The Promise

For many centuries, the realms of celestial spirits and demons had been in conflict with each other. Claiming rights and suppressing the opposing forces.

Destruction was inevitable. In between the war of the two, the mortal realm suffered greatly.

Storms raged, the earth trembled, volcanoes thundered, and even the seas spiraled in the great disturbance.

Lacking in strength, permanence, and numbers, the humans had no choice but to support the ones who seemed more powerful.

However, the humans having a nature of such intelligence and slyness, they never gave up on harnessing and learning magic for themselves, under the influence of both spirits and demons they came up with a way to end the long, weary war.

For the first time, in the memories of the living, not the heavens or the abyss knew what the humans conjured with their struggles and forced a pact between the three realms.

A great level of magic was sealed to maintain peace in the world, under the watch of the "Prime harmony keeper" and the oath to never; intentionally damage barriers, unnecessarily breach borders and unreasonable killings were made.

On the barriers, they carved "The eternal oath" to find peace in the midst of chaos and to end all bloodshed outside their walls to remind them of the promised day.

Even though the demonic realm was on bad terms with the other two, the celestials made a neutral relationship with the mortal realm.

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Several decades after the peace, in the mortal realm, The Lucidnia Empire; the empress gave birth to an unexpected miracle.

A baby boy, although he looked ordinarily beautiful, he possessed a great amount of magical intensity and was beloved by nature itself.

However, the Prime mage grievingly predicted a harsh fate that awaited crown Prince Eidan.

As might be expected, Prince Eidan was raised with great care and attention. Focusing on his mana and martial control, he learned swordsmanship from an early stage.

The news spread out in all three realms and now the Lucidnia Empire was under many eyes.

For the next many years, as though the balance of the world was being altered by his presence, raised many fluctuations in the course of the magic level.

"Your Majesty, there seem to be grave encounters within our borders!"

"Your Majesty, the kingdom in the North was attacked by wild beasts; this is raising much iniquity and panic within the people! The North King requests for imperial aid."

"Your Majesty, There have been sightings of killings within many cities, we are afraid there might be another attack!"

The voices of viscounts from different regions echoed through the imperial court.

"That's enough!" a loud, demanding voice responded with a rather tense tone. "Everyone is to leave the court and wait for the order."

A tall, firm figure stood up from the throne.

Thrusting his long robe back, he awaited seclusion.

"Summon the Prime Magician." He ordered the imperial advisor.

The doors to the "Quiet Room" busted open and broke the silence that was being mediated by the person sitting inside.

"An emergency summon has been issued by His Majesty for the court magician."

The servant bowed slightly, conveying the message he abruptly left.

A man in his mid-thirties sighed deeply and slowly opened his eyes. He put out the incense that was burning inside the room.

Picking up his crescent-shaped staff, the jingling of several ceramic feathers colliding with each other filled the air.

He entered the courtroom only to find an exasperated man sitting worriedly on the throne.

"Your Majesty," his voice smooth and mellow, tilting his head forward he looked at the Emperor.

Acknowledging the presence, the Emperor once again stood up and stepped down the few stairs to greet the mage.

"Rupias! You must be aware of the events we are facing for a few years now, am I right?" The Emperor confirmed. "It's getting worse day by day."

Rupias didn't say anything but patiently swung his staff. From the tips of feathers, raised white smoke gathered around the crescent moon showing various scenes.

The cities were blazingly red, houses crashing down, some reduced to ashes, wild beasts roaming in the forests, and some eating people. Screams of agony and pain flowed out.

"What is the meaning of this Rupias? Are the bloody demons breaking the rules?" upon seeing those images The Emperor flared with anger.

"Your majesty, Einar," The mage addressed Emperor Einar Gael Lucidnia with courtesy, "Using expletive words does not suit an Emperor as of your high demeanor."

Emperor Einar knitted his brows in disparagement and said, "Tell me great mage, keeper of harmony between realms, are you taking their side or are you retaining the oath?"

"With all due respect, I'm not taking anyone's side. I'm the keeper of this promise for eons." He raised an eyebrow, "Your generation is exceedingly impetuous."

Folding his arms behind his back, Emperor Einar held his face upright.

"As vile and violent they may seem, I assure you the young demon lord is a keeper of his words and hasn't meddled with the affairs of the mortal realm during his reign."

"Then are you saying this destruction is brought by humans themselves?"

"Not necessarily humans but the evil that is rising slowly and gaining strength by eating negativity."

"Nonsense, how can it rise by just that?"

"You're underestimating the powers human feelings hold, your majesty."

Pacing back and forth Einar brushed his forehead. "Then what is it that we do? I'm afraid-"

"Afraid is a strong word, your majesty; we are nothing but mortals, willing to do anything to achieve what we want, even using evil methods for our own gain."

"Do not include yourself, Rupias."

"Though I may be bound by the pact, I do age. Slowly but surely I do." After a brief pause, he gazed upon the view outside of the window.

"Has his royal highness, Prince Eidan returned from mount wisteria?" Rupias closed his eyes and asked calmly.

Fate is indeed cruel to some individuals. The destiny that awaits His royal highness, Crown Prince of Lucidnia is a heavy responsibility.