Zelaria stopped in the middle of the dark forest, under rising light of dawn, dropping to their knees. They pushed their face closer to the bushes...
Nyph stopped as well, turning to look. "What is it this time?" she sighed.
"I saw something move," Zelaria replied, not removing their gaze from the bush.
"You saw something move two minutes ago," Nyph stated. "And two minutes before that - and two minutes before that...At this rate, we're not getting out of this forest until noon. Possibly sundown."
"We have time," Zelaria dismissed.
"The ones we're going to meet don't; People have finite lifespans, unlike us!" Nyph insisted, more firmly now.
"But so do the animals," Zelaria countered, shuffling forward and reaching a hand slowly through the branches and thick leaves... "If I miss seeing them-"
"I know you're young, so let me tell you this straight: the animals are all pretty much the same," Nyph cut across. "If you've seen one, you've seen them all. But People are different - they're as unique as us. And if you miss them, you miss out on something really special. The plants and creatures can't even talk - they're boring, Zelaria! You're just wasting-"
A deep, powerful growl echoed from within the bushes, and Zelaria was suddenly thrown backwards by a flash of blue. A large, four-legged beast, of shaggy blue fur and horns, with a trailing tail of blue fire, had leapt out at Zelaria!
Zelaria rolled across the ground before coming to a stop right at Nyph's feet. They raised their head and blinked up at Nyph. "That wasn't boring."
"Look what you did now!" Nyph huffed with exasperation. She stooped down and seized Zelaria's arm, pulling them up and shoving them back behind herself. She raised a hand of purple icy mist and swirling shards...and sent out a fierce bolt toward the beast. The creature leapt swiftly to the side, avoiding it completely. Nyph's attack struck a tree; a large, icy tower exploded out of the tree's trunk, causing it to split in two and fall over with a great crash.
The beast roared and charged straight at Nyph, heavy clawed paws pounding on the dirt. It drew closer, then leapt forward and swung one of those claws - which now burned with blue flames!
Nyph raised both hands before her now, and the air shimmered with dark, hexagonal panes of crystal that formed a wall between her and the creature. The creature's claws slashed across the barrier, leaving deep grooves in it that burned with wisps of blue fire. It gazed at Nyph, then drew its head back and rammed the barrier full force with its horned head. The barrier bent and rippled, and cracks spread out across it rapidly. Nyph frowned, then shook her head and leapt up, twisting over the creature high above. She thrust a hand down, and a powerful blast of ice struck the beast's backside; the ice erupted into a thick mound that spread across the beast's body, pinning it to the ground.
Nyph landed behind it, and she flourished a hand, sending out a gust of wind and a torrent of dark purple particles of energy. The particles fluttered around the beast, and then began to sink into its body. The beast gave a frustrated roar, trying to free itself from its bind - but then, it quieted, and suddenly slumped down into the dirt. Nyph breathed relief, lowering her hand and striding around to its front quickly. When she saw its closed eyes, she let a smile come to her lips. She tossed her head, glancing over to Zelaria, who was watching in fascination.
"That's why we can't keep stopping like this," Nyph told them. "Some animals are dangerous. They like to travel, and hunt. And we look like small, easy prey for them to kill and eat. You can lose your existence if you're too careless! Do you want that?"
Zelaria frowned at that. They looked down at themself - then at the creature. Then, they looked to Nyph. "No."
"Then let's go - and no more stopping!" Nyph declared. She turned and headed off in the direction they'd been going thus far - but stopped when she saw Zelaria wasn't following.
Zelaria was still gazing at the creature. "Why didn't you end its existence?" they asked, puzzled. "if it was trying to end ours? Couldn't it try it again?"
Nyph gave a small laugh, stepping over to them. "Some of us would have - some would say it's smarter."
"But you wouldn't? Why?"
"It's not a threat now, is it?" Nyph said. She raised an arm, leaned over, and placed her hand right on the beast's large snout - right between its horns. "It's sound asleep."
"But it's going to wake up later."
"It will - but we won't be here when it does. And it will probably just go back to its den, or at least wander off somewhere else."
