Prologue

Translator: Emily

You've heard the stories, haven't you?

Although, it’s been quite some time since a single soul dared utter the word “Intoner”...

You don’t remember? Ah, but of course. Such things occurred far before your time.

“Long ago, in an age tarnished by endless conflict, five beautiful goddesses descended upon the land. The goddesses sang mystical songs that restored peace and harmony to our broken world. The people began to worship these holy songstresses, and came to refer to them as ‘Intoners.’”

Though, I suppose it really wasn’t that long ago at all. This legend is but a tool, a story created to legitimize the Intoners’ rule once they had seized power. It didn’t even matter in the end, their reign ended almost as quickly as it began. Like a fleeting dream.

Over the course of two years, the Intoners set out to vanquish the oppressive lords who ruled over the land, conquering their territory and splitting the four greatest countries among themselves.

But even after the lords had fallen, life was still hard for the people. Even today, the strong always persecute those weaker than themselves. They fight, they steal, they sow hatred, they kill. Humanity marches ever forward, trapped forever in its sorrowful ways and forgetting even those who sought to pull them from their despair. In time, the Intoners fell as well, cut down by one of their own.

You see, despite what the legends told, there were six Intoners. Six sisters, bound by ties of blood.

The youngest sister, Five, ruled over the Land of Seas. Four ruled over the Land of Mountains. Three ruled the Land of Forests and Two ruled the Land of Sands. Then there was One, the second-oldest sister and the head of The Church. She established a stronghold in the Cathedral City, where she led her four sisters in the governing of their lands.

And finally, Zero, the oldest of the Intoner sisters and a traitor to them all. She was a savage woman. Riding atop a pure white dragon, she sliced her way through countless battlefields, aiming to take the lives of her five sisters. A blood-soaked Intoner.

Why did Zero want to kill her sisters? Why did the Intoner’s rule come to an end in less than a year? What fate befell these goddesses?

Indeed, I daresay there’s not a living soul who could answer such questions but myself. Seventeen long years and still not one person speaks of those days.

So, would you care to hear the sisters’ story? Of course you do, you’re the one who brought it up in the first place. Though I must admit, it has been a great many years since the word “Intoner” passed my own lips. I’ve not spoken it once, not since my sister died.

Hmm? Sister? Ah, of course I shall tell you of my sister as well. My dear sister was named One, the very same One who led the Intoners to bring peace and order to the world.

Wouldn’t that make Zero my sister as well? If you recall, I did mention that the Intoner sisters were not bound by blood.

My apologies, I seem to be confusing you already. Yes, this story does get quite a bit complicated. And it’s rather long as well.

But if you’re able to follow this tale of suffering and heartbreak, I do believe you’ll enjoy it.

Now then, let us begin. This tale begins much like the fairy tales of yore, those full of princes and princesses and happily ever after. But I’m afraid this is not that kind of story.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there were six sisters…