The great continent of Omgea is a board set ablaze, one where the wisest chose to abandon the game.
The elves, in their infinite arrogance and pacifism that made them feel superior, sealed their forests and isolated themselves from every other race. The beastmen decided it was better to retreat to remote islands rather than fight in a war that could bring their species to extinction.
Meanwhile, at the very center of blood and fire, humans and demons remain locked in a Holy War.
Humans fight with faith and the powers granted to them by their god, Aurenval, through prayer and relics. Demons, on the other hand, wield all kinds of magic, for they possess a deep connection to the spiritual realm and the energy of this world.
The war has dragged on for centuries in a cycle of massacres and fragile truces.
But that was about to change.
The Church of Aurenval held a prophecy: a hero would be born, one who would turn the tide of the war.
And that day had come.
The sun shone over the sacred kingdom of Valorian, the capital of humanity, where the citizens were ecstatic. At the peak of midday, when the sun reached its highest point, their hero would be born—chosen by Aurenval himself to lead the war and finally eradicate the races that threatened the Human Empire.
But to the astonishment of the Everlight family, as well as the doctors and monks present, two children were born from the mother's womb.
Twins.
Beautiful twins, with hair the color of ebony wood and eyes as black as obsidian.
The father and the monks gathered in the adjacent room while the doctors tended to the mother and the newborns.
—Which one is it?! Tell me! Which one of them is it?! —Don August shouted.
August was the head of the Everlight family, a respected and well-known man throughout the city. In truth, he was greedy and cared little for the well-being of others unless it affected him directly.
—We do not know —one of the monks replied—. The prophecy spoke of a single child, but even if only by a few seconds, both were born at the highest point of the sun.
August approached the eldest of the monks, a man clad in a white robe woven with fine threads and embroidered with gold.
—Lucen, please… you are the leader of the Church. You know which one it is, don't you? …Don't you, Lucen?!
Lucen looked past him, toward the crowd gathering outside the Everlight estate. In their eyes, he saw hope, faith, and above all—devotion.
—Time will give us the answer, dear August —Lucen said calmly—. Both children will receive the same education, training, and opportunities. They will be taken before the king and raised as holy knights. In time, we will know which one is the true hero of our people.
The twins were named Cian and Lior.
The streets echoed with their names, and even wagers were placed over which of them would be the chosen one. Time passed swiftly, and before long, the children had already built a reputation of their own.
They were inseparable—best friends—until one day, when they were ten years old, something changed.
Flora walked through the garden with her sons when Lior noticed a spider slowly approaching a fragile butterfly. He stepped forward, hoping to save it, but before he could act, Cian crushed the spider with his bare hand.
—See, brother? This way is much easier.
—What do you think you're doing, Cian?! Why did you kill it?!
Cian looked at his brother in confusion, meeting a gaze filled with rage and tears.
—You wanted to save the butterfly, right? I killed the spider so—
—Shut up! I wanted to save both! You had no right to kill it!
—Lior is right, Cian —Flora said as she approached—. The spider's life was just as valuable as the butterfly's. It wasn't doing anything wrong. It was only trying to eat.
—So what was I supposed to do?! Stand still while that filthy spider eats the beautiful butterfly just because Lior believes he can save them both?!
Lior stepped forward and punched his brother, starting a fight that Flora quickly stopped.
From that day on, the two brothers—once inseparable—slowly drifted apart. Lior spent more time with his mother, while Cian gravitated toward his father.
As the years passed, the boys' routine became repetitive. Every day they trained their bodies and their swordsmanship, but the most important part of their day was their lessons with Lucen, who taught them everything they would need for their future.
—Very well, young heroes —Lucen said—. Let us resume the lesson. Can anyone tell me why our lord slew his brother?
Cian remained silent, searching for the right words, but Lior answered swiftly.
—Aurenval killed his brother, Vorgrath, because he sought to destroy humanity, seeing humans as weak. He sent demons, elves, and other races against them.
—Excellent, Lior, as always. Your studies show —Lucen said—. As for you, Cian, you must apply yourself more. Do you wish to live forever in your brother's shadow?
—He will not live in my shadow, Sir Lucen. He and I will both be heroes of our people.
