Official Prologue – The Wings of Ash
Due to the vastness of the Wings of Ash world, the complexity of relationships between its characters, and the diversity of families and systems, I've noticed that many readers have experienced a degree of confusion in following the names and understanding the intricate connections between the protagonists and their families.
And since this epic does not revolve around a single character or a linear narrative—but rather, on an interconnected web of fates, bloodlines, and shifting stances—I found it necessary to present this official statement of families and characters.
This document was created to serve as a comprehensive reference, introducing readers to the major houses in the story without revealing pivotal plot points. It offers glimpses that illuminate the path, smooth the understanding, and assist the reader in diving deep into the tale without losing their compass.
The Official Statement – Wings of Ash
In the Kingdom of Aetheron,
Wings of Ash doesn't tell you who the hero is… it makes you wonder if a hero ever existed.
Every character has roots. Every family has its long shadow.
Here lies an introductory statement of the key families in the novel—without spoiling events, but offering a glimpse of the ash they were born from.
House Krivanith
The ruling royal family.
They have ruled the kingdom for generations and are the only family that has ever held the throne of Aetheron.
• King Vulcan Krivanith: King of Aetheron. Built of sternness and grandeur. Considered the greatest of all time, having earned the people's love through his wisdom and justice.
• Prince Raven Krivanith: The handsome prince, known for his sharp intellect, strong personality, and stubbornness—just like his father.
• Princess Halgretha Krivanith: The king's elder sister, with an imposing presence and solid diplomatic ties with neighboring nations. She is known for her political and social wisdom.
• Prince Varos Krivanith: The king's younger brother. Vulcan forbade him from bearing arms or participating in political councils. A prince… stripped of his rights.
• Prince Alex Krivanith: Vulcan's youngest son. Quiet, passionate about reading and learning foreign languages, and possesses exceptional talent in military strategy despite his young age.
House Oracelia
A royal house from House Ora in the North. Allied with the Aetheron crown through the marriage of King Vulcan and Queen Alessandra.
• Queen Alessandra oracelia (then Krivanith): The king's wife. The calm face and the mastermind within the palace. She is peace when she chooses, and war when necessary.
• Princess Silvara oracelia: Her sister. Resides in the court, mostly silent, following in Alessandra's footsteps.
Darkwell
An eastern family originally from the village of Hernesal, who fled the horrors of the military coup to the village of Raiverstone.
• Norail Darkwell: The mother of refugees. The warm embrace for those who lost their homes.
• Leo Darkwell: A stone sculptor. A man of few words, yet deep understanding.
Eynlera
Neighbors of the Darkwell family. They fled with them from the East and settled in Raiverstone.
• Grent Eynlera: A simple, bold blacksmith who never backs down from the truth.
• Maria Eynlera: A stubborn, sharp-tempered young woman.
Raithen
An exiled family of unknown origin, living on the edge of the Great Black Forest.
• Kain Raithen: A winged man who belongs neither to mankind nor the skies.
• Lyara Raithen: Kain's daughter, born without wings.
Miravyn
A family wrapped in silence and memories. Its members lived on the margins of the court.
• Ryan Miravyn: Commander of the Royal Guard. He doesn't speak much… but knows what is never said.
• Thalia Miravyn: A mute mother whose face holds untold stories.
House Varenthal
A prestigious political family. Not born of noble lineage—but of a man who carved his name with his own hands.
• Lysos Varenthal: The Grand Minister. Once a farmer, now the shadow of the king. A man who doesn't raise his voice, but when he speaks… maps fall.
• His wife: Desmara Varenthal: A cheerful, spontaneous woman.
• Eldest daughter: Naila Varenthal: Kind, composed, and deeply perceptive.
• Middle daughter: Kara Varenthal: Beautiful, intelligent. She sees the throne as a valid goal, and her father sees her as the continuation of his dream.
• Youngest daughter: Sheila Varenthal: A bright, dreamy girl. For her, breaking the rules is a hobby.
House Cairnloch
A prestigious military family from the western kingdom of Silnor.
