Corrupted Conceptions

Corrupted Conceptions (the name of which was suggested by user ) is a story detailing the origins of the rivalry between Shadowmaster and the Godly Ones, specifically Enthydenius.

Prologue
The very beginning of history was a murky one, at that. Billions of years could have gone by, but none would have known, or could say so. All that was known was that eventually, as time passed, the universe had come to be populated by a vast number of organisms. Of course, there was to be a dominant species - the Kestora, with the greater subspecies of the Netorrian. This species lived a scattered, nomadic life. Some lived as loners, while others saw it fit to band together and rely on their own skills. They thought that this would be how they, and their descendants, would live their lives until some new species became dominant. But this would not be so.

With several tribes scattered about, there was also division. Division led to disagreements, disagreements to arguments, arguments to conflict, and conflict evolved into war. Soon, all were locked into a war - everyone fighting for their own life and none other. Eventually, too many lives were lost, and one - an apparent Netorrian by the name of Eden - stood up and convinced the people that useless fighting would accomplish nothing. The others agreed. At first, a decision was reached that Eden, being the one who had united the people, would be the sole leader of a new tribe, but this was met with protest. Many had found themselves uncomfortable with a single being governing, and decided to go their own separate ways, to the environment that suited them best. And so, society had split once more, across the land - some settling in the jungle, some near the oceanic regions, others made their homes in the volcanic plains, some in the eternal night forest where they could gaze upon the stars, and some in the chaotic, windy aerial plains.

Eden herself had managed to obtain a following, and she convinced the people that there needed to be unity, although not under one leader. Several beings tried to attain leadership and prove themselves, most rebuked. But some had stood out. Figures of authority or wisdom. Eventually, it was shown that their own prominence was not just coincidence - destiny had brought them to this position, as proven by their abilities and the actual control of the environments in which they had settled. The very world changed according to them, and society had known that these beings were the ones destined to lead. Eden herself had been one of the destined leaders, the physical essence of light. Her own pacifistic ways had shown through the gentle, calm waters. Vius was another, the essence of life, and the jungle sprung as ecstatically as he had - lively. Kairos was the essence of time itself, and the ancient volcanic regions acted as a representation of this. Astrax was the calm, intelligent, calculative essence of space, vast and knowledgeable, and the forest stood out as so - in eternal, calm night where the world around could be observed. And Chaos, the essence of disorder and turbulence, strong yet without order, was the leader of the floating, shattered plains in the sky, constantly battered by winds as chaotic as Chaos himself. Society, and as it seemed, destiny itself, had chosen these leaders, and so they were appointed to rule 5 separate tribes due to both their power and wisdom. A pact was made, one that would establish that the tribes would live in peace, but fend for themselves.

And so it has been for millennia. Minor skirmishes and threats from nature itself had been the worst of these people's worries for countless years...until now. Soon, events would occur, the outcomes of which would shape the very universe, and many universes to come.

Chapter 1
The being stood at a stone podium which overlooked a number of beings. Some small, some taller. Each one unique, yet similar, wearing various badges to represent their allegiance to their tribe, and their leader, be it the color of their armor or their signature weapons. Each was similar. She could see her own reflection in the river which flowed nearby. She was like them, almost. Clad in gray armor, she stood taller than them, and she knew her powers exceeded theirs. But she was just the same as them at heart. Unfortunately, some did not believe this. She didn't argue, she understood. Her own position of authority had evidenced this. She had been selected to lead this tribe by destiny itself, and she could shape the land around her to whatever suited her desires. But she saw no need for this. All she sought was peace, and the decision she was about to make, she thought, would be the best to make sure of this.

