"Fragments - The Broken Bonds" - Chapter 2 - Legends of Asperah

"Asperah begins with the void, like most other worlds, Nathaniel. Giorno began the tale that brought forth their world. "This region of the aether was under the guidance and protection of the high immortal Ambross, the all-father as we know him to be.

Giorno waved his hand and it seemed like a window of time was opened beside them as they traveled, revealing images of what was once before to Nathaniel's eyes. This was the first time he witnessed it in such a vivid sense of reality. The images formed an endless blackness, a blackness that Nathaniel recognized to be the void. Into the great void, three spirits arrived, the children of Ambross, the immortals of Asperah.

"The woman in white who first appeared is our Lady Ansha. Giorno explained. "Patron deity of peace, love and justice. She wields her sword and stands steadfast to guard her father's realm. The dark shadow in the form of a man is Gaul. Second born to the throne of the heavens, he represented the intellect and intricacies of the great void, as well as its beauty and greatness. The third is the golden dragon, our Lord Fyrh, who embodied the changes that the world will go through in the coming of age.

The image of Gaul wandered, relishing the heavens and its bounty, filling him with power to be had within its realms while Ansha stood fast beside her father's throne. Soon, the influence of Gaul spread across the great void, and the outer realms of Ambross were all that was left. Gaul moved towards the high immortal's throne, in an attempt to spread his will upon it as well, but Ansha, being the guardian that she was created to be, held forth her sword and stopped Gaul's advance. So greatly angered was he and jealous that Ansha was first to choose to be beside Ambross that he vowed to destroy her and his own father, claiming the throne of the heavens for himself.

Ambross was greatly angered by this, raising his hand and banishing Gaul into the void that he claimed for his own. Ansha was grieved at the loss of her brother, not wanting him to take the path of darkness that she shed a tear. The drop fell into the great void, its waters forming the great oceans, drawing forth great strength from the heart of the goddess herself.

Meanwhile, Fyrh saw all of this transpire and delighted in the changes that occurred. Venturing into the great void, he sought the tear of Ansha and uttered his words. Dust and fire covered the depths, raising land masses from the oceans and forming plains as well as mountains of various sizes and shapes.

Ambross nodded. It was the creativity of his youngest child that would create right what was originally wrong, and bring joy to where was sorrow. With his blessing, Ansha too journeyed to prosper this world, the land she now named, Asperah.

Ansha's words were silent as the rushing spring, bringing life and sustenance into the soil, raising trees and plants all over the newborn land. Its spirit she named Nabis, the spirit of the woods. Fyrh joined her side, delighting in her creations, yet wanting to add more life to Asperah. His next words released a dragon spirit, Raus it was called, the spirit of the beasts. All forms of animals walked Asperah, common and rare, swimming and flying, terrifying and beautiful.

Gaul brooded in the darkness while all of this transpired, gathering what power the great void gave him and uttering his words. Four demons rose from the shadows and he called them the Jourdain. Talos the damned, dark spirit of the flames, Valgar the destroyer, dark spirit of the stone, Carnac the Keeper, collector of souls, and Kimohr the chosen, lord of the chilling ice.

These four archjourdain entered Asperah in secret, each residing in the four corners of the world, spreading Gaul's influence upon the beauty of the land, sealing the root of Asperah to claim it as Gaul's.

Fyrh and Ansha soon noticed the blackness engulfing the world and sought to banish the demons, but Gaul stood before them in power, and in power he has truly grown. "The demons are within my realm. He claimed. "Asperah is mine.

"But Asperah came from my heart. Ansha contended, for she would not let this world be claimed by darkness, for from within it, she hopes to reclaim the void from Gaul's influence. "And Fyrh stands with me.

"True. Gaul conceded. "Then that leaves Asperah to decide for itself. I see a contest is in order. He made a grin, being the sly and treacherous lord of the dark, he was very sure of winning. "I shall allow you to attempt to turn Asperah against me, as far into the void as it can manage, but none of your words should further influence it.

"Then none of your words should as well. Fyrh growled at his elderly brother.

