The Seven Kingdoms Book 1: The Stone Of Light

Prologue

In the beginning, the world of Sorl was a land of harmony and splendor, a realm where magic flowed as freely as rivers and the Seven Kingdoms thrived in unity. Each kingdom, blessed by the gods, contributed to a vibrant tapestry of culture, knowledge, and prosperity. The gods themselves, revered as the divine protectors, walked among the people, guiding them with wisdom and granting them gifts of magic and knowledge.

Sorl was a world where the natural and the supernatural intertwined seamlessly. The Kingdom of Light, known for its radiant beauty and enlightened populace, stood as a beacon of wisdom and power. Scholars and mages from across the land gathered in its grand libraries, studying the mysteries of the universe. In the Kingdom of Steel, master blacksmiths and warriors honed their skills, creating weapons and armor that were the envy of all. The Elvenwood, home to the ancient and wise elves, was a place of ethereal beauty and deep, primal magic. To the south lay the Sun Kingdom, a desert realm rich in spices, treasures, and secrets, its people as resilient and warm as the sun that scorched their sands.

The gods, each embodying different aspects of existence, were worshipped across Sorl. Althar, the God of Light, was the most revered, symbolizing truth, justice, and healing. His light was believed to protect the world from the shadows. Selene, the Moon Goddess, governed the tides of magic, and her silver light was a source of inspiration and mystery. Eon, the God of Knowledge, patron of scholars and thinkers, was honored in every library and school. Together, these gods and their kin maintained the balance of the world, ensuring peace and prosperity.

However, in the dark corners of the world, an insidious force began to grow. It started as a whisper, a shadow, unseen and unheard, creeping into the hearts of the weak and the desperate. This force, later known as the Blight, was a manifestation of dark magic-a corruption that twisted and consumed everything it touched. Plants withered, animals mutated into monstrous forms, and the land itself became barren and inhospitable. The skies darkened, and a sense of dread began to permeate the air.

The source of the Blight was a mystery, even to the gods. Some whispered of a fallen deity seeking revenge, others of a powerful sorcerer consumed by envy and hatred. Regardless of its origin, the Blight spread rapidly, turning lush forests into twisted wastelands, fertile fields into desolate plains. As the Blight advanced, it left behind a trail of destruction, death, and despair. The Seven Kingdoms, once united in peace, were thrown into chaos, struggling to contain the growing darkness.

The gods, witnessing the suffering of their creations, decided to intervene. They forged powerful artifacts, each imbued with a fragment of their divine essence, designed to combat the Blight and restore balance to the world. Among these artifacts, the most powerful was the Stone of Light, a radiant crystal said to hold the purest essence of Althar's light. It was believed that the Stone had the power to cleanse the Blight from the land, to heal the world and banish the darkness.

To protect the Stone and the other artifacts, the gods created the City of Light, a mythical sanctuary hidden from the eyes of mortals. It was a place of divine beauty and purity, guarded by powerful beings and surrounded by a barrier of light that only the worthy could pass through. The legends spoke of trials and tests that awaited those who sought the Stone, challenges that would test their courage, wisdom, and purity of heart.

Over time, the legends of the Stone of Light spread across Sorl, becoming a beacon of hope for the desperate and the brave. Many ventured into the wilderness, seeking the Stone and the salvation it promised. Some sought it for power, others for the glory of saving the world, but none who set out on this quest ever returned. As the years passed, the legends faded into myths, and the Stone became a symbol of lost hope, a relic of a better time.

In the face of the relentless spread of the Blight, the Seven Kingdoms began to isolate themselves, each building massive walls to protect their people from the encroaching darkness. Communication between the kingdoms dwindled, and the once-united lands became a series of isolated fortresses, each struggling to survive. Kingdom 1, the most northern and remote, was the first to completely close its borders. The walls of Kingdom 1, towering and impenetrable, stood as a stark reminder of the dangers outside and the loss of freedom and unity.