Chapter 2: Kingdom of the Livingrings

"Make sure most of your squad returns safely. 

I don't want the Obsidian Vipers to lose against their forces." 

King Rubeer slightly gestured at the side with his eyes, where the other leaders were talking with their elite squads.

As the leader of the alliance, Rubeer must ensure their forces remain the strongest and most enduring.

After all, their plans were set and ready to be implemented. 

There were already many spies in the Kingdom of Livingrings providing valuable information. 

The said spies were highly trained combatants and had magical powers granted by sorcery to be used for their safety.

They were people from different kingdoms of the Black Sun who gave their loyalty in exchange for safety and benefits.

These forces gathered from various kingdoms and villages, and serve as the spear and shield of the Black Sun and were valuable assets.

On the Livingrings part, they had great wizards and the mysterious Aurora, a transparent sphere-shaped multi-layered barrier of magic that protected them for centuries.

The wizards often assisted the people of Livingrings during trade and peace negotiations. 

Even with their few numbers, the wizards were able to hold back many attacks from different enemies who were there to attack or simply curious how to enter the great Auroras.

After much effort and careful observation, the spies of the Black Sun had learned when the wizards of Livingrings would be going out or when they would return. 

Even if they were not able to calculate exactly, their estimates were near the actual periods. 

King Rubeer looked around the hall.

It had been a long time since all the leaders of the Black Sun stood in the Obsidian Cradle…

Every kingdom was cooperating for their shared goal.

Meanwhile, in the Livingrings Kingdom, there were many infightings. 

To make things worse and divide Livingrings further, the Black Sun had assigned people to gather in different locations, spreading bad gossip about the kingdom's leaders and wizards.

It was all for their noble cause, of course.

Faliamber - Capital City of Livingrings Kingdom

"General Vaelros! 

There is a disturbance again on the western side of the city. 

It's much worse than the previous incidents in the past months," Lieutenant General Gol Furbuw stormed into the General's office.

"Are those outsiders spreading lies about our kingdom again?" General Vaelros Dreadstelth said with a furrowed brow while holding his waist.

Why must outsiders always meddle with their kingdom like this?

Was it because of what they have here?

Livingrings is a kingdom filled with lush nature and various animals, not seen in other lands roamed here freely.

The animals were peaceful as if knowing they should not destroy houses or step on people.

What they have in Livingrings were only seen in picture books studied by the privileged in other kingdoms; who were not able to see their magnificence in person, since these were said to have gone extinct long ago, or only created in the fantasies of their ancestors' imagination.

There were clean water fountains where everyone drank from.

Many fruits hang from trees all around the pathways and cities; all free for the people to eat, except those intended for selling.

The sun always shone brightly too and further illuminated the timeless beauty of the kingdom due to its castles and buildings towering in pure white marble.

But, as if not wanting this place to live in peace, there were many disturbances that had risen recently. 

The cases had greatly increased these past three years.

Like this time, when the children of the king were away on vacation and an upcoming festival was approaching to celebrate another year of keeping the seal pure.

Occasions like these usually had more incidents but the cases this time had become more often.

Vaelros sighed deeply. They must be more vigilant than ever.

"Yes, Sir! But, they're stronger than before and our foot soldiers can't fight them on their own. 

About fifty of our soldiers are down. 

There are 14 magical apprentices trying to aid and one told me something is amiss." 

Gol Furbuw reported loudly, earnestly waiting for the general to respond immediately.

"It was that bad?!" 

Vaelros frowned, doubting that the apprentice wizards were unable to handle those weak insurgents.

After all, the wizards were so powerful. 

Wizards of Livingrings were not human. They originated from the Floating Orb — a mysterious place floating right above the skies of Livingrings. It was invisible to all, except for the wizards who dwell and were born there.

Aside from the highest ranking wizards, people of Livingrings call all other wizards as apprentices no matter how different their ranks were.

"Yes, Sir. We need more hands. We must head there at once since…," Lieutenant added the rest in a much lower voice. "The prince and princess are also there."

"What?! Are you sure?!" Vaelros was alarmed.

"Yes, I am sure. I saw them myself," Furbuw confirmed.

"Then, we will head there immediately," Vaelros rose from his seat and quickly gave orders to his men.

"Gather the Silver Legion and prepare for departure. We will support the apprentices…"

The general gathered some of his troops, the Silver Legion in particular since they could act more quickly with their flying mounts called Celestial Drakes.

Vaelros also summoned his Celestial Drake – Leviathan.

Celestial Drakes were large, wise, and graceful draconic beasts who were said to be anointed pets of the gods.

They were only used by high ranking officers and important citizens of the Livingrings. 

Celestial Drakes were usually silver-scaled in color with vast, ethereal wings that sparkle like starlight, allowing them to soar effortlessly through the skies. 

Celestial Drakes could make huge magical barriers to protect their riders during battles.

Leviathan was gifted to Vaelros by one of the Divine Archmages named Beledon, one of the highest ranking wizards in Livingrings.

Leviathan is a radiant white-colored drake, strong in physique and could create his own armor with magic.

High-born Celestial Drakes like Leviathan were white in color, and usually blessed by the wizards that gifted them with different abilities.

These could be harnessed only if they got stronger and if their riders were able to withstand their powers.

Leviathan could sometimes communicate telepathically to General Vaelros when necessary or allowed by the wizards in extreme situations.

The communication gradually lasts longer as they grow stronger with the battles they fight or the magical powers they face. 

Leviathan had been Vaelros' strong and reliable partner for years now.

Author's Note:

*Vaelros Dreadstelth - General of the Divine Army of Livingrings

* Gol Furbuw - Lieutenant General in the Divine Army

*Floating Orb - birthplace of wizards of Livingrings and dwelling of the highest ranking wizards

*Celestial Drakes - draconic mounts of the Divine Army

*Leviathan - Vaelros' Celestial Drake

*Beledon - a Divine Archmage who gifted Leviathan to Vaelros