38. Humanity's Hope
After the discovery of magical abilities triggered by mysterious particles from the surface, a glimmer of hope emerged in the midst of humanity's despair. What once belonged to myth had become reality, and from the ruins of a broken civilization arose a hero: Eugene Evernoir.
Eugene was known as the leader of the most daring expedition teams. He often led small groups to the shattered surface of the Earth, despite the overwhelming risks. It was Eugene who first discovered the extraordinary ability within himself to control the elements—summoning fire and commanding the wind. In the face of danger and uncertainty, he became not only a figure of courage but also a symbol of new hope for humanity. Under his guidance, the potential of magic began to be explored and understood.
Once his powers were revealed, Eugene dedicated his life to mastering and studying magic. Over the years, he grew more skilled at wielding this mysterious force. With his intelligence and determination, Eugene developed methods that allowed others to harness magic as well. He began teaching techniques for controlling these powers, guiding the remaining underground population in using their abilities wisely. Through careful observation, experimentation, and relentless training, Eugene discovered the most effective ways to manipulate the natural elements.
Over decades, Eugene crafted a rigorous training system. Generation after generation of humans learned to master magic, evolving from humble beginnings into a powerful and well-trained group of sorcerers. They were taught not only to survive in a drastically changed world but to protect the underground communities and strategize against the looming threats above.
However, despite their progress, the threat on the surface could not be ignored. The war between angels and demons was far from over. While humanity had survived, the Earth remained gripped by a destructive battle. The remnants of the angelic forces were still fighting against the demons, and though they were formidable, they were in dire need of help. Eugene Evernoir and his community realized they could no longer remain passive.
Nero Nix Aurelius, the respected leader of the underground community, watched these developments with wisdom. He understood that humanity's newfound power was not just a tool for survival but a weapon to combat the darkness. Known for his foresight and intelligence, Nero made a crucial decision: humanity would join the angels in their fight. Armed with magic, they now had a chance to win the war.
With unwavering resolve, Nero sent the seven most talented sorcerers to lead a human force to the surface and fight alongside the angels. These seven, known as the Seven Pillars, were chosen not only for their power but for their strategic minds and leadership skills. Each possessed unique abilities—some controlled fire and water, while others wielded more subtle elements like light and shadow.
The Seven Pillars became the embodiment of human strength, a hope that had long been lost but now shone brightly again. They were not just masters of magic, but leaders who inspired the remaining fragments of humanity. Under Eugene's guidance, and alongside the six other leaders, a sorcerer army was quickly formed, training rigorously each day to prepare for the inevitable battle ahead.
At last, the day arrived. The human forces emerged from their underground refuge, rising to the ruined surface of the Earth. Beneath the gray sky, charged with the power of warring angels and demons, humanity's sorcerers met the angels for the first time. Though the angels may have initially doubted humanity's strength, they soon saw that these fragile beings possessed power equal to their own. The angels, with their golden wings stretched wide, welcomed humanity's help with open arms.
A great war began. Human sorcerers, wielding their magic, fought alongside the angelic hosts, creating an alliance no one had ever imagined. The battles were fierce, with spells and divine forces intertwined in every strike, every incantation, and every maneuver. The sorcerers demonstrated their strength with breathtaking skill, manipulating the elements to repel and defeat the terrifying demonic hordes. Eugene Evernoir led the charge with unmatched bravery, his mastery over fire and wind cutting through the demon ranks with surgical precision.
The war raged on for months, but with the help of the human sorcerers, the angels began to turn the tide. Each victory brought them closer to their ultimate goal: to seal the demons away for good. Whenever the demons retreated, they left destruction in their wake, but neither the angels nor humans faltered—they pressed forward, determined not to let darkness reclaim the Earth.
Finally, with their combined might, the sorcerers and angels cornered the last of the demonic forces. In a powerful sealing ritual led by the highest-ranking angels, the demons were locked away in a dimensional prison, unreachable from the human world. The magic of humanity helped reinforce the seal, ensuring that the demons could never return to destroy the Earth again.
With the war over, the world began to heal. Though the damage caused by the war between angels and demons could never fully be undone, hope was restored among humanity. Eugene Evernoir and the sorcerers were hailed as heroes, recognized as saviors who had led mankind out of the darkness. The first generation of sorcerers had conquered the forces of darkness, and from them, a new future for a wounded world was born.
As peace returned, humanity could finally leave their underground shelters and reclaim the surface. Though the land was drastically changed from what it once was, there was no longer a need to hide. Together with the angels, humanity began to rebuild the civilization that had long been lost.
