Official Lore Site

In the forest of the valley where the light of the setting sun shines, a huge entity stood proud through the canopy like a small mountain.
　Magnolia Elder.
　Six wings sprouted from their back, and floating at their side were great swords that had fused with shields. Embossed with intricate patterns, these are the swords of the king, though they had not seen them as anything more than elaborate decorations when they were simply Magnolia.
　This is the King of the Valley—the true form of the ruler of the Sylvan Horned Beasts.
　Magnolia Elder was staring straight off to the south. Something lay by their fur-covered feet as they stood there leisurely.
　And in their sight… The Sealed Blaze Dragons, who earlier on had somehow barely avoided Magnolia Elder’s attack. After losing the master they were meant to protect, they were hovering above the border between the forest and the wastelands at a complete loss.

　Lettia Great Canyon.
　Located in the western end of Stoicheia, it was a large stretch of verdant land with a mild climate filled with mountains, forests, and rivers, making it home to a variety of unique creatures.
　However, research conducted by scholars from Great Nature – the premier academic institution in Stoicheia – suggests that there were many phenomena in the region that could not be easily explained simply by its unique geography. It is commonly said that the source of these unique phenomena, and the power in the area, was the Sylvan Horned Beast Emperor, Magnolia Elder, who rarely showed their true form.
　One such unexplainable phenomenon, is the existence of the Sylvan Horned Beasts, which seem to be hybrids of animals and plants.
　Another is the existence of the power known as “Sanctuary”.
　No one with ill will or harmful intent could ever enter the Lettia Great Canyon.
　Not even the mightiest of dragons would be granted entry while violence hid in their hearts.

At the feet of Magnolia Elder was Rinolily lying on a bed of grass. Autumnal leaves had fallen across her body.
　This area, especially the forest they stood in, is ancient even by the Lettia Great Canyon’s standards. A land of perpetual autumn, covered with red leaves year-round.
“Her arm is already starting to heal, so we need not worry about that. There must be another reason why the girl won’t wake up.”
　Making this diagnosis beside the prone Rinolily, was a canine Warbeast that stood on two legs.
“…Though I can’t be certain. I’m no doctor.”
　C. K. Sakatt. They were once a biologist at Great Nature. Their clothes were faded and ragged from their time spent in the forest, but in the presence of the great ruler of the forest, they had lost none of their former gravitas as a scholar.
“I am honored by your words. For now, I am afraid I must depart. My partner is waiting for me.”
　Even though there was no audible response, Sakatt bowed deeply and turned to return to the forest. The cautious Damainaru, the Sylvan Horned Beast whom Sakatt called their partner, was likely waiting in the shadows of the trees. The sound of footsteps from the pair quickly disappeared into the undergrowth.
　A gentle breeze blew through the trees as the last of the evening sun kissed Rinolily’s resting cheek.
　Just then, the Sylvan Horned Beasts of the forest all raised their heads as one.
　They could feel the immense power of the forest as their emperor casually put it to work.
“…Please don’t be too harsh on the dragons.”
　The girl’s voice was a whisper, as if muttering to herself. Rinolily had awoken at some point.
“They have seen such sad things. For so long, all they could do was watch, all alone.”
　Rinolily lithely reclined. By her side was the crown of black wings.
“That disease which corrodes man’s very soul, that thing called despair, shapes me as it does the whole world.”
　The wind stopped. It felt as if the great beast had thought of something.
“Yes, exactly. I don’t have a ‘soul’. So I cannot truly feel pain or sadness as others do.”
　Rinolily looked up at the presence beside her—but all her eyes saw was pure light and wind. Magnolia Elder was so powerful that it could sometimes be hard for mortals to perceive their true form.
“You are like this forest. A strong yet gentle power, but unyielding to those who threaten it. I can feel that power even now as you dote on me. It’s almost as if you are even able to transform despair into a part of nature.”
　Rinolily slowly looked down and shook her head.
“No. It’s just a feeling. I can’t stay here for long. I’m not done with my work.”
　Rinolily then turned back as if reacting to a whisper in her ears.
“Southwest. Zoa Caldera? Is that where a path for me and my dragons lies?”
　Rinolily stood up. She bowed to Magnolia Elder with the grace of a high princess.
“You have my thanks, o’ great king of the forest. You could have killed me with one slash of your sword as you had dissuaded the dragons, but when you saw that I was wounded you protected me, healed me, and gave me a place to rest. And now you’re letting me go.”
　The Lettia Great Canyon—or rather, Magnolia Elder had refused the Sealed Blaze Dragons entry but allowed Rinolily alone, who had run out of strength and returned to human form, to enter.
“I’m glad I had the chance to meet you. I now know there are still places like this in the world.”
　She shook her head again. This time more vigorously. Her fingers clutched tightly around the winged crown she carried.
　Rinolily’s shoulders shook as if she were trying to hold something back. If not for her lack of a soul, she likely would have started to cry.
“…No, I can’t just leave this be. The dragons need me, and I need that person…
“Farewell, Sylvan Horned Beast Emperor, ruler of Lettia Great Canyon and the forests of Stoicheia.”
　Rinolily started to walk and didn’t turn back.

　A small shadow was waiting for her at the edge of the forest.
　It was holding an egg in its arms. The egg—Sunrise Egg appeared to be sleeping again.
　The sky was already dark, and the air, thick and heavy. It felt like a different world away from Lettia Great Canyon.
“You forgot this, Rinolily. It’s an important egg to you, isn’t it?”
“You…”
　Rinolily closed in on the figure and stared intently.
“Were you the one who was always talking to me as I slept?”
“It was the only time I could talk to you without being interrupted.”
“Tell me your name.”
　There was a long pause before she got a reply.
“Trickmoon.”
“What is it that you want from me?”
“That is what I wanted to ask you. I’m here to ‘give you what you want’.”
“But, I don’t have a soul.”
“Souls have little value.”
　Trickmoon’s voice was monotonous, and their face showed no emotion.
“Life is that which has value. And right now, you belong in this world. Rinolily, your birth was a miracle. One day, I hope you’ll understand that.”
“That’s not possible. Not having a soul… The agony and loneliness of not being oneself, they are not things you will ever be able to comprehend.”
　As she said that, Rinolily once again placed the crown of black wings on her head. She had been so conflicted about this crown in front of Magnolia Elder, but now she wore it without hesitation.
“I see. So that is your answer?”
“It is.”
　All of a sudden, she grabbed Trickmoon’s neck and lifted them up.
“You. So it was you. I finally get to meet you while I’m awake. How dare you fill my vessel with such unnecessary things!”
　Her voice was filled with anger. Because there was nothing she hated more than being under someone else’s control.
“You serve not the vessel, but only me. You live to serve me and answer my commands! Trickmoon!!”
“Very well. I will grant your wish, Rinolily… No…”
　Even while grappled and hanging in the air as Trickmoon was, their voice remained flat and without emotions. Had anyone been watching the scene, they would no doubt have been horrified. As Trickmoon spoke their next words, their face undoubtably revealed an expression that could have been called a smile. A dark and gloomy smile, as if mirroring the cloud-covered moon above them.
“Sealed Blaze Maiden, Bavsargra.”

The End