Chapter 1: Truce and Arrivals

The three kingdoms had existed in a precarious balance for centuries, their fates intertwined by history, war, and uneasy truces. The kingdom of Envidal, the shadowed domain of demons, thrived in its fiery underworld, a land of stark beauty and unyielding strength. Gilmoria, a home to the humans, stood proud and disciplined, its golden towers reaching towards the sky. And lastly, the neutral kingdom of Solaria, ruled by witches, a place of shifting skies and forests alive with ancient magic.

Though peace had lingered for decades, it was an illusion–a fragile thread strained under the weight of suspicion and blood–stained memories. It was in this uneasy era that the three kingdoms established a shared Academy. Officially, it was a place for their young heirs and elites to train together, to foster understanding. Unofficially, it was a battlefield in disguise, a theater for rivalries, alliances and quiet battles that would shape the future of the realm.

Amelia Ashbourne, crown princess of Gilmoria, sat rigid in the carriage as it rumbled through the dense woods towards the Academy gates. The golden sunlight pierced through the canopy above, dappling her features. She adjusted the silver clasp of her cloak, its edges embroidered with the crest of her kingdom–a rising sun flanked by two wings. Beside her sat Lara, her loyal handmaiden and childhood friend, who was far less composed.

"I heard the demons will be arriving at the same time as us," Lara said, her voice tinged with both excitement and unease.

Amelia's sharp blue eyes turned toward her. "And that excites you, why, exactly?"

Lara grinned, though it was nervous. "I'm curious. They are supposed to be terrifying, aren't they? I've read stories of their claws, their glowing red eyes, their–"

"Cruelty," Amelia finished coldly. "You've read the same stories I have, Lara. you know what they've done to our people."

The smile faltered from Lara's face. She didn't argue. She knew better than anyone the weight Amelia carried–the expectations of a princess groomed for leadership, the shadow of a bloody past between humans and demons.

"I just thought… maybe things could be different now," Lara murmured. Amelia turned back to the window, her jaws tightening. "Different doesn't erase what's been done."

The carriage jolted as it crested a hill, and there it was–the Academy. The structure was massive, carved from black stone that shimmered faintly as if imbued with magic. It stood at the center of a sprawling courtyard, surrounded by high walls marked with the sigils of all three kingdoms. Tall towers stretched skyward, their windows glinting like watchful eyes. A scream of carriages lined the path, each bearing the colors and crests of their respective kingdoms.

"Were here," Amelia said, her voice low but steady. Lara tugged on her sleeve. "It's beautiful… in a menacing sort of way."

 Amelia couldn't disagree. The Academy was both a promise and a threat, a symbol of unity and division all at once.

The moment Amelia stepped out of the carriage, the weight of a hundred gazes fell on her. The Gilmoria banners marked her as royalty, as did the elegant sword strapped to her hip. She lifted her chin, ignoring the whispers and gazes that followed her every step.

Lara stayed close at her side, her hand clutching a satchel filled with Amelia's belongings. "Do you think the witches are here yet?" she asked in a hushed tone.

Amelia scanned the crowd. The witches were unmistakable in their flowing, rune-marked robes and unnerving calm. She spotted a few of them gathered near the main entrance, their gazes cool and unreadable.

But it wasn't the witches who held her attention. It was the demons.

They were arriving now, a small but striking group descending from their carriages with an air quiet menace. Their dark, military–style attire bore the mark of Envidal, and their crimson eyes gleamed embers. The leader of their group–a tall figure with broad shoulders, his jet–black hair fell in untamed waves, framing sharp, angular features and an aura of effortless command–stepped forward, his expression impassive as he surveyed the courtyard.

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. She had never seen a demon before, not in person. The stories had not prepared her for reality.

The leader's gaze flicked towards her, and for a brief, electrifying moment, their eyes met. Cold. calculating. Dangerous.

Amelia forced herself to hold his gaze, her chin lifting in defiance. She wouldn't show fear, not here, not to them.

"Is that…him?" Lara whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I don't know," Amelia replied, her tone clipped. But she had a sinking feeling that he wasn't just any demon. He was someone important, someone who would be far more than a passing figure in her life.

"Welcome to the Academy of Eternal Accord," a deep voice boomed, cutting through the tension. An older man, draped in robes marked with all three kingdom crests, stood at the entrance. His presence commanded attention. "You are the future of our realm. Here, you will learn and build bonds that will determine the fate of our world. Remember: enemies are made in the field, not within these walls."

His words were met with silence, but the tension lingered, crackling like a storm ready to break. Amelia turned her attention back to the demon leader, but he was already moving, his group following him toward the entrance. For the briefest moment, she thought she saw him glance back at her, his storm grey eyes sharp with interest–or perhaps warning.

"Come on," Amelia said to Lara, her voice steady despite the knot tightening in her chest. "We've got a lot to prove."

As they stepped towards the Academy, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to change forever.