127 The Eighth Blade

"Demia has always been a lion among sheep on the continent of Prokos. Even more than three hundred years ago when we still bore the Winged Dragon on our royal heraldry, we stood above all others. The Declaration mountain range was even named so to represent the ancient Halduk Empire's futile attempts to draw an unstoppable wall between them and us. I say this because it is truth, and yet, in those days Demia was different.

"We conquered where we needed to, to support our incredible numbers, to ensure enough resources to prosper. The dragon was a heavy being, it needed strength to stand straight.

"But then, with the advent of qi, everything changed. Outsiders descended everywhere, far more than you think. Dozens of them, multiple in every kingdom, new sects popping up everywhere on the map as a wealth of knowledge and power was spread. The world descended into chaos immediately.

"And every one of those outsiders had one task in mind before all others.