It's finally here! After months of planning, writing, and many cases of writers block, I give to you, amazing readers, Eladea: A Hopeless Age!

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 。* 。° 。* 。 • ˚《

Chapter 1
Sage's POV

"Madame," Elric the rat calls as he walks into the grand throne room. His dark grey fur shimmers against the sunrays bouncing in through the tall windows. "Do you have a moment?" His takes the satchel off his shoulders, holding it in his tiny paws. The bag was a gift from his mate, Renate, the head knight of the castle. I sigh.

"Oh please. Anything to take my mind off this mindless paperwork I've been working on for the past few hours." I reply, sitting back in my chair, relaxing my tense back. "What do you have for me?"

The rat bows, showing off the almost black spots that trailed up his back. He stares at the ground with his soft white eyes. "I have been informed by my contacts that Prince Ivar Quentian of Cald Feri will arrive by high sun." He says formally before straightening again. Elric is the Royal Messenger, traveling all around the kingdom and sometimes world to deliver messages and let me know what is happening in Eladea.

"Oh, wonderful. Inform Terrona to make the appropriate preparations for his arrival. After that you can go find Ren, he's missed you." I say, glancing back at the mounds of paperwork that lay on the table in front of me.

"Yes my lady, thank you." He bows again before smiling up at me. "Now with the formalities are out of the way, how are you?" He asks brightly. I perk up.

"As good as I can be, with all the stuff happening." I answer. He walks over and jumps on the table, reading one of the papers.

"Yikes" He replies after a moment.

"Yeah, I know. The tensions are rising between our allies and our enemies, which means I have to sign all these treaties and calm all the citizens. Elric, I'm afraid we're gonna fall into another world war." I say, my voice tired.

"Don't worry, your majesty, everything will work out. When his majesty Ivar gets here you guys can work out a treaty and prevent all this. It'll be fine." He looks at me with kind, pitiful eyes. "Now come on! Your eyes need a break." He suddenly gets hyper.

"What?" I ask with a laugh.

"I need to make a few more stops." He pats his bulging bag. "Keep Ren company till I'm done!" He says, taking my finger in his paw and tugging on me till I stand.

"Fine! I'll go. But only for a little bit. I need to get this all done." I shake my head with a smile, walking out the room and parting ways with the little grey rat.

About a month and a half ago was the sixth anniversary of my coronation. Which also means it had only been six years since Doomsday. Less than a year ago, maybe ten months, some of the larger cities in Eladea had started revolting, wanting religious freedom. I was willing to give it, obviously, but they had taken the fight over just that fact, and soon, after months of hard fighting and loses from all sides, Eladea was split in six. My kingdom had turned from the entirety of the world, into a large plot of land at the center of the continent. I was no longer the queen of Eladea, but now the queen of New Eladea.

But now, just after the independence of the kingdoms, two sides had formed.
The southernmost kingdom, Sunray, and the majority of the archipelago, Willow Isle were both allies to New Eladea. The other three, Cald Feri, Napolis and Menalise were gearing up to overtake us. The rulers of those kids goes were scornful people, most of them still loyal to former king Tempus, believing that I was a false queen and deserved to be overthrown. No war had been declared yet, but tensions are quickly rising, skirmishes and small fights have begun to start all over.

I was trying my best to keep everyone calm and prevent a war, and as much as my citizens respect me and follow my order, they are becoming restless. They just came off of a hard war, having lost their families, their homes, the kingdom has lost a lot of its money. We can't afford another, despite having two powerful allies on our side. It is a hard predicament, one of the hardest I've had to deal with in my time as ruler, my entire life even. Its weighing on my shoulders.

I don't want to create a world of chaos for Liam, my little brother, to come into. He's a grown adult, sitting at a healthy twenty years old, but he isn't ready to rule, despite being the same age I was when I became queen. He still has a lot to learn. He needs to mature more, despite me coaching him ever since he was fifteen. I just hope he can be ready enough to take charge in case a war does break out again. Because heaven knows I can't lead alone through a war again.

"Auntie Sage!" A young voice calls out as I make it outside. I look up to see three forms flying towards me. The first crashes down on me, then the second, then the third. I laugh along with them until they pile off me. Two larger forms land a little ways off, shaking the ground slightly with their tremendous weight.

"It's been a while since I've seen you guys." I say, addressing the whole family. "How are you?"

"We've been great!" Says the large male through his telepathic link, Viserion, standing at about two stories tall. The large dark grey dragon had piercing purple eyes, the same purple sitting on the tips of the spikes that trail down his back. Two teeth lay in his ear as a piercing and scars litter his entire body.

"That's great. I'm glad." I reply.

"Guess what, auntie Sage?" The littlest one says. They were basically a mirror image of their mom, with a navy body, smooth back and the horns on his head small and straight. The only difference was the bright white birthmark around their left eye and the purple eyes that belonged to their dad, V.

"What?" I reply.

"I caught a butterfly yesterday!" They say excitedly.

