"Once upon a time, long long ago, there thrived the powerful Kingdom of Rowana. Its lands were bountiful and rich and people radiant with joy. Rowana's neighbouring country, the Veraende Empire, however, lived under the oppression of its tyrannical dictator.

"Both the rulers and the oppressed of this empire were envious of the joy and innocence Rowana held, and eventually the King of Veraende could no longer stand the rich and plentiful lands of his neighbour. Thus starting the long and tragic history of two war-torn countries."

"But Grandmama, why are we no longer at war?"

The old woman smiled softly and stared into the fire. "There was peace--a truce--for a while and in those joyous times, a strong young princess was born in Rowana. She was blessed with the power of lightning and the ability to bring a smile to all her subjects with her great talent and beauty."

"Lightning? That's so cool!" The little boy gasped, eyes twinkling with admiration.

The old woman simply chuckled and continued with her tale.

"Of course, with all great good there comes evil as well. There was also a young boy, who was not always so twisted... but growing up in Veraende turned the sweet young prince's heart evil and cold."

The little boy's eyes widened and he whispered in horror, "Do you mean... King Caius?"

"Shush, Aiden, it's rude to interrupt."

He nodded obediently, his wide eyes staring up at his grandmother from his place on the floor.

"As I was saying... what was I saying again?"

"The prince, Grandmama."

The old woman nodded, leaning back into her chair. "Yes, him, but I was about to start on another small tale, about the birth of a beautiful baby girl away from the chaos between the two powerful kingdoms. She was born with hair the colour of a clear night's sky and such a strong connection with the land that it would later bring tragedy to her and those around her-"

"Earth? That's so uncool!"

"What did I say about interrupting?"

The little boy pouted but stayed quiet and the old woman smiled at her adorable grandson.

"Now the place where this baby was born--Xylia, have you heard of it, Aiden?"

He frowned slightly, trying to rack his brain for this familiar word, "Is that the place where they can use magic without Xealite?"

"Yes, any born there have the ability to use magic without the aid of Xealite..." The old woman touched the multi-faceted white crystal around her neck and sighed with nostalgia.

"These three young children would later cross paths to create the turmoil that would--wait, what am I saying? For that we need to go back to the Princess' twentieth birthday..."