As the world began to recover, small communities started to emerge across the land. Each group of survivors ventured out from their shelters, building new homes on what had once been a strange and ruined world, but now felt filled with hope. Villages and small towns rose from the remnants of old civilizations, while others were built in safe zones, untouched by the scars of war. Under the protection of the remaining angels and sorcerers, humanity slowly began to rebuild their society.
One of the most prominent regions in the formation of a new civilization was the continent of Olfein, located west of Fertissio. Though damaged by battles, Olfein held immense potential as a place for humanity to thrive. It was here that Nero Nix Aurelius, the wise and respected leader of the underground community, played a crucial role. With his remarkable leadership, Nero united the various small communities of Olfein into a vast kingdom that would come to be known as the Aurelius Kingdom.
The Aurelius Kingdom was founded with the goal of creating a strong and prosperous civilization where humanity could finally live in peace, after centuries of suffering and fear. Located in the western corner of Olfein, the kingdom became a central hub for post-war recovery. Its strategic location, where Olfein was separated from Fertissio, provided natural advantages in defense and resources. Nero Nix Aurelius, once just an underground leader, was crowned the first king of this kingdom. He symbolized a new hope for humanity—a figure who had led them out of darkness and was now guiding them toward a brighter future.
As king, Nero understood that even though the threat of demons had been diminished, the world was still rife with dangers. Therefore, he relied heavily on the sorcerers who had played a pivotal role in the victory against the demons. The Seven Pillars of Sorcery, who had fought valiantly during the war, were appointed as the kingdom's protectors. Each was given authority over a specific region to guard and lead the scattered human population across Olfein. These Seven Pillars became symbols of human strength and resilience, with each possessing incredible magical abilities, capable of manipulating natural elements, light, and even time.
Under King Nero's rule and the protection of the sorcerers, the Aurelius Kingdom flourished. The Seven Pillars served not only as guardians but also as military leaders, ready to face any threat that might arise in the future. Each pillar commanded a force of highly trained sorcerers and soldiers, prepared to fight at a moment's notice. With strong collaboration between the kingdom and the sorcerers, Olfein became safer, allowing humanity to focus on building rather than merely surviving.
The government Nero established was built on values of justice and unity. He did not rule with an iron fist, but with wisdom and deep empathy for the hardships humanity had endured during the war. Under his reign, the people of Aurelius rediscovered the meaning of peace and prosperity. New infrastructure was constructed, trade between regions flourished, and the arts and culture, once lost to war, slowly returned to everyday life.
Aurelius also became known for its innovations in magic. Eugene Evernoir, the renowned sorcerer who had mastered the control of magic, continued to play a vital role in advancing the kingdom's magical prowess. He and his followers founded magical academies to train a new generation of sorcerers. These academies taught not only the basics of magic but also the ethics and responsibilities that came with such immense power. Young sorcerers from across Olfein gathered at these academies to learn how to balance their magical abilities with the demands of daily life.
Meanwhile, the relationship between humans and the remaining angels remained strong. Although the angels were no longer involved in large-scale battles, some chose to stay on Earth to ensure that the seal against the demons remained intact and to guard against other potential threats. They became advisors to King Nero and the Seven Pillars, offering guidance to ensure that the kingdom's decisions for the future were made with wisdom and harmony.
Despite the drastic changes to the world, humanity had found its place on the continent of Olfein. No longer were they a people hiding from the dark; they had become a civilization ready to build a better future. With magic in their hands, Olfein became the center of a rapidly growing new civilization.
The dark times of war were slowly fading, replaced by hope and confidence that humanity, with the help of sorcerers and angels, could continue moving forward. Yet, even though the demons had been sealed away, there were still hidden threats lurking out there. The Aurelius Kingdom would always remain vigilant, ensuring that what they had fought for would not be taken back by any dark force that might try to rise again.
With all the preparations and protections in place, the future of Olfein looked brighter than ever. Humanity lived with newfound confidence, bolstered by their mastery of magic, and hope that the Earth they had fought so hard for could finally recover and thrive once more.
***
In the modest living room of a house nestled in Avalonis, the capital of the Aurelius Kingdom, Ellora sat with a serious expression, her eyes fixed on the thick book resting on her lap. Soft sunlight from the nearby window illuminated the old writings about the history of the Aurelius Kingdom and the Age of Glory, a time over two thousand years ago. But it wasn't the kingdom's past victories that held her attention today—it was a name she had long known: Eugene Evernoir.
Frowning in confusion, she whispered to herself, "Why did he do it?"
