The Edge of the Universe

Beginning - Magic

        In the dark, mysterious land of Lucis, where the universe both began and ended, lived two beings named Life and Death. They lived peacefully, almost never interacting with each other because they never found the need to. They did not particularly like each other, so if they did interact, there was tension and the atmosphere that surrounded them was always cold.

        But the birth of Magic was the event that united them. Magic united everyone that day; Life and Death, Good and Evil, Freedom and Captivity, Sorrow and Happiness, and even Love and Hate, who could not stand to be in the same realm as the other, were acting civil. Magic had finally brought the peace to quarrels that were believed to be eternal. Magic was the beginning of the light on Lucis which was once darkened by Emptiness.

        Even though his presence was enough to break the tension between Life and Death, they did not know how to act around each other having fought for so long.

        “Hello, Life,” Death said with a tight-lipped smile.

        “Good morning, Death,” Life replied, returning his awkward expression.

        “Well it certainly was.” Death couldn’t help but bash at Life.

        She slapped his arm lightly and said, “Today is not the day to be obnoxious.” Death sighed and apologized, but couldn’t keep his laugh contained. “What about this is amusing?”Life demanded.

        “Even after eight thousand years, you’re still exactly the same.” He shook his head.

        “Thank you,” Life said curtly, averting her eyes toward the center of the crowd where Magic was taking his first steps, to everyone’s delight. Death kept his eyes on Magic but continued to speak.

        “I wasn’t finished. You’re still the same uptight, tense, afraid-to-let-loose person as you were before.” Death was bothered by her presence, which was very unpleasant and rude.

        “You realize that you basically just used the synonyms of the same word to insult me, right?” Life crossed her arms and tried to ignore Death, hoping that if she stopped talking to him long enough, he would disappear. “Uneducated idiot.”

        “You’re proving my point.” He slung an arm around her and she stiffened. “Relax! Today’s a beautiful day, the first in many centuries. Just enjoy it.”

        “I now understand why we stopped speaking.”

        “Really?” Death looked at her curiously. “I’ve long forgotten, so please, enlighten me.”

        “You’re extremely irritating.” Life said gruffly, turning so her back faced him.  

         “I’m sorry if my behavior bothers you. Would you like me to stop?” He asked politely, in a manner that Life didn’t believe was possible for him. Life raised her eyebrows in surprise.

        “That would be lovely.” She turned back to look at him and he grinned.

       “Unfortunately, I don’t know what irritating means since I’m an ‘uneducated idiot.’ So until I figure that out, I’ll be forced to bother you endlessly.”

        Life huffed and shook her head. “Go away.” What a bumbling fool, she thought.

       Death didn’t answer. She turned to look at him, still awaiting his witty and annoying response. He wasn’t there, but crouched by the bed of Magic, who sat unattended because everyone had left, not wanting to be burdened with another child. The room was mostly empty, with only a bed where Magic was and a door by the windows in the corner. It looked like a wood cabin, built like all the other houses in Lucis. There was a fireplace near Magic’s bed, which was lit and gave the room a warm, comforting air.

        “Hey there,” Death whispered to a frightened Magic. He was small and looked like a little lump below his blankets. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’m Death. It’s nice to finally meet you, Magic.”

        Magic was a truly beautiful baby. He had big eyes that reminded Death of diamonds that reflected a rainbow, which peeked out from under the sheets questioningly as he heard Death’s soft voice. This voice was different from the one that spoke to Life earlier. It wasn’t teasing or loud, but quiet, as if he were approaching a scared animal. Life walked over in awe, unaware that someone who caused so much disturbance could be the cause of peace in the atmosphere.

        “I’m Life,” Life said, imitating Death’s quiet voice. “You’re just an enchanting little boy, aren’t you?”

        Magic thought it was a question and mustered with a shaky voice an “I’d hope so,” which made Life and Death laugh softly. Although he was just a newborn, he looked about three Earth years old. Beings aged differently on Lucis because Grandfather Time, who was the controller of History, made it so.

        “Come on, get out of bed,” Life said in a voice that reminded Death of a mother talking to her stubborn, sleepy child. “We have all the world to go see, and you can’t do that if you aren’t dressed.” She held out a hand and Magic grabbed it, rubbing his eyes and almost tripping over his nightgown. Death smiled, and watched them as Life dressed Magic in attire that made him look even more adorable. Magic said something and she laughed as if it were the funniest thing in the world. He stood up and strolled over to them with a smile.

        “Hey, Magic. Ready to discover the world?” Death asked. Magic beamed.

        “Can we do it all today?” He looked up at Death with big, pleading eyes.

        “Not all today. If we go on every adventure today, there won’t be anything to do tomorrow.” Death pointed out. Magic stared at him, realizing he was right, and his mouth turned into the shape of an ‘O.’

        Life didn’t speak but watched as Death and Magic interacted. This was a side of Death that she had never known. She hadn’t realized that he even had the ability to be quiet.

        “Let’s go,” Life said with a small, happy laugh. She took one of Magic’s hands and Death took the other. They walked out of the quaint cabin that served as Magic’s house.

        “You know,” Grandfather Time said to Patience as he observed the happy family that was Life, Death, and Magic. “Life and Death are the only beings who have yet to find out what a family is like.”

        “That’s very true,” Patience agreed. “We should take this opportunity to give them the experience of the love of a child that is their own.”

        “You read my mind,” Time smiled and kissed Patience on the cheek. “We can just let them be; I believe they will do that regardless.”

        “And they do make a very beautiful family,” Patience said. Death was carrying Magic on his shoulders as Magic pretended he was flying. Life picked him up and spun Magic around as Death was ready to catch him. They did not stop to notice what they were doing, because if they had, Death would have scratched his head and laughed while Life would have blushed and denied it angrily. Fortunately, they did not dwell on it and simply enjoyed the moment for what it was. A beautiful family, surely a match made in Heaven, Patience thought and smiled.

        “That’s very true.” And it was Time who agreed.  

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        Honestly, Wattpad formatting annoys me so much. I hope you don't hate this story (or I suppose, this series of short stories) I'm working on, and any constructive criticism is appreciated. Thanks!