Ten million years ago, the Upo race and Humans were the first two lineages created by the Gods. In the year 1000, both races were forced to confront a rising new threat known as the Demon race—vile fiends hailing from the depths of hell, a realm of sheer death where no life could thrive. As the Demons surged forth, slaughtering hundreds of millions of innocents, the Upo and Humans had no choice but to join forces, fighting side-by-side to push back the enemy.
Following the defeat of the Demon race, the Upo and Humans forged a grand alliance to foster trade and commerce between their peoples. Yet, peace did not last. One fateful day, humanity turned their backs on the alliance, betraying and massacring nearly the entire Upo population. Only a fortunate few managed to escape the ruthless clutches of mankind.
For many agonizing years, the remaining Upo wandered aimlessly, with no place to call home. That was until they crossed paths with the Grand Mage, Alf. Taking pity on their plight, he conjured the Kazuna Half-Moon Island, creating a sacred sanctuary where the Upo people have safely resided to this very day.
In the year 3340, Pip lived as a young boy of the Upo race. He grew up enveloped in the boundless love of his parents. Though they were a humble family subsisting on the meager earnings of woodcutting, their days were filled with pure happiness. But happiness, as it often does, vanished all too soon.
One ordinary day, while Pip's father was out cutting wood as usual, a massive tree accidentally fell upon him, claiming his life instantly. The tragic loss left both Pip and his mother utterly devastated.
Now, Pip had reached the age of twelve—an age neither too young nor too old. With his father gone, he stepped up to shoulder the burden of supporting his family. On this particular day, Pip sat forlornly on the edge of a high cliff, gazing down at the sweeping vista of Kazuna Island. In his hands, he cradled a pocket watch—the precious keepsake his father had left behind. After staring at it for a long moment, he quietly slipped it into his pocket and turned toward home.
When he stepped through the door, his mother greeted him, her voice laced with gentle concern. "Why do you always disobey me and come home so late?" Pip merely offered a sheepish smile and slipped away to his room. There, his fingers tenderly traced the contours of the pocket watch, trying to recapture the warm embrace of his father. His gaze then drifted to a book detailing the ancient history of the Upo race. Opening the pages, he quickly became absorbed in every line.
But his momentary peace was shattered by a deafening explosion that shook the very foundations of the earth. Thunderous booms echoed across the island, and a thick, suffocating column of black smoke billowed into the sky, completely blotting out the horizon. Panic-stricken, Pip looked out the window. People were fleeing in terror. Another thunderous explosion tore through the air, and right before Pip's eyes, those fleeing villagers were instantly vaporized.
Horrified, Pip bolted downstairs, grabbed his mother's hand, and ran. They made a desperate break for the mountains, hoping the high altitude would give them a clear view of the island and shelter them from the devastating bombardment. But just as they neared the slopes, his mother suddenly released his hand. With a surge of desperate strength, she shoved him forcefully up toward the high peak.
Startled, Pip looked down only to see his mother offering him one last, gentle smile. She knew that if she kept holding his hand, the next bomb would claim them both. Giving up her own life to secure his, she screamed with all her might, "Run, my child! Run!"
Tears streamed down Pip's face as he wailed in agony, scrambling desperately to reach back down for her. "I CAN'T LOSE YOU, MOTHER!" His heartbreaking cries tore through the chaotic air. Though it shattered her heart to hear him, his mother remained resolute in her sacrifice. The bombs dropped by humanity rained down upon her position. Closing her eyes, she accepted her fate as a final, cataclysmic explosion erupted.
When the smoke cleared, his mother was gone, reduced to nothing but a pile of ash. Pip stared blankly at what had once been the magnificent Kazuna Island. Now, nothing remained but a deep, hollow crater.
Sinking to his knees, Pip dragged himself down to the blast site. His fingers tore and clawed at the scorched earth, desperately searching for any lingering warmth of the life they once shared, until his hands bled and his throat grew raw from screaming.
In the long, agonizing days that followed, Pip became a ghost of his former self, his vibrant spirit entirely extinguished. He wandered aimlessly through the dense forest for days on end. With an empty stomach and exhaustion weighing heavily on his soul, his body finally gave out, and he collapsed onto the forest floor.
In his exhaustion, a dream came to him. He dreamed of his family—of the days when he was wrapped in the warmth of his mother and the tender care of his father. But suddenly, the warmth vanished, leaving nothing behind. Then, his late mother appeared before him. Overjoyed, Pip rushed forward to embrace her, but his arms passed right through her ethereal form. He tried desperately to hold onto her, but she only smiled gently.
"You must always believe in yourself" she whispered softly. "Even without me by your side, you are capable of great things. When I brought you into this world, your little face was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Now that you have grown strong, you must walk your own path, for I can no longer be here to guide your way. Farewell, my beloved child..."