Sacred Doors/Lag-Quara Booklet Translation

Nota: Una traducción al español vendrá posteriormente.


Hello everyone! I'm Shimotsuki Haruka, and this book is an introduction to my original fantasy works! It's also the first book I've released as Maple Leaf (*laughs*)
The Maple Leaf side is called the [SD-Book], and through it I'll be giving you all brieeeef summary about the [Sacred Doors] series I've been representing through multiple music releases.

[Sacred Doors], abbreviated as SD, is the name of a story I've been making up little by little from my college days (though it's possible it started fermenting because I left it sleeping for too long), so while I've been slacking off on representing it, it's still a very important work to me. Here I've tried to write down its story and introduce its characters, as well as give some supplemental information in how they are related to the works I've released thus far. While they can stand all on their own as works, because I've connected them in such a laid-back way, I think those who like the setting should enjoy it too.

So, here's to hoping that this book will become a small key to open the door of your imagination.

2009.12 Shimotsuki Haruka


Sacred Doors

It is said that the humans and their world were created a long time ago by the Goddess who resides in Sacred, the Holy Land floating high above the skies. Two twins from the [people who have wings] were sent from the Holy Land by Goddess Palaslaura, who used the Goddess' own power to create the world, and gave the Four Great Elementals and the many Elementals that were under their protection the ability to sustain the natural balance necessary for the world to keep existing. Thus, was life born and the Holy Calendar started counting its years.

Following the orders given by the twin Creators, the first humans built four Temples that were protected by each of the Four Great Elementals. The Goddess then delivered oracles through the Elementals, so no conflicts would ever spark among the humans. And the people lived following the instructions given through the oracles. Thus, the world's order was maintained for a long time.

However, the light from the Holy Land started weakening suddenly 18 years ago, and the Elementals' oracles stopped coming. This caused unrest and tension to run rampant through the Temples and the highest seats of power in the kingdom. This caused the multiple ambitions and ulterior motives the oracles had kept at bay to be brought to the surface, which started eating away the balance of power that existed between all the kingdoms. At the same time, the power of the Hell's (Farack) Elemental of Darkness grew stronger, which started having an influence even over the monsters that lived upon the surface.

Within the shaken world, the memories of the lost wings open the door to truth...
This is the story of the truth of the world and the fate of a boy who was chosen by the Warlock amongst the chaos, Rudess.


Prologue
 
Holy Calendar year 2304, February. The Temple of Water in the kingdom of Repthys has been placed under the kingdom's protection.

But contrary to what the word "protection" implies, what the kingdom carried out was "oppression". During a certain snowy night, armed soldiers came out from nowhere and started attacking the Temple in search of the Warlock, killing anybody who opposed them.

Amid this blood-soaked chaos, Rudess and Eriu were called to the deepest chamber in the Temple. The person who waited for them in there was no other than Laylia, the Warlock of Water. To protect the Water Elemental Undine that resided in her body from the kingdom's clutches, she carried out the Warlock Succession Ceremony.

...Thus, was Rudess entrusted with the Water Elemental Undine without even knowing what was happening and became a fugitive for the kingdom, while the world started being surrounded by darkness regardless of what his decision was.

Keywords
 
・Four Great Elementals
 
The Elementals that rule over the balance that keeps the world existing. They are Undine (Water), Salamander (Fire), Gnome (Earth) and Sylph (Wind). While nature lodges many kinds of Elementals within itself, it is said that it's possible to generally classify them into Elementals that are either under the protection of the Four Great Elementals, under the protection of the Elemental of Light, or under the protection of the Elemental of Darkness.

・Warlock
 
The title given to the person who lodges an Elemental within their own body, listens to said Elemental's voice and carries out the role of delivering their oracles to the people at large. Only pure maidens can be chosen as Warlocks, and it depends entirely on each Elemental's will to choose their host. Each one of the four Temples has a Warlock, and in practical terms each Temple exists to protect its residing Warlock and the Elemental they lodge.

