Smog. Lungs filled with the suffocating sting of ash and smog.
How had she gotten to where she was? How had she been led to a scarlet battlefield of tattered flags that had once represented a people of pride, valor, and dexterity?
Eyelids fluttered shut. She remembered.
Her mind flooded with imagery of her past. Golden, pure, and important.
Of three islands that held their place in midair, Viola Brews ruled as high queen of the utmost admired island, Otorid Empire. Residing in this city of ivory and silver were a people of status and privilege. Despite their lifestyle, many did not take their life of elegance for granted. They appreciated even the most asinine features of their culture, from the variation of the appearance of their eyes, hair, and skin to the semi-pointed tips of their ears. Their gratefulness didn't halt before their queen. Voila's face was stern, but never was she cruel or disloyal to her people; at least in the eyes of Otorid's inhabitants.
Beneath Otorid Empire resided an island of a lower quality. Nudos, the slum island, was held under the rule of Cinder Highmore. If it weren't for the bluish-gray pigment of his skin and yellow of his eyes, one would find it difficult to set him apart from the people of Otorid Empire. During Viola's days of youth, when Otorid was a place of Orc, Lunic, and Otoric ethnicity , Cinder served as her advisor. However, he saw Viola was weak in every sense of the word. He saw himself to be infinitely more fit to be monarch. His advances were looked upon as treason, resulting in the banishment of the Orc and Lunic people, who served as Cinder's supporters. The position of Nudos beneath Otorid Empire allows for little sun, even during the summer months.
Beneath both islands is not as much an island as it is a continent of many atmospheres. Filling the unexplored landmass is a series of phoenix of different elements. The people of Otorid Empire and Nudos believe firmly in the existence of such creatures, but all have yet to encounter. Nevertheless, the phoenix are viewed as God-like creatures. Sol, the sun phoenix, is held higher than royalty in Otorid. However, Gala, the lunar phoenix, receives his loyalty from the people of Nudos. Aside from the two galactic phoenix are four others; water, fire, earth, and plant. Neither man nor beast is familiar with these elusive birds as neither has found the courage to venture the land of the unknown.
Viola remembered, and she remembered it all too well.