In the middle of the arumar continent, the vast Plains of Thromasda is located. And in this endless sea of grass, hills and trees, the Middle Kingdom of the Tigris settles. Versatile and agile people, the Tigris Kingdom rules the heart of the continent. With the four great rivers of Anemone, Ongrun, Condrad and Jasmier meet at one point. This vast plain grassland is sure to be a great haven to some of the world’s creatures.

After defeating the pridron people of the Pantheria Kingdom or the “Pride”, they settled in this land long after the old war has ended. A featureless terrain of grass and trees with a few hills and mountains, few roads crosses to connect some kingdoms through its lands. In the Kingdom’s center is the great capital of Tigeria. They said the city is not in land but, under it, a large burrow to be precise. A hole at its roof, where the sun shines through the underground city. For the rivers of the land meeting at the middle, comes down to the city as four glorious waterfalls.

The Tigris Kingdom you can said, is somewhat friendly and lives in harmony with the entire kingdoms of the land. The Lamenreise family, ruler of the tigrisrace, is being led by Mistrell Agamanu Lamenreise, queen of the Tigris and her daughter and only heir, Tigris Princess Kaira Lamenreise.

The Imperial Diplomat that was sent by the Prime Minister, Triton Ark, is escorted by two Tigris guards with the marks of tiger stripes visible from their arms, and with their eyes like those of tigers that roam their kingdom. As they ride their own horse, they escort them to the location of Tigeria to meet the Tigris Council to call for their help. They are running on the grass and off the road as they follow the great river of Ongrun leading to the city.

It was early that day, the mist of the morning sun still roam the lands and the wind blows in the field while the grass waves along with it. It was a nice day because of the blue sky, not that cloudy. You can even lay your back down to the grass field near the river. They even came across a family of large mammals with long trunks and four horns coming out of its head, the Elefantres is truly a remarkable beast.

“Is it still far?” Triton asked.

“We are almost there your highness.” answered one of his escorts.

After that they only carried on but slightly faster this time. After a short while the ride got a little bumpy making the diplomat feel uncomfortable. The sun was in the middle of the sky when they finally reach their destination. The carriage halts and the diplomat then decided to go out, only to be astonished by the city gates of Tigeria.

“Welcome my liege, to Tigeria,” said the escort. Triton’s eyes widen as he was in awe to see an enormous hole were the river roar as they go down the hole, “Sire, get on your carriage now, we will now enter the city.” the guard added.

Triton stands up and catches a few breaths, before boarding his carriage once more. The carriage then follows the guards as they slowly descent to the city itself.

Triton was at awe as they enter the city. The city entrance is nothing compared to those of Tamara as it was decorated with the emblem of the Kingdom. They finally entered the city and now make their way to the palace when he saw the full scale of it. He was enormously fascinated with the scale of the city, he was like in a trance. The houses are built on the cave wall with paths along with it, circling down to the center castle. The houses were lightened up all the way down. The four waterfalls go down to the center where a castle is seemingly being shielded by it. The waterfalls glitter like stars because of the sunlight hitting it. Triton was so amaze he remained speechless.

Triton just can’t stop himself to admire such a wonder before his eyes. The guard then gave quick information to Triton about the city’s origins, “This burrow was originally dugged up by the race of men. After the virscent elves eradicated them, they occupied this not so long before the pridrons took over, then we came along to reclaim it.”

They are nearing the city palace when Triton came to ask, “How did you manage to build the houses on the cave walls?”

The guard looks at the diplomat and answered, “It was originally here from the start sire. We just fixed a few and added the trees and plants you are now seeing.”

Triton is still fascinated and asked again, “What is that?” he asked as he saw a platform being raised from the palace and into the surface.

The guard answered quickly, “Only the kingdom’s army can use it my liege. After all, soldiers are protecting the palace and they are based there as well.”

Triton was confused about that and asked, “Then why didn’t we just used that platform then?”

“Because we are not allowed too sire.”

