The wind howled atop Mount Gia, carrying with it the breath of the world itself.
An old man stood at the peak, his robes fluttering as his ancient eyes gazed far beyond the horizon—beyond kingdoms, beyond time.
His lips moved, barely forming sound.
"Gaia… Mother of All," he whispered.
"A world ruled not by crowns alone, but by strength, by paths chosen, and by the clans who conquered fate itself."
His gaze shifted eastward.
"There is Aureth, the Kingdom of the Sword," he murmured.
"Where the Valekar Blade Clan reigns supreme.
Men who believe the edge of steel decides life and death.
Their blades have ended wars before armies could march."
The wind turned heavy as his eyes moved north.
"Then stands Bastion, the unbroken kingdom," he said softly.
"Ruled by the Ironwall Aegis Clan.
They do not seek conquest.
They endure it.
Walls, shields, and bodies alike—unyielding."
A faint glow reflected in his pupils as he looked skyward.
"Arcanum, the land where reality bends," he whispered.
"The Eldryth Arcane Clan commands mana itself.
Their words rewrite the laws of the world,
yet their bodies remain fragile vessels."
His expression softened as his gaze drifted south.
"Sanctis, the sacred kingdom of life," he said.
"Home to the Luminary Vitae Clan.
They heal what should not heal,
and restore what fate itself has broken.
Even kings kneel before them."
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
"Elementra," the old man breathed.
"Where fire, water, wind, and earth answer mortal calls.
The Primordis Elemental Clan walks the path of balance—
or destruction, should balance fail."
The sky darkened as his eyes lifted higher.
"Above all lands soars Dravaryn," he whispered.
"The kingdom of dragons.
The Draconis Blood Clan binds beasts older than history.
Those who rule the skies fear nothing…
except losing their dominance."
His voice lowered, nearly swallowed by the wind.
"Hidden in shadows lies Noctyra," he said.
"Ruled by the Omniscribe Sage Clan.
They wield knowledge, secrets, and foresight.
Wars begin and end at their whisper."
Finally, his gaze fell upon the darkest horizon.
"And then there is Dominion," he whispered gravely.
"The kingdom that believes power itself is truth.
The Imperion Sovereign Clan bows to no path—
for they seek to crush all others beneath their will."
The old man closed his eyes.
"Eight kingdoms.
Eight clans.
Eight paths carved into Gaia's flesh."
The wind fell silent.
"But the stars have fallen," he whispered.
"And Gaia does not choose forever."