Chapter 0: The World of Schadows and Power

Throughout history, civilizations have risen and fallen, their legacies buried beneath the shifting sands of time. Kingdoms have crumbled, dynasties have faded, and empires have been reduced to dust. Yet, in the shadows of history, a hidden power has endured—a force unseen by most, but feared by those who knew the truth. This power was called Aura.

The legend of Aura stretches back to the earliest days of recorded history, when the world was a land of warring tribes and forgotten gods. It is said that Aura was the gift of the ancients, a force drawn from the very essence of existence itself. Those who could wield it were more than just warriors or kings—they were the unseen architects of the world.

Aura was not magic, nor was it mere energy. It was the fundamental fabric of reality, the lifeblood of nature, woven into the souls of those chosen to wield it. Some could bend the elements to their will, shaping fire, wind, and water as easily as a blacksmith bends iron. Others could alter perception, control minds, or glimpse into the hidden future. The greatest of them, known as Aura Knights, were capable of feats that defied all logic—felling armies, altering the course of history, and bending even time itself.

But power is never without consequence. The rise of Aura Knights led to war, and war led to ruin. The world, once balanced, was thrust into chaos as rulers sought to control Aura for their own means. Empires clashed, cities burned, and knowledge that had taken centuries to build was lost in a matter of days. It was said that one war—the War of the Silent Sun—erased an entire civilization in a single night.

In the aftermath, those who remained understood that Aura could never again be wielded so carelessly. The surviving masters of Aura made a pact, an agreement that reshaped the world's future. They would not let history repeat itself. The secrets of Aura were sealed away, hidden in forgotten places, and passed down only to those deemed worthy. The knowledge of its existence was erased from history books, dismissed as myth and legend.

And so, centuries passed. Humanity continued to evolve, but without the open presence of Aura, the world took a different path. Science flourished, machines replaced swords, and the age of steel and steam gave way to an era of advancement. The world of today was not unlike the one before it—cities rose, nations waged their silent wars, and politics governed the fate of millions. Yet, beneath the surface, the truth remained unchanged.

Aura still existed. And those who wielded it had not vanished.

The world of today is divided, not just by borders and governments, but by those who know the truth and those who live in ignorance. The great nations, powerful economic empires, wage wars not through swords and cannons, but through commerce, diplomacy, and intelligence networks. The most powerful among them—The Kingdom of the Lion Crown, the Fence Republic, the Dominion of Akar, and the Elysium Confederacy—hold an uneasy truce, their leaders maneuvering in the dark while their people remain unaware of the forces that guide them.

Technology has advanced, but it remains limited by the hands of those who rule. Electricity, railways, airships, and complex machinery exist, yet true innovation is suppressed, kept under strict control. The world appears to be entering an industrial age, but in truth, it is shackled by those who hold power—because true technological progress would disrupt the delicate balance they have fought to maintain.

Most nations enforce strict restrictions on knowledge, ensuring that common people never question the world they live in. Books on philosophy, history, and the supernatural are burned or rewritten, keeping the masses obedient. Those who seek forbidden knowledge disappear, their names erased from records. And at the heart of it all, the secret war for Aura continues in silence.

Few know the truth of Aura's continued existence. The High Council, a shadowy organization made up of powerful rulers and scholars, controls the flow of knowledge. They ensure that the ancient secrets remain buried, that no kingdom grows too powerful, and that no individual rises beyond their intended station.

Opposing them are the Exiled Orders, rogue factions that seek to reclaim the power of the past. Some wish to use Aura to overthrow the world's ruling elite, while others believe it should be returned to all of humanity. Between these two forces stand the Aura Knights, warriors of the old world who now serve as both protectors and executioners. Their sole mission is to prevent Aura from falling into the wrong hands, even if it means killing those who seek it.

But even the strongest walls cannot hold back the tide forever. Something has changed.

Rumors whisper of a lost heir, one who carries the blood of an ancient line—someone with the potential to shatter the careful balance that has held for centuries. Some say this heir was born into nobility, others claim they were hidden among commoners, unaware of their own power. But one thing is certain—if they awaken, the world will never be the same again.

The Kingdom of the Lion Crown has fallen silent. The Fence Republic has declared martial law. The High Council meets in secrecy, and whispers of war spread like wildfire.

And somewhere, deep in the heart of an unsuspecting city, a girl named Karima Crown is about to discover that she is far more than she ever imagined.