Family Trickery - Volume 1 - The Hidden Oasis

Prologue

Centuries ago a power unleashed by a Treasure was something unseen to anyone prior that if such immense power was to fall into the wrong hands - the damage caused would be irreparable. Therefore, scared and wary of the Treasure's power, the once beautiful Oasis split into four :

Firstly we have The Kingdom of Valoria -

a peaceful kingdom of warriors and farmers, driven by common sense and equality. Built on democracy and common sense, Valoria prides itself on the ancient principles of a healthy body and mind. Known for its art, which is present in every form - Valorians are fond of equality and acceptance of every culture. The kingdom isn't known for its riches, but amongst the four is the one that's steadily raised itself after the economical crisis brought by the Split, priding itself on its craftsmanship and inclusivity.

Secondly, there is The kingdom of Darmasthea -

with its high nobility and advanced technology. This kingdom is definitely the richest one of the four. Known among the four to be the faster one to rise to fame, this kingdom is built on the principle of conservation and tradition. After witnessing the dangerous magic of the split, Darmasthea decided to abolish any kind of magic inside its territory and to punish those with an affinity to it. The kingdom, free of any magic, has adapted itself to the modern world with technology. Its army is composed of powerful soldiers, machines, and mechas sworn to help protect. The kingdoms are from outside danger, given the need, and do not attack the others unless provoked.

Thirdly, comes The kingdom of Ragadon -

opposed to Darmasthea, Ragadon embraced magic and its power, forming armies and harvesting the power of magic users. Studying magic creatures and runes. Many secret organizations have been formed inside Ragadon, some of which include members of the other kingdoms, with one driving motive - to seek knowledge and skill in regard to magic in the pursuit of power. Although laws exist to prevent its misuse, Ragadon has made a name for itself for being the most "flexible", for lack of a better term, in regards to magic. During the century after the split, word spread of the kingdom's rising military. A mysterious power increase that's hypothesized to derive from magic abuse inside the army.

Fourthly, the last comes to The kingdom of Valyo -

which features beautiful landscapes in which nature has remained untouched and magical creatures prosper, in balance with the kingdom's inhabitants. The people of Valyo swore to protect nature's course and appreciate its gifts, by teaching the importance of balance and respect for the environment. Valyo has been known far beyond the kingdoms for its mesmerizing coasts, intricate jungles, and vast deserts, views that are often visited by tourists and travelers all around the globe. Valyo's wisdom is the core center of its power and the concept of Balance is the method through which the vast magical power lying in this kingdom helps the population, flora, and fauna prosper.

But the Kingdom wasn't the only one to have to adapt to the Split. The world had changed - irreversibly so. Creatures of darkness, commonly known as Hellish Orphans, had emerged all over the kingdom, and the world. These monstrosities have sparked the curiosity of many, but few ever managed to survive an encounter with one. Every story that has come out of these misadventures coincides with their description.

These creatures don't act reasonably. They're considered products of evil and malice and will attack any human who dares meet their eyes. They come in many different shapes and sizes and nobody knows where they've come from, or how they've come to be. What's been observed though, is that they're attracted by human emotions and magic, but are also particularly weak to the latter.