Episode 1

June 3rd 1912 - Minjeong

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╔═══*.·:·.★ ✦ ★･:･:*═══╗

To replenish the flora and calm the fires

To bandage the wounded and carry the heavy-hearted

To restore sight to the blinded and heal the ears of the deaf

Let those of plants and fire not destroy what was, but kindle anew

Through the hurtful past and the treacherous present, I give myself for the hopes of tomorrow.

╚═══*.·:·.★ ✦ ★･:･:*═══╝

~Zerath's preservation and transformation spell

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Has really nothing changed?

I miss my sons. I mean, what they were before they took what it meant to be clan leaders too far. My lineage has always been renowned for being powerful enlightened, so I thought it was only natural for them to start new clans - little did I know it would pick apart our family one by one.

You're probably really confused right now and that's understandable. Now, where do I begin? I suppose I'll have to start from the very beginning. I used to live in the Land of Regulars after falling in love with my husband while completing my tasks there. You see, enlightened academies usually require you to make rounds to the Land of Regulars to not only observe Regulars' society, but to also learn more about how we can utilize resources there. The number one rule, however, was to never let them find out about the enlighteneds. As such, they only let top students of the most prestigious academies, like me, visit. I remember the moment my to-be husband caught me picking flowers in his backyard vividly. I was scared of the initial interaction and thought it would end there, but it didn't. I fell in love with him in the end, got married with him and became pregnant. I knew I was living an unstable double life but I was satisfied. But as is anything of an unstable nature, I got caught by officials within the realm of enlighteneds. For my punishment, my husband was set to be assassinated. They might have done nothing to me physically, but that was by far the worst they could have ever done. The incident turned me into an outcast and I fled to the outskirts of the realm within my clan's land. Aquinnium has long since been disbanded so I figured it was the perfect spot to raise Minyong and give birth to Minhyuk.

Things went smoothly after that hectic event, more or less. I was perfectly satisfied with living with my sons until that very day. I remember that day like it was yesterday: the day my sons started their very own clans. It sickens me. It all started when my eldest son Minyong was intrigued by a story of my own clan back in the day, so he asked me about it. My other son, Minhyuk, followed Minyong around a lot as a kid, since he didn't know how to speak for himself very well. At the time, I thought nothing of their questions and answered truthfully.

You see, a clan is a very special bond like no other. It's one where you work with established members towards a goal. Once that goal is achieved, the clan disbands. That 'goal' part is where I ran into the deepest problem ever, one that I still haven't exactly solved years later.

I've always found their curiosity for the world of enlightened fascinating, as most people would be scared. They asked me if they each could start their own clan, and me, not thinking it through, decided to let them.

That was back in 1892 and it's been 20 years since that very day. I wish I said something to stop them, or at the very least, got them to make a clan together and now, I'll pay the price for it.

The most dominant clans of today are Flores and Ignus, both of which are names too familiar and heartbreaking to me. These very names stir feelings of pride, anger and resentment within the enlightened realm. The only things that comes to me are large swaths of guilt. My sons have been blinded by so much hate from the past that they'll stop at nothing to see the other's clan crumble.

I've been told countless times from many fellow enlightened ones from either side of the clans that I should be proud of raising the leader of their clan. For that, I've gained my status back in the realm and recognition. But what good is it to me if it's never what I wanted in the first place?

I would've loved to see my sons pursuing their interests as their career and furthering developing the realm of enlighteneds. I recall clearly of whenever Minyong would build mini battle trinkets like traps and weapons. He'd show them to me anytime he made something new. Watching him make these works was mesmerizing. He used his enlightened ability of fire to melt and bend the metal he'd use. He would have made an amazing craftsman. As for Minhyuk, he seemed to always have his nose in books, scrolls and research papers. He'd always score top in his academy so I was never surprised that he did this. It was only later that I found out that he studied plants. He admitted to me that while he enjoyed studying, there was nothing he adored learning about more than the greenery around him.

Both my sons as individuals are great people. Minyong leads Ignus with true leadership. He's a man of the systematic structure in his clan and is able to sway people with words alone. Minhyuk, on the other hand, is just as fit of a leader. Leading Flores, he's calculated and wise for his age, not letting emotions blind his judgement. If only they could see how much the war has become a problem in the realm of the enlightened. Maybe then would they stop - but that thought remains only in my dreams. I strongly believe it would take so much more.

It all started with a small misunderstanding, which turned to accusations then to real, cold-blooded hatred. I couldn't bear to see it anymore. So that's why, today, I've decided to set all my hope into one plan. It'll take decades or perhaps centuries for it to finally carry out, but if my predictions are correct, then the war between Flores and Ignus will last for longer than that.

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I lean back in my chair, pulling myself away from my journal and heaving a large sigh before glancing back at the spell pages in front of me. I know I'm ready. I recite the words of the spell one last time. Once it's done casting, my body will die, however, not my soul and powers. They'll be left for the chosen one of my future generations. That chosen one will be my final hope in restoring the true intentions of Flores and Ignus and reuniting the clans as one.

I didn't think I'd ever have to rely on this spell, but I suppose we're here now. Lifting my head and closing my eyes, I recite the spell with desperation in my voice. Letting my ability flow through within me, I mumble the words at first, feeling ashamed of even needing to rely on a spell like this, my voice getting louder and clearer with each passing word that goes through my mouth.

I let the last word linger with an air of anticipation. Before I even know it, the spell finishes and my head begins to spin. Black spots begin to take over my vision before I feel myself limply falling to the ground, my field of view completely blackened. I don't regret my choice and I plan on my future generations living in peace, rather than hatred. I'm giving up my own life so that perhaps many others will be saved. After all, wouldn't you do the same?

I open my eyes to a dark void of nothing encased in a sphere-like water flowing around it. After looking around a bit more, I find myself lying on the cold ground and pick myself back up to wander for a bit. The space looks to be infinite, though I'm not willing to test that idea out. I try to activate my abilities but nothing happens. So it really did work? I catch a glimpse of light and shift my sight over to a growing pin-shaped blinding light, walking towards it while shielding my eyes at the same time. In the darkened patch, I barely make out a platform-like clearing and stand on it. As soon as I do, the light begins to fade from the source and seep down into the ground to light up the area I'm standing on. On the perimeter of the lit area were orb-shaped crystals that refracted the light to the rest of the dark void.

I reach down and graze my fingers over the crystals as a voice begins to speak. The voice sounded soft and smooth, yet firm and powerful. I cock my head to the sound and wait in anticipation. I'm not able to make out what exactly it's saying in the chantings of the voice but slowly, the voice becomes clearer. I gape in amazement as I can hear the voice inch closer and closer towards me.

"Are you sure about this, Minjeong?" I pause for a bit after hearing the voice ask me that. Choking back tears, I reply.

"More than ever."

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