The first words Sienna heard upon awakening echoed in her heart: "Rise, my friends." Her crimson eyes, shimmering with vitality and wisdom, opened to a vision of unparalleled beauty. Before her stood the Elder Tree, the heart of the Southern Earth Eden. Its branches stretched toward the heavens, draped with cascading vines and vibrant blossoms, while its roots delved deep into the earth, radiating an aura of life.
"Such a majestic beauty," Sienna murmured, her soft voice blending with the gentle rustle of leaves. She took in the landscape around her—a barren expanse waiting to be transformed. "This tree is where I will build my Eden."
Sienna awakened with clarity of her role from Lucian's voice. She was the Goddess of Earth, her essence tied to stability, security, and practicality. Though her form resembled that of a young girl, her crimson eyes betrayed her profound wisdom and strength. Her brown hair cascaded in waves, adorned with a crystalline tiara made of red jasper and clear quartz. Her garments glimmered with the light of divine crystals, perfectly mirroring her role as a Terramancer.
Walking to the base of the Elder Tree, Sienna extended her delicate hands and carefully removed a single root. With a whisper of ancient words, she shaped it into the Staff of Life. Interwoven with flowering vines, it gleamed with a crimson jasper crystal atop.
"This staff shall be an extension of my power," she declared, gazing at it with pride. "Through it, I will breathe life into this land."
She raised the staff high, and crimson light erupted from the jasper crystal. The power of the earth surged outward, spreading across the barren southern lands of Celestia. Where there was once desolation, there arose a thriving world. Mountains carved themselves into the horizon, valleys unfolded like a painter's masterpiece, and the ground became carpeted in lush greenery. Trees with sprawling canopies erupted from the soil, while flowers of every color bloomed, filling the air with their perfume.
"It is beautiful," Sienna whispered, her voice tinged with awe.
But she wasn't finished. Lowering the staff, she pointed it to the earth, and another burst of crimson light rippled through the ground. From the soil emerged legged creatures—animals of all shapes and sizes. They roamed the verdant fields, creating a perfect ecosystem. Among them, two creatures captured her heart: the Bull, a symbol of strength and endurance, and the Goat, a creature of resilience and Ambition.
At the heart of it all stood the Elder Tree. Sienna tapped the crystal of her staff against its roots, and the tree responded, opening its base like a door. Inside, the tree transformed into her sanctuary—a warm, inviting space of intertwining flowers, glowing crystals, and soft greenery. It was a home befitting the Goddess of Earth.
As she gazed upon her creation, a thought struck her. "Everything looks perfect... almost perfect," she mused. "But I cannot live alone. I need companions, beings to share in this Eden."
Planting her staff firmly into the soil, she closed her eyes and focused her power. The crimson light poured from the staff, and tiny beings began to emerge from the ground—Dwarves, crafted in her image.
As Sienna gazed upon her newly created dwarves, a sense of purpose filled her. Each dwarf was a reflection of her values—hard-working, practical, and steadfast in their dedication to the prosperity of Earth Eden. To ensure their flourishing, Sienna imbued each with a specific role, crafting a harmonious society that mirrored the balance of nature.
The Reaper Dwarves, a community of diligent women, became the caretakers of the land's bounty. Their hands were blessed with the ability to coax life from the soil, harvesting golden grains, vibrant fruits, and lush vegetables that sprouted under Sienna's care. With baskets in hand and woven shawls draped over their shoulders, they moved gracefully through the fields, gathering the sustenance that would feed all of Celestia. Their laughter often filled the air, blending with the rustle of wheat and the hum of bees.
The Floral Dwarves, elegant and nurturing, devoted themselves to the intricate beauty of Earth Eden's flora. They cultivated the flowers that blanketed the valleys and climbed the hillsides, ensuring that every blossom thrived. Each dwarf carried a tiny crystal watering vessel and a satchel of seeds. With gentle hands, they pruned, planted, and tended to the gardens, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that brought joy to all who visited the Eden. The Floral Dwarves worked in quiet harmony, their presence a serene reminder of nature's gentler side.
The Rockhound Dwarves, sturdy men with unyielding resolve, delved into the crystal caves that threaded beneath Earth Eden. With picks forged from the Elder Tree's roots and torches lit with Sienna's crimson power, they mined the glittering veins of jasper, quartz, and other precious minerals. Each crystal they unearthed was not just a resource but a treasure that enhanced the beauty and strength of the Eden. The Rockhound Dwarves worked tirelessly, their efforts carving out not just wealth but a foundation for Earth Eden's growth.
The Keeper Dwarves, vigilant and strong, were the protectors of Sienna's sanctuary. With shields crafted from the bark of the Elder Tree and spears tipped with crystal shards, they patrolled the borders of Earth Eden. Their sharp eyes and unwavering dedication ensured that the crops, flora, and crystal mines remained safe from any threat. These men stood as the guardians of harmony, ever ready to defend their home and uphold the peace that Sienna had so lovingly crafted.
The dwarves worked tirelessly, reflecting Sienna's own hard-working, practical nature. Together, they transformed Earth Eden into a sanctuary of life, providing food and resources not only for themselves but for the entire realm of Celestia.
Sienna's generosity extended to her friends as well. She sent islands to Kaius and the Aqua Clan, trees and mountains to Aurelia and Sky Haven, and divine crystals to Lucian and the Light Tower. Even the barren Western Wastelands received her blessing—a great wall of life to shield the rest of Celestia from its encroaching darkness.
On the seventh day, Sienna stood beneath the Elder Tree, her crimson eyes sweeping over the flourishing landscape. Her heart swelled with pride. "This is our sanctuary," she said to her dwarves, who gathered around her. "Our beautiful home."
For seven years, Earth Eden thrived. Its ecosystems flourished, its resources flowed to the other domains, and its people lived in harmony. Sienna found peace among her creations, the animals, and her devoted dwarves.
But on this particular day, something changed.
At the summit of the Light Tower, Sienna and her three friends—Lucian, Kaius, and Aurelia—stood together, their gazes fixed on the sky. A comet, blazing with fire and shrouded in darkness, tore across the heavens. Its ominous glow cast shadows even in the eternal light of Celestia.
Lucian broke the silence. "What is that?"
Sienna's wide crimson eyes locked onto the comet. For the first time since her awakening, fear flickered in her gaze.
YOU ARE READING
The Tales of Celestia
FantasyIn the beginning, the universe was a void, a canvas of scattered light and endless darkness. From the emptiness, the goddess Viseyra was born, bestowed with the power to shape creation by the mysterious entity Ga-Eywa. Tasked with bringing balance a...