As the two entered the abandoned home, the atmosphere of the house seemed eerie and odd. The floor, wooden, creaky, and few planks loose and unstable, while the air was fresh yet cold. The entrance had lead them to a hall with many doors and a staircase leading to the next floor.
"This doesn't look very welcoming, Kuro..." Shiro whimpered.
"Oh, come on! This will be fine, come on let's explore." Kuro said, pulling Shiro along.
They approached one of the doors and slowly opened it. To Kuro surprise, there was nothing—literally—behind the door lied absolutely nothing but an black endless void. So he shut the door immediately.
"Lets try another door, shall we?" Kuro said.
"Huh? What was in that door?" Shiro asked, as he didn't get a glance at it.
"Nothing. Literally. Come on, give a door a try and see what you find." Kuro said letting go of Shiro's hand.
"I-I... Uh, ok." Shiro said hesitantly.
So Shiro scanned around the hall and found a quite fancy elegant door. "This looks safe." Shiro thought to himself. As such he opened the door, what lied behind it was a dining hall. A long table stretched with an elegant cloth and white sleek cloth going down the middle with a horde of empty plates, walls & floor now clean and pristine as if this was a castle.
"Woah." Shiro muttered to himself.
Kuro on the opposite side of the hall had opened his a door of his own and found what seemed to be Library. An overload amount of books all around him, if someone were to describe this place it would be a heaven of wisdom. The walls now like a modern home and the floor tiled and clean, a clear cut difference from the home itself.
"This place is like a treasure hoard. I wonder what kind of information each of these books hold within them." Kuro muttered excitedly.
In the library, Kuro scanned the bookshelves as he walked around, the range of books was astonishing. Kuro had an appeal for books and this very library seemed perfect for a person such as him. So Kuro reached out his hand and selected a book that looked interesting enough. "Legends of Dust from the Stars."
However, the mere moment he opened the book—It turned to dust.
"H-Huh?!" Kuro said aloud.
So he tried to grab another one, yet to no avail for the same result occurred. It had turned into dust. When he looked back at the spot where he grabbed the first book he had seen it was right back on the shelf as if it didn't turn into mere dust moments ago.
"Creepy... I better check up on Shiro." Kuro thought, as he rushed to leave this cursed library.
Meanwhile, Shiro who was exploring the elegant dining hall seemed quite pleased. He sat down at the dining table and suddenly as if clockwork the clear and empty plates were now filled with delicious food, delicacy of all kinds. The food freshly prepared and steaming with aroma.
"H-Huh? Woah, look at all that food!" Shiro gasp.
Shiro's gaze then fell to the utensils that were neatly waiting to be used. So he gently grabbed them and slowly started eating the food on the table. Suddenly, Kuro rushed in.
"Shiro! Are you ok?!" Kuro said, clearly worried.
Shiro merely looked at Kuro clearly confused.
"Mmmh, yea—I'm fine." Shiro said, his mouth a bit full.
Kuro placed his hand on his chest, before speaking. "Oh thank god. Something weird happened in one of the rooms so I thought something even worse happened to you."
However, the moment Shiro gulped down the food he was just chewing moments ago. It was as if he never ate it at all. In mere moments not only had that exact meal been restored but it hadn't done anything for Shiro's hunger not like he was starving.
"H-huh? What happened? It feels as if that food I just ate didn't even get eaten?" Shiro asked, slightly unsettled.
"Ok, that's enough of that. Let's leave this place seems to be clearly messed up. Your lucky that food didn't turn into dust in your mouth." Kuro replied, before walking out the dining hall and back into the hallway.
"O-Ok, wait dust?!" Shiro exclaimed, as he stood up and started walking with Kuro.
"Don't worry about it, something that happened in the library." Kuro explained
"This place has a library? How big is this house?" Shiro asked.
"Don't know, let's not stick around to find out." Kuro said, as they finally reached the door which they had entered this house.
Kuro opened the door but what lied inside was merely the same hallway. The door lead right back into the hallway which they were currently in. The exit now nonexistent it seems.
"Windows, we can break a window!" Kuro said, glancing around for windows.
However it seems in that very moment he even mentioned windows, they all vanished.
"Where'd they go?" Kuro asked, still relatively calm.
"I-I don't know... Kuro... are we trapped in here?" Shiro replied, with a question of his own.
"Of course not, after all why would a house want to trap two kids for?" Kuro added, giving Shiro a hug.
