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#Post#: 9896--------------------------------------------------
Side story: The Keeper and the Phoenix
DIR By: Rita Arthurs
Date: May 30, 2015, 11:50 pm
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Disclaimer - I genuinely tried to keep it as short as possible
yet allowing a bond to grow naturally and explaining the
introduction of new parts of the Chaos universe and its origins.
If I could, I would have expanded more, but alas, this is only a
side story.
Warning: This has the pathetic attempts of me trying to write
romance-y stuff so...yeah it's gonna suck. Also, I have not
proofread at all since I worked half the night on this and would
really want some sleep now so..yeah
Have fun~
Phoenixes are legendary creatures foretold in legends of old.
Over the centuries, the beasts’ existence became that of fable,
yet nobody knew the truth of what the creatures truly were. Many
believe that they are merely immortal birds of pure pyre; this,
however, is only one of their forms. Typically, just like the
Lizards, their appearance is that of a humanoid; humans were
after all based ultimately on the form both the Phoenixes and
the Lizards’ preferred form. While humans relate to Phoenixes in
their appearance, their Chaotic nature leans towards that of a
Lizard.
Many, many years ago, a turn of events has bestowed upon the
world representatives of the superior races – two Phoenixes and
two Lizards. The very first Guardians, and first Phoenix and
Lizard to be ever created by the Overlord and Deathlord, had
broken the laws of the Godmother. For this, a punishment game
took place. The Original Phoenix had been erased for many a
century, while the Original Lizard had their memory erased and
forced to live among mortals as one of them. Thus came the need
to have the other two Guardians, placed to make sure that
nothing will interrupt ‘the game’.
The Lizard, Tela Serus, had a cruel nature of all. Tela Serus
was the Lizard created after the Original, so had been another
experimentation of Chaos. Given the powers to bind anything and
anyone, sealing their fate, Tela Serus was not someone to be
messed with, especially with the possession of sadistic
intentions. Caring not for duty, as the Chaos nature allowed,
Tela Serus amused over the pathetic mortals.
The Phoenix, the more honourable of the two due to his Orderly
nature, was also created after the Original Phoenix. His valiant
nature had made sure that he always performed his duties, and
well. Unlike his predecessor, he possessed emotions and
therefore was more vulnerable to Corruption; this was especially
so for his Justice, in such a world of Corruption. Indeed fate
had brought an unexpected twist when his emotions overpowered
his duty. This is the story of how the most valiant Phoenix,
Lebenden, began his descent into his untimely demise.
Lebenden, although tasked with watching over mortals, still
had a secret duty. That duty was focused on a certain village in
a certain village of a certain country. He was entirely aware of
why he had to watch over it, but he did not question it for fear
of the wrath of his superiors. He would often take his human
form and mingle with the villagers, always discovering new
things about the strange humans.
The village was of a peculiar nature – within it lived four
tribes in peace. The Rosa tribe was full of brave and
adventurous humans, having the duty of watching over the village
as leaders. With their patron deity Pyron, they wore exclusively
as much red clothing as possible. The Bronëu tribe accepted only
the benevolent humans, thus consisting mostly of saints who wore
pure white robes. The Ellotë tribe had only the most scholarly
humans who could plan ahead for the future of the village. With
respect to their patron deity Poseidon, they wore exclusively
robes of blue. Lastly, the Broenni tribe, worshipping Apollon,
believed to have been the head Phoenix, have taken the sword to
protect the villagers and were in return blessed with the power
of the heavens. They were known therefore as Paladins and wore
mostly yellow as a sign of that. Their alliance unstable, it was
up to the Keeper of the Rosa to unify the four tribes as the
vessel of the Crystal of the Phoenix.
On a day like many others, Lebenden had decided to pay a visit
to the strange village. Not only did it amaze him, but it
confused Lebenden why humans go to so much trouble every
morning. The setting of the same stalls in the market, the
troublesome sleep which had interrupted them daily, the same
clothes they wore, and the appearances they had to upkeep.
However, this village was special as it was cleanse of all sin.
The intentions of the villagers were good, unlike the Corrupt
humans outside who lied and schemed all the time. With Judgement
being in balance in this village, Lebenden felt at peace
whenever visiting it. It was his place of salvation whenever the
Corruption of the rest of the world became too much.
