"Once, in the depths of space and time, a new world was being formed. One man had to decide the fate of his people, living in an infant world as it prepared to welcome the outcasts of the fallen one—its second inhabitants."
In honour of their new beginning, the city was named Novak, and the world itself came to be called Nova. The wanderer, no longer alone, had led his people into a future full of promise and light.
Dark Fate
The skies were once clear and radiant, a canvas of brilliance before the shadow of fate descended upon the wanderer's world. Darkness spread swiftly, a harbinger of smoke and ash that tainted the heavens with the marks of death. This dark fate, unforeseen and relentless, unfolded with merciless speed, leaving no time for escape.
The wanderer lived in solitude, far from the reach of his former world. He had distanced himself from the shadowy authority of a superior race that ruled from the skies—the Deans. Long before his time, the Deans had arrived, lurking unseen until they revealed themselves, claiming dominion over the world and deeming its inhabitant's inferior.
The Deans were an advanced and enigmatic race, conquerors of worlds. Their leader, Zokor, was a figure of cold ambition, his sole desire to subjugate other civilizations. Zokor had three heirs: Zuk, his son, who commanded missions; Etha, his eldest daughter, who governed innovation; and Jaeda, the youngest, tasked with the welfare of ships and pilots—a role that reflected her perceived weakness compared to her siblings.
Jaeda crossed paths with the wanderer during her missions. As a liaison between the Deans and his people, the wanderer often interacted with Jaeda, who shared her people's knowledge with him.
Over time, he learned of their advanced technologies and their true intentions for his world. It was during this period that Jaeda, drawn to the wanderer's plight, revealed the grim truth of the dark fate awaiting his people.
Driven by compassion and defiance, Jaeda secretly prepared a ship with the wanderer's help, intending it to serve as the salvation of his race. The vessel, equipped with resources and hibernation pods, was hidden from the Edan's, an act of treason that would mark her as a traitor among her own kind.
When the Deans revealed their presence, the world was already at the brink of collapse. War had engulfed the planet, and extinction loomed. The Deans, exploiting the divisions among the world's leaders, orchestrated chaos to weaken resistance. As war turned against the Deans, they unleashed devastation, covering the skies in ash and smoke, shrouding the heavens in unending darkness.
In the midst of this destruction, Jaeda's ship became the wanderer's only hope. As his world crumbled beneath him, he and his people fled through the smoke-stained skies, witnessing the planet's death from the safety of their stolen craft.
The Deans actions had fractured the world, sparking internal strife among its leaders. Some sought alliances with the Deans to preserve remnants of their civilization, but these deals were tainted with betrayal. The Deans true intent was to reduce the population to servitude and eliminate those who resisted. Survivors were enslaved, and dissidents faced eradication.
Though the Deans searched for the escape vessel, the wanderer and his people vanished into uncharted wilderness. For years, they travelled the void, uncertain of their destination. The ship, designed by the Deans as a lifeline for their own survival, contained smaller crafts and enough resources to support its passengers. But as time passed, resources dwindled, forcing the wanderer to place many of his people into hibernation to conserve supplies.
Jaeda, aware of the dangers posed by her own kind, had hidden a group of Deans and humans in separate bunkers aboard the ship. Among them was a pregnant woman, a close friend. Jaeda feared the wanderer's people might turn on them, driven by desperation.
Unbeknownst to the wanderer, Jaeda was also carrying his child. When he entered hibernation, she remained awake to maintain the ship. A year later, she gave birth to a daughter, whom she named Nova.
The child was a blend of their natures, with Jaeda's skin but her father's hair and eyes. Nova was born during a moment of hope—a flash of light in the vast darkness.
As Nova grew, she became her mother's companion, learning the intricacies of the craft and gazing with wonder at the distant flashes of light beyond the Craft's windows. But as the years passed, the ship's resources were nearly depleted. When Nova discovered a hidden room containing the wanderer's hibernation pod and a journal detailing the events of the past, she began piecing together the story of her father.
Weakened by dwindling supplies, Nova awakened the wanderer. He, in turn, saved her by placing her in hibernation. The wanderer then sought Jaeda, finding her also in stasis. Realizing the dire situation, he revived a handful of people with knowledge of the ship's systems. Together, they prepared for what lay ahead.
