A New World Was Born

The newly created guardians, known as, Abris, Zuborh, Fastus, Cavlos, Volin, Igses, Daelia, Rila, and Maphine respectively, took stock of the rocky barren world. Daelia suggested everyone draw lots for who would create what, some agreed. Others, plainly turned her down, some ruder than others. And so, that was that. After only an hour of life, the guardians had separated.

Cavlos loved his siblings' creations, he had not seen them in such a long time, but he had seen their work. Maphine's grand oceans. Daelia's beautiful fields and forests. Fastus' towering mountains were awe-inspiring. Even his "Hot Melty Rock", the name still pending, was mesmerizing. It was all amazing, but Cavlos felt lonely. He missed his siblings, and so he started his first creation. This was the start of all life. Cavlos made the first beings. He created nine unique races, each modeled after what he remembered of his siblings. Elves, after his regal and emotionally fragile sister, Daelia. The Dwarves after his brother, Fastus', short stature; including that wild spark in his eyes. Gnomes after his most curious brother Igses. He made the Tieflings after his sister Maphine, and her dark blue skin, and horns; adding some artistic liberty to the colors. Cavlos made a green-skinned behemoth of people with tusks protruding from their jaw, the Orcs, after his brother Abris. Dragon people varied in color as in attitude based on his sister Rila. The smallest race, the halflings, after his smallest brother Volin. Genasi based on the shifting and ever-changing appearance of Zuborh. Last, a little vainly he thought to himself, he made a race based on himself, Humans. He hoped they would become a symbol for the other races, showing them how to be compassionate and kind; he hoped he imparted the love he had for his siblings inside them. Cavlos create a village and helped the people thrive. Giving them all they needed. Things would soon change.

