Black Book of the Firmament

The balance of eternity rested upon the hands of the Seven; Jorr the Sky-Guardian, Shol the Sun-Bringer, Azer the Moon-Keeper, Mira the Earth-Mother, Ogre the Black-Star, Wina the Soul-Giver, and Phyr the Time-Starter. Together they held in-place the very fabric of the universe, which was suspended high above the firmament of the Temple in which they dwelled. They drew their power from the first two Sages; Shol and Ogre, who were the builders of the temple at the beginning of existence. They used their power to connect the temple to the firmament, and thusly, Jorr had become born. It was not until the creation of Phyr that the rest of the universe began to materialize, including the essence of chronology and the other Sages - except for Wina the Soul-Giver.

The Sages shared power evenly with one-another for innumerable eons, always buoyant between Light and Darkness; between Fire and Water. They had always been blind and could not hear, but rather, used their minds to share thought. Neither anger nor joy would ever befall them, for it did not exist. They did not know greed, and knew no evil either. There was one Sage, however, who did not realize that he had the power to learn. Because Ogre was the Black-Star born from within the darkness of the void, he was the only Sage capable of absorbing all of the hidden knowledge within the cosmos; be it good or evil.

Curious to know – and curious to feel – the other six Sages implored Ogre to remove his hands from the firmament so that he could study its origin. After four-thousand millennia of devoted balance, Ogre reluctantly retracted his hands from the field of energy which had represented the atmosphere of the temple. Just then, an immense brightness overpowered the great hall, but Ogre was the only one able to see it. “It hurts!” Ogre exclaimed. “Shol, I need you to balance my absence.” Shol responded telepathically, “If I remove myself from this firmament, all we have created here will cease to exist - the Sages too. You will have to free us on your own.” “I can't stay here!” Ogre said with agony. “I will go forth and uncover the mysteries of the universe my companions, and I will return with a way to remove your bonds with the Firmament.” Ogre then left the temple for the first time since the beginning of creation and was not seen again by the Sages for what seemed like eternity.

Sixteen eons had passed as the six Sages upheld their devoted servitude to the sky, when suddenly, the saturation of the light encompassing the temple became restored. The six Sages could see and the firmament dissipated into particles. “Ogre has returned!” Jorr said with enthusiasm. The words reverberated throughout his chest for the first time in history. The Sages lifted their hands and were freed of eternal servitude. “I've done it.” Came a voice from outside the temple. “I have transcribed the knowledge of the universe. I have transcribed the Firmament, as well as the secrets within the Void.” Ogre appeared before the doorway of the temple. “I have written it all down here, in this little black book - well, three books to be precise.” Ogre continued, “Behold, for I give you the Black Book of the Firmament. With it, you shall be able to control the aspects of the plains in which this temple stands. You will also acknowledge and experience all of the concepts pertaining to the realm you see before you.” The Book of the Firmament arose from the shattered remains of the ancient energy field and became placed upon a pedestal. It was then encased within a field of dark matter send up from the depths of the Void. The book remained open for all to see but was forever unobtainable without a grasp of the knowledge of the Void. “What about the other two books?” Phyr the Time-Bringer asked. Ogre turned to Phyr and replied, “I will be keeping the Black Book of the Void in my own possession. With it, I shall return to the Void from whence I came to forever hold watch over its domain.” Ogre continued, “As for the third book, it shall fall under the guardianship of a new Sage; a Sage you will henceforth refer to as the Soul-Giver.” As sure as the words which had been spoken, Wina had been born. The Black Book of the Soul was then placed into Wina's hands as she said prolifically, “I am the Soul-Giver. I shall preside over the realm below the Firmament. Soon you shall meet my children, who now walk upon the plains of my domain.” Ogre turned to Mira the Earth-Mother and said “You were born for this Mira. With your materializing power I ask that you join Wina as she builds this new dimension.” Mira nodded her head and said, “I shall build the ground that Wina's children will trek. She will need a lot of it.” “So we know where we stand then.” Ogre concluded. “Understand that these will be our new positions eternally. Failure to uphold this new order will surely result in my regret for freeing you with these books.” “We will protect the skies Ogre; the Moon and the Sun, we will be watching.” Azer assured.

