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In the world led by Goddess Eirhine, everything was revolving around the power She reigned. Continuously without rest, as She manifested Her power for the creatures and time in the world, control over Her own power declined overtime. Such things caused an imbalance of energy to the world, inciting chaos to Her beings. Looting after looting, murder after murder, war after war—She lost control over the world through the loss of Her power. All negative imbalances manifested from the Eclipse that never stopped.

To prevent destruction, four men were chosen and crowned to serve Goddess to help Her suppress Her power of destruction as She regenerated Her power back. For the sake of carrying their duty, each man continued their bloodline as one of the Four Heaven Families. The Four Heaven Families—known as an organization called Praesidio—started as four chosen men to initiate the peace of the world, before they started their own families and became the four families whose purpose was to serve the Goddess.

Located on the central of the earth, Praesidio became the powerhouse of the world. They control Her power, right at the core where abundance of power connected the realm of humanity and Heaven. They were responsible for managing a power so strong it could end the world. In return for their service, they possessed a miniscule of Goddess Eirhine’s power, an amount enough to turn a mediocre man into dust, in the form of Weapons and Jewelries.

Pacem, Alskar, Giustizia, and Pevnost—each family bore different responsibilities to keep the balance between the world and Heaven.

Pacem was responsible for peace. Known as humble, harmless, and peaceful; the Pacem protected the world by holding peace since Duke Erosia Pacem and Duchess Chinn Pacem were blessed with the Axe of Tolerancia and the Earrings of Entendre.

Alskar was responsible for love. Forgiving, affectionate, and nurturing; the heir of Alskar kept spreading love within the community, ever since the very loved era of Duke Odeus Alskar and Duchess Amity Alskar, who possessed the power of the Sword of Traccia and the Necklace of Marchio in their hands.

Giustizia was responsible for justice. Fair, objective, and virtue; each Giustizia heir learned how to treat its people with honor and equality ever since they were young. Their justice was unwavering, right from the moment Duke Leonardo Giustizia and Duchess Sabellia Giustizia were bestowed with the Spear of Laska and the Ring of Ravenstvo.

Pevnost was responsible for strength. Tough, vigor, and firm; their hardiness had of helped its people in dire needs for several generations, since Duke Uriah Pevnost and Duchess Slavina Pevnost officiated under the bond that the Mace of Veiligheid and the Bracelet of Zachte held.

Though, even with assistance from Her men, Goddess Eirhine would lose Her power again one day. The day She lost control of Her power; a man known as the Chosen One would emerge to the face of earth. Only he could help Goddess to reclaim Her power; to regain Her position as the core of the world.

And if the Chosen One failed on his task and Goddess Eirhine lost Her power—

—The world would end in an instant.

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Elliot let out a defeated sigh. He had been restless ever since the Ritual of Purification took place. His coming-of-age story was not like any other—he was burdened with a responsibility so large he never dared to imagine.

He closed the book in front him, leaning to the back of the chair. The old wood felt cold and stiff on his back, emphasizing the loneliness and quietness around him.

Yes, he was all alone in this matter. He was the only one. He was called the Chosen One for a reason, after all. Without anything to guide him, without anything to accompany him, he was the only one that could save the world.

But—how? Elliot was just another boy, barely an adult. Whatever wisdom could he save the world? He barely knew how to wake himself up early in the morning, let alone saving the whole world.

Yet, no one knew of his burden. It was his prophecy; his path of life—perhaps, his path of death also.

Elbows on the table, Elliot supported his head with his hands, groaning as reality seeped in. He tried to digest the information he learned an hour ago at the hall. Yet, he could not. Nothing felt real to him—all of this felt like a fever dream, as if he could wake up and find himself at the age of 17.

But, no. All of it was real. Every second he experienced, every second he heard, they were all as real as himself. Every responsibility he held—yet, as real as his being.

Elliot finally lifted his head, though frustrated. He closed his eyes shut, trying to avert his mind into something else. Thinking too much of his responsibility would only stress him out. Though—no matter what he tried, he kept being haunted by the responsibility he had yet known.

At that moment, he did not know the extent of his responsibility.

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