The villagers were as benevolent as ever, Order in place. The
place however was heavy with the miasma of worry. Things were
slowly changing and Lebenden could tell. Despite the watch
standing still for centuries, entrusted to him once his duty
began by the Godmother, the wheels of time were slowly starting
to turn. What worried Lebenden however was the fact that it
began to turn in reverse – anti-clockwise. The importance of
this did not occur to Lebenden, a grave mistake.
A turmoil and a crowd was accumulating by a tower Lebenden was
walking by while being absent minded. His attention was drawn
when a woman exclaimed:
“Pyron, help us! The girl has disappeared again!”
The murmuring of the crowd became less hushed as panic rose.
“This has happened a few times already, has it not?”
“Last time it was just her sneaking out…”
“But what if this time she was really kidnapped…?”
“The village…”
Losing interest, Lebenden realised that his time in the
village for today was over. His next inspection location not
far, he decided to walk through a great forest near the village.
The sheer variation of lifeforms in it fascinated even an
immortal creature like himself. It didn’t take him long to reach
it.
The foliage let through some sunbeams to where Lebenden was
walking through. Looking up, he wondered how his own realm could
be so different from this. The light in the sky was indeed where
his brethren resided, their flames lighting up the world. This
light however was blocked by an object falling out of the tree
next to him. Not an object, a human child.
“Oof!” the child landed right on Lebenden’s back, whose face
was now in the mud of the forest ground. Being above the
temptations of Ira, Lebenden merely said:
“Human, would be so kind as to get off of me,” it was not a
question, it was more of an order.
Feeling the burden gone off his back, Lebenden sat up in an
upright position and turned to see the disturber of his peace.
It was a young girl of no more than twelve. She had curious eyes
and a hair so crimson that Lebenden began to question whether it
was artificial. She wore simple clothes, yet her chest bore a
curious necklace which drew Lebenden to it for some reason.
“Lady, why are you staring at me without blinking?” asked the
ignorant child, “I don’t like it.”
…Lady? Lebenden raised his eyebrows. He was often mistaken for
a woman by the humans, yet he never understood why. This was his
chance to find out.
“As far as I am aware, I am of the male division of my
species, girl,” Lebenden rose and extended his hand to the girl
to help her up, “Why is it that you have mistaken me for the
opposite sex?”
A little surprised by such a calm declaration, the girl
grabbed Lebenden’s hand and stood up. This contact however had
sent a strange signal to Lebenden, as if stroke by lightning.
Something was different about this girl, yet he could not put
his finger on it.
“My apologies, good sir,” the girl awkwardly curtsied, “It is
just that… you have such a pretty face that I had mistaken you
to be my senior from the village.”
So it seemed that appearances once again had played their role
in the eyes of the humans. How shallow. Although it is strange
how the girl had found his face ‘pretty’ while it was partially
covered in mud. Lebenden had no reason to carry on this
conversation, so he bowed and was about to walk away when he
felt a small pair of hands grabbing his tunic. He turned to see
the girl looking worried.
“Sir, where is it that you are heading?” asked she.
There was no reason to disclose important information to her,
yet for some reason Lebenden could not refuse those eyes, “A
town near here.”
“May you take me along, good sir?” the girl’s eyes began to
shine with hope. Lebenden had no reason to take her with him,
yet there was something that had prevented him from refusing the
girl.
The town was indeed not far as they had made it there within
the day. What was special about it though was the fact that it
was a port. The girl was fascinated by the wide ocean, as she
had never seen it before. She has heard tales and had read
tomes, yet never had the opportunity to travel to the shores and
see for herself.
Looking at the girl, Lebenden suddenly asked, “Girl, what is
your name?”
The girl looked up at him and smiled, “Horatia Kaye.”
“Then what do I call you by?” Lebenden was rather confused how
a human can have two names at the same time.
“Many merely combine my name into ‘Haye’,” the girl giggled
upon seeing the confusion of Lebenden, “And what do they call
you?”
Lebenden hesitated. His name was forbidden for mortals, “I
have none,” that the humans knew of anyway.
