Lumini, the Origin of Light and Life, created the universe as we know.
At first, he created the notion of time and space, giving birth to me and my sisters, the Guardians of Time, the 'beggining'.
Then, He created the stars and planets beyond mortal reach: to populate them, he also created the Celestials.
One of them was Gaia, the Mother Earth, who embodied the planet itself and gave it her name. She married Uranos, the incarnation of the sky, and togueter with Lumini's help, they created all nature and animal life in Gaia, including Magical Beings, the first users of magic after the Celestials.
Lumini also created the Ancestral Races: the Elves, Seakind, Dwarves and Humans. Each had characteristics and talents that ensured the balance and cooperation between these species and the Celestials, where magic was abundant and death was unknown.
Then, Chaos showed itself from another dimension, full of envy at the obedience these Lumini's creations had to their creator. Showing a false sense of humility and kindness, he tricked Lumini into allowing contact with his creations and with time, even creating other species toguether, the Demons and Orcs.
The species created with Chaos and also the individuals he speaked with showed signs of malice, violence and a new strange magic: the Chaos Magic. Even the Celestials started to develop arroggance, envy and all kinds of bad feelings because of the effects this magic had, corrupting subtly all life in Gaia.
Chaos didn't stop there. He created more species with Uranos's help: Werewolves, Vampires and Undead. They were even more vicious and started to trigger wars and disasters everywhere, causing death to surge and the Underworld to be born.
Lumini intervened, sealing Chaos again in his natural dimension, at the cost of entering into a deep coma, his wake up date unknown till the present day.
Mortals started to whorship the Celestials like Gods, as it would give more protection and power trough blessings and teachings.The Celestials only wanted to stay neutral and enjoy the benefits of being whorshipped, but Gaia's rage against her husband pulled them into the strom.
After Urano's death, factions of Celestials that agreed to his doings protested, and fought with the the disagreeing ones: it escalated to the point involving Celestials of another planets, who had the same problems with Chaos's interference. This fight killed many of them.
All these events were made into one and called The First Great Catastrophe.
The solution to avoid more bloodshed was for the planets to cut contact with one another, living in seclusion with only the local Celestials of the same faction socializing. Still, the damage was already done: in Gaia, mortals who whorshipped the dead Celestials lost their blessings and guides in magic, falling behind in terms of development and being supressed by others, causing more conflicts to erupt.
Milleniums passed and new kingdoms rose and fell, when The Second Great Catasthrophe came: Chaos found a way to bless another Celestial even isolated in his dimension, infecting him with Chaos Magic. This Celestial used this magic to create a magic disease that turned into a global pandemic, infecting and killing almost all beings in Gaia.
The Mother planet wasn't fully recovered from the Fist Catasthrophe, and this second one was even deadlier to her, forcing her to also enter a deep slumber to recuperate. Magic deteriorated even more, and humans suffered the most because of it.
They had the higgest death ratio compared to other species in the Second Cathasthrophe, making it even harder to rebuild. Besides, although they were considered the most versatile species in terms of magic apptitudes, they had the lowest number of people with any practical talent in magic.
Once the rulling species of Gaia because of their high population, humans no longer had this advantage.
Four hundred years passed.
Although human knowlegde and customs were still studied and deep rooted in many societies, it was slowly losing it's importance. The High Elves took almost all human territories in one side of the globe, while in the other, Demons tried to enslave all species and reing supreme; between them, other rulers tried to fight this opression togueter.
Two titans fighting for influence in Gaia's womb, making her slumber even longer and difficult to get out.
It would seem like there was no hope to the planet or the universe. Still, Lumini knew the limits of Chaos power and his underlings, setting up a plan since The First Great Cathasthrophe.
The most effective way to fight a Chaos's underling was through another of his own underlings. Someone with a soul pure enough to resist the temptation of corruption.
A human child, but not any child.
Of a lineage capable of carrying this weight.
