Faded Warrior

The Story of Chrysoberyl

By King Malik

Prologue

Surrounded by the vastness of space, settling in the emptiness of the endless pitch was a glowing white planet. The only one of its kind, no sign of other life anywhere across the darkness. Although the single planet inhabited its own lifeforms, one could glance and consider it to be a wasteland, judging by the destruction caused upon it. Stardust hovered around the orb, circling what was left of a powerful globe now sliced in half. No sun to light the darkness, no path to orbit, and no solar system to circle with - the planet was all alone. One may see it as nothing more than a withering rock, but it thrived with what many could consider the most powerful race to ever exist in the never ending shadow.

A law fulfilled authority; thrones for the strong and wise; castles housing weapons of mass destruction; armies training for the inevitable battle - this landscape possessed its own form of light, rising behind the horizon, and reflecting off the crystal buildings. As the time for war was being prepared, and the weapons to be held by the new age of strong sword bearers were forged, inactivity seemed to weigh heavy on the planet. Even as concepts for affray were planned out, the domain was tranquil either way.

To compare all castles together, each of them were made of pure crystal, housed by monarchs leading their people in training; all besides one.

Rising above the ground to block out the light, a scarlet stronghold stood tall above anything else below. The walls were flames, scorching the ground with tyranny; a pathway led to the entrance, consisting of a large gate, the bars made of lava itself. Following this path would lead straight to the throne room, hidden behind closed doors, sealed for every passing moment. Inside the throne room was a red source of light originating from the window in the ceiling, shining directly down onto the throne. Standing on opposite sides of the room were monarchs, backs facing one another, deep in conversation.

"I understand your desire for conquest," said one of the monarchs, "yet somehow it worries me."

"Worries you?" Asked the ruler of the scarlet castle. "Do not complain to me that you will grow to be wistful to rule so far away from our Homeworld."

"Melancholy has no effect on me, brother. I am merely concerned with your dedication to the very idea of dominion over all."

Salocos the Red Diamond tilted his head - he wore a blood red robe; long red hair; burning eyes; his krystal was in the center of his chest, shaped as a pointed arrow. He glanced down at his two katanas, and said: "You need not concern for my safety, nor my desires to wield my weapons in battle."

"Your weapons are what concerns me, brother."

Salocos was confused. "What do you intend with your words?"

"I am only distressed by how you intend to use your instincts in battle." Rofahl the Orange Diamond stood, gazing at his own weapons - he had long hair; a red mask covered his mouth; he wore armor made from flames; a cape wrapped around his neck, sewn to resemble fire itself; his krystal was centered on his back, shaped as a star. "Although our new law has been passed, and it now weighs heavily on the Gems, I can still recall the day of our dear sister's demise."

Red Diamond paused, his mind going back to that fateful day. A thought came to him, and said with a scowl: "Your words describe me using my weapons against my own kind?"

"A new form of tyranny has arrived," said Rofahl, "and I distress it shall continue on in our blood."

"No, brother. We are suspected to charge into battle for our own kind, to rule our planet and strike fear to all, as Black Diamond foretold it to be so."

"Yet, the state of mourning still plagues my physical body."

Salocos paused to contemplate, referring to the day the Insurrection was proven to exist. "Perhaps there is no wrongdoing with that - I notice the Gems recall the day as well. Whenever I look out my walls and gaze upon the world White Diamond has provided for us since the Great Illness, I am reminded of why this planet thrives in two."

"The blood of this globe now flows with the blood of our sister." Rofahl lifted his pickaxe, glaring at it as if it were the Spear. "Times of bloodshed have cursed us all, brother. For not only Green Diamond serves as a memory, but Purple Diamond's krystal shards are lost among the stars."

"A curse?" Red Diamond questioned. "Why would a Diamond of all creatures fear hexes?"

"We may be destined for royalty in the land of dominion, yet our God has grown fond of battle and death."

"He is Our Creator! Do not tell me your personality is edging towards a rebellious persona."

"No!" Rofahl stated. "None at all! Except, it may be true that we must fear him."

"'Fear the Spear,' is the locution the Gems are spreading."

"They have every right to be horrified."

Salocos smirked. "It intrigues me of the vigorous power our God's Spear possesses."

Rofahl paused, looking over his shoulder. "What are you referring to, brother?"

"Potential, Rofahl. If Black Diamond could reach that level of strength in himself, imagine what greatness we as his creations could become!"

Rofahl shuffled in place. "That is another thing which worries me, brother. Your devotion to violence, it possesses you as your own krystal keeps you alive."

