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- Crescence - Embodiment of the Universe -

Stepping into forest Crescence was disgusted by what she saw. Light and darkness was beginning to form together. She would not have this. Darkness and light was to be separate, but equal. She often argued with someone about that very subject, but now that person was gone. It was up to her to make things right again. Drawing her sword she swung hard as a wave of cosmic energy ripped the forest to pieces. The forest was relatively small so it didn't take much effort. The forest began to decay until everything that twas there returned to nothing. All except two lights that hummed gently nearby in what looked like a dance.

Two souls danced around each other gently in the now pitch black area. Their slight glow ebbing as they continued to rotate around. A hand reached out disrupting the balance between the two sending them to rest further apart. Crescence leaned in examining the darker orb carefully. Deep at its core lay small fragments of light. Reaching into the orb she tore the light out of it and absorbed light into herself. Then she turned to the lighter orb. "You two...I'm glad I was able to stop this before it got any worse." she whispered to herself. The lighter orb was riffled with the same disgusting corruption. Darkness deep within the light. Crescence angrily reaching in ripping the darkness out and absorbed it just as she did the light.

Crescence repeated this until she was satisfied. After all there was no one to tell her she couldn't was there? She was god. She was all that was and her decisions were absolute. Breathing in deeply she focused on the two orbs. They slowly moved towards each other. This time they didn't dance. They just stayed still and separate. Smiling she held up her palms facing both. Her own essence moves through the air in a cosmic display. Bodies of flesh and bone formed around the orbs. One a blonde girl full of light, and the other a boy of dark blue hair full of darkness. They were both aged to look about 6 years old. After all Crescence didn't have the patience to wait till they grew up regularly.

Crescence noticing that they were still stark naked began to form clothes around them. She felt like a mother as she formed them into what she wanted. Now like a mother she needed to name them. As they opened their eyes and breathed for the first time she set them down. Simple things like standing and speech were given to them already. This would make mothers jealous all over the world. The two children stood there looking at Crescence waiting. Walking closer she got down on her knees so that she was on their level. "You will be Celeste...and I will call you Vesperus." she said smiling as she pointed to each in turn. "Let us get to work shall we?"

Vesperus was the first to speak. "What will we be doing?" he asked as he looked to the girl at his right. She was bright and lit up the area in which she stood, but her light never seemed to reach him. Her light was so blinding that the only thing he could make out was that she was smiling at him. Vesperus turned away embarrassed. As much as Celeste strained her eyes she couldn't make out his face through the darkness. Crescence scowled and stood up. "We will start by creating your canvas!" she said as she waved her hand. Lights began to pop up all around them. "Those are stars!" said Celeste excited. Crescence looked at her and smiled. "Yes they are. And all of them belong to you." answered Crescence. Vesperus pouted. "Then what do I get?" he asked hoping for something as flashy as what Celeste received.

Crescence walked behind Vesperus and placed her hands on Vesperus' shoulders. "Pay close attention." she instructed. Suddenly holes of pure darkness began to appear. Some of the stars were sucked into it and their light extinguished. "Hey that was mine!" complained Celeste. "Cool!" responded Vesperus. Crescence released Vesperus and stood in the middle of the two children. "Now we watch and wait," said Crescence as she looked over the cosmos. Soon there was a point in space where many of the stars were gathering. They swirled together and approached a dark area. When the the two touched they exploded. Matter was sucked in and collided making a spherical shape. "Ah that looks just fine." said Crescence as she looks at the new planet. Crescence placed her hands on both their shoulders and in an instant they were down on the dusty planet.

Celeste walked forward looking at the empty place in wonder. There was no wind or air. Not that she needed to breathe in order to survive, but it felt so dead. "This is yours do to with as you please." said Crescence as she held up her hand and created two things. A tree and a pond. "Now you try." ordered Crescence. Celeste was nervous but raised her hand and tried nonetheless. Seeing Crescence do it helped a bit but it was not an easy thing to spring life from nothing. "Don't try to do that." said Crescence reading her thoughts. "Expand on what I have done. Spread it as far as you can." instructed Crescence. As soon as Celeste had that idea in mind it became alot easier, and once she got it down she put all the power she could into one push. Suddenly in a flash of light the world was full of trees and lakes. Life was given to the once dead planet. Celeste turned to ask Vesperus what he thought, but his darkness was no where to be found.