"But there's still a chance-"
"Of course there is!" Nyph exclaimed. "But if we went around destroying everything and everyone with a chance of hurting us, this realm would be pretty empty. Wouldn't you agree? And then there wouldn't be any animals to observe and be curious about. I have more reasons to leave it alive than I do to end its existence. But besides that - you saw me deal with it, didn't you? Only the weak need to kill; I'm powerful enough to not need to destroy it. It's no great risk to me. Get it?"
Zelaria gazed at her, then at the creature. At where her hand was touching its nose. "I think I understand that. At the least, I wouldn't want to make the realm emptier. I want to see more of them."
"There you are, then," Nyph said, smiling again. She patted the beast's snout and stepped away. "Now let's go. If you think these things are interesting, you're going to love People," she added, starting off again through the woods.
"People...They're the 'Life' that came from the Lights?" Zelaria said, hurrying to catch up to her at last.
"That's right. They're basically like us."
"Except they don't live as long as us."
"No, they don't," Nyph agreed sadly. She tried to smile again. "But they're always growing and changing - evolving. Like the animals and the plants do. Like this whole realm does. They're a part of it, too, in a way. More than we are. And when they're at their smallest and newest in the realm..."
"What?"
"They're at their cutest."
"Cutest...?"
Nyph laughed, and reached over to pat Zelaria on the arm. "You'll see. They're a lot like you, actually: always asking questions, being curious about the world around them. It's just so cute."
"So am I...cute?"
"As cute as can be," Nyph said, beaming. Zelaria just stared at her. "That's called a compliment, and you're supposed to stay thank you," she went on, in a mutter.
"Thank you?"
"You're welcome."
Zelaria looked baffled. They looked away, gazing around themself again as the pair continued onward.
Secretly, Nyph was grateful for it; sometimes there was such a thing as too many questions! Even she had her limits. And playing attendant to a fresh-faced new being like this...but she couldn't have just left them out there on their own. No one deserved that. Someone had had to step up - and she had been the only one in the area at the time. Zelaria was her responsibility - simple as that. For now, anyways...
They marched on through the forest without delay - actually making good time now. They emerged before noon, at least. Nyph stepped out of the treeline and into the open, tall grassy fields. The sun shining above, the river channels to the left and right, meeting in a big lake. And on the edge of the lake, there was the village of Tantal...
Which was...on fire...long black smoke stacks rising into the blue sky from multiple places...? Some of the houses even looked...
Oh no.
"What is-" Zelaria started.
"Something wrong has happened," Nyph said tightly. "You stay here - I need to go and see if anyone needs help!"
"Help-?" Zelaria questioned still, even as Nyph took off across the field.
Nyph ran faster and faster, surging her power through her body - energy. Zelaria was left behind...but they still tried to follow her! Nyph raced into the village, passing between two burning houses that were practically skeletons now - just their frames intact. She peered around frantically, searching with eyes that weren't bothered by the smoke or the "bad air". She spotted several People=shaped figures, and started forward with relief. But then she stopped. As she got nearer, she realized...
They weren't People she could help.
Nyph turned away, running off the other way instead. "HELLO?" she yelled out, as loudly as she could. "IS ANYONE STILL HERE? DOES ANYONE NEED HELP? YELL BACK IF The ANSWER IS YES!"
She ran around a corner, entering the small little square with its well and fountains, listening intently. Searching more desperately with her eyes.
She called out again, but...she only saw more people she couldn't help, as she moved around the village.
It was one of the smallest People's settlements in all the realm, but surely everyone couldn't be...
Nyph burst into one of the still-standing buildings - still on fire, yes, but still standing. In far better shape than any of the rest. A two-storied home. "IS ANYONE STILL ALIVE?!" she shouted out, peering through the thickly gathered smoke inside the home. She looked across the main room, peered into the next. She shook her head and turned her focus to the stairs. They were on fire, and falling apart. Nyph stepped up to them anyways, and then with an exertion of power, she leapt straight up to the very top. She strode down the hall quickly, "HELLO-"
"H-HELP!" a voice called back, from behind a burning door.
Nyph raised a hand and blasted the door with a furious stream of ice - dousing the flames. She opened the door and stepped inside the room - and there, among the flames and smoke, was a Person. A child. Female, by the looks of it. A girl, then. Nyph was good with human ages, and she estimated the child to be around three or four years of age. The girl was small, and dirty, with stringy sun yellow hair hanging around her face.
