Child of Aspen

The existence of the world all started with three children born out of the Stars in the universe. Their names were Ajax, Alba and little Aspen. Ajax was the oldest of the three, and possessed the power of the mighty Earth, trembling the universe and moving the planets each time he spoke. He was outspoken and free willed, doing whatever he wanted and didn't hesitate to say what was on his mind anytime. The second child, Alba, had a quieter and more mature personality than her older brother. She liked to lose herself in her thoughts while staring at the stars, and often spent her time creating shapes out of water, which was her special power. She was an ambitious child, and regarded her siblings as "competitors" rather than family. Lastly, there was little Aspen. Aspen wasn't anything like his brother or sister. He was born without any powers, and so had taken a liking to crafting, which didn't involve the usage of magic. He also knew that if one was too loud and forthright, it would lead oneself to be self-centered, irritating and even childish. And forever stuck with a face of stone would make one distant and unnerving. Too inhuman to approach. So he made his character of one who is playful and kind, but also studious and considerate.

Yet, Aspen's mind pondered on the word "inhuman". Was that what they were? Not human? If yes, why were they different from them? And most importantly, what were even "humans"? The youngest child wanted to know everything about this fascinating creature. So he worked for thousands of years to create the best possible "human" he could, keeping it a secret from his siblings. He stole some of Ajax's earthly powers to create the skin of the "human", and Alba's water magic to craft the hair which the "human" would wear. And to complete the finishing touches, he had to steal his creator's magic — the Star's light — so the "human" had a heart to carry.

While Aspen did speak to the Stars about his idea, their light had dulled in disapproval, leaving him no choice but to take their magic by force. But he didn't care.

He wanted to bring the "human" to life.

One day, Alba came up to Aspen with a serious look on her face. That was unusual for her, as she often bore an unchanging expression of tranquility. "Aspen," she had whispered in her soft, wind-song voice, "your brother and I have an important mission for you. One that only you can do."

Aspen titled his head in curiosity. "You must destroy what you have created."

The words sent Aspen's mind in a spiral of thoughts and panic. Did they find out? But how?! I kept it in the most secret place I could...

He knew playing dumb would be the death for him, since Alba is not the kind of person who would be fooled. Instead, he tried pleading with her. "Alba, older sister, please, that is the work of my life! I will do anything for you and older brother if you don't destroy it!"

Alba stared at him with unblinking eyes. "I told you to destroy it. There are no other exceptions."

Just when Aspen was about to say something back, a loud eruption above them made him flinch, his words stuck in his throat. No... no, no NO!! The explosion had come from one of the galaxies he had stored his "human" in, and as he leaped to see what was going on, he felt a shard of rock cut his cheek.

No sooner, a huge block of earth was flying to his way and Aspen dodged it narrowly, his breath clouded by the dust everywhere. He hastily entered the galaxy into his "workshop" and found Ajax, his older brother, standing over the "human" he had created with a long spear made of divine stone in his hand. Ajax wore a haughty grin, and he turned to face Aspen slowly, "Ho, ho, ho! What do we have here? You made this?" – Ajax nudged the human roughly, and it started squirming around as it made high-pitch whining sounds – "pathetic... Even with the magic you stole from your sister and I."

He played with the spear in his hand, tossing it from one hand to another. "Do you think it will break if I stab it with this?" he chuckled, teeth clicking as he watched, amused, at Aspen's horrified face.

"NO! DON'T YOU DARE! LEAVE IT ALONE!!" shouted Aspen, trying to step in between his older brother and the "human", but two beams of rock stopped him from moving.

"Argh!" The youngest child groaned, and he tried to break free from the rocks but it wouldn't budge at all. "LET ME GO!"

The "human's" cries of fear rang in Aspen's ears, making his heart throb painfully in his chest. Why must his siblings do this? This was his creation; they didn't have the right to tell him what to do with it! Suddenly, the atmosphere became cold and bubbles of water started to appear in the air. Ajax tensed, his grin wavering as Alba stepped inside the galaxy. Her azure eyes were slightly glowing, and ropes of water were swirling around her like snakes while she made her way to the oldest child. "Stop it," she hissed, regarding Ajax with her sharp eyes and more softly, she murmured, "you know what will happen if you do that. Only he can."

She pointed at Aspen who was glaring at them, an expression on his face they had never seen before.

Ajax frowned, keeping his spear still in his right hand. He glanced down at the "human" on the starry floor, who had now stopped crying and instead was looking at him with big, wide eyes that surprised him. Aspen, near the entrance of the galaxy, was breathing quickly while he watched frantically as Ajax shook his head.

"...This is forbidden," Ajax muttered, and he raised his spear slowly, "you know what Aspen did. He doesn't have the honor to end this creature!"

"Ajax... we can't blame him. He's always been — hey, what do you think you're doing?!" warned Alba, the water ropes around her suddenly shuddering as they started to reach for Ajax's arms.

But Ajax blocked them with a wall of earth and forced his sister away from the "human", rocks protruding from the ground as they attempted to hit Alba's body. "YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!" he was shouting now, and he grabbed the "human" off the ground and raised it high above his head, like some sort of trophy, "I'M DOING WHAT'S RIGHT!"

Ajax threw the small, frail body of the "human" in the air and thrusted his spear after it, his dry laugh echoing around the galaxy. Both Alba and Aspen watched in terror as the spear hurtled towards the "human". The creature was starting to make the same high-pitch noise again and it reached its chubby arms towards Aspen, waggling its fingers like it wanted a hug. But before neither sibling could do anything, the spear had found its mark.

It was too late.

KRRRRISHH!! SPLATER!

The whole universe seemed to shatter at that very moment, and a blinding light engulfed everything. The three children who all stared at the wonderful, bright light were reduced to nothing but ashes, and the Stars within them flickered out. But, a tiny part of Ajax's had gathered together to create magnificent landforms of mountains, plateaus and rich dirt. And along with Alba's Star, they became the vast oceans and seas, and the beautiful blue sky. However, Aspen's Star weren't so lucky. The Stars blew them away to the darkest of the voids so there, will it rest eternally, in the deepest pit of the universe to atone for its sins.

With the mountains, landforms, oceans and sky complete, the Stars decided to bless Ajax and Alba with two gifts – the element of Fire and Wind. Together, the Stars, Ajax and Alba...

They created the world known as "Earth".