・The Four Kingdoms and Temples
 
There are four kingdoms upon this world, each of which is nested close to each Temple. The Kingdom protected by the Water is [Repthys], the Kingdom protected by the Wind is [Nardie], the Kingdom protected by the Earth is [Clayrion] and the Kingdom protected by the Fire is [Forda]. While its exact forms changes from a kingdom to another, they are basically all monarchies ruled each by a king. However, given that the Temples possess an absolute power because they are the ones that rule over the oracles, and the words given by the Temples are the Elementals' words themselves, the Kingdoms must obey their instructions. They are the only organizations that are not bound by the Kingdoms despite being inside their territories.

◆[Repthys], Kingdom Protected by the Water

A rich kingdom that boasts possessing the widest lands amongst the four kingdoms as its territories. The Water City Eltherna that serves as its capital is a thriving place that gathers people and merchandise from around the world in its market. While they are in a delicate situation with their neighbors from Nardie due to fighting over their fertile lands, they publicly maintain good relationships due to the oracles.

◆[Nardie], Kingdom Protected by the Wind

A kingdom whose territory has severe climatological differences. While it also has regions that are covered in snow all year long, the areas around its capital are relatively warm. As it is a kingdom where the differences between social classes are very severe, the population are divided into High Class and Low Class depending on their wealth or poverty, to the point where residential areas in places such as the Nardie capital are formed by two separate districts: The High Residential Zone (First Class Residences) and the Low Residential Zone (Second Class Residences).

◆[Clayrion], Kingdom Protected by the Earth

A kingdom that had formed a unique culture due to not having any significant contact with other regions because of it being in a mountainous area. As the area it is in is quite arid, the people make their living mainly through hunting. It is also the least populated among the four kingdoms. They are famous for their annual Festival of the Spirits, which is a festival to offer gratitude to Predoll.

◆[Forda], Kingdom Protected by the Fire

It thrives on the production of items such as tools and weapons due to there being many gathering spots for minerals within its territory. However, the production of weapons is limited due to the orders (will of the Elementals) given by the Temple, so the kingdom strictly sticks to the given limits because it is said they would suffer divine punishment were they to make more weapons than they are allowed by the will of the Elementals. The Holy Beacon that can be found in its capital city Flare is the symbol of the kingdom, so it also appears on its flag.


Characters

Rudess Airlud

"...If my destiny's unavoidable, I've got no choice but to face it head on!"

The story's protagonist. Male. 18 years old.
He was picked up from a lake's shore by the Warlock of the Water Temple, Laylia after he was abandoned as a baby, and he grew up in the Temple's orphanage. And just like that, he grew as an Acolyte of the Elementals. Basically, while his head moves quite quickly, he's the type who moves forward only once he has digested what it's happening to him, and so he's irregularly weak when it comes to adapting to new situations.
Due to a certain incident, Laylia entrusted him with the Elemental of Water Undine, making him into the Warlock of Water. And now lodging an Elemental that by nature shouldn't dwell in his body, he was driven out of the Temple and went in a journey.

Celsior Lexes

"Prying into what interests someone else is an information broker's job.
If you don't want talk about it, you just shouldn't do it."

Male. 27 years old.
He lives in Lain's bar in the lower residential sector of Nardie while at the same time working as an information broker. Apparently, he is quite famous in the neighborhood due having to his name an information network that allows to gain trustworthy information quickly, despite his youth. A shrewd man that has good manners and a good head over his shoulders. While he doesn't talk about his past, there are rumors that he is related by blood to some of the most respectable families residing in the upper residential sector due to having a large influence. One of his hobbies is changing his glasses (particularly). As he has a personality that can't stand to see others being abandoned, he frequently picks up stray cats and dogs to take them back home with him, which has made Lain quite angry at him several times. While he also tames the Elemental Beasts known as Sekirei, it isn't something he likes to do.

Lain Mimosa

"There's no difference between lower and upper residential zone inhabitants among my customers.
Get out from my bar if you've got any complaints about it."

Female. 28 years old.
The only woman in her family who inherited from her father the bar she currently manages in the lower residential zone of Nardie, which led her to get acquainted with the many ruffians and impoverished inhabitants from lower residential zone, and the travelers who pass through the city. A woman with a sisterly disposition that has a frank spirited personality, who also has slipped through many difficulties. She also throws knives as a self-defense maneuver, and has quite a precise aim with them. She lets Celsior to live in her bar at no cost and gives him a hand with his information broker business.

