This world, our world, is incredibly vast and expansive. There exists much history that we are not even aware of. What lies beyond the stars? What do we not know about the rest of this world? In the Astral Plane, only a purifying light and a consuming darkness existed in the beginning. Before any foreign concepts ever came into existence, that purifying light and consuming darkness would sit in absolute zero for an eternity. There was nothing in their absolute zero that could urge them to act. There were no desires or goals. The only thing they could do was sit in the depths of nothing. Eventually, after spending several eternities in the void, the purifying light conceives three of their major accomplishments. These celestial concepts are known as Origin, Balance, and Vitality. These celestial points in the absolute zero were different from the purifying light and consuming darkness. Unlike them, they were alive. They were able to decide what to do next. They were able to think beyond the absolute zero. The purifying light was enlightened by the existence of their creations. It knew that there was much to learn from the three celestial creations. What was the point in simply sitting in this absolute zero with nothing at the end? The consuming darkness had the same agreement with the purifying light. Although the purifying light and consuming darkness were constantly at odds with each other, they both knew that there could be much more to do. They could expand from this pitch-black void and spend eternity in another space. This decision between the five led to the creation of everything in existence and the constant growth of life: The Astral Plane.
Lending their powers to the purifying light and consuming darkness, the three celestial creations worked with the light and darkness to create a brand-new space enveloping the absolute zero. For the first time, the purifying light and the consuming darkness saw color and vitality enter their visions. The three celestial creations were overjoyed at the absolute zero’s expansion. Such a plane couldn’t be called an absolute zero anymore. After all, there were actually things being made inside of this space. The purifying light was delighted at the grand success of this decision. It wanted to spread its joy and glee with the rest of this space. After all, what good is feeling joyous if you cannot share it with everything else? And so, the purifying light uses their omnipotent powers to create five new species of specimen to inhabit the Astral Plane’s first stage of expansion. Each species represented a certain aspect of the Astral Plane: Space, Life, Elements, Time, and Power. The very first specimens of each species were taken in by the purifying light as a representative. They were given the title of Astral Guardians. Each of the Astral Guardians were overflowed with respect and prosperity. They promised the purifying light that they would do their best to ensure the success of the Astral Plane until eternity was no more. Meanwhile, the consuming darkness watched everything in the shadows of the plane. It spectated the creation of the Astral Plane and stayed docile as it watched the five primordial species expand and grow. More and more species were eventually created and occupied the Astral Plane. After many, many years of spectating, the consuming darkness stopped being docile and then went about as it pleased.
With the constant increase of growth in the five primordial species, life for them began to become more and more meaningful as the purifying light became further enlightened by the Astral Plane. The three celestial creations eventually decided to reside in a far end of the Astral Plane and create their own species in their homeland. This species soon became known as the dragons. They hold much significance in the Astral Plane as the direct descendants of the three celestial creations. At some point, the denizens of the Astral Plane soon dubbed the three celestial creations as the Celestial Dragons. The purifying light, seeing the continued growth of the Astral Plane, watched on with several emotions of glee. The purifying light had already shared its happiness. It now had the idea of sharing its own ideas and state of enlightenment with the Astral Plane. And so, the purifying light created a brand-new layer at the top of the Astral Plane. It named this new infinite layer the Dreamscape. Special individuals that seeked further meaning were able to find themselves in the Dreamscape and indulge in the path to a greater side of life. The denizens of the Astral Planes soon dubbed the purifying light as the Benevolent Judge. They also dubbed the consuming darkness in a contrasting manner: The Malevolent Judge. The Benevolent Judge was constantly being active around the Astral Plane. The Malevolent Judge soon awoke as well and began doing something that it knew since the very beginning: Consume. It spread its infectious power across several areas of the Astral Plane. Now that it was no longer trapped in the desolate prison known as the absolute zero, it could do as it pleased here in the Astral Plane.
