When the comforts of civilization begin to dull our senses, we must never forget that in the beginning, there was war. And war. And more war. Long before there were empires, there were humans consumed with greed and the hunger for power. Resources, territories, information—these were the forms of sustenance upon which we preyed. Today, we call such habits vices. Oh, how arrogant we have become! Are we not still impelled by those primordial emotions? Is the advent of war so far-fetched? But alas, for you to truly understand, we must dive deeper into this land’s half-forgotten past.
There was a time when might was the only law that humankind knew. Fearsome clans roamed throughout the land, seeking amenable grounds within which they could take root and opposing forces against whom they could test their mettle. Given the irregularity of nature’s bounty, certain regions appealed more than others, and dominion over such coveted territories became the spark that ignited the earliest inter-clan wars. These fierce, internecine affairs tended to conclude only when one side had decimated their competition into oblivion, and many clans of story were rendered extinct during this period.
The victors of war, having claimed their territories, often made truces with surrounding locals, offering protection in exchange for access to the yields of agriculture. Over time, certain communities emerged as more dominant than others, either due to numbers or sheer talent, and their rapid expansion would force smaller, neighboring communities to either collapse into their fold or be devastated. When the dust settled, humankind found itself divided into the five major territories that we are familiar with today. And was the bloodshed over? With our lands obtained and our bellies filled, were we finally content?
06/01/2023 June is for Juggin
We made it y’all, another month of OTA, and fresh off the press we have another promotion ready. Leaving behind the opening bonus sadly, we welcome the jugggggg! June is for juggin AKA working hard, so we are making it a double rewards month for every mission completed! Yes we said it's double rewards, now you all can really get into the thick of those builds if you work hard enough. And who knows what you might uncover in the process. AND all jobs are free to enroll no quest EXCEPT ANBU(Black Ops) roles.
[This takes place when Sola is like 9 years old btw]
The clock struck midnight, its melancholic chime reverberating through the hushed corridors of Sola’s home. Nestled within the secure, warm confines of her room, Sola stirred. Her young mind, forever alert and curious, was ablaze with anticipation for the self-imposed challenge she had planned for this quiet, moonlit hour. She was convinced that to fulfill her aspirations of being an adept adventurer, she had to embrace the art of stealth. The first and most crucial lesson she intended to learn tonight was timing. It was the perfect time to initiate her mission. Her parents, weary from the day's labor, were in their deepest cycle of sleep, offering her an unobstructed window of opportunity.
Tiptoeing out of her room, Sola paused at her door, pressing her small ear against the cool wood. Her heart pounded against her ribcage in tandem with the ticking of the clock. She listened, acutely aware of the rhythmic snores emanating from her parents' room down the corridor. Yes, the timing was right. She exhaled a quiet breath of relief and stepped into the dark hallway, the cold stone beneath her bare feet grounding her adventurous spirit.
She pressed her feet against the ground and a small creak was heard. Keeping her footsteps unehard was arguably the most crucial element of the night, Sola reasoned. She had intended to move like a whisper, unobserved and undisturbed. So, she stepped lightly, her tiny bare feet making little sound on the floor aside from the occasional creeks that she wasn’t experienced enough to avoid. Sola navigated through the darkened hallway while experimenting with her stance. She was figuring out that the trick was to distribute her weight evenly, rolling her foot from heel to toe with each step, ensuring her footfalls were as quiet as possible. She also walked close to the walls, her small hand brushing the cool walls.
Creeping past the rooms of the house, Sola felt a thrill coursing through her veins. This was a game, a self-imposed challenge, but it felt so much more to her young heart. It was a test, a step towards becoming the person she aspired to be, the adventurer who slipped through shadows unnoticed, the woman who wielded magic and stealth with equal ease. As she moved, she was careful to mind her surroundings, her eyes picking out the familiar forms of furniture, the faint outlines of paintings on the walls. Every little detail was embedded in her mind, a mental map guiding her through her journey.
She realized how important it was to know the place you were snooping around in. Her life growing up here was preparation enough for tonight, but if she wanted to snoop around someone else’s house she’d need to do some investigation beforehand. Despite the thrill, Sola reminded herself that she must be patient. Stealth was not just about being unnoticed, it was about being aware, and awareness required patience and observation.
The staircase seemed to Sola to stretch out like a towering mountain as she descended, her heart pounding like the wild drums of an ancient tribe. The banister beneath her tiny hands provided some measure of comfort in the daunting stillness of her home. The grand hall loomed ominously at the end of her path, its tall windows framing the ethereal beauty of the moon. Despite the intimidating scene, Sola's resolve didn't waver. She fortified herself with the memories of the daring adventurers and heroic figures from her favorite bedtime stories. Their faces, brave and resolute in the face of peril, were etched into her young mind. She was ready to step into their shoes, to conquer her fear, to adapt to her surroundings.
