based on his observations and studies.

The journey was not easy, a tiny mouse trying to earn the trust of the capital’s larger inhabitants. Yet, Mish believed that his knowledge and perseverance would help him find his place in the stronghold of the kingdom.

Mish – The Beginning in Greenhall

The city greeted him with bustling streets, filled with life.

Somewhere, crickets played their melodies, at the market, squirrel merchants chatted loudly, and in the distance, the sound of hammers rang from the forge.

Stolen story; please report.

For the first time in his life, Mish felt like a tiny grain of sand in a vast storm. But this only strengthened his resolve—to prove that he belonged here.

He didn’t yet know where he would spend the night, but his thoughts were interrupted by a muffled groan coming from a nearby alley.

Approaching cautiously, Mish saw an ant guard lying on the ground, his carapace scratched and wounded.

— Can you speak? What happened? — Mish asked, already beginning his examination.

The ant was too weak to reply, but he pointed with one leg toward a trail of claw marks on the ground.

Mish quickly tore a piece of cloth, soaked it with water from his flask, and began cleaning the wound. The ant flinched but did not resist. Then, Mish took a few crushed plantain leaves, pressed them to the injury, and carefully wrapped a bandage around the leg.

As he worked, his sharp gaze caught something odd—sticky sap on the ant’s legs, deep scratches on the carapace, and unusual markings on the ground.

— This wasn’t a predator’s attack… then what was it? — he murmured to himself.

— You have a sharp eye, little mouse, — came a voice from behind.

Mish turned around and saw a slightly ruffled but confident hedgehog.

This was Shiper, the renowned detective of the kingdom.

Shiper was slightly older than Mish, and his sharp, clever eyes glowed with excitement. He carried himself with confidence, as if he already knew what would happen next. His spiky quills were messy, as if he had just climbed out of another case, but this only added to his charm.

At his belt hung a leather pouch, filled with detective tools: a small magnifying glass, a piece of chalk, and a scroll for notes.

He spoke calmly, with a hint of amusement, as if every mystery to him was just another delightful puzzle to solve. Yet at the moment his eyes landed on the clues; they sharpened like those of a predator hunting its prey.

— But you missed something, Shiper continued, pointing at tiny drops of sap on the ground. — Oak sap. The ant likely got caught in the branches and fell.

Together, they followed the trail to a large oak, where they found Bram, a badger.

Bram explained that he had found the ant guard injured and tried to help but accidentally frightened him.

Mish, however, couldn't shake one nagging thought: why oak sap?

The ant didn’t just fall—he got trapped in a sticky mess.

— Wait… — Mish murmured.

He knelt and examined the bark closely. In some places, the sap was smeared, not naturally dripping. As if someone had deliberately placed it in just the right spots.

— This wasn’t an accident… — he said, turning to Shiper. — Someone set this trap specifically where the ant guards patrol.

Shiper frowned.

— You’re suggesting… that someone planned his fall?

— Yes. And whoever did it know that ant guards often walk through this area.

Shiper looked at Bram.

— Bram, do you come here often?

The badger nodded.

— Yes, I like to rest under this oak. A couple of days ago, I saw someone moving in the branches. Small, nimble… I think it was a squirrel.

— A squirrel? — Shiper raised an eyebrow.

— Yes, she was smearing something on the bark, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.

— Hmmm… — Shiper rubbed his quills thoughtfully.

Mish felt a rush of excitement. This was a real investigation, and he had just helped push it forward.

At that moment, Sergeant Marcus, an ant guard, arrived at the scene. He immediately recognized Shiper.

— Good to see you, Shiper. As always, you solved everything in minutes! — Marcus nodded respectfully.

Shiper only smirked.

— You should thank this medic. Without his keen eye, I wouldn’t have figured it out so quickly.

With the case wrapped up, the injured ant guard was taken to the infirmary.

Shiper turned to Mish with a serious expression.

— You have an excellent mind, Mish. How about working together? My investigations could benefit from your knowledge. Do you have a place to stay?

— No, I haven’t found a place yet. I just arrived in this city, Mish admitted.

— You know of any free rooms? he asked.

— I do, at Mrs. Biscuitta’s house. I rent a room there. I’ll tell her that you’re my new partner.

Mish hesitated. He had just arrived in Greenhall, and he had no friends, no home.

And now, he was being offered not just a roof over his head, but the chance to work with a real detective.

This was his chance to start a new life.

He took a deep breath, glanced around at the lively streets, and nodded firmly.

— I accept.

Space as a Backdrop

The Astraia continued its long journey through the endless vastness of space.

Every day, when Leo gazed out the window, he saw thousands of stars, yet none of them felt like his own.

They were searching for a new home, but with every passing light-year, it seemed to him that his place was not among the cold stars and silent planets.

On board, there were only four of them: himself, his sister Lyra, their mother, and their father. Their ship wasn’t just a means of travel—it was their home, their entire world, and all they had left.

Today was no different from the others.

Once again, they were scanning nearby planets, hoping to find the one world with air, water, and warmth.

Everything was as usual...

Until an unexpected signal shattered the silence.

A Mysterious Call

A sharp sound filled the ship’s speakers.

It wasn’t words.

It wasn’t a code.

It was something else—something resembling a muffled pulse.

Leo snapped his head toward the control panel.

— What was that? — His voice came out louder than he expected.

— I don’t know… — Lyra frowned, bringing up the data on the screen.

At that moment, their father, the captain of the ship, entered the control room.

His face was tense, though he tried to remain calm.

— Source of the signal? he asked Lyra.