She was also surrounded by a shimmering dome of energy.
Had someone else saved her, or had she done it herself...? But that was so rare in a Person...
Now Nyph was acting like Zelaria - those were questions for later!
Nyph raced forward, stopping before the barrier. "I'm here to help," she said clearly and loudly. "I can get you out of here. Will you let me?"
The girl stared up at her with wide eyes, teary and red (red from damage, not that they were red). She nodded at Nyph, and the barrier suddenly fell away. She got up and threw herself at Nyph, clinging to her. Nyph wasted no time in picking the child up, turning and leaping straight out the burning window. They sailed out into the air, and fell down gently to land in the dirt. Nyph readjusted her grip on the girl, and ran for the edge of the village now.
Just as they were leaving the burning buildings behind, Nyph saw a flash of light from the corner of her eye. She skidded to a halt just in time to avoid a blast of burning yellow energy. The beam struck the ground in front of her and exploded upward in a fiery pillar.
Nyph turned toward the source - and saw a woman standing there in the field.
The woman was tall, and had an older appearance than Nyph did. She had long, golden blonde hair that shimmered down her back and down her shoulders in beautiful tresses. Her face was pale, littered with freckles. Her eyes were an icy blue. She wore a long, white gown with layers and ruffles and sleeves - Nyph recognized it as a Human's wedding dress. The customary attire in this region.
"Who are you?" Nyph called out. "Did you do this?!"
The woman's face was etched with cold anger. She raised a hand of glowing, yellow light - holding it out in Nyph's direction.
Nyph narrowed her eyes at the woman. She gently set the girl down, pushing her back behind herself. She stepped forward, and raised her arm - raising a hand that was enveloped in purple energy.
The woman's furious expression turned even more rageful at the sight. "Why does it matter to you?!" she screamed out suddenly.
"Because I care."
"WHY? Why would anyone care for these- lowlife- disgusting...fragile sacks of goo?! They're nothing to us! They're pathetic, they're worthless, wastes of space and time-"
"Why are you wearing that dress, then?" Nyph cut her off.
The woman's face changed from rage to pure surprise. As if she hadn't even realized what she had on. Or as if she'd forgotten? She glanced down at herself. Her expression twisted, suddenly, with pain. With sorrow. With grief. Remorse. And then...she looked up again, and it was all hate and rage again. "He lied to me, he used me - me! One of my kind! I'm a Light, and he thought he could just use me to- HOW UNGRATEFUL IS HE?! ALL OF THEM?! THESE DISGUSTING LITTLE CREATURES! WE GAVE THEM LIFE, WE GAVE THEM THE WORD 'LIFE', AND THEY TREAT US LIKE-"
"Like what?" Nyph said quietly, never breaking her gaze from the woman.
"Like we're the ones that are less than them!" the woman seethed. "They'd be nothing without us! If we hadn't spent all our time holding their hands, teaching them, protecting them- and all for what? To be treated like this?! He screwed with my Heart, he made me feel so much love and happiness - only to rip it all away from me the moment we were supposed to be joined together for the rest of his pitiful little life! He said I was nothing more to him than a two-bit whore - and then he and that other human ran off and laughed at me! He said I could never have what they have, that I could never feel what they feel! That I was the one who was lesser than a Human! That I-"
"And that's why you did all of this?" Nyph interrupted, looking to the still-burning village. "Because one Person hurt you...you burn them all?"
"YES!" the woman yelled, incensed. Deranged, even. Her gaze slid down Nyph's body - to where the little human girl was still hiding behind her legs. "THEY DESERVE TO DIE, ALL OF THEM - THEY NEVER EVEN DESERVED TO BE IN THE FIRST PLACE! THEY WERE AN ACCIDENT, A FREAK OCCURRENCE! YOU...you understand that, don't you? You must...They are nothing to us..."
"If they're so far beneath you, if they mean so little to you, why are you in so much pain?"
The woman froze. She blinked. Then she burst into laughter. High, ringing laughter. "They're only ants - like the ants, they sting us, and it hurts...but I'll stamp them all out anyways!"
