Chapter 444: The truth
I hesitantly nodded before I turned to look at my siblings and Breta. It seemed like they were waiting for me to speak. I took a deep breath and faced Yrvai and Qhalta.
"First of all, thank you for having us," I said.
My words made the Goddess smile as she looked at Yrvai, "Look how polite."
The old Dragon harrumphed and didn't say anything.
"The pleasure is all ours, dear," said Qhalta.
"I'm sure you can understand our situation. What you have shown us goes against everything we know," I continued.
Qhalta acknowledged, "I understand how shocking this can be."
With squinted eyes, I asked, "Can you explain to us the reason behind showing those murals? We are all curious to know," I said, motioning to my siblings and Breta behind me.
"It is our duty," spoke Yrvai.
The old Dragon scanned all of us before his gaze settled on me, "A predecessor of yours created the murals and entrusted us with preserving them for future generations."
"So the Pillars did turn on the King?" I couldn't help but ask once more.
"It's a bit more complicated than that," said Qhalta, joining the conversation.
"Please elaborate," I said.
The Goddess looked at Yrvai, who sighed, "Never thought I'd be doing this in my lifetime," he mumbled.
"The King created the pillars to fight against the Shades," He said, beginning his explanation.
I nodded. That much was clear from the murals. What wasn't clear, however, was why they suddenly attacked him.
"These were the primordials, the first beings the King created with unmatched powers. Just three of them were enough to hold back the hordes of Shades."
I took a deep breath, trying to imagine that. I have seen the battlefields, I have joined the war efforts, and I have seen the devastation the Shades wrecked across the planes. It took thousands upon thousands of Dragons and Deities alike to keep their advances at bay.
To imagine only three Dragons standing alone in the face of all of that, was ridiculous.
"At the time, the universe was empty, the planes were empty, and all that existed was the King, the Pillars, and the Shades," Yrvai continued.
Sidus and Immy, along with the others edged closer with their ears perked, listening to the old Dragon speak.
"It continued that way for eons, the Pillars acting as guardians for the King, engaged in a never-ending battle against the Shades."
"Didn't the King the join the fight?" Ynos suddenly asked.
"The King was injured," Yrvai replied hesitantly, "He created the Pillars, giving each one a portion of his power. Their purpose was to protect him as he recuperated from his injuries."
The old Dragon paused for a few seconds, letting his words sink before he continued, "The Primordials fulfilled their duties, staying faithful to the King until the very end."
"I'm sorry, but that doesn't make much sense. The murals clearly showed them turning against him," I said with a shake of my head.
"Patience dear, we are getting to that," Qhalta spoke, the smile still gracing her face.
"Have you considered the fact that It was not they who turned against the King, but he who turned against them?" Yrvai asked, his deep green eyes fixed on me.
"You mean-?" My eyes widened slightly at the implication.
"That's a serious accusation you are throwing there," Sidus lightly growled.
"Accusation? Heh," Yrvai chuckled before continuing, "What I'm recounting are merely the records of your predecessors."
"Don't you find it odd?" Qhalta asked.
Sidus turned to glare at her, "Find what odd?"
"When was the last time a grown Darkness pillar roamed the universe?" She paused and turned to Immy, "Or a Light pillar?"
Her eyes then settled on me, "Aren't you curious about what happened to the previous cosmic pillars?"
"Damn it, do I have to be here for this?" Breta grumbled under her breath, her hands fidgeting as she stopped herself from summoning her spear.
"Aren't you afraid of what might happen to you, saying all of this?" I asked with a frown.
"The King's eyes may extend across the Universe, but not here. The previous pillar made sure of that," Yrvai answered.
Ever since I went through my rite of passage, few things truly made me feel nervous. Even more so after my second 'death'. Still, as I stood here looking at the old Dragon and Goddess, my heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
It felt as if I was about to hear something I wasn't supposed to. Something that would shake my entire view over everything I knew.
I took a deep breath and turned to look at my siblings. Breta's face was no longer indifferent, her uneasiness was as clear as day. Sidus had a deep frown on his face, while Immy's eyes were open wide in disbelief.
Essie was now hiding under my wings. She had no courage to look at the old Dragon and Goddess, while Ynos- Ynos had a mad grin on his face.
Steeling myself for what was to come, I took a deep breath and asked, "What exactly happened?"
A wide grin extended across Yrvai's face, his green eyes flickering with frenzy as he spoke, "What the King gives, the King takes back."
"The King can never be whole as long as the Pillars exist," The old Goddess continued.
"After fighting for the King and defending him for eons what awaited the Primordials was a stab in the back. The King tried to take back the power he bestowed them, but that would mean their demise," Yrvai explained.
Qhalta sighed, "That's when the battle between them erupted. The Darkness and Light Pillars held the King at bay while the cosmic pillar attempted to open a portal to a new universe so they could escape."
"But the King was too strong," Yrvai shook his head as he leaned back unto his throne, "The Pillars, sensing their imminent loss, decided to go for a final gamble."
"The Darkness and Light pillar sacrificed themselves to injure the King and joined in with the stream of mana. While the Cosmic pillar managed to escape with the help of his siblings' sacrifice."
Silence descended on the hall as the Dragon and Goddess finished their story.
"So the Pillars of Light and Darkness died in that fight, is what you want to say?" Immy asked.
"They didn't die per se. They joined the stream of mana that flows across the universe," Qhalta answered.
"I don't understand. In that case, can't the King take back their powers, even if they had joined the stream?" Immy asked again with a frown.
"Not without risking destroying the entire Universe," Yrvai answered.
"But the Cosmic pillar lived?" I asked.
"Not for long. He eventually joined the stream as well."