Eriu Lugray

"Rudess... It's possible we won't ever meet again."

Male. 19 years old. ※The picture shows Eriu when he was a young child (in Yuragu Sora).
An orphan that was saved and raised in by the Temple of Water after his parents were killed by monsters. As he's childhood friends with Rudess, they both share a close friendship. Eriu also has a really strong sense of responsibility, to the point he at times overexerts himself because he doesn't mind sacrificing his own life for others. As he's diligent and a hard worker, his abilities as an Acolyte of Water are unparalleled in the Temple of Water.

Frale

"...I finally found you."

Female. 14 years old.
She is the Warlock of Fire, who has crimson eyes and hair. Because she was isolated from everyone else from birth due to being destined to be the Warlock of Fire, she is taciturn and inexpressive, and doesn't know how to convey her emotions. Her name "Flare" wasn't even something that was given to her by her real parents, so she doesn't even know what their faces looked like. She firmly believes that she must carry out a certain mission alongside the Warlock of Water to fulfill her own purpose. That is why she chases after Rudess and why they frequently end up meeting each other.

Karbell Linarie

"You know it, right? ...The pain you get from having lost something precious because of powers you never wished to have."

Female. 16 years old.
The girl that was chosen to be the Warlock of Wind. As she was raised alongside her older sister in the Temple of Wind to become Warlock Candidates, she has always admired the world she could see outside her window. She is a girl who hates conflicts and lives wishing for peace, and while she wished that her excellent older sister would be the one chosen because she earnestly wished to become the Warlock, Karbell was the one chosen against her own wishes. It is due to this she has lost several precious things.


Works Explanation

Here we will explain the works that Maple Leaf has released previously from the viewpoint of the [Sacred Doors] world setting.

Sacred Doors Vol. 1 / December 2001

Tracklist

01. Legend (Opening Event BGM)
02. Sacred Doors (Main Theme)
03. Water Capital Repthys (Water Capital Repthys BGM)
04. Through the Wilderness (Field BGM)
05. Clash (Normal Battle BGM)
06. Victory! (Battle Won BGM)
07. Covered in White (Snow City BGM)
08. Awakening Morning (Rest at an Inn BGM)
09. Snow Grain (Snowfield BGM)
10. The Great Sekirei Search (Event BGM - Meeting Celsior)
11. Sadness and A Single Teardrop (Sad BGM)
12. Lain's Bar (Lain's Bar BGM)
13. The Monsters' Nest (Dungeon BGM)
14. Confrontation (Midboss BGM)
15. Mysterious Forest (Vocal Version for the Lost Woods BGM)

For the main story, at the start I decided to somehow make it as the soundtrack for an imaginary RPG. So, I tried making RPG-like standard BGMs while imagining how [Sacred Doors] would be if it were made into a RPG. So as for how the story goes, we could break it down (?) into Rudess departing on a journey, meeting Celsior, and sub-events triggering while he temporarily stays at Lain's bar.

Yuragu Sora -Sacred Doors Vol. 0- / December 2002

Story

There once was a boy who, could listen to the voices of the Elementals and see them when normal people couldn't even see them, and even had the mysterious power of making flowers bloom, all because he received a strong influence from the powers of the Elementals at birth. Having these extraordinary powers made people to give him weird looks and soon enough, they caused him to be ostracized from everyone else. Fearing this could bring harm to his loved ones, the boy turned his back on his hometown and left on a journey. His heart eventually was set upon living as a Bard that knew the truth about the world and who would convey these truths to the people in song. During his journeys around the world, he met all sorts of people and Elementals, and he walked while making into song the legends and cultures he came in contact with.

And a certain day during his journeys, rain started falling when he was setting up camp in the forest near the Temple of Water in Repthys. As he tried to shelter himself under the trees' shades, two little boys (Rudess and Eriu, who were four and five years old at the time respectively) noticed his presence and guided him to the orphanage where they lived. Once they were before the hearth's warmth, he started singing to both boys in gratitude for allowing him to spend the night at their home. His song was the truth about this world, and about the destiny that awaited them...

