***
2,000 years ago.
In the endless void of the cosmos, there drifted a world untouched by time—a sphere of dust, with only silence and darkness. Within are mountains that lay crumbled and unstirred oceans. Burned by stars around it, indifferent. In this drifted world, nothing lived and nothing moved.
Until HE descended.
The entity who called himself 'Raini', a name with no meaning, just presence—vast, ancient, and unknowable. He descended not from the sky, but from beyond the void of the cosmos, a ripple in reality itself. He was light and shadow, both burning and soothing. A shining golden hair, eyelashes with the same hue, and golden eyes that shines as it shows the mark of a sun.
When His incarnation touched the ground, the world breathed.
A single pulse spread from the area where his light brushes—warmth flowed into the cold rock, and where His footstep fell, the soil darkened and softened. Grasses whispered into existence. Flowers blinked open like a newborn's eyes. Water wept from dry stone, pooling into rivers and oceans that glittered with stardust.
Mountains rose not in violence, but in reverence. Forests grew from dust, tall and watchful, bending slightly as if in prayer. The winds that was once still for eons, began to dance and wander—curious and free.
But He knew that creation without guardians was a flame without kindling. Life would falter. So from His own divine core, He pulled five radiant shards—each one is a soul forged with purpose, power, and will.
He created them not as tools, but as Gods. Those who will guard the lives that of which He created.
They descended as stars across the sky, taking form as they struck the waking world. He called them The Primal Luminars—the first gods, sovereigns of balance and order, each born to preserve what He had given.
Creo, the God of Creation, born of Flame—bringer of form and spark, whose fires molded the bones of the world and breathed invention into mortals' hands. The first God He made, giving him the power of his. Allowing him to create what is necessary for the life of the awoken world.
Moira, the Goddess of Fate, shaped of Stone—unmoving, eternal, inscribing the threads of destiny into the bedrock of existence. She, who guards the red thread and bless those who are underneath.
Deo, the God of Prophecy, borne on Wind—his voice scattered across time, whispering visions to seers and guiding those chosen by the stars. He, who sees everything, relay his visions to his people, avoiding a worst future.
Aisha, the Goddess of Life, flowing with the Tides—her waters stirred the still hearts of all living things, her breath gave rhythm to the world. She, who guards the lives of the living beings uses a power to save.
Azrael, the God of Death, veiled in Light—neither cruel nor kind, but a keeper of ends, who carries and comforts souls in silence toward what lies beyond. He, who watches the deads as they enter the other realm, wishing them a better and great life. Giving them his blessings with all his heart.
All Luminars had one truth etched in their essence, whispered by He, the Creator:
"Save what I have given. Give each other the lives each of you deserves. Do not greed. Do not sin. Do not lose trust. Do not harm."
And so it was, from the first breath of a powerful God, a world has awoken. And from that breath, five divine lights rose—guardians not of just life, but of its meaning.
Creation. Fate. Prophecy. Life. Death.
They are the pillars upon which the world would rise—or fall.
What? 2,000 years ago? What is this? It is already strange that Asher and the others are already a thousand years old. But, what's this? The world that we know is not this. We have no idea about this at all. The books never mentioned anything about this at all.
This is confusing. But what's written here is the creation of the world. It even mentioned Raini, and how he made the five Gods, which he called The Primal Luminars. Primal Luminars, huh? I've never heard of that. I only know they are Gods, but...
"Master..." Eri spoke, she flew in front of my face with such as serious expression on her face.
What? Why is she looking at me like that? Her eyes looks really...strange.
She smiled at me, and then went to my forehead, planting a kiss. And all of a sudden, my eyes felt heavy...
***
I stared at the ceiling, holding the book that Asher left. He didn't came back here to get it back, and I'm guessing that he left it here on purpose. In the first place, if he's trying to hide this from me, he will never tell me everything about the Zariah civilization and when it was built.
I'm so stupid.
How did I not freaking noticed it?
