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"Father, father! Tell me a story!" A young adolescent girl sat on her father's lap.
"Ok my child," he answered with a warm smile, gently stroking her golden hair. "How about 'Pandemonium'?"
"No, father! I want you to tell me the story 'Legends of the Ten Great Mages'!" The adolescent girl replied. The reflection of the fireplace, revealed in her wide emerald eyes.
"Ok, then I shall tell you about the last great mage."
The last great mage, also known as the tenth child of God, was born eons ago. He walked the earth with his fellow siblings, shaping it in gods' image. Some say they were the first humans, while others believe they were angels protecting humanity.
His name was Abaddon, possessing the power people now know as magic. However, the magic he wielded was different, being one of god's child, he received an authority, the power of Rules and Regulations.
Back then, death was not a thing, humans did not feel pain, hunger or emotion. They lived in an empty shell, devoid of any meaning.
So one day, the fifth child of God came to Abaddon and asked for his help. "My younger brother, Abaddon. These humans are so pitiful, they lack meaning in life. This makes me so sad as without meaning, they do not find the need to love!"
"My elder sister, Circe. "What do you propose I should do?" Abaddon asked.
Circe then replied, "Please use your authority of Rules and Regulations. "Make it so that human lives are short, thus they will have the need to reproduce and love to survive!" Abaddon, following his sister's instructions, he created the concept of life and death.
He then created his first rule: humans shall only live for a century. This caused humankind to start appreciating their brief lives, seeking meaning in them. With meaning, they started advancing at an unprecedented rate. Humans started inventing tools to aid in their hunting. With more food than ever before, the humans reproduced, giving their love to one another.
However, with the human population skyrocketing and many humans dying each day, it created a new predicament. After a few millennia, the seventh child of God realized that there was an abundance of human souls. This placed a tremendous strain on the world, as it could contain all of them.
So, he then went to Abaddon and asked for his help. "My younger brother, Abaddon. This world will soon collapse because of the pressure the human souls are placing on it!"
"My older brother, Azrael. "What do you propose I do?" Abaddon asked.
Azrael then replied, "Please use your authority of Rules and Regulations. "Make it so that once a human dies, their soul will go towards one of the two new worlds I have created!" Following Azrael's instructions, Abaddon created the concept of heaven and hell.
He then established his second rule: humans will be judged upon death. This relieved the burden on the world, allowing human life to continue. Those who lived a life of virtue and died with no regrets shall go to paradise, where their souls will find eternal rest. However those who lived a sinful life and died full of regrets, shall go to hell, where their souls will be burnt and destroyed.
Abaddon spent the following millennia traversing the Earth and observing humans. One day while he was traveling, a young man with black hair came up to him.
"O great Abaddon, the tenth child of God, please give us your blessing," the youth begged. "Even though we have weapons to hunt beasts, many of us still die each day! Having robbed us of immortality, you should at least grant us the power to combat those beasts without fearing death!"
Abaddon felt guilty upon hearing those words, "Young man. "What do you propose I should do?" He asked.
"Grant us humans a fragment of your power, grant us mortals the ability to wield magic!" The youth replied. Abaddon then followed the youth's suggestion, creating the concept of magic.
He then created his third rule: magic is the will of divinity and the power of imagination. This allowed the humans to gain immense power, dominating all other lifeforms.
The next few millennia passed by in a blink of an eye, humanity ruled the world with their magic creating cities that floated in the sky and objects that conquered the ocean. However, even after having the entire world in their grasp, humanity still thirsted for power, eventually setting their sights on killing the ten children of God.
The humans waged a millennia long war on them, ultimately killing the fourth child of God, Ariel. Witnessing his sister's death, grief overcame Abaddon, who regretted giving humans magical power.
"It's my fault! It's all my fault! I granted them the power of magic, and what do they do with it? They kill my sister!" Abaddon cried for seven days and seven nights before swearing that he would never forgive humanity for their betrayal and greed.
Standing in a field of flowers illuminated by the golden morning sun, Abaddon shouted. "Rules and Regulations! From this moment, I restrict human magic; They can no longer dream and imagine!"
This was the basis of modern day nine ranked magic system, confining what was once limitless potential to a linear power.
In addition, Abaddon gave the natural beasts the ability to use magic. "Because humans cannot appreciate and be content with their gifts, they are unfit to rule the world!""
Natural beasts grew stronger, weakening humans and slowly diminishing their population.
"So, my child, this is a lesson for you on how being greedy causes only suffering." The father said.
"I see father! I will grow up to be a magician that does not chase money, but my magic to help others!" The adolescent girl turned around and hugged her father.
The father gave a warm smile, patting her head. "Good, but Eleanor, it is past your bedtime. Move along now and go to sleep." He said in a soft voice.
"Ok father!" The adolescent girl hopped off her father's lap, quickly exiting the room.
After the girl left, the father slowly stood up, walking towards his study table. The table held books, open parchment paper covered in symbols, and vials of unknown liquid.
He reached out, grabbing a black covered book in the middle of the table. The book was ancient, its edges all torn and jagged along with the pages completely brown.
"Pandemonium..." The father softly muttered as he lifted the book, slowly flipping over the pages. "Amon Civic, I look forward to the world you will create. I truly hope you will live up to my expectations."
The father along with the book then disappeared from the room, leaving behind only a trail of wind.