They move along the center road as they near the palace when they were greeted by the people. He looks at them and almost everyone there was delighted to have him. Not far from the castle a young little girl ran towards the carriage and held up a piece of flower. Triton saw her and was touched. He takes the flower and said thank you to the girl. The girl smiles when she stops chasing them, waving to the carriage before running off.

Finally entering the city palace, they stopped in front of the gates and they were greeted with servants and guards.

“My liege, please exit your carriage now.” said the tigris guard.

Triton exited his carriage and he was quickly given some gifts. Triton views his surroundings as some of the tigris guards circled him and lines up towards the castle doors. As the surging water pours down, the guards bowed down as the doors slowly opens, noticing the gesture Triton then quickly follows. He takes a peek at the castle doors and saw the beautiful queen of the Tigris. Mistrell Agamanu escorted by her court.

“Rise up, Diplomat Triton,” said the Queen. The diplomat takes several peeks before he rises up. She opens her arms graciously, “All of you, rise up.” the guards then rise up, and then salutes the queen.

Triton was impressed and kept looking at the guards. The Queen smiles gratefully as she bowed for a moment in front of the imperial guest.

“I see you like what you see, Diplomat,” the Queen said.

Triton smiled as he said, “I was mesmerized by your beautiful city my Queen. But that is not why I’m here,” he answered.

The smile of the Queen slowly fades as she sighs for a moment. She turned her back and enters the castle. The diplomat follows her while they head to the open throne room. The guards then leave and the doors of the castle close. While inside, brownish colored pillars, statues of previous rulers and heroes, and banners of the kingdom are to be seen. Flooding the eyes of the diplomat with light, they arrived at the open throne room, and the council is also there sitting on their respective chairs.

The diplomat kept walking until he stops at the middle where you can clearly see the waterfalls and the Queen quietly sat on her throne.

The Queen then asked Triton, “We receive an earlier letter saying of urgent news that will be delivered by an imperial diplomat. May you tell me of this urgency you speak off?”

The diplomat looks and clears his throat before talking then looks back at the Queen. The council and the Queen’s eyes are only fixed on the diplomat.

“As of now, the Trasidar Empire is weakened and I believe you certainly heard the news on how,” The Queen looking awfully disappointed looks back at Triton and sighs, “As of now also and the information I have when I left, King Madarick Lluch is still bed ridden. Assuming the control of the Empire is the Archbishop turned Prime Minister, Menoich. Sending us to the remaining seven kingdoms to prepare their heroes for we require their help.” said Triton.

The council begins to mutter when one council member stood up.

“The Imperial Trasidar after the old war doesn’t accept aid from the other realms. Now you expect us to help you of some sort?” the rest quickly agrees while the Queen quietly listens.

Another council member stands up pointing at him.

“You still have the Imperial Phalanx, the strongest battalion of your army in the entire empire. You can still defend your cities without our help.” he shouts.

They all agreed again and another speaks out, “And you got the Orderian on your side including the Falcons, certainly it wouldn’t be hard for you to vanquish the rebel prince.” and they all agreed for the last time and they all shouted at the diplomat.

The Queen closes her eyes as she clearly doesn’t want to get involved too early. Triton sighs deep and then suddenly talks.

“The Imperial Trasidar Phalanx needs the rest of the army to succeed. The Orderian was attacked, days after the daughter of the ruling family left,” he looks at everyone while the council was silence, “and even as we speak, they are still under threat by the xerxecian army being led by the red prince.”

The council mumbles quietly as the diplomat continued to talk.

“It is hard for us to decide and seek help from the other realms but this is the only way we know that will work, and it has to,” he turned to his left, “we need the mightiest, the most powerful of warriors of the seven kingdoms of the entire land of unibeltrasia, to defeat the prince for if not and the empire falls,” he looks and walked toward the right, “the entire land falls along with it. I hope that you’re well aware of the consequences.”

The Queen opens her eyes and stands up, “This is not the only time when the trasidars required our help. During their struggle against the Trodonar, because they know if they fall everything else will follow swiftly, they set aside their pride and seek help from the other kingdoms.” the council buzzes again while the diplomat returned to his circle. The Queen slowly walked to the center. Triton stands firmly as he looks at the Queen, the Mistrell looks at the diplomat. Pleased on his accomplishment of winning the votes of the council.

