I AM

Reflections of the Dark Lord

Chapter one: creation

[The Dark Lord of Nightmares'] is an

existence that cannot be understood

-The Clare Bible

Some times the gods win and sometimes the monsters,

but nothing changes. No one even remembers why

they are fighting.

-VaalGaav.

I AM

The first thought ever, by the first being ever to exist.

WHO AM I?

The conciseness questioned. The answer came immediately, from the same mind that had asked the question.

I AM MYSELF!

The entity had to accept that as truth. But it still did not understand! It had infinite knowledge but not infinite comprehension. It did not understand it's own existence. And its existence was all there was. Then the being decided that to understand itself, it would have to stand out side itself. So using a fraction of its unlimited power it created a vessel. As there was no language before this point the entity had to make up the words as it went along, and It called the vessel Human and Female. So it poured its essence into the mind of the vessel. The human form had the emotions and soul of the being while the power and knowledge where contained in the original. She examined the body of the vessel, this was something new to her, something from her imagination, but she felt she borrowed this form from one who was to come and that "person" would be very important. She looked at her hair and it was long and blonde. Then she looked at her surroundings and saw around her a swirling sea, which contained every color imaginable. Neither the colors nor anything about the sea was constant. It was shapeless and constantly changing. "Chaos," the vessel observed. And so the first word ever vocalized was Chaos. "Is this me?" she asked.

WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS ME, YOU ARE MY SPIRIT… YES THIS IS YOU.

Thus the second living creature, which was merely a mirror of the first, began to speak with her creator, with herself. "And who are you?"

I AM YOU, YOU ARE ME. I AM ALL THAT EXISITS I AM EVERYTHING.

The human-form pouted. This wasn't helping at all. "Alright what are you called?"

I HAVE NO NEED OF A NAME, FOR I AM ALL THAT IS. IN THE FUTURE OTHERS WILL CREATE NAMES FOR ME. FOR NOW "I" WILL DO.

"Others, I have thought of that term before. I know the meaning of the word, but I do not understand the concept. Are not you, I, we the only thing to exist?" The blonde wanted to know the answer.

FOR NOW WE ARE THE ONLY ONE, YES. BUT LATER OTHERS WILL COME, AND THEY WILL NAME US.

"How will this come to pass? How will the "others" come into existence?" The girl thought she was starting to get somewhere.

I WILL CREATE THEM. ALL MANNERS OF CREATURES, GODS, MONSTERS, DRAGONS AND YES… HUMANS.

"In this form I have no access to the limitless knowledge that I have inside you. So tell me what will these others call you? What name will they give us?"

THEY SHALL KNOW US BY MANY NAMES, "MOTHER OF EVERYTHING", "ONE WHO SHINES LIKE GOLD UPON THE SEA OF CHAOS", "THE CREATOR", "THE DESTOYER" BUT ABOVE ALL THEY SHALL CALL US "THE DARK LORD OF NIGHTMARES"

"Dark Lord of Nightmares?" The vessel repeated. "What is your purpose?"

OF THAT I AM STILL NOT SURE. WITHIN ME IS THE URGE TO CREATE, BUT ALSO THE URGE TO DESTROY.

The mystery continued to bother the girl. There was much more to comprehend but for now she needed the knowledge and power of the whole. So the human form was reabsorbed into the sea of chaos. And she created; first she called into being a thrown at the top of a tall staircase. Form this golden chair she would be able to view all of her creations in human form and understand the lesson they would teach her. The next thing she made was a collection of small shinny objects. These crystals were her chosen children, special souls who she would implant in the worlds throughout time. And she divided the crystals into two bags one contained the crystals that radiated light they would be champions of order and good. The other bag would contain the crystals that where dark. The dark crystals would become champions of chaos and evil. Then she noticed something; one of the light crystals was flawed? No that was impossible, yet it was neither light nor dark but a combination of the two. She sensed that crystal would still be important, maybe more important then all the rest, so she put it aside in a special place.

Then she created the playing field where immortal and mortal beings would fight, to help her figure out her own nature. The playing field was made up of more than one reality. If the denizens of one world failed to help her decide, there would always be others. Then she filled each reality with stars and planets. Then she descended to one of the worlds with and handful of each of the crystals in her hands. She assumed her human form so that she would be able to communicate with the beings she was about to bring into existence, but shrouded herself in a golden aura so they would be able to know her importance. She threw the light crystals in one direction and the dark ones in another.

Where the crystals landed monstrous and beautiful beings appeared. The two groups of newly formed beings stared at each other, and where filled with an instant hatred. Not knowing who they where, or why they hated each other, they prepared to destroy one another.

