Seeds of The Seven (Rubia)

7. Beholders of Spinel

For a change of ambiance, Eliya sat on top of the hill, where the vibrant red flowers danced in the gentle breeze and the white stones shimmered under the midday sun. This tranquil spot, with its harmonious blend of colors and textures, had been become her favorite place to escape and immerse herself in her books, this time bringing along her the ancient tales of "The Seven." The book lay open on her lap, and she continued reading, eager to delve into the legacies of those who held the red life essence of Ayat, the goddess of Love.

She had just finished reading about Eltherea, the first beholder, whose reign over the red life essence of Ayat. The center lands of Perlas where they inhabited was renamed to Rubia, was marked by unwavering peace and compassion. Her heart swelled with admiration for Eltherea’s just and benevolent rule. As she turned the page, the story shifted to Elandra, the second beholder.

"...Elandra inherited the red life essence from her mother, Eltherea, and initially, she ruled Rubia with the same grace and wisdom. However, as the years passed, the harmony within Rubia began to fracture. Human jealousy and anger toward magical creatures and non-human races grew, fueled by fear and prejudice.

Elandra, feeling the pressure from her people, made a decision that would forever mar her legacy. She decreed the banishment of all magical beings and non-human races from Rubia. Those who did not leave were hunted and assassinated, victims of a ruthless purge meant to appease the human population's growing unrest.

Among those forced into exile was Brutus and his men, who had fought valiantly in the past wars and had become revered figures in their own right. Their transformation and bravery were forgotten, overshadowed by the tide of human resentment..."

Eliya paused, her eyes narrowing in anger and disbelief. How could someone, blessed with the same essence of love that Eltherea had wielded to create unity, resort to such cruelty? She felt a deep sorrow for the magical creatures and non-human races who suffered under Elandra's rule, especially Brutus and his men, whose sacrifices had been repaid with betrayal.

The tranquility of the hilltop seemed to mock her turmoil. The beauty of the red flowers and white stones stood in outline contrast to the ugliness of the prejudice and hatred described in the book.

She resumed her reading, the story shifted from the tragic legacy of Elandra to the subsequent beholders of the red life essence of Ayat, later renamed Spinel.

"...After the dark period of Elandra’s rule, Eldrina emerged as the next beholder of the red life essence. Inheriting the mantle was not easy, as she faced a land still reeling from the banishment of magical creatures and non-human races. Eldrina, a woman of great wisdom and empathy, was determined to heal the wounds inflicted by her predecessor.

Her reign marked the beginning of a slow and arduous journey towards reconciliation. Eldrina sought out the exiled communities, extending olive branches and offering safe havens within Rubia. But all of she invited refuses to return, they prefer concealing their selves to the human race specially in that cursed blood land.

She also tapped the Spinel, gaining more powers yet different to the first beholder, her understanding of healing became vast, mastering the arts of healing. When she was confident enough, she shared her knowledge to her people, educating them to became a healer. And when every healer she trained became masters, they were sent to aid neighbouring nations to heal and also help others.

Eldrina's rule was characterized by her tireless work to restore balance and harmony. She encouraged cultural exchanges and promoted understanding among different communities. Her legacy was one of healing and unity, undoing much of the damage caused by Elandra’s decree..."

The last recorded beholder in the book was Elriza, whose reign was a golden era for Rubia. Elriza was a visionary leader, known for her innovative spirit and deep connection to the essence of Ayat. She inherited a land that had been restored to harmony by Eldrina and took it to new heights.

"...Elriza focused on advancing education, the arts, sciences, and politics. She established academies and libraries, making knowledge accessible to all. She also created a governing system called The Flower. The Pollen holds the highest position within The Flower, serving as the esteemed ruler of all five regions. Within Rubia's five regions, she assigned powerful houses to govern each area, aiding The Pollen. These governors are called The Petals. The Thorns are the law enforcers, and the Stem is the advisor to The Pollen and the leader of The Thorns. The Leaves, two wise elders, oversee the entirety of The Flower.

Under her guidance, Rubia became a center of learning and culture, attracting scholars and artists from far and wide. Elriza's policies promoted inclusivity, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of their background, could contribute to and benefit from Rubia’s prosperity.

Elriza’s reign was marked by peace, innovation, and cultural flourishing. Her legacy was one of enlightenment and progress, embodying the true essence of Ayat's love.

Currently on writing..."

Eliya's thoughts lingering on the legacies of the beholders of the red life essence of Ayat. The stories of the beholders of the spinel had left her with a deep sense of wonder and curiosity. Yet, as she closed the book, a question nagged at her: what had become of the essence after Elriza? The book's records ended centuries ago, leaving a significant gap in the history she yearned to understand.

Determined to uncover more, Eliya studied the book's pages intently. As she scrutinized the elegant handwriting, a sense of familiarity struck her. She had seen this style of writing before, but where? The realization dawned slowly, and with a sudden jolt of recognition, she remembered a letter given to her two years ago, on her 16th birthday.

Filled with a new sense of urgency, Eliya carefully closed the book and made her way back to their home. The journey down the hill was a blur as her mind raced with possibilities. She arrived at her room.

Eliya quickly located the small, ornate box where she kept the cherished letters during her birthdays. With trembling hands, she opened it and unfolded the parchment. The handwriting was unmistakable—graceful, flowing, and eerily similar to the script in the book.

She placed the letter side by side with the book on the large oak desk. Her eyes darted between the two, comparing every stroke and flourish. The realization hit her like a thunderbolt, gasped and covered her mouth.