However, their situation could only be described as trapped prisoners. From the very moment they had entered the house, they had sealed their fate. That is if that was all that was to be offered by this house.
"So, someone actually made it in here? That's surprising." A mysterious voice said.
Shiro gripped Kuro tighter the moment the voice appeared.
Kuro scanned the hallway almost instantly, before exclaiming. "Who's there?! Who are you?! Are you-"
He was swiftly cut off as a person walked down the stairs, as if her mere presence declared silence. It was an elegant yet lifeless woman, her skin somewhat pale her hair a long, flowing black with a tint of red. She was wearing a striking black dress with slight red accents and a black veil edged with purple lace covering her face which was neatly decorated with a large yet clearly wilting red flower. Her eyes however, were quite empty as if she could feel nothing the color remaining, purple. Her body as well seemly slightly transparent.
As she reached the end of the stairs, she took a glance at the two.
"Hm? Children? How did they enter though?" The mysterious woman muttered to herself.
"H-Hey! W-Who are you?!" Kuro asked.
"You don't know who I am? I suppose the youth harbor no knowledge of us ancient beings." The woman said.
She snapped her fingers and in an instant there was a table and three seats. She gently took a seat, before doing a hand motion for them to come and take a seat. The boys decided to agree and so they sat down.
"S-So miss, exactly who are you and what's this place?" Shiro asked fidgeting with his hands.
"Innocent child of light, I am Mara the Shadow of Despair." She responded.
"Shadow? Like the beings made from desires and emotions?" Kuro asked curiously.
"Yes, Fearless child of darkness, you are quite informed. I take it your a reader?" Mara confirmed.
"O-Oh, yea I guess you can say that." Kuro said bashfully.
"I see... I am to be specific a Primordial Shadow, the partner of Primordial Demon—Black." Mara continued.
"Primordial D-Demons?" Shiro asked.
"Ah, I see you two don't know much about us. Let me explain further then." Mara replied.
"Why would you do that though? You seem quite strong, strong enough to kill us and move on with your day." Kuro asked.
Shiro got shaken up the moment he heard the word kill.
"Why would I murder children who pose no harm to me. Alongside that, a tragic fate is about to fall upon you two." Mara explained.
The two looked shocked at the revelation.
"W-What do you mean?" Shiro asked.
"Worry not, let me explain our ancient races history." Mara answered.
"Long ago, before the anything had even been created. Existed a being so extraordinary strong, this being who had the power to do anything and everything then created the everything that now exist. This world was a mere fledgling and on this fledgling world there existed 3 species alongside the ancient humans. These three beings being: the primordial angels, the primordial demons, & the primordial shadows." Mara explained.
"Hm... Oh, wait exactly what did you mean by partner?" Kuro asked.
"Patience child of darkness the answer lies within my explanation." Mara replied before continuing.
"As I was saying, shadows are the manifestation of emotions and desires. So each of us primordial shadows are manifestation of certain emotions and or desires such as myself. We primordial shadows while can be stronger than primordial demons, the primordial demons would obviously not let that happen and become stronger themselves. Our essence is closely related to that of the primordial demons and as such we are able to cooperate with one another, in a way it is an equal relationship however it's not always that way." She explained.
"So your an assistant of sorts?" Shiro asked.
"Yes, that is one way you can think of it. Would you like to know more?" Mara replied.
"Yes! I-I mean, if your inclined to." Kuro added.
Shiro chuckled at Kuro's response and Mara simply gave a smile.
"Very well. There are eight primordial angels, eight primordial demons, and nine primordial shadows." Mara continued.
"Huh? Why are there nine primordial shadows?" Kuro asked curiously.
"Oh, that's quite simple. Even though there were only ever supposed to be 8 of each. An anomaly appeared, though it never fully manifested it's form not even now. It's mere essence is that of primordial shadow. When it awakens, it seems that this world will know despair once more." Mara answered.
"Do you know each of them?" Shiro asked.
"Indeed, child of light. The eight primordial demons are as the following: Noir, Blanc, Rouge, Bleu, Vert, Jaune, Violet, and Gris. Those are their last names, it's also another way to refer to their color. The nine primordial shadows are as the following: the shadow of Envy, Wrath, Deceit, Domination, Despair, Love, Regret, and Greed, the ninth we have nothing on. I have no knowledge of the angels however, it's been quite a while since I've even seen one." Mara replied.
"I see... So you work with the primordial black? Where are they?" Kuro asked.