"That's amazing, Kire! I'm sure your dad was very proud." I say. The young dragon had had their naming ceremonies last month, and there Kire had announced they were nonbinary.

"Whatever. I've caught a bunch of butterflies before." The oldest said. Like his sibling he was identical to his mom, with bright teal eyes and a dark blue body.

"Now, now, Owl, don't invalidate your siblings accomplishments just because you achieved them before." Their mother, Mishyca says. The larger dragon is wise beyond his years, and a no nonsense kind of being, but he is better protective over his two younger siblings, all of which earned him the name of Owl.

"Yeah, your always saying you found a constellation before me, even though you didn't!" The last, middle child said. She looked just like V, with a grey body and violet eyes.

"Hey now, let's not fight in front of Auntie Sage." Viserion says with a warning growl. "And Moonwatcher, don't encourage them."

The girl had gotten her name from exactly what you can imagine. She was obsessed with the night sky and so she had been dubbed the name Moonwatcher, Moon for short.

Another form comes in to view and lands next to her parents. It was Amber, V and Mishyca's eldest. She was adopted, but was one of the most valuable and loved dragon in the family. She stood at about the average height of a human, a crimson red and most of her body that faded to a fiery orange on her extremities. Horns littered her body and her eyes resembled a cat's, bright yellow with slit pupils.

"Good to see you, Am!" I say, greeting her.

"You too, auntie!" She replies.

"V, can I speak to you. Alone? With Liam and Ren." He seemed to know what that meant. Viserion was the castle protector, always perched on top of the gates and flying around, making sure everything was in order. Especially now that there was a threat of war. He nods, glancing at his mate who gives him the "go" look.

I walk towards a hill across the other side of the large town, V following. We arrive to a large oak tree that stood alone at the peak. Viserion turns around back towards the town, puts his ears back against his head, breathes deep, opens his mouth and roars. The deep, resonating sound echos across the hilly landscape, so loud I almost have to plug my ears. Once V closes his gargantuan mouth, he looks over to me with an innocent look.

"Too loud?" He asks.

"Uh-" I clear my throat. "Perfectly fine."

As we wait I watch the town below. Winter was coming soon, the leaves in the trees turning warm shades of red, orange and yellow. A chill intertwined with the soft breeze. In my old home, New York I remember it being called, the people would call this fall, or autumn. But here it was called the harvest season. It was a time filled with joy and celebration, for the people were rejoicing for the bountiful harvest that would get them through the winter. But it was also a time of much work to be done. Almost all the men and women were out in the fields surrounding the town, the only people in the village were young children and their sitters who were bundled in their homes trying to keep warm. All this left the streets vacant and silent, giving a relaxing calm to the landscape before the big celebration that was to be held at sundown.

I wrap my thin coat around myself as a gust of wind blows my loose brunette hair across my face. I look up to V, asking "Did they hear you?" He moves to block the wind with his body and I smile in thanks.

"How could they not? I'm sure everyone within a ten mile radius knows I'm here." He grins a toothy smile and we fall into a comfortable silence, gazing over the picturesque kingdom.

After about half an hour of waiting we see two figures climbing up the hill. Like Elric, a rat, with the fur the color of tree back, golden streaks running down his back. He has a white underbelly that runs up his snout, hazel eyes sitting above. A bandana is wrapped around his head, his ears poking up through holes, a tiny sword fitted at his waist. And a young man, with forest green eyes that mirror mine and golden brown hair that was tied in a bun behind his head. He was tall yet skinny, but had a surprising amount of definition to his arms. He wore a frilly white shirt tucked into dark pants and a dark wool jacket decorated with colorful patches.

"Whattup, Ace?" The boy calls over, raising a hand in greeting.

"Hey, Liam. What took you guys so long?" I reply.

"Well I first had to find this dumb dumb who was clueless on where to go or what was happening. He probably couldn't find his own tail if it weren't attached to him." Liam says, jutting a thumb in the direction of the rat.

"Hey! I wasn't clueless, I was just confused. And it's Sir Renate The Brave to you." He says in a sassy tone.

"Psh, whatever." Liam replies with a dismissive wave. Which earns him a playful shove by Renate.

"Now, now boys. Settle down. Before you two start a full on brawl, I supposed I should tell you all why I wanted to talk." I began, buttoning up the short trench coat I wore over my signature grey shirt, embroidered with gold. "You all know Prince Ivar Quentian?"

"Isn't he the son of the king of Cald Feri?" Ren asks.

"Precisely. I know you guys are aware that I invited him to join me for a peaceful negotiation, right?"

"Right." V confirmed.

"Well I was informed by Elric that he will be arriving at high sun. Ren, make sure the knights are preparing for a potential threat, but be discrete. We don't won't him thinking we intend to ambush him. It's merely a precaution." I instruct. The knight nods.

"Viserion, I want you to be on extra high alert. Though this is a peaceful transaction, he is still a potential enemy, which means there's potential for a surprise attack. I need you, Myshica and Amber if you think she's ready scouting the area surrounding the castle at all times until we deem it safe."

