In the sprawling Lu'ah universe, two realms existed in uneasy harmony: Fulaina, the human domain, and Margös, the spirit realm. The spirits, a formidable race resembling humans with pointed ears and sharp claws, surpassed even the most brilliant human in intellect and physical prowess.
For centuries, peace reigned under the visionary leadership of the Five Fulainan Kingdoms and the first Spirit Queen of Zágan. Their efforts culminated in the "One Thousand Years of Humanity-Spirits Peaceful Treaty Agreements," a pact promising lasting peace.
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Clattering footsteps broke the silence in the castle's deserted corridors. A tall figure, clad in chained golden armour emblazoned with a phoenix, hurried through the halls. King Ferid's crimson hair whipped around his face as he burst through the massive coral doors. Emerald eyes scanned the room, landing on two figures by the king-sized bed.
A muscular knight knelt before him, his head bowed.
"Your Highness," the knight spoke softly, a tremor in his voice. "We did everything to save Her Majesty..."
Ferid sank to his knees, the floor cold beneath him. A gentle yet firm hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to see a woman in flowing white robes, her eyes filled with empathy.
"Though Her Majesty is gone," she said, "her memory lives on."
With a strength born of grief, Ferid rose to his feet. The woman led him to a small cradle, its occupant swaddled in pink.
A flicker of hope sparked in his chest as Ferid gazed at the peacefully sleeping infant. He reached out, a tentative finger brushing against the baby's soft cheek. A tiny hand grasped his, sending a jolt through him. A choked sob escaped him. This tiny creature, his daughter, was a piece of Reliana left behind.
"There's more, Ferid." He held out another bundle – blue, this time.
"A double blessing... unexpected by the Great Vulcan," the woman remarked.
Ferid's heart stuttered as his gaze met with the baby boy's fragile form. A fierce protectiveness washed over him. Some might say twins are a double blessing. But tradition whispered of misfortune with a son born alongside a daughter. For generations, the Spirit community held a complex belief: twin daughters brought prosperity, while twin sons were harbingers of misfortune. Often, families ostracised or even eliminated sons to appease this tradition. In rare cases of fraternal twins, parents faced the agonising choice of isolating or abandoning their sons.
The royal family was not exempt. While princess births were occasions for grand celebrations, princes often faced assassination attempts. Those who survived lived in the shadows, ineligible for the throne and forced into political marriages or slavery.
Tension gripped the King's chambers. The King's subordinates awaited his decision, their breaths shallow. The knight stood guard by the crib, prepared to defy the King's orders if he meant harm to the Prince. The Knight swore he wouldn't be a coward – failing to protect previous Princes, ever again.
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Emerald eyes locked on his two offspring. He approached the cradles with resolute steps and placed the princess beside her brother.
"We raise them both," Ferid declared, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "No child of mine will be burdened by outdated beliefs. These two embody the love Reliana and I shared. They are more than just heirs or pawns in political games. They are testaments to our love and cherished memories..."
Relief washed over the knight. He knew the King despised the discriminatory traditions. As a commoner who married into royalty, Ferid witnessed these beliefs' devastating effects firsthand. When Reliana's health declined during pregnancy, Ferid vowed to dismantle this injustice upon his ascension.
"The Prince will forge his own path, not a preordained one," Ferid continued. "He will excel in his studies and co-rule this realm with his sister. Together, they will ensure our nation's safety."
Beaming, the woman asked, "What names will you bestow upon them, Your Highness?"
"Makai and Mika," Ferid replied. "Makai signifies 'protector', and Mika means 'future' in our ancient tongue, Aspaniac. He will be the shield to her sword. They will be beacons of light and hope for our days to come."
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News of the Queen's passing and the twins' birth spread like wildfire throughout Zágan and beyond. The news of the Queen's passing cast a long shadow of grief over Zágan, while the birth of a future Queen kindled a flicker of hope. However, in Fulaina, most leaders met the news with a shrug, with only a handful acknowledging it with genuine sympathy.
The revelation of a twin brother to the future Queen sent shockwaves through Zágan. Fear gripped the Queendom as many envisioned misfortune befalling them if the Prince remained alive. Public outcry demanded the Royal Family's immediate execution of the Prince.
Recognising the seriousness of the situation and fearing for his children's safety, especially Prince Makai, King Ferid made a crucial decision:
He confined the twins within the castle walls, further isolating them by constructing a secluded manor within the castle grounds. This served as a protective measure against assassination attempts by knights who harboured animosity towards the Prince. Only a select few trustworthy servants were entrusted with caring for the twins within the confines of the manor.
Years passed. On the twins' seventh birthday, precisely five centuries after the signing of the peace treaty, the unimaginable occurred.
The Queendom was struck by a sudden and brutal attack from human forces. The once sacred ground became a bloodbath, shattering any remaining trust and hope for reconciliation between the two realms. The battleground, located at the intersection of the realms known as the Red Line due to its crimson sand, witnessed a brief and brutal conflict.
An unidentified and potent force emerged amidst the clash, obliterating the Spirit forces and the human armies. This inexplicable occurrence left the remaining human soldiers bewildered.
Following the enigmatic disappearance of the Spirits, Master Oracle Khulai sealed the portal connecting the two realms, ensuring their permanent separation.
The human soldiers returned home as heroes, and the conflict was glorified as the "Great Man's War," with its true causes and origins conveniently buried. Many in Fulaina fell victim to manipulation; their minds twisted to accept this fabricated narrative. Only a select few, aware of the truth and opposed to the attack on the Queendom, were forced into silence.
The fate of the Spirits on that fateful day remained a complete mystery. Their inexplicable disappearance during the Great Man's War left no trace or answers.
Until now.