I wriggled on my bed like an earthworm sprinkled with salt as I flip over my body on my bed and stare at the book on my hands. That's so annoying. He gave me hint and I failed to take it.
"How is it, Master?" Eri asked, peeking at the book I am reading.
"Master, this book is so strange. Is it really true that the world was awaken by Raini 2,000 years ago? If that's the case, what's written in the book I read last time called Zariah are lies?" Eri asked. she sat on my wrist, staring at the book that Asher left.
Since he didn't come back here, that means he wants me to read this.
"Master...if this book tells that truth, that means the story of the Dragon is here. His name might be written here as well," I turned my head to the little fairy and blinked for a couple of times...
"You're right! Eri, you're so smart!" That's right, if I want to save the Dragon, I'll have to say his real name!
I don't know how that would save him, but his current name is cursed by the Demon King, Virexon, and his soul is also controlled by the Demon King. I wonder why he asked me to call his real name, if I did that...will we be able to get back his soul?
I should read this.
This strange book has no table of contents. As if it's a diary written by the creator of this world.
Still, if Asher have this. That means he had an idea about the evil dragon, right?
"Asher..." I mumbled.
"What?" I flinched and quickly turned my head to my left side when I heard Asher's voice.
"Asher!" I called, lifting my body to take a seat on my bed.
"You called me," he spoke. Wait, I did mumbled his name but I wasn't trying to call him.
"Ahh, no. It's just...this book," I showed him the book, and he doesn't seem to be surprised at all. I knew it.
"I never tried to read that book. The Primal Luminars handed it to us before, but none of us four finished reading it. Ley, Lia, and Abel tried reading it but they couldn't finish it. Most likely because the history of the world is boring," he sat beside me and took the book from my hand.
"She was the only one who finished reading this. She loved the story," Asher added, I noticed him smiling genuinely. However, his face shows bitter expression. I don't know who this last Astra is, and it seems like she's a secret person. They did say she was cursed and exiled from this world. Could it be the same with Dearil? Someone with a powerful name that can't be uttered? I'm so curious but I want to live peacefully.
I stayed quiet and stared at Asher who seems to be missing someone. I really wonder how his relationship with that last Astra. What's this? My heartbeat feels strange...
"Prince..." Eri mumbled.
"Anyway, you better read this. I bet his real name is here," Asher said, handing the book back to me as he stood up. I stared at him for a moment, and he did the same.
"Read well," he smiled again, ruffling my hair before he disappeared.
Strange, so strange. I feel like my heart was beating really fast earlier. So weird...
I only feel that kind of feeling when I was being bullied before. My heart race faster everytime I see the faces of those people who bully me, and of course the faces of my family...
But, why would my heart beats fast when I saw him smiling like that?
What the heck?
Even so, it's different from the feeling of fear. I don't know what it is...
"Anyways, we should do our well to read this, Eri!" I went back into lying on my bed and sighed. I don't know, I just felt like sighing.
Ahh, suddenly my head aches.
"Your Highness. Young Master Ziel is waiting for you at the playroom," I gasped as I turn to the closed door of my room.
I can't believe it, Ziel visited me first! Wait, he didn't schedule and appointment, didn't he?
"Themis, can you help me change my clothes?" I asked and run towards the doo, I opened it and peek at Themis outside. Oh, Ande is here too!
"Of course, Princess!" Both of them answered.
I wonder why Ziel went here?
•
"Bro Ash. That young lime... aren't you going to expose his identity to the Emperor?" Athalia asked. She raised her arms to one of the bookshelves and a book floats towards her hand as if it was thrown to her.
"No. He's not an enemy, I know that for sure," Asher answered, staring far to the Antares Palace that is miles away from the Magic Tower.
"Yeah, still. A demon is a demon. We won't know for sure if he won't betray," Abel spoke, and Athalia nod her head to agree.
"He might have some motives," Athalia added. Asher stayed quiet as he watch the Princess enter the playroom where Ziel is waiting.
