Chapter Text
Lianne sat alone in the desolate room. Once flourishing life was now dead or dying; it was dark and dull. She stared at the room. Lianne remembered the time she had spent there. Lianne took a deep breath and felt tears run down her face. She cried and cried. The crying only evolved into sobbing in a matter of minutes. Lianne didn’t want to be alone, but she was stuck like that now; She couldn’t undo what had happened. Lianne stood and wiped her tears.
As if it were a lifeline, she grabbed hold of the necklace around her neck. Lianne’s vision blurred through the tears that were slowly drying on her face. Lianne collapsed back down as if the weight of everything dragged her down.
Eden walked into the room, her pitch-black hair flowing as she walked. Silver fabric draped over her body which complimented her purple and golden skin. Her heart ached when she saw Lianne, Eden hated seeing Lianne upset. Eden sat in front of the collapsed girl, “Lianne…We need to go home.” She said,
Lianne froze at those words, she didn’t want to leave. She let her white curls block her face as she hung her head, and she had never let herself do that before. Eden pushed Lianne's hair away from her face, she raised her face while doing so. “You know we have to. I don’t like it either, you’re both my daughters, and I have to leave one behind. But your loneliness will expire soon, you just have to make it.” She said with her confident voice breaking.
Lianne looked at her, confused, “What do you mean?” She looked into her mother’s stardust eyes.
Eden gave Lianne a soft comforting smile, “You’ll see in a few days.”
She wiped the rising tears from Lianne’s dark brown eyes, “And you’ll be okay. Now, Let’s get home. Others are waiting for us.”
Lianne got up from the floor, it felt like she was testing gravity by standing. She finally let go of the necklace and took it off, Lianne placed it on the floor for someone else to find. That was her final goodbye to this place.
Eden took Lianne’s hand and offered her a smile. Lianne looked up at her, it felt like darkness surrounded her. She didn’t want to leave, but she and Eden needed to go home and return to the other celestials. They didn’t need to know what they did in the realm, no one did. Lianne took Eden’s hand, which sometimes seemed larger than her whole arm. Celestials could change their height at any time; Some liked to stay tall, like Eden who stood at fifteen feet tall, while others fluctuated their height depending on who they were around, or just stayed small. Lianne was twelve feet tall next to her mother, and unlike the silver that Eden wore, she wore a white and gold dress that complimented her ivory skin tone. Her sleeves had a slit running from her shoulders to her wrists, where it connected. The dress didn’t drag behind her either, it stopped at her calves. It had small flower embroidery along the back, and the flowers were simple but each one was differently colored. Her hair was curly and white, it typically hung below her shoulders.
Lianne and Eden were the two Life celestials, they controlled and created all living life in the Heavens. Eden created the other celestials and given her size, she has the energy to do so. Lianne created the small things, like the first angels and humans. She rarely made celestials. Celestials are immortal beings that can control something around them, for example, Life. Lianne and Eden left a celestial behind that day, one that was not created by Lianne or Eden, and she was a health celestial.
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Months passed after they returned and Lianne hadn’t been seen by the public eye since. Being around people meant the world to Lianne, but being around people who only care about your image wasn’t fun for her. Most of them were fake anyway. Rumors started to stir and spread, but the truth was that Lianne thought that if she felt lonely she shouldn’t surround herself with people that only care about her because of her image.
Lianne sat on her pristine white bed, the sheets and comforter were made out of silk, and she loved how soft it felt on her skin. She also loved the color white, it brought her comfort, yet she adored the contrast between white and black it was drastic but both colors were calming. She’s been sitting on an idea for the months she’s been inactive. She has seen the difference that having someone to raise has made in their lives, and how it helps them feel less lonely. She wondered if she should try it, she was a life celestial after all, and she could create a child of her own. Lianne laughed at the thought, she knew she was still a child in her mother's eyes so she’d find it ridiculous, wouldn’t she? She wanted to know if she could take care of a child, or if she would fail. Lianne stood, her mind was made up. She would talk to her mother to see what she thought, but either way, she’d have her own child to raise.
Lianne walked to the courtyard, where her mother spent her time when she wasn’t answering questions or doing favors. She thought of what to say, if she just stated what she wanted to do it might work. Then again Eden was very kind and very understanding. A part of Lianne knew Eden would love this idea, but she was afraid that she would hate it. Once Lianne made it to the courtyard, she stood there, unsure about what to do. She watched her mother sit in the sun, surrounded by life. Eden was sitting on a stone bench surrounded by plants, and all of the plants were attracted to her. It was Eden’s Garden. No, that didn’t flow well, it was the Garden of Eden.
