... The Goddes loved humans as they loved her deeply. Her brilliance was bestowed upon the chosen humans, so they could spread her kindness across the world indiscriminately, to elves, dwarves, the children of the beasts, the sinners, and to those who in Goddes didn't believe. Under the guidance of the Mother of the Light, the chosen human led the other of his kind, he established the first Empire of Humans and crowned himself as the first Emperor, Reagan I.
Blessed by the Goddes, the Emperor ruled his land and people wisely, the empire flourished, and for the first time since the beginning of the world, the intelligent races stopped their war. An Era of Kings and Peace began.
But centuries later when the Emperor died at the age of 478 years, the influence of Goddes reached its peak. The people didn't mourn the death of their ruler, they celebrated the reunion of the Mother and her beloved son. The Kings of all species gathered to bid farewell to the wisest of them all.
In her kindness, Goddess decided to not abandon the people of her son, she bestowed the ultimate gift to the world. Her true Daughter. Made from the most brilliant light and fragile flesh of the humans, the kindest soul that ever walked upon the world was made. People rejoiced when the Daughter of Light descended from the heavens to lead the unworthy souls of her servants. But the Daughter didn't want to lead the humans as the ruler, she declined the crown and title of the Empress. Instead, she became the head of the White Church and used her miracles in the way she thought would be the best. The Daughter helped those who came to her seeking help, tending to their wounds, or easing their minds with her wisdom. And the Goddes rejoiced by the kindness of her daughter.
But years passed again, and war once again struck the continent. The influence of the Goddes started weakening at the edges of the Empire. The corrupted nobles started seeking the opportunity to seize their desires, as the greed was great in them.
They fooled the people of their land and led them against the capital.
Knowing that the Goddes won't watch idly, they began the preparations. They ventured deep underground, to the places where the concept of Light was unheard of. There, in the deepest part of the Underworld, the foul creatures answered the call of the desperate nobles.
Sacrificing their souls, the 9 nobles become the avatars of the 9 Overlords of Gehenna. One stronger than the previous. Then the 9 Drums played their chaotic music, unleashing the filthy spawns of Gehenna. The millions of Demons flooded the land, destroying and corrupting the light. The Era of Chaos began.
Soon the Army of Corruption reached the Empire's Capital, The Silver City. With the armies of the Chaos banging at their gates, the 24th son of Emperor Reagan the I, Audictus, led his Silver Army against the foe. They battled for five days and the merciless arrows of Audictus decimated the Demons. 1st Demon Lord fell during the battle and the Army of Chaos retreated. But they returned the next day, their sheer numbers let them siege the Silver City. This time, 5 Demon Lords personally lead their Armies.
Emperor Audictus once again stood up for the battle. The battle lasted for 15 days, but unfortunately, the Emperor lost his life, taking the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Demon Lord with him.
The Daughter of the Goddes cried in sadness and wailed: "The bravest of us all is no more! Oh, my Mother! Use my Light to burn the creatures of the Chaos from this world! Save the people as I see them as my children!"
And the Goddes heard her daughter. Using the brightest of the lights, the Goddes cried upon the land and her tears vanquished the filthy creatures. But in her uncontrolled sadness, the Goddes couldn't stop her tears from falling and so destroying everything on the land. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, children of the Beasts, children of the Night and animals, the life in the waters, all suffered in the great sadness of the Goddes.
Seeing what she did, the Goddes was ashamed. Sacrificing her brilliance she restored the world as it was meant to be, sealing the Underworld behind the Glass Doors.
It is said that one day, the Doors will shatter and the Five Demon Lords will step inside the Mortal realm, seizing what they think belongs to them. It is said that Hero will come from beyond the stars, molded by the Gods to lead the races to the new Era...
*****
"...and that was the tale of times forgotten when the first Emperor..." The elder man spoke to the crowd with a husky voice, shaking a straw hat as he walked between them collecting coins or food.
The townfolks clapped their hands and eagerly sponsored the older man. Few even clapped him on the back wishing him well.
"Now my children, these old bones need to rest. Return at dawn to hear another of the 'Thousands of Tales'!" The old man yelled at the crowd and disappeared inside the wooden hut given him by the town's mayor.
Now inside the building, the old man suddenly stood straight, like an arrow. His wobbly footsteps were gone, replaced by the confidently placed feet. "Geh! Those dirty, filthy lowlifes!" The old man cursed, cleaning his hand in a bowl with water.
"Then stop this shebang and go get a better job."
"Wah! Who's there?!" The man jumped, scared at the sudden voice that reached his ears. He grabbed the razor blade laying next to the bowl and started waving it around. "Who are you?! Show yourself!"
The old man squinted his eyes, trying to see better inside his poorly lit house. The only source of light was candles, which flames danced wildly under the touch of cold wind.
"I heard your tale..." Suddenly a candle died out. The old man's breathing became faster.
"...It was entertaining, though a little shallow..." Another two flames vanquished, increasing the territory of eerie darkness.
"W-who are you?! What do you want from this poor old man? I-I don't have much left, but I can give it to you! Just leave me the food!" The old man begged the voice in the darkness. The iron palm of fear grasped his heart.
"...Tch, tch, tch... Don't interrupt me. Didn't you beat that boy when he interrupted your fantasies?" The voice snickered and laughed heartily.
All colors were drained from the old man's face. He could have run for the doors minutes ago, but a silent voice in his head advised him not to. He felt he would regret it.
"...Now, let's talk about you, shall we? We should get to know each other... clooosely~." The voice chuckled once again, but once manly singular voice, shattered into many different voices.
The trembling in the man's arms intensified. He could feel something was lurking in the shadows, something was staring at him, toying with him.
"Please, let me go! I didn't wrong you, and if I did I'm sorry!" He purposely raised his voice, hoping that someone will hear him and come to his rescue.
Another candle lost its flame. The darkness was another step closer to the older man. He could tell that the darkness was unnatural, no darkness was as deep as the one in front of him... Its gaze could pierce his very soul. He grabbed the last candle and hold it in front of him, near his heart.
"Ah-huh~! Don't try, old man~!" The voice now that of a child giggled. "None will hear you, none will help you, none will miss you, none asked for you, none will remember you..." The voice kept changing as it continued to speak. Its volume and tone become deeper and deeper, huskier and worn out.
The old man trembled upon those words. He fell to his knees, the flame shook violently threatening to fade, but it lasted. The grey eyes of the elder shot wide open, his pupils shrank despite overwhelming darkness. They were shaking, just like his whole body.
"No...no...no, no, no, no, no, nonononono....." He kept repeating over and over again. This voice that spoke those words, he recognized it. He will always recognize. Because that voice and words were his.
"Now~!" The voice was coming closer and closer. "That's the expression~! Haha!" It started shifting between different voices, making it even more disturbing.
The shadows as if they were alive started tightening the circle around the old man. The razor blade fell from his hand and landed on the edge of the darkness, only to be consumed by the advancing abbys.
"...mother of light, shield me from the darkness, as I was born in the light and in the light, I should fade..." The old man started muttering. The fear was overwhelming his mind and senses. He could feel he was losing them the longer he stared in the dark, the closer it came.
"Ahahahah!" The darkness laughed at the prayers, like a tickled child. "Your Goddes abandoned you! Just like others!"
The tears started flowing down the old man's cheeks. The tears of helplessness and fear, he couldn't even bring out his voice at this point. He wanted to be saved by someone... just anyone...
"""" Now... Tell me another tale, Storyteller~ Ahahahahah~!""""
The several voices spoke at once from every direction as the final candle died out, letting the dark devour the whole place.