Darker Than Black

Chapter Two • The Academy

Vann Vernard II

Vann was dressed and ready to head towards the academy, specifically Greyston Academy for protectors-in-training. This was the learning environment for young protectors like himself. Protectors were warriors who protected the cities that they lived in.The school was well known, for fact is, this city, Greyston, was the home of one of the seven great families, Krishna, as well as its holding of the remainders of what used to be the eighth great family and second strongest, Vernard. Here's the long explanation. Hundreds of years ago, the continents used to be called North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Antartica, Australia, and Africa. Now, the world was different.

New technology, creatures, etcetera were introduced to the humans and the world went through an intense stage of rebirth. The continents were now: Eurasia, Ephixia, Clevenasia, Mzukitsu, Aether, Arda Nova and the newly formed continent, well new to this generation, Xenia. Each got their name from patron gods although some avoided that tradition. Many of the old, forgotten gods, the Banished Ones, gave power and birth to the new gods. The old gods were like Zeus and Anubis, the new gods were more puzzling.

The Heavens were divided but all just grouped to call, The Heavenly Realm or The Realm of Heaven, or Heaven. No complications. Zephyrus, the Supreme God, was the ruler of the skies, and as such, ruler of the heavens- since he created it. The other major leaders above who helped in the recreation and rebirth of this world were Hypnos, the God of Sleep- born from an old god, Andromeda, the Goddess of Unity, Venus, the Goddess of Beauty- also born from an old god, Agrionus the God of Agriculture(born from many old gods), Cuxiel, the God of Creation and Ouroborus, the God of Infinity.

Then you have the underworld. And in it, there are five realms, kinda like Dante's Inferno. Each realm represents a sin and is run by a Dark God. Now obviously two of the Deadly Sins are missing, the mediocre sins, Lust, and Gluttony.

Tybalt, the God of Lightning took pride in being a brother of Zephyrus even though the two are enemies. Those who enter the underworld must pass his trials first. His sin is the obvious, Pride. Most regret ever going to him in the first place. 

Darius, the God of Greed and also the Sin of Greed owned the second realm. He was a man before he became a God. Entering the Underworld and surviving made him a god. And then he killed the previous owner of that realm. Now just because he's the God of Greed doesn't mean he should be underestimated. Having a greed that cannot be quenched means that you will have what you desire forever trying to fill yourself until you need it no more. It's what Darius has a greed for that makes him powerful. He craves strength and mana, therefore receiving more and more trying to quench his thirst. However, he just gets stronger and the greed increases.

The third realm is the most horrifying. Akadius, the God of Vengeance, was the one who spoke the words, "With vengeance comes wrath for one person's revenge is another's destruction." Wise words if you ask me, the author. As such his sin became wrath. Akadius brought vengeance to all who deemed it dire but when you cross his part of the underworld you'd understand how people got their revenge. You see if a thousand people wanted revenge against you, in his realm, you'd suffer a thousand deaths.

The fourth realm was occupied by Mars, an old god reborn with more power. Mars was the God of War. He believed that war doesn't start necessarily with disagreements or dislikes, he believed it started when one had something another desirable which caused another to envy. His sin was envy and his realm was also very devastating. He strips you of everything and mars you to the bone. And when he's done he heals you and starts again.

The final realm was owned by Pluto, the old god who was never banished. He was the God of Death. He chose his sin before all others but no one knew why he chose the Sin of Sloth until they thought of it. He needed not to make an effort, needed not to do a thing. He had hundreds upon hundreds upon thousands, make those billions of souls to do his plea. His realm converted the spirits into eternal slaves to suffer forever.