The (Back) Story

Often, films give you stories that are only tastes of the universe the filmmakers have created. Though my story takes place later in time, I felt it was important to establish (some of) the lore of the world in the film’s opening. Of course, I don’t want to reveal everything in the first two minutes, especially since those minutes are being narrated by one of the prince’s. He is not an omniscient narrator, so he doesn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle. He does not understand the full story.

Luckily, I do (it would be very depressing if I didn’t have all the pieces to my own story)! And I can share it here with you:

 For over one hundred years, the Kingdom of Saedour and the Mei-Ban Empire have been at war. Saedour is very European inspired, specifically medieval England. Many hard workers harbor this land, however the kingdom has been suffering due to overpopulation. Many have become sick or famished. Rumor is that the neighboring kingdom has refused to provide aid, blaming the king for his poor leadership skills.

Mei-Ban is a extremely Eastern-inspired, specifically Chinese and Japanese empires. Mei-ban was known for being large and very fruitful, however, there were many internal and political conflicts happening under the noses of the public. The emperor's offended feared for their lives because of political subterfuge. Rumor is that the neighboring kingdom was full of savages who wanted to destroy the empire for their land.

This tension eventually erupted into war.

On the hundredth year of this war, two princes are born. One a child of Saedour, another a child of Mei-Ban. Royce belonged to the kingdom of Saedour. He was taught to value the art of the sword. His father drilled into his mind that he needed to be tough and fearless, that only those who use brute strength could survive.

Ryu was the newest heir of Mei-Ban. Ever since he was born, politicians inside the kingdom have been planning his death, believing that the kingdom should not be passed over to someone so young and inexperienced. Though Ryu was also taught to fight, his parents stressed the idea of intelligence and caution.

The upbringings of these two princes turns them into seemingly very different characters, however, there are more similarities than they think.

After seeing so many of their subjects die to do the extreme violence of the war, the two princes decide to take action into their own hands.

There is an ancient legend that has been told in both kingdoms about a goddess who lives atop the mountain that divides their kingdoms. The journey to his is full of peril and danger. Only the strongest, smartest, and bravest can make it to her sanctuary.

On this journey is when these two individuals meet, and that’s where our story begins.