Chapter 1: A rude awakening

In the dimly lit corners of the world, where shadows dance with flickering candlelight, a man sits alone, burdened by the weight of his experiences. He has walked the knife's edge between good and evil, his footsteps echoing through the annals of time. They call him the Grey Wanderer, for he has witnessed both the best and worst of humanity. His eyes have gazed upon breath taking beauty, yet also stared into the abyss.

He has seen the radiant sun of kindness and the biting frost of cruelty, and he carries the wisdom of these contrasts within him. With every tale he shares, the line between hero and villain blurs, for he understands that the path to darkness begins with a single step, and even the noblest souls may falter. In his wake, he leaves not judgment, but understanding – a testament to the complexity of the human spirit.

Yet, the weight of ages grew heavy upon his shoulders, and the Grey Wanderer sought solace in slumber. For a thousand years, he slept, his dreams a tapestry of the world he once knew.

But the tides of fate are fickle, and the world changed in ways he could not foresee. A discordant whisper grew into a cacophony, shattering the peace of his rest and stirring him from his ancient slumber. As he opened his eyes, he beheld a world fractured by strife, the balance between good and evil teetering on the precipice.

The rude awakening tore at his heart, and he knew his journey was far from over. Once more, he would walk the roads of mortals, bearing witness to the shadows that linger in the hearts of men. And with every step, he would seek to restore the delicate balance that once held the world in harmony.

A fate he so desperately slaved away trying to avoid. No more. No longer shall He be shackled by the notion of peace and stability. No longer shall he be hold onto the morals of men. 

[A millennia ago]

[Newly born corner of the universe]

In the primordial mists of time, before the birth of civilizations and the rise of kings, the world was steeped in raw magic. It was an era of chaos and creation, where beings of immense power carved out their legacies in stone and legend.

It is said that a spark of creation mingled with a breath of pure magic, coalescing into a being unlike any other. This was the birth of the Grey Wanderer, a figure shrouded in mystery and possessing the wisdom of ages. His creator, a divine entity known as the Celestial Weaver, bestowed upon him the ability to perceive the hearts of men and discern the intricate balance of good and evil.

The Celestial Weaver tasked the Grey Wanderer with bearing witness to the trials and triumphs of the world, to observe and chronicle the eternal struggle between light and darkness. As civilizations rose and fell, the Grey Wanderer wandered the realms, an ethereal observer to the tapestry of human existence.

As ages passed, the Grey Wanderer watched as empires were forged and destroyed, as heroes rose and fell, and as the echoes of his journey were etched into the very fabric of time. And so it was, in the crucible of the cosmos, that a being was born to walk the line between good and evil, his footsteps echoing through the ages.

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The Grey Wanderer's path was never an easy one, for he was forced to navigate the volatile whims of both gods and mortals. He bore witness to the grandeur and hubris of deities, and the bravery and treachery of men.

He watched as gods waged wars and mortals fell under the shadow of their influence. He saw the rise of heroes, only to watch them succumb to their own pride or the machinations of darker forces.

Time and again, the Grey Wanderer would seek to guide them, to show them the delicate balance they toyed with. But too often, his words fell on deaf ears. The burden of his task grew heavier with every passing age. The constant conflict and inevitable tragedies began to wear upon his spirit, and the Grey Wanderer found himself yearning for respite. And so, he sought solace in the embrace of slumber.

With the blessing of the Celestial Weaver, he retreated into a dreamless sleep, a reprieve from the chaos that had consumed so much of his existence. There, he hoped to find peace, and perhaps, a moment of rest before the world would call him forth once more.

[Present]

[Nowhere and Everywhere]

'Arise'

A voice, one filled with power and authority boomed in the universe. The once quiet atmosphere shattered by a single word.

'Arise I said'

The voice boomed again, this time with more power and a hint of urgent undertone. The Grey Wanderer stood attentively from what once was his place of slumber. A pool of all cosmic energies intertwined in a bed of chaos. For a being of his immense power and presence, this was the most comfortable and frankly the only bed able to contain his raw power. 

Even his apprentice's Realm of Dreams couldn't contain him. For Dream of The Endless was but a child compared to his majestic presence.

'You called Father? For what reason would you need to awake me from my slumber?'

The Grey Wanderer wondered why his long slumber was abruptly disturbed. He did not enjoy the last time he was in the waking world. It was full of sorrow and strife and most importantly, stupidity. It's a wonder how humans managed to evolve to such lengths and yet have the mental capabilities of a child.

'I am in need of your services once more my child,' the being said.

It has been established that the two had a father and son relationship. However, it would be more fitting to label it a creator and subject relationship. This was The Celestial Weaver, a being of even greater power than that the Concepts. He was the ruler and king of Everything that Was, Were and Will ever be.

'Could you not wait a few more millennia dear Father. If this is another one your tedious tasks to correct the Omniverse then I hold no interest. Leave me be.' 

One would expect a creation to be subservient to their creators but no, he was a rebellious spirit. Opposing and more often than not held no regard to his fthers wishes. However, do not mstaken it to him being defiant.

He held great respect for his creator as one should be. But he did find his father to be a pain in his great behind. 

'I apologise my son, but this is of great importance. I have a task for you, one of great importance and might very well hold the fate of everything in existence.'

The Celestial Weaver spoke with a tender voice, a melody to those who would hear it. Unfortunately, this only registered as trouble in the mind of The Grey Wonderer.

'What would possibly require my attention Father.' 

'It pertains to your purpose in this world, the reason for your existence. I have found a lack of will to live in you my son, perhaps the task I burdened you with before was too much to bear,' the Weaver said.

He continued,' This is why I have decided to bestow upon you one great task, one that would hopefully help you understand your purpose.' 

'What are you getting at Father. Quit with the eccentrics and just tell me,' The Wanderer grew impatient of his Father's way of speech. Always straying far from the point.

'Your purpose, Wanderer, was never to be Judge and Overseer of my creations but to enjoy the world I had made for my children. To savor its beauty, to learn from its inhabitants, and to find joy in its wonders.' 

'But how can I enjoy life when there is so much suffering around me? Your very creations do nothing but plunder and wreck havoc everywhere they get their greedy hands on.'

A great frown drew its way onto the enigmatic face of the Wanderer. His time as Judgement of The Endless making its way to the forefront of his memories.

------In the early days of creation, before the birth of planets and stars, there existed the Endless. Powerful entities that embodied fundamental aspects of existence, such as Dream, Despair, and Destiny. Among them was Judgement, the embodiment of balance and judgement.

Judgement was the oldest of the Endless, and it was from him that the others learned the importance of impartiality. In a universe where everything must balance, Judgement was tasked with ensuring equilibrium.

It was until Judgment himself saw the pointlessness of his existence that he aptly changed his name and title to The Grey Wanderer. Forever roaming through existence witnessing the imperfections of his Father's creations.------

'This is why, my son, I task you with one final mission.'

'Go forth and live.'

'Live your life to the fullest.'

'Find your purpose. Find comfort in being with others, and most importantly, be happy.'

'Be the Darius Nightshade I made you to be.' 

With those final parting words from his Father, the now named Darius Nightshade, The Grey Wanderer, Judgement of The Endless, embarked on his journey. Confusion and curiosity clouded his mind, wondering what his Father wanted him to do.

Confused by by what he meant. 'Live?' how am I supposed to live when I am Alive. 'What is living?' 'Have I not been living all along?' These questions flooded his frontal lobe.

Yet however, he was curious on what was in stall for him in this chaotic universe his Father had made.

This was the beginning of fruitful and potentially enlightening journey.

This was the tale of Darius 'Morpheus' Nightshade.