__________/ _____ / __________
Year 20203 After First Catastrophe (A.F.C), first month of winter, 24th day.
In the west side of Gaia thrived the Occidens Continent; in the southest part of it, lived a very old clan,the Fiamma Clan. In the south, seasons were inversed, so midyear was winter instead of summer: right now, snow started to fall in the ceillings of the buildings.
If someone from Earth would look there, they would see a majority of constructions very similar to the Incas, Mayas and Aztecs Empires,the rest of them similar to a fusion of the greek and european medieval one. This was because the nomad origin of the clan, always integrating cultures from different nations to their own, making a new one.
In other seasons their territory was filled with warm colored plants and a fertile soil, despite their blessings coming from a fire godess.
They were Héstia's loyal servants since they were nomads in the desert, and even if it was millenias ago and way before this calendar, they still had customs and features almost identical to how it was; maybe because of the blessing or because they married almost only within themselves and with the locals, that were similar to them.
The original and 'most pure' Fiammas had black skin as well as red hair and eyes: the most 'pure'and most powerful someone was, the most these traces would be seen.They were also more strong than normal humans by birth, and had a Fire affinity with magic, sometimes mastering his most powerful variation, Sun affinity.
In the peak of the tallest mountain, right at the center of the territory and surrounded by the valley bellow with minor buildings, was a major construction with a Maya design carved in the mountain almost like a sculpture. Inside the building, servants and employees hurried with their tasks, especially women: they carried clean cloths and hot water to the upstairs; from there, emmited feminine screams of agony, fueling the anxiety of everyone.
A woman in specific standed out because of her appearance. Even if she used her long and dark red dress like all other female servants, she had white skin and blonde hair tied in a bun, revealing her subtle pointed ears of an half-elf, indicating her outsider origin. She also had a gold brooch similar to a flame on her left chest, pointing her high rank between the servants. Her green eyes in her nervousness seemed like real emeralds, as she climbed the stairs without carrying anything.
She just finished to inform the Patriarch-Consort about the labor of the Matriarch, but it was clear he had other priorities, while he was writing something in his desk peacefully.
- I am just finishing this and soon I will come to see her and the baby - he said without bating an eye on her.
As the memory of the short interaction ressurfaced, her fists clenched tight, hurrying her feet and entering into her Matriarch's chambers.
The painful scream became more intense as she opened and closed the dor behind her. A lot of female servants ran around the room, with their tan or black skin standing out against the white sheets. On the right end of the huge room, a king sized bed was full of fresh blood, as a woman contorted her hole body in it.
She had pitch black skin and curly hair like a living fire, all covered in sweat. Her eyes were also like a living flame, but were closed tightly from the pain that washed over her. She almost had no fat in her as she looked like a living mummy. Her huge belly covered some of her facial expressions, but the blond woman knew about the obvious pain she was going trough.
She got closer to the poor woman while the female servants oppened the path for her to cross. Soon, the Matriarch seemed to receive some brief relief from the contractions, as she could finally breath deeply and look at her new visitor.
- Alice... you came...- said the black woman - did you... find Aidan for me?
Her breath was heavy and frail, as the blond woman called Alice answered her:
- No, Matriarch. The boy vanished and with all the preparations for you in the mansion, I couldn't dispatch anyone to search closely for him.
- I see... I wanted to... nevermind. - the woman seemed gloomy with her response, but didn't said anything about it anymore - What about my husband?
- The Patriarch Consort was busy with some personal duties, he said he will come after finishing them. - Alice said while clinching her teeth.
The Matriarch had a similar reaction as her jaw seemed to clench hard from annoyance.
- That Empire Dog! He must be.... writing for them announcing...my death at labor. Why did I...marry him...
'Because you didn't have a choice'- Alice thought, remembering the event from years ago.
__________ / _____ / __________
Thirteen years ago, Mansion of the Fiamma Clan
After the end of the war that lasted more than a century, The Matriarch lost it, and almost everyone that she loved with it; her parents, her brothers and sister and even her lover were all gone, leaving a clan nearing its fall as her last memory of them.
