Chapter 3: The History of the Teras and the Four Heroes

As they rode in the carriage towards Lotardale, Olana started her explanation about the history of the continent to Alex. She talked about how the humans were once the dominant race, but after the appearance of the monsters, known as teras, the human population decreased little by little until reaching only 20% of what it was before.

As Olana spoke about the teras, Alex was captivated by her words. "What do they look like?" he interrupted.

Olana's expression became serious as she described the monstrous creatures. "They come in all shapes and sizes, from giant bears made of ice to eagles made of fire. Some even resemble humans but with twisted features and supernatural abilities. They're all different, but they have one thing in common – a ferocious hunger for destruction."

Alex listened intently, feeling a chill run down his spine as he imagined the teras in his mind. "How do people fight them?" he asked.

Olana replied, "The Church of the Elements is responsible for protecting us from the teras. They have trained soldiers and magicians who use their powers to defend the cities and towns. There are also hunters who go out into the wilderness to hunt down teras and gather valuable resources."

Alex was fascinated by this and wanted to know more. "And what kind of resources do they gather?"

Olana smiled at Alex's curiosity and replied, "Some teras have valuable materials in their bodies that can be used for weapons and tools, such as ice shards or fire stones and cores. There are also herbs and plants that can only be found in areas where teras roam."

Alex nodded, impressed by the resourcefulness of the people on the continent. "What about the heroes?" he asked.

Olana looked at Alex and said, "The four heroes appeared from the four corners of the continent and each one controlled an element of nature - Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Nobody knows for sure what happened, but in the sacred texts of the church, it tells that these heroes brought humanity together and with the help of mages and soldiers, they built the walls and forts that separate us from the teras on this continent."

Alex was fascinated by this story and wanted to know more. "And where are these heroes now?" he asked.

Olana explained, "The heroes are no longer with us, but their legacy lives on. Each of them created their own city - we have Lotardale, the city of Air, Arindale, the city of Earth, and to the north of both, next to the North Sea, is the city of Water. With the formation of these cities, their inhabitants began to venerate their heroes, and that is how the Church of the Elements was created."

Alex was captivated by the idea of these heroes and their cities, but he couldn't help but ask, "If there are cities of Water, Air, and Earth, where is the city of Fire?"

Olana's smile disappeared as she answered, "There isn't much information about the city of Fire. What is known for sure is that the city was south of all the others, and the name of the city was Govirdale. Popular legends say that the hero of Fire, with envy, burned everything in search of more power and in the end, he failed and disappeared."

Alex's expression changed to one of shock and sadness. Olana quickly tried to comfort him by saying, "It's just a popular legend, Alex. We don't know what really happened to the hero of Fire.”

Olana smiled warmly at Alex, pleased to see his curiosity about the continent's history. "Indeed, Alex, the Church of the Elements has been protecting us for generations, and their influence extends far beyond the walls of these cities," she said.

Alex nodded, still deep in thought. "It's amazing to think about how these heroes united the people and built the walls to protect them," he said.

Olana nodded in agreement. "Yes, it is truly remarkable. The four heroes were revered as demigods, and their stories are still told to this day. The Church of the Elements has been the driving force behind their veneration, and their teachings guide our way of life," she said.

Alex listened intently to Olana's words, fascinated by the history and lore of the continent. "I've heard about the Church of the Elements before. They're the ones who train and send out adventurers to fight the teras, right?" he asked.

Olana nodded. "That's correct. The Church is responsible for training and equipping adventurers to fight against the teras. It's a dangerous job, but it's necessary to protect our people and our way of life," she said.

Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the adventurers who fought against the teras. "I can't imagine how difficult it must be to fight those creatures. They sound terrifying," he said.

Olana nodded solemnly. "Indeed, the teras are incredibly powerful and dangerous. That's why the Church of the Elements has dedicated itself to training the most skilled and capable adventurers to fight against them. It's not a job for the faint of heart," she said.

Alex was silent for a moment, lost in thought. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and respect for the people who fought against the teras. "I can't wait to see the Church of the Elements and learn more about their work," he said.

Olana smiled. "I'm sure you'll find it fascinating. The Church is a vital part of our society, and their work is essential to our survival," she said.

The rest of the ride passed in comfortable silence as Alex continued to reflect on Olana's words. He couldn't wait to explore the continent and learn more about its history and culture. As they approached Lotardale, he felt a sense of excitement and anticipation building within him.