Gaul nodded, already decided on his course of action and left Asperah to the mercies of his four archjourdain. The three immortals took their places around the world, watching events transpire as the ages passed, for Asperah too is not without defense.

Nabis, Ansha's spirit within the world weaved her hand of growth, raising the ancients. Folk of the roots and the high elves they were called, born of green blood from the soil of Asperah. Raus on the other hand, gave birth to the folk of crimson blood. The draconians came first, followed by man and then the mountainfolk, dwarves, giants, taureans and half-beasts. These forces contended with the four archjourdain to reclaim the land and turn them to Ansha's will.

"What be those two lights, master Giorno? Nathaniel pointed toward the two encircling bolts of glimmer that seemed to be there since the beginning of the story.

Giorno shifted his eyes and looked at the images. Two contrasting flames chased each other around the great void, one spreading its expanse, the other destroying what the first had created. "That be the phoenix, and the black mist. The old mage answered. "Both are forever, had no beginning, and has no end. They keep the balance of the great void. The phoenix spreads life and scatters the worlds to make a greater void, while the black mist devours what the other created.

"And what do they have to do with this tale, master? Nathaniel inquired some more.

"It happened that Asperah was created just as the black mist passed that region of the great void and the latter returns to where it has been once every century. Giorno explained. "One hundred years after the creation of Asperah, the black mist returned in its usual path, devouring all worlds that stand in its way. For once, all three of Ambross' children had one intention: Protect Asperah and their creations from being lost to the world devourer. Ansha and Gaul at once pooled their powers to form a protective barrier of magic around Asperah, but knowing that they go against a power which has not a beginning and has not an end, they doubted if their combined strengths were enough. Realizing such, Fyrh summoned all his courage and set forth to meet the black mist and attempt to stop its progress. Their battle shook the heavens for fifty years, all the while, Ansha and Gaul did their best to keep Asperah in one piece while all other worlds began to crumble into the great void.

Nathaniel gasped. Looking at the image, he saw fear even in the dark Gaul's eyes. Fyrh was in terrible pain, shaking the heavens as he breathed astral fire upon the black mist, delaying its advance. Yet he was being pushed back by the snaking tendrils of shadow, wounding where they touched, causing the golden dragon great weakness. In a last wave of strength, Fyrh uttered his words, and the black mist was sealed in dragonfire. Ansha gasped as she saw her brother fall limp and lifeless. In one instance of despair, she enveloped Fyrh in a state of eternal slumber in an attempt to heal his wounds, letting both the golden dragon and the black mist plunge into the depths of Asperah, their powers greatly dissipated.

"That would explain why the great void continues to expand? Nathaniel spoke.

"Very perceptive. Giorno chuckled. "Without the black mist to destroy what the phoenix creates in its path, the universe began to grow, creating worlds and endless paths.

"Then what became of Fyrh? Did he truly die in the sacrifice? Nathaniel asked.

"Fyrh fell into the Great Fomori Oceans to the east. Giorno answered. "Knowing that he had entered Asperah's realm, he released the remaining dragon spirits which dwelt within him to accompany the first dragon spirit Raus in helping Ansha reclaim the land.

"And one of them is the Crystal Dragon, guardian of magic, right? Nathaniel interrupted. "I never forget the promise I gave you long ago when I first trained as a spirit mage, master. That one of these days, I shall make you proud by defeating the Crystal Dragon and laying it at your feet for your honor.

"You really should forget those silly things, Nathaniel. Giorno laughed, putting a hand on Nathan's shoulder. "There are things more important to me now than honor. You should strengthen your powers more by going on quests, not by locking yourself up in a laboratory.

"So you share the same sentiment as mother Sera? That I am wasting my life over worthless science? Nathaniel asked. "My oath stands, master Giorno, and I shall prove it to both you and mother Sera.

"Very well. Giorno sighed. "It seems we have arrived.

Fireworks illuminated the midnight skies, and the noise that came from the taverns were deafening. Silently, the two mages of the Carithe' entered the borders of Asphenaz.