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 faint glow from the ancient murals cast a soft light over the cavern, creating shifting patterns as the torchlight flickered. Lira stepped closer to the walls, tracing her fingers gently along the carved figures and symbols.

Each mural seemed to tell a part of a larger story: a world torn apart by chaos, the rise of ancient guardians, and the forging of shards meant to seal away unspeakable powers.

Cael crouched near a broken statue, examining its base. "These carvings," he said thoughtfully, "they're from the First Era. I thought most of this knowledge was lost."

"First Era?" Lira asked, her voice hushed.

"The time when Aera was young," Cael explained. "Before the kingdoms we know today were even founded. Back then, magic wasn't just a tool — it was life itself."

Lira absorbed his words, feeling a growing weight settle in her chest. The shard she carried wasn't just powerful — it was a relic from an age when the very fabric of the world was different.

She turned her attention to a particular mural depicting a woman standing in front of a massive, fractured crystal — one that looked strikingly similar to her shard.

Cael stood beside her, studying the image. "A Guardian, perhaps. Legend says each shard was entrusted to someone chosen by fate itself."

A strange pull drew Lira toward the center of the cavern, where a stone pedestal sat, half-buried under debris. Setting her torch aside, she brushed away the dust and uncovered a hollowed-out depression — shaped perfectly to fit her shard.

Her hand trembled as she pulled the shard from her satchel. Without quite knowing why, she placed it into the slot.

The ground rumbled softly, and the murals flared to life, their faded colors suddenly vibrant. A soft hum filled the air.

From the pedestal, a projection of light formed — an ancient map, showing places all across Aera, with certain points glowing more brightly than others.

Cael inhaled sharply. "Those are the other shards," he whispered. "And… something else. A center point."

Lira's heart pounded. It was clear now — her journey was far from over. Finding this shard had only been the beginning. Now, a greater quest awaited: gathering the others before darker forces could reach them first.

"We need to move quickly," Cael said, his tone urgent. "If we found this place… so can they."

Secrets in the Stone