Prologue
Eresinia, 1856
Chaos was about to descend upon the five clans of Solada and an eerie tension spread throughout the land. Children, unaware of the inevitable devastation about to happen, frolicked in the streets, their laughter echoing through the air and carefree while their mothers desperately called for them. The warriors of Eresinia were prepared for war, their bodies a fearsome sight. Orcs, with their hulking forms and weathered armour strapped maces, spears and swords to their backs. Their faces, drawn and ashen, reflected the darkening sky above, mirroring the storm brewing within their hearts. Soft murmurs of ancient prayers spilled from their lips as they steeled themselves for the battle ahead. They knew the alarm would sound soon, signalling the march of humankind and with it, the frightful clash of destinies.
“I don’t want to leave Papa and Alexei!” wailed young Xanthe as she thrashed around in her distraught mother’s arms.
“I don’t either, my dear.” sighed her mother, “But do not fret, for we shall see them again.” Xanthe stared into her mother’s bright blue eyes and gave a small sniffle before resting her soft head on her mother’s bony shoulder.
“Do you promise Mama?” she whispered, sadly.
“I promise.” replied her mother, who tried hard to contain her own tears from falling.
Xanthe stood at the edge of the road, watching as Orc families bid tearful goodbyes before trudging into the Woods of Bralha with heavy hearts. The elders, mothers, and children shuffled away from their homes, desperate to find refuge in the sheltering darkness of the vast forest. Xanthe’s eyes lingered on her home as it grew smaller with each passing step, and a sadness crawled into her chest. She thought of the garden—once her playground—where she had chased her older brother, plucked fresh fruits with her mother, and twirled with her father, feeling his strong arms hold her in an embrace that made the world feel safe. She longed for the simple joys she had left behind, the handmade toys all scattered in her bedroom will now only remain as distant memories that she will eventually forget. She clutched a single doll her father had given her just a month ago. A rumble in her stomach reminded her of the warmth and comfort of her mother’s grilled pheasant, the scent of it filling their home and bellies.
As night settled over the land, a soft chill danced through the trees and the party reached a secluded clearing, hidden from plain sight. Xanthe’s eyes scanned the area, taking in the strange and wondrous sight before her. A large group of unique looking beings gathered around the clearing, various traits that Xanthe had never seen before.
“Mama,” Xanthe whispered, tugging gently on her mother’s sleeve and pointing towards the newcomers. “Are they Orcs too?”
Her mother chuckled warmly and gently set Xanthe down beside her before settling herself. “These are not Orcs, my child,” she said, her voice soothing. “But they are all just as special.” She nodded, her eyes sparkling in admiration, toward a group of towering beings, their upper bodies human and their lower halves resembling those of majestic horses. “Those are Centaurs from Alonia. They are mighty warriors, I’ve seen them run faster than the wind.”
Xanthe’s eyes widened in awe, but her curiosity was far from satisfied. “What about the ones with wings and horns?” she asked, pointing toward a group of beings whose graceful wings seemed to dance in the soft breeze, their eyes glowing with an alluring intensity.
“They are Demons,” her mother replied with a hint of excitement in her voice. “Succubi and Incubi from a faraway place called Zanclae. They possess the powerful magic of attraction, one look into their eyes and you may worship them for eternity.” As if on cue, a young Incubus turned and met Xanthe’s gaze, his dark eyes shimmering. Xanthe quickly averted her eyes, feeling a sudden heat rush to her cheeks.
Her mother, for the first time in days, released a soft laugh at her daughter’s reaction. “You need not be afraid, dear one,” she said, reassuringly. “Just because they possess such power does not mean they are evil. In fact, they are some of the kindest people you will ever meet.” Xanthe’s eyes brightened, her curiosity reignited.
“Now,” her mother continued, gently guiding her attention to another group. “Look over there. Those are the Merfolk from Daseia.” Xanthe noticed beings with faint, striated markings along their necks, their skin almost paper-thin and featherlike. “When they’re in the water, their lower bodies transform into tails, and they swim with such grace and speed. It’s a truly magical sight,” her mother said, her voice filled with awe.
Her mother’s gaze softened with fondness as she turned to another group. “Finally,” she said with a fond smile, “we have the Elves of Scidronion. They are healers, dedicating their lives to provide aide to the sick and wounded with their magic.” Her voice took on a nostalgic tone as she continued, “Do you remember when you fell into the thrambles and had that horrible itch?”
Xanthe nodded, grimacing at the memory of the maddening itch that had spread over her skin after her fall. Her mother’s eyes twinkled. “Well, Elina over there, gave us a magical salve that helped you heal quickly.” She nodded toward a graceful Elf who, upon noticing the gesture, flashed them both a bright smile.
Xanthe smiled back, a sense of wonder and excitement bubbling in her chest. The world was far more wondrous than she had ever imagined, and tonight, as she sat nestled beside her mother in this magical clearing, she felt the promise of a thousand adventures ahead.
“But why are they in Eresinia mama?” questioned Xanthe.
“We aren’t in Eresinia anymore my dear. This clearing marks the middle of Solada, neutral ground for all five clans. Here, we are all children of the woods. Our beloved land nourishes and protects us all.” replied her mother. “I have much more to teach you but for now, I think someone needs to get some rest.”
