Cherreads

The Cosmic Order of Undead

The Cosmic Order of Lumen's Will: An Odyssey

Before time was measured and before the stars scattered their light across the void, there existed nothing but an endless, silent expanse. 

In that primordial emptiness, where neither form nor function held sway, the first spark of consciousness emerged—a presence that would come to be known as Lumen's Will. 

This was not a god in the mortal sense, nor a mere force of nature; 

It was the essence of cosmic balance, an eternal decree that would forever bind the destinies of all that was, all that is, and all that shall ever be.

From the unfathomable depths of the Void, Lumen's Will began its work. 

With a single, divine impulse, it divided the abyss into two eternal forces: 

The blazing Jyotira, the Eternal Light that radiated pure, unyielding brilliance, and 

The profound Tamira, the Abyssal Darkness that embraced the mystery and the unknown. 

These twin forces, though stark in opposition, were forever intertwined, each giving meaning to the other, each a necessary counterpart in the infinite cycle of creation and dissolution.

Yet, light and darkness on their own could not shape the universe. 

Recognizing that neither would suffice to sustain the delicate balance of existence, Lumen's Will imbued the cosmos with three indispensable principles:

• Sristi (Creation): The force that brings forth life from the formless void, kindling stars and breathing existence into all that is born.

• Stiti (Preservation): The power that maintains order and continuity, ensuring that creation does not dissolve into chaos.

• Samhara (Dissolution): The force of endings, which dismantles that which is old, making way for rebirth and renewal.

Together, these three forces formed the Divine Cycle, a perpetual rhythm that orchestrated the rise and fall of stars, the birth and death of empires, and the eternal journey of every soul.

As the Divine Cycle unfurled, Lumen's Will sculpted the cosmos into seven grand realms, each reflecting a fundamental aspect of existence. 

These Seven Celestial Realms were not merely physical spaces, but vibrant, living dimensions, each with its character, purpose, and guardians.

In the highest reaches lies Svarg, the Realm of Divine Light, where beings of pure radiance dwell. Here, amidst a glow of eternal gold, the Celestial Beings, ethereal agents of cosmic justice, enforce the decrees of Lumen's Will, ensuring that the scales of fate remain balanced. 

Next, there is Chanda, the Realm of Moonlit Souls. Bathed in soft, perpetual twilight, this serene dominion is the sanctuary of enlightened spirits, a place of learning and introspection where the mysteries of the universe are contemplated beneath the gentle gaze of the eternal moon.

Further emerges Agni, a realm of cosmic fire, where every soul is tested by flame. Here, purification is not punishment but a sacred rite. The burning fire strips away impurities and readies the spirit for rebirth. 

In contrast, Varun spreads out as an endless, shimmering ocean, its rolling tides carrying the ancient wisdom of countless ages. It is a repository of knowledge and destiny, where every crashing wave whispers secrets of the past and the future. 

Meanwhile, Vayu is a realm of tempest and wind, a chaotic expanse where the breath of life and the winds of change carry the promise of transformation. 

Then comes Avni, the Mortal Realm, where humans and supernatural beings coexist, their fates forever entwined by free will and divine decree. 

Finally, in the deepest, most mysterious recesses lies Tamas, the Realm of Eternal Darkness, an abyss where lost souls and exiled celestial beings linger, yearning to overturn the delicate balance between light and dark.

Linking these seven realms is the Astral Veil, a hidden, radiant current of energy that only those truly attuned to the divine can traverse. It is a bridge between worlds, a living reminder that no matter how disparate, every realm, is interconnected by the eternal pulse of cosmic truth.

To guard and maintain this intricate balance, Lumen's Will birthed the Asvaris, the Celestial Guardians. 

These timeless beings are the embodiment of the universe's fundamental laws; 

They do not rule, for mortals must shape their destinies.

But they observe and guide, ensuring that the Divine Cycle continues unbroken.

Arvind, the Keeper of Light, stands as the beacon of divine wisdom and justice, safeguarding the radiant glory of Svarg. 