Through the ship's windows, they saw a strange world below—a dark, stormy world where flashes of light appeared like distant lightning. With no other choice, the wanderer led his people in descending to the planet. Their smaller ships braved violent storms as they navigated through the thick atmosphere, finally landing in a sheltered valley surrounded by mountains.
This new world, later named Nova, was harsh and uninhabited. The wanderer and his people built a protective dome and began constructing a city with the minerals from the surrounding mountains. Despite their efforts, the dome failed when the storms grew stronger, scattering their ships and people across the valley.
In the chaos, the wanderer's ship crashed, leaving him to survive alone in the wilderness. Meanwhile, aboard the mother ship, Jaeda and Nova awakened the remaining passengers, debating whether to continue searching for a safer world or return to their ravaged home planet. Nova, drawn to the flashes of light on the surface, convinced Jaeda to descend with the others.
War Against Death
Even though Nova was still shrouded in darkness, she had become a mesmerizing sight from above. Her fog-draped days and the ever-present moonlight cast an ethereal glow on the planet.
The moon wasn't just a celestial body; it was their lifeline, illuminating the nights and offering solace in an otherwise dark existence.
Jaeda often spoke of the sun, describing it as brighter, hotter, and imbued with a purpose distinct from the moons. Yet on Nova, the moon was their only light and their source of life. I longed to see the sun, but it remained a distant dream.
We admired Nova's beauty from the endless expanse of the dark skies. The wanderer and Jaeda often reflected on how this new world was a bittersweet reminder of what they had lost and what they had gained.
They spoke of fate as a force that could transform sorrow into new beginnings. Once a year, we mourned our fallen world, a solemn reminder of the price for survival.
Jaeda was a dean, and the wanderer was an Atman from Atmos. Together, they had brought life to Nova, and through them, I came to be.
Nova grew into her own—a place both beautiful and untamed. She was fierce, mysterious, and unforgiving, but she was also ours. From the safety of Novak, the city hidden beneath an impenetrable dome, we could observe the giants of the lower valley. These colossal creatures roamed with primal fury, their presence both terrifying and magnificent.
Within Novak's protective embrace, the giants could not reach us, but their anger resonated across the valley.
Though the dome shielded us, it was clear that we could not remain in Novak forever. Our numbers grew, and so did our need for space.
New cities were constructed across Nova, and plans were made to expand. Novak, a symbol of survival and resilience, was to become a monument—a reminder of all that had been sacrificed to reach this point.
Life on Nova seemed promising until an unforeseen enemy emerged from within. Hidden beneath a veneer of peace, a second dark fate began to unfold.
The Plague and the Lower Valley
The darkness of Nova was more than physical; it seeped into the land and its air. A bitter plague spread silently among the people, first weakening them, then consuming them entirely. The wanderer, once a beacon of hope, watched helplessly as his people succumbed to Nova's wrath.
The plague struck hardest in the new cities by the seas and oceans. There, the cold waters became death traps, freezing and encasing the bodies of the fallen. Their faces were locked in expressions of agony, preserved within the ice. The wanderer, horrified by the sight, vowed to save the survivors and stop the spread of the plague.
Desperation drove the wanderer to the lower valley, where a mysterious lifeless river was said to hold the key to salvation. With the weakest left behind in Novak, the wanderer and his remaining followers descended into the treacherous wilderness. Peace, a winged guide, soared above, lighting their path through the fog-covered valley.
As they ventured deeper, the woods grew darker and more foreboding. Signs of violence littered the forest floor—scattered remains of prey torn apart by the valley's giants. The wanderer's people grew fearful, but desperation pushed them onward.
Loss and Sacrifice
The lower valley exacted a heavy toll. Many fell to the plague before they could reach the river, while others were attacked by the creatures. The survivors fragmented, some fleeing back to Novak, others wandering aimlessly through the woods.
Jaeda and I were among those afflicted by the plague, and the wanderer carried us toward the river, his determination unshaken despite the growing odds. When the journey became too arduous, Peace descended and bore us to the river.