"I sch-till don't buy it Cavloshh", Maphine muffledly said, while shoveling shrimp in her mouth. The village had prepared a giant festival, meats and vegetables were plenty. The people were rowdy, some full of drunken joy, especially the Halflings and Dragonborn. They felt some relief with Volin and Rila's arrival. Volin was a hit amongst the Halflings, as was Rila, arm-wrestling the biggest of the bunch.
"Listen i get it, but they haven't done anything yet... and besides, this is a party! I mean look at me I made this new outfit real quick. Just kinda threw it on. I don't know. Do you like it?" Cavlos suddenly started lightly cleaning his shoes, thinking that maybe he should've gone brown instead of black.
"I'm serious Cavlos. I've heard amongst the people that there has been disparaging thoughts and actions amongst some of the races. Fights have been breaking out on who's guardian inspiration is here and who's isn't. A few I suspect is Volin's doing, but surely not all." she said setting the shrimp down, desperate to get her brother to care about this issue of which she found of utmost importance.
"Well that's the thing with free will, eh? I allowed them to think for themselves. Some of them may be a little rough around the edges...but I trust them to do the right thing. In the end. I hope I've taught them enough to do that", Cavlos said, standing back up and partaking in a large roasted turkey leg. "Now come on! Cheer up sis. No point worrying about something before it happens. Best to just be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best", he said, ushering her toward the center of the festivities where a crowd of people were dancing. "I hope you know how to dance, because I've become quite the expert recently. Here's one the youth taught me. It's called the 'rotten turkey' ". Cavlos proceeded to waft a turkey leg in front of his face with a foul look, which he thought to himself "probably looked pretty cool". Maphine was appauled, assuming the kids who taught him this were having a laugh, but she couldn't help to adimire her brother's optimism.
 As the night drew on, some of the citizens were a bit drunker than they probably should have been and started into a brawl. A halfling and a Gnome, that Cavlos knew as Hob and Tannon. Both being elders of the village. He quickly brushed past the crowd of late night dancers,
"Hey, break it up you two! Now what on Ibeos is happening, Tannon explain your side, then Hob explain yours, and I don't want any interruptions, understood?" Cavlos asked with a stern parental tone.
"Well Cavlos, this guy right 'ere...this guy thinks that he's got the ..hic!.. he got the nerve to say he's better than me because his guardian ..hic!.. is here to see him and mine isn't," the old, and wrinkled gnome said, his face flush.
"Alright. Hob?", Calvos turned as he looked down at the elderly, but still with fist balled, halfling.
"Well this one right 'er thinks he's all high and mighty because his people 'er quick footed. I seen paintings of their guardian, probably slower than me, just like this sorry excuse for a d-drunk", He said swaying lightly. 
"Three things. One. No one is anyone's guardian, I created all of you and have been slowing down the local time in this village. Ergo, I had to stay here. And while I have, I've lived, laughed, and spent time with all of you. You are my creations, but I am not your ruler, and neither is anyone else over anyone. Two. I haven't seen Igses or Zuborh in a long time, but just like Volin and Rila's arrival today, I can be sure there will come a time they join us here. Three. You're both incredibly drunk and I'd very much appreciate it if you're spouses escorted you home", he rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking down at the two with an air of dissapointment.
"Well. They do make a good point", a velvet like voice came from behind Calvos. Volin slowly made his way toward the remnant of the outburst. He moved with the steady pace of a snake ready to swallow its prey whole. "I mean, I've been looking around at these people, and I thought to myself, why even make a human race? It seems pretty vain if you ask me. Impossible not to show favoritism. I don't know, can you truly say that you love all your creations equally?" Volin swept his arm toward the crowds.
"I know what you're doing Volin and just stop", Cavlos shot back at his brother.
"Well then answer the question. It seems easy enough", Volin said with a his familiar smirk growing on his small twisted face.
"Of course I care for each of them equally. Even if they don't care for each other in the same way. You know, it's kinda like you and me, Volin" Calvos said, shoulders erect, staring down intensely at his brother.
"Well, while I admire your tenacity for optimism, I must say, I think you are misguided. I've only been here a day and I've heard from these astounding, and might I say very attractive, people, that there has been a surge of unrest and fighting", Volin knew he was putting Cavlos in a tough spot as more people were beginning to stop and observe.
"I wasn't aware...I-I, assumed they were mature enough to handle themselves", Cavlos spat back.
"So then you admit to being ignorant of these peoples' despair. They may look like us, but they are, and pardon my choice of words, more fragile. Cavlos you may be able to make life, but we both know you can't bring back someone who has died. I'm sure you probably left this detail out to some of you more elderly residents like Hob here", he looked at his imitation with feigned pity.
"Wait, what does he mean? Are we gonna disappear?", Hob asked, slightly beginning to shake.
"I don't know Hob. Even we guardians only know so much. Under the right circumstances, I know that even we can perish. We were made to create, and so I did. You all have been so much more than that though! Filled with more light than sunshine, capable of more tears than a waterfall. A new being, able to think, laugh, love and learn. Unfortunately that also comes with being able to die...I gave you each a spark of myself to pass to the next, a unique code to flow and combine, and so forth. That way you could grow and experience the world. Then the ultimate gift of all. To create, like us. Doing so requires that at one point you will grow old and perish. As that energy must pass on. Where you go I can't say", Cavlos admitted.
"So you would let them live in ignorance of this fact? Letting them have the potential to unknowingly end another. That's just cold brother", Volin said, hoping his planting of the seeds of doubt and conflict had been enough. "You know I've quite taken a liking to my people. Maybe they should come with me. You wouldn't have to worry about them, and they would be safe," Volin asked.
"It's not happening Volin, the people have Abris to protect them and he is enough", Cavlos told him.
"Well, if you truly care about your people so much. Why don't you let them decide?" Volin said hoping he had sealed the deal.
"Fine, but I doubt anyone would follow you on whatever path you seem set on. I trust in my people", Cavlos said determinedly crossing his arms. The people on the other hand were a bit more uneasy. The halflings, a lot filled with copious alcoholic beverages, were muttering about to themselves in hushed whispers. The center square of the village lit up with the noise of the sheer number now gathered. Hob lifted himself up, dusted off his chest, and looked up at Cavlos, and then to his brother Volin, "Well, I reckon, he might be right. It might be time for us to make a change. We got that right don't we?" 
"Yes, you do", Cavlos said, trying to mask the pain felt at those words.
"Well you heard it, brother," Volin said then clasped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "That goes for anyone else, if you'd like to live amongst your own kind free of trouble, follow me. We'll depart at dawn. Gather your belongings post haste. Your new shelters will be grander and more eloquent than you could ever dream of!" Volin then looked at his brother and kept his volume at a level most of the people around couldn't hear, "I'm so glad we could see things my way. Also, Rila seems to be fond of the Dragonborn people made from her image. It seems only right she could do the same. I'm not sure if the other guardians care about their people as much as I do. I guess only time will tell". Volin then walked off, snapping toward Rila as he passed through the crowd toward the southern area. After he was gone, the crowd dissipated slowly. Cavlos wasn't sure what would happen in the future. He just felt great sadness wash over him. Daelia came up to consul him wrapping her arm around his shoulder.
In the coming morning, Volin departed as did Rila with a sizable portion of their respective people. Days went by, as Fastus and Maphine wished to head on and venture to create more. This caused their respective people to follow them in the same suit as Volin and Rila, some not so much out of despair, but out of sheer fondness for their inspiration. Eventually, Daelia left as well with a good portion of the elves. Some people even banded together and wandered off without a guardian, hoping to make life their own. The village was now one-fourth of its size, with a mix of races. Cavlos looked at his people. He was sad because of those that left, but as a small child's ball rolled up to his foot. He looked and saw the hope of a new generation tumbling toward him in chase of that ball. Cavlos decided to never make the mistake of letting his people down again. Determined he pick up the ball and started to play catch with the local youth. He will not fail his village again he thought to himself.

War breaks out amongst the nine nations. Alliances are formed, and treaties are signed. Greca aligns itself with Antonia, and the Kianitian Tribes. Southia orients itself with Labros, and Swo Plos. Padsin has declared itself neutral. Usta declares war against all nations in retaliation. Thania creates pseudo-alliances through indiscriminate trade with all nations and profits heavily for it. Unknown to the other nations, Ryo fights its own civil war thousands of miles away hidden from the rest of the world.

After multiple decades of slaughter and fighting, the guardians convene in Cadon, after a desperate plea by Cavlos to end the war. It has been hundreds of years since all the guardians were gathered. Zuborh doesn't come. They recede down a stair-way leading to below the city. After hours of tense silence, a rumble is heard. People in the surrounding area take cover, but it does nothing to shield the blast. Two hundred thousand die immediately. Half of Cadon is wiped off the face of Ibeos. Surges of magical energy go off around the world, irradiating all life in various ways. The citizens of Cadon come together and help the wounded. The guardians are nowhere to be found, nor is there any clue as to what happened during the summit. Some nations call foul play, others are devastated. From here on, the races decide the fate of the world.