Drav, the Arbiter of Fate, weaves the threads of destiny, binding every soul to its cosmic path. 

Niranya, the Flame of Renewal, wields the power of dissolution so that from every end arises a new beginning. 

Velara, the Tidebearer, swims through the vast depths of Varun, preserving the ancient lore of the universe. 

Syva, the Whispering Storm, embodies the ceaseless winds of change. 

Kalrav, the Shadowed One, once a guardian of balance, now languishes in exile within Tamas, his heart dark with the desire for vengeance against the light.

From the energies of these Celestial Realms, Lumen's Will fashioned two races: the humble mortals and the enigmatic supernatural beings. 

Mortals were imbued with the Tree of Light—a divine spark that allowed them to grow, learn, and connect with the celestial forces through sacred rituals and Soul Contracts. 

Supernatural beings, meanwhile, emerged from the very essence of their respective realms: 

The angels, hailing from the radiant Svarg; 

The demons, forged in the depths of Tamas; 

The vampires, born from the cursed remnants of darkness, under the moonlight; 

The werewolves, echoing the primal ferocity of Vayu;

The mermaids and sirens emerge from the mystical depths of Varun. 

All these beings, regardless of their power, were bound by the immutable laws of Karma, ensuring that every action resonated throughout the cosmos. 

The realm of Avni became home to the mortals and supernatural beings completely oblivious to their origins. 

The Astral veil made the stories of their advent into folklore which has no fact to support. 

But some of these stories also formed their foundation of existence. The Lumen's Will became the governing law and the Heir of Divine became the enforcer of this order.

At the core of this divine order stands the Pillar of Sanctity—the most sacred relic in existence. 

Nestled at the centre of the Temple of Divinity in the holy capital of Divinara, the Pillar is the only gateway to the Soul Realm, a dimension where the purest expressions of cosmic energy dwell. 

This relic said to house the Will of Ultimate Sanctity, holds the secret to eternal life and serves as both a source of divine blessing and a stern arbiter of justice. 

Every mortal who aspires to reach the highest limits of spiritual power must undergo the sacred rite of the Soul Contract at the Pillar. 

Here, under the watchful gaze of the High Priest, candidates are judged on the purity of their hearts and the strength of their inner light. 

Only those deemed worthy may merge their essence with that of a Soul Being, forging a bond that endows them with divine abilities and marks their destiny. 

Those who betray the sacred laws find their contracts severed in an instant, a punishment that echoes across the mortal realm.

The Soul Realm itself is a mystical plane, an eternal tapestry of energy and light, where Soul Beings exist as living embodiments of divine principles. These beings are classified into five tiers:

• Primordial Souls are the most ancient and powerful, directly linked to Lumen's Will, commanding the forces of life, death, time, and fate.

• Greater Souls oversee the elemental forces—fire, water, wind, and earth—and choose heirs with exceptionally vibrant Trees of Light.

• Guardian Souls act as protectors and healers, aiding those who have passed the sacred trials.

• Lesser Souls are smaller fragments of divine power that enhance the abilities of their mortal hosts.

• Feral Souls are untamed, unstable entities, remnants of corruption that threaten to undo the delicate balance of the cosmos.

Only those with the purest hearts may form lasting bonds with the greater tiers of Soul Beings, ensuring that divine power is reserved for the most deserving.

Every five years, a momentous event known as the Celestial Convergence brings together the finest warriors, scholars, and supernatural beings from across all seven Great Temples. Held within the hallowed halls of the Temple of Divinity in Divinara, the Convergence is a sacred competition—a trial of spirit, strength, and wisdom that determines who among the worthy will ascend to the Inner Hall of the temple. There, the champions will receive divine teachings, forge contracts with powerful Soul Beings, and ultimately shape the destiny of the realms.

Amidst the cosmic interplay of divine order and chaos, two figures stand as the destined bearers of the future. 