Red Diamond gazed down at his chest, his krystal glistening in the small light. "It is what the God of All Gems wants for us to be - you of all Diamonds should understand that concept."

Orange Diamond gazed back at his weapons, his mind suddenly reminding him of the younger days of Homeworld. "However, with Lord Onyx's tyranny becoming increasingly terrifying every passing day, you and I have grown to be great leaders. Comparing ourselves to our own brothers and sisters, we as allies consist a strength more powerful than most."

"What are you intending with this conversation, Rofahl?"

"We have grown vengeful, just as Lord Onyx forbids fusion for all Gems alike. I recall a time when our own training would get the best of you, how you would whimper in defeat against your own brother."

Red Diamond was taken aback by this. "I have grown stronger since that time." He turned away, staring at his hands, then at his weapons driven into the ground. "I recall that my ignorance has prevented us from battle."

"What?" Orange Diamond questioned.

"Oh, come now, brother. I realize now our conflict has never concluded for centuries! I propose that it must come to an end."

Red Diamond ripped the blades from the ground. He faced his brother, eyes burning with fire. Rofahl tilted his head, looking over his shoulder. He sighed, and begrudgingly picked up his pickaxe and sledgehammer, facing his brother. The two Diamonds paced to the right, circling the throne, eyeing one another with glass eyes.

Orange Diamond smirked. "Well then."

Red Diamond was the first to leap into the air, and brought down the blades. Rofahl easily deflected the blow with his pickaxe, redirecting the strike and slammed his brother on the ground. He swung the hammer, but Salocos jumped back. Orange Diamond thrashed both weapons, and Red Diamond deflected every attack. He soon found himself in a corner, Rofahl taking his chance to end the conflict. Salocos jumped high in the air, and while doing a flip, swung his sword. The blade collided with the pickaxe, causing an eruption which broke the sound barrier, and everything went silent.

Salocos landed, turning while letting out a warcry. Right when he was about to strike, Rofahl pounded the sledgehammer against his chest. Red Diamond let out a yelp of pain, and stumbled back. He could feel his brother simpering, mocking him. A red beam of energy released from his krystal, hitting his brother directly in the face. Orange Diamond was thrown into the air, colliding with the ceiling. The beam ceased, and Rofahl fell, landing at his brother's feet. Salocos held his weapons high, panting. A moment went by with inactivity, but then Orange Diamond placed his hand on the ground. With a groan, he lifted himself back up.

He smiled at his brother, picked up his weapon, and said: "Heh, you were always rough during training, but you still have the fight in you - Lord Onyx will be proud. It seems our conflict is decided, either way." He sheathed his weapons behind his back. "That was a great battle, brother. Now we must-"

Before Orange Diamond could say another word, he had to sidestep to keep away from a blade thrusted at his chest. He was confused, and his eyes landed on his brother's gaze - Red Diamond's eyes were narrowed with the intention to kill. Salocos swung his weapon, going for the neck, which Rofahl managed to avoid. The same red beam shot from his chest, but Orange Diamond unsheathed his hammer. The ray struck the weapon, sparks and ashes flying into the air. He couldn't shield himself for long, and was thrown to the ground. Red Diamond sprinted, driving his sword at his brother's face, but missed when Orange Diamond rolled out of the way.

"Brother! Cease!" Rofahl demanded.

Red Diamond cut Rofahl's neck with the sword. Orange Diamond was stunned - he could feel his body stammer from the impact. Another strike was thrown at his eye, but Orange Diamond was fast enough to unsheathe the pickaxe, got to his feet, and deflected the blow. The sound rang throughout the castle halls, and reached outside - upon hearing this, a crowd started to form.

Orange Diamond swung the hammer at his brother's head, almost knocking him off balance. He watched his brother grit his teeth and groan in pain, then heard him say: "Remember what our god tells us: The battle is not over until we hear our enemy roar in defeat." Salocos stood. "You may have bested me in training, but I will be victorious in your death."

"What are you trying to convey?" Rofahl demanded. "Why must you fall victim to tyranny as Our Creator has become?"

"Not tyranny, brother; the will for dominion is what encourages me to take action."

Salocos leaped into the air, spinning in a circle. Rofahl deflected the strikes, then thrusted the sledgehammer at his brother's neck. Red Diamond landed on his back, allowing Orange Diamond to strike with the pickaxe. Salocos diverted the attack, driving a sword through his brother's chest. Rofahl let out an otherworldly howl of pain, which had to have been heard by the Gems.