"You won't be seeing him again. He has his own job." said Crescence coldly. Celeste looked up and caught her cold gaze, and didn't ask any more questions.

- Celeste - Queen of Radiance

"Forgive me dragon, but I'm going to defeat you!" exclaimed Celeste as she stood in front of a titan of a creature. The threat lacked fierceness coming from such a small girl, but she meant it all the same. The dragon looked at her and steadied its claws in the ground. With how big he was doing something as simple as that took out entire sections of land. Opening his mouth wide he blew a white flame towards Celeste. Standing tall she raised a hand creating a shield of light around her. The flames circled around her incinerating an a few acres of land around her. Looking at the devastation around her she gritted her teeth.

"You better be as good at creating as you are destroying!" she said forming her light into a giant spear. She was clearly at the top of manipulating her light into objects. Levitating the spear she threw it with all he might towards the dragon's chest.

The spear hit its target and the dragon was sent reeling as he fell over smacking his back on the ground. Grabbing her shoulders Celeste formed wings at her back and with one powerful flap she shot into the air. The dragon wasted no time in climbing back to his feet. And with a primal rage he fired a stream of fire at her in the sky as it charged towards her it claws biting deep into the earth. Flying down into the trees for cover she flew through the trees with the speed of a jet. Dodging to the side as a claw came down near her she flew along the underside of the dragon. Forming an orb of light in he hand she stopped near its stomach. Placing her hand on it she released the charge sending the dragon airborne.

The dragon used this and flapped his wings hard at the ground. The gust of wind sent Celeste flying as she smashed through any trees in her path. Blacking out for only a moment she awoke just in time to dodge an incoming barrage of fireballs. With a running start she leaped and flapped her wings again taking to the air. The dragon snarled as a flames seeped from the sides of its mouth. Stopping she stared down the dragon. He gown flowed in the wind as her hair whipped around violently. Holding out her hand she formed a bow twice as tall as she was. Grabbing it she pulled back the string as an arrow appeared. The dragon roared accepting the challenge and roared as runes appeared over its scales. Celeste closed one eye and focused on just making the shot. Relaxing her finger she loosed an arrow that tore threw the sky and towards the dragon.The shot sailed fast and true, but as it approached it seems to loose speed. Finally when it reached the dragon it wasn't even able to pierce the first layer of skin.

"What?" she exclaimed. She wasn't sure what happened. It was like the light from her attack was absorbed. The dragon laughed as white flames flared out. Then moving his body like a snake he flapped his wings charging towards the tiny warrior. Firing another arrow it sadly shared the same fate as the last. Dispelling it she brought up a shield. As the dragon approached the shield faded and she took his charge head on. As the dragon hit her he flicked his head up sending her higher into the air.

"I need more..." she said as he body helplessly floated among the clouds. That is when she saw it. A light so bright it seemed to be begging to be used. Reaching out to the sun she brought all the light she could manage, and with it formed a colossal hammer. Gripping it tightly with her small hands she shot down through towards the clouds as the dragon broke through them giving chase. She knew that she needed to act fast before he absorbed some of the light. Diving down using her large wings she prepared to strike. The dragon knowing that he needed to somehow stop her opened his mouth sending a torrent of flames her way. Swinging once she knocked the flames away, and keeping that momentum she brought the hammer down on the dragon's head.

The runes on the dragon's scales faded away, and with them the source of his draining ability. Raising the hammer over her head again she slammed it on the top of his head once again sending the dragon plummeting towards the ground. Colliding with the ground it destroyed a large portion of the forest. Celeste landed in front of the dragon's face still holding her huge hammer.

"Now that I have beaten you Crescence says you have to help me create my kingdom." she said holding her hammer towards the dragon. Not as a threat, but testing the water between them.

