Skylands were an independent planet, residing in one of the purple twirls. Its geography was unique, the lands consisted of archipelagos and islands that usually were high plateaus or rarely mountains, their cliffs, and steep slopes led far below, to the dark region known as 'abyss', entirely hidden under clouds.

Therefore, there was no other way to get to other islands, other than by air or by climbing down the dangerous abyss, where not only unusual and horrific monsters lived, but also one had to watch out for adverse effects of unknown origin, or for clouds of toxins, high pressure, and not getting lost.

Thus, the abyss remained inaccessible for civilizations for many years.

Through evolution, many various races developed higher intelligence, each separated on their own plateau by vast space of the skies.

At first, we were simple hunters, we captured small birds and other, larger flying animals, which were in plenty. The only things we had to care for were wyverns, since their toxic meat was inedible and they were very territorial, and dragons – the lords of the skies.

During these times, the first settlements at the edges of the abyss were created. At the same time, we've started developing agriculture and animal husbandry.

Our first attempts at flight started right then, we've used leather-crafted gliders and domesticated winged serpents to carry us to the nearest islands. It was not much in terms of exploration and contact with others races, since we were dependant on the winds, but it was easy to travel along the cliffs and jump between smaller islands, so a few of us made contact with other races.

Also, that's how the first place of our cult, Alyoro, started.

Our first people discovered very small islands, that floated in the air, just by themselves, until now, we still have no full explanation for that strange phenomenon. These small islands became locations, where we built our places of worship, which at the beginning were usually simple altars with stone rings.

That discovery led to many other things, at first – we've learned of 'wind tunnels' and 'cloud seas', where the effect that allowed the island to float, was up to a few times stronger.

In the soon future, it allowed us to build rafts and small sailing ships, that could travel through these seas, even If their weight would normally not support it. That's how our sky fishing started, we could capture large flocks of birds with just nets, we could harvest floating balloon fruits, we could hunt for marvelous sky whales.

However, the sky was not the only place that underwent development. More and more entrepreneurs dared to start expeditions to the lower abyss, where they fought off less dangerous creatures, such as cave spiders. In these very same caves, they could harvest silk or mine for valuable minerals.

Thus, the first era of navigation happened. We've built lighthouses and lantern trails between the isles, as tourist attractions, and as a way to lead us home. Many trade routes came into existence, and many wars over territories and resources were waged.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The war. It's what led us to technological advancement. The simple rafts and small sky-fishing ships were things of the past. We began to harvest wood and construct larger, and larger ships with sophisticated sails and weaponry, just to take from others what was never ours in the first place.

Fleets of ships crashed against each other, spewing flames, ramming each other, or bombarding enemies with arrows and large bolts. Those whose sails were destroyed, were forever lost to the abyss below. Armies of winged serpents clashed, what used to be part of entertainment and tournament, now became a tool of bloodshed.

To defend, we built long fortifications along the cliffs, with catapults and ballistae ready to deflect attackers. Our nation, had their entire main continent surrounded by a long, stone wall, which brought us a long era of peace and development.

An era during which, we didn't stray from mending our relationships with others. The first university was created. The greatest young of many nations, in unison, set goals towards peaceful advancement. We began studying the abyss to a greater extent.

It was then, when through united efforts, our expedition, after years of travel down to the darkest places known to the man, fighting off horrors and exploiting the mysterious flora and fauna. We've discovered not only many ancient artifacts but also the first man.

What we knew at the time, was nothing, but what we learned later, was that we were not the original owners of the planet. We were merely the second generation, who got to be born after the first human extinction event.

That discovery, was when the first clash of civilizations began, again. We fought for rights to artifacts, we raced to unearth ancient devices and technologies, many of which we yet can't understand, and their function is kindred to some sort of magic.

At last, when all the lesser abyss was exploited, we turned our eyes towards the seas once again. These uncharted territories were where the trace of old civilizations could still be found. Using what we've learned from our predecessors, we've developed maps, then scouting balloons, then first guns, cannons, and even larger sailing ships, one capable of withstanding the strongest storms and winds, one that could lead us farther than ever before.

Not only new, virgin continents were discovered, but also all of the nations were finally brought together. Above the abyss, there were no longer any places unreachable by men. It was an era of flourish, convoys, piracy, and long voyage.

With the development of guns, we no longer feared the deeper abyss, with the development of cannons, we no longer feared dragons, whose scales still could withstand the fire of any guns. Due to the latter, scales of dragons, which always were valuable resources, became a desirable commodity. It saddens me to say that, but we have driven these elegant and mighty creatures to the point of extinction in series of our suicidal escapades.

As for the abyss, venturing deeper into the unknown, allowed discovery of new alloys, which were as durable as steel, but had characteristics of floating islands. There were also minerals that allowed us to better harness the power of steam. We no longer needed sails to sail.

The first steel titans were created.

It's also when our nation began its first intercontinental project. A floating railroad that would connect all of the main continents. It would take years to finish it, but at last, people would get to experience the serene beauty of all cultures through train travel.

The new materials didn't lead only to the development of the era of steel titans, though. We developed the first planes, and thus the era of steel titans became also known as the era of flight.

Nonetheless, with all that new great powers, came great responsibility. The responsibility, that, was too much for us. The first great was has started, then came era of peace, then once we've developed our flight even further, discovered electricity and constructed even sturdier and larger ships, the second great war had started.

The main difference in the second one, was the use of high-altitude pylons. These structures were raised high in the skies, where ever-raging storms reigned. They had the ability to harness the power of lightning and strike down any titan from a safe distance. These were the true terror of the skies. The deepest abyss now became a graveyard for steel titans.

The second war lasted over thirty-five years, and there was seemingly no end to it, until in the deepest of the abyss, an ultimate weapon was discovered. The weapon so powerful, it could raze a city in a second. It ended the war, but the cost of it was beyond redemption.

That's where we are now... rebuilding and hoping for a better future. The one where, once again, together, we aim for the highest skies and the deepest of the abyss.