Nerixia

Prologue

The sandy, slippery ground felt as unsteady and uncertain as Acanthea's emotions that day. A few years ago, she'd been living a privileged life, one that the poor peasants of Nerpika could only dream of. Protected by a large army, Nerpika and the surrounding empires had all the wealth and luxuries one could imagine. Now torn by bloodshed, grief and drastic loss, Acanthea's family fled to Perix, a poor but safe little village, barely known to anyone. As the Nerpik-Hinoria wars dragged long over the years, Acanthea slowly grew up with a normal life.

For now.

Then the war hit.

Hinoria had always been a wealthy, greedy country, always looking for more land to conquer. Soon, the existence of Perix had reached the ears of the emperor of Hinoria, Neurus. Soon, the army was directed to attack Perix, and to kill all citizens who protested.

Since that fateful day, Acanthea's parents had never been seen again.

"Run!"
"No! I can't leave you here!"
The chaotic yells and shouts only added to the constant ringing in her head right now, Somewhere, in the village, a bomb struck, effortlessly destroying creations made over years and years of hard work. Several gunshots rang out, and she could hear the flickering of fire slowly growing louder and louder, eventually reaching a dull roar in her ears.
"Run! Go hide in the cave!"
Her mother ousted her out the back door, awakening her from the trance. All Acanthea could do was pick up her legs and run.