"And that I shall" answered the dragon directly into Celeste's mind. "My name is Valkenhiem, and what is yours?"

"Celeste." answered Celeste with a curtsy. She wasn't the least bit surprised by the dragon's ability to communicate through thoughts. She felt somehow accustomed to it."Let's get work shell we?"

Valkenhiem stood up stretching out his long neck. Celeste flew up landing on his head and took a seat. The runes from before appeared all over the dragon, but Celeste didn't feel drained like before. She felt stronger. Even stronger than when she absorbed the light from the sun. Reaching out her hands she was able to repair the damage from their fight with the flick of a wrist. Looking at he hands she smiled proud of the power she commanded. Suddenly Valkenhiem stomped the ground and a giant stone of white shot from the ground nearby. Inhaling sharply Valkenhiem shot an intense flame at the stone. Carving it into a large castle. Stomping again an entire section of land gave way. Except for a long bridge which with dragon flame Valkenhiem straightened out. Celeste began to weave waterfalls and trees into the framework as the dragon continued to work. Together they were truly making something...



"Awesome!" said Vesperus as he stood on top of a mountain overlooking the castle as it formed. Vesperus was dumbfounded as he watched Celeste work with Valkenhiem. He was far to curious to work on his on castle, and now he saw that his trip wasn't wasted. Starting down the side of the mountain he wanted to get some tips for making his castle from Celeste. Losing his balance he tripped and rolled down the mountain. Landing in a patch off grass he slowly opened his eyes to find another pair of eyes looking down at him, and they weren't happy.

"I have better things to do than baby sit you boy." said Crescence. Vesperus opened his mouth to explain, but before he could get anything out she knelled down and seized him by the neck. Squeezing just to the point that he couldn't speak she narrowed her eyes down at him. "You are wearing on my patience." said Crescence with a disgusted look. "With all these gifts I have given you...can't you just listen to a few commands? Why is it always you?" Vesperus was confused by what she said. This was the first time that he done something wrong. "I won't have this happen again. You will stay in your realm, and she will stay here. You are still replaceable at this stage. Don't forget that."

Releasing him she slammed him on the ground slightly. Coughing and trying to clear his throat so he could talk as he rubbed his neck. "Yea...I got it.." answered Vesperus looking up at her with hate boiling in his eyes. He had no idea where it was coming from. Everything he was made of wanted her dead. Feeling this, Crescence was half tempted to draw her blade and put him down. Doing that however would slow down plans considerably. Against her better judgement she warped both of them back to the dark realm.

- Crescence - Embodiment of the Universe -

With time both kingdoms began to thrive and prosper in their own unique ways. It took many years but by the time Celeste and Vesperus reached the age of 19 they had grew into leaders ready to rule. After the kingdoms were established Crescence began the process of introducing a vast array of life forms. Creatures of every size, shape, and personality. Among these were the demons that would lurk in the shadows, and the humanoids that would dwell in the realm of light. But Crescence could stay to keep an eye on things. Thus why she gave them both advisers. From this point on the two would be on their own. Crescence had many worlds she needed to keep an eye on after all.

In order to govern over these people Vesperus and Celeste were given the power to grant certain people everlasting life. For now Celeste only chose her sister Nyx. She had a mind for who else she would pick, but she would wait to see how they grew with time. She needed more that strength she needed leaders. Vesperus chose his adviser that Crescence had created for him. She was a smart, quick-witted, but rather odd woman by the name of Pandorous. The one thing that Vesperus respected about her was that she wasn't afraid of him. She didn't grovel and kiss his feet. She told him exactly what she thought, even if it was that...

"Your a total idiot. You know that right Vesperus?" said Pandorous as she wrote in a book with her famous quill pen. She was surrounded in piles and piles of books, but somehow she always found the ones she needed.

"Come on this will help us if we even need to go to war or something right? Just tell me if its possible or not." pressed Vesperus.

"It's possible, with the amount of darkness you are capable of holding. You could stay in that realm for a pretty long time. But why risk it? For that girl you have never even seen the face of?" answered Pandorous.

