[The Great Tree Beyond The Veil]
On the Eighth Day (Eighth Millenia), The Sons of Therah and their Father Flame awoke from rest, as their work began again in fostering the stewards to maintain and build up the brethren to nurture Therah. The Living Flame took up the unused soil in the shaded end of Therah and, from Her rock, crafted three moons encircling the borders of the world, reflecting the fostering stars' light back upon the grounds. This great abundance of perfect light achieves permanent daylight in the heavens, overlooking Her beautiful bounty, viewable to all in the wonder of Her body's horizons clothed with the great clouds of firmament upon Her breast. Praises and worship bellowed as the Father's gift of the moons were named as the maiden brides of His Princes of Divine Promise. The first moon, the maiden of Mykhael, was named Amanathia. The second moon, the maiden of Gabrielyk, was named Sophia, and the third moon gifted upon Lucius was named Harethia. Praised upon them in anointment were to be Therah's First Maidens as they were the First Sons of The Flame. The Holy Family, the Lovers of Purity, all but complete. The Princes all beckoned to their Father the sentiments of humble thanksgiving, wholly taking up their gifted brides as extensions of themselves in the radiance of their unified majesty and grace.
Later, though, they began to think and ask if they could extend their reach of gifts towards the Voids' veil. The Father in the gentle nature of a lamb. But in authority and wisdom, He freely bestowed His answers unto their questions with a warning of caution, "My Sons, all the bounds of your brides as like your Mother's body are freely for you to enjoy to your fulfillment as I do unto Her. But take heed, for I will not restrain you, but guide you to know wisdom; I warn you not to approach the boundless expanse of Scig'nuelle's dominion when absent of each other's fellowship. If gone thither alone, you will know things unbearable to you and be lost to the maw of Terrible Chaos that builds the fabrics of time and space's cradle. However, if gone together, my hedge about you all will be strong, for you can bear such terrible knowledge that you three can beckon interaction with your uncle in divinity freely." The three Princes would follow in thanksgiving and understanding, taking heed to value one another's unity in fellowship. Together, as their gifts built up their Kingdom of Kholmalechim, they could bear such a mass as the Void in stride. In their fellowship, they could exude their Holy Father's unbridled nature, like the lamb before them in thundering fear and righteous fury.
So, to know their uncle, the personified Void that entered into the gifted tree was given as payment for his service and for him to inhabit a physical visage. Mykhael, Gabriealyk, and Lucius went off together; they flew, stood upon the banks of eternity, and peered beyond the veil of Chaos. Staring back at them from the abyss, erected from the trench of the universe, so vast in terrible glory, a gargantuan mass came from Him. As promised, in payment, He was blessed with taking up form within the tallest and grandest tree upon Therah. As He spread His roots, the Universe's woven fabrics were held sturdy, unable to fall short of its growth.
In comparison, He towered in a terrible mass, making the Princes like critters that creep about the ground as He stood boldly like the chest of cedar. The brush of His bush, branching out, was illuminated in a radiant night of constellations and fluttering images, and as it breathed, great winds of color and unknowable matter of bent light were like waves. Bellowing from it was His voice, "Who art thou? Thoust beseech thine stature beyond the Veil?" Together and steadfast, the brothers of creation made it known who they were in relation. "Yes, Sons of The Living Flame, The Father and The crowned Lamb. Prince Mykhael, Prince Gabriaelyk, and Prince Lucius. Stand to face me, Scig'nuelle." As the name of the brother deity was spoken unto them, they trembled by its weight and reverence. Still, together in their fellowship, they could stand as the hedge of protection guarded their fortitude and willpower and not be afraid. The hedge of living fire whirled around them to prevent the shadow of the Scig'nuelle's Void from swallowing them.
