--

Amidst a grove of trees, leaves of nearly every shade of crimson and bronze adorning the golden logs which had sprouted up from the ground, fallen leaves peacefully laying below. This place, this world, was full of forests such as this one. Cheerful chatter and laughter echoing from the woods as two sets of steps could be heard running through the soft ground below, branches groaning under pressure as pale bony hands would grab onto them and flip themselves atop of its sturdy arms. Colorful eyes full of joy would gaze out at the world ahead of themselves, a grin on their face.

Birds sung their songs as the other still on the ground would call up to the other.

They would call to Creation, to their brother, to hurry and follow them.

With a light-hearted laugh, Creation would acknowledge the other before jumping down from the tall branching tendrils of the golden tree he sat atop of. Chasing alongside the younger being as they both would weave their way through the life-filled forest.

The name of this peaceful place was Auroratale, it was a world of only joy, no pain, no loss. Yet that would soon change it seemed.

As Creation and the younger skeletal being would race through the woods almost expertly, as if they had done so multiple times before, they would approach a cave, crystals lining it's entrance which shone beautiful shades of amber and gold within them, glowing dimly as if they were stars.

The younger skeleton would eagerly approach the cave, leaving behind their more wary elder brother who hesitated at the entrance, skipping inside of the cave's warmly lit entrance.

Calling after them to be wary of where they stepped, Creation would push aside their concern before following after their younger sibling. Ever-changing eye lights dimly lit as they cautiously observed their surroundings.

A bemused giggle escaped the younger skeleton, Aura, as they'd call out to Creation to hurry up, carrying voice echoing against the dimly lit walls of the cavern.

Creation would respond with a wary tone, acknowledging the other's words as they hurry on to the younger skeleton.

Aura would beem up brightly at their elder brother, motioning to some gems which glowed a deep crimson hue. While it seemed that Aura was more fascinated by it's look, Creation felt something else, something which he hadn't felt before.

They felt dread.

Warning their younger sister to be wary of approaching the crystal, the smaller skeleton paid no mind, quickly approaching and inspecting the crystalline with curiosity, lightly touching the purple ends before yelping as they were zapped, stepping back as they held their hand. Worried, Creation would go to the smaller skeleton to check on them, examining their pale semi-burnt hand with worry before leading them back up from the cave, leaving behind the pulsing crimson gem as it seemed to grow slightly.

On their way back, the smaller skeleton seemed to grow weary, and weak in the legs. They would've collapsed if it wasn't for creation catching them.

Concern growing, the multi-colored eyed skeleton would lift their younger sibling before dashing into a small village, heading to one of the huts before calling to what could be assumed to be the healer.

The healer would examine Aura before shaking their head. Creation's soul fell as they saw the same crimson gem spreading up auras arm, upon the healer moving their sleeve up. Creation would sit beside their sibling's bedside for a week, unmoving, simply murmuring silent words as they dabbed a cold cloth onto their pale forehead, gems having spread throughout their whole body.

On the last day, as Creation was dozing off during the night, they would be awakened by the smaller skeleton trying to stand up. Worried, Creation would try to stop them, however the younger skeleton simply smiled before showing the taller being their crystallized soul, and their ever-draining HP.
Teary eyed, creation would look back at their sibling, smiling sadly as they caress their cheek tenderly.
Aura would ask Creation if they could go out to see the sunrise one last time with him, and to that, creation would agree, carefully leading Aura to a nearby hill as they watched the sky slowly change to a golden honey color. Smiling contently, aura would sleepily lean against Creation before uttering a silent word in thanks, closing their eyes as they slowly dusted.
Creation would keep their now pale glitching eye lights locked on the sunrise, gripping at the dark scarf which was left behind by their younger sibling, inky tears leaking down his cheeks as his smile faltered, soft sobs soon escaping him as he'd hug the scarf close, whispering a farewell to his beloved younger sibling as the dust blew away with the wind.

Time would pass, and it seemed upon Aura's death others took pity upon Creation, however this would anger him. He hated the pity-filled stares which followed him, their words of recalling how close the two were, and how it must've hurt him.

And so, after three days of suffering in remembering, Creation would leave the town, venturing the vast world of his.

He eventually came to accept his sister's death, and would eventually return, however, on his way back Creation would spot the same red gem which sucked the life from their younger sibling. Frozen in shock, memories would flood in, reminding him of how the gems would spread swiftly. Worried, Creation would drop his bag before dashing into the town, being mindful to evade the gems as they grew more and more clustered the closer he got to his home.

