Arcane Gear

Prologue

The land of Astraea, full of lush and varied landscapes, a land of magic and machines alike, thanks to the development of the Arcanite Engine, but it was not always like this.

998 years ago…

According to the legend, Astraea had fallen victim to the attack of a terrible armored beast, larger than a mountain, it destroyed village after village with no opposition, and its presence could mutate nearby local wildlife into horrible dragon-like monsters.

It is unknown where the monster came from, some say it was always here, others affirm it came from beyond the stars, however they all could agree on something, the last words of the poor souls who came in close proximity to it, Alpha Zeroth.

As the fearsome beast was about to approach Mount Aisen, a large earthquake happened and it seemed as if multiple stars had shot out from Mount Aisen, some say it was the planet itself calling out to its inhabitants, nevertheless, at that time, it is said that 14 pure souls with love for this planet, were granted a miracle, the power to fight back against Alpha Zeroth as Knights, in the form of Armored Magic Giants.

After a long 100 day battle, one of the pure souls, the Amethyst Dragon priestess devised a strategy, the 14 Knights would focus their inner magic to encase Alpha Zeroth into an unbreakable crystal prison and banish it from the planet. The plan succeeded, however at the cost of their very lives. It is said that the Armored Giants they left behind were scattered all over the continent."

Ciel closed her book.

It was a dark and stormy night, the sound of rain falling outside felt somewhat relaxing to her. She looked at the ticking pendulum clock in her room, it was already past 11.

-“Oh no, I’ve been reading for too long, it’s this late already”- Ciel thought to herself. – “I’m supposed to wake up early tomorrow”-

Ciel got up from her couch, near the fireplace, and stetched. She was about to reach into her closet for her pajamas when someone knocked on her bedroom’s door.

-“Lady Ciel? It’s me, Aura, Please open the door” – a voice whispered from outside the door.

Aura was one of the maids in the castle, and the one she was closest to, being around the same age as her. Ciel opened the door, somewhat confused, to a startled Aura.

-“Aura? Did something happen?”- Ciel asked, concerned. -“The castle has been infiltrated, we must escape.”.