Tracklist

1. Song of Beginnings
2. Trembling Sky
3. Festival of the Spirits
4. Mysterious Forest
5. Vestiges of the World
6. To You, Small Ones

This is a CD that touched upon the world setting of [Sacred Doors], as it is the songs that Rudess and Eriu heard from the Bard. The [Vol. 0] means this is a work that depicts the world itself, and that it serves as a prequel to the story proper. Tracks 1 to 4 are folk songs the Bard came to know, as well as also being truths and consciousnesses he felt during his travels, while track 5 is a song in which the Bard sang out his own feelings, and track 6 is a song that the Bard sang for Rudess and Eriu, in which he prophesied their destiny. By the way, while the Bard that made an appearance on this CD also makes an appearance in the CD jacket for [Maple Leaf Box], the girl with the chestnut-colored hair that appears on the back cover is his childhood friend, who accepted the powers he had back when he still lived in his hometown. As painful as it was to him, he couldn't let a girl who smiled as kindly as she did be hurt any more than she had already been, so he resolved himself to leave his hometown without telling anyone and never return to it. It's possible the Bard may end up meeting again with Rudess and his friends at some point in the main story of Sacred Doors.


Wyrdrad no Shirabe -Sacred Dors another tale- / August 2008

Tracklist

1. Into the Sunny Place
2. Wings of Oblivion
3. The Day Winter Ends
4. A Song Played in the Empty Sky
5. Geofu
6. Two Roads

There once was a girl called Rose Alicia, who had a mysterious power (perception) due to having received a very strong influence from the Elementals' powers at birth. As her overly strong sensitivity caused her heart to be hurt, not to mention she was also hurt by the people, she was always alone. She was a person who could touch both the memories of the lost world and the voices of the Elementals, but she just kept on living while covering her ears from the words that were always coming to her.

However, things changed for her when she met a music troupe. It was then that she realized that she could bring enjoyment to the people by making the voices of the world she had kept hidden into fantastical stories. At times, her songs brought out nostalgia, at times they brought out sympathy, and at times they inspired the imagination of her listeners, and so she gained the acceptation of many as an entertainer. Thus, was her heart saved. She had been saved by the music and by her companions, and while she never considered herself as a person who had the mission of transmitting the memories of the world to others, she still allowed these memories to ride into the music and become songs.

It was then that she heard rumors about the Bard. Having learned he was a person who could feel the same memories she did, she ended up meeting him. It was the first time she had met someone who knew the same pain and loneliness she had known. However, for some reason he chose to keep singing alone and by himself. As Rose had been saved from the loneliness by the songs, she invited the Bard to join the music troupe she was part of to save him from his own loneliness. The Bard refused, and left these words with her as he walked away smiling:

"...For your songs to imprint the truth upon this world."

Characters

Rose Alicia

"I... want to keep singing here."

Female. 14 years old. Vocalist.
A girl who has a mysterious power (perception) due to having received a very strong influence from the Elementals' powers at birth. While this caused her to lose a variety of things and made her close off her heart, thanks to having met the music troupe, she became able to accept her true self, she found the place she belongs to and she started regaining her own natural brightness little by little. Singing itself was what saved her... Her happy and gentle singing figure has filled the hearts of many with warmth.

Edilea Nopsys

"Hey you guys! You've got to join your hearts more as you play! Goodness..."

Female. 45 years old. Percussionist and chorus singer.
The original vocalist, and the person who invited Rose to join the troupe. She is the founder and the leader of the troupe. While she was a popular singer, known around the region when she was young, a certain incident caused her to be unable to sing, and only Grand kept playing the piano at her side while the other members left them.

Grand Nopsys

"...You're the new kid, right? Well, welcome aboard."

Male. 48 years old. Cembalist.
The husband of the troupe leader, and its first member. A seriously taciturn man. While he always obeys the troupe leader's orders without complaining, he never seems to be displeased about it. (Because he has an absolute trust and love for her.)

Julie Alpha

"I believe that music connects the hearts for sure"

Male. 16 years old. Accordionist.
He originally was the child from a notorious family in the High Residential Zone of Nardie. But after his parents died five years ago in a certain incident, he left his home and ever since, he has worked as a performer alongside his twin Merrie to make ends meet.

Merrie Alpha

"I don't want to be a burden for anyone. I want to keep walking with my own feet."

