In the arid hinterlands of Cenetal, amidst the ancient and weathered landscape, stood a secluded monastery. It was within these walls that Lucca and Unya found solace and sanctuary after tragedy befell their young lives. Orphaned and bereft, their parents’ untimely demise left them adrift in a world unknown. As humans in the nation of Cenetal, they didn’t understand the customs, and barely spoke the language. With the weight of sorrow upon their shoulders, they sought refuge within the monastery’s austere embrace.
Within the monastery, their journey to adulthood began, guided by the caring hands of Father Yisin’s monastic order. The brothers and sisters of the faith, many coming from backgrounds of similar tragedy or austerity, embraced them as their own. They were provided sustenance for their bodies, and solace for their souls.
Under the watchful eyes of the elders, Lucca’s remarkable strength and towering stature did not go unnoticed. He was swiftly marked for a role in the sect of the staff, the guardians and defenders of the faith. Through rigorous training, Lucca honed his body and mind, becoming proficient in magic, martial arts, and marksmanship. The path was arduous, but he embraced the challenges. Finally his life had purpose, and he awoke each morning with a plan and a goal.
Beside Lucca, Unya also sought her place in the monastic order. Her friendly, calming demeanor got her assigned to the sect of the bow. In the realm where spirits and poltergeists roamed, she embarked on the challenging path of capturing and managing these ethereal beings. Yet, Unya struggled to assert her own presence amidst the cacophony of restless souls, her soft-spoken nature often overshadowed by the tumultuous spirits she sought to bind. Frustration gnawed at her, but her spirit remained resilient.
Recognizing her struggles, the wise elders redirected Unya’s path to the sect of the book. Here, within the hallowed halls of knowledge and history, she was tasked with recording the past and shaping the future. But when there was a shocking revelation of Father Yisin engaging in scandalous behavior with other girls within the order, suddenly knowledge and history was not her directive. His wrongdoing was purged from the record, and even as he was replaced by the new Father, ‘the book’ spoke of his amenable departure to seek quiet meditation. In their private conversations, Lucca urged her to do as she was told. They had finally found safety and shelter, and the memory of an old man was no reason to jeopardize that. But Unya’s unwavering integrity clashed with the weight of deception. Her refusal to perpetuate the falsehood led to her removal from the sect she once called home, casting her into uncertainty.
In the depths of her despair, Unya’s fate took an unexpected turn as she discovered the Lyre, a small and often overlooked sect within the monastery. Through the enchanting strings of her instrument, she found a voice that transcended the limitations of her speech. With each pluck and strum, Unya wove melodies that resounded with passion, expressing the depths of her emotions more profoundly than ever before. The Lyre became her refuge, and her popularity grew, catching the attention of the newly appointed high priest, Father Ghelprit.
As Unya’s situation improved, Lucca found himself thrust into new struggles. He had been raised with the knowledge that Yisin’s will was love, and word was law, and he had thrived in those conditions. Now Ghelprit issued a new suite of commands. They engaged in different rituals, and at different times than under Yisin, and most importantly, they handled defeat differently. But Lucca was being told that the Ghelprit’s will was love, and his word was law. Lucca refused to conform, and his once promising future had become clouded by the shadows of punishment and isolation.
With each act of defiance, Lucca’s path became more arduous. He endured rigorous training sessions that pushed his physical and mental limits to their breaking point. The beatings, both physical and psychological, became a constant reminder of his dissent. Denied meals and subjected to harsh discipline, Lucca’s resolve was tested time and time again.
Unya witnessed her brother’s health and spirit decline. He still arose every morning to do his chores, and to face his training, but his smile was replaced with grimace, and his laughter became fleeting. Unya found herself in the limelight, captivating audiences with her ethereal melodies. From here, witnessing Lucca’s suffering was a heart-wrenching experience, and the contrast between their paths weighed heavily on her conscience. She longed to alleviate his pain and offer solace, but the constraints of their circumstances made it a seemingly impossible task.
In the depths of her anguish, Unya’s mind raced with thoughts of liberating Lucca from the suffocating grip of the monastery’s hierarchy. Her popularity as a lyre player had granted her newfound influence and an opportunity to bring about change. It was then, as her fingers danced across the strings of her instrument, that a daring plan began to take shape.
Unya knew that to break free from the shackles of their current circumstances, they needed the support of someone with authority, someone who could advocate for them. She resolved to take the bold step to petition Mother of the Lyre, and after a compelling performance, she was approved for an audience with Father Deacon Alric in Astire. This was their chance to present their grievances and plead for a transfer to the capital.
Late each night, Unya meticulously crafted a compelling opus, carefully weaving her melodies to convey the injustices they had endured and the longing for a future unburdened by the falsehoods perpetuated within the monastery’s walls. Her plea spoke of their dedication, their untapped potential, and the need for a fresh start away from the confines of their current sects. With each pluck of a string, her determination solidified.
As Unya prepared for her significant performance, the weight of responsibility and the anticipation of potential change hung in the air. She knew that the power of her lyre, combined with her heartfelt melodies, could convey emotions that words alone could not express. This performance would be her chance to break the chains of falsehood and bring about the truth.
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