Title: The End of Creation

Author: Mrpointyhorns

Rating: P-13

Summary: Nothing and Everything leave their newest creation, Made, with the Creation and Existence. They will do anything to protect him.

Two young adults raced through the forest of trees, which surrounded their home. The trees thinned. The bright sunlight filtered to the forest floor more and more with each long stride. They were in reach of their destination. They were so close that they could hear sounds from their home. They were so close they could catch occasional glimpse from around trees, or past bushes.

Both were all legs and arms, making it easy for them to push through the forest. Sleek, naked chests that had yet to fill out, and a lean slender torso, still not caught up with the last growth spurt. The only hair on the sun kissed skin came from the top of the head. Dark, strands licked against the top of the boys’ shoulders.

The taller, older, boy picked up his pace. They never official said that they were racing but there was never a time that the two were not competing. And because he was older, and bigger, he tended to win. In mere feet, the forest gave away abruptly. He broke through a few moments before his younger.

The younger pushed his arms harder and fast. He forced his body to keep up. It was painful, and it was impossible, but giving up was not an option. Every moment he strived to be like the older boy, strived to be impressive to the older boy.

He crashed through the forest's end, stumbling onto the land of their home, Utopia. It was all he had ever known and he loved it.

"Creation, you're late." The younger boy flinched. He swung his head around in the direction of the voice. He gave a sheepish look to his teacher, Knowledge, before turning a glare at his companion. "Creation?" Knowledge waited expectantly.

Ducking his head in fended shame, Creation murmured, "Sorry, Knowledge."

"Very well. Get to your seat." Knowledge insisted.

Creation was quick to move to his seat, his companion, and his brother, Existence, beside him. The older, Existence nudged him cordially; Creation could not hold back his smile.

"Before Utopia," Knowledge began, seeming to not notice the exchange between the brothers. He started his lesson. "What was there?"

"Nothing," the class of young faces replied.

"Nothing?" Knowledge raised a slender brow in question.

"Nothing, and Everything?" One voice answered.

"That's right. After Utopia? What was there?" Knowledge asked his class once again.

"Existence," the class once again answered in unison.

"And when existence began what happened." Knowledge asked his class. Most of the students had heard the story of Nothing and Everything, but few understood it. He wait several tense minutes the silence uncomfortable for every daemon there. "Before existence there was Nothing and Everything. Once there was existence, we could discuss a time before existence. Before existence we could not talk about a time of existence because nothing was around to discuss a time before existence. After existence, we could talk about a time before existence, so the Being Daemon existed."

The students stared; the concept was not an easy one to grasp. Many turned to look at the boys Existence and Creation, for they were part of the Being Daemon family. Only both boys hardly understood it themselves. They knew that Were and Are, their Being Daemon parents came before them, but they understood little of what Knowledge told them.

"So even though existence came after Utopia, once there was existence, being was possible." Knowledge explained a little more. "That is why Were and Are came before Existence. Even though there had to be Existence for there to be Were and Are."

It was slow but a small nod came from one of the young daemon in the class, then another nod, then a few more, suddenly all understood. They accepted the lesson not questioning it. All of the Being Daemon family came before Existence, but without Existence they would not be.

Knowledge smiled proudly. He knew his students understood. He continued his lesson to the day's topic. "After Utopia, and after existence what came?"

"Creation," the students replied.

"And what was created?" Knowledge prodded his class.

"Beast, Daemon, Fairies," the students replied.

"But creation is still occurring, it is not finished. That is why Daemon Creation is the youngest of all Being Daemons." Knowledge explained. The students nodded in turn this was easier to understand. Creation came after Existence and Were and Are came before Existence, but only because existence was.

Knowledge continued his lesson, the Being Daemon were both the easiest and the hardest to learn. They were very clear-cut in their family unit, but their structure was very confusing. As for the other families they were not as clear-cut. Knowledge's family was headed by Wisdom and followed by Education and Intelligence, but also contained Good and Evil, but Good and Evil were families of their own.

Covering all of the families in Utopia took time, and the students often asked many questions, after all certain families like Youth and Beauty, had lost some of their members like Love and Emotion. Few daemons spoke of these members any longer, so the questions were hard to exist. The students knew there should be members like Love and Emotion but did not understand why they did not exist.

--

After the class Creation followed his brother to their home. Existence was chatting about a game that the boys sometimes played after class. Creation followed almost silently. Normally he would let his brother speak, without saying much. But this day was different because instead of hanging on his brother's every word he was deep in thought.