Eugene Evernoir had been one of the Seven Pillar Sorcerers who protected the Aurelius Kingdom. He was supposed to stay there, with the kingdom he had sworn to defend. But for reasons Ellora couldn't understand, he had chosen to build his own kingdom in the center of Olfein, far from Aurelius.
"Why did you leave, Eugene?" she murmured. "What made you build your own kingdom, so far from Aurelius?" The question spun endlessly in her mind. The distance of the Evernoir Kingdom was why Aurelius's forces couldn't help when disaster struck. This truth haunted her.
Lost in her thoughts, Ellora barely noticed her younger sister, Lily, entering the room with light steps. As usual, Lily carried her small holographic device, playing viral videos that were popular among the teens of Aurelius. The cheerful music from the video filled the once-quiet room.
Lily glanced at her sister, who was once again absorbed in the world of history books. Tilting her head slightly, her face showed mild disinterest as she sighed.
"Reading that boring book again?" Lily asked lazily, her fingers still dancing over the hologram, switching between videos at a quick pace.
Ellora sighed deeply but didn't respond right away. She closed her book for a moment and looked at her sister, who seemed uninterested in anything beyond the digital world she held in her hands.
"Lily," Ellora began, her voice gentle but firm. "You're an Evernoir. Even if our kingdom is gone, we still have to behave as nobility. You can't just ignore our history."
Lily scoffed softly, giving her sister a bored look. "We're not princesses anymore, sis. We're just refugees from a kingdom that no longer exists. No one cares about our history. What's the point of reading those dusty old books?"
Ellora sighed again. She knew Lily's indifference was her way of coping with the harsh reality they faced. But still, Ellora couldn't let her sister go on like this.
"Lily," Ellora said, this time more softly, "I know the world has changed. I know we've lost so much—our kingdom, our family, everything. But that doesn't mean we should forget who we are. We are still Evernoir. We have to hold on to our dignity."
Lily rolled her eyes and let out a small laugh. "Dignity? Sis, no one cares about noble dignity anymore. What matters now is tech, popularity, and money. We're irrelevant."
She turned back to her hologram, now watching a local celebrity playing games.
Ellora felt a pang of sadness creep into her chest. "Lily, you can't think like that. Just because we've lost our kingdom doesn't mean we should lose our identity. The name Evernoir still means something. Our history matters."
Lily let out a louder sigh this time. "Yeah, it matters to people like you, living in the past. But me? I'd rather focus on the future, on what's real now."
Ellora sat in silence for a moment, trying to calm herself. She knew her sister was rebelling—against the world, their fate, maybe even against her. But behind Lily's defiance, Ellora could sense the pain her sister was hiding.
"Lily," Ellora said softly, "I just want us to hold on to who we are. That's all. I know it's not easy, but… we can't forget where we came from."
Lily paused her game for a moment and looked at Ellora. There was a flicker of exhaustion in her usually carefree eyes.
"Why are you so stubborn, sis?" Lily asked suddenly. "Why do you keep holding on so tight? What's the point? Everyone we knew is gone, our kingdom is destroyed. We have nothing left."
Ellora felt a sharp sting in her chest at those words. There was a bitter truth in Lily's statement, one that made it even harder to hold on to her beliefs. But deep down, she knew she couldn't give up. Not just for herself—but for her sister, too.
"Lily…," Ellora began carefully, choosing her words with care. "I know this is hard. I know we've lost everything. But I believe, if we hold on, if we remember who we are, one day we can rebuild something better."
Lily stared blankly at her. "Rebuild what? A broken kingdom? That's just a dream, sis. We can't live in dreams forever."
Ellora shook her head gently. "It's not just about the kingdom, Lil. It's about hope. About believing that we can fix things, even when it seems impossible. And that starts with not forgetting who we are."
Lily didn't respond. She went back to her hologram, though this time her movements were slower, as if Ellora's words had planted a seed of thought in her mind. The room fell silent again, the only sound being the soft hum of the holographic video still playing.
Ellora looked at her sister with a mix of emotions. She wanted to protect Lily from the pain and disappointment they had suffered, but at the same time, she knew they had to face this harsh reality together.
After a while, Lily turned off her device and leaned back in her chair.
"Even if we could rebuild something…," Lily said quietly, "I just hope you know I don't want to get lost in a pointless dream."
Ellora smiled gently, her gaze filled with affection. "I know, Lily. I just don't want us to lose hope. No matter what."
Lily didn't respond again. Though her attitude seemed indifferent, Ellora sensed that her words had reached her sister's heart, if only a little. And for Ellora, that was enough.
***