Over two millennia ago, six great races awakened on this world,each in its own hidden corner: sturdy Humans carving fertile valleys; secretive Masquaris, masters of disguise; fierce Cindaris, born of fire and lava; enigmatic Nihlaaris, children of the void; sky‑borne Kharex, winged wanderers; and the shadowy Nyrexs, leeches of memory. None could recall anything before that dawn, but all beheld the same anomaly: impossibly high stone Walls that ringed the globe, cleaving continents in half and reaching into the clouds.
Most fled the Walls' endless silhouette,Nyrexs and Nihlaaris retreated to distant wastes, their minds untroubled by what lay beyond. The Humans and Cindaris, however, clustered at the Wall's base, building cities whose walls were nothing close to the great barrier's height. The Cindaris forged their furnaces in its shadow, worshipping flame as both weapon and guardian. High overhead, the Kharex attempted to soar above the Wall, but the thin air and fierce winds drove them back. They built crystal‑spired bastions in the sky, floating on the clouds above.
Last came the Masquaris, elusive shape‑shifters who drifted between peoples. For years no one discovered their secret,until the coronation of Glenvale's king. A true Cindari prince uncovered that his ruler was a Masquari impostor and struck him down upon the throne. Since then, Masquari have withdrawn into a hidden enclave, their borders unmarked and unpatrolled. No caravan, no solitary traveler dares approach their territory, for to face a Masquari is to risk having your face,and your life,stolen in the night.
Yet across all lands, one question endures: What lies within the Wall? Some whisper of ruin and horror; others of untold power. And all believe that someday,somehow,someone will breach the barrier and uncover the truth at the world's broken heart.
Present day.
In my 12 years of life, I haven't had my own birthday party. This was normal, according to tradition, Velmian birthday partys only happen at the 12th, when a child starts getting responsibilities, 18th, when a child becomes an adult of course and is signed up for the military,and 35th years of age,when you are no longer required to serve the military in any form, so i had missed 11 eleven birthdays and I was eager and ready for my big party. I danced through the ballroom with practiced grace, every step falling exactly where it was meant to. Square dancing had always come naturally to me,more than just tradition, it felt like expression. I danced with many pretty girls. They all smiled at me and knew how to dance too. I didn't care so much about the dance itself; to me, it was a way to show skill and control, and my father said it would help with sword lessons when I start. "Plenty of men could fight, sure,but how many could truly square dance?" He would say during my square dancing lessons.
"Smooth as always, Prince." one of the girls giggled as I twirled her.
"Grace is a language," I replied, letting her go with a flourish.
With pride in my chest and a smile on my face, I spun and stepped under the glow of the chandeliers, aware of every pair of eyes on me. It was my 12th birthday, and already the people loved me. I made lots of public appearances to make the public familiar with me. I've been told by many citizens that they hope I will grow up to be a great king. My older sister May had no interest in ruling. She married a noble and made it clear she wanted nothing to do with the crown. That left me as the next heir to the throne.
The ballroom was just one wing of the castle, our family's ancestral home and the heart of the kingdom of Velmia. Built atop the golden green cliffs of the capital city, the castle loomed high above the land like a monument to legacy. The rest of Velmia was built on the rivers that we made flowing out of our castle. The founder of the Velmier family and creator of Velmia, Roal Velmier, found a magical stone nearly 1000 years ago that, when activated, produced clean flowing water endlessly. He ordered his men to carve out channels for the water to flow from our hills down and around the castle.
"Smart old man," May once told me.
The water became the lifeblood of Velmia, powering mills, transporting goods, and sending messages far and wide. The grass turned green and crops flourished. Golden hills of beautiful flowers sprung and forests too.
The ballroom's hardwood floor, harvested over 900 years ago from Glonvale's ancient forest, gleamed beneath my feet. It was said the tree had never seen the sun,grown in shadow, beneath a sky blotted out by endless canopy. The wood was fireproof, waterproof, nearly indestructible, and eternally varnished, thanks to a builder's enchantments.
The tall stone walls came from Tiba in the frozen north of our neighboring human faction. Unlike Velmia's unity, Tiba was a patchwork of fractured towns and stubborn pride. Yet, their stonework was unmatched. They called their capital Valkraad, but it was barely a half the size of just our castle.Gold and obsidian accented the inside of the walls, glimmering against the soft gray stone. The chandelier above spilled light that made the gold shimmer and the obsidian seem alive. My suit matched the palette,black and gold, stitched with the image of my house.
I stopped dancing and went to get some refreshments. There was a huge long table filled with meat, drinks, and deserts. I sat down at a chair and grabbed a cup and poured myself some wine. Velmian citizens can start drinking at 12, so this would be my first time. I brought the glass to my lips and sipped. The wine was awful tasting, burned my tongue. I spit it out onto the floor, the floor quickly absorbing the wine.
"So how are you, prince?" A beautiful girl sat down beside me. a brunette, close to my age.
"I am good, and your name is?" I inquired.
"Sasha Hurn, pleasure to meet you." Sasha responded with a hand stuck out. I met her hand and we shook. "What are you doing here and not out on the ballroom partying?"
"Oh I had already partied hard. Im tired and i just wanted some refreshments."
"Oh ok. Would you, um, like to dance with me?" she asked shyly.
"Of course m'lady." I responded with a smile. I had never been asked out by a girl before, though I had danced with them. I stood up and she followed suit and grabbed my hand and started to walk to the dance floor.
"Yay! Thank you so mu-" She squealed before a loud voice interrupted her.
"Before the party ends, we would like to begin the gift ceremony and sing happy birthday to my son," my father, Ray Velmier, the king, bellowed from the grand stairs. Sasha let go of my hand and groaned, and so did I.
Ray Velmier, my father, was a man built like a statue carved for war; tall, broad-shouldered , with sharp blue eyes that saw through lies and laziness alike. His blond hair, streaked with silver, was pulled back behind a golden circlet that rested above his brow like it belonged there. He spoke with authority, not just the kind born of title, but the kind that came from presence. People listened when he talked. Soldiers straightened. Ministers shut up.
Beside him, my mother, Queen Anne, stood with quiet dignity. Her beauty was something bards wrote verses about , soft features, bright golden hair braided with jeweled clips, and a smile that could silence any room. But it was her mind that ruled hearts. She chose her words carefully, and when she did speak, her voice was calm, measured, and precise , the sort that could calm a storm or stir one. Together, they were the shape of Velmia: strength and wisdom, steel and silk.
The room erupted into cheers and applause. The voices joined in song.
Happy birthday, Happy birthday.
we wish all your happiness will stay
So happy birthday to mumbles .
Lets party all the pain way.
And once again, I was reminded.
I have no name.