Chapter 1: The Sky Beyond the Kingdom
In the quiet outskirts of the Rua Kingdom, nestled between hills and rivers, lay the humble village of Savio. It was a peaceful place, untouched by the chaos that ruled much of the world. But peace didn't sit well with Nova.
He sat on the roof of his cottage, eyes fixed on the endless blue sky above. Thoughts swirled in his mind like the drifting clouds.
"What lies beyond the kingdom?" he asked himself. "Monsters? Demons? Maybe even... humans more dangerous than both?"
His fingers clenched the wooden shingles.
"Why do we live the way we do? What's the purpose behind society's chains? Behind these walls? If I want to understand it… then I need to break free."
His decision was made.
Nova slid off the rooftop and rushed back into the house. The small home echoed with quiet warmth simple furniture, a stone fireplace, and his younger brother, Raphael, playing with a toy sword on the floor.
Nova grabbed a bag and began packing. Water. Fruits. A cloak. His woodcutting axe.
Raphael looked up, confused. "Where are you going, big brother?"
Nova paused, kneeling before him. "I'm going to find the truth. I need to understand the world what's really out there."
Raphael frowned. "Can I come?"
Nova smiled sadly. "Not this time. You're too young. But I've made arrangements."
A nun stood at the doorway, her expression gentle but firm. She reached out and lifted Raphael, who squirmed in her arms, eyes brimming with tears.
"Nova!" he cried.
Nova walked over and placed a hand on his brother's head. "Be strong. Listen to the nun. One day, I'll come back… and tell you everything I find."
The nun nodded. "We'll take good care of him."
Without another word, Nova turned and left.
He passed through the dusty roads, descending into the heart of the kingdom. The capital city of Suez pulsed with noise market stalls, clanking metal, and the ever-watchful eyes of guards.
But Nova ignored it all.
He carried his axe on his back, drawing curious stares. A teenage boy, traveling alone? With a weapon?
People whispered as he walked by.
Still, he pressed on toward the airship station. Floating above the rooftops were large metal crafts, tethered to towers airships bound for distant corners of the kingdom.
He stepped up to the ticket counter and placed a leather pouch on the table. It jingled with coins his life savings, earned from chopping trees in the forest.
"One ticket to Bosco," he said. The last city before the kingdom's border.
The clerk eyed him, but nodded. Moments later, Nova was boarding the airship.
The interior of the vessel was grander than anything he'd seen rows of plush seats, golden railings, and a dome ceiling that revealed the sky above. People in cloaks and suits filled the rows, but all eyes turned to the boy with the axe.
Nova sighed and walked forward until he found a seat next to a quiet boy reading a book.
He sat down.
"Do I look weird or something?" he muttered.
The boy looked up. "Not really."
"Huh. Finally." Nova grinned. "I'm Nova."
"Ronan," the boy replied.
"So, Ronan got a dream or something you're chasing?"
"Not exactly," Ronan said with a shrug. "I just like the idea of adventure."
"Adventure?" Nova's eyes lit up. "That's perfect. I'm leaving the kingdom. Gonna see what's outside the walls."
Ronan raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? That's impossible. Borders are locked. No one just... leaves."
Nova scowled. "Tch. You know what? I don't care what's impossible. Are you coming with me or not? I could use a partner."
"You're nuts."
"Maybe," Nova said, leaning closer. "But I won't survive this alone. Come with me."
Ronan was silent for a moment. Then, he closed his book and smirked.
"You're lucky. I was planning to escape before you showed up."
Nova blinked. "Wait, what?"
Ronan pulled out a black passport and flipped it open. Nova's eyes widened as he read the name.
"…Giordano?!"
Ronan nodded casually. "Yep. Son of the king. Heir to the Rua Kingdom."
Nova's mouth fell open. "You're telling me the prince is escaping the kingdom with me?!"
"Technically, I'm bored." Ronan stretched. "Being royalty sucks."
Nova laughed out loud. "This just got way more interesting."