The mortals emerged quickly throughout Wina's domain. They migrated to the four corners of their world. As many lives came and went, the mortals became stronger and wiser. On some occasions, certain mortals were even seen communicating with the Sages; able to comprehend their words of wisdom. Temples across the land were then built for such engagements. The Sages protected the mortals from the supernatural, but could do little to shield them from each other. Soon kingdoms began to be carved up into parchments of paper which were arbitrarily marked with the imaginary boundaries of differing municipalities. This served as the only protection available to the mortals against each other.

In the time when kings started to become commonly corrupt or tyrannical, Ogre and the Sages decided to doctrine new laws for the mortals to adhere to. Among these commandments included the restoration of a single kingdom which would govern over the whole of the realm. They also included the choosing of youthful kings by the decree of the Seven. Perhaps the most important of them, however, was the decision that the leading royal faction be granted what would come to be known as the Royal Family Treasure. Because gold had come to be considered by the mortals as the key to political power, Ogre saw that it was only fitting to pass on the royal treasure from one leading monarch to another. This ensured that the chosen king could sustain a standing army and remain unassailable to all onlookers. Ogre wanted to be the only Sage able to relocate the royal treasure so he sealed its capacity also inside of the Book of the Firmament.

The first king Basimus was elected at the Temple of the Sages. Jorr's Crown of the Sky Guardian was placed assertively upon his head. The Sages then read to him carefully selected scriptures from the Book of the Firmament, lest they damage his soul with unbridled knowledge. Basimus was sent back to the mortal realm where a glorious reign awaited him. He died forty-three years into his rule and the next king, Rabicre, was chosen. Rabicre reigned for twenty-six years until his successor Aundrid, who ruled thirty-three years and was followed by Irmund of sixty-two years; the longest living. When Irmund died, the Sages struggled to find a worthy successor. Corruption was seeping back into the hearts of the mortals, and for fifty more years, the land remained kingless.

“I can make you a king Sidious.” Azer said to a priest at the Temple of the Moon, which stood a few miles outside of the Royal Capital. “Why would you want to help me?” Asked the priest as he was lighting candles “Your realm is up there with the other sages, what interest do you have here upon the world?” Azer laughed and said. “I have resided among the sky for time immeasurable, I want to escape Sidious. You.. You can help me, and I can help you too.” Sidious put down the candle in his hand and said “How can I help you?” “I want to make an experiment.” Azer replied. “The Sages cannot enter the realm of the one you know as Ogre - the Void. Without a transcription of the Dark knowledge I cannot alter any physics outside of the Firmament.” “And you think I can get in?” Sidious asked. Azer grunted and said, “That’s what I was hoping to find out.” Sidious looked suspiciously at Azer and said, “You don’t even know if I will survive.” “It is a risk that I am willing to take, and you should be too.” Azer said coldly. Sidious slammed his hand down on the alter and asserted, “No! Find another guinea pig to use for your traitorous experimentations, I won’t be any part of this.” Just then, the moon drew closer and a sea breeze swept through the temple with the force of a hurricane. “I am not asking you anymore Sidious. You will do this task for me and become king, or you will suffer a thousand deaths.” Sidious stammered before shyly asking, “And the Royal Family Treasure?” “You shall inherit the wealth of nations as well the knowledge endowed in the Black Books.” Azer promised, “But give the Book of the Firmament to me once we’ve extracted your treasure.” Sidious smiled devilishly and said, “I’ll get your books, divine Azer.”

Azer brought Sidious onto the moon which was then used to vessel them to the gates of the Void. “Quickly now Sidious.” Azer said impatiently. Sidious stepped onto the gated platform and, with grim on his face, turned back to look at Azer before stepping into the darkness. Sidious found himself standing in a chamber with endless chasms and platforms. He quickly maneuvered his way through the terrain. Every direction seemed like it led nowhere, and Sidious soon wondered if he could even find his way back. “Who’s mortal feet have stepped into this sacred place?” Came the voice of Ogre, which echoed eerily through the chamber. Terrified, Sidious failed to respond. “You.” The voice continued. “You are here for my book aren’t you? I wonder who put you up to this.” Sidious began running, frantically trying to find the gate in which he came, but there was no way back. Finally, in the distance, Sidious saw it. He saw the Black Book of the Void, distantly resting on a platform he could hardly see. It illuminated the dark hallway between himself and the book. He ran to it, but seemingly, it appeared farther and farther away. “Help me Azer!” Cried Sidious. “I can’t reach the book Azer, please help me!” Azer's voice then came to Sidious telepathically, “Here comes the tide.” Water suddenly came flooding into the Void, quickly filling the chamber. Azer had risen the ocean's tide and submerged the Void gate. “What have you done Azer!?” Exclaimed Ogre in disbelief. Sidious was now swimming toward the Black Book as the water crept closer and closer to the ceiling. The book too was now floating, free from the pedestal. “Reach the book Sidious.” Came the voice of Azer. “Swim!” Sidious managed to grab ahold of the book as it was cascading down a large wave. The book then absorbed Sidious’s soul within its pages and he was gone, along with the book which was lost to the ocean.

