Hello everyone. Welcome to my first multi chapter fanfiction! I have several Naruto fictions that I've been writing for years and I figured it was time to actually put them out there and see how their received, this is the first of about five stories that I'm gonna put up to get out of my system. I'll admit I'm nervous as all hell. I've been a reader/comment-er forever though so I figured I should at least give it a shot. Any way I hope you'll all enjoy it. Flames will be put out with sarcasm or used to sharpen my wit. This first chapter is all set up so please don't be too put off by it.
It all began very simply, there was a man and he was lonely.
He did not know where he had come from or how long he had been alone, time had no meaning when there was no purpose to keep it. Ages went by when all he did was exist, searching the galaxies for another being like himself. He found many wonders during his travels but none were what he was looking for. Now this man had incredible power, the likes of which cannot be measured or conceived by us now. So as his discontent and restlessness grew he decided to test this power and create. He had grown tired of travel, he wanted a place to call his own. Instead of settling on one of the worlds he had discovered, he put together all of the things that he had come across in his wanderings and made a world with the pieces he liked. The tall thick groups of vegetation that house some of the most amazing creatures. The majestic yet mysterious bodies of clear liquid that glowed blue when put together in vast quantities. Even the harshest climate he had visited had a place in his world, the tall tan hills of gritty earth home of some of the toughest life forms. Once this was completed he invited all creatures to come and share his home with him. As well as the nine beings he had met on his travels that had become the closet he had to companions. They gladly accepted the invitation, growing tired of travel themselves and settled in the paradise the man had made. These being were not like him. They were much bigger, some walked on four legs or more and bared more resemblance to the lesser creatures of the forest then him. But they could converse and it made him feel a little less alone. For a time he was content and this was enough.
As more time passed he once again became restless, he grew jealous of his friends. They were powerful like him and spoke in a language he could understand, but they had a bond that he didn't. They were of the same family, made by the same energy and though they bickered this bond was one that even their quick tempers couldn't break. One day he decided that he wanted one of his own, a family and the bonds that came with it. So he began to study himself and everything that made him what he was, and when he felt he was ready he created two sons both born from just his mind and will. To tell them apart he made them opposite of the other, the one with the hair that shined like the sun, golden skin and the bluest eyes reminiscent of the deepest ocean was Asura. The other with hair and eyes as rich and dark as the velvet night sky and skin that glowed like the stars and moon was Indra. The two would have half of the power he did, together making a whole. His sons were strong and tall just like himself but were confused and shy at first, unsure of the world around them. Happy in a way he had never been before he began to teach them, showing them the world he had created and telling them of the ones beyond. He smiled for the first time the day they named him, he had never needed one before. They both looked at each other and grinned before saying in one voice, Father. For a while they were happy and this was enough.
As the boys grew, in mind since they were born full grown physically, their personalities began to change. Indra was the more reserved of the two, quick witted, sensitive, a fast learner and very inquisitive. He would stay up all night reading or talking to the beasts, as he affectionately named Father's first friends, hungry to discover the secrets of the universe. Asura was relaxed and outgoing, not shy about saying the first thing on his mind no matter how silly it sounded. He had to work harder at his studies, his laid back nature working against him. But he found that once he completed a task he felt a sense of accomplishment that made the frustration worth it. He didn't crave knowledge the same way his brother did, content with the world around him as it was. Still despite their differences the brothers loved one another fiercely, even when they fought you could hear the affection in their voices. Maybe it would have stayed like this if not for one request which their father blinded by his love for them couldn't help but grant. Indra after studying the creatures of the forests as well as the beast saw how their family was lacking. They did not have opposite mates such as both the beasts and the creatures had. He also felt as though they needed lesser beings, similar to them in physical shape but not power. His father was confused by the request but didn't see the harm in giving his son what he wanted. He created what he would name humans, following the laws of the creatures of his world. He made both male and females that would have to rely on the others to survive and procreate. There were about a hundred in all each possessing only a fraction of his power and knowledge. His sons quickly grew fond of the humans, over time picking a female of their own and starting families. His family had grown and his sons were satisfied and for a while this was enough.
Indra seemed to have inherited Fathers' restless nature. He began to question the rules of the universe: why his family and his brothers never grew past optimal health but the lesser humans aged and died? Where had their power come from? What was their purpose? He questioned Father and frustrated when he couldn't answer he began to shut himself away from others. As time went on he spent more of his days with the beasts taking from their vast knowledge then he did with his brother or his family. Worried Father decided to search for the answers his son craved, he prepared to leave but was hesitant. It would be his first time leaving his home since its creation and he was afraid of the consequences. So he made a decision, one decision that would alter his family forever. Before he left he put Asura in charge for no other reason besides the fact that he was worried his other absentee son would be too distracted for the task. Thinking nothing of it he left for his journey, ignoring the shiver that ran down his spine.
