Prologue

      The creation of everything began with two lovers, a queen and king, Gaea and Lucifer, the first beings in the world of Prathem. With falling in love, their affection created two of the Nine Primary Emotions; Love and Trust. Throughout time peacefully passing and their kingdom growing, they had three children; Emerald, Apollo, and Gabriel. With the birth of the only daughter, Emerald, the third emotion of Joy spread throughout the world. With such Joy, Spring, and Summer blossomed as gifts to the princess.

      As the children grew, Gaea's love for Lucifer wasn't the only love in her life, and most of her attention went towards raising their children; Lucifer became Jealous of this, causing the first negative emotion to spread, unbeknownst to Gaea. When Gabriel, Gaea and Lucifer's firstborn, grew to be a man, Lucifer became more paranoid by the day of Gabriel taking his place on the throne as king. Though they were the first immortal creatures, Lucifer knew that there had to be a kept balance.

      He searched for a seer to know once and for all if Gabriel would overthrow him.

      "No, sire, your son will not be your downfall," replied the seer.

      "Then someone else must! Who is it! Tell me!" the king Lucifer tried to pry, but the seer couldn't give him the answers.

      Fear, the next negative emotion, began to consume him along with Jealousy. With those, in Gabriel's peaceful sleep, Lucifer stabbed him in his paranoia.

      "Who takes the throne?! Who will be my undoing?!" he pleaded to his son. Choking and suffering, Gabriel couldn't answer.

      The goodness of Prathem turned away from the sight, setting the sun not to let something such as light shine on such great evil. The sun only rose after Gabriel had passed, and it woke Gaea from her slumber. As pain shrouded her heart, she followed the pain to see her dead son and her love hovering over him with the weapon.

      The sight shocked her, and just as Surprise set in, she let out a scream of pure agony, creating Sadness.

      "You, my love, killed one of the only other loves in my life and one of the first children of the universe, for that you cannot rule beside me."

      Lucifer fell to his knees in front of his wife, gripping her hands with his own bloodied from their son. He pleaded to her, "H-He was going to overthrow me, Gaea! Do not leave me!"

      "Everything must be balanced, and we had the gift to be the first creators and rulers of this land. But this power is a privilege, not a right, and with a blessing such as this comes the possibility of them leaving us. They must go so there might be change and a better universe. Our son was to be king, it was his birthright, and you took that from him."

      In her Sadness for her son and the sting of Heartbreak and Betrayal from the person she trusted and loved, Gaea banished Lucifer to the other side of the Prathem, and in his wake, the sun vowed to turn away from him. Half of their world then cloaked with darkness. And two new seasons for his punishment, fall, and winter would be the only seasons he felt for eternity. The sun shined less in these seasons as to not shine a light on his evil. The other side, The Light Side, only received spring and summer. Banished, Lucifer screamed in a fit of anger, and so Rage was born. The king, in his banishment, soon realized his wrongdoings and clouded in the last of the Nine Primary Emotions, Shame. He recognized the seer's prophecy was right, his son wasn't his downfall, but it was himself that brought on this fate.

      In his Anger and Shame, he cried for forgiveness, but Gaea would never answer him. She sobbed to mourn her beloved Gabriel, along with the loss of her lover and sobbed at the negativity that now battled with the goodness of the world. In a final attempt of redemption, Lucifer sent his tears to wash her hands of the blood he'd left there, for he knew none of their tears could wash away the evil he'd left behind.

      Gaea did her best to rebuild what Lucifer had done by creating Humankind and Earth. Lucifer agreed to help build and never to harm the creatures if they felt all nine emotions and all four seasons. Gaea reluctantly agreed with the knowledge that the negative feelings and seasons would bring further balance for these humans and this planet they named Earth.

      Gaea made Earth a beautiful place, with animals, pastures, waters, and beauty at every corner, she also made the Nightfall as a way to remember Gabriel. It was peaceful, but no creation could be without flaws. Some people were destined to go to the path of evil, and some the way of good for the sake of the agreement and the balance. Gaea made three trusted Scalers. These beings had the task of foreseeing upsets in this balance with a golden scale untouchable to others as to not tip it.

      Gaea did not just create Scalers to protect Humans. She needed them to prosper and have creatures to guide them. Therefore, Gaea blessed Humans with Guardians, Lovers, and Soul Seekers.

      Humans cannot see Guardians, and they are only to protect them from the magical world or evil.