In the Suralis Empire, Princess Charuvisha Amrayana (Charvi) is the High Priest's chosen disciple, a beacon of divine radiance destined to restore the fading power of her people. Endowed with a multitude of divine abilities—from the resplendent Divine Radiance that purifies corruption to the formidable Solar Judgement that channels the sun's blazing fury—she is a force of nature, her inner light burning with the promise of renewal. Her power is further magnified by her celestial bond with Seraphis, The Luminous Guardian, a Soul Being who bestows upon her unparalleled protection, clarity of vision, and the ability to wield the divine with absolute authority.

Across the turbulent divide of the supernatural, within the frozen and blood-bound lands of the Chirosa Dominion, destiny weaves a darker tale. Prince Agnirasva Vaystriel (Agira), the enigmatic Half-Blood Prince, stands as an anomaly—neither fully mortal nor entirely cursed by the immortal lineage of his kin. Born of a human consort in a union forged for political gain, Agira defies the expectations of his kind. 

While pure-blooded vampires are driven by an insatiable hunger for blood, Agira's strength lies in his mastery of Vitalis—the pure essence of life and death. His ability to absorb and redirect energy, nullify supernatural regeneration, and erase the very presence of darkness sets him apart, marking him as a being both feared and revered. 

Empowered by his Soul Being, Mrityunjaya, The Soul of Verdant Midnight, Agira wields his power with quiet determination, his eyes, known as the Eyes of Verdant Midnight, perceiving the flow of life and the hidden truths of every soul. 

Although many view him as a mere aberration, his resolve is steadfast, and his bond with his half-blood brother, Kaelith Vaystriel (Kael)—the Moon-Bound Prince and a fearsome hybrid of werewolf and vampire—is a silent testament to the unbreakable ties of kinship. Kael's abilities, honed by his connection with Chandraketu, The Silent Moon Sniper, make him a guardian of unmatched precision and strength, an ally who stands as the living embodiment of loyalty and resilience in the face of darkness.

Yet, even as the Suralis Empire struggles to uphold its ancient legacy, the universe is far from silent. 

Ancient texts speak of a time when the balance of the cosmos will shift—when a child born of two opposing bloodlines, one of divine light and one of abyssal darkness, will rise. This child, neither fully mortal nor supernatural, will wield the power to defy fate itself.

Some see this as the end of the Divine Cycle, a threat to existence. Others believe it marks the dawn of a new balance, one beyond the limitations of light and dark.

In the realms beyond mortal sight, the eternal language of the divine, rooted in timeless wisdom, the sacred hymns and incantations are not merely echoes of the past, they are the very expressions of inner light. 

The Hymn of Divine is the source of a power unknown to many. It is also the collection that consists of the stories of the origin of the mortal realm though it is still not factual, but only a folklore, a belief. 

The Hymn of Divine includes instruments of divine origin, the Veena of Luminous Echoes, the Mridangam of Cosmic Rhythm, the Shankha of Celestial Tides, and others that resonate with the pure energy of the Tree of Light within every soul. Their melodies are songs of creation, healing, and hope, channelling the brilliance of the inner light to dispel the encroaching shadows. 

These ancient songs remind all that true power comes not from the clashing of swords or the conjuring of dark magic but from the unyielding radiance within each being—a radiance that, when harmonized with the divine, can reshape the very fabric of existence. That is the reason that every royal member of the family is required to play one such instrument. 

It is a practice that keeps a person grounded, for every note played on a celestial instrument, every hymn chanted in the sacred halls, and every prayer whispered in the quiet solitude of the night, the inner light of each being burns brighter. It is this unyielding radiance, the spark of the divine within every soul, that holds the power to mend what has been broken, to overcome the darkness that encroaches upon the realms, and to herald a new era of balance and unity.

Thus, as the ancient prophecies foretold and the cosmic order endures, the fate of all creation hinges on the convergence of light and shadow—a union of divine will and moral courage that promises to either restore the sacred balance or shatter it beyond repair. The time is drawing near, and in the quiet moments before the Celestial Convergence, the universe holds its breath, waiting for the chosen ones to rise and carry forth the eternal flame of Lumen's Will.

More Chapters