Eidara
Umbrahaven, a vast and tranquil forest, lay shrouded in perpetual twilight. In this otherworldly realm, neither sun nor moon graced the sky, casting everything in an eternal, enchanting dusk. Bioluminescent flora adorned the landscape, providing a subtle, ethereal glow, just enough to illuminate the path ahead.
The air held a refreshing coolness, undisturbed by even the faintest whisper of a breeze. A pervasive sense of comfort permeated the atmosphere, beckoning all who entered to venture deeper and discover the secrets concealed at the forest's heart.
At the outer fringes of this mystical forest, a figure clad in pristine white emerged. A woman, her face concealed by a veil of gray mist, with her long silver hair cascading like molten moonlight. Her robe possessed an elusive quality, appearing both solid and ghostly as it swirled in response to unseen forces. Around her, a shroud of darkness pulsed, hosting an ever-changing cascade of golden words in every language known to the world. These cryptic phrases hinted at the hidden truths and mysteries of the universe, a dance of knowledge and mystery in perpetual flux.
Suddenly, the once-still forest stirred to life, as phantoms materialized among the ethereal flora. They danced, sang, and played, yet made no sound, their spectral forms moving with grace and abandon. Periodically, a phantom would gain clarity, its form crystallizing, and it would be inexorably drawn toward the heart of this enigmatic place. However, for every one that departed, two more emerged, an ever-replenishing dance of apparitions.
Eidara surveyed the scene, taking in the mesmerizing spectacle. A moment later, her ageless voice rang out, a melodious echo in the twilight. "Nyxia. The Shadows only appear when you are near. Where are you?"
For a brief moment, silence hung in the air, then, emerging from the obscurity of the forest's shadows, a feminine figure appeared. Nyxia possessed dusky skin, and her hair resembled the softest evening shadows. Her eyes were deep, enchanting pools that drew you in, promising secrets never to be revealed. Shadows cloaked her body, constantly shifting and reshaping, at times a dress and at others a robe, never staying the same for long.
"This is my Divine Kingdom, Eidara," Nyxia spoke, her voice flowing as smoothly as silk. "Why have you come?"
Eidara contemplated the question for a moment before responding, "There is a looming threat, Nyxia. A harbinger of disaster, an ender of eras."
"From where does this threat arise? The past or the future?"
"The past, Nyxia. Xaralthuum."
The mere utterance of that name sent a tremor through the twilight forest. Some of the phantoms briefly faded, as if an unseen wind attempted to erase them. Nyxia, however, narrowed her eyes. "The Elder God? Is he not sealed beneath the Citadel of Nyarlath, in slumber?"
"'He is, but the stars are aligning," Eidara answered. "Soon, he may stir. And if he does…"
"The end of Gods," Nyxia finished in a somber tone, her gaze deep in thought. After a few moments, she inquired, "Is that all?"
Eidara shook her head. "No. He can be stopped."
Nyxia inquired, "How?"
"When the stars align, he shall remain in slumber, unless something awakens him. As long as we prevent that, we avert the disaster."
Nyxia nodded in understanding. Eidara, as the oldest, held a depth of knowledge and insight, and so if she believed the disaster might be so easy to subvert, then it must be so. "So, I ask once more, Eidara. What do you seek?"
The words surrounding Eidara flickered briefly before coalescing into a single phrase that soon dissipated. "Nyxia, grant me your strength. Zalthar, Zarach, and Azaroth are determined to unleash Xaralthuum. Zalthar hungers for the chaos it would bring, while Zarach naively believes it will offer more for his consumption. As for Azaroth... I fear he only craves the chaos that would ensue.
"Oblivion, Aurion, and Astraia have pledged to assist me, but to protect is more challenging than to destroy. Join us, and help us endure until the threat passes. We need all the assistance we can muster."
Nyxia considered Eidara's request with a thoughtful gaze, but ultimately, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Eidara. But I am incomplete."
Eidara probed further, "Your aspect—"
"It refuses to return to me," Nyxia interjected. "In my weakened state, if I were to participate, I might become sustenance for that glutton. I must decline."
"But if you were to regain your aspect?" Eidara asked, seeking certainty about Nyxia's alignment.
"Then, I would gladly stand with you," Nyxia replied.
In a sudden, startling moment, a rift resembling a colossal, voracious mouth tore open in the twilight sky. It expanded rapidly, unleashing a powerful suction force. In the blink of an eye, thousands of the playful shadows that had danced through Umbrahaven were consumed by the ominous void.
Nyxia extended her hand, her movements deliberate and commanding. She turned her hand over, and with a gesture, the remaining shadows dissolved into nothingness.
Meanwhile, Eidara pivoted to face the gaping anomaly in the heavens, her voice resounding with unmistakable anger. "You foolish glutton, may your insatiable hunger be your downfall. Begone!" With her final word, a golden phrase coalesced from the very void surrounding her, surging toward the ravenous maw in the sky. The phrase exploded upon impact, obliterating the rift.
As the anomaly vanished, the serene forest of Umbrahaven returned to its tranquil state. But Nyxia's anger had been stoked, her own shadows had been consumed. She vowed silent vengeance against Zarach for this affront.
Eidara addressed Nyxia, her voice filled with concern. "Stay hidden until you recover your aspect. You're right; the danger is too great now."
Nyxia nodded, fading away into the protective embrace of the shadows. Simultaneously, the forest itself seemed to warp and bend, closing the void left by her departure. In an instant, what was once the flourishing Umbrahaven had transformed into empty space.
Eidara observed the transition, her gaze fixed on something unseen, before she too dissolved into the ether, leaving no trace of her presence behind.