Prologue

Prologue

         They say that there a time when the world of Moon Ocean was free of war. Some state, however, that it is merely an unreliable legend, a story for children and naïve maidens. Ever since the eldest people remember, the flame of conquest rode on the waves, along with the ships of the Sun Empire.

         Back in the dawn of days, father god Ocean met mother goddess Sky. They danced and they conceived their daughter – Earth. Soon enough beasts and plants flourished upon it, preceding the arrival of a man. Sky and Ocean observed their daughter Earth nurse her own children, humans. However, what they had seen failed to please them, for humans were wicked. There was creeping evil within their souls, an all-consuming poison, and every gift they received, they turned into a weapon. They used fire to incinerate the settlements of their brothers and sisters. Blades and arrows were pointed no longer solely on stags and boars. The desire for war and violence seemed to flow in the humans’ veins. Ocean and Sky were disappointed.

         Earth begged her father and mother for forgiveness, when Ocean and Sky commanded her to end the existence of her malicious children. She denied, and turned against those, who had created her. Thus, she brought great wrath upon herself. Seeing no other choice, Ocean and Sky descended upon their daughter, unleashing their destructive power. Defiant Earth was smashed into tiny pieces, which scattered across the seas. That was how the islands were formed.

         For many centuries humans thrived on their secluded patches of land. However, the lust for bloodshed and their insatiable ambition were deeply ingrained in their bones. They found the way. With the invention of ships, humans began conquering neighboring islands. The strong forced the weak into submission, and from the fire of war five major domains emerged.

         The eldest was the eastern Kingdom of Letta. It was also the first to perish. Greed and arrogance brought its downfall, abruptly turning small yet fertile islands into unwelcoming rocks. Grim ruins of ancient temples and palaces were all that remained of their once grand civilization. Some say that it was a curse that was the reason of desolation. Rational people dismiss the belief as utterly ridiculous. Yet, no one could explain why not a single blade of grass grew on the soil of Letta.

         The most spiritual was Valador – a strange country ruled by priests, located on five mountainous islands. Its citizens were well-known for their bronze skin and dark arts. Although the practice had been abolished centuries ago, some still believe that the Valadorians sacrifice children in a horrifying ritual to win the favor of Hevv, the god of death.

         The Kingdom of Tayann was famous for its prosperity. Two tiny islands accompanied the biggest patch of land in the entire known world. Tayann’s capital was said to have walls so high that they touched the clouds. Its inhabitants were quick-witted and entrepreneurial, but the gold mines also were helpful in establishing the top position in the world.

         Far in the North, the tough people of dwelled upon White Rocks, leading their simple lives. Although hunting and fishing were the peak of their achievements, they were well-respected because of their courage and endurance.

         The Southern part of the Ocean was home to the Sun Empire, a mighty domain ruling over thirteen islands. Its heart was on a small patch of land called the Sun Island. Its golden cliffs shone like the sun itself, filling the souls of its inhabitants with pride and burning need to dominate. Even though their domain was miniscule, the ambition of its citizens was matched the vast size of the Moon Ocean. The sons of Sun weren’t fond of trade, farming or craftsmanship – the sole purpose of their existence was battle.

         A thousand years ago, King Jahangir launched an invasion upon the twelve neighboring islands. It took three generations to secure the lands, but his grandson, Jassen, became the first Sun Emperor. He ruled wisely and held all the islands in a steel grip. However, he made a grave mistake, right before he let out his last breath. Fatherly love lead to the downfall of the newly created empire. However, the following Emperors slowly conquered the islands once more, one by one, patiently drawing them under their influence. Three centuries ago, the Sun Empire had been united again, growing strong and greedily eying its neighbors – Valador and Tayann.

          Finally, the Emperor Jahangir the fifth of his name, the father of the current ruler, send his armies to besiege Valador. The raids lasted seventeen years, and the siege of the major cities took two decades, but Valador fell eventually. Emperor Jahangir went to his eternal sleep with a satisfied smile on his lips, knowing that his son would continue his grand work and fulfill the Sun Empire’s destiny to claim the entire worlds. He was not wrong. Barely the crown touched the new Emperor’s head, when he set his ambitions on Tayann.