• Matthew Cairnloch: Queen Alessandra's personal knight.
Official Geographical Statement – The Map of Aetheron
"In Aetheron, land is not just terrain… it is memory etched in the soil, and witness to the blood spilled upon it."
The Kingdom of Aetheron, located at the heart of the mythical world of Elyos, is considered one of the greatest realms built upon thrones and ash.
Its territory stretches from the northern snow to the southern sands, encompassing vibrant cities, peaceful villages, and voiceless forests that conceal the unspeakable.
Understanding the kingdom's terrain is essential to unraveling the threads of the story. What follows is the official geographical statement, a concise reference presenting cities and villages, and their symbolic and political roles—without directly spoiling events.
Center – Eron
The royal city and the capital of the kingdom.
Located at the heart of Aetheron, leaning slightly to the west. It is the seat of the throne and the center of power.
Known for its marble streets, towering spires, and the royal palace at its heart, Eron is the living pulse of the entire kingdom.
West – Reinhart
A wealthy coastal city. The kingdom's gateway to the outside world.
Renowned for its naval fleet and prosperous trade, Reinhart is a major diplomatic center where most treaties with neighboring kingdoms are forged.
East – The Great Black Forest and Surrounding Villages
The story's core of mystery, and the birthplace of forgotten secrets.
• The Great Black Forest:
Dense and ancient. It doesn't swallow those who enter… it simply keeps them until they're forgotten.
Surrounded by three villages:
1. Raiverstone:
The village of stone sculptors. Its people are physically strong, sharp in temper, and known for loyalty and hard work.
2. Hesmaril:
A once-prosperous village, home to the rare "Savrin" creatures. Destroyed by an internal rebellion years ago and still lies under revolutionary occupation.
3. Darvenil:
A peaceful farming village. Less affected than the others and known for its fertile land.
North – Oracelia
A snowy, advanced city ruled by House Ora (the queen's family).
Located among mountains, its people live in icy towers and ride trained bears.
Known for its advanced military technology, it is the strongest military region in Aetheron. Although it respects the Aetheron crown, it harbors an independent spirit.
South – Corvenhold
A desert city ablaze with ambition and danger.
Said to be the source of the revolutionaries who destroyed the eastern villages.
Its people are greedy and barbaric. Aetheron does not recognize them—nor do they recognize it.
The big forest It is surrounded by three villages:
• Raiverstone:
The village of sculptors. Its people are known for their physical strength and their unique skill in stone carving.
Most of the city's military soldiers come from its sons,
and it is said that one cannot be called a true Raiverstonian unless they've carved a mountain.
• Hesmaril:
A rare village, located near a unique valley inhabited by creatures known as the Savrin—
huge beasts whose meat is the most delicious and nutritious in the kingdom.
They cannot be bred elsewhere, and their meat doesn't spoil easily.
The people of Hesmaril grew greedy, monopolizing them and selling them at high prices,
which made them a target for a sudden southern attack to seize this precious resource.
• Darvenil:
The village of farming and peace.
Its people live in harmony with the earth, content with barley bread and spring water.
Golden sunlight bathed the royal garden, dancing over the petals of soft pink flowers, while a gentle breeze played with the silk curtains cascading from the palace balconies. The sound of flowing water from the fountains created a serene melody that completed a scene as if pulled from a dream.
At the heart of the garden, they were all gathered in a warm circle, lounging on sofas adorned with colorful cushions.
Varos lay lazily on the edge, Raven leaned on his elbow against the table, and Ryan, as always, sat upright, watching everyone with calm eyes.
Kara moved gracefully among them, walking as if she owned the world. Every few steps, she paused to admire her reflection in the water, then remarked:
"Everyone looks happy today, don't they? Even Varos has stopped complaining."
Varos raised his wine glass with a smirk and replied,
"Perhaps because it's no one's shouted in my face… yet."
Raven laughed, Kara chuckled, and both Ryan and Sylvara offered faint smiles.
Varos stretched his legs and said,
"Strange… even the servants are smiling for real. What is this? Am I dreaming,?"
