> A stunning sight began to emerge beneath the surface. Primordial creatures, born of the magic of the world, took shape in the depths, shimmering with a radiance that seemed to come from within. Their bodies were sinuous and graceful, weaving through the currents with effortless fluidity. Their skins were a myriad of iridescent colours that seemed to change with each passing moment, and their eyes glowed with an intense inner fire. They moved with a sense of purpose, a knowledge of the world that was instinctual and ancient.
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> [...]
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> As far as life goes, in the beginning, there were only the aforementioned primordial creatures. But as time passed, something began to change. The auras of the four world trees one by one began to seep into the world, imbuing the creatures with their power and sparking the first inklings of life.
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> The first to emerge were simple organisms, single-celled and barely recognizable. But as they fed on the energy of the trees and adapted to their surroundings, they began to evolve. And so life spread throughout the world, in all its myriad forms.
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> From the lowliest plant to the mightiest beast, all life had its origins in those early creatures. The tree of creation, with its bright aura of energy, gave rise to plants and animals alike, while the tree of destruction, with its dark and consuming aura, birthed the creatures of shadow and darkness.
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> But it was not just these two trees that had a hand in shaping life. The tree of eternity, with its aura of endlessness and continuity, gave rise to many a long-lived race. And the tree of inevitability, with its aura of fate and destiny, shaped the creatures that could navigate the twists and turns of existence, and bring about great changes in the world.
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> And so it went, with each tree adding its own unique flavour to the tapestry of life. From the smallest insects to the mightiest dragons, all had their place in the grand design. And though they came from humble beginnings, they were destined for greatness - a testament to the power of evolution and the wonders of the world trees.
>
> [...]
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> The origins of life are shrouded in mystery, but there is one thing that is certain: all life as we know it comes from a common ancestor. From the lowliest bacteria to the mightiest dragon, every living being can trace its lineage back to the primordial creatures that first emerged from the roiling chaos of the universe. Yes, it's true - you, me, the graceful elves who dance among the trees, even the fiery demons we so often revile - all share a deep and ancient connection to these original beings. It's a humbling thought, but one that reminds us of the interconnectedness of all things, and of the endless potential for life to evolve and adapt over time.
~An excerpt from Why So Much Hate? by Mardur Zeli an author who was later killed during the great anit-demon protests.
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World Location: A Mid-trunk Bough > Bashiri's Inner World
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PARTINGS
1513 IF 5335:00 > 1513 IF 7525:00
About a week after the Icebird's fight with the Frost Elemental. The Icebird watched Elyon from a distance, as she packed her belongings and prepared to leave. It felt a pang of sadness in its chest, knowing that the time had come for Elyon to depart. For the past week, they had been even more inseparable than before, exploring the icy tundras together and playing in the snow.
The Icebird was looked up at Elyon with its big, round eyes, and Elyon could tell that it was scared. She reached out and stroked the Icebird's soft feathers, reassuring it that it would be okay.
"I know you're scared," Elyon said, "but you're strong and capable. You can handle anything that comes your way. And I'll always be here for you, even if I'm not physically by your side."
As Elyon turned to leave, the Icebird fluttered its wings and landed on her shoulder, unwilling to let her go. But Elyon gently shook her head and whispered, "It's time for you to go, my friend. You must learn to fend for yourself and grow strong."
The Icebird hesitated for a moment, but then it understood. Elyon was right. It needed to explore the world on its own and discover its own path. With a heavy heart, the Icebird gave a soft chirp, and Elyon knew that it understood. She watched as the Icebird took off into the sky, soaring over the snowy landscape. Elyon felt a twinge of sadness as she realized that she would miss the creature, but she knew that it was for the best.
As it flew, the Icebird felt a mix of emotions. It was exciting to explore new lands and meet new creatures, but it also felt a sense of loss. Elyon had been a constant companion, and it would miss her dearly.
But the Icebird knew that this was for the best. It needed to learn to survive on its own and grow stronger. And it vowed to return one day, to show Elyon how much it had grown and the wonders it had seen.
Meanwhile, Elyon soared high into the sky, her wings effortlessly carrying her upwards towards her residence on the world tree. She had been away for some time, travelling to different parts of the world to learn about its many cultures and customs. But now, she was ready to return home.
As she ascended higher and higher, the world below her grew smaller and smaller, until it was just a patchwork of greens, blues, and browns. The wind whipped through her hair, sending it streaming behind her like a banner. She felt alive and free up here, as if nothing could ever bring her down.
