This is, what I believe at least, to be a unique One-Shot. Literally, I haven't seen many delve into what Chaos is, how it works... or how the world before the Sealing was. So, I decided I'd write it up as Part of this AU. It's not needed, but it does actually give some potential context.
Also, this can be seen as separate if you so wish. It's a story that is compliant to the AU, but technically not needed. Read on!
Disclaimer: I do not own Nanatsu no Taizai, nor the characters.
Has it ever been wondered, how it is the Universe came to be? Has it ever been wondered, how life came to exist? How the first humanoid races came to be?
It wouldn't be a known fact, no doubt there. After all, there is no true way to have any records of the start of time. However, contrary to what some believe... some know how the world first started.
And the first step of the world, came in the form of Chaos.
Merlin remembers clearly, when it was the first time she'd heard about Chaos.
The Wisemen from Belialuin had offhandedly gossiped about it. And in hindsight, she wonders how it hadn't been spoken about more often past that point.
After all, the Wisemen there would have researched about it. With all she'd heard them mention, it was impossible for them not to have done so.
And yet, besides that one time... Chaos? There were hardly any Books holding that knowledge.
Up until then, she had already devoured a large amount of Knowledge, and yet, there was nothing about Chaos.
It was such a mystery, and it both frustrated, but also excited her to no end. This... this satiation of her curiosity-! Maybe it would be able to fill that gap in her heart.
Still, for all the ifs, she still had no way to truly complete this puzzle.
So, after thinking about it, she decided the only way to know more, was to see those Wisemen herself and learn how they even obtained that knowledge to begin with.
It had been surprisingly easy to get the answers, although it didn't help her much either.
They'd socialized with other Wizards that weren't from Belialuin, who'd mentioned to them about Chaos. Apparently, the entire story had been spread to other Witches and Wizards, but the origin point wasn't known.
It was annoying, but all it really did to Merlin was excite her about the prospect of finding where the Source had come from.
And find it she would. She was certain of it...
After all that researching, Merlin had found a lead as to where 'Chaos' had come from to the Mages.
Apparently, a Lady close to the Lake of Salisbury had spoken of Chaos. And as the only lead she could actually follow, she headed there.
Belialuin could not stop her anymore.
And then, she arrived at the edge of the Lake. But there was no one close.
It was to be expected. She wasn't sure if this Lady even still remained here or not. The first Mage who'd gotten word had said it had been months since then.
''Maybe I won't see her...''
Unexpectedly, a voice did speak.
''Greetings there, Traveler.''
Merlin froze before immediately sensing from where the voice came from. She looked at the Lake.
''Curious. Are you a Person in the Lake, or are you the Lake speaking to me?''
Her curiosity was already getting the best of her. But how could she not?
The Lake chuckled.
''The answer is both. I am the Lady of the Lake.''
Very curious indeed. Still, there was a purpose for being here, and she needed that above all else to be done.
''I will go right to the point. I've heard many Mages mention 'Chaos', and the origin point of it? Is you.'' she stepped onto the Lake, having no fear of actually falling into the water.
''The fact you shared something so unknown means there has to be a reason. So I'm curious... what is Chaos?''
There was a great many things Merlin had expected after she waited for the answer.
''He... Hehahaha!''
Laugher hadn't been one of them.
''Oh... now that is something I was hoping for. Someone traced back what I said to me? Magnificent. Share me your name, and I shall tell you everything you want to know about Chaos.''
It confirmed to Merlin the Lady of the Lake would not hesitate to share.
''My name is Merlin. And you... Lady of the Lake, have answers I would like to hear.''
''Certainly, Merlin.'' she gave an amused laugh, ''Certainly. Now, where do I begin?''
''Explain to me what Chaos is, at its simplest form.'' that would be a good start. The Lady of the Lake seemed to agree, as she answered her.
''At its simplest form, Chaos is simply life. It is the creator of the world, after all. But... you don't quite mean it that way, do you?''
Merlin doesn't answer.
''To answer what may be more prevalent, Chaos is Power at its most rawest. It is everything, and means you can do anything with it. Reality and Illusion. Heal and Harm. Curse and Blessings. Creation and Destruction. Everything can be done with it... should you, of course, have enough power.''
