Slops

In the world of Aera, the sky no longer exists. It vanished centuries ago, taking with it the warmth of the sun and the light of the moon. What remains are floating islands, drifting above an endless chasm, surrounded by a mist that devours everything that falls into it. The world beneath is forgotten—only the inhabitants of the islands survive, clinging to what little they can.

The fall of the sky brought a cataclysm that shattered the world, leaving only fragments of the past. No one truly understands what caused it, but the legends speak of an ancient power, long lost to time. Some say it was a war between gods, others claim it was a mistake made by the people themselves. All that remains are the broken pieces, scattered across the world in the form of mysterious relics, each holding untold power.

The survivors live in the shadow of the sky’s absence, their lives shaped by the struggle to survive in a world that no longer makes sense. And in the midst of it all, a young girl named Lira is about to discover that the past is not as far behind as it seems. The secrets of the sky still linger, and the forces that seek to control it will stop at nothing to claim the power it holds.

The Skyless World

The night had fully settled, and the quiet of the village was both calming and unsettling at the same time. Lira and Kaden stood at the edge of the forest, barely visible under the cover of night. The faint sounds of the village drifted to them, but the air was thick with anticipation. Rorik had left them with a heavy burden—stay hidden, remain vigilant, and wait for his return.

Kaden broke the silence. "This doesn't feel right," he muttered, his eyes scanning the village in the distance. "We don't know who we can trust here."

Lira nodded, feeling the same unease creep into her bones. The village appeared peaceful, almost too peaceful, but something about it didn't sit right with her. There was a lingering sense of something hidden beneath the surface, something dark waiting to be uncovered.

"Rorik trusts the scholar," Lira said, trying to reassure herself. "He wouldn't lead us into danger."

"I hope you're right," Kaden replied, his voice low but filled with doubt. "But I've learned not to trust too easily."

Hours passed in silence, each moment stretching longer than the last. Lira's mind raced with questions. What were they really looking for? What was the true power of the shard? And most importantly, what did Rorik know that he hadn't shared?

Suddenly, the quiet was shattered by the sound of footsteps approaching. Lira's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively moved closer to Kaden. They both crouched low in the shadows, watching as a figure approached from the village.

The figure was cloaked in dark robes, and despite the lack of light, Lira could see the outline of a staff—something both ancient and powerful about it. As the figure came closer, Lira could make out the sharp features of an older man. His face was stern, his eyes scanning the area with a sharpness that immediately made her wary.

"It's him," Kaden whispered. "The scholar?"

Lira didn't answer. Instead, she stepped forward, her curiosity pushing her past her initial hesitation. The scholar's steps slowed as he neared them, his eyes flicking toward the shadows. For a moment, it seemed as though he sensed their presence, but then he continued walking, not acknowledging them.

Kaden and Lira followed him at a distance, careful not to make a sound. The scholar moved with purpose, making his way toward the heart of the village, where a large stone building stood. Its ancient architecture seemed to pulse with an energy that matched the shard in Lira's pocket.

When they reached the door of the building, the scholar paused and turned, his sharp gaze locking onto them. "I know you're there," he said calmly, his voice smooth but filled with authority. "Come out. There's no need to hide."

Lira and Kaden stepped from the shadows, both of them taken aback by how easily the scholar had detected them.

"You've been waiting for us," Lira said, her voice steady but curious.

The scholar nodded. "I've been waiting for you, yes. You're not the first to come searching for the shard. But you may be the last who will succeed."

Lira's heart raced. "What do you mean? What's the true power of the shard?"

The scholar smiled, but it wasn't a reassuring smile. "The shard is more than just a key—it's the heart of this world. And its power isn't meant to be controlled. It is a force that must remain hidden, or else Aera will crumble under its weight."

Kaden stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "Then why are you helping us?"

"Because you have no choice," the scholar replied, his voice cold. "The shard is in your hands now. You will either learn to wield its power or die trying."

He turned and pushed open the heavy stone door, motioning for them to follow. Lira and Kaden exchanged a look before stepping inside.

Secrets in the Shadows