Existence did not notice is brother's silent pondering. He never needed to notice his brother’s pondering because Creation would never keep anything from him for too long. The older boy had no idea how right he was, after all he had not noticed his brother’s silence and in turn never thought he ever needed to notice him. He was however right in his unnoticing. Creation spoke up as their home came into place.

“Existence, what do Being Daemons do? The Emotion Daemons control emotion and the intelligent ones study and teacher, but what do we do?” Creation asked what he determined was a smarter brother.

“We exist.” Existence explained with a large grin on his face. “But anyway Creation, Daemons do not control their names, we are simply the embodiment of Nothing and Everything’s work.”

“I know that. But Beauty he is beautiful, and Knowledge is smart, Death visits the Beast and helps them pass on. So what do we do?” Creation continued his side of the debate.

Existence paused in thought. He had never thought passed his own existence, he was, and that was enough for him. Creation was always so interested in how things worked, and why things were. “The way you ask questions it’s a wonder you’re part of the Being family, and not the Intelligent family. Beauty is beautiful because to be the embodiment of beauty you must be beautiful, and I guess that’s the same with Knowledge, and maybe Death as well. But Being Daemon exist, to be is to exist. So we do not do anything Creation, we just exist.”

“Oh,” Creation nodded that made sense. He knew his brother was really smart. He also knew that he would never have come up with that answer on his own. So why did it feel wrong. Creation knew there had to be more then just existing, there had to.

Still accepting his brother’s answer seemed like an easier task then trying to figure out an answer. He feared that his brother maybe right anyway, then he would be thinking for a long time with no solution.

“Creation,” Existence shoved his brother affectionately, yet roughly. “Wake up.”

The younger boy shook his head trying to dislodge his intense thinking, and wake up like his brother stated. Before he could completely lose his thought, and before he could fall back into thought Existence had another idea. “Let’s race.”

“Okay!” Creation jumped into place getting lined up with his brother. They could see their family home; it was surrounded by their extended family’s homes. They lived with the Being Daemon Were and Are, thinking of them as their parents, although not in the sense that they birthed them, because birthing was a thing of Beasts, but because they were willing to care for younger Daemon then themselves, like Am and Is took care of them. That would be the finish line.

“Go!” Existence cried. Both took off towards the home in a mad sprint across Utopia. It was no further then two hundred yards but the goal would not be any less important if this was a marathon.

There strides were nearly matched as they extended as far as possible making the long journey quick in time and in steps. Their collective breath was short and quick like their hurried movements across the grass.

Existence began to pull ahead, his strides just a little longer, and a little faster. Creation groaned, as he watched his brother move ahead from the corner of his eye. He closed them; sticking out his tongue he raced for all that he was worth. It was a straight shot. Nothing would come between him and his goal.

From beside him, he felt, more then heard his brother fall behind him. The excitement that surged through his belly from the accomplishment urged him to go even faster. He was winning. He was going to win. He would win! It was the first time he had ever beaten his brother in anything, and it made victory today even sweeter.

“Creation wait!” He heard from his brother. But he did not wait. He himself had used that ploy in the past and it never slowed his brother, much. So instead he pushed harder, moving faster, his muscles screaming in protest, but he knew there were only feet in front of him.

He was so close to his goal that he had to open his eyes, less he ran into the door, or the wall. It happened in seconds, Creation’s eyes flew open and his brakes were just not quick enough. He ran into Nothing. Collided his entire body into his back, if Nothing was not so powerful he may have knocked them both over.

Nothing steadied both of them looking down at Creation with a questioning eye. The young Daemon had the courtesy to look embarrassed by his blunder. He had not just run in to anyone, he had run into Nothing. Nothing and Everything were very powerful and important in the Utopia. They came before Utopia, and they would be around after Utopia. It was downright embarrassing and almost sinful to run into one of them.

Always forgiving Nothing’s questioning gaze turned into a soft smile. “It’s a good thing you are here Creation. Everything and I have something to discuss with your family.”

Existence stepped forward, looking flushed from running, but other then that curious as to what Nothing and Everything wanted with them. It would be important. “Were and Are should be home, I’ll let you in.”

“Yes that’s a good idea,” Nothing agreed, turning his gaze to the older Daemon. Existence slipped passed Nothing and Everything to his door.