Vesperus blushed slightly. "It's not for that. Haven't you ever wondered what other places are like?"

"No, I'm far to busy here. You know doing the work you are supposed to be doing!" she exclaimed. "You can be the dark lord all you want. But eventually you need to actually rule these people."

Vesperus sighed and walked to the window looking over the city. Purple flames lit up the city streets, but not by much. The denizens of his world preferred the dark the flames were mainly for decoration. Notcing some commotion he focused his eyes and got a closer look. It was a fight between some lesser demons. Violence was a common thing in his kingdom, but they knew who was in charge. After the first demon that challenged him he had no other problems. "I think things are fine here." he said smiling at his chaotic little city.

"Wrong, with the new council forming we need you here. Demons are just fighting like a bunch of dumbasses. If you want your kingdom to grow we need some sort of organization. I still need to to decide on the seat by the way." she said as she wrote on a paper so fast it probably almost ignited. With a flick of the wrist she sent the paper flying. As Vesperus turned to try and weasel his way out of choosing the paper stuck to his face.

"You have met all the people on that paper now decide." said Pandorous as she began to write again. Looking down the list he tried to remember the faces behind the names. "I think Razta was that swordsman right? He wasn't bad. Put him in. I'm done here right?"

"No! Your not! We need someone to lead magical research, some one to train new soldiers, as well as surveyors so we can expand. They are on that list too!"

Looking down the list Vesperus just chose who he remembered being particularly strong. In his mind strength was a main quality of a leader. "Caacrinolaas will be the magical adviser, Sergulath will train our troops, and Morail will be our surveyor." answered Vesperus.

"Those...actually weren't bad choices." she said genuinely surprised. She figured he would just pick the names at random. If he did in fact do that he was lucky he didn't pick some of the trash she was forced to give a proper chance.

"Told you I know what I'm doing. You should have more faith." he said wearing a smug grin.

"I see things are going well here." said a familiar voice. Crescence had made herself cozy on the ledge of the window and was looking into the rather cluttered library. Wearing a golden mask that covered half her face, she hid herself from Pandorous who was attending to the books. It wouldn't do well for the mortals of the world to know about her, and as such Vesperus and Celeste were sworn to secrecy.

She looked to Vesperus who didn't seem to want to pay her a moment of his time. That hurt the part of her that felt like his mother. "Why must you be so cold even to me?" questioned Crescence.

"This is what you wanted isn't? A cold everlasting dark ruler. What is it that you want this time?" asked Vesperus wanting her out of his kingdom as soon as possible.

"I will be leaving for a long time. There are other worlds I need to attend to. You and Celeste will need to keep your realms in balance until I return. I have already spoke to her about this." she said looking to Vesperus' thoughts on Celeste. Smiling as she felt not the slightest hint of curiosity, and Pandorous' thoughts were erratic as always but nothing in them was about Vesperus. "I'm sure I have nothing to worry about. But if you need to reach me you know how."

"See ya." said Vesperus walking towards the exit of the library. As he left he view Crescence turned to Pandorous.

"Is he like this all the time?" asked Crescence.

"Only when your around." answered Pandorous as she continued to write in her books. Suddenly a pale slender hand stopped her progress.

"While I am gone keep him on the proper path. Can I trust you to do this?" asked Crescence. Pandorous nodded. Placing a hand on Pandorous' forehead she sent a single thought. It was of a twisted tree.

"What was that about?" asked the confused librarian.

"If you need me simply draw that image in one of your books, and then burn it." said Pandorous. "I'll be here as soon as I can. This is just...insurance."

Pandorous understood completely. "I will be your eyes while you are away. You have my word."

"Good, then with that I will take my leave." she said as a portal opened behind her and she fell backwards into it. The portal closed immediately after.

Walking down the white and gold hallways of her castle Celeste was surrounded by a group of people who were in a hurry trying to get the final decisions on certain things about the festival.

"My queen will be still be rewarding the winner, a dinner, with yours truly?" asked a maid.