However, the main focus here is not on the Benevolent or the Malevolent Judge. With the five primordial species, the fifth species, known as the Primo Exorda, were seen by the Benevolent Judge as the species with the most potential for growth in the Astral Plane. Only after some years, they have expanded their reach to several universes in the Astral Plane and have even begun to create mass civilizations. They were the role models of every denizen of the Astral Plane, and the Benevolent Judge was pleased by this. The Benevolent Judge eventually descended upon the Primo Exorda, to their surprise. The Primo Exorda all saw this day as a miraculous occasion. They listened deeply to the words of the Benevolent Judge and wondered what had brought it here.
“In due time, there will be an outstanding Exordan that will rise from within the crowd. They will have an aptitude like no other and knowledge as boundless as the endless seas. In due time, the Astral Plane will welcome the conception of this powerful child. The Astral Master shall soon appear.”
Hearing these words from the Benevolent Judge themselves, the Primo Exorda, as well as the rest of the Astral Plane, are now wondering about this Astral Master. They are to be descended from the Primo Exorda in due time. The words of the Benevolent Judge are enough to shake the entire Astral Plane. The Astral Master is said to be a powerful sage with enough influence to change the Astral Plane and reach true enlightenment under the Benevolent Judge. Certains rumors and legends arise among races that even say that the Astral Master will one day become equal to the Benevolent and Malevolent Judges. The topic of the Astral Master quickly spread and became such a big discussion among the denizens of the Astral Plane. Some of the races eagerly await the arrival of the Astral Master, while other races fear the power the Astral Master wields. Regardless of what people were thinking, the anticipation and suspense was gigantic. Soon, after 198 billion years after the Primo Exorda had been created, the child that was destined to become the Astral Master was born.
.
.
At the heart of Prime Empire, the main capital and city of the Primo Exorda, there is constant bustling activity. Exordans come and go through the many gates and pathways. The Celestial Temple stands at the center of the prosperous capital. Made out of the most refined alloys of material, standing at 655 feet tall, and shining in the star’s light with a bright golden color, the Celestial Temple is the most important landmark and significant monument to the entire Primo Exorda species. Not only does it hold many different spaces inside of its infinite dimension, but it holds the Chamber of Birth, the altar to worship and offer to the Benevolent Judge, the residence of the Exordan Patriarch, and the institution that cultivates the best warriors and sages of the species. A pair of Primo Exorda arrive at the main gates of Prime Empire. There are several guards posted at the front of the gates and inspecting each and every person, as well as everything else, that attempts to pass through the gates. To enter Prime Empire, no tolls are required. The line at the front of the gate quickly advances and it's soon the pair’s turn to enter. The pair step forward, and the guards turn to them. The guards walk towards them and inspect the pair using their own tools and sorcery. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary with the pair, one of the guards asks them a question.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Where are the two of you headed?”
“We’re heading to the Chamber of Birth. The time has come for us.”
“Oh, is that so? Well, allow me to congratulate you two. You have made arrangements with the Elder, yes?”
“Yes, we’ve made prior arrangements before arriving.”
“Then be on your way. Best of luck.”
The guards move out of the pair’s way. The pair nod their heads and walk through the grand mystical gates of Prime Empire. As soon as they get inside of the capital’s domain, they are instantly met with the sounds of productivity and activity. The pair haven’t been to the capital in quite the number of years. Everywhere they look, Exordans are out and about and enjoying their day. There are several stands and shops with merchants occupying them. Unlike what you would expect, Exordans do not buy or sell their materials and tools. Instead, in order to do business with others, they perform trades and deals with other materials instead of trading currency. It’s easy to find Exordans trading with rare materials and tools within Prime Empire. After all, it’s the main capital of the entire race. The Exordan pair take some time to walk around the streets of the capital. In the distance, they see the Celestial Temple overlooking the entire capital. They haven’t been inside of the Celestial Temple ever since the two of them completed what the institution, Prime Academia, had to offer them. And now, they are returning to the temple in order to conceive a child.