She quickly checked the coordinates.

— Sector S-47-9. There’s nothing there on our maps.

— Maybe it’s just a natural radio signal? their mother suggested, appearing in the doorway.

But Leo wasn’t convinced.

Deep down, he felt this was not a coincidence.

He stepped closer to the screen, where a single blinking dot was visible.

— Let’s scan it, — he suggested.

His father studied him carefully.

— We shouldn’t deviate from our course without a good reason. We’re looking for a habitable planet, not chasing mysterious signals.

But Lyra suddenly looked up, startled.

— Dad… it’s a repeating signal. It comes every 32 seconds.

Silence filled the room.

This couldn’t be just background noise from space.

— That means someone—or something—wants us to notice it, — Leo said quietly.

An Unexpected Response

Leo stared at the ship’s screen, watching the mysterious dot blink.

— That means someone—or something—wants us to notice it, — he repeated in a whisper.

At that moment, the glass sphere floating beside him began to change color.

Its usual calm, light blue hue suddenly darkened, shifting into a deep, troubled shade of blue.

Leo blinked, momentarily tearing his gaze away from the screen.

— What…?

He cautiously reached out a hand, but the sphere remained smooth and glassy as ever.

— Leo? — Lyra’s voice snapped him back. She was still focused on the console.

He turned to her.

The sphere immediately returned to its normal light-blue color.

Leo blinked again.

— Did you see that?

— See what?

He hesitated.

Should he say something?

Or was it just his imagination?

— Nothing, — he murmured, turning his gaze back to the screen.

But now, his mind was no longer on the mysterious signal.

The Decision

His father sighed.

— We’ll scan it from a distance. But if it turns out to be a trap—or just background interference—we move on.

Lyra began adjusting the ship’s sensors.

Leo, however, couldn’t take his eyes off the screen.

He didn’t know what awaited them.

But for the first time in a long while, he felt that this signal was important.

Mrs. Biscuitta’s House

When Shiper and Mish approached the small house with a thatched roof, the door suddenly swung open, revealing a kind-hearted and caring hamster lady—Mrs. Biscuitta.

— Oh, Shiper! I wasn’t expecting you so early. Dinner isn’t ready yet.

She paused, her nose twitching. — Did something happen?

— Good evening, Mrs. Biscuitta. This is my new partner, Mish.

He just arrived in Greenhall and is looking for a place to stay.

I thought you might have a room for him.

— Of course! I was just preparing for new guests, — she replied with a warm smile.

— I have a lovely room on the second floor. You’ll love it, dear. A soft bed, fresh bread, and the best nut biscuits in the kingdom.

Mish nodded gratefully and stepped inside.

Mrs. Biscuitta was not only hospitable, but also incredibly wise.

She was older than both Shiper and Mish, and she loved sharing stories from her life.

She often spoke of her old pet hamster, who had long since passed away, and about raising her children alone while managing her home.

But what fascinated Mish the most was her vast knowledge of rumors and secrets.

She claimed she had heard them from the stars themselves, whispering as they passed over their village.

And it seemed she knew everything—from the funniest gossip to the darkest legends.

— I’m a living archive, — she said with a mysterious smile, settling into her chair.

— So, if you’re interested, I can share some rather... intriguing rumors.

— Have you heard anything about the ant guard incident? — Shiper asked, watching her with curiosity.

Mrs. Biscuitta raised an eyebrow, then smiled knowingly.

— Oh, that’s old news!

Lately, people say that goods have been disappearing from the markets.

Entire crates vanish overnight from the shops.

And there’s something else…

— Someone has been searching for old keys to the tower in the center of the city.

— Why? — Mish leaned forward.

— No one knows. But everyone says it’s an important place.

— Maybe it’s connected to the recent incidents? — Shiper mused.

As the detective pondered the mystery, Mish felt a thrill of excitement.

His arrival in Greenhall was already proving to be far more thrilling than he had imagined.

Journey into Space

Far away in the depths of space, aboard an exploration vessel, Leo stood by the porthole, gazing into the endless expanse of the universe.

The stars twinkled, their cold light flickering in the void, and his heart pounded with anticipation.

His father, the ship’s captain, approached him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Leo’s glass sphere floated nearby, its surface etched with an intricate labyrinth pattern, symbolizing his experiences in exploration and discovery.

He knew that this pattern evolved with each new journey, shaping itself with every answer found and every mystery unraveled.

— We’re approaching Esperian, — his father said, smiling.

— This is our next destination. I hope you’re ready.

Leo narrowed his eyes, focusing on the hazy mass of the planet, which was growing brighter and clearer as they drew near.

He wondered if this world would finally become their home.

But his mind kept drifting back to the glass sphere—the one that had been with him since birth.

Was it just a trinket?

Or was it something far greater—a hidden key to something much bigger than just planets and space?

— Dad, what if this sphere is connected to our world?

— What if it’s guiding us toward something more than just another planet?

His father paused, deep in thought.

— You might be right, — he admitted.

— Maybe your sphere holds the answers.

— But remember, Leo…

— The universe is filled with mysteries worth uncovering.

— We may search for new worlds, but the greatest discoveries are often hidden in the most unexpected places.

The ship began its descent, gliding smoothly through space.

Within minutes, they entered the atmosphere of Esperian.

His father turned to him with a knowing smile.

— Prepare yourself, Leo.

— We are on the threshold of a new world.

Leo felt his chest tighten with excitement.

This was the beginning of something incredible—something that, perhaps, linked the worlds inside his sphere to the new planets they were approaching.