At the river's edge, Jaeda succumbed to the plague. The wanderer, heartbroken but resolute, immersed me in the water. The river's glow enveloped me, purging the infection from my body. I awoke to the devastating news of my mother's death. Overcome with grief, I wept bitterly as the wanderer prepared Jaeda's body for burial.
In a final act of hope, the wanderer lowered Jaeda into the lifeless river, praying for her revival. But as the moonlight faded, the river's glow diminished, and Jaeda remained still. In anguish, the wanderer burned her body, mourning both his wife and the countless lives lost to Nova's cruelty.
Broken by sorrow, the wanderer drowned himself in the river. His body was carried by the current to where the river met the sea. There, he awoke, revived by the river's mysterious power, but changed. His spirit glowed faintly, tethered between life and death.
Return to Novak
Back in Novak, Sein, the white wolf, waited patiently for the wanderer's return. When Peace and I descended without him, Sein ventured into the lower valley to search for his master. Guided by Peace's watchful gaze, he eventually found the wanderer at the river's end. Together, we brought the wanderer back to Novak.
Upon our return, we were met with the sight of our people's decomposing remains. The once-thriving city was now a graveyard. Jaeda's people, who had been left in hibernation aboard the ship, were awakened to help gather and burn the bodies of the fallen. For days, the city was shrouded in ash and smoke, a sombre echo of the fate that had befallen Atmos.
In the heart of tragedy, the wanderer and I resolved to rebuild, to honour the sacrifices of the past, and to ensure that Nova would not become another graveyard. Together, we turned our grief into determination, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The Shadow of Resurrection
The air in Novak hung heavy with ash, and the scent of burning bodies lingered—a harrowing reminder of how close we had come to losing everything. Yet, amidst the sorrow, seeds of resilience began to sprout. The wanderer, now bearing the faint glow of the river's mysterious power, stood taller than ever. Though changed, his resolve was unbroken.
The people of Jaeda's lineage, awakened from their deep hibernation aboard the ship, brought with them the knowledge and strength of their ancestors. These Deans were not just survivors; they were builders, warriors, and dreamers. They united with the Atman and the scattered remnants of our people to begin rebuilding not just Novak, but a new future for Nova.
Still, unease lingered. The river's strange glow and its ability to heal had sparked a dangerous question: Could it bring back the dead? The wanderer's revival had inspired whispers of hope but also rumours of forbidden possibilities. Some believed the river's power was a gift from the gods; others feared it was a curse, a trap to ensnare the desperate and destroy the unworthy.
The River's Price
The wanderer's survival had come at a cost. His faint glow was a constant reminder of the river's claim on his soul. He grew quieter, more introspective, and his connection to the living seemed tenuous at best. I noticed his hands trembled when he touched the soil, and his reflection in the river showed a younger, untouched version of himself—a cruel mockery of the burden he now bore.
Sein, the white wolf, stayed close to him, as if sensing the fragility of his existence. Peace, ever-watchful, often perched on his shoulder, her silver feathers shimmering faintly in the moonlight.
"I am not entirely alive," the wanderer admitted to me one evening as we sat by the river. His voice was low, filled with a mixture of sorrow and wonder. "And I am not entirely dead. I exist in the in-between."
"What does that mean for us? For Nova?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"It means," he said, looking into the glowing waters, "that there is a price to pay for every gift. And the river's price is one we may not fully understand yet."
Whispers of Rebellion
As Novak rose from its ashes, so too did the ambition of its people. While some remained loyal to the wanderer, others began to question his decisions. The loss of Jaeda and the plague's devastation had fractured trust. The river, once seen as salvation, now divided the survivors.
A faction led by a fiery Dean named Kareth emerged, advocating for the abandonment of the lower valley and a return to the seas. "The river is cursed," he proclaimed during a heated gathering. "It took the lives of our people, and it has made the wanderer a shadow of himself. We must not let it take more."
Others, particularly those who had seen loved ones revived by the river's touch, stood firm in their faith. They believed the river's power was Nova's gift to her children—a chance to rebuild a stronger, immortal race.
Tensions escalated. What began as debates turned to skirmishes in the shadowed alleys of Novak. The city, once united against external threats, now faced the possibility of an internal war.