"His motives are to protect Alina, find the First Princess, and kill her," Asher turned to his siblings and lean on the wall.
"What, find the first princess? You mean the one kidnapped by Virexon?" Abel asked, and Asher nod his head again. Athalia creased her forehead and look at her brothers.
"Why would he want to kill her?" Athalia asked in confusion.
"Who knows...he claims to know the future," His two younger siblings exchanged look with curiosity all over their faces.
"That demon? Did you actually conversed with him about this before?" Athalia asked. As someone who's been asleep for 287 years, she had no idea about some things that's been happening.
"Yes. I told him that he should be ready to die if he's scheming something against the Imperial Family. But, well...seems like the guy is devoted to his Princess, heh," Asher smirked and slapped his forehead while shaking his head.
"Is that alright?" Athalia stared at his brother, worried.
"It's alright. Oath of the Soul is enough. If he tries to hurt his Princess or any of the Imperial Family, then he'll die,"
"What?!"
"Oath of the Soul?!"
Abel and Athalia reacted, surprised of what they heard.
"Yeah, you heard it right. He's aware about Alina's soul too. Actually, he knew everything, and it looks like he's been watching her very closely ever since," silence fall within the Magic Tower as they all stayed quiet.
'That's...some strange obsession..." Athalia held her temple and massaged it.
'How the hell did that guy became associated with the Princess?' Abel thought, confused and curious about a lot of things.
'Kinda annoying, but it'll be better to use him well to protect Alina...and if the stories he told me were true—I'll have no choice but to kill that princess too,"
Asher's face became serious as he turn his head towards the Antares Palace, where Alina and Ziel are hanging out. He watches the two as they smile and laugh together.
'What—' Both Abel and Athalia faced their brother as they feel his mana surrounding the room.
"Bro Ash, if you're annoyed just go there," Athalia spoke. Asher ignored her as the mana subsided.
"I told her to read the book, and she's there playing...is she a kid?" Athalia blinked for a couple of times as she turn her head away from Asher and suppress a laugh.
"Well, she is a kid. The Princess had no idea about Kafziel, and didn't know that the guy is aware of her secrets. On the other hand, the guy had to pretend to be a kid in front of the Princess to not arouse suspicions," Abel spoke, Asher sighed in disbelief and shook his head, walking towards the table and chairs where his siblings are relaxing.
"Also, brother...you risked everything by allowing her to read that book. It's a secret book, you know?" Abel added, his brother leaned on the chair and closed his eyes.
"Well, she needs to read it if she wants to save Dearil," Asher answered.
"Right. Maybe it might even help her with her memories as well," Athalia added. The three of them exchanged looks and them sighed simultaneously.
"If only Sis Ley is here..." Athalia murmured and bow her head to the table, while Abel agreed to her by nodding his head.
Asher stared at the two of them.
'We don't know where Dearil's soul is hidden. But, if he asks Alina to just say his name to save him...that means his name is enough to get his soul back,' Asher thought. Staring at the ceiling of the Magic Tower.
'It'll be good too if we can depart to the Kingdom as soon as possible...'
"Brother, is it really alright for her to read that book though? Her name is there, surely," Athalia asked again. Asher yawned as he nod his head.
"It's fine. It's not like it's a secret," Asher replied, he closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
"But, you've never told the Princess about her, right?" Asher nodded again.
"Don't want to remember anything about that person," Abel and Athalia looks at each other as they turned to their brother at the same time. Asher, who had his eyes closed stayed quiet and waits for their reply.
"But..."
"It's alright. If she asked you about it, you can tell her. But, I'm sure it's written in the book as well," Asher opened his eyes as he stood up and yawned.
"I'm going back to the Antares Palace,"
The last thing he said before he disappeared. His siblings just stared at the chair where he seated and then stared at each other. They shrugged their shoulders at the same time and sighed in disbelief.
***