Xanthe flashed her mother a cheeky smile as she rubbed her drooping eyes, fighting the weight of exhaustion. It had been a long and emotional day. With a soft sigh, she stretched out on the hard and cool grass, curling into her mother’s gentle embrace. The warmth of her mother’s arms was a small comfort compared to the softness of her own bed, which seemed like a distant memory now. Around them, the clearing was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of crickets and the steady rhythm of breathing as the clans slept beneath the vast, starry sky. The cool wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of earth and night.
For a moment, everything felt peaceful, until a scream shattered the silence. It was high-pitched and filled with terror, reverberating across the clearing like shattered glass. Xanthe’s heart skipped a beat as people woke up startled, eyes wide, bodies tense. The air felt heavier, charged with fear. In the distance, a faint red glow flickered like a burning ember in the darkness. The sound of thundering hooves followed.
The humans were coming.
“Xanthe, wake up!” yelled her mother as she erratically shook her child. Xanthe’s eyes sprung open, her face covered in fear. She stood up and clung onto her mother with shaking hands. “My darling Xanthe, you must do exactly as I say. Mama has to do something very important, so you must go with Elina and the other children. She will keep you safe from harm.” said her mother as they walked toward the Elf who was surrounded by all the young children, shivering in fright.
“No, Mama! I want to stay with you.” said Xanthe, who was unable to grasp the situation, until she noticed her mother holding a glistening, unsheathed sword. “No!” she cried, holding on to her mother. “Mama, don’t go. You can’t leave me!” Her mother engulfed her into a bone crushing hug and placed a long kiss onto the top of Xanthe’s short, black hair. “You must be brave my darling. Papa, Mama and Alexei will find you. Until then, you will be safe with Elina.” she cooed with a small smile. Xanthe held on tighter, hot tears continuously spilling down her face.
“We must go now.” urged Elina, her eyes filled with sorrow as the sound of destruction came knocking. The red ember began to increase in number and size. The humans were getting closer and their barbaric yelling could be heard. Had the warriors who stayed behind to fight been overpowered?
“Come Xanthe, you can hold on to Salea’s hand.” said Elina, as she gestured to her daughter. Xanthe reluctantly left her mother’s embrace and held onto the girl’s hand. “I love you so much, my dearest Xanthe.”
“I love-” she sobbed. “I-I...”
“I know, my child.” smiled her mother, who tried her best to put on a brave face. She knew that a crack in the facade would only build onto Xanthe’s fear.
Elina urgently led the group of children away from the clearing, with Xanthe and Salea straying toward the back. “I will see you soon!” yelled her mother before she ran off in the opposite direction, ready to defend herself against any human who dared to venture into the clearing. She would do everything in her power to protect her precious daughter, to ensure that the humans never have a chance to even set their sights on the innocent children.
Xanthe will be okay, she told herself as she rallied with the remaining mothers and elders of all clans, their faces sharing the same determination to protect their children.
“I love you too.” whispered Xanthe, whose head hung low as she begrudgingly trudged after the other children, deeper into the unforgiving woods.
That fateful day marked the beginning of The Great Battle between humans and the beings of Solada. The war raged on for almost three years, a relentless hurricane of bloodshed and destruction until the humans, with their innovative weapons and overwhelming numbers, emerged as victors. The once-proud inhabitants of Solada were forced to surrender, their homeland claimed by the humans, who crowned one of their own as the new King of Solada. Facing annihilation, the original inhabitants withdrew deep into the shadowed depths of the Woods of Bralha, seeking refuge from the cruel reign.
In 1860, after much hiding and healing, the remaining beings of Solada formed a secret council made up of five members - one from each clan. The council was united by a single goal: to return to their homes and rebuild their shattered lives. But the scars of war ran deep, and they knew another battle could not be fought as they had already paid too great a price. After many exhausting debates and sleepless nights, a solution was concocted by the Elves. They formulated a plan to create a life changing enchantment, one that would allow the beings of Solada to blend in with human society and create a new life. The Elves crafted a gemstone for each clan which would conceal their true forms, bestowing upon them human-like appearances.
The Orcs received yellow topazes, a tribute to their brilliant craftsmanship and their fighting spirit.
The Centaurs were given green emeralds, a symbol of their deep, unwavering connection to the earth and nature.
The Merfolk were granted blue sapphires, representing their affinity with the water and the waves that had once been their refuge.
The Demons were bestowed red rubies, a reflection of their innate power of seduction and enticement.
Lastly, the Elves themselves carried white quartz, embodying their sacred role as healers and protectors.
With these enchanted stones in hand, the clans parted ways and returned to what was once their lands, blending seamlessly into human society. They took on new identities, immigrants from faraway lands, survivors of the war, or wandering stragglers, and learned to live among the humans. Their true nature hidden behind carefully crafted facades.
Many years passed, and the original inhabitants of Solada adapted. Some rose through the ranks, infiltrating the aristocracy while others worked as servants, farmers, doctors, and tradespeople. The five council members, bound by their shared history and a secret pact, continued to meet in the Woods of Bralha every fifteenth day of the moon cycle. The meetings became a sacred tradition, a reminder of their origins and their quiet determination to rebuild. And so, while Merfolk, Demons, Orcs, Centaurs, and Elves lived secretly among the humans, they carried on with their lives, patiently awaiting the day they could be free again.
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Hi lovelies, it’s nice to meet you~
I hope that you will enjoy reading this book as much as I did writing it.
Thank you so much for reading, I really appreciate it <3
Until the next one💋
