Eldrazhul.
The City of Genesis.
This was the home and nest of the Primordial Serpent Clan. Eons ago, they had walked these very streets. It was the hub of their race—the place where their culture had grown and flourished.
Their presence could still be felt even after all this time. The different stores and districts seemed untouched, frozen in time. Food within bakeries and butcher shops remained on display, without any sign of decay. Clothing stores still showcased their unique and exotic garments as though the citizens were merely asleep, waiting for a new dawn to browse their selections.
But as Vairon and Kaelira wandered the streets, a constant sense of unease clung to every building and shadow. A feeling of unnaturalness permeated the very air of the city.
Kaelira's eyes drifted to a storefront displaying a selection of women's clothing. The mannequins stood over six feet tall, showcasing the towering, oppressive stature of the women of this race. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at the clothing adorning them.
"How beautiful…"
Her gaze was transfixed on a white dress. It carried a graceful yet sensual aura. Its fabric clung to the mannequin's figure, accentuating its curves while exuding a regal air. The design was like nothing she had ever seen before—its novelty captivating her.
As she was lost in admiration, Vairon appeared behind her without her noticing. His gaze flicked between her and the dress on display. His eyes flashed with deep thought before darkening slightly.
"Hey, hey, Vairon, do you think this would—"
"No."
"H-Huh? But I haven't even—"
"No."
"WILL YOU LISTEN, YOU STONE-FACED BASTARD!?"
"…"
"Thank you! As I was—"
"No."
"YOU'RE FUCKING DEAD!"
As she whipped around to grab him, she caught only air. A faint breeze was the only evidence he had been standing there. Kaelira's eyes sharpened like those of a predator as she locked onto a figure casually gliding down the street.
"VAIRON AETHERION!! YOU STOP RIGHT THERE!"
"Hahaha."
Her shrill screams were met with the warm laughter of the fleeing green-haired bastard.
After a few minutes of playful chasing (not really—she had pulled out her halberd), the two continued toward the central structure.
Kaelira now sat firmly on Vairon's back, her legs locked tight around his waist and her arms wrapped around his throat like a vice. Wearing an indignant expression, she growled menacingly:
"Why wouldn't it suit me!?"
"I never said that."
"Then what's your explanation for your rude, and very swift, rejection?"
"Did I reject it?"
Grip slowly tightening.
"Cough, cough— I wasn't rejecting it. You misunderstand."
"Did you just say 'cough, cough' out loud?"
"I simply expressed my worries."
"OYE!"
Seeing he refused to acknowledge her words, Kaelira rolled her eyes and began to descend from his back—only to be stopped by a firm grip on her legs. Surprised, she stared at the back of his head as if trying to burn holes into it.
A faint, satisfied smirk appeared on her face as her gaze softened. Relaxing, she let her weight rest fully on his back and draped her arms over his shoulders.
"So? What were these worries?"
Realizing she wouldn't drop the subject, Vairon let out a sigh.
"Safety. Security."
"Oye, don't revert back to your one-word sentence thing! Explain clearly!"
"…"
"Sigh. Safety and security of what, might I ask?"
"My pants."
"…"
"…"
"...huh?"
"That's all you're getting out of me, woman."
Time passed slowly as they walked. They spoke about meaningless things, yet something felt different between them—as if some barrier they both held up was crumbling, piece by piece. They found themselves falling into a strange, though comfortable, rhythm. As if their beings were beginning to harmonize.
After a while, a warm, comforting silence settled over them. They stayed like this until Kaelira finally broke it.
"Your… visions. What did you see?"
Vairon's steps faltered for half a beat before continuing, his pace noticeably slower. He remained silent for a moment, arranging his thoughts.
"I saw… the original occupants of this small world. Their rise and the blooming of their hegemony. And the fall of their dynasty… as well as the fate of those who once lived within these walls."
The mood turned somber instantly. Kaelira could swear the air around them dropped several degrees. She noticed Vairon's expression—no longer relaxed and unbothered, but weighed down.
"What happened?"
—----POV: Vairon—----
When I first searched the mansion we were staying in, I was only looking for tomes that could give me clues about who once controlled this world.
But when I reached the main hall, something called out to me. That's when I noticed it for the first time—a massive mural on the far wall, depicting the rise and fall of a terrifying race. As I stared at the images, they grew clearer and clearer, until it felt like they were dragging me into them.
Before I realized it, I was standing on a vast mountain realm, a world teeming with primordial life.
Forests stretched endlessly, ancient and alive with a vitality impossible for a world filled with intelligent life. Birds, elk, tigers—animals of every kind roamed the land. It was a picture of serene, untouched beauty.
As I was lost in the scene, the world stilled. Everything—from the swaying trees to the smallest insects—froze.
And then a sense of existential dread locked me in place.
A profound desire to kneel filled my entire being. When I lifted my gaze to the sky, I saw a sight that threatened to strip me of my sanity.
Two grey eyes—larger than the moons in sky—stared down. Not at me, but at the entire world.
They sat upon the head of a gargantuan serpent. Its majestic, holy presence enveloped the entire planet.
Its gaze demanded the submission and worship of all living beings.
And they obeyed.
Every animal kneeled, bowing as if commanded by ancestral memory. Even I, with all my pride, found myself sitting in reverence.
Yet I felt no fear.
Only peace.
As if this was the natural order.
The serpent's eyes held no mockery, no disdain—only deep affection. As if it felt the heartfelt reverence of the billions below.
Its eyes shimmered. The world bloomed. Flowers opened. The wind gently embraced all life like a mother cradling her child.
The serpent reeled back its colossal head, opened its mouth—
—and my vision went black.
When I opened my eyes again, I was in a blooming city.
People walked the streets, tall and powerful. Silver scales lined their features, and their grey serpentine eyes glowed with vitality. Young or old, each carried world-shaking power.
My years of research and study told me who they were.
World Serpents.
The Primordial World Serpent Clan.
This secret realm… was their ancient home. A race said to stand above dragons, phoenixes—above all primordial races. A race whose disappearance marked the beginning of the end of the Primordial Era.
Seeing them alive filled me with awe.
But the vision shifted.
Soldiers rushed to the walls. Mothers dragged children toward the city center. Every able-bodied citizen armed themselves.
Something was coming.
Something even they feared.
The skies turned black—darker than the deepest night. A black rain fell on the forests, staining the trees with a color so deep it seemed to devour light.
No smell.
No sound.
Only… nothingness.
The people did not panic. Their expressions softened with… relief.
They knew what was coming.
And that they could not stop it.
But they stood their ground anyway. Their determination burning like the brightest star.
Then a world-shattering presence descended. A figure in white armor shone like a beacon, keeping the consuming darkness at bay.
The figure turned toward us—a woman beneath the armor—and spoke:
"Ssythra raa'zyr ulthuun. Ssyra ulthuu'nash. Koraath ssra'kul!!"
I couldn't understand the words she spoke, but the resounding war cries around me told me all I needed to know. As I lost myself in the sea of grim resolve. I noticed that the woman in the air was gazing right at me.
Her gaze locked my soul in place.
She spoke again—this time, I understood.
"Ulthuun shai raa'thra. Koraath shuur ssai."
'Creation bless you. May ruin follow in your steps.'