A Tale of Light: Derek's Journey
Sequence 1
Worlds have always risen and then fallen. Empires have always had a golden age and then declined. Justice never declines, freedom will always exist, and hope will never fade away. Up hold justice, keep the balance and punish the wicked, these are the codes me and my siblings have lived by since I could remember. My name is Derek and I am an Eternal of On High, the home world of us Sentinels. We have lived and prospered for eons and continue to uphold our duty to keep the balance of the universe.
I am one of the highest ranked Sentinels in On High. They call us Eternals. There are very few that have this title, in fact only eight of us have it. Paladins are the rank right below us Eternals and Enforcers are below the rank of a Paladin. Then comes the Upholders and finally the Troops. The superior Eternal is Maximilian, my oldest brother. He has become more silent of late and has continuous meetings with many Enforcers and Paladins. My second oldest brother, Ocurum is specialized Paladin and is known for his ruthlessness in combat. Then comes me, the youngest of my siblings.
Although we have extensive life cycles, we do eventually fade into time. It isn't a "natural death", more so it is our spirit joining the cycle of time and helping it move continuously. There are many worlds in which our spirits might attend to. My moon and stars, the love of my life Asria, wishes to be a spiritual guardian of this place known as Equestria. I wish to always stay with On High, but i know my spirit, if it remembers Asria, will follow her, and stay with her until the end of time.
Unfortunately, I have been called to the Grand Council Room. My brother must have pressing issues to discuss so I must attend without delay. Arriving with not a moment to spare, I sought to ask my brother the purpose of this meeting. While I was walking over to his chair in the middle of the oval shaped room, a Paladin named Perilous approached me. He is one of the oldest and wisest Paladin's still alive. He whispered in my ear, "For quiet some time now I have been watching your brother, and for quiet some time now I have had suspicions of him. The Solitarian Empire, the recent deaths of several Sentinels that have approached him about this matter, the-"
"What are you implying Perilous", I said as I cut him off, "are you saying that my brother is misusing his power and has forsaken our code?"
"I'm not implying anything, I'm telling you that you should keep a closer eye on him. I already know the truth, I have lived far too long not to grow a sense of when our leader is turning into a tyrant."
"Listen hear Perilous," at this point I was growing louder, "if you ever try to accuse my brother of such crimes, or imply that he has orchestrated any of them, I will defend his honor and have you exiled or executed. Do you understand me?"
"If you will not listen to me then do the research yourself Derek, but for now the meeting is going to start, so I suggest that you find your seat." As I began to walk away from him, he quickly leaned over and said, "if you do not listen to reason, then we are truly lost. Find the truth, you are our last hope." These words startled me, for little did I know what they truly meant.
I continued to Maximilian's seat with haste. "Brother, before this meeting starts, may I ask you a simple question?", I asked looking upward at my elder brother.
"Of course Derek," he replied,"but make it brief the meeting is going to start soon."
"What is the purpose of this meeting. Why have you gathered the Paladins and the Eternals? What is your true intent here today Maximilian?"
"I am taking a simple vote, but this vote will change the course of history. It will show that our code is the just way, that our code is the only way, and that we are dominant!"
"But Maximilian, we aren't supposed to be dominant, we keep the peace and that is all. Please Maximilian, cancel this meeting now, there is no need for it. You will be out voted, there is no possible way that all of these Paladin's will vote for such an act. To be the dominant race, would thus break all our codes."
"No Derek, it would enforce them upon everyone, and the entire universe can function like a utopia."
"What of the Solitarian Empire brother!!! Becoming the master race was never our ancestor's intent, nor will it ever be just. I am done with this conversation brother, I refuse to vote for this."
"Brother you obviously don't-". Maximilian was cut off by a trumpet that signaled the beginning of the meeting. "I'm not done with you Derek, take your seat. We will discuss this later."
I gave Maximilian one last look before I started to walk to my seat. In that glimpse, I no longer saw my brother, but a pwer hungry monster, that will rip apart this entire universe just for their own cause. I still loved my brother, but i began to fear that Perilous was right in what he said. Maximilian is undoubtedly turning into a tyrant, a ruler in which this world has never seen that likes of.
Torn by the my new found knowledge, the information that was given to me by Perilous, and the unconditional love that I have for my brother, I realized that I had very important decisions to make in the days approaching. I got to my seat right next to my love Asria. She looked at my worried face and knew something was going to happen. "Derek, what's going to happen, I can see the worried look on your face," she said looking at me with worried eyes.
I looked at her, sighed, and said, " whatever you do please do not raise your hand."
"Why whats wrong? Please tell me Derek. There is no reason for this secrecy, you know that you can trust me."
"I know, but unfortunately you will find out soon enough. It is the reason why we are here in this very place, at this very moment." I withheld the other warnings that I had heard from Perilous and chose to figure out what they were later. Maximilian got up out of his seat and began, "Brothers and sisters, we are here today to discuss a very important matter. I, Maximilian, suggest a new plan, the New Regime. We will redefine our code and further enforce it.
"We will not only bring punishment to the wicked, but we will uphold justice by creating a utopia. This utopia will span across the entire universe, and we will lead the people of these worlds to a new form of life, OUR FORM OF LIFE!!! We are the masters of all creation, but our ancestors were naive and thought these worlds only need slight guidance. No, their way of life is outdated and must be reformed. I, Maximilian, will lead the New Regime, along with the other seven Eternals at my side. WE WILL BRING FORTH CHANGE!!! So what say you all, who is in favor of the New Regime, who is willing to bring forth change, who is ready to bring forth true balance, WHO?!?!"