Eden noticed Lianne after a while, she turned to her and waved. Lianne froze, she wasn’t expecting her mother to point her out like that. Eden motioned for Lianne to come to sit with her; Lianne straightened her dress and then came forth to sit with Eden, every possible outcome of this talk running through her head, but once she sat next to her mother all of those thoughts quieted. Eden looked at Lianne, glad to see her around the palace but worried about what twisted her face. She asked, “What plagues you, my dove?”
Lianne lifted her head and cleared her throat, “Mother, I’ve decided something.”
Eden tilted her head in curiosity, “Well, don’t keep me waiting, I’d love to hear it!” She said cheerfully.
Lianne smiled at her mother’s enthusiasm. She stood and faced Eden, “Well, I’ve been thinking about this for a good while and I’ve finally come up with a decision. I want a child. I’ve noticed how raising a child has helped others feel less lonely and I think it’ll be a good change.”
Eden looked at Lianne with an even brighter smile on her face, “I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
With those words, all the worry and panic that Lianne had stirred inside her chest calmed down, like a weight taken off her shoulders. Lianne couldn’t help but smile. She twisted the rings on her fingers, which varied from gold to silver. She was excited, to say the least, and she was happy. Lianne spoke up once again, “...I want to create them today. I want to create a Celestial, one like me and you. I’d need to figure out a name and what they’ll look like, but I want to create them today.”
Eden stood and grabbed Lianne’s hands, “Then get planning. Creating a Celestial will take a lot out of you, you’re used to small things, not big things. The planning is the most time-consuming, so go. I’ll be busy, as per usual, but if you need me let me know. Alright?”
Lianne nodded, “Yes Mother.”
Lianne walked upstairs and led herself to her creation room. She’s been visiting that room almost daily; It was nice to visit the room now and again, but because of her idea it’s only been increasing. Her creation room was filled with plants, it was like a piece of the outdoors was captured inside. It was beautiful like all life was. Lianne laid out a big sheet of paper and started planning; She drew the form of a little girl, aged about eight. She gave the child short ginger hair and purple eyes. Lianne knew what she wanted her daughter to look like, all she needed was a name. She started writing down names on the side of the paper; Going from Mary, Joanna, and Judith. Then, She landed on the name Lilith, and it fit perfectly.
Lianne smiled at her work, but there was one last thing to do, she had to create Lilith so she wasn’t just a concept on paper. Lianne knew she would need a lot of energy to create a celestial. She’s never truly done it by herself but she’s helped her mother make one and it exhausted her, and that was with Eden’s help, but she was determined to create Lilith that day. Lianne walked away from the paper and gave the room one last glance before heading back to her mother’s garden, but it was now empty. Lianne didn’t mind being alone in the garden, she was never truly alone with life around her anyway; She sat on the same bench from earlier and took in her surroundings, took in the beaming sky, the fresh air, and all the vibrant colors of the garden. It wasn’t long before the plants swaying in the wind attracted Lianne, all the vibrancy of the garden surrounded her and only enhanced the beauty of life. She smiled because of all the life around her, it made her feel whole; that day was the most she’s ever smiled in months.
Lianne turned to the plants behind her, she moved her hands with them as they swayed in the air, the small motion started to energize her. Interacting with life always energized her, because she was only connecting back to herself. After a few minutes of this, she was ready. Lianne was ready to create her first celestial; She stood and whispered to the plants, “Thank you, my friends, You’ll have someone new to play with soon.”
Lianne whisked away, her steps as light as a feather. She traveled upstairs and back into her creation room to be greeted with the same paper exactly where she left it. She was ready.
Lianne sat in the middle of the room and closed her eyes, focusing on the appearance of Lilith. She swayed her hands around her head, almost like tracing the room, the motion started drawing life out of the plants and light surrounding the room. In the course of creating, Lianne started to get fatigued, and the plants started to wither. Lianne took a deep breath and continued creating Lilith, she couldn’t just stop in the middle even if it was draining her and the room. The life in the plants would replenish after she finished, so Lianne wasn't concerned about it, but seeing once vibrant and lively plants wither and die still hurt. She kept her eyes closed, she had to keep them closed so she didn’t stare in amazement at her abilities. Lianne knew the form was done, the next step was to give the child her ability. Lianne finally was able to open her eyes, but she had to stay focused; She looked at the plants and her heart sank, she hated seeing dying life. Lianne took a deep breath and took the final gust of life from all the plants, giving the child her ability. With that, the third Life celestial was born and the room bloomed.