"You see this place? This is a tomb, a seal of sorts. I am the keeper of it. I can allow anyone in and out, though of course I nor Noir can leave. Would you like to see her?" Mara explained.
"Yes please." The two boys said simultaneously.
"Follow me." Mara said, standing up.
After the boys got up, she then snapped her fingers again. The table and chair turning into mere dust before disappearing entirely. After that was done they walked up the stairs up to the next floor.
"So this place is a prison for the people inside it?" Kuro asked, as they walked.
"Indeed, you see this tomb follows the concept that Noir represents. Black, the Void Primordial." Mara answered.
"I see... so basically, nothing is real. Everything is endless, its everything but with nothing as it's meaning. No wonder why the books turned to dust." Kuro said.
"Is that why the food just vanished and appeared back on the plate?" Shiro added.
"Indeed." Mara confirmed.
The then reached a door. A metal yet fancy double door as if the inside was a dungeon. Mara slowly opened the door, revealing the nice interior. The floor tiled like in the library and the walls like the castle walls from the dining room. In the middle of the room, lied a beautiful clear glass casket with blank accents.
In the casket laid a gorgeous lady. Her hair long and black that flows down past her shoulders, wearing a black strapless dress with grey and white accents. Her hands covered by a long patterned black opera gloves etched with star hole designs and her legs covered by thigh-high stockings finished with a Mary Jane-style heel. Her eyes closed as if she was but a sleeping beautiful.
Her skin similar to Mara's, slightly pale. Something lied in her hands, that something being a wilted flux coelum, which was a special flower.
"Woah, she's very beautiful." Shiro said glancing at the inside of the glass casket.
Kuro was momentarily stunned by the body, it's beauty was radiant.
"She's like a doll, is she dead?" Kuro asked.
"Not at all, this is merely her seal. I was the luckier of the both of us, I was able to roam while she now rest in a casket until the seal is broken." Mara explained.
"Oh, that makes sense." Kuro said.
"Does she have a boyfriend?" Shiro asked.
"H-Huh?! You don't go around just randomly asking that y'know Shiro!" Kuro reprimanded.
"She's pretty though? Girls who are pretty have boyfriends don't they?" Shiro continued.
"Oh, sweet innocent child of light. No she does not have a boyfriend." Mara replied with a warm smile.
"Oh... that's alright though, she has you! So she won't be lonely." Shiro said.
Mara looked momentarily shocked, before letting a small chuckle.
"Indeed. What do you think of the mistress, child of darkness?" Mara said.
"W-What I think? Uhm, well no doubt she is pretty but she's not someone I'd associate myself with." Kuro replied.
Mara let a small chuckle out, before speaking again. "If you say so dear child of darkness."
Suddenly the entire house began to shake, the shake clearly abnormal.
"It seems our time is over, I hope you the best of luck in your fate dear children of the stars." Mara said.
"H-Huh? What do you mean? What's happening?!" Kuro asked.
"This Worldly Creation is now unstable, this entire place will collapse from where it has appeared. So back into the underworld we shall go. Please leave through the door, I have granted you permission you are free to leave." Mara quickly explained.
"W-We just met recently though, I don't want to leave you here!" Shiro exclaimed.
Kuro was slightly shaken, but after coming to understand the situation he quickly grabbed Shiro's hand and dragged him through the upstairs hall before reaching the stairs.
"I knew the child of darkness would understand, as long as they are together. They will have a great future, however despair lies in front of that path. They must overcome that despair, to reach that beautiful future." Mara thought as she stared at the glass casket.
Mara knew that this wasn't the end of her, not in the slightest. After all the moment this place collapse it would be back in the underworld back in its same conditions as if it never collapse.
Fire started poking through the planks and walls, this entire house was starting to burn. This wasn't looking good for the twins if this continued. Pieces of wood from above fell down.
"H-Hey! Kuro, we can't just leave Miss Mara here!" Shiro protested as he was dragged along.
"Yes, we can! She'll be fine, she stuck here after all. We won't be if we don't make it to that door!" Kuro exclaimed.
As they rushed down the stairs reaching the hall which started it all. A piece of burning wood fell down falling on Shiro's legs. A loud shriek could be heard the moment it made contact, making Kuro stumble away from him slightly.
"O-Ow Ow, it burns!" Shiro exclaimed as tears slowly formed.
"Shit!" Kuro thought as immediately looked around for anything that could help.
Just then the wood turned into dust.