The crowds of the Paladin's stood up and shouted, clapping their hands and cheering. All stood and cheered, excpet for a few that I saw scattered around the room. Asria looked at me for she was frightened of this change. I looked at her as she was searching for answer, for I myself had none. I then realized that it was not just Maximilian that wanted this change, but also the other six Eternals, Virgil, Kyuun, Johanus, Helian, John, and Fria. Knowing this, I grew even more worried. Maximilian had won over the leaders of the masses and will use their support to win over the people. I knew that the events that had just been put in motion had to be stopped, there was no turning back.
I left the Grand Council Room with much to do. Asria was by my side still looking very worried. "What was that Derek?", she asked with fear in her voice. " Derek, please, i'm scared for you. I saw your face before, I've never seen you that worried."
"There are things that have been set in motion that I don't yet fully understand. Promise me that you wont go out tonight. Promise me."
She nodded her head and looked at me with watery eyes. "I will wait for you by End's Cliff. Don't be late, please."
I looked at her saddened by the sorrows she was feeling now. As she walked away i knew that I had to find the truth. I knew that the truth was being altered and that I needed a source. 'Perlious' is the name I though. I traveled to where his was house located, only to find that it had been sacked and destroyed. There were many Paladin's there, looking for him and trying to find out who had done the crime. After asking several of his closest friends, Gritest, one of Perlious' best friends, told me to meet him at the Great Hall.
Realizing that they were probably being hunted by agents of my brother, I separated from him and took a longer way to reach the Great Hall. As i walked, the news was being spread of the New Regime and that Maximilian would lead On High to greatness. I realized that his plan was working and beginning to take hold, I had to move fast. I finally reached the Great Hall. Gritest was waiting for me in the entrance. he looked at me and nodded his head to and upstairs room. I went up there as he shut the doors behind me. There, I found Perilous, cloaked and wounded. "My time is over now", he said, "but you can still save the people."
"Perilous, your wisdom far surpasses mine, but the people don't want to be saved. They praise my brother, and everyone that stands up to him is condemned as a criminal."
"I do not speak of the people here. I speak of the people of the entire universe. Maximilian's plan is to conquer the entire universe, enslaving every race that exists, and destroy all who appose him. He knows that there will be those in our ranks that will appose, that is why he created the Solitarian Empire. two hundred years ago, they fought against each other will spears and short daggers made from rusting iron. Now they have diamond weaponry of all sorts, and have the capability to travel throughout all of space. No civilization can progress so fast, not even ours did.
"I fear also to tell you that he will try to destroy even those he fears might stop him, you are no exception my son. His pride, will be downfall, but wait until the right moment to strike. Your opponent is just as clever and ruthless as first Eternals. He will turn every emotion against you, and destroy those nearest to you."
I got on my knees and begged from Perilous, "My friend, how am I supposed to stand against this tide alone. I know not what to do. There is no comforting news that you can tell me, nor for those who will fight with me. I will sit with you in your final moments."
Perilous smiled and as his life began to fade, I began to lose the sense of time. Perilous took his final breath and Gritest came to pronounce him dead. I then realized that night had already fallen and Asria was waiting for me. I looked at Gritest and said, "Things must change, Perilous has left me the duty to guide you to do so. If anything may happen to me go to a Paladin named Asria. She will help you."
Gritest nodded and gave me his thanks. I rushed off to the End's Cliff. I finally reached it and found that Asria was with another.
"My dear brother", said the second figure, "you have finally come".
Maximilian turned around and had Asria restrained. "I knew you were clever brother, but I will not have anyone get in my way, not even you."
"Bother please", I exclaimed, "there is no need for this. She knows nothing please let her go. Let her go please."
"As you wish brother". Smiling he threw her at me with immense force. I caught her and told her to look into my eyes. As she stared into my eyes, i gave her all of my recent memories, give her the knowledge to lead the rebellion. I broke her chains and told her to leave.
"No, I'm not leaving without you!!!", she screamed.
"This is my fight and my fight alone, go, I will find you." I was lying, for I knew my fate was sealed.
"Tell me brother, do you think that I will show you mercy because we are siblings?", asked Maximilian in a very sarcastic tone.
"None brother, nor will I show you any."
"I expected that much from you brother, always following those petty rules. We are the dominant species. We were born to conquer."
"No we were born to keep the peace, not to conquer. You have defiled our code and you will be punished."
"Enough!!!" Maximilian shot himself at me with such a force that broke several of my ribs and cracked my armor. He then rang a trumpet and a swarm of Paladin's rose from the distant clouds. "Kill him, for he threatens the revolution!"
I summoned my sword and dove into the legion. Fighting many of whom were my friends, manipulated and pitted against me. It felt as if i was fighting for ages. Skilled fighter after skilled fighter, I fought against all of them. After fighting against so many, i was finally restrained by a team of Paladin's that had flanked me from behind. Weakened, wounded and bloody, I looked up at my brother as he began to deliver the final blow.
"You are weak brother, as this rebellion. No one can stop the progression of this world, On High will be victorious. I WILL BE VICTORIOUS!!!"
These were the final words that I heard from my brother. Using the forbidden power of On High, he absorbed the light energy into himself acting as a vessel. Using his hands, he put the light energy into a ball. This ball of light made even suns look dull and had the potential to even destroy worlds. He targeted me, and me alone. I saw great light, then everything was dark...
Author's Note
Excuse any lower case "I". This work was done on word pad.
Also, if you really liked the story, please go check out the blog i've made for it. right now it includes the sequence synopsis and an author's greeting. As i said in the author's greeting, i made this story originally to make fun of the epic of derek: immortal in name. as i stated before, please leave comments if i should continue this work. thank you for giving your time to read my work.