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 was cold as Kaden and Ardyn arrived at the hidden camp of Lira's allies. The faint glow of the campfires flickered in the distance, casting long shadows on the forest around them. The journey from the battlefield had been long, and both men carried the weight of their grim news. The last rays of the setting sun painted the sky in shades of red, matching the somber mood they brought with them.

Lira stood at the entrance of the camp, her face tired but determined. She saw them approach, their movements slower than usual, a sign of the battles they had endured. There was something in their eyes—something that told her this moment wasn't just another brief reunion. Something had happened.

Kaden's face was hard, his usual stoic expression now carrying an unspoken burden. Ardyn, on the other hand, was tense, his hand clutching the hilt of his sword as if still expecting an attack, even though they were safely within the camp's boundaries. The two men stopped before Lira, and for a long moment, neither spoke.

Lira, sensing the gravity of the situation, was the first to break the silence. "What happened?" she asked, her voice steady but full of concern.

Kaden exhaled slowly, his eyes flicking toward Ardyn for a moment before speaking. "The Professor… he's gone. He was… taken from us."

Lira's heart dropped. "Taken? What do you mean? How?"

Ardyn stepped forward, his eyes shadowed with sorrow. "It was an ambush. We… we were too late. By the time we arrived, they had already taken him. We tried to fight them off, but they were too strong. In the end, the Professor… he didn't make it."

The words hit Lira like a physical blow. The Professor had been their guide, the one who had shown them the way forward, who had taught them about the shards and the ancient magic of Aera. To hear that he was gone—taken by their enemies—was a loss that shook her to the core.

"Who did this?" Lira asked, her voice breaking slightly. "Who was responsible?"

Kaden's jaw tightened. "We don't know their names, but they were part of a larger group. We fought off their main force, but they had a leader, someone more powerful than any of us. The Professor… he didn't stand a chance against them."

Lira clenched her fists, feeling the heat of anger rise within her. The Professor had been a man of knowledge and wisdom, and to lose him like this, in such a senseless way, was unforgivable. But as she looked at Kaden and Ardyn, she saw the same resolve in their eyes—this wasn't the end. It was just another beginning.

"We can't let his death be in vain," Lira said, her voice now steady with purpose. "We need to find out who is behind this. We need to stop them before they can destroy everything he worked for."

Ardyn nodded. "We're with you, Lira. We've seen their strength, and we know how dangerous they are. But we're not backing down. We'll make them pay for what they did."

Kaden, usually so calm, now had a fire in his eyes that Lira had never seen before. "The Professor may be gone, but his knowledge still lives within us. We'll honor him by finishing what he started."

Lira nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. She knew that the road ahead would be harder than ever, but now, with the Professor gone, they had more than just a quest—they had a cause. And she would see it through to the end, no matter the cost.

As the group gathered around the fire that night, they spoke of the battles ahead, of the shard locations they needed to uncover, and of the enemies they had to defeat. The loss of the Professor was a painful blow, but it was also a catalyst that pushed them forward. In that moment, Lira knew one thing for certain: They would fight on, for him, and for the future of Aera.

The Fall of the Scholar