Slowing to a halt, the skeleton would stare wide-eyed at the destruction before him, slowly walking into the town as he'd look at the discarded items, and gem-ridden town. Upon walking he would seem to nearly trip over something, looking down at the dust-covered ground, he would see a monster, crystalline covering their pale snowy-white fur as they laid clutching a smaller being. Saddened, Creation would tear his gaze from the scene before silently wandering further into the town. Kneeling down as he found an old golden engraved staff, holding it carefully as he examined its surface. Brow furrowed, he would look around a bit more before leaving the ghost-town, picking up his bag silently as he'd start wandering around, in search of another life.

Time passed, and there was no life to be found. In a matter of months the once beautiful land was covered in dust and crimson gems. Creation being left as the only living thing now.

Sitting inside a small rocky cavern, he would seem to be waiting out a storm as he'd graze his fingers across the smooth patterns in the worn down staff, gaze absently looking off into the rain as he waited. For what he waited, he did not know. But alas, creation would remain during the endless storm.

It took three days before he'd catch sight of something, something which surprised him.

A cloaked being would be approaching him.

Curious, Creation would offer a hand to the cloaked being, who accepted his with a gloved one of their own.

Now that both stood within the small cavern, the being would give creation a smile.

You look weary. They'd say calmly.

Creation would simply nod, looking back out in the storm as he'd sit against the cool rocky floor.

The cloaked being would simply sit beside him.

You look to be in pain. They'd continue.

Creation would simply pull their knees to their chest, humming softly in reply.

You look lonely.

This caused Creation to look back at the other, mouth open to give a retort back, however voice would fall short as he saw their gentle smile. Creation didn't know why, but it soothed him.

I can help you, they'd say, putting a warm cloak over the fragile skeleton.

I can help you if you let me.

Creation's teary gaze would return to the other, confused, he'd ask their name.

The being would smile once more.

Call me life. They'd say ever so softly.

The words seemed almost hypnotic to creation. Life, something that his world was devoid of but himself. Looking down, Creation would give a soft chuckle.

He'd ask how the other could help him.

By giving you a new life, one without misery or loneliness, life would respond.

This had surprised creation, and in an intrigued state, he'd ask how he could obtain such a thing after having lost everything.

Life would simply smile, summoning Creation's soul before him.

You must rid yourself of this physical plane of emotion. Then you will be able to obtain something more. Something which had been lost.

Creation would stare blankly at his soul, carefully taking the soft shape into his hands as he'd stare down at it.

You cannot die, you know of this.

Life would point out, surprising Creation.

You would have already been gone if you could. As life spoke, they'd motion to the gems all around.

Creation knew this to be truth, and with a sigh, he'd dig his pale boney fingers into the soul, nodding.

For better, or worse, anything would be an improvement from where he was now.

And so, with that in mind, Creation would close his eyes before pulling apart the soft shape, a sharp cracking sound echoing through the cavern as it'd soon shatter, Creations world falling to darkness as he opened his eyes once more, soon collapsing before Life.

And so, he'd become one with the dark.

Upon waking up, Creation would look around the dull gray world he found himself in. Confused, he'd slowly stand up, pebbles shifting underneath his weight as he'd slowly start wandering around. He felt...odd. No.. felt isn't the right word. With an empty stare, creation would try checking his own stats. He'd be surprised...no...would be surprised to find that he had no HP... no soul.

That's right, he tore it apart.

Looking around, creation would continue walking through this bleak world, no destination in mind, yet he'd soon come across life, pausing as he'd look up at the other.

Welcome, Life would greet the other, Creation simply blinking in acknowledgement.

Are you prepared to begin anew, little one?

This question seemed to stir some curiosity in Creation as he;d gaze down at himself, nodding silently after a moment.

Life would smile warmly, summoning the last half of his own soul before creating another part to it, holding the soft pastel soul to creation.

Then take this, Life would say, handing the soul to Creation.

Find your counterpart, and work together. He knows more of what needs to be done.

After speaking, Life would slowly turn to a golden mist, blowing away in the nonexistent wind as Creation would watch with a calm emptiness.

After a few seconds had passed, creation would look back down at the soul in his hands before closing his eyes, pressing it to himself as he'd allow it to entwine with his own magic.

After he had done so, he'd open his eyes once more, eye lights glowing a soft multi-coloring as there'd be a faint golden outline to such. Blinking a few times, he would smile softy before placing a hand to his chest, mumbling a silent word of gratitude before looking around, he knew what he had to do.

He had to find his counterpart.

He had to find Destruction.

---------

next part shall continue in life ^^