Prologue
Before the darkness, there was her.
Before the war, there was him.
And before the rules were broken, there was desire.
Long ago, in the world of Belasus, the gods wove a realm of balance ā light to rule the heavens, beasts to guard the earth, and law to keep them apart.
From this divine order rose the Guardians: eight immortal warriors, each bonded to an animal spirit ā lion, wolf, tiger, fox, panther, jaguar, serpent, hawk. Beasts of might and magic.
Their oath was sacred: protect the living, obey the gods, and never touch the divine.
But Lyon, the lion-hearted leader, broke that oath.
He loved Elyra, the radiant Mother of Light.
And she loved him in return.
Their passion was a spark in the darkness.
But the gods feared fire.
So they tore her from him.
And in her absence, a new darkness rose ā the Strigios, undead creatures of shadow, feeding on light.
The Guardians fought. They bled. They lost.
For no light could burn strong enoughā
without its source.
But now, the light is returning.
And with it... so is she.
