Part 1 - For the Continent

"Nathan, catch!"

A sudden explosion rocked the ground as yet another myriad of arcane bolts rained from the distant sky. With smoke filling the entire rocky plain, the staggering Silver Hawk legion was no longer in command of the battle. Bodies of comrades laid lifeless throughout the foot of the Zeta Mountains.

The captain wondered when did it all go so wrong.

It had been 25 years since the start of the Great Continental War, with dozens of nations engaging in combat with one another. Through the use of mystical weapons that empower the human body, known only as the Arts, men and women of great strength laid waste upon countless lives. And the catalyst that plunged the world into conflict? No one truly knew. Rumors went from the struggle of power to political espionage; yet no one could predict the plethora of lives lost due to the collateral effects of the war.

As a result, the Freedom Alliance was formed by the 5 greatest nations to unite the different kingdoms. Handpicked from the greatest among the nations, the elite squad known as the Silver Hawk was dispatched by the King of Elosia with the sole objective of stopping meaningless bloodshed, and finding out the real enemy of the war.

But the rumors of an enemy group known as the House of Ravens led to the discovery of a hidden base within the Zeta Mountains. A base with secrets.

And now, the mission was to retrieve them.

But what started as a first step to peace began to result in crumbling despair.

Commanding the 4th Garrison, Captain Nathan slid down the rough terrain as his head barely dodged an incoming arrow. His eyes faced dead forwards.

"Thanks!" he shouted, his hands instinctively catching the spear that his friend has passed him.

Without wasting a single second, he hurled the spear towards the charging enemy. The rusted metal tip glistened bright gold as it soared through the air. And in front, the iron armor stood no chance against the famed Divine Lance. An unfortunate soul.

The ground shook lightly as the body fell lifeless onto the floor.

The captain dashed towards his fallen prey to retrieve his weapon. "We can't lose any precious time, the frontlines are getting thinned!" His eyes glared far, eyeing the center of the conflict at the Maasiv Fort.

But, his companion did not budge.

"But brother - the war. We stand no chance of winning," he uttered with a monotonous tone. His tattered robe which mostly covered his face failed to cover the sign of hopelessness brought about by his frown. A frown that the captain noticed.

"Listen, James," he patted his shoulder. "This war has been going on for decades. Countless lives have been lost on both sides, children were robbed of their parents, people from their loved ones."

He sunk his spear into the ground.

"But the countless lives of many others who are still breathing depend on this very moment." He held out his hand. "Don't tell me the terrifying Quiver wants to give up on the brink of hope."

Nathan spotted an unexpected grin from his brother, though the hood was still covering his face. "Hmph, you sure have a way with your words."

"I ain't the captain for nothing."

Captain Nathan Thrys, wielder of the Divine Spear, pulled his spear off the ground. He faced towards the top of the mountain, where fire and smoke signaled the crux of battle.

Nodding to his brother, Lieutanent James Thrys, empowered with the mythical Hunter's Ring, grabbed his bow from his shoulder.

He inhaled as he drew back an arrow that materialized from seemingly thin air.

"May the winds be in your favor."

The arrow soared into the sky towards the mountain.

"Now, let's go. Peterson probably needs our help," smirked Nathan, his feet already dashing up the incline.