Together, they asked three questions to learn about their uncle and experience the power of the universe's grand steward. "Whom about you shall speaketh first?" In their faith and confidence in willpower, a stoic Mykhael beckoned first amongst them, "So powerful and terrible in your equal majesty to our Father, why don't you create further beyond yourself?" "Thoust wishteth to know of my power, but thine wisdom lacking, for I am naught to form creation, but bend it together in mutual coexistence, the laws though constant to the formation of the universe as created by your Father, I, however, coined the hierarchy of the plain that puts the universe at perfect balance and through that, creation could flourish, in perfect order." Followed by Gabrielyk, "Are you an extension of our Father as we are?" when asked such a question by the Prince of Wisdom, Scig'nuelle couldn't help but ponder upon how to answer, "No... not as you are, however, I am a direct shadow to His Light, As He can Create, I however can influence, but I did not come from Him as much as He has came from I. Between us, we teeter on the balance scales in all things but share in likeness to infinity and glory as you all are. Separate but the same despite our duality in boundless ability and nature. As He was always, as was I." Finally, Lucius, awestruck and bewitched by the opulent beauty of the Void Tree since witnessing Him, failed to pay attention until, when still frozen, his stance shuddered when Scig'nuelle beckoned, "Ask! Prince Lucius of Piety, and go whence you came!" Prince Lucius then pondered a question, with none to ask other than for the Personified Void to ask himself a question; amused, Scig'nuelle humored the request by considering a question toward Lucius, "What is your most deeply desired wish?" Lucius pondered before answering, "To gain the beauty equally imparted upon the Father and yourself." Scig'nuelle, taking this in stride, posthumously congratulated Lucius, "Ah, a noble wish, to imbue such beauty to bring together all things to be one with the Flame, the universe, and myself. I know that soon, you will achieve such stature." Once imparting this praise, he bellows a great sigh as the veil closed, cloaking the Great Tree of the Void; the Princes all together, satisfied in knowing the character of Scig'nuelle, flutter their wings and flew back together; Mykhael and Gabriealyk were ahead before Lucius, distracted took a final look towards the banks of eternity's bordering veil. "Hey Lucius, what are you waiting for? Let's get back to the palace!" Gabriealyk beckoned, and Lucius responded, "Apologies, I was just caught aback by His stature; I can't help but wish to know more of His graces, don't you, Gabriealyk?" "Likewise, but remember, Father said if we ought to go beyond the veil of the Void to go together, ask any of us, and we'll gladly go back!" He said to his brother Lucius amusingly. "Hmph, alright, yeah, I'd like that, brother." Mykheal was far ahead as they flew, but together, Gabriealyk stayed at pace with Lucius, returning home to the Holy Palace.
Meanwhile, as they left, from behind the veil, the Personified Void, Scig'nuelle, then thought and pondered with a crossroads within His essence. Either live within the gifted tree as a steward of the Universe per The Living Flame's grand vision or take up a better-suited vessel of His power during the final hours of this day. He thought and brooded within Himself. Soon, acting upon what would be the first act of perversion.
[Scig'nuelle's Grand Scheme for Manipulation]
On the Ninth Day (Ninth Millenia), during which Scig'nuelle viewed from afar the three princes, in his perversion, He wanted more than what was blessed unto Him, fueled by all sense of folly, a malicious Envy became the first corruption, to have a son of His own. Still, knowing He could not bear the ability to create one, He instead decided to usurp one of the gifted Princes and morph their likeness by possession. But which one, He thought to himself. "Mykhael? Though powerful beyond measure and exuding authority, he's one too loyal being His firstborn; He is the chief sentinal of His throne; it will be challenging to break down such willpower; no, as much as I'd like it to be Mykhael, he would prove most difficult to pervert. What of Gabriaelyk? He has overwhelming wisdom and insight, and he even took me aback with the wisdom he exuded from the characteristics of his Father. I fear he may see far beyond the cause I wish to embellish onto him, that he may see through such a ploy to discern warning his brothers and, by extension, The Living Flame. No, that won't work. What about this Lucius, ah yes, The Prince of Passion, the Son born of Abva'Kalah's heart. I could tell that he would likely jump at the chance of receiving such a proposition as to receive my majestic beauty. (Followed by Greed): Yes... This will work marvelously; I will study this son of His and watch Lucius; he will be made into my prized possession. (Followed by a nihilistic sense of Sloth) There is no purpose in simply being without action, but I cannot cross the veil, so... from afar, I will influence him, and he, as my greatest tool, will bring about my essence as my emissary to thwart The Living Flame's family. (Followed by an insatiable Lust): I will usurp the creation and rape Therah of Her grace; I will have all things, the universe, and the creation, through the charismatic influence I shall gift upon Lucius, and as my representative, the stewards of creation shall bring Me more lavish gifts in recompense deserving of my majesty. (Followed by Wrath): Lest they shall surely perish by the maw of annihilation, for if I cannot have a bounty over all things as the Lamb can, then no one shall live in their blessing; their bloodshed shall be the great bruise upon Abva'Kalah's heart. (Followed by Gluttony): I will feast and drink of their flesh and blood, and by consuming the great creation, my shadow shall usurp the likeness of the Flame, and in doing so...(Followed lastly by Pride) I will achieve all things before and after me, all-encompassing the bounds of creation and its Heart, his sons all will but worship me as I shall usurp the role of their God!"