Along the way, the pair come across several other Exordans whom they recognize. They are former colleagues together at Prime Academia. Seeing them again after so many years is a welcome surprise. All of them have fully developed and even have families of their own. Their children greet the pair, and the pair greet them back. The pair and their colleagues take some time to catch up on recent events and discuss other small matters. The pair’s colleagues congratulate them for their special occasion. They’ve known each other for a long time and seeing as everyone will now be moving up in life was grand. After having finished their discussions, the pair bid their colleagues farewell and continue to make their way to the Celestial Temple. The pair soon arrive at the entrance of the Celestial Temple. The entrance is a large white opening in the front under an archway. The opening glows with energy and lights up its surroundings. There are also guards posted at the entrance of the Celestial Temple. It’s the most secured and heavily guarded building of the entire Primo Exorda territory. The guards at the front of the temple entrance validate the pair’s arrangements to the Chamber of Birth.
“Yes, your arrangements have been checked. You may enter the gateway to the Chamber of Birth. The Elder will be awaiting your arrival.”
“Very well, sir.”
The Exordan pair walk past the guards and enter the large gateway of the Celestial Temple. They are swiftly engulfed in the entrance’s blinding light. During the entire time that they travel through the gateway, it feels as if they were riding the most ridiculous roller coaster ever. However, since they’ve already crossed through the gateway many times during their days at Prime Academia, the two of them have gotten accustomed to the sensations of the temple gateway. After a few moments inside of the gateway, the pair appear inside of the Chamber of Birth. The halls are lined with several combinations of materials, creating a sort of purple hue to the walls. The chamber is much more expansive than the pair initially thought. After taking a few steps further into the main foyer of the chamber, they see the Exordan Elder sitting atop a pedestal.
“You’ve arrived, young ones.”
The Exordan Elder floats down from his spot on the pedestal. He lands on the floor and looks down at the pair of Exordans. The pair use a gesture of respect towards the Elder. The Elder nods his head.
“First and foremost, I wish to congratulate the two of you. I see that you have been doing well since your bond ceremony.”
“Yes, Elder. We’ve been well. We thank you for your kind words.”
“No need to mention it. Come now, I’ll show you to your room.”
The Elder escorts the Exordan pair across the hall of the chamber. Along the hall, there are several doors on each side that lead to separate rooms for other Primo Exorda. The Elder stops at a door and looks back at the pair.
“We have arrived. Be sure to notify me when you have completed the ceremony. I wish you two the best of luck. There has been a slight increase in failed birth ceremonies lately. Take care.”
The Elder opens the door for the pair. The pair thank the Elder for his generosity and enter the room. The Elder closes the door and leaves the pair on their own. The Exordan pair walk to the center of the room and take a seat in front of each other. They place their hands on their own bodies and their hands begin to glow. What they are doing right now is concentrating their focus towards their source. The source of a creation is the culmination of their very proof of existence and the thing that makes something alive. Without a source, something cannot exist. Each one of them takes a small piece of their source and places it on the ground in front of them. Taking a piece of your source, even if it is just a small piece, can lead to a lot of pain and other potential side effects depending on the size of the piece. Fortunately, the Primo Exorda have developed a method of reproduction that reduces the risk of these side effects to a minimum and turned it into a ceremony. The Exordan pair place their hands on the two fragments of their sources and proceed with the rest of the ceremony. The fragments of their source begin to rattle around. They have to make sure both pieces merge together successfully and efficiently.
During this entire process, the pair gradually exhausts a lot of their source essence, the energy present inside of a source, to try and merge their fragments. After using much of their source essence and expending a lot of concentration, they successfully manage to merge their source fragments together. The merged product of these fragments begins to glow and increase in size, forming a complete source. The body of the child begins to form as well. The child’s body lays on the ground in front of the pair, lifeless for only a bit of time. After waiting for a few moments, the child’s eye awakens, and their life is activated.
