In a time long forgotten, in a realm where the boundaries between myth and reality blurred, there lay a kingdom of unparalleled beauty, Luxaris.
Its borders stretched from mountain peaks, crowned with snow, to the shimmering embrace of the sea, where waves danced beneath golden skies.
Forests, rolling hills, and fertile plains wove together in a tapestry of life, a land alive with the hum of nature's song. The air itself seemed to shimmer with the breath of magic, and in this land of harmony, peace reigned.
Luxaris was a kingdom blessed by the goddess Solena, the radiant sun herself, the Mother Nature, whose golden light bathed the land in warmth and blessing.
Her divine presence protected the realm, ruled by the wise and venerable King Aldric, a ruler whose heart was as steadfast as the mountains and whose mind was as sharp as the blade of his sword. Under his reign, the kingdom prospered, its people living in joy and prosperity.
In the grand halls of the palace, beneath vaulted ceilings adorned with glowing crystals, the king's heart was heavy with both pride and concern. For he had two sons—one born of his strength, the other of his shadow.
Lysander, the elder, was a beacon of hope and valor. A soldier of unmatched bravery, his sword carved through chaos as easily as the wind cut through the dawn. Wise beyond his years, he carried the weight of his future as heir with dignity and grace, beloved by all who knew him.
And lying in Lysander's shadow was Luciel ,
the fairest son the kingdom had ever known.
From the moment of his birth, the gods themselves had blessed Luciel with a beauty that seemed almost divine: a perfect harmony of his mother's delicate grace and his father's strong, regal features.
Luciel's hair was as dark as the midnight sky, flowing in silken waves that framed his face. His eyes, the color of jade, shimmered with an unsettling depth, hinting at secrets hidden beneath their surface. Chiseled cheeks and a jawline carved with the precision of a master sculptor gave him an aristocratic look, while his soft, plump lips betrayed an almost innocent allure. But beauty can be dangerou, it can lead to vanity when one's soul is divested of light.
The youngest son, grew to be just as a brave as his older brother, his blade with skill and precision. Luciel was also intelligent, showing maturity beyond his years and a master of magic. He was one of the most skilled wizards at the court.
While Luciel carried many qualities, in his soul lurked a growing darkness, a hunger for power and envy for his older brother. Luciel was extremely cruel too. From a tender age, Luciel's heart seemed untouched by kindness, his actions cold and merciless.
Servants shuddered at his touch, and even the bravest hunters trembled at his name, for he was a master of the hunt—silent as the night, deadly as a serpent.
The king, wise and compassionate, saw the darkness that dwelled within his son. He searched for answers in ancient tomes and divine signs, calling upon the most revered priests and magicians of Solena's temple, hoping to cleanse the boy's soul with prayers.
Temples were built in Solena's honor, gardens blossomed with Gazanias, the sun's sacred flower. And festivals were held in her name. Yet, despite all devotion, the darkness in Luciel refused to yield.
The boy's soul was a void, he cared little for his father's prayers or the goddess's blessings. To Luciel, the world was a game, a chessboard where he sought to outmaneuver fate itself. He saw his father's faith as weakness—a foolishness. To him, the divine meant nothing. Luciel longed to be the master of his own destiny, no matter the cost.
And so, as the kingdom basked in the warmth of Solena's light, a shadow grew in the heart of its youngest prince, whispering promises of power and dominion. A darkness that threatened to consume not only Luciel's soul but, the very harmony of Luxaris itself.
***
Sixth of May, the day that marked the sixteenth birthday of Prince Luciel, was the moment that would change the destiny of the kingdom forever.
A grand ball was held in honor of the prince's birthday, drawing people from all around the world, neighboring kingdoms coming together to celebrate. The palace was alive with splendor: glittering chandeliers, shimmering gowns in every color, and the air filled with music and laughter. All the noble ladies fawned over Luciel, eager to catch his eye and, at the very least, share a dance with him.
Luciel loved being at the center of attention, basking in the admiration. But, tonight was different, it wasn't only his coming of age party, but the night that could change his destiny.
Luciel had a plan, plan that required everything to go perfectly, plan he worked on for three years, since he discovered the forbidden book of magic.Tonight, with the power of dark magic, he intended to summon the Demon Lord, himself.
And in order to do that, he needed the perfect sacrifice. A pure soul, untouched by base human desire, someone blessed by a god, a follower of the divine, someone who wielded magic and served the divine will.
Luciel's gaze swept across the bustling ball hall, searching among the sea of guests. His father was a king devoted to Solena and Luciel knew that among the attendees, there should be followers of the goddess who carried her blessings.
He only needed one soul—one divine blessing—to be sacrificed. With that power he could seize the throne, get rid of his father and his older brother.
And the sacrifice came to him, willingly and clueless. His eyes caught her immediately—a young girl, radiant and serene, with hair like rays of the sun, her skin kissed by the warm glow of daylight. She wore a white dress adorned with sun motifs, a symbol of her devotion. She was one of the followers sent to bestow their blessing, and Luciel couldn't look away.
King Aldric approached his son, unaware of the dark intentions lurking beneath Luciel's calm exterior. With a tender smile, the king placed a hand on Luciel's shoulder and gently urged him to step into the center of the hall.
"Dear guests, a moment please," the king announced, his voice both commanding and warm. The music halted, and the room fell silent, all eyes on the young prince.
"It's time for our dear prince to receive his blessing. May Solena illuminate his mind and guide his path," the king declared.
"May Solena bless our prince," the guests echoed, their voices unified.
Luciel forced a polite smile, though inside, he felt nothing but disdain. He didn't need a blessing from a goddess demanding submission. He wasn't some to bow, not even to a goddess.
The six Sun followers stepped into the center, their faces serene and focused. Among them, the young girl's expression was gentle yet resolute. They began to chant in unison, their voices rising softly in a sacred hymn. When it was time for the final blessing, she stepped forward, her gaze steady and unwavering.
"Solena te illuminet!" (May Solena enlighten you) she declared solemnly, her fingers flickering with a subtle burst of magic, rays of sunlight spilling from her hand and enveloping Luciel in a warm, golden glow.
Luciel bowed his head, accepting the blessing with a polite nod. Inside, however, there was no gratitude, no sense of divine awakening—only cold calculation.
When that night ended, when the first rays of sunshine were ready to rise, everything changed. The celebration turned into a bloodbath.
The royal family and the Sun's followers, all lying lifeless in pools of blood, their bodies twisted in death.
Luciel, the only surviving royal of Luxaris, sat on the throne.
He was only sixteen, crowned in blood and shadows.The palace, once a symbol of light and hope, was now a throne of darkness, and Luciel's reign had begun, the dark age of Luxaris was near.