She turned her back quickly as she walked towards her throne, “Honorable members of the Tigris Council I will send my daughter, Kaira Lamenreise to battle in hopes of defeating the traitor and preserving peace in unibeltrasia and in our kingdom,” the council quietly looks and listens to the Queen along with Triton, “Anyone who opposes my decision raise your voice now.” both the Queen and Triton looks around the councilors and none of them raised their hands.

The diplomat released a sigh of relief and closes his eyes then smiled. The Queen looks around once more and was relieved of the outcome.

“It’s decided then, by the power vested in me by the royal code of the tigris and the honorable Tigris council, I hereby answer to the call of the Imperial Trasidar upon sending my daughter into battle.” the whole council applauses in the decision that was made and the diplomat was relieved for a mission accomplished.

The council stands up and shakes hands with Triton. They all hope that their nightmare will disappear soon now that the Tigris Kingdom joins the fight. After a few moments the councilors leaves the throne room, leaving only him and Mistrell Agamanu. She stands up and walked towards Triton, smiling as she shakes Triton’s hand.

“All will be over soon, diplomat. How about the other kingdoms?” as they both let go of their hands.

“As of my latest Intel my Queen, the Orderian was the first to answer. Followed by the prince of Mystic Falcons and the elves also participated.”

The queen was a little intrigued, “The Elves? Who knew they would work together yet again Triton.” They both chuckled a little before the diplomat answered.

“To be honest my Queen we were also shocked because we’re expecting one of them to join. But, the more we have, the chances of defeating the red prince is even greater.” smiling towards the Queen.

“My daughter is still training her troops. But later tonight she could go on to her journey.” the Queen said.

The diplomat was contempt, “Before she leaves, I’ll give her the location. She can go on after that.” he said.

“Very well diplomat. Well, I better get going then to tell her of the news. Meanwhile you can continue on your tour of the castle…” she adds, the diplomat agrees, and then the Queen left the throne room leaving only the diplomat.

Behind the castle itself is the Tigris barracks, and inside that, the Ligers training grounds. The Ligers are division solely led by the Tigris Princess Kaira Lamenreise and the top elite of this corps will be part of the fifth strongest, the Tigris Arad-Assassins. Training is ongoing here, constant sound of swords clanging, arrows slicing through the air, and constant sounds of bodies slamming the ground.

“Next!” the Princess yelled as she keeps on training her new troops, “you guys are nothing compared to my youngest apprentice!” she pulls another troop from the line up and throws him to the ground, “and she’s even a seven year old girl!” she shouts.

The Queen, accompanied by her servants enters the barracks. The troops saluted her to respect her presence, some continued to train, and some is even sleeping on the ground. She arrives at the liger grounds only to see her daughter being tough as usual to her new men.

“My daughter/” Kaira holding another soldier on her arms throws him hard at the ground.

“Pick him up, I think I just broke his arm,” two guards then rushed to pick up the crippled soldier as he screams in pain, “your kind of royalty doesn’t deserve to be in a place like this mother,” she said and her mother approaches, and then both embrace each other.

“It’s okay my daughter, they need a little inspiration,” smiling towards her daughter, “I have something to tell you.” the queen adds.

“Ah okay, mother. Hold on,” she answered, “Continue while I’m gone!” she shouts to her troops as they scramble to exercise.

“What is it mother?” she asked. As they walk out of the barracks.

“I and the council just made a decision,”

Looking a bit confused, she asked her mother, “About what mother?”

“We will send you to aid the trasidars, to defeat Prince Tamiron.”

Kaira was baffled, “But, the Prince? Why?” She was dumbfounded.

They again walk towards the castle garden and continued discussing the matter.

“To make a long story short, the prince rebelled against the Empire, and launched a couple of attacks at the Orderian,”

Kaira was still baffled, but she protested, “Why do they need our help? Do it themselves! It’s their problem, not our Kingdom to bear!” the Queen sighs and then answered back.