Everything looked much more willing to please then Nothing, but then every Daemon knew that. Everything just felt like more in every aspect of Utopia, but Nothing was not anything less to be desire, although few would know this.

Once at the door Existence, opened it to let everyone in. He did not notice what Nothing and Everything brought with them. Creation did, but refrained from saying anything, especially when he was told absentmindedly to make sure the door shut behind them.

--

Creation hurried after his brother and their guests as soon as he made sure the door was shut. He slipped in to the room without making too much sound. Nothing and Everything were offered beverages and snacks from Were and Are.

While his parents tended to their needs, Existence sat uncomfortable in a chair next to Nothing and Everything’s seats. Creation stayed back. He knew he could always join his brother if he became to shy or unsure. Right now he wanted to observe their guests.

He had never seen Nothing or Everything in their home, not like this before. It was also the first time Creation had been this close to Nothing and Everything for any amount of time. He stood no further from them then Knowledge had when he was teaching him.

Puzzling most of all was their third guest. Were and Are, did not seem to noticed this member, and Existence sat too stiff to notice anything at all.

Creation had never seen, or heard of a third member that traveled with Nothing and Everything. It looked a little like another Daemon, only it looked frightened and upset. While Daemon could look both frightened and upset, Creation did not see why a Daemon would look that way in his home, with Nothing and Everything with him no less. It did not occur to Creation that this thing, might be in trouble with Nothing or Everything, because Creation had never known anything that had displeased either enough to be in trouble.

The young Daemon stepped closer to their third guest. He floated uneasily behind Nothing and Everything, but stopped when he noticed Creation approaching. Both stared unwavering at each other. Creation had a feeling about this young man and the other seemed more at eased once he was actually noticed.

Realizing this, Creation pulled two chairs around, one for him, and one for the other. He sat down on his own chair and indicated with a little gesture of hand that he wanted the other guest to sit beside him.

With a hesitant glance at Nothing, and a second glance at Everything, the other sat down. Creation eyes widened when first Nothing then Everything looked directly at him for a few moments before returning their attention to his parents.

After making sure that Nothing and Everything truly did not want to look at him anymore, Creation turned back to his new companion. “Hi, I’m Creation.”

The other blinked a few times, as though he did not understand what to do. Then slowly he opened his mouth and spoke, just as slowly, “M-a-d-e.”

Creation stared at the other a little confused. He tried to sound out what the other was telling him, M-a-de, M-ade, Made? “Made?”

The other nodded enthusiastically. Creation smiled at both his understanding, and Made’s happiness of his understanding. “Made. Great, so who is your family?”

Made did not answer this time. He still smiled and looked enthusiastic about their small understanding. Creation had never seen someone who was so unaware; it was as if Made knew nothing of what Creation said.

Creation tried again, maybe this time with an easier, better question. “What are you doing with Nothing and Everything?”

“Made,” was the only reply that Creation received. Made still had the same excited grin on his face before. Creation looked pained. He was uncertain how to handle a situation like this. He never met anyone that could not understand him before.

Nothing cleared his throat bring everyone’s attention, although he already had Were and Are’s attention, it was not the kind he wanted. When he cleared his throat everyone grew quiet waiting for Nothing to continue.

“Were and Are, Everything and I are very grateful for your hospitality, but there is a reason why we are here.” Nothing explained. Both Being Daemons looked sheepish. They took up the remaining seats ready to give their guests the floor.

Everything smiled appreciatively. “As you know the Beasts are still warring. The fish are fighting with the mammals of the sea, and the birds are fighting for space in the trees. It has been very troubling to both of us.”

Nothing nodded. It was troubling even to him. They gave the Beasts life, they gave the Beasts their home, but the Beasts were still filled with anger and bitterness. They could not be reasoned with like Daemon. That was why the Beasts did not stay in Utopia. They were turned away, not by the Daemon but by Nothing and Everything. A few Beasts did stay in Utopia but they were gentler and kinder then their cousins.

“Death has been fighting an up hill battle. He cannot work the wars on his own. So Everything and I will go to the Beasts home and help him.” Nothing explained. They both did not like leaving the Utopia but they knew that it was necessary, especially at this crucial time.

Were and Are looked surprised and honored to hear this news. Certainly, every Daemon would come to know of Nothing and Everything’s absences. In the past when they left Utopia, they had never informed anyone of their leaving. Only if there was something important.