That was a given. If you weren't strong enough, then of course you wouldn't be able to do half of what she'd just heard.
Except it also returned to the core problem of this all.
''If Chaos is truly this powerful, then how is it that there are barely any whispers about it? It took me this much effort to even find a single clue about that power.''
It was a point of interest Merlin hoped the Lady of the Lake had answers for. And she did.
A hum, ''That, I'm afraid to say, is because of the Demon King and Supreme Deity.''
So the Gods were behind this?
''What have they done?''
''That, Merlin, is a long story. Make yourself comfortable, for this will also cause me to explain the Age of that before the Gods.''
Ah, something else to learn? All the better. The Age of that before the Gods...
''I'm all ears.''
''Good. Now, let us go back to a period before all five races were present in Britannia...''
Before there were any worlds. Before there was any true sentience, the ever-expanding Abyss came to be. Was it born from something else? Chaos did not know. But it found itself to not care. Instead, it decided, as limited as its sentience was, to create.
Of course, it did not truly know how to actually create life. But nonetheless, it did. And so, Britannia came to be. But it knew that simply creating a field was not truly life. At best, it had created a stable world for something to thrive on. But what? Chaos wondered what it should create to truly fill in this world it had created.
And so, Chaos began to create life. It created creatures that could devour the world. It created Gods that held power unimaginable and only second to itself, and even created Wildlife that was unique among its kind. This, was the Era of the Gods.
Upon their creation, the Demon King and Supreme Deity -at the time nameless- had been born young.
Not as babies, and perhaps not as children. But they had been created as Teenagers. Or at least, the image of what a Teenager would become, in the future.
And contrary to popular belief, they hadn't been born all-powerful Gods or even looked like they would in the future.
With a rather shocking resemblance to their future offsprings in their youth -although they didn't look like exact copies either-, that being of a short Blond with Emerald eyes and a girl with Silver hair and blue eyes. They would grow up to look gradually different as they worked their way up to Godhood, but until that point in time, there were no traces of the Demon King or Supreme Deity.
It was a simple reminder of how different that time period was, compared to current times.
There had been no race qualifications. There hadn't been a limit of 'them' either, in fact. It wasn't just the Demon King and the Supreme Deity or even the Sacred Tree. There had been more.
Other beings created from Chaos, be it humanoid, an animal, or even a plant, had come to be during that time.
The Humanoid race had no name, and they had never been given one either. But calling them a race of Gods seemed befitting, had a label been given at that time.
After all, each of them had been born with the same potential. Each of them could reach levels Britannia's modern times could only dream of.
Of course, it had never received that name. No matter how much time passed, neither had names. At that time, names seemed irrelevant. Even then, however, the need for one began to exist, but 'names' weren't what they received.
They'd made up titles and forever used them as names since then.
Time passed. The Gods grew, aged, and became more. Only the future Demon King and Supreme Deity became noteworthy to Chaos, however. Only they went one step further than any of their other brethren.
They created their own Races. The creations became the creators. And not just living beings, but even separate realms from the living realm.
The Demon Realm was created alongside the Demon Clan.
The Celestial Realm was created alongside the Goddess Clan.
Around that time, out of the many Seeds Chaos had created alongside the initial creation of the Gods, only one fully matured to its own Godly state, albeit separate from the Demon and Goddess Deities.
Soon after, the Fairy Clan came to be. And what a surprise that had been for not just Chaos, but the Gods as well.
Chaos, seeing how its progeny were beginning to create their own Races in an image closer to their own, decided to try creating something new closer to it.
And so, the Giant Clan came to be. Alas, battling was their very life, to the point of destroying each other. Even to Chaos, this was unacceptable.
It did not eliminate the Race, for it hoped there would be some unique individuals past their barbarity, or that they would evolve, but Chaos considered them failures.
It tried again.
And then, the Sons of Man were born.
And Chaos, truly felt like it had created the most perfect beings. In its eyes, at least. They held everything it desired.
Of course, the Gods held apprehension. Even jealousy their own creator favored the Race with so many weaknesses. However, it was a small problem in comparison that would only truly backfire against Chaos, after another Event.
For the Gods became worshipped. And that in and of itself wouldn't be a problem... except the creations of the Demon King and Supreme Deity also began to worship those other gods, and rarely, Chaos itself.
