God(?) Save Our King! / Kyo Kara Maou!:
"When the Shadows Move"
~~~PROLOGUE~~~
In the Beginning with Everything and Nothing
It was an old myth that lived for as long as the world had.
It was told but never written, known yet never proven, sought but never found...
Shared amongst travelers and wanderers who struggled in the feud between Mazokus and Humans, it was a folklore that gave a sense of comfort and freedom that enables children to still dream. Though adults were careful to hide the dark secrets lingering within the tale, no one could stop the imagination that kept the story alive through generations.
It was the Myth of the Lithium Rose.
Darkness...
Oblivion...
Emptiness...
Void...
Those were the only words that could describe the place of my birth back then. It was so deep and empty that these current thoughts that I am speaking about did not even cross my mind even once. I could not even register the coldness back then.
There were times that I could hear voices. People nowadays call them prayers, the act or practice of wishing and speaking to God(s). Each of them came and went before I could categorize the voices. This made me wonder if I really am a God...or at least, something close to one.
After everything was over and the voices passed, I become numb.
Then, there is nothingness again.
There was a time long before the legend of Shinou (the Great One) and the Daikenja (the Great Sage) as they fought against the overwhelming reign of Soushu (the Originators).
It was said that all countries, mazoku or human territory, were once one and united. In fact, there was no difference between Mazoku and Humans back then. Everyone had access to magic, had the same general lifespan, and had the same traditions. Dragons, Kotsuhizoku, and other friendly mythical creatures lived at the outskirts of the island or just in the wilderness without disturbance.
There was unity and peace.
Back then, the world was referred as Sanctum. It was the ultimate continent considered to be similar to Earth's Pangaea. All kingdoms ever known were together in this land as one solid nation.
Eight pillars are held on each of the eight directions of the land, each guarded by specific entities. The north, northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest are each occupied by five guilds which are considered to be top-notch academies. The west and east are protected by the clans of Tsukiyomi and Amaterasu respectively as they reside within the vast mountains located in the area.
As mentioned before, there was no distinct difference between Mazoku and Human at this particular time and era.
The people who dwelled in the land of Sanctum are called the Elven Race.
Within this race, there were three important archetypes that uphold the authority and security of Sanctum: the Romani Gypsies, the Elemental Sprites, and the Oracle Knights.
The Romani Gypsies are the wandering keepers of Sanctum who maintain the harmony among citizens and even between mythical creatures. They have primary knowledge of Contract Magic, in which the wielder must call upon the help of spirits existing within nature in order to call forth Zen (energy) and utilize it. This ability is severely limited and is only of use when the spirits deem the usage of magic to be righteous and justified, given with the correct incantations and will.
The Elemental Sprites are the teachers and minds of the society. They are the ones responsible for the founding of the five guilds: the Vermillion Phoenixes of the north, the White Tigers of the northeast, the Black Turtle-Serpents of the southeast, the Aubergine Kirins of the southwest, and the Cerulean Dragons of the northwest.
Aside from educating and training future possible Romani Gypsies, the five guilds were also used as temples that worship the Five Elemental Deities. The Vermillion Phoenixes are followers of Suzaku (fire), the White Tigers are of Byakko (wind/air), the Black Turtle-Serpents are of Genbu (earth), the Aubergine Kirins are of Raitei (lightning), and the Cerulean Dragons are of Seiryuu (water). As connoted by the name of their guilds, the deities take the form of mythical creatures but could also attain an elven form.
Elemental Sprites also use a different type of magic called the Vessel Sprite Magic. This method is used by individuals whose physical prowesses cannot live up to the great strain that must be endured through the making of a contract with an element. This is usually due to some kind of impure or weak heritage that does not possess an affinity for any of the five elements, therefore allowing any of the Five Deities to take claim.
Finally, there are the Oracle Knights. They are the official ministers of the court who govern the whole of Sanctum in order to maintain an orderly and consistent society within the land. These knights are distinguished to have the potential to utilize all elements and types of Zen. The leader is revered as the Ancient, in which he/she is entrusted by the Five Deities to lead the Elven Race to everlasting prosperity.
Sadly, none of the above were EVER proven nor recorded in the history books.
This may be due to the abrupt appearance of Soushu as they dominated the world and engulfed it in darkness, leaving the Sanctum History in ruins and never to be seen.
How the malicious entity of Soushu came to be in the first place is a mystery yet to be given specific details...
Through that time in oblivion, there were two prominent voices that I kept on hearing among all others. Time after time, I felt as if I was being pulled out of the eternal darkness...if only for the moment that I heard either of the voices.
One would always speak with what the Elves call fondness.
The other would reply with equal enthusiasm.
It was not long when I started to get interested on both inidividuals.
They were...radiant.
It was a nice change to the dark.
However, one of the voices became ominous and malicious. I thought it was a phase in which most of the youthful Elves must go through and overcome, just as how most pray for.
It was my mistake to ignore it.
It was also my sin to respond to it.
All for freedom...
At such a peaceful era, the Lithium Rose existed as a beacon that serves as the scale to maintain a harmonious balance between the positive and negative energy of the world. It possesses untold power that is said to be the source of all Zen. It serves as the core of Sanctum and the rest of the realm in which it stands.
It is the Ancient's duty to make sure that the Lithium Rose will never be touched by another existence, for it will be tainted once it happens.
If the Lithium Rose is tainted, the overwhelming power it holds will unleash unspeakable calamity to the entirety of Sanctum or even the other worlds.
This dark force is what the Elven Race labeled as Sin, an energy fed with Fear.
This Sin gave birth to what Mazoku and Humans came to know as Soushu.
Such a statement leads us to several questions, but three are most significant...
What are the events that transpired in order for Sanctum to become the world it is today?
How were Mazoku, Humans, and even the Shinzoku ended up being divided races from the Elven Ancestry?
Most of all...
Who dared to taint the sacredity of the Lithium Rose?
There is one story that needs to be told, another that is being written, and the last is yet to be realized at all.
Are you prepared to tread this path of mortal peril, knowing that your innocent self may not go unscathe?
Will you be able to embrace the sins that would come along with the knowledge of this twisted tale?
If so, then let us begin.
We welcome you with open arms, Fair Dreamer.
CREDITS
Written by: Sainan01
Edited by: AstridClaire
Characterization of OCs: Sainan01 & AstridClaire
Directed/Revised by: EmSAh
Banner Artist: AstridClaire
Produced by: Sainan01
*DISCLAIMER*
Sainan01, AstridClaire, and EmSAh do not own "God(?) Save Our King!" / "Kyo Kara Maou!"
AUTHORS' NOTES
Sainan01: Jejeje, well i would not lie you guys, if you want us to continue this story that we are making… LEAVE REVIEWS, anyways bye lol.
AstridClaire: Well, this one was an added chapter from me specifically. If Sainan01 posted this, then I hope you enjoy! This story is going to be a bit darker than planned.
EmSAh: Yeah, so better be prepared. Tons of yaoi goodness are coming your way as well now that I'm here. Anyway, take note of some changes in the format. Pairings are in the next page.
Linebreaks = change scenes; three dots = slight timeskip; two dots = change of PoV; one dot = memory flashes