Ogre regrouped with the other Sages in the temple of the Firmament. “Its gone.” Ogre said. “The void is lost and the book is now surely in the hands of Azer.” “How could he betray us like this?” Phyr pondered. “If only I could have somehow frozen time before he got it.” Ogre then assuredly said, “All is not lost. We have the other two books. Should Azer wish to challenge us, we can still combat him.” “Right, unveil the Book of the Firmament and we may still stand a chance.” Jorr suggested. Ogre reluctantly disenchanted the shrouded pedestal, revealing the Black Book of the Firmament. “With the power of the sky, I offer my abilities to this book.” Jorr insisted. Shol looked at him and said, “But new knowledge cannot be added to the book, you know that Jorr.” Just then, Jorr hastily grabbed the book. A divine interaction then took place between them. Jorr began to laugh hysterically “What is it?” Mira asked. “I finally have the book!” “Oh no" Wina interjected. Jorr took off his hood, revealing who he was. “Azer!” Ogre shouted. “You traitor!” Added Phyr. Azer then stated, “You’d be interested to know that Jorr is no longer with us. I’ll be taking this with me.” Before anyone could stop him, Azer banished the Sages into the book from which there is no escape. He then began his descent toward the mortal realm.

For twelve years, Azer ruled from the royal throne, towering over the Mortals. He destroyed the Firmament and hid the last two books within the core of his moon. The Sages were lost forever, but the soul of Wina lived on in the mortals. Ogre also still existed within the context of the book, but there was little he could do escape being merely a memory that had been written on pages long passed. Azer had the power of the Seven, as well as the mysteries of the universe, in his hands. There was one thing that Azer did not realize, however. Sidious had not died in the Void the day it sunk. When Sidious was absorbed into the book, he took on the powers of the darkness. Because the darkness had been present since the beginning of time, so became Sidious. He was now the new Sage of the Black-Star. Lost in the sea, Sidious could still do nothing from within the Book of the Void.

One day, Azer went to find the lost book. He knew it still existed somewhere in his vast ocean. The ocean belonged to him, so he was certain he could find it. For many more years Azer stood at the sea shore, churning the waves in hopes that the book would turn up. Then, one day, it did. Azer rushed to the book and plucked it out of the water. “I got it!” he cried. “Once again, the three black books are together again.”

Azer took the book with him to the moon so he could study it. He placed it beside the other two books and began to laugh. “Ogre.” He said. “Shol and Jorr. Phyr, Mira, Wina.. Sidious. You’re all here, preserved forever.” Azer stood quietly for a moment, then suddenly came a voice from the Book of the Firmament, “Sidious, I set you free.” It was the voice of Ogre. Just then the Book of the Void began to wiggle violently. A bright light illuminated from the book and out of it came the materialization of Sidious. “It can’t be.” Azer said with shock. “Azer.” Declared Sidious. “I banish you for all eternity.” Azer tried to run as his essence was slowly absorbed into the book. Along with the other Sages, he was lost forever.

Sidious destroyed the moon using the books, also destroying them in the process. He declared himself king of the only realm left in existence. He did well to adhere to the commandments of the Sages, and enjoyed a fruitful reign. When it came to the subject of his successor, Sidious revealed his secret to the people. He revealed that he had rewritten the words of Ogre's Black Books. They were different though. He had written them with unenchanted insight – the insight of mortals. In the capital's library they were displayed openly so they could forever be observed and studied. Here they would serve as their moral and political guidelines for centuries to come.