There stood a city called Aranthia. It was a place of beauty, where towering spires and winding streets stretched as far as the eye could see. but it was not without flaws, as being one of the kingdom’s biggest trade hubs, lots of people came to the city seeking opportunities, only to end up as one more person in the city’s extensive slums.

The people of Aranthia were a proud and tightly knit group,they had lived in peace for many years as the city is located far from the kingdom’s borders, official or not.

But one day, a shadow descended upon the city, casting a darkness over everything. A horde of creatures, twisted and malformed, came from the north, sweeping down upon the city like a wave of death.

The creatures were unlike anything anyone in Aranthia had ever seen before. They were tall and lanky, with long, sharp claws and teeth. Their skin was a sickly green color, and their eyes were a deep red. They moved with a strange, unnatural gait, and they seemed to be driven by a single, unyielding purpose: to destroy.

The creatures attacked without warning, swarming into the city like a plague. They tore through the streets, killing and maiming everything in their path. The guards fought bravely, but they were outnumbered and outmatched. The creatures were too strong, too fast, too deadly.

The people of Aranthia were caught completely off guard. They fled in terror, but there was nowhere to run. The creatures were everywhere, and they showed no mercy. They slaughtered men, women, and children alike, without a second thought.

The city was quickly overrun. The creatures set fire to buildings, looted shops, and destroyed everything in their path. The streets ran red with blood, and the air was filled with the screams of the dying.

It seemed like all hope was lost. But then, a young mage named Althea stepped forward. She was the seventh child of a noble family in charge of managing a village near the city, and she had been training in magic since she was a child. She knew that she had to do what she could to stop the creatures in order to save the city she grew up in.

Althea raised her staff and chanted a spell. A beam of light shot out from the staff, striking the creatures and sending them flying back. The creatures howled in pain, but they were not defeated. They charged forward, their claws and fangs gleaming in the light of the moon.

Althea fought back with all her might, but it was no use. The creatures were too strong, too fast, too deadly. One by one, the guards fell, their bodies torn apart by the relentless onslaught.

Althea was the last one standing. She stood alone, her staff held high, her eyes blazing with determination. She knew that she was the only one who could stop the creatures, the only one who could save the city.

She chanted a spell, and a wall of fire shot up around the creatures, trapping them in a ring of flames. The creatures howled and screamed, their bodies writhing in agony. Althea watched in horror as they burned, their flesh melting away, their bones turning to ash.

When it was over, Althea stood alone in the ruins of the city. She had saved Aranthia, but at a terrible cost. The guards were dead, their bodies torn apart by the creatures. The city was in ruins, its buildings burned and destroyed.

Althea wept for the fallen, for the brave men and women who had given their lives to protect the city. She wept for the city itself, for the beauty and wonder that had been lost forever.

She remembered how the city had once been, a place of peace and prosperity. The streets had been filled with people, going about their daily lives. The shops had been full of goods, and the markets had been bustling with activity. The city had been a beacon of hope and light, a place where people could come to start a new life.

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But now, all of that was gone. The streets were empty, the shops were closed, and the markets were deserted. The city was in ruins, its buildings burned and destroyed. The once-thriving city was now a wasteland, a place of death and despair.

Althea wept for the city, for what it had been, and for what it had become. She wept for the people who had died, and for the people who had lost everything. She wept for the future, which now seemed so uncertain.

But even in her grief, Althea knew that she could not give up. She had to find a way to rebuild the city, to bring it back to its former glory. She had to find a way to give the people hope again.

Althea raised her head and wiped away her tears. She took a deep breath and stepped forward. She knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, but she was determined to see it through. She would rebuild the city, and she would give the people hope again.

It would take very long and require a lot of effort, she didn't even know if her family had made it out alive from the sudden attack. But Althea refused to be discouraged. She knew that with hard work and determination, she could restore the city to its former glory. And so, she set about the daunting task of rebuilding.

With her magic, Althea began to lift the rubble and debris, clearing the streets and preparing the ground for new buildings. She worked tirelessly, day and night, using her skills to construct new homes, businesses, and public spaces.

Part of the citizens came to help clear the streets. They were horrified by the devastation that had been wrought, and they were determined to help rebuild their city. They worked alongside Althea, clearing the rubble, burying the dead, and preparing the ground for new construction.

The streets were riddled with the corpses of both the beasts and the guards. The beasts had been slain by Althea, but the guards had been killed in the battle. Their bodies lay strewn about the streets, a testament to the cost of the battle.

The people of Aranthia held a mass funeral for the people that had died. They burned the bodies on a pyre, and they mourned the loss of their loved ones. They vowed to never forget the sacrifices that had been made, and they vowed to rebuild their city stronger than ever before.

As the rebuilding progressed, many more people came to help. Some came to offer their labor, while others came to offer their skills. Some mages also came to aid Althea, using their magic to speed up the rebuilding process.

The people of Aranthia worked together to rebuild their city. They were determined to create a place where they could live in peace and prosperity. They knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, but they were confident that they could succeed.

But Althea knew that the threat of another attack loomed on the horizon. She had seen firsthand the power of dark magic, and she knew that there were those who would stop at nothing to destroy the city she had worked so hard to rebuild.

And so, she began to study and train, honing her skills and preparing herself for the next battle. She knew that she was the only one who could protect Aranthia from harm, and she was determined to do whatever it took to keep her city safe.

Years passed, and Althea became a beloved figure in the city of Aranthia. Her tireless efforts to rebuild and protect the city had earned her the respect and admiration of all who lived there.

Althea was granted a noble title of “Phoenix mage” and the rank of Baroness of Aranthia for her accomplishments in both the defense and the rebuilding of the city.

And though there were still dark forces that threatened the city from time to time, Althea was always there to defend it, using her magic and her determination to keep Aranthia safe.

And so, the city of Aranthia continued to thrive and grow, a testament to the strength and resilience of its people, and the unwavering determination of one young mage who refused to let darkness win.

House Aranthia still stands to this day, a house that is rarely involved with court politics and fully focused on protecting the city and its surrounding villages. many great mages have been born from this family and they are known for their dedication for the people.