To say both Creator Gods were disapproving of the matter would be an understatement. It would have been one thing if it was just the Humans, but nay, all other races followed suit.
And they found that they could not accept their creations worshipping other Gods.
What happened afterward, was a War between Gods.
One the Demon King and Supreme Deity stood victorious over. Their appearance changed even more so to what they would be known as. A Demon King, fully armored in Armor that reeked of Darkness. A Supreme Deity, with a complete set of 10 Wings on her back while her face was forever illuminated by Light.
Chaos had abstained from participating, considering how the conflict was only between the Gods. However, Chaos felt saddened its first humanoid creations had nearly all died. But it accepted the situation nonetheless.
Still, a fear built up for both remaining Gods. A fear that their Creator, now the only true being superior to them, would take the worship of their own races away from them. With a being of such light and darkness, some couldn't help but be awed at it.
Truthfully, the Demon King and Supreme Deity's fear of their creator being worshipped seemed gradually truer, as time passed after the War between Gods. For some indeed began to worship it.
Seeing it as unacceptable again, they agreed to work together, and seal Chaos away. This would be the last time both entities would work together. At least, when this tale was told.
However, they hadn't simply sealed Chaos away. While it was done so much easier due to its bodiless state, Chaos was still powerful.
So, they split its Power throughout the Mortal Realm, and even their own Realms, as to weaken it further. For even if it did break free, Chaos would never truly be able to fight against them. Not without building up power again, and they would notice the Second it broke free...
As of their last time cooperating, both Gods agreed to never, under any circumstances, do anything about Chaos and its Power.
In addition, they both separately wiped away Chaos from any records. One by one, little by little... as people slowly forgot or died to the grave with that knowledge...
Until today, both Gods prosper even as enemies, while Chaos is left all but forgotten, save for a few select beings still out there, even today.
In the end, the Gods of Light and Dark had the last laugh, and their Era started. But would it last, as they so wished?
Chaos' power quickly faded away from memories. And now, it's merely forgotten by all but a few. Scattered throughout Britannia due to its sealing, the few who know covert to bring Chaos back...
However, the scattered Pieces of Chaos, without true individuality left due to the nature of their separation, simply began to mutate the regions they resided in. Any chances of recovering those pieces of Chaos, that primordial power, was all but lost...
''And that is how the world we knew it today as is.'' the Lady of the Lake finished.
Merlin had listened the entire way, fascinated by what she'd heard. Finally, her lust for answers had been satiated... at least, mostly so.
''I see... so that is the entire story.'' fascinating. Completely and utterly fascinating. She'd never expected to hear this much of that time Era. The time of the Gods...
Still, she needed to get back on track.
''I finally received the context as for why Chaos was sealed. However... tell me, the way you're implying it, Chaos isn't truly gone.''
''Quite so. Chaos has been scattered through not only Britannia, but even the Celestial and Demon Realm. Even though Chaos itself is sealed away, it did not stop its power entirely.''
So, if she's hearing this right...
''It would be possible to still harness it?''
''Yes. However, whatever someone may obtain will be a pale comparison compared to Chaos itself. You could grow it stronger, and it may even be worth it, but I would not be surprised if the Demon King and Supreme Deity acted, if they sensed an inkling of Chaos' Magic.''
So no advancements could be made. Nothing could be done with Chaos so long the Gods still stood.
''Tell me, Merlin...'' The Saint of Chaos spoke in another tone now, much more carefully, ''Is it, even if for your curiosity, that you wish to see Chaos unleashed?''
Truthfully? Chaos' release could be what she needs to fill that hole she's felt since then. And if a Power such as Chaos were to be released back to the world...
''Perhaps. I am quite curious indeed.''
The Saint remained quiet, before giving a sound that was likely a held-back laugh in either joy or perhaps even mocking before she went back to being quiet. For a moment, at least.
''Then, I may have a proposition for you.''
''I'm all ears.''
''Chaos itself may be sealed away, but its power is still within this world. One of those locations just so happens to be this Lake.''
Ah, so a Shard of Chaos had been spread here. What luck.
''Chaos itself is sealed away, that cannot be changed so long one of the Gods stands. The seal is unlikely to cave away with them present. However, if we used the Piece of power present and grew it stronger, then perhaps...'' but the Saint gave pause to her thoughts.
