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Four millennia ago, before men—there were the three Fates. The Goddess of life and fertility, Evika. The Goddess of wisdom and war, Eirdis. Then the Goddess of dreams and death, Ernesia.

Kostbare was one of the many land masses they created together, blessing the humans there with crops, sun, and the ability to feel. Eventually, the humans created their own kingdom in Kostbare. Men took turns ruling over the masses until King Cyprian began his ruling. A human man, at least in the beginning of his story. Most remembered him as a fair, just ruler, like his predecessors—a long line of successful men in his family.

However, in his thirty-fourth year of ruling Kostbare, something changed. The Fate, Ernesia, created vampires. The vampires traveled far and wide, making new homes across the country of Kostbare. The creatures who thrived under the moon and drank the blood of his human subjects were hunted down for many years, before eventually, a vampire named Bertram was able to enter the castle under the claim of desiring unity between their people. He infiltrated the king’s court, unbeknownst to the court who he truly was—a traitor.

Bertram was part of the vampire rebellion and was sent on one very strict mission—to turn King Cyprian. He was successful, and while the vampires viewed this as a win in their favor, they soon learned it wasn’t as successful as they hoped.

The power and immortality that Cyprian earned in his new life corrupted him through and through. He brought vampires to power and killed humans for fun—making them slaves, torturing them for sport, and raping men and women who refused him. Humans were turned into cattle, walking blood bags, a meaningless source of fun to Cyprian and his court.

This angered the Fates, for they had blessed not only the humans, but the vampires as well. They blessed them with long life, the ability to procreate with humans, and the tools to help create an even better life. While some did just that, others, like Cyprian, abused these gifts.

A small group of four vampires started meeting in secret when they realized the human population of Kostbare was dwindling. They prayed to the Fates hoping for help, in a final effort to save their lives. To their surprise, the Fates answered them. The four of them joined together and overthrew Cyprian, pushing him into the final death. Together they were able to bring peace across the kingdom.

When the question of who would rule came to pass, they agreed that Kostbare was too big for one individual to rule on his own, so they created the four courts. Each was named after their Fates-given powers, separating Kostbare into four equal sections.

Finnian created the Court of Ravens.

Ellis created the Court of Wolves.

Drustan created the Court of Ice.

Elric created the Court of Shadows.

They ruled in peace and harmony for many centuries—restoring balance. Giving humans rights and protection. Improving technologies and laws. Building homes and cities.

As their powers grew, each of them was blessed with a soul-bonded mate, given to them by the Fates. With love and power, they had children who grew up with more power. Once their children were old enough, they’d passed over the rulership.

This worked for many, many years.

Until slowly, something… or someone, set out to corrupt it.