Creation
Within the darkness that laid beyond the beginning, existed two souls. One dreamed of a world of peace and magic, while the other wanted a world of structure and progress. Neither could realize their dream without the other, so eons passed in their stalemate.
Until one moment in time, the darkness began to speak to them. It wanted a place in their dreams. In their worlds. Whispers spurred the two souls into a battle of wills that almost collapsed the void around them. Only encapsulating the darkness would silence it, so the two souls conspired to trap it between their realities.
Though not as stable as creating one world with their wills, the two souls decided to link the two worlds of their desires. Thus the dual worlds of their dreams, with the darkness trapped between them, came into being. Existing separately, but linked like the souls that birthed them.
Meheid, a world structured with the progress of the natural order of life. Akari, a world shaped by the freedom of magic. Between them; a corridor of which resides the darkness that separates them but will never be a part of them. The Schism.
Life on both sides developed into different races. In Meheid, mortal humans lived and died according to the natural law. Their souls passed through the darkness of the Schism to be reformed within the magic of Akari and be reborn back in Meheid. Those within Akari, fed by the souls that crossed the vast darkness, were imbued with immortality. With no mortal birth or death, they were created into the form all humans initially take upon conception. Thus the Akari Maidens stepped into existence.
Balance of the Two Worlds
Unable to exist without the other, the two worlds needed to work together in order to balance each other. Meheid provided the raw materials and Akari utilized them to feed both. However, the transfer of energy fluctuated to extremes to the detriment of the necessary balance.
In order to maintain an even flow, the Akari Maidens traveled through the Schism, the barrier between the worlds, to serve as emissaries. Creating conduits, the Maidens formed the Seirei Trees. Bare yet beautiful, the pure white trees glowed with the bluish light of the Life Blood, the source of Magic in Akari.
Within Meheid, the Maidens became known as Priestesses. Revered for their ability to bring life to the land and rest to the dead, they held positions of influence over the humans. Preferring to stay separate, they created sanctuaries for their sisters throughout Meheid. They varied from stone temples on mountain tops to simple cottages within an array of villages.
Though, wherever there was an Akari settlement, there was a Seirei Tree. Depending on the flow of energy in a given area, sometimes the Life Blood would also create towering crystal monoliths, the Blue Aureole, to contain the excess flow. These were worshiped as the light from the World Beyond. The older the Seirei Tree, the bigger the monoliths would grow.
History of Meheid
'
The greatest gift and greatest sin bestowed upon the world is Choice.
– Mitsu
Living among humans, the Akari Maidens adapted to many different customs as a means of integrating with the people of Meheid. The balance of the two worlds depended on a good relationship between them. This also meant that the Maidens formed alliances into different hierarchies of government and Aristocracy. Though only done as a means of keeping the peace within the Realm, instances of manipulating the Maidens into using their abilities for personal gain was common. As a result, the Maidens had to create their own ways of protection.
A special Order that answered to no one but them was established. Originally manned by orphans who were trained during their childhood to protect the Maidens, this system developed flaws in time. Loyalties were corrupted and sides were taken as power hungry entities desired the abilities of the Maidens. However, a solution soon presented itself.
Living among humans also brought about intermarriages between the two races. Though unable to pass on their Magical abilities to their children, those born from an Akari Maiden in Meheid did inherit stronger bodies. They lived longer, healed faster, never grew ill and had increased stamina compared to other mortals. These children became known as Eien. Due to their physical prowess, they were charged with the protection of the Maidens so their Magic could never be used beyond its purpose.
A millennium of peace followed with the balance between the two worlds maintained through cooperation. However, the choices and greed of man eventually surfaced and war came upon the World of Meheid. Sister was placed against sister. War came and the foundation of Meheid couldn’t handle the influx of Magic from Akari. After the battle cinders cooled, the Maidens left for Akari in order to allow Meheid to heal and for humanity to learn to fend for itself.
Curious Maidens still crossed in secret, but the main flow of magic was stopped in order to preserve both worlds. A century of meager crops, empty forests, illness, and harsh, unpredictable weather passed before the foundation of the natural world became minimally stable again. Though the Maidens did not return, a sliver of Magic from Akari still flowed from the Seirei Trees, barely maintaining a thread thin balance.