Female. 16 years old. Violinist.
She decided she wouldn't cry again ever since she left her home with Julie, and she has firmly kept this resolution. During their travels, they happened to bump into Edilea and her group, and after opening their hearts to them, Edilea welcomed them into the troupe.

Tule Macrode

"Me? Well you know, I play so I can bring some brightness to this daaark world!"

Male. 27 years old. Contrabassist.
Having "Smiling's gonna bring good luck to ya!" as his motto, he has a bright personality overflowing with optimism. However, he lost a precious one to a sickness, and he keeps playing the contrabass because she really loved music.

Acqua Pulse

"Musical instruments are really honest, you know? The hearts of their players are reflected in their sounds."

Female. 32 years old. Guitarist.
She applied for a position at the troupe and joined because she was captivated by the gentle sounds that Edilea and Grand played together, saying she wanted to make music alongside them. She is the third member of the troupe.

[Wyrdrad], a music troupe that lives in the world of [Sacred Doors]. A traveling music troupe that has gathered fresh members, each of their feelings entwining to make up a story. "another tale" merely means that this is a work that takes place outside the main story, and the setting for the CD is that the songs recorded in it are played by the troupe themselves. Track 1 is a song Rose herself sings about her feelings for the troupe, tracks 2 and 4 are the world's truth and future she has felt, track 3 is sung from the viewpoint of Julie and Merrie, track 5 is the combination of Edilea and Grand's feelings, and track 6 is the song that the Bard that Rose met sings while thinking of her. The Bard that appears here is the same person that previously appeared in [Yuragu Sora]. Additionally, what tracks 2 and 4 are singing about are fragments from the story of Rudess and company. As for whether Rose is predicting these events, she is singing them as fantastical stories without realizing they are the world's words, but the truth is hidden in them.



Hello everyone. I'm Hiyama Nao, and I'm the one in charge of the projects and original stories for tieLeaf.
The tieLeaf side is called the [Neji-Book], and here we will give an introduction the works and world of the [Nejimaku Tsuki] series.

First things first, [Nejimaku Tsuki] is an original story I made back when I was still a student, and it finally became an actual work when I had the chance to start working alongside Sorano-san. Based on that, we started collaborating with Shimotsuki-san and we put out stories for it in a variety of ways under the tieLeaf name. While there were times where I had to stop working on it due to personal circumstances, I still want to keep writing for this world for a long time, so I'll keep creating material for it from now on. Even if it is in this way, that's how precious a work it is to me.

Its setting is a fantasy world called [Lag-Quara]. While we have a detailed setting of how the world is made up, unfortunately we couldn't explain it in full due to the number of pages in this booklet. But as I plan to keep creating material for it from now on and wherever I might be, as long as I keep doing so, there might be a time in which I'll reveal them to the public even if tieLeaf disappears. Those interested in the setting, please go to my personal website, or to the tieLeaf site.

Also, there is a possibility the setting and story may suffer from several changes when they are combined with the media whenever we develop something new. As this booklet is in the end is an initial setting draft, if you can enjoy to the point it makes you treeeemble, that would make me happy. See you!

Nejimaku Tsuki (Main Story): Still unreleased by this point in time (2009). This is a preview to its story and characters.
Tsukioi no Toshi: Announcement version released in 2004, collaboration CD released in 2005, special edition released in 2008.
Hanahiraku Souten: Manga released in 2005. Currently being made into a game.
Tsuisou no Mado: Short novel and CD released in 2009.

■Neji-Book Side:
Original Idea - Text - Design: Hiyama Nao / Illustrations: Sorano Ao
■SD-Book Side:
Original Idea - Text - Design: Shimotsuki Haruka / Illustrations: Fujimura Ayumi - Hidari - Sorano Ao - Design: Hiyama Nao / Sorano Ao


Side [Nejimaku Tsuki]
Lag-Quara

I oular i neej rin ar lef su i Lag-Quara.
The Spiral-Coiling Moon Engraves the Moon's Waxing and Waning...

The general title to the [Fantasy World Lag-Quara]'s story.

When you close your eyes, and when you cover your ears, you will see and hear the world.

The [Symbol] that weaves countless fantasies.


