- Chapter 16 -
Origins
©2000 Kilnamar


Killy watched his young friend fade into the night, then returned his gaze to the Egar Gems. His original stone glowed with a soft blue light, while the one shysock had passed on to him glowed red. The light from the two stones mixed and danced together, giving the queasy impression of blood flowing from his palms.

"It is time," he heard Lldy whisper in awe. "It is time to join the stones."

Slowly, as if fighting some invisible force, Killy moved his hands together. As the Gems neared each other, their light grew, not reaching any farther through the dark night, just becoming more intense.

And then they touched. And, to Killy, the world seemed to explode.



*****

Killy floated in blackness. He was disoriented, not knowing which way was up. In panic, he tried to twist around, to find some point of reference. But if he moved, he could not tell.

Slowly, after what seemed hours, or perhaps days, he began to notice a change in the forever blackness. Grayish shapes began to form, joining together, becoming ever larger and more clear until he gazed upon a huge sphere.

As time passed, Killy saw the sphere grow more clear. Shapes formed upon it, and at last he realized he was looking upon a planet! Paying more attention to details, he watched intently for more changes.

On and on he floated. His mind must have wandered, for when he returned his awareness to the planet, he was shocked at the difference. Somehow he was at once able to see the entire planet and the close up details at the same time. The world was beautiful and wild, untainted by pollution or technology. Mountains, valleys, swamps, deserts--all were pure and clean in their newness. Killy looked upon a world in its beginning.

More time passed. Ages seemed to come and go. The virgin world flourished, becoming rich and lush. Killy's heart ached at the beauty, wishing more than anything that he could just set foot upon this breathtaking vision before him. No, he could not do that. he could not taint it's purity, even to enjoy it.

Drifting, ever drifting, Killy basked in the glory of the globe before him. How long had he been a spectator? Years? Millennia? Eons? It didn't matter. All that mattered was that he was here to witness something more beautiful than he had ever imagined.

And then something caught his eye. Something moved in the blackness surrounding the planet, aiming toward it. What was it? Killy strained to see. It was a ship.

"No!" he cried, voicelessly. "You can't defile this place!"

But his plea went unheeded, unnoticed. The ship continued to its destination. It's engines shot vile fumes into the delicate atmosphere. Plants died under the massive weight of its landing.

Killy watched horrified as beings--were they Toads??--left the ship and began to build upon the land. The Toads flourished and multiplied, feeding off the amazing richness of the planet. Killy watched and his soul wept.

From that time on, the planet was different. Although still intensely beautiful, some luster was lost, some richness spoiled, some life withered. The Toads didn't seem to notice, ever growing and expanding on the hurting planet.

Killy was not sure exactly when, but at some point he began to notice something else. A shadow. The Shadow moved among the Toads, and where it went, the land suffered. Where it went, the Toads began to defile the world more profusely.

And then other life began to appear--lizards, insects, fish. Killy was not sure if they came from the Toads, or if they had their own origin, unknown to him. And the Shadow continued to flitter among them all. For awhile, all the planet's inhabitants lived and thrived peacefully. The degradation of the beautiful world continued. But then fighting began.

Killy watched, heart breaking, as battles and wars tore across the surface. creatures of all form fought and died in a seemingly endless, wild frenzy of blood and hatred. And always, the Shadow was there, where the atrocities were most severe.

Drifting and drifting. Killy watched time pass, through times of peace, and great wars. The land suffered. He could feel its pain and anguish. In agony over its suffering, he poured out his heart to it. Willing it to survive.

A great war broke out, more violent and bloody than any so far. The surface of the planet seemed a single mass of writhing, fighting, dying bodies. The Shadow was there, larger than before, more powerful. The land screamed in pain and terror, the violence of its parasites draining its very life.

"Hold on!" Killy screamed. "Don't give up!"

And the land fought back. A brilliant light burst forth from the center of the world. new beings formed. Beings of light, of love, of purity--projections of the last remnants of the planet's innocence. Killy watched as Toads and others began to group around them, upholding them. Small in numbers at first, then growing beyond number.

The shadow and those who stayed with it fought bitterly. For an unknown amount of time, the balance of power swayed back and forth. But in the end, the Land was victorious. The Shadow fled as the last of its minions died or surrendered. An intense silence permeated the world.

Killy watched in wonder as the inhabitants of the planet knelt as one and pledged their lives and service to the Land. It began to thrive and become beautiful again.

For many centuries the world knew peace. Until, once again, a ship approached. The new arrivals brought great gifts to the leaders of the world's inhabitants. Once again, Killy noticed the Shadow at work among then, weak and faint at first, but growing stronger as hearts were turned toward power and prestige.

Some fought against the atrocities taking over the world. But what were so few against so many?

"Father..." Killy whispered, as he saw that fateful battle take place.

As Twead and Quizzard fought, the rest of the world seemed to hold its breath, and as they fell, mayhem erupted. Once again, Killy saw some of the Bright Ones at work on the planet, gathering those who would fight to preserve the Land. And the Shadow worked more furiously, growing in power and blackness till it seemed to cover all the world.

"Killy." A voice echoed in his head, coming from everywhere. "You see the peril of the Land. The Shadow grows close to overwhelming. If he does, eternal night and misery awaits us all."

The terrified Toad stared at the scene of horror taking place on the planet. Already, the Bright Ones seemed to be dimming, fading. "NO! This can't happen!" Killy screamed. "You can't let it win!"

"The Land is losing power. Soon, it will be unable to withstand the Shadow's might."

"There must be some way, some THING that can be done," Killy whimpered.

"There is little hope, but there is some, brave Toad. Already you and others are being guided on missions of vital importance. Soon the time will come when all will come together and understand. For now, watch and learn of your enemies."

"Who are you?" Killy asked, for the first time feeling himself grow sleepy.

"I am the creator of the Bright Ones. I am the Land. Save me, Killy. Save me. Return me to the beauty I once possessed."

As the voice faded, Killy watched the events on Amphibia, absorbing information, forming plans. He would not fail. If it meant his life, he would not fail.

Back