“If the Trasidar Empire falls, then everything will surely fall with it,” Kaira was silenced and thinks of it for a moment, “Think of it for the people my daughter.” she smiles as she held up her daughter’s head.

“You’ll leave this night to make up for the lost time. Am I understood my daughter?”

She quickly answered, “Yes mother, I will…” then they hug each other as Kaira showed a little teardrop from her eyes, as her mother strokes her golden hair.

“I love you my daughter.” she said as she continued to comfort her daughter.

“I love you too, mother.” she answered back and squirms to her mother like a child.

The imperial diplomat, who so happens to be in the garden witnessed the Queen and the Princess. Touched by the moment, he chose to wait in front of the castle doors for the Tigris Princess. The Queen still caressing her daughter’s face, smiled at her.

“Get your things, I’ll be waiting on the castle doors.” she said while smiling at her. Kaira nods and runs inside to get the things she will need.

Agamanu only looks at her daughter as she runs toward her chamber, then heads to the castle doors.

Kaira quickly enters her chamber and grabs only her trusted saber talon daggers that were hanged up at the wall, her iron-tail whip and her iron claw gauntlets. She was baffled, she met the Trasidar Prince before and from an early age, she was fascinated by the prince that she respected him ever since.

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It was in Tamara, she and her mother were visiting the city. A great crowd greeted them and a grand parade. They were delighted to see how enthusiastic the people were towards them. She was a cheerful princess right back then, not as strong and deadly now. It was before she began her training of the arts of the fighting style of the Tigris. As they make their way towards the Imperial Palace that was sitting atop of this enormous cliff rock sitting in the middle of the city. They were greeted already down the City Palace by the Imperial King, and the young Prince Tamiron.

At the City Palace, the Mistrell of the Tigris and the Imperial King proceeded back to the Imperial Palace and let the young Prince and young Princess continue on with the parade to the rest of the city. They exited the inner city and unto the outer city, they were greeted by a much larger crowd. Both of them were not talking to each other. They only smiled, and then looked back at the crowd who were happy to see them, especially Prince Tamiron. As they reach the eastern turn, at the very end of the city. They saw an elderly, seemingly trying to reach to them. The prince had his eyes on him. The elder was frail, shaking as he extends his arm while the other holds a walking stick. There was a small smile on the elder’s face until his arm was shoved back down by someone from the crowd. He fell down to the dirt, shocking Prince Tamiron. He quickly jumped down and into the crowd and towards the elder. Princess Kaira was shocked and was drawn back while her guards covered her. Tamiron rushed in the crowd, some of the guards followed quickly. There was a commotion.

Tamiron holds the shocked and still shaking elder man and slowly brings him towards the carriage. The guards cleared a path for them as they return. They get up in the carriage and the parade continued. Kaira was just looking at Tamiron as he tends to the elder, who was brought to tears just being in the presence of the prince. He told him to rest and when they get back to the city palace, he will be taken care of. He returned to his post and waves to the crowd once more. Kaira was just stunned as she waves a bit slower and still staring back at he prince. Before Tamiron looking at her with a smile, prompting her to look at the crowd.

“Why did you do that? You could’ve just let the Civilian Guard do it.” Kaira said to Tamiron. He only giggled.

“Your highness, if you want people to follow you and do what is right. You must set an example for them.” he said as he waves. Kaira cleared her throat and answered back.

“You are their prince. No matter how you treat them, they respect you, and swear their utter allegiance to you. It is their duty.” she said clearly. Tamiron only sighed and said.

“And it is our duty, to make our people happy, and have a better life. Compassion towards the people, will make them much more loyal to you.” he said then continued to wave to the crowd. Karia stopped and stared at him completely.

“What is greater than loyalty then?” Kaira asked firmly.

Tamiron stopped again, and looked directly at the Princess, with a smile he answered, “to be loved.” This shook Kaira. And to this day, she didn’t forget these words that Tamiron said.

