Chapter One:

Unaccountable centuries ago, the Gods decided to give the humans their only descendant. A man made from their very own flesh in par of a normal human appearance, was given mana to govern above the humans. That descendant was assigned to choose the purest people to receive the ‘grace of the gods’ and be able to cater mana on their bodies. They were given enough mana to learn under the descendant and help him govern the humans. They were called Mages. Gods’ descendant was called by the people as ‘Archimage’ that educates all mages on how to use their magic abilities. Mages made magical objects infused with their mana. These object maybe of daily use or of personal leisure. One unexpected day, mages dwindled in number until they became extinct, it was unknown up until to this day why they vanished all of a sudden. The Archimage never showed up again when the last of his people vanished. The only remaining evidence of their existence is the numerous magical objects scattered around the world. People who were given or possessed the most magical objects was declared ‘The Disciples of Magic’ by the people and was considered as royalties.

In the far East part of the world, the kingdom of ‘Quelle’ prospered the most.

Their royals are just and kind to its people. No citizen goes hungry nor has difficulty in life. Their current king, King Adon, the 56’th king of Quelle is a very just man. A rightful ruler his subjects adore. He sees everything and gives solution to every problem of the country. The Queen, Queen Elle, is the mother of all. She organizes everything for the people. She makes sure that her people are well provided and well looked after. She is strict with order. Together the King and Queen gave their people one well behaved, well-mannered crown prince and a gentle, kind princess. Eastern Royals are looked up upon their people, they love them and loyal are to their rulers.

Hidden inside the walls however, the princess was never allowed to out-do herself. Behind her kind and cheery demeanor is a weak, sickly child who’s inches away in death’s doorstep. The people never knew of this for the royal advisor worries that if told, the people may speak carelessly of this. He worries that if the news of the princess’ illness reached other kingdoms, they may see it as a weakness and threaten the kingdom.

“Lovely morning, Mother.” A courtesy as gentle as the passing breeze never seem to fail to amaze the servants within the castle of Quelle. The Queen graced her only daughter a gentle smile.

“The morning is indeed lovely, but it can never compare to you, my daughter. Come, join me for tea.” Smiling, the princess politely thanked her mother, joining her on the table set out in their garden.

“Father and brother seems busy these days, is there something wrong within the kingdom, Mother?” Although young, the princess is intelligent. She understands things quite quickly and tries her best to help even though the people around her never let her do so.

“They are searching for something important, my darling.”

“Does that something important revolve around me somehow?” Queen Elle stopped midway on sipping her tea upon hearing her daughter’s words.

She adores her daughter very much. Her heart broke when the royal doctor told them that the princess has unknown sickness never been heard within the kingdom. Incurable and painful. It makes the princess writhe in pain and weak out of very high body temperature.

“Your intelligence amazes me more day by day, princess Cheles. However, what your father and brother are searching for is not for us to meddle with. May it be involved around you or me, trusting them is the best support we could give them.” She caressed her daughter’s face, easing her worry. Princess Cheles understood, but was still worried about whether her father and brother are safe and not putting their lives just for this ‘important’ thing.

On the other side of the castle, the King and Prince restlessly looked for every book within the kingdom, searching for something that may help their precious princess Cheles. Crown Prince Stellan holds her sister very dear. He treasures her the most.

“Father, have you heard any other legend about the vanished archimage?” Prince Stellan asked his father out of nowhere. He always had this thought ever since he was young. What happened to the archimage? If there would ever be something or someone that could help his sister, the archimage is the right person to seek.

“He was said to fell on deep despair as his people dwindled. Legend said that he lost his will to continue and vanished together with his people.”

“Is there nothing that is left of him? Like a magical object made solely by him?” The King stopped reading the book he was holding, like some realization hit him like a catapult. He hurriedly let go of the book, stood up and faced a far wall decorated by frames upon frames of family history. He put one of his fingers in a corner of a portrait, he felt a tinge of pain as the magical frame recognized its owner. The frame is a magical object own by the King. A magical object can be owned by one person only. The magical object can be activated through a little blood given by its owner. Only the owner can use the object, once the owner dies, its magic also vanishes.

A door opened behind the portrait which revealed a small room full of organized books. The prince was amazed upon entering the secret room, he was never told about it. Records of war strategies and plans for the kingdom was piled within the room. Dust never seemed to touch these books; it is like freshly printed. The scent of new leather covers surrounds the room enveloping them in its warm embrace. He then realized that this room is full of magic. King Adon reached for the verry top and pulled out a medium sized chest. He took off one of his brooches, a well-crafted golden sword brooch that was passed down generations upon generations of Quelle royalties.

“I was not supposed to show you this room up until your coronation as a King, but you are wise enough, perhaps wiser than me, to be called king.” The king told his son as he inserted the brooch inside a small hole and slowly twisted it.

“So that was a key.”

The prince told himself. He thought that that brooch was a simple heirloom passed down by a king to the new king. King Adon opened the chest to reveal a very old book within. Out of all the books, this book is seemingly the only book touched by time. It’s leather cover lost its original colors, scratches can be seen on some places of the book. There was no marking or any indication of who once owned or who wrote the book. It was plainly old.

“This book may contain the answer we seek. This book was written by the archimage himself. This contain his own thoughts and achievements.” Prince Stellan perked up like his soul has finally found the only hope it was looking for. Maybe, just maybe, the archimage made something or said something that could help his sister. Even a little information on what his sister’s sickness will greatly help. They read the book carefully, soaking in every information there is until finally, a sliver of hope.

“Year 573 since the gods sent me here to govern over the humans. It was fun and fulfilling at the first centuries, but now that my people is slowly decreasing in numbers, I made a plan on my own. I’m currently making a magical object infused with half of my mana. My mind has not decided on what to call it or what purpose does it serve, but I am half way done.”

“Year 589. I’ve done it. A disk with half of my mana was made. It contained a music that can heal any wound, any sickness and even revive a half dead human. I call it ‘the song of Gods’.”

“Year 612. The last of my people also asked me for forgiveness telling me that they did not want this. What happened to humans? Was I wrong? They became cruel and greedy. Never would I wanted to have this creation be in their hands. I gave the song of gods to my last people at let them hide it. Humans don’t deserve it.”

That was the last of the archimage’s input to the book. The royalties gained more questions than answers.

Who took the magical item? Was the archimage’s anger to humans made him decide to never show himself again? Why did the mages vanish?

“This question of ours will have to wait. Prepare a carriage, I’ll go search for the song of gods.” King Adon said in haste.

“Father you mustn’t! Please allow me. Think of what the people would say if you suddenly left? They would be perturbed!” The crown prince said to his father. The king thought of it and decided that it is best to send the crown prince instead of himself. He would just declare that the prince was sent out to look for his queen. Yes, that would be it. With that final thought he agreed with the prince and sent word inside the castle to prepare for the departure.

“I am putting my trust in you, my son. Find the magical object and comeback home safe.” The crown prince nodded his head strongly, squeezing his father’s hand on his shoulder.