Chapter 257 - In The Beginning

[Music Recommendation: "Mountains" - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild OST - available in Spotify or Youtube]

In the very beginning, long before the Supreme created Gaia and everything in it, "Love" existed. In fact, it was the very foundation of everything. For with Love, the Supreme created everything and nothing was created without it. From the heavens above to the ground below, from the skies and the vast oceans, the mountains, even night and day—everything was made with Love.

Therefore Love was the first witness of the creation and the foundation of the world. And from a tiny portion of it, the very first Guardian was born.

The Guardian of Love… the bridge between heavens and earth, and at the same time, shared the characteristics of a Magi. For out of the dust, she was created like the others, yet set apart by the Gift of Love.

As the Guardian of Love, it was in her very nature to love. Every creation of the Supreme, she held with great respect, compassion, and adoration. From the first foundation created by the Supreme, unto the very last, from the creation of Magi who would live on the world He created, and unto the next Guardians appointed to protect the world and its people—she saw them all with her own eyes. And even before the moment she laid her eyes on them, she loved them.

Yes… a love so deep, and wide, and vast, formed long before the concept of Time was created, or the Elements, and everything.

When Time began and the world of Gaia started living, the Guardian of Love lived with the people she loved. They grew together, discovering things, feeling, striving, living together. The more time passed she was with them, the deeper she cherished them.

Not wanting the people to feel a gap between them, for she was a Guardian and had a longer lifespan than them, she decided to let Time rule her body. From then on, she grew up and aged like an ordinary Magi. She also let Death get a hold of her but only for a moment. Because every time, she would be reborn again, like the others, and regain all the memories from the beginning of time… like a phoenix.

Delighted by the idea, in her next life, she took the form of a White Phoenix. From then on, the symbol of the Guardian of Love became that. Everyone thought it was the Sacred Beast form of the Guardian of Love. But on most occasions, she would still take the form of a Magi and mingle with them.

Time passed by again until thousands of years went by like a flash for her. She had been reborn so many times and encountered people so many times. Little did she know that Death had been cunning and took a part of her every time he held onto her. 

Every moment she was reborn, it would become harder and harder for her to remember her original self. Until it came to a time when she thought she was an ordinary Magi like the others.

Despite that, she couldn't deny her very nature. She still loved everyone and all creations with the same depth, vastness, and extravagance. Even in times of conflicts and wars, she was with them and did her best to protect them.

Noticing this, Death became cunning again, and this time, instead of taking her memories, she took some of her love as well. Until it came to a point where her love was only directed towards a few people—that being the family unto which she was born and towards the Supreme's chosen King.

During the Great War, when the world was in chaos and the people were divided into nations, the Guardian of Love, not knowing she was one, was used by a Mad King to do something evil. For the very first time… she ended a Magi's life. 

Going against her nature, she was shaken greatly and hid herself in the Valleys of Death. Death took this chance once more to plant a seed in her. 

Yes, the seed of evil.

The Seed of Absence.

This seed started to take more of her love like a parasite. The more she produced, the more it drained it away. Yet, with much abundance, it still couldn't kill all of her love. 

But out of the love that was drained away from her, "Hatred" was born.

It took roots inside her… but she didn't know.

Time passed by again, and she was reborn numerous times once more. 

Until it came to the time of King Eli and Queen Alice… 

The time when Hatred finally took its form… as Vindicta.

"Ahhh… what a pleasant dream," Vindicta, who was sleeping inside the Holy Crystal in the midst of Gaia, said.

Her once tightly shut eyes suddenly opened wide, revealing an ominous silver glow. A darkness so thick surrounded her body like cloth, and because of it, what once was a pure white Holy Crystal, turned dark as the night sky.

"Too bad… I'm already awake."

The tiny cracks on the Holy Crystal suddenly began to enlarge itself.

Larger and larger they became until it filled the whole crystal.

Vindicta lifted her hand and touched it with her forefinger.

C-CRACK… CRAACK… CRAAAAAAACKKK!

Like a mirror on the verge of collapse, the entire Holy Crystal shattered into pieces with her touch.

Her floating body landed gracefully on the ground with the darkness following her.

Only her silver eyes, fair skin, and wine-red hair that fluttered in the wind provided a slight contrast from the darkness that soon turned into her clothing. It was the darkest and longest gown there ever was in Gaia. Its tail dragged on the once pure white soil of the continent with her every step.

When she reached the edge of the floating continent, she looked in all directions with her emotionless eyes—the east to west, the north, and the south.

"Ahhh… what a beautiful sight."

Her lips curved into a smile with what she saw.

A soft chuckle echoed with the wind.

Until the chuckle turned into an evil grin.

"Too bad… It's time to destroy it."