Nejimaku Tsuki - Still Unreleased by 2009

Prologue

Upon the islands floating in the skies is the Kingdom of Celestara, which received the protection of the Goddess' Wings, and which connects and protects everything. Cielio, who was born from the current King and his third wife, Sacher, was estranged from the Royal Palace and sent to live in one of the villas owned by his mother's family, the House of Wisteria.
The Wisteria Region comprised a small floating island located to the west of the Royal Capital. While it was a backwater town compared to the Royal Capital, it had also become an estranged and peaceful island ever since it got involved in the kingdom's territorial disputes.
Cielio had the power to connect his heart with those of other people. He the power to absorb all their feelings without anything obstructing them, even their hatred and sadness. He was the sort of child that would be feeling all sorts of emotions deep within while showing a smile to everyone else.
Naturally, as he also spent most of his time all alone, he felt it was annoying to exchange words with others. It couldn't have been any different though, given his ability to sense others' emotions without even needing to converse with them.
A day when he was six years old, he was summoned to the Royal Palace to congratulate his sister from a different mother, Princess Soficia for becoming engaged, and it was then he saw his sister face to face for the first time. His sister was a kind and beautiful young woman. When he touched her warm cheeks for the first time, Cielio felt his heart melting away. A day when they were drinking red tea, just the two of them, his older sister started saying out of nowhere:
"Maybe I'm lying to my own feelings? Could my own arrogance be what makes me think I want to save that person? Or is it that I just want someone to save me...?"
"That person...?"

Without paying any mind to Cielio's question, Soficia placed a small box upon the table.
"This is called an orgel. It's stopped right now, but if you coil its spiral like this... Look, it plays a song. And it can do that as many times as you want it"
And as a sad smile formed upon her lips, Soficia gave the small box to Cielio.
"I'll give it to you as a birthday gift"
Cielio's curiosity gave way for him to make the orgel play its song many times. Just like his sister said, its song began many times, and many times it came to an end.
That night, Cielio had a very vivid dream.
He was in place where Lip-Aura flowers could be seen all over. And in the middle of that blue carpet, there was something that didn't fit with the rest of the place: it was a young man that had golden hair and golden eyes. For some reason, that made him feel uncomfortable. Cielio felt his intention was the complete opposite to his own.
And then, Soficia appeared out from nowhere and walked to the man, and as a happy smile showed on her lips, she extended her hand to him.
Having a bad feeling about this, Cielio tried to stop her. However, his voice didn't get through to her. He was unable to even catch an illusion.

The next day, Soficia suddenly disappeared. That was the last time he ever saw her.
Many years passed afterward, and Cielio never opened the orgel again.
No matter how many years went by, he kept regretting it. He wanted to go back to that day and see his sister once again. Even if he couldn't stop her, he wanted to make sure about what Soficia could have been feeling back then.
Why did she disappear like that without telling anyone? Why did she entrust him with this orgel? Who was "that person" she wanted to save?
He had the feeling that if he had asked his sister these questions, he could have saved her.

When he turned 16 years old, Cielio dreamt once again about the Lip-Aura flower field.
And in the middle of that sight that hadn't changed despite so much time having passed, he saw a little girl that resembled her sister, who was plucking away the flowers' petals as she sang a song.

A single truth is within countless lies.
Allow a different song to ride upon the same melody.
Allow a different story to ride upon the same world.
Coil the spiral as many times as you like.
Make the spiral play its song as many times as you like...

"What do you wish for?"
The girl asked when she noticed Cielio's presence.
"My wish is..."


Characters

Cielio W. Erceles

"Because I don't remember it, it's possible I was who killed my sister..."

Male. 16 years old. Prince of Celestara, and third in the line of succession for the throne. As his mother was originally a Song Priestess from a low-standing region, there are many that don't recognize him as a candidate to the throne, so he is constantly subjected to harsh criticism. While he normally lives in a small villa located in a faraway little island, he seeks the original owner of the orgel his older sister, Soficia gave to him prior to her disappearance ten years ago.


Atie

"Hey, what's the thing you want the most, Cielio?

Female. Unknown age. A mysterious lost girl who appears and disappears upon the island where the Lip-Aura flowers bloom. She really likes plucking the Lip-Aura flowers' petals to divine the future with them. Her face and voice resemble those of Princess Soficia, Cielio's older sister, and she is emotionally attached to him for some reason.