      Lovers guide Humans to their destined soulmate, someone they were meant to be with and bound to for eternity.

      Soul Seekers also guide, but only Human's souls. Gaea did not wish for Humans to be immortal like their makers, but she did give them immortal souls. Though their bodies would not live forever, they would live in other lives. Soul Seekers guide Human's souls to death and their next life.

      However, Lucifer created other creatures, things to be negative in nature. If Guardians are to protect Humans from harm, Demons would be there to trip them. If Gaea blew wind to the oceans to move sailor's boats, Sirens would be there to drown them. However it may have displeased Gaea, the queen knew goodness would always prevail, so she remained peaceful and met Lucifer's demands.

      And so, Humankind was born and thrived.

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     The sun was beginning to set in Prathem, the sky turning a beautiful mixture of pink and blue. A comfortable cottage sat nestled in the meadow, the sole occupant undisturbed... until there came a raucous knocking on the door. Outside, a beautiful young woman was the cause of the ruckus. She had long, wavy blonde hair, emerald green eyes, and unblemished, pale skin. It was clear to all who saw her that she was beautiful. Even now, with a feverish look in her eyes and panic clear on her face. 

     The young woman was supporting a much taller man, his muscled form overshadowing hers. His hair was brown, cropped short in a soldier's fashion. His hazel eyes were clouded with pain and fevor. Even the chiseled features of his face looked sharper as he suffered in silence, gritting his teeth. The banging on the door grew louder, more intense. "Genny! Genny, open the door!" Emerald howled, her legs shaking from supporting Elijah's weight. It felt like centuries passed before the door swung open, though it had only been seconds.

     Genevieve stood in the doorway, looking irritated until she spotted the young woman standing outside. The Witch was short, though even she was taller than Emerald. Her hair was a dull blonde compared to Emmy's platinum. Lilac hues widened in concern as she took in the sight before her. Emerald gave no explanation or greeting. She hurriedly trudged inside, easing him down gently on a nearby cot. Despite being as careful as she could, Elijah still groaned in pain. 

      Emerald could hardly stand to look at him. He sported an obsidian black wound on his chest, the center of which seemed to be festering. With every pulse, poison coursed through his bloodstream, getting closer to his heart. Kneeling by his side, she gripped his hand and turned towards her trusted friend. "Can you help him?" 

      "Emmy... It's NightShade," Genevieve replied softly, trying to soften the blow. Whoever this brute was, there was no hope for him. 

      "You have to try!" she begged, tears brimming in her eyes in frustration. Emerald never showed weakness; never begged... until now. "Please, Genny. I can't just do nothing!"

     This puzzled the witch. How was she supposed to take this? What could she possibly do; it was a hopeless endeavor. But she would do anything for her best friend, and so she began to chant in the Witch's Tongue. 

      Emerald turned back to Elijah, hope, and guilt filling her heart. This was her fault. She'd done this to him; she had to fix this. She kissed his hand, her lip quivering at the sight of his pale, clammy skin. Moments feel like an eternity, but no one can stop their passing. Genevieve's chanting filled the quaint cottage as Emerald hoped and prayed with all her heart. 

     Soon Genevieve fell silent, prepared to tell Emerald she'd done everything she could in this fruitless situation when Elijah squeezed Emerald's hand softly. "Emmy," he grunted, hazel eyes fluttering open. Emerald let out a sob, throwing herself into his arms as he began to sit up. Through magics unknown, Elijah had lived. 

     But he wasn't meant to. 


  **

      "Dammit, Witch. Are you sure?!" shouted a man cloaked in darkness, his fists slamming into the table. 

      "I'm sorry, your Highness. I cannot lie. Your soldier lives." 

      "No one has ever survived NightShade!" 

      "Then he must be a miracle." 

      The man snarled. In an instant, he had his hand wrapped around the witch's throat. "Do not talk down to me, Witch. You agreed to serve me and that is what you will do." 

      "Forgive me, Sire. I meant nothing by it, only truth!" The witch, Tattia, croaked, feebly gripping and tugging at his hands. The king dropped her on the ground like a worthless object, letting her gather her breath and stop that horrendous hacking. As she did, he glanced her over. 

      She was young and slender, her long, auburn hair pinned up. Her eyes were brown; plain, but he couldn't deny she was a beauty. Taker her home might not be so bad... But there were more important things to do at the moment. Treachery to correct, lessons to dole out. Being the King had its responsibilities.

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