Still neither had any idea why they would be needed. Especially since Am and Been and Be and Was, were also part of their family, and higher ranked then Were and Are.

Existence had no idea what to think. He was to busy being enthralled with what Nothing and Everything told them. He was still excited that they were here.

“Is it Made?” Creation spoke, almost out of turn. Even Were and Are looked at him almost disapprovingly.

“Made,” said a soft voice from the boy next to Creation.

Were, Are and Existence all turned surprised looks at the third party. Nothing and Everything looked at him with a sense of pride and glee.

“Yes, well Creation has already met him,” Everything waved towards the boy. “This is Made, Nothing and I are creating him.”

“You’re creating him?” Were turned his attention back towards Everything. Were like many, believed that creation was over, but here Everything was saying that was not so.

“He’s not finished yet,” Nothing explained a little more. “He’s a Being.”

Are now turned his attention back to Nothing. He asked uncertainly. “He’s part of the Being family?” No one had been added to their family in sometime and it was incredible to think that there was a new member.

Everything shook his head disagreeing. He explained, “Made is a Being, a different creature then Daemon, Beast, or Fairy. But he’s not finished yet, and we have to go help Death.”

“So, you want us to take care of him?” Were asked this time he hoped to be right.

“Yes, well you are Being Daemon, so you should take care of a Being.” Nothing dryly explained.

Are and Were nodded, as though it was perfectly logical. They should have never been so confused. “Of course we will take care of him.”

“Can I bring him to class, and show him around Utopia,” Creation boldly asked. He was really starting to like Made now, especially since he would be a Being. He felt confident that there was more to Being Daemon then his brother thought.

“Of course you can Creation,” Everything smiled encouragingly cutting off any other reply from Were and Are. “Nothing and I deeply care for Made, and we want him to remain happy and healthy until we return.”

“Yeah?” Creation curiously looked at Made. He looked similar to Daemon, but if Everything said he cared deeply for him there had to be more to the Being then what Creation could see.

“We may love him,” Nothing deeply sighed. He looked fondly at his partial creation.

The Daemon in the room looked on with different levels of stunned. Nothing and Everything loved Made. Creation while surprised knew that his earlier assessment held true. Were and Are were stunned in their own right never hearing such confession from either before. Existence was stunned just to know the information. He never thought of the greater cause. He knew that Nothing and Everything might love Made and that in itself was amazing to him.

“We will make sure to take care of him as best we can,” Were assured his guests. He meant it as well.

Nothing and Everything chose well. Were and Are were great providers and would not betray their word.

Creation would be a great help to Made, because he would compassionate and gentle with him. Were and Are did not stretch their minds around care, and caring.

Existence would be good, because he would watch Creation and Made, when Were and Are could not. Made could learn many things by seeing the world through Creation’s eyes, and Creation’s world was Existence.

“I know that,” Everything said with a genuine smile of appreciation. “I wish we did not have to go before he was finished. It’s unsettling leaving him here, but there is no possible way that we can bring him with us.”

“Of course you cannot. It would be dangerous and possibly deadly. He will be alright here. He will not cause any trouble, and we will be happy to have him.” Are promised the very best that he could.

Nothing held a final gaze with Creation before standing from his seat. “Well, we should be going. It’s a long journey to the land of the Beasts, and we promised to meet Death as soon as we could.”

Everything stood as well. He did not look at Creation like Nothing did, but Creation could still feel a wave of acknowledgement from him.

When Made moved to stand, Creation did as well, and once they had everyone else in the room also stood. Nothing in the lead they filed out of the home and into Utopia.

“Take care little one,” Everything gave a small pat to his partial creation. Nothing squeezed Made’s shoulder reassuringly.

Made began to shake nervously once more. He could tell something was not right with his creators. They had never treated him like this before. When he stepped to follow them, Nothing held out his hand in defensive. Made looked on with a raw need for his actions to be untrue.

Creation hurried forward taking hold over Made by his thin wrist. He startled at the contact before turning to the Daemon.

“It’s okay,” Creation reassured with a gentle squeeze. Then raising their hands in the air he waved Nothing and Everything good bye. Existence joined in on the wave and Were and Are stood with their own farewell.

Made upset demeanor quickly changed. He could see that despite the strange behavior it could still be alright from him. Even as Nothing and Everything walked away, he did not quake in fear. He stood beside Creation without knowing that his creators would not soon return.

--