But thankfully, Alice was there for her. Even if she was part of the Elfic Empire in the past, that didn't mean that she hated her; on the contrary, they became best friends. Besides that, what happened was in the past.
The Matriarch thought breefily about their curious past where Alice tried to kill her during the war, and couldn't help to chuckle. Good times, indeed.
She was still trying to cling in old good memories on her golden and red throne, when Alice stormed inside the throne room filled with gold, white and red decorations.
Seing that they were both alone, Alice droped the honorifics as her anger grew more:
- Is it true, Iruna? - she standed right down the throne with crossed arms.
- What are you talking about? - Iruna replied tiredly
- That you accepted that bastard's proposal of engagement. Is it true?
Iruna sighned, looking at the window with a blank expression
- Yes, it is.
- Are you CRAZY?! His clan is a vassal of the Elfic Empire, and he killed THOUSANDS of our men and women! What would your parents say if...
She was cut short when a red aura came to life and surrounded her, leaving her lungs out of breath. Iruna was now letting her rage take physical form,wich was rare, as she was a very calm person.
- DON'T talk on their behalf like this. UNLIKE you they would UNDERTAND ME THE MOST!
Alice seemed to start feeling dizzy, and as fast as it came, the red aura seemed to dissapear completely as she gumsped for air. Her friend seemed to have an apologetic look, as she reached Alice that was on her knees.
- Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. Is just that... everything seems to be falling apart, and I can't deal with it.
Looking closely, Alice could see her red eyes and swollen face, and just couldn't be mad at her friend that needed to grief almost all her loved ones at once.
- I am sorry too, Iruna, I shouldn't doubt your judgment. But I still don't get it. Why you accepted so quickly? The old skeletons from the Council probably didn't agree.
Iruna chucled swiftly at her friend's remark.
- Of course they didn't, but I had a very convincing way to show my point, I will tell it to you too.
Iruna pulled Alice to the ground, as they both sat at the stairs of marble under the throne.
- I just became Matriarch, and none of my relatives are alive. I need to have a baby girl and I need to start to try now. I am only twenty and suposedly a very long time, but what if I can have only boys at first, like my mother did? Also, his achievements on the war made clear that he has a lot of magical power; you know that having baby humans as sorcerers is turning into a very difficult task even in the clan.
- But you could still marry a local from the clan that has a high magical power. The other High Families will not be mad?
Iruna smiled bitterly at her naivety, shaking her head.
- You are right, It would be better to do it as they also have a decent amount of Fiamma magic blood in them, but I never showed the letter of proposal to you, so you would not undertand. In the letter they demanded for me to marry one of the options they chosed as one of the compensations for the war damages, otherwise they would exterminate our clan and put whoever they want on power here.
Alice went paler than normal at her words, and soon the shock was replaced by anger.
The Empire used her as a spy and assassin for decades, and her hatred for them only grew more when she became one of Iruna's underlings. Now, she wanted to teach a very painful and long lesson to that damned Emperor!
- I chose Robert because his clan was the least loyal of the Empire according to my Intelligence Squad. They are too ambicious, so any offer of the Empire to get rid of me in the long run would not be better than having one of them as the Matriarch's Consort and father of the heir.
- But... what if it doesn't work, Iruna?
The new Matriarch looked at her with dead eyes, which puzzled her. But before she could ask why, she got her answer:
- I don't have much more to lose anyway.
__________ / _____ / __________
Back to the present
After remembering the past, she didn't want to say anything about it, wanting to focus on her friend's well being, she asked to a old woman that was between her friend's legs:
- How is the labor going, Councelor?
- Not good. The servants called me quite late, so it is difficult for me to heal her - the Concelor of Health answered - even with my healing magic, she doesn't stop bleeding. The baby also seems to be on the wrong position. Tell her I need to turn him, and to prepare herself.