As she reached the top of the world tree, she landed gracefully on one of the many branches that formed a natural platform. From here, she could see for miles and miles in every direction. The view was breathtaking, and she took a moment to savor it.
Her residence was located a few branches away. It was a small, cozy abode, made entirely of natural materials like wood and woven vines. She had decorated the interior with soft furs and woven tapestries, giving it a warm, inviting feel. It was the perfect place to come home to after a long journey.
She spent the next few hours settling back into her home, relishing the peace and quiet. She knew that soon enough, she would go out, but for now, she was content to rest and reflect on her recent experiences.
As the sun began to set, Elyon made herself a cup of tea and sat outside on her balcony, watching as the sky turned a beautiful shade of pink and orange. The world tree rustled gently in the wind, as if whispering secrets to her.
It was moments like this that made her grateful for her life and the gifts that the world had given her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the cool, crisp air fill her lungs. For now, she was content to simply be, and to enjoy the beauty of the world around her.
Over the next few days, Elyon went about her daily routines, but she couldn't help thinking about the Icebird. She wondered how it was doing, if it was safe and warm. Finally, she decided to go out and search for the Icebird, just to check on it.
It took her several hours of flying over the frozen tundra, but eventually, she spotted the Icebird. It was perched on a high cliff, looking out over the vast expanse of snow and ice. Elyon landed softly beside the Icebird, and the creature chirped in greeting.
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"I'm glad to see you're doing well," Elyon said, smiling at the Icebird. "You've grown so much stronger since the last time I saw you."
The Icebird preened its feathers, clearly proud of itself. Elyon sat down beside the Icebird, and the two of them watched the snow and the sky in comfortable silence. As the sun began to set, Elyon knew that it was time for her to go back to her own home. She gave the Icebird a final pat on the head before taking off into the sky.
Over the coming weeks and months, Elyon would occasionally fly out to check on the Icebird, but each time, she saw that the creature was doing just fine on its own. It was growing stronger and more independent with each passing day, and Elyon knew that she had made the right decision in letting the Icebird go out on its own.
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PLAYING
1513 IF 5401:00
The Icebird had spent most of the day flying over the icy tundra, with its wings flapping tirelessly against the chilling wind. The bird was restless and eager for some entertainment, so it decided to create its own fun. With a quick snap of its beak, the Icebird summoned a flurry of snowballs into the air, each one levitating effortlessly in the midst of its aether magic.
The Icebird chirped excitedly, feeling a sense of joy at the sight of its self-made game. It flew in circles, admiring its handiwork, and then abruptly shot forward, towards the floating snowballs. With the agility of a hawk, the Icebird zipped through the air, its razor-sharp beak pointed towards its targets.
The first snowball was a simple hit, with the Icebird striking it directly in the center. The impact sent the snowball exploding into a mist of fine powder, which quickly dispersed into the icy air. The second snowball was a bit trickier, as it moved erratically through the air, as if dodging the Icebird's beak. However, the Icebird was determined to hit its target, so it followed the snowball with precision, and after a few heart-pounding seconds, it successfully struck the snowball, shattering it into a million fragments.
The Icebird was feeling more and more elated with each hit. It started to experiment with different flying techniques, such as flying upside down, spinning in midair, and even diving headfirst towards its targets. With each new maneuver, the Icebird became more confident, more daring, and more skilled.
The snowballs soon became a blur of white, as the Icebird sped through the air, hitting them left and right. Its wings beat furiously, and its body moved with the grace and agility of a true aerial acrobat. It was a beautiful sight to behold, a spectacle of power and grace that could only be achieved by a creature so perfectly attuned to the frigid skies.
Finally, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, the Icebird decided to call it a day. It flew towards a nearby cliff, landing softly on the jagged rocks. The Icebird let out a satisfied chirp, its body buzzing with energy and excitement. It knew that it had pushed itself to its limits, that it had grown stronger and more skillful. And it couldn't wait to do it all over again.
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REMINISCING
1513 IF 5401:00
Elyon missed the Icebird dearly, and often found herself lost in thought, reminiscing about the times they had spent together. As she sat in her residence on the world tree, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness without the Icebird's playful antics to brighten her day.
Elyon knew that keeping the Icebird by her side all the time would have only been doing the creature a disservice. As much as she enjoyed the company of the Icebird, she recognized that it needed to be free to grow and explore on its own. She had seen how the bird had flourished under her guidance, and she knew it had been time for her to let it go.