"Of course, I just recently found out that I had quite the fan base. I'm curious to see how far they will go for it. Not that it will go any farther than a dinner. The crystal prize will still be given as well. Same as every year." she answered. The maid that asked scurried off towards the kitchen to alert the chefs.

"How late will we still accepting tournament entrees, and is there a skill limit?" asked a man with a roll of paper tucked under his arm.

"They have until we light the tournament torches like last year. I rather liked that rule." she answered. The man scurried off like the maid to his own work.

Questions went on like this until she had cleared out the group and walked the hallway alone. Smiling she walked to the nearest window and looked out to the festival. Most of the events were finished by now. But there were still games and dancing. As well as the tournament that would take place soon. The fights were always so intense with fighters from all over coming to test their skill against one another. It was truly a rare thing to see. Peace had always been maintained so the different cities never fought. The land was for everyone to share. So the only way to let off some steam was with tournaments or duels. Of course they were welcome to test their mettle in the wilder parts of the lands, but their safety was not guaranteed.

Suddenly Celeste felt something strange, but she couldn't quite wrap her head around it. Neither could she place a location of this feeling. It seemed to come from inside her. Like something she was missing was trying to make its way back to her. Before she knew it she was holding her hand close to her heart trying to keep this feeling close. Suddenly as quickly as it came, the feeling was gone. Sighing she tried to figure out what just happened, but before she could think about it she heard her name.

"Oh there you are my Queen. The tournament flame with be lit soon. Its time to take your seat." said a maid with a delicate bow. Celeste turned and nodded.

"Are you alright m'lady. You are crying." she asked handing Celeste a handkerchief. Celeste touched her hand to her face. Confused she accepted the maids kind gesture and wiped her face clean.

"My eyes must have been dry. I didn't notice." she answered chuckling. Then she walked down the hallway for her seat. She didn't want to miss the lighting of the torch. Walking at a pace that the maid had trouble keeping up with she made it to her seat early. There was still a bit of time before the torch went up. As the crowd realized Celeste was watching they got up and cheered for their creator. Screaming their love and thanks was enough to make any Queen proud. Standing up Celeste waved her hand and bowed before retaking her seat.

Suddenly a sudden burst of light caught her eye. The tournament life busted in a white fire. They used crystals to make the flame color look like that. It was a alchemical reaction that always put a smile on Celeste's face. Reaching her hand she made the fire swirl around and form a dragon that shot a large flame into the air, and with that the tournament officially started.

"Can Daizen and The Challenger Kreig please step up to the stage!" yelled the announcer.

After finishing her display her eyes quickly darted down to get a look at the fighters. One man she remembered from last year, Daizen. Dark brown hair with a scar across his face. He was very muscular and preferred two handed swords. Despite his size he was still rather quick. He was last years winner, and if she wasn't mistaken the year before that. Looking to his opponent she looked him over. He wasn't particularly muscular but he had a strong physique. His hair was blueish black. His clothes were around the same hue and his shoulder was decorated with a shining cauldron. A white cape hung from the shoulder that was armored. His other arm was left bare.

The thing that caught her eye however was his sword. She felt nothing from it. Most weapons made in her kingdom held small fragment of crystals. Light crystals that held fight off dark creatures that sometimes visited their lands. But his blade held nothing not even darkness. But beyond all the bells and whistles he looked like some noble entering the tournament for the first time. Against the previous champion she didn't expect the match to last long. Smiling she stood up and raised her hand.

"Begin!" yelled Celeste as she dropped her arm, and took her seat. The crowd cheered as the two fighters took their fighting stances. The champion held his sword properly with two hand. His sword reaching towards the heavens. The challenger however just stood there normally as if he wasn't in a fight. Infact he had his arms crossed.

"Boy the queen gave the order to fight! Have you surrendered already?" the champion asked still holding his blade high. The smaller man laughed.

"Wait these are one on one? I thought perhaps you had a few friends on the way." said the challenger still standing there. The champion was out of patience. Running towards the challenger he gave a mighty swing for the boys waist. No one else had eyes fast enough to see what happeened next, but Celeste did.