Red Diamond must have known this, because the next thing he did was get to his feet, raising Orange Diamond above his head. The sword had skimmed past his krystal, but his body was struggling to stay in physical form - a wicked smirk came across Red Diamond's face. Rofahl let out a scream, but that was when his mask went up in flames. Before Salocos saw it coming, a wave of fire flew from Orange Diamond's mouth, impacting Red Diamond straight at his chest.

Salocos was bombarded by fire. The sword was pulled from Rofahl's chest, and the flames ceased after a few seconds. Red Diamond saw his brother stare him down with sunken eyes, and a skinless mouth emanating smoke. Orange Diamond roared while flames escaped his mouth, surrounding Salocos, nearly burning him alive. Rofahl advanced, watching his brother scream in agony, the shadows escaping with the light of the fire. Orange Diamond stopped when he was now standing over his brother; smoke emanated off his body, his garments charred and searing.

"Why, brother?" Rofahl demanded. "What has compelled you to climb to such lengths to attempt my shattering? We share a bloodline; why must you turn against your own kind?"

Out of breath, and trying to stay in physical form, Red Diamond smiled, chuckling: "A powerful domain deserves a leader strong enough to raise the burden upon their shoulders. My potential has not been touched, but with this empire, I shall reach my eminence!" He paused, gripping his sword tightly in hand. "Just as our god created us to become."

As fast as light, Red Diamond blasted a beam from his krystal, at the same time Orange Diamond breathed fire. Both energies collided, each trying to overcome the other. The Diamonds scowled at one another, eager to finish what should have ended years prior. The beam overpowered the flames, throwing Rofahl off his feet. His vision was assaulted by red light, his physical form struggling to stay together. He rolled on his side, reaching an arm out to his weapon. Salocos stomped his foot on his back, preventing him from moving any further.

"What I have done here," Red Diamond said, "will benefit my future. For better, and worse - at least for you." He lifted his sword, aiming directly at the krystal. "This is the end for you, brother."

With one powerful thrust, the blade cut straight through Rofahl's krystal. Orange Diamond screamed in pain as a white light started to glow, illuminating the throne room. Salocos gasped at the sight. Orange Diamond's scream died down, and an explosion shook the very castle itself - all who stood outside paused, confused and baffled by what they just heard.

Red Diamond stood motionless, the light from his own krystal fading. He stared down at what remained of his brother; a pile of fragments lying at his feet - he had done it, he had shattered his brother just as he promised himself he would. He looked at his weapons, shocked, as if he couldn't believe what he had done. His head jerked up when he heard someone enter the castle - the Gems must have summoned another Diamond to investigate the commotion. He started to panic, but it didn't matter now - what is done, is done.

Red Diamond fled, disappearing into the next room.

The doors opened, and a shadow loomed into the room, landing on the shattered remains. Loud footsteps echoed off the walls, and the figure fell to their knees. They laid their hands on the ground, and a small tear fell from their eyes. Yanar the Yellow Diamond tried to speak, but found herself silenced by the discovery; thousands of Gems stood outside the castle as of now, Gems who pledged their allegiance to Rofahl the Orange Diamond - how could this be explained to his people?

As Yanar held the shards in her hands, she found her voice to say: "Brother, what fate has led you to this hour? What could we have done to prevent a tragedy such as this? What curse has been placed upon our Homeworld? Our Creator murdered his own blood; our younger sister, shattered by the raging darkness of space; now, brother, you did not deserve such pain like all others." She opened her eyes, the shards a blur through her tears. "Who shall be next to meet a path unto death?"

Yellow Diamond clenched her fists, realizing how small the shards were in her palms. In the darkness alongside the silence, Yanar hung her head, letting her tears fall.

That was when he showed up. The gates creaked open, and his shadow entered the room. He did not have his weapon in hand, but the Gong must have been sounded to alert his presence. He wore the shadows of space, the cape of the cosmos, the eyes of black holes, and long waving hair of evil. His large figure towered over Yellow Diamond - a pebble, is what she always felt in his presence. He stared down at her, his eyes leering to the shards in her hands.

"What has happened here?" Black Diamond demanded, his voice booming off the castle walls.

No answer was given, not even a mutter under a breath - the silence had taken Homeworld.

Up on a balcony, hiding in the darkness all the while, who had seen everything . . . was a Gem. A piece of Orange Diamond's shards landed near him, and as he stared down at the two Diamonds, he could not help but run, a shattered krystal in his hand.