''How would that even work?'' Merlin was infinitely curious about how that process worked.
''This is a theory and hasn't been tried yet. So everything I'm about to say is most heavily on speculation,'' she warned her, and then explained.
''Have you ever heard of the theory that with enough time, if a foreign Magic resided in you, then you would be capable of using said Magic?''
Merlin did hear about it. However, it was a theory and didn't actually answer what she'd asked. However, she went along for now.
''Yes. It's supposed that if you were possessed, that because there are two different Souls in a body, that said body would be capable of taking in both Souls Original Magic.''
It was still a new thing but it has been heard off. However, the practice had quickly become forbidden for the way this is to even be achieved.
''Indeed. However, what you've just said might not be quite the only way to inherit Magic.'' now that got her curiosity.
''At the end of the day, the body is the Vessel. What do you imagine happens, if someone were to receive a constant source of Chaos Magic, and without awakening their own?''
Following that line of thinking, if you constantly pulled from said source, then you theoretically should eventually be able to use it without that source. But if that's true, then...
''Chaos would be back in the world.''
''Indeed Merlin. I will admit that I have no solid plan as of yet, but for Chaos' Age to return, we require the Seal to break alongside a Ruler, King or Queen, to be capable of wielding Chaos. Without both, the Age of Light and Dark will never end.''
So that was the situation...
And Merlin? She felt excited. Chaos could be unleashed. And if she did...
''Then, I imagine it's time to get to work, no?''
A chuckle, ''Indeed we do.''
And so, while Light and Dark fought, Chaos was moving in the cracks made between the conflicts.
And those cracks... well, only time would tell if they would be enough or not.
However, not all was lost for Chaos.
Left in pieces as it may be, there had been one location it had scattered, which still retained its power instead of scattering into the wilderness.
While Chaos itself was sealed inside moss, gaining a true shell in the form of the Mother of Chaos, with what power it had left, another piece had made its way towards the Lady of the Lake.
The Saint of Chaos, as she was once named, gave up her Piece of Chaos, and embedded it into the once common Holy Sword, Excalibur, found by Merlin. And then, strengthened with Chaos, it was given to the Master Swordsman Carfen.
Unexpectedly, the once Common sword became something much more than just a sword. Cleansed with the Blood and Soul of several users, the Piece of Chaos inside it strengthened alongside it. And eventually, it won enough sentience back to choose its wielders.
The piece of Chaos inside it became more than just a piece that was lucky to find its way to one of its creations, and then, one day... the Holy Sword was drawn by Arthur Pendragon.
The Future King of Chaos.
This one-shot was so unbelievably hard without taking into account I'm so not sure if I have Merlin in character or not. On one hand, I tried to keep it compliant with what we know about Chaos. On the other hand, I had to write it in a way that made it hopefully clear enough what my intention for this story is.
I had thought this would be longer, but turns out that no. The talk about Chaos was surprisingly short, all things considered. And speaking about it...
I'll be taking some creative liberties with Chaos. While Four Knights of the Apocalypse is undergoing, I highly doubt I'm going to get anything to be truly compliant with it. So don't expect it to fully fit with SDS' sequel.
Anyway, initially, this was supposed to be an expanded backstory on the Demon King and Supreme Deity. It did end up turning into a focus point for Chaos, but the Past was absolutely the most fun I had in writing, considering the rest turned out more complicated than I'd expected. Also, something of importance just in case. While the Lady of the Lake tells a similar story to Merlin, don't imagine she's saying the thing word for word. Imagine she's heading with that context, and that's it.
So yeah... can you all already guess what I have in mind, for this Curse-Swap AU that's mixed in with Lucifer? Because trust me, I'm hoping to make this grand. But yeah, when I do release the next part of this series, we're going in Season 1. Now, if it follows Canon or not remains to be seen, but until then...?
Well, wait and see. And btw, I've edited ''Eternal Star'' so if you haven't read the edits, I suggest you do. Not that you have to, but I do believe it makes it more enjoyable... so long I didn't miss anything when checking for any mistakes, though I'm pretty sure I could have missed something.
Anyway, I'll see you all -eventually- for the continuation of this story. See ya!