Haye was silent for a while before looking back at the shore,
“I do not know you enough to give you a name yet, so let me call
you ‘Guardian’ for now…”
Lebenden was startled that she called him so simply by his
given duty, yet realised that she highly likely was unaware of
who he was. He did find this out soon though as Haye insisted on
accompanying Lebenden on his journey. She found her life utterly
boring and wished to explore the world, which Lebenden was
indeed doing. Although at first reluctant, Lebenden eventually
agreed. He believed that this was a rare opportunity for him to
study humans closely.
As the years flew by, his findings fascinated him. Although
weak, Haye always strove to become stronger. Although
practically useless, she always wished to assist Lebenden with
everything. She was devoted to him for reasons he could not even
begin to guess.
It was almost the full cycle of seven years while travelling
around the world, meaning that it was time to return to the
village. Their last stop was an island isolated in distant
lands. It was full of strange creatures and mountains full of
pure fire. This paradise for some reason fascinated Haye,
begging Lebenden to stay here longer than intended. Lebenden’s
attachment to Haye did not allow him to refuse her in this
request also.
The evening before departure, Lebenden had lost sight of Haye.
It was strange to find her distanced from him over these years.
Yet this has been happening more often than he would have liked.
On some days, Haye even avoided eye contact with him. They were
not quarrelling, yet there was occasional tension between them,
and Lebenden had finally decided to confront Haye about it the
day before he returned her to the village.
He found her in an expected place – the shore. She loved the
seas most of all. What Haye appeared to have been looking at
however was the sunset. She almost had a look of melancholy as
Lebenden came to stand next to her. Haye did not look up to him,
and instead nodded to acknowledge him.
“Haye…” Lebenden began. It was surprising to find that he was
at a loss of words of approaching the topic, “Lately… you seem
to be rather dista–”
“You know…” Haye interrupted, “I believe I have finally chosen
a name for you…”
Lebenden merely carried on gazing at her averted eyes. Her
flaming hair had grown rather long over the years, and for some
reason he was compelled to touch it. Haye did not seem startled
when he put his hand on her head. She had grown; when Lebenden
found her, she was nearly waist-high to him, yet now she was
only half a head shorted than him. How curiously humans change
so fast. Although her appearance had changed, Lebenden was
pleased to discover that her heart remained pure.
“Indeed?” Lebenden found the corners of his lips rising
slightly to form a gentle smile.
Haye finally looked up, “You have watched over me for all
these years, given me warmth and protection. You are like… a
star guiding me through darkness, or the sun giving me the light
to live. I cannot help but think for you no better name other
than ‘Lebenden’.”
Lebenden was surprised, yet for some reason he felt happy.
Knowing nothing of him only a few petty human years ago, yet
seeing his true self now. This human never ceased to fascinate
Lebenden.
“Lebenden…” Haye seemed to be wanting to say more, “We may
have to part soon forever, yet… I cannot hide it any longer…”
With those words, Haye’s slightly shaking hands lifted as she
grabbed both sides of Lebenden’s head. He did not protest as he
carried on to observe her next move. Slight rouge colouring her
cheeks, she stood on tip toes as she whispered into his ear the
words, “I love you…”
Love was a mystery for a creature like Lebenden. It was a
strange desire of passion, yet that was the exact equivalent to
what he was feeling now as he looked at Haye’s face slowly
becoming redder by the second before finally giving in to
instinct. Gently, yet surely, he placed his lips on hers as the
chains binding him from passion have broken.
The next day, the two lovers had set out to the strange
village with which it all began. Upon arrival, the two found it
hard to believe into the Chaos which it had fallen. The tribes
had begun feuding years ago as soon as the Keeper of the Crystal
had disappeared, disrupting the balance and Order. The very
Keeper was in fact Haye, who sneaked out of the village the day
Lebenden found her. The villagers, as soon as seeing Haye,
demanded her to return at once and restore the balance. She had
other ideas, however. What Lebenden however was surprised to
find was a certain someone who was with the villagers – the
Lizard Tela Serus.
“Well, well, well…” Tela Serus smirked upon seeing Lebenden,
“Somebody seems to have been avoiding duty lately, my friend.”