"Not as long as I'm here," Nyph said strongly.
"Why...? You're a-"
A blast of purple energy struck the woman in the back, sending her falling forward with a shriek.
Zelaria was standing there, their arm raised - their hand swirling with purple energy.
Nyph channeled all of her power through her body and stepped forward - reappearing in the blink of an eye before the woman on the ground. She raised her arm high, and a purple sword appeared in her hand. She flipped it around, and she thrust it straight down into the center of the woman's backside.
The woman gasped, her body contorting - and then she collapsed, and her form began to evaporate into motes of golden light. Dress and all.
Zelaria gazed at Nyph uncertainly, in the ensuing silence. "You ended...her...existence."
"I did - she was a proven threat to our lives, and the lives of others. I couldn't risk her doing all of this again later," Nyph said. She let her weapon vanish and turned away, striding back toward the human girl. She crouched down, meeting the girl's eyes. "Hello," she spoke to the child softly.
"H-hi..." the girl whispered out hoarsely.
"My name is Nyph. What's yours?"
"Maki..."
"Well then, you're safe now, Maki."
Maki's gaze moved up and over - to Zelaria.
"That's my friend, Zelaria. They're not going to hurt you," Nyph told her quickly. "In fact, we're going to keep you safe - and get you to another town. Maybe even a city! A place with more People, who will be able to take care of you. Okay?"
"But you're Darknesses..." the girl whispered, looking from one to the other.
Nyph felt a pang in her Heart. Why was that always the first, instinctive reaction of a Person to her kind...? Even if it was only on the deepest, most subconscious level...nearly every single Person had a fear of the dark. But why...? Even after centuries, Nyph still didn't know the answer. She just knew that even after centuries, it still hurt. Nonetheless, she sighed, pushed past the feeling, and put her arms around the girl. "It's going to be okay now," she whispered back, soft and caring as she could.
But, even as she said the words to the girl, she wondered...
Events like this were becoming more and more common across the realm lately - on both sides. All sides...
The Lights...the Darknesses...and the People.
This fragile peace they'd all cultivated and held onto these past few centuries...At what point was it going to finally just break out into all-out war again?
Nyph could only hope, at the very least, that it wouldn't come to pass within little Maki's lifetime.
AN: Sooooo...yeah! :D Was doing some massive ponderings on the mythology and origins of the KH universe, how it all might've evolved and changed and led into the familiar eras and concepts we know - the Age of Fairy Tales, the Princesses of Hearts, the war of Light and Darkness when the Master of Masters was a boy - and just generally...how far back it all REALLY might go and how it might have all STARTED to begin with! The fun thing about myths and legends, is they're prone to inaccuracies. Xehanort and Yen Sid and the like conflate the two wars we know of - the shattering of the X-Blade, and the KHUX war for Lux - for example. But we know now they were two separate wars!
And what really led to the beings of Darkness deciding to shed their physical forms and unite as an ethereal whole force, enabling them to begin attacking Hearts instead of physical bodies?
What is the true nature and origin of the Princesses of Hearts and their powers, and their Hearts of Pure Light themselves?
In the words of Xehanort: I MUST HAVE THESE ANSWERS! *Dramatic finger wraggling*
If I must, I will come up with the answers myself!
So yeah...hold onto your buttholes and prepare for basically "Kingdom Hearts: Origins" lol. We're going waaaay back, to eons before even the Master of Master's era, and I'm going to give my obviously non-canon interpretation of events that led to these answers! :D
Or, to Avatar The Last Airbender fans, this is gonna basically be my Legend of Korra "Beginnings" prequel story. 3 Which I fucking love and might've also been kinda inspired by after a recent rewatch lol... :) Or Torna, or Age of Calamity, or Crisis Core...and maybe a dash of FF16 as well, for how it's going to be a tad more "mature" or "dark" than this series usually is, as far as its themes and stuff go...
So yeah, as all good prequels generally go, some forewarning here: this is going to have a really sad/bittersweet ending! It kinda has to...
Also, in true Kingdom Hearts spinoff fashion, this IS going to tie in to the main Warrior Princess series at some point - in small and large ways. Some ways that are obvious and easy to guess, and others...well, you'll have to just see. xD