Alice nodded, her worries worsening at the news but trying to hide it. She told Iruna about the baby's situation but kept silent about the bleeding. Her friend needed to focus on the baby and stay calm.
The Councelor turned the baby in Iruna's belly, causing a scream even more potent them the others while a faint red aura started to emit from her at instinct, and it was getting stronger.
- EVERYONE, PROTECT YOURSELVES WITH MANA! - once everyone obeyed the old Councelor, she turned her look to Iruna-MATRIARCH, YOU NEED TO PUSH!
An more inhuman scream came from her mouth, similar to a roar. The red aura became even more thick, and soon everything in the room was covered by it.
- I CAN SEE THE BABY, PUSH!
Another scream gutural like the last one echoed, and some weak servants were starting to feel dizzy at each more push.
The red aura started to look like a huge flame, becoming orange and yellow. All the weak ones got further away from it, trying to stay conscious, as even the stronger servants were feeling nauseous and weak.
- All servants, GET OUT! - Alice finally said, sensing that the aura was still getting stronger as cold sweat ran down her forehead, just like the counselor.
- You are doing great! Now only the legs. PUSH WITH ALL YOUR STRENGHT!
A final roar and push ended the agony, but only silenced reigned. Iruna tried to lift her heavy head but failed.
- Why them... are not crying? There is something... wrong with my baby?
- Not at all, Matriarch. Some babies don't cry when they are born - she said while wraping the baby on a white sheet and standing up - Congratulations, it is a healthy and pretty baby girl!
She handed the baby to Iruna, that couldn't stop smiling from the sight in front of her.
The baby had a very subtle tanned skin and locks of curly redish-brown hair that ressembled a red wine.
'Just like a normal commoner in the clan' - Alice thought, a subtle look of worry in her eyes .
Still, Iruna didn't seem to mind, as if she already knew. She started to sing a song to the quiet baby, hoping to awaken her.
Little Helena opened her eyes, two little pools of red wine; upon seeing her mother and hearing her low singing, she smiled and giggled, showing her toothless mouth.
- My little angel is perfect - Iruna said and Alice agreed , while the Councelor nodded and hurriedly came back to her position between her matriarch's legs.
Her relieved expression went to shocked when she saw her patient's state. Alice stared her carefully, and when the Councelor noticed it, she became gloomy and shook her head at her.
Alice became even more pale, while Iruna seemed to not pant anymore as she spoke, as she enjoyed her new gift.
- She will be called Helena. It means "torch". I hope she will also guide our people with her light at the darkest times.
- Why are you talking like that? - Alice's voice was shaky, and her friend smiled at her sweetly
- I know I am going to die, Alice, I'm not an idiot who doesn't know about blood loss symptoms. Please don't cry and hear me out.
Alice nodded, holding back her tears. She wanted to attend the the final wishes of her Matriarch and friend, at any cost.
- Please tell Aidan that I love him, and I am sorry for abandoning him. Say that it wasn't Helena's fault, I was already sick before it. Can you tell him?
- I will. Something else?
- Yes, some more things. I want to thank you for your friendship and trust. You always was like a little sister to me, more so after I lost my family. And please, try to get back in touch with 'him' when you can. We were such a good trio in the old days...
Alice agreed, even not knowing if she could do it. Yet, she promised she would try.
- Be sure to take care of Helena like your own daughter. I only trust you - after confirming that Alice got everything right, she continued- Remember our conversation from yesterday?
Her expression didn't change, though it seemed that she became more serious. She nodded to Iruna
- Show to her when she's ready, will you?
- I will. Thank you for everything, Iruna.
- I should thank you, Alice.
She wanted to say a lot more, but simply stopped moving with a smile on her lips, as her eyes and hair lost their bright.
The baby started crying loudly, and like some clue to do it too, Alice started crying together, but with much more silence.
- I know it, little one. It hurts, doesn't it?