Scig'nuelle then began to lack for the first time, done unto Himself by his perversion; he lost Himself. His blessed purpose, previously manifested through His majesty, is now met with the folly of his dignity. Hence came the corruption of the first grand steward of the universe. Consumed with a crippling want of excess, he harbored a terrible contempt and gile against The Father Flame and Mother of Nature, Therah. A terrible Hate had now filled him as His sense of purpose had since imploded and was forever warped by the abscess of his Self-centered Evil. Such a fall would not be noticed until the Princes came to visit again, seeing the passing of their previous witness of his stature; while still giant, he had since evidently shrunk down without notice from his previously towering stature, now left a husk of his former self a day prior. He was brash and stubborn, and the brush of his bush was now left bare, without any resemblance of mirroring the stars and absent of grace. The change stumped the Princes, and Scig'nuelle was seen to be oddly obsessive, only wishing to commune with Lucius without acknowledging the presence of his elder brothers, Mykhael and Gabriaelyk.
Boldy, Mykhael came up first to confront the Personified Void. "You dare to go against what our Holy Father has blessed you with?! He was gracious enough to let you steward the fabrics of space-time, not harbor it as a means of control. Lest I cleave your shadow where you stand." "Oh, so who's the one seeking to control? Is it you then, Mykhael? What would your gracious father think if you harbor wrath against me, His brother in balance? When I'm simply extenuating my grand ability to your brother, in need of my tangible power." Gabriaelyk interrupts in divine intervention to calm the situation from escalation and to discern the purpose behind this plot, "Hold yourself steadfast, Mykhael, now, why for any reason do you wish to bestow upon our brother a purpose not in his best interest when he already has his perfectly bestowed dominion over the hearts of our brethren? What is it you wish to do?" "Like I said, I simply wish to extend my power unto him." "But why not all of us?! why specifically him?!" "Are you so envious I see worth in your brother that you two cannot? What would your holy father think of such insolence to overshadow the worth of Lucius?" "You know full well that is not what he means," Lucius exclaimed. Scig'nuelle saw the ample opportunity to seize division between the family by maliciously planting the seed of doubt, "Oh? And are you so certain of this, Lucius? By the way, they force themselves onto me; I fear that they don't trust you any more than you trust them; they fear you and what you're capable of, such grandeur, such opulence, such... beauty and majesty you would achieve through me." Gabriealyk hurriedly, with caution, grasps Lucius' arm, seeing him being lured from the hedge of their Father's Flame, "Lucius, don't; he's toying with you. I can't discern what has happened to Him without Father's guidance, but something is wrong with this; come, we need to go back." Scig'nuelle interrupts, "Is that what you want, Lucius? Wasn't your divine wish to achieve a majesty beyond yourself? I tell you this now that, only through me can you achieve the grandeur of the Universe, and through my power can you then achieve a significance greater than that of even your father, for I will make you my chief vessel of divinity, all-encompassing of my power, wisdom, and majesty beyond measure to usurp the holy throne." "Don't you dare to lie to him? He is perfect in all his divine gifts already, right, Lucius? Remember what Father said: you encompass the unbridled gift of His Holy Passion, with the beauty to churn the hearts of those who follow." "Oh, but are you so certain this happened? For it was before you erected from the soil before birth." "YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!!!" "This doesn't concern you, Mykhael, nor does it, Gabriaelyk; the fact he grips onto you, Lucius, is already proof of their fear of what you may become under my graces." "ENOUGH!" Mykhael pulled his flaming claymore of Damocles from his back and pointed it toward the void tree, flaring his wings outwards, shivering with a protective love and righteous wrath. Gabriealyk