Chapter 1

Lathia Palace, Xeroy...

"What do you mean its missing?"

"Exactly what I said. The power orb is missing."

"How could you allow that to happen?" Another man bellowed.

"I told you, I barely had time to react. It just levitated and flew out the holding cell."

"And you call yourself The Mantle of Doom. Doom, my foot." Another person spat.

General Leonard Damon, in all his years had never been this embarrassed in all his years. In exasperation, he looked to the person sitting at the top of the table for help, only to freeze in fear instead.

Is this what they mean by Ice Queen, he wondered.

"Silence."

One word from the figure stopped all arguments as all present in the room came to their senses. These were not ordinary men. They were some of the most prominent and powerful figures in all of Mirac. Just who was powerful enough to silence them with a word?

"So you mean to tell me....." Queen Aira began. ".....That the celestial orbs exist? And you didn't deem it fit to tell me?" She exploded in anger.

It wasn't long till everyone could see their breath as Queen Aira unleashed her terrifying aura. Pin drop silence enveloped the room, no one could dare brave the wrath of the Ice Queen. Tales of her escapades had thrilled Xeroy and beyond for years until she decided to drop the mantle of an adventurer for the regal position of Queen to Alexander Xerxes, King of Xeroy.

Ever since the death of her husband a decade back, she had been responsible for raising her children and ruling over the kingdom of Xeroy. The men learnt the hard way that years of administration had done nothing to dim her tremendous strength.

"Yo....your highness. We d-didnt mean to." The poor General was shivering in fright. Seeing that they had suffered enough, Queen Aira withdrew her Aura.

"Speak."

"Yes, your highness." Now the unofficial spokesman, General Damon took a while to compose himself.

"It's a myth as old as time, no one knows its origin, it has come to have several variations but the story remains the same. Power, Space, Time and Nature. The four elements, foundations upon which our world thrives. Legend has it that after the evolution of us humans, these entities coalesced into spherical forms and came to be known as The Celestial Orbs. Deeming themselves too dangerous to be left in human hands, with the remaining of their consciousness, they dispersed themselves to the farthest parts of Mirac and fell into eternal slumber. However, their aura dispersed through our world, given us the gift of mana."

"You're saying that, all the mana we have access to today, is simply the remnant of the Orbs's aura?" Queen Aira questioned.

"Yes, your highness. Soon, humans learnt to absorb mana, unlocking several hidden powers hidden in them. Your powers, your highness is a result of your affinity with the Nature Orb, granting you the ability to control ice. The higher your affinity and the more mana you absorb, the greater your power. Over the years, other people came to this conclusion and went in search of the Orbs. At separate points in history, the orbs were found, an orb for each territory. Several experiments were performed on them by some of the greatest alchemists to exist with no results. Eventually, all the orbs were brought to Xeroy, where a council consisting of all the Kings of Mirac and a few other individuals were put in charge of the orbs. After the death of King Xerxes, we couldn't determine if the regent could take his place, so we kept our peace. Forgive us, your highness."

Queen Aira tsked and rubbed her temples. "It's alright, you were just watched no out for the kingdom. I apologize for my impatience."

"Any information on where the orbs was headed?"

"It went in the direction of the Lathris Forests, your highness. The Ivines are tracking it."

"The what are doing what now?"

"The Ivines, your highness. An elite group of warriors tasked with protecting the orbs."

"Of course, they are. Any progress?"

"No your highness. But I promise, you'd be the first to know if anything comes up."

"Good. If these orbs are as powerful as you say they are, we can't afford for them to remain missing for long."