The Cycle

's Setting

We often hear about Earth and its inhabitants, but honestly, it all just seems extremely vast compared to here. There are numerous parallels, but the one major thing that differs is that our celestials are different. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars. On Earth, they are mythical entities, filled with wonder as people reach to touch them. Here, we can touch them. The elders always told us that Earth was in fact, real, but they do not know if it's in the same universe. Perhaps, our continent is a parallel version of Earth.

The elders tell us of stories from their elders and their elders' elders. Stories passed down from generation to generation. Our continent is just one body, one land mass. This land mass is, in fact, an island. We have everything that a normal island on Earth would have: water, earth, plants, you name it. But our buildings are much more ancient and have an aura of mystery to them. Our continent is neither small nor large, simply because there is nothing to compare it to. Everything is unified under one name: Khunh Inh Nea. Most kids have a bit of trouble pronouncing it, so the youngins call it Kin for short. Supposedly, the continents name refers to the Goddess of Rebirth. The elders seem to believe that the goddess rules everyday life and can do much more than rebirth things.

Then there's below. On Earth, it's referred to as Hell. But here, everyone calls it Siea Yami. The name comes from the word darkness and death, but in reality, no one knows what goes on below. People have been said to fall down through openings at the ends of the continent, or holes in the ground that lead to it. Perhaps there's another fate that awaits them. Below our island we hear waves, steps, crackles, thumps. But we cannot see any of it. For all we know, our island could be on cursed water. It is far too dark to see past Siea Yami, but legend has it that past the abyss, there is light.