stops him and states in-kind guidance and proof of trust to their beloved brother Lucius, "We will not hold you back, but know we do not fear what you may become but do fear what will be done to you, at least remember this of Father's guidance in care and love of who you were perfectly made to be. If we cross alone, we will be swallowed and taken to know terrible things that are never meant to be known to us. So please, Lucius, I trust you most but don't do this, lest it shall surely destroy you. Please, Lucius, let's return to Father and continue in the perfect fellowship of who we should be as a family. See reason in the wisdom bestowed; what more is there to achieve when made in perfection?!" "Let's go; we need to leave now, Lucius." Mykhael promptly states and, unlike Gabriealyk, is brazen in preventing Lucius from approaching Scig'nuelle. He sheathes his claymore, grabs Lucius, and demands Gabriaelyk follow suit.
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Meanwhile, Scig'nuelle shouts as they fly away, "You cannot prevent his actions forever, Mykhael!" In their hurry to evade the bounds of the void, the brothers quickly fled to the embraces of their Mother Therah and the Father Flame. Lucius snaps from his trance and thanks his brothers, prefacing that he would not know what he would have done had they not been with him. Gabriaelyk, though not approving of Mykhael's forceful action, was still relieved that he was with them, knowing that he would not have been able to protect Lucius on his own. Scig'nuelle shivers his visage in an eruption of unbridled hate and rage at this failure to manipulate Lucius among his protective elder brothers, Mykhael and Gabriaelyk, so after throwing himself into a fit, He begins to think that if he is to gain Lucius's undivided attention, he must simply lay in waiting, patiently awaiting his notice, like the stalking of a predator to its prey, like the lure of a line to taunt a fish. He broods and, in His angst, waits for His perceived ample opportunity to entice Lucius and to pounce like a ravenously starved panther. Set to steal, kill, and destroy. All Scig'nuelle was in this form was perversion and obsession. Utterly devoid of majesty or dignified grace, acting like a wretched beast rather than a being of reverence. This was His one goal: to tempt Lucius into approaching Him alone, convince Lucius to accept His possession of him, then through Lucius, abuse his divine gift for the cause of dominance, and usurp the Holy Throne of the Living Flame, ultimately to rape away the divine grace of Thareh and bound creation by His will in asserting Himself rather, as its sovereign God.
Gabriaelyk took Lucius to a grand garden to lay in peace and meditate on the divine words of affirmation by his brother, The Father, and their Mother. To be in serene peace and to harness the gifts of his passion to grow in connection with what he has done in the building up of Kholmalechim while remembering the caring fellowship he has in such a Holy family. This process lasts through the hours of the day. Hence strengthening Lucius' resolve and piety.
[The Tragedy of Lucius]
On the tenth day (Tenth Millenia), Lucius woke from a dream, and without waking Gabriaelyk, he looked upon his brother in slumber. "I... I- I'm sorry, Brother Gabriaelyk, but I fear I must leave you behind; I'm sorry. When I return, I will not need your insight anymore, nor will I require Mykhael's strength and authority. As Sig'nuelle said, I can accomplish my wish through him and have the throne revered forever. I will return and guide you through the knowledge I seek beyond the veil. Nonetheless, know that I value what you've done for me. But I now insist on seeking reliance on myself and my ability if this Kingdom of ours is ever to cross beyond the veil. Until then, I bid you farewell, brother... and goodbye." With that said, he left behind the sacred garden of their birthplace, and away he flew outward towards the banks of eternity, alone, seeking the void tree's insight instead of the dream he had instead of his Father or brother in wisdom. Believing his dream was greatly influenced by the words spoken during their squabble. As Lucius fluttered his wings, it was like that of a terrible catalyst of fate bellowing the echoes of woeful dismay.
