AGAREST LEGACIES

By Greg Wong

Prologue: Chaos

Five blazing points flared against the darkness, and an outburst of light clashed against shadow even as energy exploded across the Boundary Plane. When the light faded and shadows had receded, a god fell to his knees.

Before Chaos, the god of Night, Death, and Rebirth, stood the array of mortals who had bested him. Human, syrium, onelthes, neocolom, ryulent, high elf, dark elf, greer, nelth, harpuia, yulishee and demigod.

Leonhardt Raglan, Fyuria, Elaine, Luana.

Ladius Raglan, Valeria, Sherufanir, Yayoi.

Thoma Raglan, Lavinia, Faina, Noah.

Duran Raglan, Hildegard, Silvi, Ryuryu.

Zerva. Vira-Lorr. Winfield. Arbol. Sharona. Ganz. Plum. Alberti. Qua. Fer. Reverie. Beatrice. Murmina. Vashtor. Borgnine.

Ellis and Dyshana.

And Rex Raglan, the culmination of a mighty bloodline that spanned five generations, the beacon of hope for a world that stood on the brink of utter ruin.

It was this last that the defeated god looked upon.

"This world you wish to bring about, a world without gods, will not come easily. There will be suffering in the transition. Many will not thank you for what you have done today."

The youngest Raglan shook his head. "And I'm prepared to accept that. This world is false, one doomed to collapse. And when that occurs, what happens after?"

Ellis, the high elf woman who had stood witnessed the Raglans' sojourn from its beginning, stepped forward to stand next to Rex. "Beyond that suffering is the world we seek. One with a future, one with hope. A false world does not have those."

Chaos just gazed down upon the pair, deep in thought. His gaze shifted to a tall, pale-haired woman standing silently behind Rex.

"And you, my other half, will you govern this new world?"

Dyshana shook her head. "Not govern, no. No one human can govern a world. But I can help nurture it. Guide it."

A chuckle came from the god. "You have performed your function beyond admirably, Dyshana. You have not just brought about this world's rebirth, but its redemption as well. These mortals will prosper without the watch of the gods. They will be the perfect caretakers." A small smile crossed Chaos' face, bringing some kindness to his harsh visage. "And it seems that you are no longer just my avatar. You have become your own person, and have gained a heart along the way."

A smile the closely resembled Chaos' crossed Dyshana's lips. "It is so."

With another chuckle Chaos rose to his feet with sudden swiftness, injury and weakness apparently forgotten. For a panicked moment weapons rose to point at the god even as a shock of fear ran though their wielders.

They had banished five gods back to the void before him. First Mercury, the remorseful god of smithing who had been interred in Lucrellia. Mobius, the scheming, heartless god of time and space, in Graccea. Next, Deeth, the whimsical trickster goddess of fate, in Fendias. Then Nemesis, the serene goddess of stars and vengeance, in Enhambre. And, finally, the wrathful god of war and flame, Mayastia, in Aegisthus.

They had all paled in comparison to Chaos, whose power eclipsed theirs by an order of magnitude. Several times the companions had despaired that they could not overcome this last foe. It was only after the Raglans had unleashed the impossible powers within themselves had they been able to force Chaos to his knees.

They had just given all they had, only for Chaos to rise, unmarred by any injury. He raised a hand in placation, a smile again returning to his lips.

"Peace, mortals. I have no desire to fight you any longer. I just wish to impart some knowledge before I depart this plane.

"Remember that this world is now in your hands. Good hearts will nurture it, while evil ones will attempt to destroy. It is for you to decide which one will triumph.

"And yet, do not fear the night. Remember that light and dark are an inseparable pair. Light will shine brightest in the dark, and it will creates shadows even as it pushes back the darkness. Remember that endless day is just as unbearable as endless night.

"And do not fear the death and the thereafter. Life and death are fundamentally linked, and, just as with darkness and light, you cannot have one without the other. Endless life has no meaning just as lifeless death is meaningless.

"So do not fear death and darkness. And yet, do not let evil run free. I am a god of night and death, not one of evil."

With a respectful nod to his vanquishers, Chaos gestured with his hand. Light sparked in a luminescent circle around the god, signaling that his departure was near.

"It is time, my children" Chaos said.

Footsteps came as Leonhardt and the others of past generations walked towards Chaos. Tearful goodbyes were exchanged by friends—and progeny, in Rex's case—before they moved towards the light.

Particularly heart wrenching was Borgnine, the steadfast guardian of Ellis, when he revealed that he, too, had to depart this world.

"Do not cry, master," the larva said in a soothing voice that would have been alien to him at the time of his summoning. "I will always be with you, in your heart. And you will be within mine. It is this heart that you have given me that I must share with my people."

With a final embrace the guardian left the master and joined the others.

Light flared around Chaos, and suddenly, he, along with Leo, Borgnine, and the others, were gone from this plane.

The world shuddered as the change came. The spires that had held the continents together collapsed, and with them the land itself was sundered.

But Chaos had one last gift for the world. Exerting his waning influence over Agarest, he eased the transition, soothing the violence of the upheaval as the earth began to settle into its new foundation. He was assisted in no small part by Borgnine, who, free of the restraints of this plane, was able to extend his own incredible power over the world.

Ultimately, there were deaths across the world, but a mere pittance to what could have been if Chaos had not aided during the passage.

For even the night could be kind, and even darkness could show compassion.