Unbeknownst to Shadow and Crescent, the very mountain that seemed to be a rocky stairway to a perfect haven, was also a gate to the very inferno where the underworld stood idle.
Once, the Nether was like the Ether. It was a pristine floating island, a paradise of harmless flames. No one ever thought the Nether would brutally crash into the frozen, hollow Earth below. To the citizens of the Nether, the very mention of such a thing was considered preposterous — impossible. But, the day that the Nether finally sank beneath the rolling, cottony clouds, settled a mass panic. Every being, every creature, was too worried about themselves. Their greed to save only themselves and lack of compassion for one another corrupted the gentle and innocent fire.
The flames engulfed the Nether, enveloping it hateful fire. The Nether warped and melted, sinking beneath the surface until it solidified with pain and loathing. The Nether’s residents were horribly mutilated in the fall, each being reincarnated as demons, monsters, ghouls, and other despicable monstrosities. They were mutated and altered, because of their own unkindness and distrust. They had learned that just a little bit of kindness went a long way.
So had the creatures of the Ether. They too, had taken what they had for granted. But as they saw what resulted from such behavior, their ungratefulness dissolved. Kindness rose from cruelty, just as creation rose from chaos. Every being had learned this, but not a young and scrawny yet defiant gryphon, whose name was none other than — Nyx the Eternal.
Her treacherous ways still tortured the weak, offering no mercy. Nyx would often judge trials, even some as petty as scale theft. The trial ongoing at this very moment was about that very topic. A shrewd gryphon with the title of Armor Crest wished to be a majestic dragon, and this yearning had put his life on the line. Due to his lack of confidence, he had started collecting the fallen scales of dragons. Then, he would begin to make almost impenetrable barrier protecting him from harm. He wore this shield everyday, refusing to take off the collage of colors. His craving for more and more scales led him to murder. Murdering a single unsuspecting dragon would host a plethora of scales, enough to make himself two pairs of gleaming armor. Each victim was found with slits in their bellies, the only place where dragons were vulnerable.
He stood before Nyx, waiting for her revered malevolence and hostility to be hurled at him, her words sharper than knives. But all she did was glower at him. Her malicious stare clearly said that she hated him — despised him. Nyx gave a demanding order to a nearby servant. The servant left to retrieve a crossbow.
“Your crimes are unforgivable.” Nyx said. “You are to be executed in five seconds.” The servant re-entered the room with a dangerous-looking crossbow. She handed it to Nyx. Nyx pulled the trigger.
“Five.” squeaked a faerie.
“Four.” said a kelpie.
“Three.” piped a unicorn.
“Two.” bellowed Nyx.
“ONE.” sneered a dragon.
Armor Crest braced himself for impact.
To be continued…