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It was the only thing that made her respect him, and made her think that what is happening to Tamiron now is a complete turn around of his character, so she is dubious. She runs back towards the castle doors. Arriving at the door where both the imperial diplomat and the Queen are, along with some servants and guards lined up. The servants approach her and hands her water and some food along the way, the imperial diplomat bows to show respect and hands over the map.

“The Empire will be in debt for your participation. It is on my behalf that, we thank you.” Triton said to Kaira, she grabs the map and smiles back at the diplomat. She looks to her mother and saw her smiling towards her, she smiles back and hugs her again. She let’s go and dashes towards the platform. She was about to board the platform as it began to rise up, when she stops and gets a final look at her mother and to everyone else. She saw her mother once again smiling at her and nodding at her, she gains new strength as she nods back. She dashes once more to the platform. The platform was several feet up but this didn’t stop her for she jumped to it, landing at the platform. Dissatisfied for taking it too long to go up, she jumps towards the chain that holds the platform and climbs it with great speed.

Upon reaching the surface she jumps off and head towards the Empire. While running on the grassland, she pulls and takes a look on the map that was given to her and then puts it back and then boosts her speed towards her destination.

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Back to the city of Mathron, Graveloth is also preparing to go on to his destination when the diplomat knocks on his door.

“Here is the map to the location of the meeting place.” Ferrier hands him the map while Graveloth takes it and stares at the diplomat, then continued packing.

“Aren’t you going to bring me their personally?” he asked.

Ferrier just entered the room and looks around, “To be honest, I don’t know where that is.”

Graveloth then looks at Ferrier, “Then why are you giving me a map to a place where you haven’t seen yourself?”

Ferrier stops in front of a window and looks outside when he answered.

“The highest ranking seer of the Orderian gave that to us,” he looks at Graveloth as he packs his thing, “A high ranking seer. This mission is a suicide mission if not successful. I need you to do your best.”

Finishing his packing and tied the last knot of his bag he looks at Ferrier and said.

“You saved me from my execution, you gave me a new life. Then I am at debt to you, and only to you. I will do my best.” he said seriously to Ferrier, he just smiles and Graveloth leaves his room.

He leaves Mathron while snow falls from the sky. With the guards looking at him, he looks at them, to his surprise they nodded to him and salutes to him. He just smirks at them and then continued walking. He pulled out the map Ferrier gave him and look at it. After looking, he folds it and slips it to his arm protector. He stops for a while as he continued to look at the sky somehow trying to find his direction. Then he saw in a hole in the clouds a shining star, he then locks on it and dashes towards that direction. Following the star that only appears when an imminent danger is upon the entire west. Following the Eldemenster star will lead him to their meeting point, at Eldemensters Temple, where the mightiest and greatest warriors of the west is being assembled.

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Meanwhile in the forests of the imperial region of Gerominad, a pitch-black horse dashes across, riding it is a man in red armoring, it was Sevidon. He was dashing quickly towards the meeting point. Looking directly on the way he is going and right behind him is a white horse riding a another man with a dark green cape and green armoring, it was Glaivel. Catching up with Sevidon and tries to out run him, Sevidon notices Glaivel and smirks for a while.

“Hey were in this together! Wait for me!” Glaivel shouts. Evenly close to each other in the same speed. Sevidon just looks at Glaivel and then whips his horse and it dashes. As Glaivel notices that he is once again behind Sevidon, he whips his horse too and tries to catch up with his annoying rival.

They continued on their race until they left the forest into a wide plain and to the road. People started to see them from a far and quickly get out of their way for they are so fast. They entered the park town of Samau, were a lot of people is on the way. The people saw the massive dust cloud from a distant and when they look closely, it was Sevidon and Glaivel. They hurried and gets out of the way as both of them dashes through the small town, dodging obstacles, avoiding civilians and even jumping on fences. A little girl was playing with a ball when it bounces on the middle of the street. The girl hops her way to get the ball when Sevidon is closing in on her. He looks at the girl when in a close nick of time, someone pulled the girl from the path and they drop on the other side of the street. Glaivel on the other hand jumps over a wagon full of hay and upon his landing he looks at the girl and the man who takes her away from the street. He whips the horse and then catches up again with Sevidon.