It was true indeed that Lebenden had delayed his return as
much as possible, so as to be together with Haye as much as
possible.
“As if you can speak of duty, Tela,” Lebenden answered coolly.
Tela Serus was surprised to find the emotions with which
Lebenden now spoke.
“My… to have the Just Lebenden become Corrupt…most
interesting…” Tela Serus eyed Haye with interest, “Tell me, is
this the source of your Corruption?”
Lebenden’s glare was all the answer Tela Serus needed. There
was no mistaking in what the next words would be:
“You do know the punishment, do you not?”
Of course Lebenden knew. It was indeed this which kept him
shackled for so long. He no longer cared however. Tela Serus
begun to chuckle as Lebenden had chosen his path.
“Well… let the punishment begin then…”
Realising Tela Serus’s intention, Lebenden shielded Haye from
the sharp, venomous claws which would have ripped her in two.
The villagers screamed and disperse as the Phoenix and the
Lizard began to brawl.
“Haye!” Lebenden shouted as he summoned fire at Tela Serus,
“Run and hide!”
Yet the girl stubbornly would not run away and was in the
hands of Tela Serus soon enough. Wanting to prolong the game,
Tela Serus disappeared with Haye. So it was to be a game of hide
and seek? Fine by me… Lebenden concentrated on the left over
essence of the two and was able to soon enough track down Tela
Serus and Haye in the great forest near the village.
“You know…” Tela Serus traced a nail on Haye’s cheek, leaving
a trail of blood, “You still have the chance to repent to the
Overlord and save me the trouble of having to explain what has
gone wrong with his little creation…”
Lebenden had to think fast. Yet emotions which he had acquired
over the years began to overflow him. His focus was purely on
Haye, who stood with dignity in the hands of a monster.
“Let her go, Tela…” Lebenden glared with pure rage. Tela Serus
calmly studied his eyes in slight wonder.
“This passion…I do wonder what it is like…” Tela Serus
murmured. Smirking and letting go of Haye, “I do however…”
Lebenden rushed over to Haye yet it was too late.
“Also wonder how a look of pure agony would suit you better…”
Tela Serus cackled while Haye’s eyes widened as a sudden gush
of blood splattered from her chest, where a claw was piecing her
heart. The flow of time became almost non-existent to Lebenden
as he began to shake.
“The Punishment for Corruption is elimination,” Tela Serus
began to disperse into darkness, “Hurry and come back to the
master before you too, receive yours.”
With those words, Lebenden was left alone with the almost
lifeless body of the only mortal he had come to care for.
Grabbing her broken body, he cried out while cradling her.
“Leben…den…” Haye seemed to have been still alive.
“H-how?” Lebenden was glad, yet he knew his hope would be
extinguished soon as he felt Haye’s spirit slip.
Haye touched her necklace which had the strange Crystal. She
was the Keeper of the Phoenix Crystal, yet now the crystal was
shattered as her body was also the vessel which gave it life. It
began to glow as seven shards was all that was left of it before
six of them rose and dispersed into unknown directions,
scattered around the world – the six gems of Amber, Amethyst,
Topaz, Sapphire, Diamond and Obsidian. What was left in her hand
however was a gem of pure crimson, like her hair – a Ruby gem.
With the last of her strength, Haye put the gem into
Lebenden’s hand as she whispered, “Please… protect it…” and with
her last breath, “Le…ben…den… I…”
Before shuddering, drooping her shoulders and head, lifeless.
Lebenden was not seen after that again for many a century as
he sealed himself, overtaken with grief and wishing to sever all
ties with both Chaos and Order. His slumber had returned him to
his original form of a Phoenix as he protected the precious Ruby
deep under a mountain of fire. The gems scattered around the
world, had released the sins and Chaos into the world,
descending into oblivion. The Overlord and the Deathlord made no
attempt to find Lebenden as he had made the next move in their
game of cruelty.
The village began to be overtaken by Chaos slowly, until five
new tribes have been formed – Amber, Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire,
and Topaz. The four old tribes were forgotten with the years, as
did the tradition of a Keeper. Yet in a quiet and well hidden
part of the Grand Library lay a hidden engraving of the two
lovers – the Keeper and the Phoenix.
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