The last lesson for the day was history class, The sun streamed through the towering glass windows of the grand lecture hall, gilding the room with golden light. Sky, seated in the middle row beside Aerin, Mira, and Caius, tried to still her restless mind as the History Master—an elderly man named Master Veritas, whose eyes gleamed with hidden knowledge—cleared his throat.
"Settle down, children. Today, we embark on a journey through time—through blood, power, and divine decree."
The room hushed. Quills hovered over parchment, and even the ever-bored Mira leaned forward.
Master Veritas paced before the chalkboard, where an intricate map of the kingdom was drawn—nine cities, nine stars encircling the capital at its heart.
"Listen well, for understanding the past is the key to surviving the future."
He gestured to the map, his voice deep and resonant.
"Our Kingdom: The Ninefold Star."
"Centuries ago, when chaos ruled the mortal lands and the Spirit World raged unchecked, the Goddess descended. She found a world drowning in darkness, where the strong preyed upon the weak and the laws of nature bent beneath tyranny."
"The Goddess chose a mortal family, the House of Radiance, bestowing upon them fragments of her divine power. They became the first royal line—Kings and Queens whose bloodline intertwined with celestial essence. The first King, Auren Starfall, united the warring cities into one kingdom: the Ninefold Star Kingdom."
"The Nine Cities—each named after celestial symbols—represent the pillars of our realm. Each city is ruled by noble houses loyal to the crown, but the capital, Nine City, remains under direct royal control."
He paused, allowing the names of the cities—Seven Star City, Lunar Crest, Solar Flare, Obsidian Vale—each to sink in.
"The Royal Family: Children of the Goddess."
"The current ruler, King Alaric Starfall, is the 17th sovereign in the Starfall line. His bloodline carries the Celestial Mark—a symbol of divine favor, said to grant rulers insight into the will of the Goddess. The royal family, however, is not unchallenged. Whispers of rebellion, power struggles, and old rivalries threaten the throne's stability."
Master Veritas's eyes gleamed as he leaned forward.
"The royal family's role is not merely governance. They are the sacred guardians of the Prophecy of the Chosen, though few know its full details. The kingdom believes the royal bloodline is the tether between the mortal and divine."
"The Church of the Goddess: Light and Shadow."
A hush fell. Even Sky felt her heart tighten at the name.
"The Church of the Goddess—the largest religious power—was established after the kingdom's founding. Its mission: to interpret the Goddess's will, guide the people in faith, and guard sacred knowledge."
He turned, tapping a chalk diagram of the Three Pillars of Faith: The High Priestess, the Council of Oracles, and the Order of the Veil.
"The High Priestess leads the Church, claiming direct communion with the Goddess. The Oracles interpret signs and visions. And the Order of the Veil—well, they are... less known." His tone darkened. "They are said to enforce the Goddess's will in ways not spoken aloud."
Whispers spread. Sky's pulse quickened.
The Tension Between Crown and Church
"Though the royal family and Church stand aligned publicly, their histories are laced with quiet conflict. Both believe they are the chosen instruments of the Goddess. Both protect the prophecy. Yet their methods—and ambitions—may not always align."
Master Veritas closed the book with a soft thud.
He scanned the room, voice turning solemn.
"Remember, young ones, the world you live in is shaped by power, faith, and blood. The Goddess's favor is a double-edged sword, and the past is never truly past."
His eyes lingered on Sky for a fleeting second—though she couldn't fathom why—and then the lesson was over, leaving behind a weight of questions and a flickering sense of destiny.