"My apologies for not making sure your escape was sound, please do leave." Mara said with a sad yet warm smile.
Kuro looked at her with thankfulness before he began to carry Shiro and rushed towards the door. As they escaped the house they stumbled down the porch stairs and fell onto the grass.
What lied was in front of Kuro shook him to his very core. The villagers were throwing torches at the house. They seemed to be doing this deliberately as if they planned to get rid of this place themselves the moment it appeared.
The moment the villagers saw the two boys come out the house, the villagers who still had their torches went straight for the boys. Kuro not missing a beat ran for his life and Shiro's life. Shiro who was still on his back had passed out due to the pain he felt, needless to say his pain tolerance wasn't high.
He ran until he made it back home back to the farm. It had already turned nighttime, and it seemed like what seemed to have been a nice chat had become a lucid nightmare.
For what stood before the twins now was a house on fire, it wasn't the house they were just in. No, it was the home which they had grown up for as long as they can remember, the farmland was untouched. However, the home was in flames and smoke kept emerging into the air.
"N-No... no... no... no way..." Kuro muttered. "Gramp Adam and Gran Arla!" Kuro thought, praying they weren't inside the house.
He placed Shiro under a tree, the same very tree which they had played around when they were still very young children, their initials carved upon it. After he gently placed Shiro under the tree he rushed to the house albeit carefully so he wouldn't hurt himself. As he slowly made his way inside, his face would turn pale the moment he entered.
His guardians who had taken care of him for since forever, now lied on the floor burnt like charcoal. Gramp Adam seemed to have been reaching for the door, his hand still interlocked with Arla's. He was most likely trying to drag her out when the fire occurred.
"No... no... no... this can't be..." Kuro muttered, dropping to his knees.
Shiro who was by the tree, slowly opened his eyes. The fire catching his attention as his eyes slowly fluttered into focus. He then saw Kuro walking towards him, when Kuro was right next to him. Kuro bent down and started to heal his legs.
Kuro had started learning magic though it was a mere tier one healing spell he learned it and kept it secret so he could look cool in front of Shiro. Clearly there was no need for that.
"K-Kuro? I-Is that you? W-Where are we?" Shiro asked, very faintly.
"W-We're home, however... w-we'll be leaving to be on our for a while." Kuro said, his eyes a bit teary.
"What about gramps and gran?" Shiro asked, finally regaining himself.
"...They're gone, the villagers plotted something. Now t-they're gone, for good." Kuro replied, tears finally now streaking down his face.
Shiro was lost in a daze as if what Kuro just said couldn't be registered. Not only was for the first time, Kuro was crying. His guardians until now who were fine are now gone. Shiro felt like crying, but he couldn't. Despair, the one word that could describe this tragedy. However it was far from over, the villagers were making their way towards the farm at that current moment.
In the distance, shouts could be heard saying only one thing: "KILL THE ANOMALIES!"
"Come on, I've healed your burns. Luckily it wasn't too bad. Stand up lets go, we got to run before they catch up to us." Kuro explained.
"A-Alright." Shiro said, standing up/
The two then ran towards the Illusionary Forest, if they were going to escape and hide a forest would be their best bet. As they ran towards the forest however, the very sky turned still, the clouds not moving an inch, it was as if the world stopped, even though it clearly didn't.
The nightly cool breeze blew as naturally as it did. However, the sky itself had stopped. This day was called the Day of Evernight, the day that the very sky fell silent as if mourning, it's cause still unknown.
The villagers kept their chase after the twins and they made it quite close, but right before they caught the twins, they had fall down a hill. It wasn't a straight fall, it was a curve fall and with that curve fall they had entered the forest without knowing it. However, all that was left was one twin, the bright star.
They had fused without knowing it, the bright star having lost most of his memories of the other half which now became him.
"That's about the story, if we leave out some of the extra details." Kuro finished, after those events.
"Wow... you guys went through a lot didn't you." Aedis said, clearly emotions.
"I remember it all now! I explored around and I somehow ended up on Ashviel!" Shiro said, finally remembering everything.
"Meeting a Primordial aren't you kids lucky. Lucky to not be dead and also lucky to see one in person. Luckily you ranking up to a rank IV anomaly set you two apart." Zyro added.
"I got the tea and coffee ready." Cecelia said. "As well as some warm milk for you Shiro, you seem like the type to enjoy that." she added.
"O-Oh thank you." Shiro said, fidgeting once again.
After the story, they started having a rather adamant chat about their further plans.