Eldrida's crumbling spires pierced the sky like shattered bones, a haunting reminder of the Azure Clan's downfall. Aerius Kaidos stood amidst the rubble, her eyes scanning the desolate landscape. The once-vibrant city, now a shadow of its former self, seemed to mirror her own shattered dreams. The air reeked of smoke, ash, and despair.
Aerius' gaze fell upon the shattered remnants of the Grand Azure Temple, its intricate carvings now scarred and broken. She remembered the temple's grandeur, her ancestors' wisdom, and the resonant chants that once filled the halls. Now, only silence remained.
In her worn leather journal, Aerius scribbled by the faint light of a dying lantern:
"19th Day of Luminaria, 853 GD"
Eldrida lies in ruins. Our clan's legacy, lost. Father's words echo in my mind: 'A true leader rises from the ashes.' But what ashes? What's left to rise from?
I've failed. The weight of our clan's downfall crushes me."
Aerius' thoughts drifted to her father, Arin Kaidos, who had fallen in battle against the rival Crimson Clan. Her mother, Lyra, had vanished during the Chaos Wars, leaving Aerius with only fragmented memories.
As she walked through the ruins, Aerius stumbled upon her childhood friend, Kael. His eyes, once bright with laughter, now seemed dull, reflecting the hopelessness that gripped Eldrida.
"Aerius, what're you doing here?" Kael asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Trying to make sense of this chaos," Aerius replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael nodded. "We need to leave, Aerius. Eldrida's no longer safe. Crimson Clan scouts have been spotted nearby."
Aerius hesitated, her gaze lingering on the temple's ruins. "I won't abandon our home, Kael. Not yet."
As they spoke, a faint hum resonated through the air, like the whisper of ancient secrets. Aerius felt an inexplicable shiver run down her spine. The hum vanished, leaving behind an unsettling silence.
"What was that?" Kael asked, his brow furrowed.
Aerius shook her head. "I don't know, but I think it's just the beginning."
YOU ARE READING
Aerius: Rise of the Fallen
Fantasy"Prologue* "Aerius: Rise of the Fallen" In the realm of Tenria, where ancient clans vie for dominance, Aerius, an 18-year-old Azure Clan member, faces unimaginable despair. Once revered for wisdom and mystical prowess, her clan teeters on collapse...
