Central Territory of the Continent.
Sanctuary of the Great World Tree — Yggdrasil
At the heart of the continent—far beyond any known map—there existed a colossal landmass, isolated by the violent currents of the intercontinental sea and concealed behind a vast illusory barrier that kept it hidden from the rest of the world.
There, Yggdrasil stood.
The legendary World Tree rose to a height exceeding ninety-eight kilometers. Its roots stretched beyond the horizon, spanning the entire planet, feeding the vital flow of energy into the three planes of existence: the celestial, the human, and the infernal.
At its base—where the colossal trunk pierced the heavens—and across its endless branches, lived the two races entrusted with its care: Elves and Fairies, guardians of the balance between worlds.
Within the grand palace built beside Yggdrasil's base, the third queen in elven history, Sylvestra Solviers, walked through corridors bathed in soft green light filtering through the sacred leaves.
Her presence was regal, her beauty serene—light brown hair, deep amber eyes that carried both wisdom and exhaustion.
That afternoon, she made her way toward the chambers of her twin daughters.
The Crystal Hall was vast, transparent like a lake frozen in time. Luminous sap flowed through channels carved into the floor, casting golden reflections that danced along the walls.
The twins were already waiting.
Both were breathtaking—brown hair, jade-green eyes—but fundamentally different in spirit.
Julie sat restless, fingers drumming against the armrest, a spark of excitement flickering in her eyes.
Beside her, Julia remained composed, back straight, hands resting neatly on her lap, watching her sister with near-maternal patience.
Sylvestra stopped before them, took a quiet breath, and spoke—calm, firm:
Sylvestra: —"Our goddess has asked me to send one of you to the continent."
Julie shot up instantly, eyes lighting up as if she'd just been invited to paradise.
Julie: —"Wait—seriously?!"
Julia didn't turn her head, only pressed her lips slightly.
Julia: —"Calm down, sister… Mother, for what purpose?"
Sylvestra: —"I need one of you to investigate whether the energy corroding Yggdrasil's roots is also affecting the human world."
Julie stepped forward without hesitation, a confident—almost defiant—smile forming.
Julie: —"No problem, Mother. I'll handle it."
Julia exhaled, crossing her arms.
Julia: —"Hold your excitement for a second, Julie. Mother… has that dark energy appeared anywhere else?"
Sylvestra fell silent.
Her gaze drifted toward the distant glow of the Tree.
Sylvestra: —"Yes… I shouldn't be telling you this, but that energy has already seeped into the Underworld… and the human realm is at risk."
Julia's expression hardened.
Julie's, in contrast, flickered between excitement and concern.
Julia: —"Then… how are we supposed to interact with humans? They probably think we're nothing more than legend."
Sylvestra: —"You won't have to worry. Our goddess has already sent word to the Order of Light. Their involvement will ease contact with the human kingdoms."
Julie: —"And which kingdom are we going to?"
Sylvestra: —"One called Britain. Its royal family will receive you personally."
Julia raised a brow, leaning forward.
Julia: —"Wait… you said 'you'? You want us both to go?"
Sylvestra nodded slowly.
Sylvestra: —"Yes. No one matches your sister's affinity with divine power… but her naïve nature could become a liability in the human world."
Julie puffed her cheeks, looking away.
Julie: —"Naïve? Mother, that was unnecessary!"
Julia almost smiled.
Julia: —"I understand. You want me to keep an eye on her."
Sylvestra: —"Among other things. It will also be a good opportunity for you to measure your abilities against the finest human prodigies."
Julia: —"I doubt they're that impressive… but I accept."
Still slightly annoyed, Julie glanced back, a hint of nervous anticipation slipping through.
Julie: —"When do we leave?"
Sylvestra: —"In three days."
A soft silence settled over the hall.
Even the glow of the sap seemed to dim as the sisters processed what lay ahead.
Julia stepped closer, her voice gentler now, taking her mother's hand.
Julia: —"Will you be alright on your own, Mother?"
Sylvestra smiled warmly, brushing her daughter's cheek.
Sylvestra: —"Your aunt Susana will be with me. Don't worry… just make sure you're prepared."
Julie nodded firmly.
Julie: —"Yes, Mother."
Julia: —"Understood."
Sylvestra looked at them both—so different, yet inseparable.
For a brief moment, pride and a quiet premonition crossed her gaze…
As if the wind rising from Yggdrasil's roots already knew something immense was about to begin.
The following day
Territorial Border of the Kingdom of Lichstein - Bepnis Strait
The Manta was ready.
Its dark metallic body reflected the early morning sun while ocean waves lapped gently against its surface—as if aware of its departure.
I decided to bring Athena with me. According to her, she had visited Atlantis before Poseidon claimed his title as God of the Eastern Sea.
Her knowledge—and her ego—might prove useful… or dangerous.
Before leaving, I checked in with Artia.
—Any news on Fandvalen?
[About whom, Marshal?]
—Noelle. The beastwoman.
[All systems normal, Marshal. There was only a minor incident.]
—What kind of incident?
[Several ships attempted to abduct our passengers. They were completely annihilated.]
—No casualties?
[None, Marshal. That archaic technology is no match for mine.]
—And Aphrodite's transport?
[Proceeding smoothly.]
—When do they arrive?
[Miss Noelle will reach port with both vessels in two days. Miss Aphrodite will arrive tomorrow morning.]
—…Good. (Yeah… I definitely needed sleep last night.)
[I will report any irregularities immediately, Marshal.]
—Thanks, Artia.
The Manta pulled us in through its intake cylinder, securing us as it released into the ocean.
The descent began with a low metallic tremor.
As we sank deeper, daylight faded… and something else revealed itself.
The ocean transformed.
Bioluminescent corals.Algae pulsing with turquoise light.Fish flickering like drifting stars.
Even without activating its lights, the Manta felt like it was navigating through a living galaxy.
When the floodlights finally turned on, the darkness shattered.
Massive creatures scattered—distorted shapes, abyssal predators retreating from the sudden blaze.
Then—
Something emerged.
Huge.
Slow.
Watching.
My blood ran cold.
Ahead of us, a colossal silhouette—easily twenty-five meters across—moved through the dark.
A massive jaw.
Eyes like bottomless voids.
A shark.
A prehistoric… goddamn shark.
Megalodon.
The kind of monster that should only exist in movies…
…was breathing right in front of me.
My brain tried to rationalize it. I had already suspected this—after seeing Titanoboas in Cartag's coliseum.
[War of Kingdoms] developers had added prehistoric creatures to make things "more interesting."
Unnecessary. Stupid. Completely unnecessary.
The beast reacted to our presence.
Blinded—or provoked—by the Manta's light, it opened its jaws and lunged.
Panic hit instantly.
—"Artia—accelerate! MOVE!"
[At once, Marshal.]
The engines roared.
We barely slipped past its bite.
It followed.
Its shadow swallowed everything behind us.
I grabbed control, steering the Manta toward a fractured underwater canyon, hoping to lose it among the terrain.
But then it got worse.
Other creatures—drawn by the light—joined the chase.
The ocean itself seemed to turn against us.
We plunged into a submerged cavern.
Violent currents slammed against the hull, shaking the entire vessel.
Alarms blared.
Metal groaned under pressure.
For a moment—I thought the Manta would tear itself apart.
And in that instant, it became painfully clear—
Down here…
Even the most advanced technology in the world
was nothing compared to the raw fury of the ocean.