“What the heck was that?” he shouts to Sevidon. He just looks at Glaivel as he too looks back at him.

“The girl is safe right? No harm done.” he said.

“Are you — you could have killed that girl you know!” he yelled once more, but Sevidon just smirks at him and dashes onwards into an open plain.

“Hey I’m talking to you!” Glaivel soon follows.

They have gone on for almost the entire day until dusk is settling in, and they began to see a mysterious temple from afar.

“Is that it?” Glaivel asked Sevidon. He looks toward the mysterious temple and again he smirks. Whipping his horse hard, it gallops loudly and again dashes onwards, leaving again Glaivel behind.

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At Eldemensters Temple, Evangeline arrives. Fascinated by the temple itself she walked slowly as she looks and stares at the temple with great admiration. She enters the open temple and saw inside the seven pillars that are standing in the middle of it. She further walked into the center where the light from above showers her because of the hole on top of the temple.

She approaches the middle pillar and look at it out of curiosity and by. She notices writings unknown to her. She touches them and tries to read them, only to see figures, creatures of some sort. She looks at it more intensely when her eyes widens. “This is the great seven Animos,” shocked for what she had found. She looks for more details and more understandable text or hieroglyphics to describe what she just saw. She looks around her and approach the other pillars at her right, she looks for a specific figure and saw another creature, “This is the Blue Eagle,” fascinated for what she had just saw she looks around her surroundings. As the light slowly reflects at the ceilings of the temple, she saw drawings and scriptures of creatures, men fighting, nature’s wrath and everything. She walked back as she gazes at all of them.

Then out of the blue, a winged man slowly descends from the hole above. Evangeline was just looking at the man when it finally touches the temple floor. This man slowly stands up, and his wings continue to flap for a couple of times before resting them. Then it glows plain-blinding white and disappears from the man’s back. The man looks around him then notices Evangeline’s presence in the temple. Evangeline who was breathing heavily just stares wide-eyed at the man. The man suddenly turned to view her more completely. Without warning, Evangeline held up her hands and cast’s a spell unto the man, zapping the man with lightning. Thrown by the sudden strike, he hits the temple wall and is in noticeable pain. Evangeline then came to ask the man as she slowly approaches him. In her hands are pinkish maroon colored spiraling lights.

“Who are you? Why are you here?” she asked.

The man, buried in rubble, pushes out some for him to stand up.

“You should’ve asked first before striking. Right?” the man implied.

“Who are you?” Evangeline asked once more.

“My name is Ravaen Adevok.” he then starts to clean himself up of dust.

Evangeline then was embarrassed and shock, realizing what she had done, hides her hands on her back with he swirling light disappears.

“I’m sorry my Prince. I-I didn’t know…” she said while her head faces the floor. Ravaen who is still cleaning up himself just looks at her. Evangeline who was still facing down just nods.

“And may I ask who you might be?” he added, she then faces the prince and then answered.

“Evangeline, Evangeline Ressei of the Order.” Ravaen’s eyebrows arched as he walked passing Evangeline and just check her out. After that he walked away and heads for the center of the temple, Evangeline looks behind her only to find Ravaen walking towards the pillar from the left of the middle one.

“So, the Orderians also joined this call huh?” he said while looks at the hieroglyphics on the pillar.

“Uhm yes. I can also see that the Falcons decided likewise.” she added and looks at the pillar that Ravaen is looking at.

“The Trasidars is our closest ally, we can’t just ignore a call. Especially if we know that we are also affected by their, let’s just said headache,” then he looked to Evangeline.

She notices that he is looking directly at her. She blushed and then faces down once more. But because she’s near, too near to the pillar, she hit her head then blanks out. Ravaen was surprised and quickly comes to her aid as she was about to fall to the floor. He catches her and slowly lays her down and constantly checking her head for any more bruises. Evangeline quickly came into consciousness and finds herself looking directly at Ravaen’s face. Then both of them looks and stares at each other.

End of chapter VI

Next Chapter: Chapter VII: Unexpected Visitor