In the beginning, there were Kietis and Ephris—two immortal beings of many centuries bound by love. Kietis had a strong body and a keen mind. His wisdom had no bounds. His brilliant yellow hair fell as whisps of wind. Ephris had a compassionate soul, with long hair of pale gold, desired by many. Her beauty knew no comparison.

They lived in eternal happiness, having lived through much trouble and tribulation as space was created and destroyed in the ‘first war.’ Through all the happiness, there was something a miss. They wanted to create life and care for it. The chaos of the ‘first war’ created many planets. The tears of murdered gods had fallen to many worlds and given them the seeds of life. They grabbed the most fertile one and placed it by the youngest sun. All plant life began to grow and flourish.

As Kietus and Ephris walked among the plants, they were pleased with their beautiful world, but it was still missing something. As they visited the sea, the waves called to them.

“Please,” they cried. “Send a steward. Someone to stand against our strong waves and raging currents.”

Ephris stepped forward and sang a song, beautiful and crisp as cold rain, that carried far across the waves and deep to the ocean depths. Born of that song was Zyra, the beautiful sea horse. With strong front legs and a majestic fish tail, she could traverse the treacherous waves and dive to the depths below. The sea sang their praises.

Kietus and Ephris then visited the mountains. The rocks and hills were lonely. The hollowness echoed across the gray stone, cold and empty.

“Please,” they cried. “Send a watcher. Someone to roam our lands and conquer our heights.”

Kietus stepped forward and bellowed a loud cry, with strength to carry to the very center of the mountain, causing every rock to quake. As the rocks rent and break, Calos, the mighty ram, emerged strong and sturdy. He jumped and bounded until he had reached the highest peak of the mountain. The mountains then sang their praises.

As Kietus and Ephris left the mountain, they stepped onto an icy tundra. The snow and ice echoed the cries of the mountain.

“Please,” they cried. “Send us a conservator. Someone that can withstand our icy waste but not die.”

Ephris took pity on the icy land, pulled a single strand of golden white hair, and formed it into a small feline. The feline was small in shape with white fur and soft golden stripes. Once fully formed, she jumped from Ephris’s hands and burrowed into a drift of snow.

“She will be named Gemsus,” the snow replied. “After the gem of great riches you have given to us.”

The tundra continued to sing their praises.

Hand in hand, Kietus and Ephris left the cold land of ice and snow. They soon came upon a land of sand and wind. The wind was strong and through waves of sharp sand across the ever-shaping red rocks. Sorrow ebbed and flowed with strong gusts.

“Please,” They cried. “Send us a keeper. Someone cunning enough to favor our harsh winds.”

Kietus chanted for the sands, a deep sound that resonated through the thunderous winds. The echoes reverberated and shaped the shifting sands, pushing and pulling in a harmonious rhythm. Kiepus was born of sand and song, the body of a long black snake with a thick-strong core. He did not give to the bellows of harsh sand. Strong and steady, he slithered, cutting his own path in the raging sand.

“With this warrior, we are truly thankful!” the desert sang with triumph. “Praise to thy names!”

The desert sang their praises.

Kietus and Ephris were then happy. Their planet was now full of plants and life to stand as absolute guardians. They turned to return to the heavens above, but a soft voice carried on the desert sands before they could do this—a small voice of no real substance. Ephris looked on the shifting horizon and saw a lush jungle, much smaller than any land they had visited.

“Please,” the small voice cried. “Send us a minister. We are a small land, and ask this small blessing.”

Ephris felt compassion for the small, lush land surrounded by harsh desert. A single tear fell from her porcelain cheek. It landed on a welcoming petal that gently guided it to the ground below. From the lush domain emerged an unpresuming lizard. His thin, green body gracefully navigated the delicate flower petals, stepping lightly to avoid harming any living thing. The lush jungle was silent for a moment, watching in awe at the new blessing.

“Is it pleasing?” Kietis asked.

“It will be our most treasured gift,” the jungle replied. “We shall name him Hiemus.”

The lush jungle sang their praises.

“It is done,” Kietis said, extending a flawless hand to Ephris.

“But what of Hiemus?” Ephris asked, voice full of distress. “His body is small and weak. He can not weather this world's worries?”

Kietus looked upon Ephris and felt her agony. He looked over the vast desert that surrounded the small jungle.

“Look,” he said. “Kiepus has stewardship of this harsh wasteland. He will not allow ones of ill harm to trespass this fertile field. Be at peace.”

With his words, Ephris was at peace.

Kietus and Ephris then ascended to their watch post above, being pleased with the world of their creation.