Chapter 2: What Lies Beyond
In the great Eastern sea, a small continent three-fourth the size Australia existed. It was named Nada, the Jade of the Orient Seas. Nada, like most countries in the world (or the other world, more specifically), is ruled by the Royal Family of the House of Erinwood. Its society resembles medieval Europe with the Church of Najira being the dominant religion to which even kings bow the knee.
In Nada, the Clergy rules supreme like in medieval Europe. The Popess is the head of the church. She is responsible for the spiritual welfare of the believers. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church in the Dark Ages, the Popess is restrained by the moral law to not interfere with politics and must remain the paragon of virtue lest the Holy Council remove her from her office. She is also a master of Light Magic, a variant of arcane arts using faith and divine providence as fuel to its power.
The political side of the Kingdom is ruled by King Alfonso VII, the 123th King of Nada. Together with his wife Queen Fiora Marie of Hektor and their children Prince Gawain and Princess Margaux, they are the Royal Family.
The next in the political hierarchy of Nada are the Military and the Sage Association. The current head of the military is Legatus Legionis Franx the Lionheart, a steadfast and loyal Paladin who earned his rank and title through his courage and dedication in the battlefield against those who tried to invade and conquer Nada. Under him are legions of wyvern knights, pegasus knights, paladins and royal guards who are willing to die for their king and country. The Sage Association is under the leadership of Archsage Rina Aversa, a genius scholar and practitioner of both Elemental and Dark Arts. Under the sages' guidance, children of Nada are educated regarding mundane subjects as well as magic to those who are gifted with mana aptitude.
The commoners occupy the last social strata. They are made up merchants, traders, artisans and farmers. Demihumans were once considered lower than humans in the past, but they are now considered equal to humans due to the more enlightened philosophy of the Kingdom of Nada compared to the neighboring countries.
One morning, a Pegasus Knight by the name of Aera is tasked to patrol Nada's territorial skies. It seems everything's normal until something caught Aera's attention.
At first, Aera thought it was a stray Roc. However, no Roc can fly faster than a Pegasus. Upon closer inspection, the object looked like a flying sword. It has a pair of fixed wings with cylindrical things attached beneath them. It had conical "snout" with a rounded "head" that looked like glass. It was gray colored but it emitted blue flames from its rear as it screamed like an angry banshee.
Aera held tightly her pendant, which also doubles as a magic communicator.
"Headquarters, this is Optio Aera. I am detecting a strange object over the horizon southwest of Panthera."
"Describe the object, Optio Aera."
"It... It looks like a flying sword. It is ash colored and is about the size of a Yellow Roc. It... It's fast! Even thrice faster than a Pegasus!"
"What! There must be a mistake! No creature nor warcraft in this world that can achieve such speeds!"
"Permission to engage the object."
"Permission granted but be careful. Do not act rashly."
"Affirmative."
Aera flew towards the object but even Caeda, the fastest Pegasus in Nada and her dearest steed, could not hope to rival the flying sword's speed and agility. However the flying sword suddenly flew near her, unintendedly giving her a glimpse of the craft's marking.
"A... Winged red diamond surrounding a smaller blue one?"
The flying sword zoomed quickly, leaving the Pegasus Knight behind as it circled the area a bit before returning back to its origin.
"Impossible...."
"Optio, what's your status."
"I... I'm fine but..."
"But what, Optio?"
"I..." Aera shook her head as she regained her composure.
"Headquarters, I believe the gods have blown the winds of fate again. We could be facing a new threat that is way beyond what we can comprehend..."