Fortiss Patin


"Hey Cielio! Remember I'm your pal!"

Male. 17 years old. A cousin of Cielio's mother. They are childhood friends because they grew together in the Wisteria Family's mansion, and he is the only person Cielio recognizes as a friend. As he is the third son to the current Foreign Affairs Minister, he has a natural sense for social life. He acts like an overprotective older brother to Cielio.


Elea Amaranth

"My older brother is like a natural enemy for all of humankind. You should get it as soon as you see his face and sort of personality"

Female. 17 years old. The eldest daughter to the Amaranth family. She has a weak constitution due to an intractable disease, so she is a girl that has led a sheltered life to the point she has never set a foot outside her own house. However, she doesn't exude that sort of atmosphere when she speaks, so she has the sort of personality that would lead anyone to doubt her condition.
While she holds an uncommon hostility and distrust toward her older brother, the reasons for it are unknown at the moment.


Rizel Amaranth

"If you stare at me like that, it's possible you'll end up falling for me"

Male. 26 years old. Adopted by the Amaranth family and thus, Elea's older brother. Currently employed as a magician in the Edelia Kingdom's Royal Sorcery Institute. While he is always smiling, treats everyone kindly, and generally gives a good treatment to everyone he meets, there is something that feels off about his behavior. As for Elea, she felt he changed to a shocking degree after he broke up with his lover.


Tsukioi no Toshi -Sono Te ga Katadoru Sekai- (Side-Story)

The story of Rizel, the boy who inherits the Will of [Ecliss], and Princess Soficia.

Prologue

The name of that city is [Ecliss].
It is a world that had been sealed away for eternity
due to the sins that were committed long ago.
The City of Demise
where the ones that go to die are confined...

The City of Death Ecliss was a magical capital that fell into ruin many years ago. Rizel, who lived in a small village next to a forest, was a boy that was supposed to become the Protector of the city that sank into a lake, Ecliss, and that had been born as Sardine's son.
Whenever Rizel lied on his back and closed his eyes, every night he would dream about a girl called Elthia who sang curses from within his dreams, which meant he was trying to escape his fate.

On the other hand, there was the Kingdom of Celestara that was located on the skies.
Amecius, who was the crown prince and thus the first in the succession line to the throne, was found guilty of rebellion against the crown and sentenced to be locked in prison for life.
At the end of this secret trial, Amecius' younger sister, Princess Soficia heard that her brother had committed suicide within his prison cell, and believing in Amecius' innocence, she decided to find the truth that had been kept hidden through her own power.

Both would meet again at [Ecliss] several years later.

Action and Emptiness, Prayer and Curse, Future and Death.
As if they were unable to comprehend where both of their paths will take them,
The same night wears on again.

About This Work:
 
This is a work that we tieLeaf presented as a vocal collaboration album. While making this story the way we did, in which the information concerning it is limited to pictures, lyrics, sounds, a scarce amount of setting materials and a few short stories, is quite counterintuitive, on the other hand that seems to have allowed a lot of people to expand their imaginations.
As this is a story that serves as a prequel taking place ten years prior to the [Nejimaku Tsuki] where Cielio is the protagonist, it places the spotlight upon Soficia and Rizel when he was a teenager, as well as their feelings and the complex relationship they both share. Where and how did Rizel and Soficia meet each other? Why did Soficia disappear? How did it all end?
While of course this will all be answered in [Nejimaku Tsuki], these are also stories I'd like to write down using other media. (Hiyama)

Characters

Rizel Amaranth

"It's not weird I can't just smile indiscreetly. Smiling can only be done when you have enough strength for it."

Male. 16 years old. Student. First-person pronoun used: Ore or Boku. Hair and eye color: Golden hair, golden eyes. Hobbies: Part-time working, riding.

A young man severely burdened due to having been born as Sardine's son while also having the power of Ecliss flow strongly through his blood. He goes by his adoptive father's surname. He is always running late and at times even misses his classes at the Magic Academy. While his grades are excellent, his progress and graduation are in severe risk due to not having enough attendances in his record. And under the excuse of making up for his absences, the principal ordered him to undertake an absurd task. He despises everything that has the Ecliss name, even his real father, even more than he hates raw fish. He thinks that his father doesn't love him and that instead, he loves Elthia, the girl who always appears within his dreams.