Raven responded with a teasing tone,
"maybe you've just gotten used to a miserable life, uncle."
Ryan spoke softly, his back still turned,
"Or maybe… this is just the calm before it all begins."
Kara turned to him suddenly with a sly smile,
"You always assume the worst, Ryan. You should take a lesson from Varos… surrender to life."
Varos smirked.
"I don't surrender. I've just mastered pretending not to care—an expensive skill."
Sylvara, who had been gazing toward the sky, spoke in a soft but sharp voice:
"Sometimes, pretending not to care… is the only weapon left for those who aren't allowed to fight."
A brief silence fell over them, as if her words carved themselves into their minds.
Up on the balcony overlooking the garden, Queen Alissandra sat quietly, stirring her tea with a delicate spoon, unhurried.
Next to her was Halgretha, silent as usual, her gaze calm and observant.
Dismra, on the other hand, seemed less formal. She sighed as she adjusted the cushion behind her back.
"I didn't sleep well last night."
Halgretha turned to her with a neutral tone.
"Are you sick ?"
Dismra let out a light laugh, then raised her eyebrows playfully.
"No… it was Lesos. He kept me up all night. You know how he gets—restless, dramatic, and endlessly in need of attention."
The queen said nothing, but her hand paused in its stirring.
Halgretha didn't look surprised, but replied dryly,
"I wonder how the poor man even breathes. Hasn't he suffocated by now?"
The queen chuckled softly, and without lifting her gaze from her cup, murmured,
"Sometimes I wonder… how he manages to look at you every night."
Dismra gasped with laughter.
"Oh my God! Is it because I have more flesh than you skinny bone piles?! Well, at least I'm warm. I don't need heating in winter!"
Halgretha closed her eyes briefly, then said:
"I just hope he doesn't father another child… that's all. Otherwise, half the kingdom will be Lesos' offspring."
Dismra laughed, "Oh, Halgretha!"
She grabbed another piece of cake and added playfully,
"Honestly… I wouldn't mind. But I need a normal night of sleep.!"
Halgretha replied without even looking her way,
"Don't worry. One day, we'll find him suffocated in bed, and you'll finally be free of him."
They all laughed, even the queen.
Halgretha allowed a faint smile to form at the corner of her lips, but then turned to Alissandra with a more serious tone:
"Alissandra, dear… when will you give the kingdom another child?
One heir isn't enough. My brother has two…
And we both know one of them isn't even yours.
Do your duty, in any case."
The queen set her cup down, and looked at her calmly.
"Leave me be, Halgretha… you'll turn sixty soon and still haven't married. Court Sage Shiravis is still alive—you could start from there."
A short silence followed.
Dismra looked between them with wide eyes, hiding a stifled laugh she didn't dare release.
Halgretha had no words left.
The queen followed quickly, her tone smooth but sharp:
"Honestly, Halgretha… I'd rather raise an heir… than spend my life watching other people's children from the balcony."
The mood shifted. The air no longer felt light. Even the birds seemed quieter.
In the southern wing of the palace, where the walls were thicker and the windows remained shrouded in heavy drapes even in daylight, King Volkan sat behind a long black wooden table.
Before him lay open maps and a stack of unopened letters.
Sage Shiravis stood near the fireplace, holding a scroll in hand, while Minister Lesos sat across from the king, trying—and failing—to hide his tension.
Volkan spoke in his deep voice without looking at either of them:
"How long has it been since the last message from the eastern border?"
Shiravis responded calmly, as usual:
"Four days, Your Majesty. The commander hasn't replied. No one has left the camp since the night they witnessed the uprising."
Volkan raised his eyes to meet his, then shifted his gaze to Lesos:
"And you… you told me the situation was stable. What do you call this?"
Lesos adjusted his collar and answered,
"I still believe it's just a minor disturbance… perhaps limited rebellion, maybe a small betrayal within the ranks. We can contain it."
Volkan's voice turned colder:
"A minor rebellion? Do you want to wait until they reach the capital gates before we act?"
To be counted..