But just as Sola steeled herself to begin the daunting task of crossing the hall, a creak echoed throughout the space. Her heart almost leapt out of her chest as the door at the far end of the hall swung open. It was her father, a tall figure emerging from the shadows.
"Sola?" His deep voice reverberated around the silent hall. "What in the blazes are you doing up at this hour, child?"
Caught off guard, Sola froze, her mind racing to come up with a plausible explanation. "Um... I couldn't sleep, father. I... I needed some fresh air."
He studied her for a moment, the stern lines of his face softening slightly. "Even adventurers need their rest, Sola."
"I'm not sleepy!" She protested, her voice a whiny pitch echoing in the grand hall. "I want to go have some fun!"
Her father's brow furrowed at her words, and for a moment Sola thought he would reprimand her. Instead, he sighed heavily, his stern demeanor melting into weary understanding. He crossed the space between them, his steps silent against the marble floor, and placed a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"Sola," He began, his voice firm yet gentle. "Fun isn't always running around, chasing shadows at midnight. There's fun in dreams too, in letting your mind wander the realms of sleep. Tonight, why not let the heroes of your stories take over the adventure, while you recharge for tomorrow's escapades?"
Sola frowned at his words, her stubborn resolve wavering slightly. Her father's reasoning was sound, his voice holding a tone of endearment that she couldn't ignore. She kicked at the ground again, her displeasure clear, but the fire in her heart seemed to dim.
"Fine," she conceded reluctantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But tomorrow, I'm going to cross this hall."
Her father chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "And I have no doubt that you will, Sola. Now, off to bed."
As Sola went back to her room, she tried to resist the creeping tendrils of sleep that were trying to ensnare her. Her eyelids grew heavy, stubbornly fluttering shut despite her best efforts to keep them open. She kept replaying her father's words in her head, an unconscious mantra intended to keep the lull of sleep at bay. However, the warm and cozy bed awaiting her in her room seemed all the more inviting with every step she took. Her body was tiring, each movement feeling as if she were wading through waist-high water. The allure of her soft pillow, the gentle call of the quilted comforter were slowly overpowering her determination. Despite her best intentions and efforts, the comforting promise of rest and the visions of dreams began to erode Sola's resolve, her fight against sleep gradually weakening with every heartbeat.
Once Sola's head hit the pillow, sleep claimed her almost instantly, pulling her into a world woven from the threads of imagination and memory. In her dream, she found herself at the top of the staircase once again. The same hall stretched before her, its tall windows all too familiar. With a determined glint in her eyes, Sola took a step forward, embarking on the challenge she was unable to complete in her waking hours. The hall was silent, the only sound being her soft, rhythmic footsteps that echoed around the high walls. She moved with cautious confidence, her eyes darting to and fro, vigilant of any changes in the shadows.
Suddenly, as she was halfway across, one of the shadows stretched and writhed, taking on a more substantial form. Sola watched, rooted to the spot in fear and fascination as the shadow slithered towards her. Before she could react, it wrapped around her like a cold, dark blanket, its inky tendrils gripping her tightly. She could feel herself being lifted off the ground, the shadow's icy grip sending shivers up her spine. With a swift, unexpected motion, the shadow flung Sola down the hall. She could feel herself soaring through the air, the world around her a blur. She felt the wind knocked out of her as she hit the floor, the rough floor scraping against her skin.
She screamed, the sound reverberating around the hall. Her scream echoed through the silent house, a shrill beacon in the dark. Sola bolted upright in her bed, the sheets tangled around her legs. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breaths coming out in short, rapid gasps. The remnants of the dream clung to her like cobwebs, the feeling of being thrown still resonated within her. It took a few minutes for Sola to regain her composure, for the reality to sink in that it had been just a dream. Despite the lingering fear, Sola couldn't help but appreciate the adrenaline rush, a small smile creeping onto her face as she lay back down.
Barely a moment had passed since Sola's scream echoed through the quiet house when her bedroom door flew open. Her father, his face creased with concern, rushed into the room. The sight of Sola, wide-eyed and trembling in her bed, spurred him into immediate action.
"Sola!" he exclaimed, rushing to her side. His voice was heavy with worry, his eyes searching her face for any signs of distress. Sola could see his relief when he realized she was unharmed. She watched as he sat on the edge of her bed, his strong, comforting presence filling the room. He gently gathered her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. His familiar scent calmed her and soon she was sound asleep. This time she had a good dream.