Lucius lands upon the banks, but knowing he cannot cross the Void, he tries to beckon Sig'nuelle to meet him amidst the bordering veil. Sig'nuelle notices Lucius's lonesome presence and drifts toward him, "Prince Lucius, you came hither alone; why not come with your brothers?" Lucius promptly apologizes for his brothers' attitudes, intending to beseech Him for guidance on a dream he felt neither his brother nor Father would enjoy hearing. "So then what of this dream bestowed upon your conscience that makes you seek me, Prince of Passion?" "I... I- I thought upon what was said, meditated deeply upon it, and... dreamt of a treacherous betrayal to happen, Myhkael and Gabriaelyk coercing the Father to do away with me, but is it fear simply making me imagine these or... could it truly be because of the power I gain from you, I dreamt of this happening while I was enveloped in the majesty of the universe, light and dark as one entity. They feared me for granting my wish and, in doing so, achieved greater majesty with an all-encompassing power to rival the Father Flame. I don't know what to do; it's clear that if I turn to my father or my brothers about this, my abandonment will come true. I'm just confused. Do you have any answer for this, Uncle Scig'nuelle?" The Personified Void beyond the veil heard Prince Lucius' plea for understanding; sensing his fear of going back on his actions, Scig'nuelle, in a terrible malice, saw his ample opportunity come to fruition before him.
Wasting no time enticing Prince Lucius with the facade of fellowship and understanding to have Lucius cross the veil alone and enter the maw of Chaos. "Yes, hearing this, it is true that your brothers don't trust you; you're wise to come to me instead of your Father, the Living Flame, Abva'Kalah. He would've brought you great and terrible annihilation for such a wishful dream beyond your capabilities. But I... shall be the root of your newfound majesty. Only through me can you stand up to this mistrust and confront the tyranny of your Father. "But they talk of knowing dreadful things that are not meant for us to comprehend alone, I shan't." Prince Lucius turns away with uncertainty and doubt, "You need not fear, Prince Lucius, for you won't be alone once taking me upon your vessel. I... however... will teach you the subtleties of the Void and Chaos that hold up the fabrics of the universe. It will become your greatest tool for sitting on the throne. I've been alone since the universe's birth in the Void, and you don't see me disheartened. They lie to you, for they know only to fear what they don't understand."
Prince Lucius's ears and wings perked up when hearing this, "I- is... it so easy to be immune to Your Void's Chaos power that they even are afraid of such an implication? To be able to risk usurping the Scepter of Chaos and the Crown of Creation as one being?" "They are afraid of losing their creation or gifts, but I will secure them as I would the same as you; you will be the one to give gifts galore beyond what they could ever dream of, unlike your Father, you through me, can end this insolent hierarchy of power, bringing all in equal union with all Chaos and Creation, I will make you their pinnacle of worship, and through me, you will achieve that of even Godhead. All you need to do to set all in motion is cross the veil, enter the maw, feel your hands upon my trunk, and freely take my Seed of essence upon you." Lucius, silent, thought all of what Scig'nuelle had said, making sense of his brother's fear, but now wishing to know the Void and bring its knowledge into creation, he gulped with sweat upon his brow in a nervous fluster. Lucius crosses the veil, staring into the infinite maw of Chaos; it stares back at him boldly. Lucius slowly creeps his stride further inwards within the maw of Chaos, and once enveloped, he sees Scig'nuelle's Personified Void tree. In one final hesitation, Scig'nuelle, heavily breathing in a hoarse breath like a salivating beast tempting his prey. Lucius asked, "You're sure all I need to do is feel my hand upon your trunk?" Scig'nuelle replies, "Yes.... Good... come closer and secure your wish." Lucius slowly outreaches his right arm, his hand ready to grasp Scig'nuelle's essence as he steadily gets closer.
