Cosmos Audition

Chaos was growing bolder by the minute. Although Cosmos knew that he was adamant on her destruction, and would grab onto every opportunity to ensure his wish was granted, never before had he actually sent one of his pawns into her own realm, attempting to kill her. A part of her doubted whether this had been his order at all, and not just the whims of the warrior himself, wanting to show off his strength and his audacity. Thankfully Shantotto had been here to ward off the assailant with her magic. Though the tiny woman didn’t seem like it, she held tremendous power indeed, and was a force to be reckoned with. There was a reason why she alone had been entrusted to overseeing the goddesses safety with Prishe’s absence, after all.
For now, Order’s Sanctuary was quiet and safe once more. Prishe had come and – after a good scolding from Shantotto – had left once again. Shantotto as usual, remained behind to keep Cosmos safe, should another one of Chaos’s warriors get any funny ideas.

Cosmos sat quietly on her throne, her hands clasped together and her chin resting on it as she mentally prepared herself for the upcoming cycle. Very soon, she’d have to summon her warriors once more to oppose Chaos. In her heart, Cosmos felt sorrow for having to put her charges through this endless struggle time and time again, but she had no choice in the matter. Alone, she could not defeat both Chaos and his warriors, just as Chaos alone could not oppose her and her fighters. And surrender was out of the question, because with the goddess of harmony gone, discord would be free to roam and destroy the last shimmers of hope this world held. She couldn’t let that happen, she wouldn’t let that happen. Until the very end, no matter when that end may come to be, Cosmos would fight to preserve the light, her warriors fighting bravely at her side. Some would think that Cosmos gave her warriors the strength to continue on, but it was exactly the other way around… her warriors… they inspired her, showed her the shimmers of hope she needed in order to keep going, the strength required to oppose Chaos for all eternity if need be. Their lights shone so brightly amongst the darkness… if they didn’t give up, how could she? No, so long as they fought, she would never give up, never give in. Because no matter how powerful Chaos was, the fact that there were people willing to fight him showed her that her dream could someday come true – a world without suffering and death, a world where peace and harmony reigned.
Cosmos knew in her heart that her dream was far-fetched, after all, light could not exist without darkness. Life could not exist without death. And harmony… could it exist without discord? Cosmos prayed that it could, dreamed that it could, but deep down she didn’t fully trust in her own dream.

Her large blue eyes slowly fluttered open when she felt Prishe’s presence nearing the throne. Her eyes narrowed some when she saw the figure walking after the tomboy, a slight frown betraying her feelings as she stood and took a step forward to stand next to Shantotto, who took the words right out of her mouth. ‘Who is that?’ she wondered as she glanced from Prishe to the man beside her. She didn’t recognize him, yet somehow, he felt familiar… something about him seemed off though. As both Prishe and Shantotto tried to convince her to let the mysterious warrior join her ranks, it began to dawn down on her, her eyes widening in shock as she gasped softly “You’re one of…” so that was it then. This man, this warrior… Cosmos and he were the same, both manikins created by The Great Will.
The goddesses eyes cast downward before closing entirely. That’s why he’d seemed odd… he wasn’t a real person, he held no darkness within his heart, but no light either. He was just… empty, as she had been long ago when she’d merely carried out the Great Will’s orders. She had managed to grow beyond a mindless vessel however, and had gained her own humanity overtime. She looked back at the warrior. Could his fate be the same? If she gave him the opportunity, could he rise above himself and become his own person as well? If she cast him out now – wary of his nature – she would never find out, and if Chaos was indeed after this warrior, then it meant throwing him for the wolves. His potential would be lost, as Prishe had predicted, Chaos would not care about who he could be… all that mattered would be how devoted he was to defeating his enemies, his individuality be damned. Cosmos could feel her heart protest against the notion of abandoning this man. A decision had been reached.
Finally looking away from the warrior and looking at her longtime companions and seeing the conviction behind their glances, she eventually nodded slowly, her decision made final. “Very well then…” both Prishe and Shantotto seemed to agree with her choice.
"Heed me, warrior. Employ your strength in the name of harmony, and
defend this world from those who would destroy it. Join us." She spoke quietly as she rose a single hand, releasing some of her own light and granting it to the warrior before her, who spoke for the very first time.
"I am at your command. I will do all within my power."
Cosmos merely nodded in response, motioning for the girl beside him, “Stay with Prishe for now, she will tell you all you need to know,” turning to Prishe, she waited until she had the girl’s full attention, “Take care of him Prishe.” After that, the duo turned and left the Sanctuary once more.

“You seemed hesitant, Cosmos,” Shantotto remarked, watching Prishe and the stranger slowly fade into the distance. Cosmos smiled and placed a reassuring hand on Shantotto’s shoulder, “You needn’t worry about that, he…” she silenced suddenly, gaining a concerned look from her loyal friend. “It’s time.”
The next cycle was about to begin.

Words: 1033

Dem legs that Zidane will ask about.

2/2.