Chapter Text
It's quiet in the castle. The halls are barren, the walls painted a depressing gray. Portraits of people long gone are all covered by silk sheets, and dust gathers in every corner. It becomes more and more evident that it hasn't been occupied in years, a single whisper could echo off of the walls. It would be only a matter of time before the place becomes one with the ashes that cover its surroundings, neither missed nor remembered by anyone.
...
Or at least it would be, if not for a certain artifact buried deep within. an item created by the ancestors hundreds of years ago, so strong that if it were to ever fall into the wrong hands it would be the end of the world as we know it. Everyone wrote it off as a myth, a story that merchants and common folk would tell novice adventurers and their children. Everyone except two kingdoms.
The kingdom of Thalas, known for its intelligent citizens and excellent order. For generations, their land has been ruled by the Sarlith Family, a bloodline of organized and attentive men and women. With their 'think first, act later' attitude and strategic minds, their armies rarely lose a battle. No land ever being a challenge for them...
Well, except one.
The kingdom of Radra, known for its extraordinary warriors and intimidating strength. All their rulerships never last long, due to the constant infighting and hundreds of challengers wanting to compete for the throne. All, except for the Xonoth family, their current leader. The Xonoths were quick to cement their place as leaders with their immense strength and formidability.
These two kingdoms have been at odds with each other for centuries, a classic 'Brains vs. Brawn' situation. The people of Thalas despising the people of Radras' brutish and barbaric nature, and the people of Radras irritated by the people of Thalas' know-it-all personalities. With them being the only ones that truly believe the artifact exists, tension was quick to rise as more and more people from each kingdom were sent out to find it before the other could. As more time went on, the kingdoms only grew more weary of each other, so much to the point of where fights would break out, verbal and physical. The longer the search took, the more violent they got. Both lands came closer and closer to a full-out war until finally...
It happened.
No one knows which side it was that pushed the other over the edge, but it all came crashing down the day both kings disappeared, King Ilphas of Thalas and King Xeirvas of Radras. Both kingdoms immediately pinned the blame on the other, theories of how Ilphas could have manipulated Xeirvas, or how Xeirvas could have murdered Ilphas. Hostility came to an all-time high and finally, a war between the kingdoms broke out.
Even 34 years later they are still at each other's throats. Ilphas's son Eldrin now rules the kingdom of Thalas with a keen eye and Xeirvas's apprentice Tranda quickly proved his worth and came to rule the kingdom of Radras with tough benevolence. Both kings married loving wives and had children who would one day take over. Over time, the people of Thalas got smarter and the people of Radras grew stronger. If you were to ask anyone they'd say that the feud would never end...
Or maybe it can.