Nonetheless, Elyon reflected on her time with the Icebird, cherishing the moments they had spent together. She had taught it to fly and hunt, and the bird had taught her about the beauty of nature and the importance of companionship. But she also knew that there were limits to what she could provide the creature. The Icebird needed to face the challenges of the world on its own and to discover its own path.
As Elyon gazed out over the snowy landscape from a perch high up in the World Tree, she felt a pang of sadness at the thought of the Icebird haveing left her side. But she knew that it was for the best. She would always cherish the memories of their time together, and she would always be grateful for the lessons the Icebird had taught her. And who knows, maybe one day she would encounter another creature in need of her guidance and care. But for now, she would let the Icebird fly free and continue on its own journey.
It occurred to her that perhaps she should consider getting a pet of her own. Although she had never owned a pet before, the thought of having a loyal companion to share her adventures with filled her with excitement.
She began to research the various creatures that could potentially make good pets, observing their behaviours, dietary needs, and habitats. She considered everything from tiny fire sprites to massive ice dragons, but none of them seemed to be the right fit for her.
Eventually, she realized that she didn't need to rush into finding a pet just yet. She still had much to learn and discover in the world, and perhaps she would come across the perfect companion on her travels.
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SEARCHING
1513 IF 5401:00
Niloggver's nest was a sight to behold, made of interwoven branches from the world trees and adorned with glittering jewels and crystals. The air around him crackled with his power, a palpable force that seemed to vibrate the very branches of his nest.
As Niloggver rummaged through his nest, his immense power was palpable, radiating from him in waves that seemed to shake the very air around him. Even the nest itself seemed to bend towards him, as if in awe of his presence. Whatever he was searching for, it was clear that it held great importance to this powerful white and gold time dragon.
As he rummaged through his belongings, Niloggver's intense focus was evident on his face. He flipped through ancient tomes and scrolls some written by him, others he had gathered from the primordial waters and a few had even been given to him by Bashiri. Scanning each one carefully before moving on to the next. His eyes darted back and forth, searching for something specific.
A low growl rumbled from his chest, a mixture of frustration and determination. Whatever he was searching for seemed to elude him, and time was running out. His brow furrowed with concern as he continued his search, his mind racing with possibilities and scenarios.
Suddenly, Niloggver's eyes widened as he caught sight of something in the corner of his vision. His claw shot out and snatched the object from the pile, a glimmer of triumph in his eyes. He cradled it gently in his claw, as if it were a precious treasure.
But what was it that he had found? Niloggver's draconic lips curved into a tight smile, his thoughts churning as he carefully examined the object. The white and gold time dragon settled back onto his nest, the object held tightly in his grip.
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PREY
1513 IF 5401:00
The white wolves had been watching the Icebird as it played by itself in the vast snow-covered tundra. From afar, the wolves had seen the Icebird throwing snowballs and trying to hit them with its beak as it flew through the air. The wolves could sense that something was different about the Icebird now. It seemed to be more lonely than ever before, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for the creature.
As the wolves watched the Icebird, they realized that its protector, Elyon, was nowhere to be seen. The wolves had been wary of Elyon, who had scared them with her immense power, but now they sensed that something was amiss. They knew that Elyon had been the Icebird's constant companion, always watching over it and protecting it from danger.
The wolves could sense that the Icebird was vulnerable without Elyon's protection. They knew that they could take advantage of the situation and perhaps even hunt the creature for food. But as they watched the Icebird playing, they also felt a strange sense of guilt. They had seen how much the Icebird had relied on Elyon, and they knew that they couldn't replace her as a protector.
As the wolves watched, they began to hatch a plan. They would keep an eye on the Icebird, making sure that it was safe from other predators. They would also observe its habits and try to understand its needs. Perhaps they could find a way to help the creature in Elyon's absence.
But as the wolves discussed their plan, one among them had a different idea. He was a lone wolf, a rogue who had always been more aggressive than the rest of the pack. He had been watching the Icebird closely, studying its movements and behaviours. And he had come to a conclusion.
The Icebird, filled with aether, was alone, vulnerable, and defenceless. And that made it the perfect prey for the starving wolves, who had been seeking a precious energy source for weeks now.
The rogue wolf began to howl, signalling the rest of the pack. The others hesitated at first, sensing that something was not quite right. But the rogue wolf was insistent, and soon the pack had rallied behind him.
They crept closer to the Icebird, their eyes fixed on their target. The Icebird was too busy playing to notice the wolves' approach. It didn't even flinch when the wolves surrounded it, closing in from all sides.
And then, in a blur of motion, the wolves moved forwards.