"For millennia, we have thrived. We have fended for ourselves, and we have fought hard when we have needed to. Unfortunately, we have also had losses. A recent raid by loners on our camp has resulted in the death of one of our founding members. One that I could have called my deputy. Vicar, our most trusted and among our oldest warriors, has passed, and now I believe that in order to maintain our stability, I must appoint a secondary leading figure to support the authority. For ages, this being has proven himself, stood out among the masses, as one of the strongest, the most determined. I hope that he will one day follow in my footsteps. His name is Shadow," Eden spoke to the masses. As she finished, another being, clad in ebony armor and wearing a silver mask, slid out and took the spotlight, standing before the crowd. Eden hoped that she had made the right decision, knowing that if anything were to happen to her, this being would take her place as leader. He was strong, yes, and certainly smart. Although his own ambition had stood out. Perhaps he'd wanted the best for his tribe, and she was willing to give him a chance. What was the worst that could happen? Reassuring herself, she stepped down and allowed Shadow to speak.

"I assure you, that Eden's choice was for the best. I know that some of you have been here with us for longer than I, but she has shown her confidence in my abilities and dedication to my tribe and she knows that I am the best suitor to help lead you into an era of peace. An era where war will not arise, and we shall stand united. Eden's decision was not in vain. I will do my best to reinforce the leadership," Shadow spoke, his deep voice echoing throughout the region. Eden noticed the tone of his voice when he spoke - it was in confidence. Yet strange confidence...like he'd had something planned. "However...since I'm speaking in front of you all now, I'd like to bring an important matter forth," he hissed, confirming her beliefs.

Shadow paused for a long second. "I think...that the recent raids on our establishment were no coincidence. We've been in low supplies of equipment and food recently. I know this is a time of hardship for the land. For the first time, the trees are growing bare, the warmth of our land dissipating. And its people have experienced the full wrath of these climate changes. Wouldn't you think that it would be logical for the others to be leading direct attacks on us, in order to steal our supplies? We're in the best, the superior, of locations and our inferior opponents know this." Eden's eyes narrowed. Not only was he calling the other tribes inferior, he had referred to them as enemies. He'd shown aggression to the other tribes before, yes, but never like this. Had the rivalries between the tribes driven him the wrong way?

Another voice broke out from the crowd. "Are you suggesting we go to war again? After what happened last time?" A shudder erupted through the mass, and cries of protest broke out. Someone else replied. "We'd best show the other tribes not to mess with us. Walk straight to their bases and teach them a lesson. Perhaps war is best."

An old, frail voice tinged with wisdom was the final reply to settle the crowd. "Mindless violence is not the answer." The one from which the voice had come, a fragile, hunched light green-armored figure, walked up to the podium, and stared directly at Shadow, his eyes burning into his. "Do you think it's for the best of us all to wage war on the others, with whom we have made a pact? To waste lives on a matter so uncertain? Or perhaps is that your intent? Are you the right one to come to lead us?"

Shadow sneered. "What would you know of it, old one? We may not be certain. But we must be certain. I believe it is for the benefit of us to settle borders down around our land and place guards to ensure that the borders are not crossed beyond necessity. Any raids will not go unnoticed, and we will know the perpetrators. I think this is for the best, and there is no harm to it. And perhaps the other tribes should do so as well. Your word, Eden?"

Eden returned to the podium, taken aback by what had just occurred. Of course, there was no harm in setting up borders - was there? At least the raids would be stopped from there and the identity of the attackers could be discovered. But had she just appointed a monster as deputy? Was this really the young, determined being who had once attempted to become leader of the undeveloped tribes? The one who had tried and fought harder than the others? What had she created? She calmed herself knowing this was only for the best. She had chosen Shadow for a reason, hadn't she? "I - I'll discuss this with the leaders of the other tribes. They'll know what's best and we'll...we'll decide from there. Thank you for your words, Shadow."

Shadow bowed his head and walked off. "Naturally," he mumbled. The older figure who had confronted him earlier eyed him with suspicion as he walked off. Eden's thoughts mirrored this suspicion. Surely, this was for the best. But was Shadow up to something? And what would the other leaders think of this?

More coming soon...