Vesperus smirked. Ducking under the sword the challenger tapped the champion's hand making him release the sword. Then seizing the sword he stabbed it into the ground. Then standing in the same spot he was before he kicked the champion backwards softly. Anyone else would have just seen the sword vanish and the man's kick. They missed all else.

The champion looked at his hands wondering where his sword went. "Nice trick boy...resorting to magic?" asked the champion.

"Magic? Not my fault your eyes can't keep up old man." answered Vesperus. Hsi taunt worked as Daizen came barreling towards him. Vesperus turned around to the sword and kicked off it flipping over the man. In mid air he kicked the man's back making his head ram into the blunt side of his own sword. Vesperus was making him look like a child.

Celeste was blown away by the power this man displayed. From the look of him one wouldn't think him to be so strong. But upon closer examination he had just what he needed. His muscles were smaller than the other man, but they were more defined. And his clothes were flashy but unrestricting. He clearly knew what he was doing. But the question still remained. 'Who was he really?'

Vesperus - King of Oblivion -

Vesperus looked across the arena at his opponent. From the way that the crowd reacted to her he figured that she was stronger than the rest of the fighters that he faced so far. As he locked eyes with her she took her stance holding her blade with two hands. It was a simple stance, but one that didn't leave many open areas. Vesperus drew his blade holding it firmly in his right hand. As they stared each other both were simply waiting for the match to start.

After the announcer had dragged out introducing each fighter each fighter felt their muscles tense. As soon as the announcer said the word "Fight!" The two clashed in the center of the center of the ring. Vesperus smirked looking into Azura's eyes as he began to push her back slowly. In reaction Azura moved to the side as Vesperus fell forward. Raising her sword as he he fell off balance. Vesperus flipped forward balancing on his left hand as he slashed at her legs. Azura was barely able to jump away from the attack.

Azura landed and quickly spun to sweep low. As she did this Vesperus stabbed his sword into the ground and balanced on the top of his blade. He swipe knocked the blade from under him and sent it clattering to the side. As he tried to reach for it Azura cut him off. Leaping back from her attack he raised his fists.

"You hope to beat me unarmed?" said Azura. "Well this is a first." She slowly walked toward Vesperus with her sword at the ready. As she approached Vesperus began to move quickly left to right like a metronome. Following his movement she found it a simple enough pattern to ready, and with proper timing thrusted where he was about to be. In a snap she felt a pressure under her chin and an intense pain in her arm. Her sword scattered to the floor.

Versperus move so fast that she didn't even see him move. His palm pressed firmly against the bottom of her chin, and he pulled her arm so hard it went limp forcing her to lose her grip on the sword. In another moment he pelted her body with powerful palm strikes and with one powerful blow sent her flying out of the ring into a wall. Vesperus' eyes focused on Azura waiting to see if she would get up again.

As the dust cleared it was clear that she was down for the count. The crowd was completely silent.

"W-what raw power! Just who is this man!?" yelled the announcer. Celeste looked down at him with her eyes opened wide. That was one of her strongest warriors that was defeated by an unarmed opponent in just a few moves. Clearly this man was more than he appeared to be.

Vesperus relaxed his stance and took a deep breath. Then his eyes drifted up to Celeste. When their eyes met it was the most familiar feeling either of them had ever known. Celeste stood up holding her weapon in its staff form.

"Congratulations warrior! You are the champion in this years tournament!" exclaimed the announcer. Vesperus didn't take his eyes off of Celeste. Not for the announcer or the crowd. He wanted to take in every glimpse he could now. After all a dinner with her was the prize he was fighting for.

"Guards will escort you into the castle. Please enjoy you feast! I wish I could join in!" said the announcer. As the guards approached Vesperus he finally lowered his gaze from Celeste, and followed them into the castle.

"Thank you all who attended this years festival! Look forward to many years of prosperity!" yelled Celeste. The crowd cheered as Celeste turned around taking off at a brisk pace. She finally got to meet with the man. She had so much to ask him. She barely knew where to start. At the pace she was walking her maid could barely keep up.