—Shut up! I want nothing to do with you! I—and only I—will be the hero!
—Enough, Cian. That is enough. Let us continue.
Lucen cleared his throat.
—As you know, our great empire possesses immense military power, with many ranks among our soldiers. But the most important of all is that of the Holy Knight, achieved by mastering both faith and the sword. Through this, our god grants a fragment of his power. Let me give you a more visual example.
Lucen took a ruler and an apple from the table. He began to pray, and slowly the ruler glowed with golden light. He tossed the apple into the air and, with a swift strike, split it cleanly in two.
The boys stared in awe.
—This is not something I can teach you —Lucen said—. It must come from within. From effort… and devotion. That will be all for today.
At the crow of the rooster, the boys would wake and attend their lessons. Afterward, they trained with the sword until evening. Cian spent his free time with his father, while Lior stayed with his mother.
Flora was a gentle woman, devoted to art and music. She had taught Lior how to play the piano, and they spent countless hours practicing—until a mysterious illness struck her, leaving her blind and weakening her arms.
It began with a fever. Then blindness. Then frailty.
Still, Lior spent every afternoon by her side, playing for her.
—Lior… my son —Flora whispered.
—What is it, Mother? Would you like me to play a different song?
—No… come closer.
She traced his face with trembling fingers as tears fell.
—I miss seeing you, my son… I miss your smile.
—Mother… I've heard there are magics beyond these lands that could heal you.
—I know, my child. But magic is forbidden. We can only rely on Aurenval's faith. And even that power cannot restore my sight.
—I will become powerful, Mother —Lior said softly—. Powerful enough to save everyone. And with that power… I will heal you. I promise.
He kissed her forehead as his tears sealed that vow.
The days turned into years.
At fifteen, the twins were presented before King Olberic and knighted in a grand ceremony filled with applause and praise.
Yet what truly stole their hearts was not the ceremony—but the gaze of Princess Eliza, a young woman with porcelain skin, golden hair, and eyes as blue as the sky.
Both brothers fell in love with her.
And Cian's hatred for Lior grew.
That same night, during a royal dinner, Eliza approached Lior.
—So you are the hero who will save the kingdom?
—That is yet to be decided. That title is still contested between my brother and me.
—What a shame —she smiled—. I had already imagined you protecting me.
Lior knelt before her and gently took her hand as Cian watched from across the room.
—Princess, whether I am the chosen hero or not, I swear I will give my life to protect you.
From that night on, they were inseparable.
On nights of full moon, Lior would sneak into the palace gardens, climb the apple tree, and reach Eliza's balcony.
—Lior… what are you doing here? You could get into trouble.
—I know. But I couldn't sleep. I couldn't bear another moment without seeing you.
—And if my father finds you?
—I don't know what your father would say… but I would tell him how much I love you.
Blushing, Eliza kissed his cheek.
—Go now, Lior. I don't want you getting into trouble.
—I will go… but I swear I'll return every night.
Whispers spread through the city that one day Lior would marry the princess and become king.
Cian's blood burned.
—You know she likes me, Lior. I saw her first. I have the right to court her!
—She is not an object to be claimed —Lior replied—. And I love you, brother. Don't let this tear us apart.
Cian attacked.
Steel clashed. Sparks flew. Dust filled the air as Cian fell.
Lior extended his hand to help him up.
Cian slapped it away.
—Go to hell, Lior! This isn't over. You'll regret this one day!
And so, the fracture between them deepened.
That breaking point came during a military campaign when the twins were seventeen years old. Lior was named lieutenant after successfully leading a battle against the demons.
When he returned to the castle, surrounded by praise and admiration, Lior knelt before Eliza, who had come to receive him. Covered in dust, blood, and wounds, he looked up at her and spoke from the depths of his heart.
—Eliza of Argon… I know this is not how things are usually done, but after that battle, only one thought remained in my mind… I love you, and I would be honored if you would become my wi—
Before he could finish, Eliza kissed him.
Applause erupted—from the people, from the court, even from the king himself.
From everyone… except Cian.
He stood in silence, staring at the neck of his brother , gripping his sword with fury.