The First Dreamer
As conflict brewed, I began to experience strange visions. In my dreams, Nova spoke to me—not through words, but through vivid imagery and sensations. I saw the giants of the lower valley, not as mindless beasts, but as guardians of an ancient secret. I saw the moonlight carving paths across the land, leading to hidden places of power.
Most hauntingly, I saw Jaeda. She stood in a field of silver flowers, her face serene but her eyes sorrowful. "Protect Nova," she whispered, her voice carried by the wind. "Protect her, even from yourself."
When I shared my visions with the wanderer, his glowing eyes narrowed, and he grew silent. After a long pause, he said, "You are the first dreamer. Nova has chosen you as her voice. What you see may guide us—or doom us. Tread carefully, child."
The War Against Death
Kareth's rebellion came to a head when his followers attempted to destroy the river. Armed with explosives scavenged from the remnants of our crashed ship, they marched to the valley, determined to end what they called "the curse of the lifeless water."
The wanderer, accompanied by a loyal group of Deans and Atman, intercepted them at the river's edge. Peace circled above, her cries echoing across the valley. Sein growled, his fur bristling as he stood beside his master.
"I understand your pain," the wanderer said, his voice carrying over the murmur of the crowd. "I, too, have lost everything. But the river is not our enemy. It is a part of Nova, as we are. To destroy it would be to destroy ourselves."
Kareth stepped forward, his fiery eyes blazing with defiance. "And to rely on it is to invite death into our midst. Look at what it has done to you! You are neither man nor spirit. You are an abomination!"
Before the wanderer could respond, an earth-shaking roar erupted from the woods. The giants of the valley, drawn by the commotion, emerged from the shadows. Towering over the assembled Deans and Atman, their eyes burned with primal fury.
Chaos erupted as Kareth's rebels and the wanderer's followers scattered. But the wanderer stood his ground, raising his glowing hands toward the beasts. "Enough!" he commanded, his voice reverberating through the valley.
To everyone's astonishment, the giants halted. They gazed at the wanderer with something resembling recognition, their massive forms looming but no longer attacking.
The valley fell silent, save for the gentle lapping of the river's waters. The wanderer turned to Kareth, his voice soft but firm. "This world is alive. If we fight it, we will perish. But if we learn to live with it, to respect it, we may yet find peace."
Kareth lowered his weapon, his defiance fading into uncertainty. The giants retreated into the woods, and the gathered crowd began to disperse.
A Fragile Peace
The confrontation at the river marked the beginning of a fragile truce. Kareth and his followers were allowed to settle far from the valley, while those loyal to the wanderer worked to strengthen Novak's defenses.
But the questions remained. What was the river's true purpose? Why had the giants spared the wanderer? And what did Nova want from her children?
As the first dreamer, I knew the answers lay in the visions that haunted me. Together with the wanderer, Peace, and Sein, I prepared to journey deeper into Nova's mysteries, ready to face whatever truths awaited us in the shadow of resurrection.
The Call of the Giants
The days that followed the fragile truce were tense. Novak buzzed with an uneasy calm, its people rebuilding the city while keeping a wary eye on the lower valley. Kareth's faction, now exiled, established a settlement by the ocean, cutting ties with those who remained. The once-unified community was fractured, each group wary of the other.
Despite the division, the wanderer and I found ourselves increasingly drawn to the mysteries of Nova. My dreams grew more vivid and urgent, and the wanderer's glow seemed to intensify with each passing day. Nova was calling us, and the giants of the valley seemed to hold the key.
One night, as the city slumbered under the moon's pale glow, Sein stirred from his usual spot by the fire. He padded to the edge of Novak's protective dome, his ears twitching toward the valley. The wolf let out a low growl, and then a mournful howl that echoed through the stillness.
The wanderer and I rushed to his side. "What is it?" I asked, though I already felt the answer deep in my bones.
"They're calling us," the wanderer said, his eyes fixed on the dark horizon. "The giants. They want us to come."
Journey into the Unknown
The following morning, we prepared for the journey. The wanderer insisted on traveling with a small party—himself, Sein, Peace, and me. He argued that the giants would not welcome an army and that this mission required caution, not force.
