Xinima Dimension

Prologue: The Origin of Vaeryon

(Building the backstory of Vaeryon, one of the key characters, to provide readers with deeper insights.)

Before the War

"Between the Celestial, the divine arbiter of the world's end, and the Fallen Deity, the god who stands by humanity to protect it."

Chapter 1: Vaeryon and the Unleashing of Darkness

The Fateful Night

Beneath a dim moon cloaked in thick clouds, Vaeryon trudged through a desolate, withered field. Charred scars, dark and menacing, marred half of his face and right arm, sending faint pulses of pain—a haunting reminder of a past he could not escape.

"Just past this border… and no one will be able to follow me," he muttered under his breath as his gaze fixed on a small village frozen in time, seemingly untouched by the flow of years.

As his steps carried him into the village, an eerie silence enveloped him, heightening his vigilance. His eyes locked onto an old man standing motionless in the shadowy street. The elder's gaze, profound and enigmatic, seemed to pierce into his very soul.

"I've been waiting for you…" the old man rasped, his voice both frail and commanding.

Vaeryon's brow furrowed, suspicion lacing his voice. "Waiting for me? How do you know who I am?"

The old man offered a faint smile. "I know what resides in your heart… the hatred, the pain, and the questions that remain unanswered."

Those words struck Vaeryon like a dagger. He hesitated before responding, his tone laced with cautious defiance. "If you know so much… then lead me."

The old man nodded knowingly and turned, guiding Vaeryon into a forest shrouded in ominous shadows beyond the village.

The Forest of Secrets

This was no ordinary forest. Its twisted branches and tightly entwined roots exuded an oppressive presence, while the wind carried whispers like the voices of lost souls.

"Have you ever wondered why mere mortals are gifted divine power, yet you—a demon-blooded one—were abandoned?" the old man queried, his back still turned to Vaeryon as they walked.

The question ignited a fire within Vaeryon. "Because this world has never been fair. Even the gods themselves are biased."

A faint chuckle escaped the old man. "Then you are ready… ready to face the true darkness within yourself."

Their journey led them to the heart of the forest, where a towering, ancient stone pillar loomed. Its surface glowed with foreboding black runes, radiating an aura of malevolence.

"This is the Sacred Pillar of Darkness. The power you seek lies here. But first… you must confront your true self."

The Unsealing of Power

Vaeryon approached the pillar, its chilling presence seeping into his very core. An invisible force seemed to pull him closer, yet another force pushed him away.

Standing before the ancient, sacred pillar, he felt its indescribable energy envelop him. The old man's voice echoed softly yet thunderously in the air.

"If you desire power, you must face the truth of who you are."

Before Vaeryon could respond, the ground trembled. The runes on the pillar flared with black and violet light, and shadows around him coalesced into a humanoid form. It was him—another Vaeryon, but with eyes blazing crimson, burning with malice and rage.

"I am your anger, your sins, and your fears," the shadow declared, its voice icy and mocking. "And I am better than you. I am here to claim you."

Without warning, the shadow lunged at Vaeryon with unrelenting ferocity. Its blade barely missed his throat in a split second. Vaeryon countered instinctively, parrying with his own sword.

"You're weak! You delude yourself into thinking you have strength, yet you let those you love die before your very eyes," the shadow sneered, its voice dripping with contempt.

Haunting memories of his mother's lifeless body and his sister's desperate screams flooded his mind. Grinding his teeth against the torment, Vaeryon swung his blade with fury, his anger igniting like a wildfire.

"Shut up!" he roared.

The shadow laughed mockingly. "You cannot defeat me, and you know it." Its blade slashed across Vaeryon's side, drawing blood and forcing him to his knees.

Confronting the Truth

As Vaeryon lay wounded, the old man's voice resonated in his mind.

"Face yourself."

Vaeryon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Though the shadow's words cut deep, he could not deny their truth.

"I let them die. I was weak…" he murmured. But then his voice steadied. "But I am also their memory… their hope."

His eyes snapped open, now filled with unwavering resolve. The shadow wavered as if destabilized.

Vaeryon rose to his feet and raised his blade. With a strike imbued with acceptance and determination, he slashed through the shadow. It screamed before dissolving into mist.

The Cost of Power

As the Sacred Pillar's dark energy fused with Vaeryon's body, an overwhelming surge of strength coursed through him. Every nerve felt alive with destructive power, yet it came with an ominous price.

Whispers, faint but persistent, crept into his mind like ghosts in the dark. Their words, sinister and seductive, urged him to embrace his darkness.

"Your rage is your strength."

"Hatred will fuel your fire to burn the world."

"Forsake your humanity—it is worthless."

The power gnawed at his soul, searing his eyes as though a blaze consumed him from within. Memories of laughter and love began to fade, replaced by screams and despair.

Clutching his head, Vaeryon roared in anguish. "What is this?! This power… it's consuming me!"

The old man, watching silently, spoke with a solemn tone.

"This is the cost of power. You may gain what you seek, but you will lose something precious in return."

"What do you mean?!" Vaeryon shouted.

"The humanity within you… your soul. Each time you wield this power, it will corrode your mind. One day, you will become a demon with no memories, no hope—only rage and hatred."

The words struck like a dagger, but Vaeryon clenched his fists and steadied his gaze. "I will master it. I will not succumb to this curse."

The old man chuckled softly. "We shall see… But know this: every step you take with this power brings you closer to the abyss."

The forest fell silent. The pillar's glow dimmed, leaving Vaeryon staring at his transformed hand—now blackened and etched with glowing cursed runes. He was no longer the man he once was.

"From now on… the world shall know me as the demon who will bring fear to both humans and Celestials alike."

Epilogue: The Beginning of Vaeryon

Who is Vaeryon?

What fueled his hatred for humanity and the world?

This unsealing of demonic power marks a turning point—a prelude to the war between him and the Celestials.

In the Next Chapter

"Eryndor: The Man of Unyielding Faith"

A man with unshakable devotion to the gods will rise as Vaeryon's adversary. Their clashing ideologies will ignite a war that cannot be avoided.