In a distant land that went by the title of Skaia, what appeared to be two castles stood, looming over on opposite sides of the land. Roughly about the center of the land was a sudden split between the territories surrounding their respective dwellings, a border separating them like night and day. The castle on the right, ruled on half of the country, was an altogether bright and cheery abode, shedding waves of heavenly effulgence upon the land below as yellow banners billowed throughout the ample countryside, a moon-like crest embroidered carefully upon each. The bustling townsfolk clearly displayed their pride for their homeland, sporting yellow clothes, cloaks, and a yellow pin, pinned close to the breast of each citizen. This side of the country was known as The Land of Frost and Shade, ruled by two related families. Though peculiar it was that the two ruling families had opposing surnames, it will prove to be a rather trivial fact in this tale.

If one had happened to cross the border between both lands, this hypothetical individual would see a territory much like the other, but blanketed within darkness, the night spilling upon the townspeople. Where in the Land of Frost and Shade there exuded light and ease, yellow and gold tossed about upon every surface, there was instead a shade of purple which stood in dark contrast to its neighbor. Instead, purple was draped upon the figures of each citizen, the respective crescents all pinned against their breasts. The environment there was hushed, quiet; nary a common man spoke to each other as they toiled alongside the other in the streets, the perpetual night darkened by the looming, omnipresent shadow of the palace overlooking the entirety of the territory. The Land of Heat and Rain, as this harsh, silenced demesne was dubbed, happened to be ruled over by the Strider clan and the Lalonde family, these too related by blood. Though this side was obviously stricter than its neighbor, and did not seem overly welcoming upon first glance, its citizens were content to lead such an ornery lifestyle, and the rulers led a life of ease.

The newcomers to the country of Skaia often question why the two sides were so obviously divided, happening to be polar opposites; the question was rarely answered clearly, all those who had been asked replying in a similar, vague manner. The subtle war between the territories was hardly mentioned, although it merely happened to be a slight weakening in the resources of the opposing side; petty though it was, the battle of the wits that had accompanied this perpetual warfare happened to be a result of the shared agreement of peace. Strictly forbid to engage in true war, both territories forbid the crossing of the border into its neighboring country, save for official duties on the behalf of those authorized to do so.

The relations of the families that dwelt within the bright walls of the first territory was rather difficult to summarize easily. Jane Crocker, distant cousin to the supposed heir, John Egbert, was the blood relative of Jake English, who happened to be the cousin of Jade Harley. Lady Jane Crocker was a woman adept in both skills characteristic of her status and those typically bestowed upon the men, having taken an unorthodox oath of celibacy, deeming all men who had tried for her hand scum. Lady Jade Harley had adopted the characteristics expected of her brother, who had grown into an altogether weak-minded child. Wielding weapons with deadly ease, these ladies were both much far popular choices to ascend the throne, not only surpassing their male counterparts with their ability to reason and their fine skills as diplomats, but also possessing much more athletic capability than their respective siblings. Though custom dictated that the male receive the throne, the thought of such a poor ruler was particularly loathsome to the citizens, though Lord John Egbert was adored by all. Outshining them all, however, was Lord Jake English, who with his oddly endearing smile enchanted all he met. Smaller than most males, he instead busied himself with learning of the arts of old, studiously enhancing his knowledge of the chivalry of the knights of old. A lovely boy, he, too, was an unpopular candidate for the throne due to his overwhelmingly submissive demeanor, often allowing a potential rival to best him right away.

In the territory of Heat and Rain happened to exist a similar situation, although both the males and females were more than worthy to ascend the thrones themselves. The Lalonde family, united only by a pair of sisters, existed in a perpetual battle against the Strider clan. Though the sisters were intelligent, Lady Rose Lalonde was a woman of particularly fine taste, a highly sophisticated, reserved individual. Preferring to remain rather silent, she proved to be a skilled diplomat and exceedingly advanced in deceiving others. Guarding her true intentions, she led the country to the best of her ability towards the most fortuitous path, while Lady Roxy Lalonde was rather negligent, drowning her relationship-centric sorrows with a glass of wine. Impressive though her intellect was, she preferred to train in dozens of womanly arts, fancying herself a seductress. Her ability to adopt the persona of a male was fantastic, however, and she would often combine her ability to outwit the enemy with her body and her innate ability to duel with lethal success. The Strider clan was a separate entity, existing under a perpetual state of mystery. Lord Dave Strider was fairly intelligent, physically capable of harming an enemy easily; subduing opponents with strange riddles, he would slaughter while they listened, enveloped within a trance, time seeming to pause about them as he protected his home. His brother, however, was an enigma, preferring to remain alone. Though he did have dozens of women at his beck and call, he chose to exist without a romantic partner, growing more and more physically alluring with each passing day as he tinkered about with several pieces of advanced machinery, creating some truly impressive technological advances. Close though they were, each remained vaguely distant from the other, their shared intellect at constant odds as they battled to ascend the throne as quickly as possible.

The whole country exists within this state, change an unheard-of concept. A simple thief and a designer emerge from the shadows, however, and throw the entire state into an uproar, pitting the territories against each other in new ways as passions ignite between pairs...