Our Promise Broke Under the Snow

Under the Iron Aegis

Hello everyone, dear readers. I am KaleidoMirror.

I'm truly delighted to see that many people have enjoyed my stories. On this occasion, I present to you Chapter 4, which actually corresponds to Chapter 3 chronologically, "Under the Iron Aegis." It was a pleasure to write it and relive some of the great moments from the game.

I greatly appreciate those who have commented and shown their support by following this story. I will do my best to meet your expectations, and I also invite you to explore my other projects. I will soon be updating one of them, "The Sword of Tokyo," so stay tuned.

Without further ado, I send warm regards to all of you

In the midst of the vast expanses of Remnant, in the northern region of the continent Solitas, stands the youngest and, from a narrative perspective, the most successful Kingdom of all: Atlas. But this Kingdom is a rarity in itself, a corner of the world where the past has woven the roots of a deep legacy in the cold continent.

Long before the Great War shook the foundations of humanity, Atlas did not exist; instead, the name that echoed was Mantle. A fearless group of colonizers, brimming with an exceptional dose of madness and courage, defied the unforgiving icy mountain ranges and paved the way for a budding kingdom. Despite the harsh weather conditions that kept the dreaded Grimm creatures at bay, these same conditions prevented the people of Mantle from thriving.

However, humanity, as its history demonstrates, is characterized by its innate desire for survival. When faced with a problem, their ability to find solutions becomes an unbreakable force. The extreme climatic conditions of Solitas forced its inhabitants to accelerate their technological progress, outpacing other parts of the world.

It was the Great War that triggered the true transformation. Innovative applications of Dust and advancements in weaponry allowed Mantle to expand and solidify. Territory after territory was designated for Dust extraction and research. The area next to the renowned combat school of the Kingdom, Alcius, proved to be the ideal location to build a new research facility. These initial foundations became the seed of future Atlas, designed to guide warriors in search of answers. With the desire to "turn the tide," Mantle applied various Dust innovations, technologies they had deployed in the war, to improve the academy's campus. The school areas expanded surprisingly fast, contributing to the security of the surrounding areas. It didn't take long before the Kingdom's military moved in, followed by research laboratories and faculties. Over time, residential areas even emerged.

As time marched on, it became evident that the city of Mantle was living in the shadow of Atlas. The decision to move the Kingdom's capital finally materialized, marking the birth of Atlas and a proclaimed "golden era of prosperity." Nevertheless, for those who remained in Mantle, the winter grew colder than ever. Despite their differences, both cities were two sides of the same coin.

Mantle, the City of Machines, stood humbly, with its foundations deeply rooted in the land that supported its people. There, the flickering lights of factories illuminated the streets as dedicated workers forged the future in their workshops.

On the other hand, Atlas, the City in the Sky, rose majestically, defying gravity itself with its grandeur. In this metropolis, ivory towers reached for the clouds, and power and wealth were the currency at every corner. It was a hub of high technology and luxury, where the elite mingled in elegant salons while the rest of Remnant could only watch from below.

Despite their apparent contrasts, Mantle and Atlas were bound by an inextricable fate. Mantle pulsed with the strength of labor and humility, while Atlas shone with intelligence and ambition. Together, both cities formed a unique soul among the Kingdoms of Remnant, each contributing its own essence to maintain the balance in a world relentlessly threatened by the endless hordes of Grimm.