"Of course." The dragon says.

"And finally, Liam, I need you to help prepare with the servants. You know, make the castle welcoming." The prince huffs.

"Why do I always get the boring job?" He grumbles.

"Come now, Muffin. I'm entrusting you to see over practically every servant in the castle to make sure everything is in order." I say, turning to him.

"So I'm gonna have to tell people what chores they should be doing?" He says in an uninterested voice.

"No, Terrona will be handling that. You just need to make sure everyone is working right and not messing anything up." I continue, trying my best to make the job sound more interesting. Truth be told it was a boring job, but one that had to be done. If Liam did this for me it would be one less thing on my shoulders to prepare for this afternoon. There was so much to do and it was already mid-morning.

"I mean, that's fine I guess." Liam answers. "So....no pranks?" He asks, looking like a child begging for a candy bar.

"Normally I would allow non messy ones, but in this case, no, sorry. Everyone needs to be focused on their work." I hated speaking to him like a mother, but he is such a child sometimes he needs parenting. And it's not like he has any of those lying around.

"Ugh, fine. But only this time?" I heave a sigh.

"Yes, only this time."

"Score! Thanks, sis!" He exclaims.

"Anyway, let's get moving everyone. We got a lot to do in a very short time.

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 。* 。° 。* 。 • ˚《

"Now presenting! Ivar Quentian, Prince of Cald Feri, son of Neri Quentian, and heir to the throne!" A man's voice rang out as a group of horses arrived into the courtyard, led by a white stallion pulling a carriage behind it. The vehicle pulls to a stop parallel to the grand steps I stand on with many of my important court members.

The star case split in two in the middle, curving and coming back together at the door. I stood a little in front of the joining point, my court members on the left, my advisors on my right. Liam stood a few steps behind me on my right as well.

I shiver as a breeze makes its way over the castle walls and rustles the foliage. I had changed my outfit, Terrona, my servant, deciding to switch my baggy pants and shirt out for an elegant dark green dress that made my eyes pop. It barely brushed the ground as I walked, intricate golden flowers sewed on the hemmings. It had a wide neck, showing off the tops of my shoulders and my colar bone, but nothing more. My hair was pinned up in an elegant bun and complimented by a broach. Without a jacket it is freezing when the wind blows, but it was only temporary. I could adorn a jacket after greeting the new arrivals.

I get pulled out of my thoughts as the carnage door opens. The first thing I see are perfectly shined boots. Then neatly pressed grey trousers tucked into those boots. Then a virtually skin tight red jacket with frilled gold ends that was void of any wrinkles, even when the man moved. Then my eyes trailed up to the face. My breath nearly caught in my throat before I stopped it.

The man had serious and calculating grey eyes, the same color as the stone walls of the castle. Wispy black hair was combed back in a wave against his head, only one strand having fallen against his forehead. His pale face harbored no imperfection, no bump, no freckle, no scar. His gaze found hers and this time her breath really did catch. Seeing him head on, making eye contact was an entirely different beast. He looked almost otherworldly. So handsome it couldn't have been real. It was as if every woman on earth wrote down one perfect feature about a man and they were all mashed in to one person. Right down to his impeccable eyebrows.

"What do you think? He's like, super handsome. Some would even say hot." Liam leans down and whispers in my ear. He swung for both teams, though he leaned towards girls, so we would often have long conversations about who's cute, who's not, like we were school girls in the locker room. This was no different.

"Definitely handsome." I whisper back. "But not beautiful. No imperfect person can be pretty in my book." Lika nods, straightening back up and putting his hands behind his back. The man makes his way towards me. Standing a few steps below me, I could see he was a few inches taller than me, around Liam's height.

"You're majesty, I am greatly appreciative of the kindness you have shown me and for giving our kingdoms the opportunity to resolve this tension. May we thank you for your hospitality." The man, Ivar spoke with such a confident air to him it almost came off him in waves, destroying his deep, smooth voice. He bowed deeply at the waist, one hand on his stomach and one on his back.

"I am honored you and your father accepted my invitation. Please, make yourself at home. While you are here, everything you need will be tended to." I answer, giving a small courtesy. Ivar straightens, his eyes locking onto mine once more. "This is my brother, the prince, Liam Emmerson." I introduce. He bows slightly to the man. "And these are my court members and advisors."

"You have a lovely kingdom." He nods, despite most likely having lived here before the war.

"Thank you." I glance around, not quite knowing what to do next. "Shall I give you a tour then?"

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 。* 。° 。* 。 • ˚《
Word count: 3,217

Here it is! After 4 or 5 months of waiting it has finally arrived! Im so excited to share with you guys the story I have in store and to dive back into this amazing world once more! I'm planning on making this one bigger and better than the previous. Make sure to tell me your thoughts and how you liked it!

I will be updating this story every Wednesday, so make sure to mark it on your calendar ;)

Cya next week my friends!