As we passed through the dome's gates, the people of Novak gathered to watch us go. Their faces were etched with fear and hope in equal measure.
"Be careful," one elder whispered. "The giants are not to be trusted."
We entered the valley under the watchful gaze of Peace, who soared high above us, her silver wings cutting through the mist. The air grew colder as we descended, the trees twisting into unfamiliar shapes. Every sound—the crunch of leaves underfoot, the distant calls of unseen creatures—seemed amplified in the valley's oppressive silence.
It wasn't long before we felt their presence. The ground trembled slightly, and the shadows of colossal figures moved among the trees. The giants were watching us, their glowing eyes piercing the fog.
"Do not show fear," the wanderer whispered. "They sense it."
The Guardians' Lament
As we reached the heart of the valley, the giants stepped into view. They were even more massive up close, their forms resembling stone and earth brought to life. Their faces, though alien, bore an expression of deep sorrow.
One of them—a towering figure with a crown of moss and branches—lowered its head to meet the wanderer's gaze. Its voice, deep and resonant, filled the air, though its mouth did not move.
"Why have you come?"
The wanderer stepped forward, his glow casting a soft light around him. "We seek to understand Nova's will. The river, the plague, the dreams—they lead us here. What do you want from us?"
The giant's eyes glimmered, and its voice echoed again. "Nova does not want. She mourns. You walk upon her grief, and the river carries her tears. You have awakened her, and now you must heal what has been broken."
I felt a shiver run through me as the giant's words settled. "What is broken?" I asked, my voice trembling.
The giant turned its gaze to me. "Her heart. You live upon her body, but her heart is lost, buried in the sea of ice. Without it, she will consume herself—and all who dwell within her."
The Sea of Ice
The wanderer and I exchanged a glance. The sea of ice—the frozen expanse where the plague had claimed so many lives—was a place no one dared to go. It was said to be cursed, a barren wasteland where even the moonlight seemed to dim.
"Her heart lies there?" the wanderer asked.
The giant nodded slowly. "You must return it to her. Only then can the plague be stopped, and only then will Nova thrive."
Before we could ask more, the giants began to retreat, their forms blending into the mist. One remained behind, smaller than the others, its glowing eyes fixed on me.
"Dreamer," it said, its voice softer, almost melodic. "You will see the path. Trust the visions and trust yourself."
Then it, too, vanished into the trees, leaving us alone in the valley.
A Treacherous Mission
The journey back to Novak was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts. The task before us was monumental. To reach the sea of ice, we would need to traverse the most dangerous parts of Nova, where the cold was unrelenting, and the air itself could kill.
When we shared the giants' message with the people of Novak, reactions were mixed. Some saw it as a sign of hope, a chance to finally understand Nova and end the plague. Others saw it as a death sentence.
Kareth, now hardened by his time in exile, returned to Novak to voice his dissent. "You would risk everything on the word of monsters?" he spat. "The giants are not our saviors—they are our jailers. They keep us trapped on this cursed world!"
The wanderer's voice cut through the growing murmurs. "They have given us a chance. If we do nothing, Nova will die—and so will we."
Despite his opposition, Kareth could not deny the truth. The plague had not abated, and the survivors' numbers dwindled with each passing day. Reluctantly, he agreed to lend his strength to the mission.
The Path Forward
As preparations began, I felt a strange mix of fear and determination. The dreams came more frequently now, showing me flashes of the sea of ice and the journey we would undertake. I saw danger in every step—storm winds that could flay skin, shadowy creatures lurking beneath the ice, and a presence darker than anything I had ever known.
But I also saw hope. I saw Nova, vibrant and alive, her heart restored and her people thriving. "Are you ready?" the wanderer asked me one night as we stood on the outskirts of Novak.
"No," I admitted. "But I'll go anyway."
He smiled faintly, the glow of his spirit softening the hard lines of his face. "That's all that matters."
As the moon rose higher, casting its silver light across the land, I felt the weight of destiny settle upon me. The path ahead was treacherous, but it was one we had to walk—for Nova, for our people, and for the future that awaited us in the shadow of the sea of ice.