Meanwhile during this exchange, Prince Gabriealyk wakes from his slumber in the sacred garden, expectant of brother Prince Lucius to still be there amongst him; not seeing this, he stumbles upon his feet and looks around all parts of the garden, not able to find him, he trusts that Mykhael would've seen him so goes out of the garden and finds brother Prince Mykhael on his whereabouts, "Hey Mykhael, have you come across Lucius at any time?" Puzzled, Prince Mykhael stepped away from his subordinate stewards and stated plainly, "Sorry to say I have not. Have you checked with his subordinate stewards? He's possible with them; if not, please come back." Gabriealyk then flies off to the sanctuary choir hall, asking around and not getting any concrete answer nor seeing him anywhere; he attempts to think of his presence, not getting any sense of his presence. Gabriealyk starts to worry; flying back to the barracks to Mykhael, he promptly beckons, "Brother Mykhael, none of his stewards knew where he was nor seen him; I meditated on his presence within his sanctuary and can't sense his essence. Could it be that... he-" "No, he would be foolish to go alone, you certain?" Gabriealyk woefully nods; Mykhael winces his eyes and peers back to his stewards, "Hold the fort, brethren; I must leave. Lieutenants Uryaelyuh and Rapholyae, send a choir to look for Prince Lucius!" "Right, master Mykhael!" "Let's go to Father, Gabriealyk!" Princes Mykhael and Gabriealyk make haste in flying to the grand palace to make it known to their Holy Father Flame, Abva'Kalah, of Prince Lucius's sudden disappearance, to gain guidance on what to do or if He has seen him by chance. The Father Flame directs them to the banks of creation, saying that they must convince Lucius to come back; their worst fears were realized, and they hurriedly ran out of the palace and jumped to fly at the supersonic speed of a great wind to race towards the veil and to make a final confrontation to Personified Void, Scig'nuelle for ensnaring their brother Lucius. In contrast, convicting Lucius for this brazen behavior of foolishness and answers as to why.
As Prince Lucius, ever closer to the seed of the void and the essence of chaos in his reach, heard from beyond the veil, "LUCIUS, STOP!!!" It was brothers, Princes Mykhael and Gabriealyk, Mykhael with his flaming claymore sword and Gabriealyk with his flaming polearm lance. Trembling in hesitation, Lucius snapped from this and peered behind him, pulling away his arm; Scig'nuelle, enraged, shouted a trembling cry that quaked the fabric of Chaos, "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! HE'S MINE!!!" Stretching shadows of onyx, like a multitude of serpents ensnaring an eagle, shot out from the tree and tangled about Lucius' arms and legs, paralyzing his wings as he screamed a cry of fear, Mykhael and Gabriealyk stunned in horror, as Scig'nuelle cackling and shouting, "YES! YES! YES! FINALLY!!!" Groping and Raping at Lucius' essence as his entangling tentacles of Void and Chaos entered into his skin, the terrible weight of such a possession morphing Lucius's shining bright wings of silver and white turned to a sunken jet black, bleeding away all beauty and reverence, and sapping away all essence of being from his eyes turning to onyx and crimson, his heart and gifted spirit, savagely murdered within him in the possession, as Lucius was pulled further into the innermost reaches of the maw of Chaos.
To a place where even they could not perceive, never to be seen for a time, hopeless and welled up in tears of pain, loss, and fear; enraged, Mykhael attempts to cross while Gabriealyk, in his insight, is painfully forced to stop him before doing so. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WE MUST SAVE HIM!!! LET... GO!!" "NO, MYKHAEL, WE CAN'T LOSE YOU TOO!! I'm sorry!! But we can't go in lest we suffer the same fate!" grunting and wrath of righteous anger, Mykhael shouts for Lucius; all they get in response is the chuckling cackle of malevolent laughter and ecstasy at accomplishing such a feat as possessing the visage of the most praised prince, Lucius. Grief-stricken, Gabriealyk lets go of Mykhael while Mykhael slumps to his knees, hopeless as they hear Lucius's fading cries for help in his pain and suffering, knowing they cannot go to save him, lest they suffer destruction. This was forever remembered as the grand and terrible theft, the tragedy that befell the universe as the Divine Prince of Passion, Lucius, was forever taken and warped to fit the visage of Scig'nuelle, who entered into him as the vessel of his being and the essence of evil.