Soficia R. Erceles

I think that my uncle knows I'm in love with Rizel.

Female. 17 years old. Princess. First-person pronoun used: Watashi. Hair and eye color: Black hair, purple eyes. Hobbies: Daydreaming, crossdressing her younger brother, dressing as a man

The Princess of the Heavenly Kingdom of Celestara. While she underwent an engagement ceremony with a duke that was also her cousin before ultimately rejecting him, said duke didn't mind it in the slightest and just thought the Princess had gone through with the ceremony only because it was her duty. Due to being inflexible and stubborn, she tends to rush into things without thinking. She isn't good at dealing with indecisive and effeminate men. She loves making her cute-faced little brother Cielio wear dresses. And apparently, she disguises herself as a man whenever she sneaks out from the castle.

Elthia

"...Leozet..."

A mysterious girl who appears within Rizel's dreams (the city of Ecliss) and allows him to listen to her songs. She is always smiling. It is due to her that Rizel is always suffering from sleep deprivation.

Cielio

"..."

Soficia's younger brother and a prince. 6 years old.

Cius

"Well well, aren't you too honest, oh master?"

Male. Unknown age. Deceased. First-person pronoun used: Ore. Hair and eye color: Black hair, purple eyes.

A fragment from a Will that saved Rizel when he was a kid, and who should have disappeared long ago. In simpler terms, he is a ghost. While he seems to be a Celestaran, he has lost almost all his memories due to being incomplete. He is always roaming around the place inside Rizel's dreams (the city of Ecliss).

Sardine Eclosse

"If everything were to remain here, letters alone wouldn't be enough for it, don't you think?"

A magician and Rizel's true father. His hobby is collecting rare items from around the world and recording any events that have happened. He personally hates the Kingdom of Celestara. While he dotes on his son Rizel in his own peculiar way, the distorted way in which he demonstrates it has caused Rizel to hate him.


Hanahiraku Souten - [Comic Enclosed with Tsukioi no Toshi]

The record of a certain magician who perished alongside the Ecliss (Girl of Death) that loved the demonic flower.

Prologue

[Elthia_Lag_Ecliss] was the Protector of Ecliss back when the city still existed in the outside world, and she also served as its final Protector.

[Ecliss] is one of the Wills of the Goddess of Creation, Artia, and it holds the meaning of [Release].
It is one of the grand elements that give shape to this world: Lag-Quara. It is fate itself: the force that puts the threads of life into motion and soon enough, brings death to them.
In other words, it has the power to bring destruction upon everything through the passing of time.

Those people whose bodies lodged the strongest manifestation of the power of [Ecliss] were the Protectors of Ecliss: they would be given the name [Lag_Ecliss] and despite being born humans, they would be treated as a part of the Goddess.
These powerless humans were in deep love with the Goddess.
There was a meaning to the mere existence of those bearing the Lag_Ecliss name. The mission of the ones bearing that name was to be treated as an object of reverence in the Temple.

A settlement expanded around the Temple, as if it were clinging to it, until its population increased into the order of the thousands and became a city.
The people sought even more power and desired the truth. They even crossed the boundaries of the taboo to approach the realms of the divine.

The city protected by [Ecliss].
In other words, as the city that controlled even death...
....Ecliss was truly prosperous.

Tsuisou no Mado

A story of sealed memories told by a former Singing Priestess.

Prologue

Even now, I'm having a confusing dream.

Was that choice the best course I could have taken? Or was I mistaken?
There are things you can never undo, no matter how much you worry about them. I can never go back to that day now.
While I knew that the pain caused by the regrets was going to be no more than an obstacle to me as I kept walking to a new future, for some reason my heart kept standing still.
What could have been waiting for me at the end of the path I didn't choose?
But still, I kept imagining and pondering many times the words [that person] kept silent about, and about what he could have said next. They should have been something leading from that room that was sealed away for eternity to a new path we are supposed to follow.
It is an unknown window that could have been open, but that I have already erased myself.
I saw the place illuminated by the lost moon being reflected even more vividly than it was in reality.

That was the day when some impossible memories were engraved.