Many moons ago, there was a god-like creature that once roamed. It had been banished, split into two, so that it may never regain it's power and become the destructive force it was destined to be. This creature became a legend, known only as the Entity, for nobody knew it's true name or what it even really was.
Over time, it became lucid, conniving, intelligent. This world has a unique power, one where humans can create a manifestation of their feelings and bonds- Skills. There are two types that exist; Solo Skill and Link Skills. The Entity realized that Link Skills require two people to create a bond, in a way paralleling itself in its' hope to one day fuse back together.
It preyed upon the fledgling country of Sanctus Halisa, a modest country high up on the mountains. Isolated, waiting for a wave of power to take a choke hold on its people. The Entity burrowed itself into a royal lineage, testing and failing over and over, trying to find its' other half. It is here, where the story begins, after many failures.
Sanctus Halisa is now the Entity's playground- it has created an invisible wall around the kingdom. A wave of brainwashing has converted the townsfolk into loyal followers, believing highly in the Church that pays its' respects to their god. The Church provides the brainwashing necessary to keep the Entity in power.
The Entity has taken roots into the Voz'Ente family, the very same lineage that rules the country. It has finally come up with a plan that is sure to work- to cultivate strong Link Skills, and to sever them in a blood pact as an offering to itself. The Ritual needs four artifacts, stone tablets which will be bathed in blood. Not just any blood, though. The Ritual includes four loyal orderlies, worshipers, who must seek out those that have strong bonds and Link Skills with them. Once they do that, all eight will be taken to the alter as a blood letting ensues.
The throat, wrists, gut and the chest. The areas needed to be sliced open for the Ritual. The Throat, the mouthpiece, the most basic of communication on a large scale. The Wrists, representing touch, a most intimate of communication. The Gut, which communicates with yourself- after all, where do you feel fear best? And then, the Chest, the delicate heart caged within that holds every atom that makes you, so uniquely you.
Each of these connections must be severed, served to the Entity. The blood gathering into a pool, bathing one half of the Entity while the other stands before the Ritual, an intake of feelings and whole coming over it.
At least, that was the plan. The story begins many years after King Gareth and Prince Gabriel of Sanctus Halisa disappear. Prince Gabriel is vital to the Entity becoming whole again, as he is Queen Juliette's little brother, and the other half of the Entity. It is rare for siblings to survive, and the Entity cannot let this chance slip away.
Thus, Queen Juliette- well, the Entity since it's taken over her as a vessel- sends out her finest orderlies to search not only for sacrifices, but for Prince Gabriel and King Gareth.
Prince Gabriel to revive the Entity. King Gareth to execute.
Nikko is an Assassin within the Church of Sanctus Halisa, doing solo runs to try to find King Gareth and Prince Gabriel. He stumbles upon Yoria, and meets a young boy named Ruka. Slowly, the two fall for each other, and the secrets of Sanctus Halisa slip between the cracks, uncovering a centuries old dilemma that may destroy their very lives.