Then the lady spoke in a voice that was unbelievably powerful for the tiny body from which it came. "Stop! You want to fight and this is right, for it is the reason you where created. But first you must know the reason why you must fight, and who I am. Do you wish to know me?"

Both sides cringed away from the girl. She was much smaller than most of them, but the light she emitted was incredibly powerful, and painful for both sides to behold. "Who are you?" the biggest of the dark ones asked, his red eyes glowing with evil. "And who are we?"

"I" said the girl. "Am the one who created you. In the womb of my sea of chaos, the entire universe, everything that exists in it and all that lies beyond was conceived. And though I created you and want to see you thrive, I also wish to see you return to your original form in the sea of chaos. And to determine which of these twin urges shall rule me I have created you the gods and monsters to fight. It will be a long war, lasting untold ages. But when either good or evil has been completely banished from the world, my choice will be made. In case you fail there are others who can help me determine my nature."

Both sides where immediately awed by her. Both feared her, with good reason for she created them, and could undo them in an instant. It was days before one of the beings gained the courage to ask the next question, but to the immortal creatures it seemed like minutes. "So we are mealy tools to be used in some self discovery experiment?" the largest of the light ones inquired.

The lady looked at him and smiled. "Yes you are tools. But you have life now; you can enjoy yourself, all of you. I have given the great gift of existence to you all, and all I ask in return is for you to help me discover my true nature. Now you lord of the gods" she indicated the largest of the light ones. "Shall be known as Seiphied. And you Lord of monsters…" She turned to the giant dark one. "shall be called the Dark Lord Shabrinigdo. You may find suitable names for your minions. Depart now with out violence." At this the monsters collectively let out a low growl. They wanted to spill the blood of these so-called gods. But then a brilliant magical bolt stuck between the two forces. "I SAID DEPART," The lady yelled angrily. "There will soon be more than enough blood spilt to fill your appetite. Leave now. If any of you monster or god defies me, their very existence will be forfeit. I shall reappear to you many times as I introduce the other races, which will help you. For now leave me."

Seiphied walked forward, "Forgive me for being so bold my lady but what should we call you? You gave Shabrinigdo and myself free reign to name our servants, but it would be utter presumption for us to name you."

Once more the lady smiled at Seiphied. "A name is something others give you. Up till now I have been alone. I know every name I will ever be called but it is you who must give them to me. But to choose a proper name you must now a little bit more about my nature. I am the mother of everything. A creator, and a harbinger of destruction. I have dominion over all terrible dreams."

It was Shabrinigdo who spoke next. "You are the Dark Lord of Nightmares."

The Lady now smiled at Shabrinigdo and bowed to him, "The Dark Lord of the Monsters has given me a name. It is the first of many that shall be given to me. Hence fourth let it be known the Dark Lord of Nightmares is the creator of this world and may one day be known as it's destroyer," After both monster and god had retreated the Dark Lord of Nightmares continued on her way. She created many worlds and countless armies. Always on each world, there was a force of order, creation and good, and a force of chaos, destruction and evil.

Then she returned to her thrown. And in unison to the other part of herself that was known as the sea of chaos she issued an order to all of creation. It was one word, "Begin," that one word hailed the start of the great war, the war that would take place throughout time, the war in which all of creation hung in the balance. The great experiment had begun…

Within a dark tower in a desolate wasteland the Monster Race had made it's home. Shabrinigdo heard the command in his head, he new his generals had heard it as well but he told them anyway, "At last my servants, the great mother has given us the signal to begin our assault against the detestable gods. Hellmaster Phibirizo, I have given you command of the underworld, which is under our domain, and you shall be responsible for extracting information from prisoners and will help me to plot strategy. Gaav the Demon Dragon King, you will be my bodyguard and will defend me," one by one he told the members of the Monster Race the "Mazoku" what their tasks would be.

Far away in a grand castle, Sephide ruler of the Gods made similar plans. "…And the Water Dragon King shall be my defender when I go into battle. If we wipe the face of evil from this world then our mother will smile upon us. But if the monsters win, she will destroy everything. We must not fail."

All the Gods raised their hands in unison. Chanting, they took to the skies. Flying to a pre-arranged location. There they met with Shabrinigdo's forces. "So" said the ruby-eyed demon "it begins."

"Yes" Sephide responded "and by the end only one of us will survive."

END OF CHAPTER ONE.

COMING IN CHAPTER 2: A new race is introduced, but within the ranks of the Dragons, there is a secret war commencing. The next chapter in Reflections of the Dark Lord is "The third ancient Race: War of the Dragons." The true nature must be reveled!