Father searched and searched going all the way back to where he first remembered waking. Once he reached that place he searched again hoping to find some clue about his origin. After a while he began to lose hope until one day he felt a presence that was as familiar to him as his sons. Following it to a cave he came across a woman upon an altar, eyes closed and so still he thought for a moment she was dead until he saw her chest rise and fall. Curious as to why she felt so familiar he drew closer, entranced by the amethyst color of her hair and the need to be near to her. When Father reached out a hand to touch the hair that had entranced him, the woman's eyes opened and he was shocked to see that they were the exact copy of his own. The woman sat up and smiled, pulling him into a hug. She explained that she was his mother and that when he had never returned after his expeditions she had given up hope of ever seeing him again. They talked for what may have been years, Father learning about where he had come from and telling his mother, Kaguya, of his family and home. Thrilled to meet her grandsons and share her knowledge with them she agreed to return with Father. Only when they arrived they found his home in turmoil.
Indra had been angered by Father's choice of Asura over him. Added to his frustration, restlessness and lack of sleep he become unreasonable, the feelings of betrayal and jealously settling in his heart and turning it against his brother. Using his knowledge of the beast and their weaknesses to his advantage he led a revolt against his brother with their power. He turned his own sons and family against their cousins feeding his own hatred and darkness into their hearts. Asura tried to talk to his brother and reach him through their bond but it was too late. Indra killed Asura in the middle of their final battle, when Asura had lain down his weapons instead of continuing his attack. First Indra seemed confused, not fully understanding the concept of death and life without his brother. He called for Asura, commanded him to stand, then fell to his knees beside his body when he failed to answer. Once Indra fully realized what he had done madness took over his mind. The hatred in his heart mixing with his guilt and grief turning him into a different darker version of himself. As he kneeled there the power from his brother's body began to flow into him, seeking its other half, and he became almost drunk with it. Now he was as powerful as Father and his knowledge greater, with the beast at his mercy there was no one who could stop him. In Fathers absence he commanded the world around him as well as its inhabitants and any who opposed his rule were greeted by death. When Father arrived and saw what had become of his son, fully realizing what he had done he could do nothing but weep. Kaguya stepped forward disgusted by what she saw. She took one look at Indra and judged him, seeing the darkness he had let into his soul she knew there was nothing that could be done.
After a great battle that desecrated their home she had Indra on his knees. Knife at his throat she cursed them all. The amount of blood and hatred that now polluted his home because of his choice cementing their demise. Indra and Asura doomed to rise again and again at times of great turmoil only to die by one another's hand until their selfishness and hate tore this entire cursed world apart. Indra himself cursed to love another fiercely only for them to die by his hands and Asura cursed to die by the one he valued most. With that she slit his throat. Father fell to his knees beside his son and once again wept. Moved by her son's tears Kaguya decided to give one amendment to the curse, whispering it so softly no one heard it over Fathers sobs.
With the battle won Father put his world to rights as much as he could. The beast were punished, Indra's hatred had infected them so fully they were no longer recognizable, and they were sealed away inside Indra's offspring. Those offspring and all others who held his stain on their hearts were sealed inside the earth in a realm of their own, just as cold and empty as the darkness within them, forever cursed to live beneath the world they'd stained. Asura's offspring were given a realm of their own as well, above the earth were they had met so much pain. It was just as bright and warm as Asura himself had been. The humans that were left remained on earth memories wiped of the others. Once everything was settled he found he couldn't stay, his heart to weary to remain in the world he had created. Where he had once been happy with his sons only to fail them until they tore each other apart. He had given up hope for his children and his children's children and he decided to leave with his mother. Before he did so he left rules for those that remained so that no one would be as unaware as his sons were of what darkness can do to your heart. He entrusted these commandments to Asura's offspring. With only these rules, a vague promise of his return and a whisper of his love they began to police the world Father had once cherished doing their best to keep it from darkness. Similarly overcome with anger at their punishment Indra's offspring tried their best to taint it completely. The world became their chess board and humans their pieces. The battle continued for millenniums each side playing by their own rules but functionally stuck in a stale mate. They learned to be content with what little victories they could actually make.
And for a while this was enough.