"The Shadowfall War"

The solemn atmosphere in the lecture hall was momentarily disrupted as a young woman, bespectacled and attentive, interjected with a confident response.

"Sir, I believe it was due to Avalon," she offered, her voice betraying a subtle hint of assurance.

"Correct, my dear. You may take your seat," the professor commended, acknowledging the astute observation. "As she just stated, the Great War can indeed be traced back to the fabled land of Avalon. It was a conflict between two empires, the Epher and the Raylean, which were ruled by illustrious dynasties since time immemorial."

He paused for a moment, his piercing gaze sweeping across the room, before continuing.

"Centuries ago," he began, "the world was brought to its knees by a great cataclysm that saw the downfall of many ancient civilizations. But from the ashes of that devastation, a new era emerged, one marked by innovation and ingenuity. The discovery of Cerfryx, a rare and potent mineral, was one such milestone, a critical component that fueled the burgeoning civilization. From weapons manufacturing to power generation, the value of Cerfryx was immeasurable."

The students listened attentively, captivated by the tale of the past. "Fifteen years ago," the professor continued, "miners stumbled upon a Cerfryx mine in the mystical land of Avalon. Further exploration revealed that the entirety of its crest was abundant with this

"But as is often the case with valuable resources, the news of this discovery did not remain hidden for long. The ruling families of both empires caught wind of the find and declared war in their thirst for power and wealth. The victor would claim the rich bounty of Avalon and secure a significant advantage in the race for supremacy."

A curious student raised their hand seeking clarification. "Excuse me, sir," the student inquired. "If the conflict was solely between the Epher and Raylean empires, how did it affect our empire?"

"Ah, an excellent question," The professor smiled at the question, appreciating the student's curiosity. "The war between the Epher and Raylean empires, while seemingly far away, significantly impacted our empire. At that time, we were going through internal rebellions against the ruling family, which weakened us greatly and made us susceptible to external aggression."

William's voice carried the weight of the past as he continued. "Unfortunately, we found ourselves caught in the crossfire between the two warring empires. They both unleashed their fury on us, and we were defenseless against their combined might. The result was utter chaos, and we were left in shambles. Even to this day, our empire has yet to recover from the aftermath of that devastating conflict."

As the class took in the gravity of William's words, another student raised their hand, looking curious. "May I ask, sir, who emerged victorious from this prolonged conflict?" they asked.

William let out a small sigh before answering. "In wars like these, no one truly wins. Although one side may claim victory, the cost of that triumph is often paid in the blood of countless soldiers and civilians."

"However, the tumultuous clash between the Raylean and Epherian empires has yet to come to an end, even after fifteen years. At one point, the Rayleans were nearly defeated, but through an inexplicable turn of events, they somehow gained the upper hand. Many have speculated that the Epherians' internal conflicts may have contributed to their downfall, but the true reason remains shrouded in mystery.

As a result of these shifting tides, the Rayleans were able to extend some of their reaches to Avalon. The reigning family of Epher managed to preserve a modicum of power and thus thwarted any attempt at a complete takeover. Nevertheless, Epher's empire has been left in a state of utter disarray, far removed from its former grandeur.

They attempted to restore their empire to its former glory, but an enigmatic organization known today as "Zelion" suddenly emerged and has taken control over half of the empire."

'But how come that an organization no one had ever heard of was defeated, although somewhat weakened, but an empire nonetheless,' all of us had the same thought.

"I know that you all are burning with questions regarding Zelion but I know about them just as much as you guys. They control a whole empire yet very little is known about how they operate making them even more threatening."

Williams' unsettling words echoed in the classroom, and I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. The mysterious Zelion, with their inscrutable operations and vast empire, loomed over us like an ominous specter. There were too many unanswered questions and too many loose ends that didn't quite add up.

The very idea of an unknown threat was enough to make even the bravest among us quiver with trepidation.

The bell rang in the distance, signaling the start of our break

"Enjoy your break time everyone. We will meet again tomorrow. Until then, good luck." William cheered the students and left. The other students filed out of the room, chattering excitedly about their plans As Theo sat lost in thought, the strain on my mind started to take its toll on my body.

'Forget about it. I have already got enough problems in my hand'

Theo's stomach growled a reminder that he had yet to eat anything substantial that day. He reluctantly rose from his seat with a deep sigh, feeling a dull headache throb behind his eyes.

Despite living in the boys' dormitory, breakfast was the only meal offered there. For lunch and dinner, one had to make their way to the main campus, where a shared cafeteria catered to both genders. As a result, the area was constantly bustling with students, making it a less-than-desirable location for someone like Theo, who generally avoided crowded places.

However, hunger pangs were too strong to ignore, and he knew he had to brave the commotion to satiate his appetite. As he made his way toward the cafeteria, he observed that social hierarchies had already formed among the students within just a few hours of their arrival. It was fascinating to see how quickly people found their respective groups and settled into their roles within them.