In the heart of the central city, Julian sat on the edge of his hotel bed. Spread out before him were supplies and tools he had carefully prepared for his journey back to Lord Mondric. One by one, he packed them neatly into his worn backpack, fastening the straps with quiet determination.
It had been a full year since he left on his training journey. A long year of solitude, battles, and growth. As Julian paused for a moment, a faint sigh escaped him. I wonder what the others have been doing all this time… he thought, but he quickly pushed the thought aside. There was no room for distractions now.
Leaving the noise and bustle of the crowded city behind, Julian made his way toward the towering outer walls. When he reached the massive gates, he turned back. The sprawling city stretched behind him, glowing with life, and beyond it, in the distant horizon, rose the jagged peaks of the Stormspire Range—the place that had forged him anew.
For a brief moment, he stood still, eyes tracing the skyline as a small, nostalgic smile curved his lips. Goodbye, he whispered silently. Then, tightening his grip on the backpack, he turned and entered the dense jungle beyond.
This time, he was different—stronger, faster, and far more confident than the boy who had once arrived at the Stormspire Range a year ago. The journey that had once taken weeks would now take him only three days to reach Mondric's hidden cave.
While Julian was making his way through the wilderness, a message spread among Mondric's followers—a call to arms. Orders had been issued for every loyal member to prepare for the gathering… and for war.
At the same time, far across the lands, the ten alliances were preparing for something else entirely: the Grand Tournament. It was a legendary event where the young members of every alliance would test their strength and pride against one another.
the tournament was to be held in the City of Waterfalls, a magnificent place in the eastern lands ruled by the Water Empire—home of the water-mana users. Its ruler, Broxi, known to all as the Water Emperor, was said to be the strongest among his kind. Though he was not one of the Five Saviors, one of them had once served under him, a mark of his power and influence.
All across the world, the alliances trained their youth, forging new warriors for the tournament.
Something great—and terrible—was stirring across the continents.
The world was preparing for change.