Bound by Blood & Parted by Fate

At the dawn of time, the Gods lived among humans. Until one man betrayed the Gods. Humanity was then punished and cursed to live in misery for a thousand years. When the wrath of the Gods faded, Rog the God of knowledge descended to earth. In the name of all the Gods, Rog generously forgave the humans and gifted them with divine powers on a night where the sun met the moon. A new era began, and for a long time, there was peace and prosperity among humans. That was until the Järras, those who were gifted, decided to take over the world and control their pairs. To bring back the balance of the world and peace between the Järras and the others, Nadjior the Goddess of the sun and light, descended to earth seeking the one with the kindest heart : Nile and gave her and her descendants the duty to keep balance in the world. Therefore, began a new chapter for humanity in this mysterious world. A world filled with extraordinary cultures, people, magic and many tales. And today, you will hear one of them : The fantastic tale of Sisters Bound By Blood & Parted By Fate. *** Fae and Nae's stall was located in a prime spot, right in the center of the market. The table was a vibrant display of nature's bounty, showcasing fresh produce. Piles of ripe, multicolored fruits like apples, oranges, and berries spilled over woven baskets. Vegetables, neatly arranged in wooden crates, formed a spectrum of greens, reds, and yellows. The sisters had been working there for a few months now, and they had already built a reputation for selling some of the best produce in the area. As they sat at their stall, they watched the busy market go by. People of all ages, genders, and backgrounds hustled past them, all with their own agendas. Bravadis was a city that never slept. It was a vibrant hub of commerce, art, and culture. The people of Bravadis were known for their warmth, hospitality and open mindset; some might say it was too open. But that is what made visitors often feel at home in this bustling city. Nae greeted the buyer who stopped by their stall with a smile. She had a friendly demeanor and enjoyed talking to customers about the produce they sold. The buyer picked up some fresh vegetables and examined them closely before asking Nae, "How long have you and your sister been running this stall?" Nae replied, "We've been here for a few months now, but we've quickly become one of the most popular stalls in the market!" The buyer smiled and replied, "I can see why. The vegetables look so fresh and delicious. I'll definitely be back for more!" Nae beamed with pride, happy to have made a sale and a new customer. “Good job, little one!” said Fae to congratulate her little sister. The stall they were working at actually belonged to their grandmother, Maam, but she had reached an age where she could no longer work. Fae and Nae had taken over the stall to support their family and to keep their grandmother's legacy alive. Maam had been a respected vendor in the market for many years and had built a loyal customer base. Her grandchildren were determined to continue her legacy and honor her hard work by running the stall as best they could. Fae had picked up most of her knowledge about running the stall from her grandmother. She used to go to the market with her grandmother even before she had reached Fae’s age. Now she took on the role of a mentor, sharing the same knowledge with her little sister Nae, ensuring that the family tradition of running a successful market stall continued. The day passed, and the sisters worked in the market, receiving customers and enjoying the lively atmosphere. As for Nae, excitement was in her voice. She had been looking forward to the festival of freedom that began tonight. When the time to close the stall arrived, Nae hurried to pack the leftover produce away. "I can't wait for the festival of freedom. It's going to be so much fun!" the young girl was excited. Jumping and dancing around her sister. “I can see that” Fae said, laughing “Do you want to know about the story behind it?” “I already know about it,” said the 15-year-old girl packing the last fruit. “Not the whole story” said the elder sister with a smirk. Nae shook her head, curious. Fae began to tell her the story of the festival. “Long ago, there was a war between the people of Bravadis and a neighboring city: Meyaris. The battle was fierce and lasted for many weeks, and it seemed like Bravadis was going to be defeated. But then, something miraculous happened…" "The king of Najariyah came to our rescue with his Ninki Nanka: a dragon. He appeared in the sky above the battlefield on a night when the moon was at its brightest, casting an ethereal glow upon the land. Everyone just stopped for a moment, awestruck by the dragon's majestic presence. The Ninki Nanka breathed fire down on the enemy, turning the tide of the battle in Bravadis' favor. The people of Bravadis were so happy and grateful for this celestial intervention that they decided to celebrate their victory with a two-day festival, which they named the festival of freedom. That’s why, on the first night, we do a dance ritual to thank the Ninki Nanka, aligning our celebration with the moon at its fullest and most powerful, symbolizing the dragon's strength and blessing upon our land." Nae monologue was filled with power and excitement. It was almost like a one-woman show. The festival of freedom in Bravadis is celebrated every seven years, aligning with the mystical cycles of the moon. According to ancient astrological beliefs in the region, the Ninki Nanka, was believed to be closely connected to the phases of the moon. It was said that the dragon's power waxed and waned in harmony with the lunar cycles. Every seven years, during a rare celestial alignment when the moon was at its fullest and brightest, the people of Bravadis believed that the Ninki Nanka's influence was strongest. It was also that very night the great Dragon had saved him from a dreadful fate. As a way to be grateful, they celebrated the dragon's benevolence and their victory with a grand festival, performing the dance ritual under the luminous glow of the moon. It was believed that by aligning their celebrations with the moon's cycle, they could harness the dragon's mystical energy and ensure the continued protection and freedom of their land, as well as give more strength to Ninki Nanka. "That was quite the performance!" Fae exclaimed as she applauded her sister. Nae couldn't wait to experience it for herself. She looked up at the sky, wondering if she might see a Ninki Nanka flying overhead one day. During her first festival, Nae was quite young. Consequently, she had to go to bed early and barely remembers the event, except for what her sister had told her. Fae continued, "Now…there is a part I haven’t told you yet…” Fae warned her sister before continuing her monologue. “Bravadis is a free city. We are free to live our lives the way we want, without any interference from outsiders. We're free to love who we want, believe what we want, and even express ourselves in ways that might be taboo in other places. But that's what makes it so special." Nae listened intently, absorbing the information. "There is nothing wrong with that." Fae's face grew solemn. "Unfortunately, not everyone shares our values. Some people believe that there is only one way to live, and anyone who deviates from it is wrong. The neighboring kingdom that we went to war with was one of those places. They didn't like how free-minded we were, and they wanted to take it away from us." Nae frowned, confused. "Why do they care how we live our lives? It is our city." Fae sighed. "It's a complicated question. Sometimes people fear what they don't understand. Sometimes they're jealous of what others have. And sometimes, they just want power and control over others." Nae nodded, still not fully comprehending. "One must really have a dark heart to seek destruction upon a city just because they are different." Fae put a comforting arm around her sister. "I know. But that's why we celebrate our freedom. We fought to protect our way of life, and now we celebrate it every seven years during the festival of freedom."