The little girl raised her head, her ginger hair spiking up at the bottom almost instantly. She turned to Lianne, curiosity flooding her eyes, “Mother?”
Lianne smiled, “Yes that’s me.” She weakly walked up to Lilith and pulled her into a hug. Lianne held her close and didn’t want to let her go. Lilith looked up at Lianne, “Mother? You look weak, you need to lay down or rest.”
Lianne shook her head, “No, I’m fine.” She protested. Lilith stood up and made sure not to fall, she was still trying to get the whole existence thing under control. She put her hand on Lianne’s arm, “Let me help you get to your room, it shouldn’t be that far, right?”
“No, it isn’t, but I can do it on my own.”
The child only gave Lianne a look and she caved. Night had already fallen; The lively sun was put to rest, but she wanted more out of the day, she wanted so much more. Lilith held Lianne’s hand, “Mother, Let me help you.”
Lianne smiled and intertwined their fingers, “Alright, I give in.”
Lilith smiled and led Lianne to the door, she held it open for her. Lianne took the lead, the two walked together like two peas in a pod.
Lilith looked in Lianne’s room, amazed by the black and white that decked the room and the plants that lined the walls. Despite its beauty and life, she felt something was missing. Lilith didn’t know what was missing, but it could be fixed later. Lianne laid on her bed, sinking into the silk comforter; She pulled Lilith into the bed with her and held her close. She didn’t feel alone anymore. Lianne whispered, “Tomorrow, tomorrow is going to be your day my love. You’re going to do amazing and impress everyone there, all of the celestials will greet you with smiles and open arms.”
Lilith looked up at her, “Are you sure?”
Lianne nodded, “Of course I am. Now, let’s get some rest. We’ll need it for tomorrow.”
Lilith curled up and wrapped her arms around her mother. She mimicked Lianne’s breathing pattern until she fell asleep in her arms.
Lianne woke up to Lilith missing from her arms, she panicked and thought it was all a dream. She stood up and left the room, wishing it wasn’t another one of her childish fantasies, wishing she truly had a daughter. Lianne scrambled down the halls, dancing around the people of the palace. Her mind raced and her heart sank, what if it didn’t work? What if Lilith wasn’t real at all? What if; Lianne cut herself off once stepping into the courtyard to catch her breath, instead she found the little girl. Suddenly it felt like she could breathe again. Lianne noticed something different about Eden’s garden though, there was far more purple than she remembered. She quietly sat next to Lilith, who seemed to be in another world and watched her work. Lilith created life so easily, and she seemed to adore the color purple. Lianne never thought about how it was calming yet bold, how it subtly stood out; It suited the garden and Lilith. Lianne grew a white rose next to Lilith’s purple poppies, “Good Morning”
Lilith smiled up at Lianne, “Good morning! I woke up before you so I decided to look around and I found this beautiful garden, it’s like a paradise.”
Lianne shrugged, “I’ve never thought of it like that.”
“Who does it belong to?” Lilith asked.
Lianne smiled, “You’ll meet her soon enough, Her name is Eden and she’s my mother.”
Lilith looked at the garden and all the purple she scattered around, “Will she be upset with what I’ve done?”
Lianne shook her head, “No. I’m sure she’ll love it, I knew something was missing anyways.”
Lilith nodded, “Alright.”
Lianne stood and picked up Lilith, she said, “Today is your day. Okay? Think of it as a birthday, but this one will be extra special because it’s your first, and we need to get you ready.”
Lilith stood in front of a mirror, she liked how silver looked on her. She liked how rich the purple fabric was over the white underdress, she thought she looked pretty. Lilith looked around and Lianne wasn’t there, if she remembered correctly, she said she had to get something. Lilith walked over to Lianne’s dresser and grabbed a silver necklace, it wasn’t anything special, it was just a thick band of silver but Lilith liked it. She put the necklace on and stared in the mirror, it felt like she was looking back at herself and she loved it. Lianne walked into the room again, holding a silver belt. She saw Lilith staring at the mirror with amazement and she was right, having someone to look after and care for does make things worthwhile.