"You can't be serious?" I said, placing the glass on the table.
My mother turned to me as she gently smiled, you know, the kind of smile that would disarm any argument I could think of.
"It's been 3,000 years, Andre. It's time for you to start finding your place in the universe." Her gentle voice did nothing to alleviate my concern.
Sighing, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. "And my aunt's opinions?"
Raising her finger to her chin, my mother tilted her head in thought.
"Well, your aunt Thanny was in tears for a bit, but she eventually came around after I told her about your future. Arcane was a bit of a mission, though. You wouldn't believe how many universes are now 'unusable' thanks to her temper."
I chuckled lightly, imagining my cute aunt throwing catastrophic magic around in a fit of rage.
"Fine, but I'm doing this in protest."
Throwing my hands in the air in defeat, I stood and walked out of the kitchen, my mother following behind me.
"You knew this day would come." She said, taking a seat on the one-person recliner.
She was right; I knew one day she would send me out to begin my own life.
My mother had found my soul wandering her domain almost 3,000 years ago. From what she told me, I had originated from an abandoned universe; my soul was blank, almost like a newborn.
From there, she had decided to adopt me, raising me as her one and only child. She, along with the other primordial Gods and Goddesses, had taken a shine to my almost adolescent soul and hoped to raise me, either due to boredom or research.
Since then, I was treated as family. My aunts and uncles doted on me, sometimes whisking me away for years as they showed me their domains, how they managed them, and all the infinite realities they used to have fun in.
"So, what do I need to do? You haven't really... explained much." I said with a hint of apprehension.
Sitting there, brushing her long black hair, my mother pulled out a notebook from God knows where. "I'm going to send you off on a journey! Now, I've decided to randomize the location, so I don't mess with fate." She giggled, the joke apparent to both of us.
My mother was Ananke, the Primordial Goddess of necessity, compulsion, and inevitability, hence she already knew the outcome.
"Sure..." I mumbled.
Clapping her hands, she let out a joyous sound. "I've had a chat with a couple of your aunts and uncles, and we figured that we'd pool together and come up with a gift for you!"
Rubbing my temples with concern, I eyed her, waiting for whatever chaos she had sown.
She stared at me for a moment before grumbling in annoyance. "Not even a bit of happiness or excitement? You used to be so cute when you were younger, always jumping in joy for the simplest things."
I cracked a grin, remembering the last time she brought me a present. A cute puppy was definitely something I was excited for, that was until I saw the additional two heads and the fire spewing from its mouth.
"Mother, the runt of Fenrir's litter literally tore apart your favorite dress. You almost skinned him alive yourself."
Though she didn't respond, I watched the involuntary tick that her eyebrows do when she gets called out.
"Gah! Fine, whatever. You're a big adult now, always being mean to your mother!"
Waving her hands in the air, I watched as a translucent screen appeared before me.
"You didn't?!" I squeaked out.
A triumphant look appeared on her face. "Bet your ass I did! You can thank one of the lower Gods for the idea, though. This is your moving-out and birthday present wrapped in one. Even your aunts added something."
-------------------------------------------
{New God System!}
{Blessings}
Blessing of Arcane Truth: Arcana, the Embodiment of Magic, granted you this unparalleled boon, enhancing your natural magical talents because she simply couldn't bear to miss her favorite nephew.
• Innate Aptitude: You possess an extraordinary natural talent for magic, allowing you to grasp complex magical concepts and learn new spells with remarkable speed and ease.
• Arcane Wellspring: Your connection reaches into all conceptual magic reserves throughout existence. Your own magical reserves replenish vastly faster than normal, and your spells naturally carry a bit more punch, drawing directly from this universal source.
Additional blessings from other powerful beings are currently blocked, as you're not yet strong enough to fully utilize their benefits.
{Abilities}
Passive Abilities
• Existence Sense: You can feel the presence and life force of everyone around you. You'll instinctively know their strengths, weaknesses, and if they have any magic.
• Soul Assimilation: When you absorb a being's existence, you perfectly take on their good physical traits (like how tough or fast they are), mental traits (like their intelligence or willpower), and any magic skills they had. Everything you gain from this stacks up, permanently adding to your own power and magical abilities.
• Universal Identity & Funds: You possess a universally recognized identity, allowing you to seamlessly integrate into any society or system. This identity comes with a perpetually accessible bank account that can be managed directly through your system interface, providing you with limitless financial resources.
Active Abilities
• (Unlocked) Absolute Magic: You can cast and control any type of magic. Whether you see a spell and want to use it, create new ones, or directly control ambient magical energy, you can. Your understanding and control of all magic grows with every use and absorption.
• (Unlocked) Devour Existence: You can directly absorb the existence of any being. Weaker targets are easier to absorb. You gain their positive traits and magic.
• (Unlocked) Subspace Inventory: Create a personal, accessible pocket dimension to store items. This space moves with you and can hold anything you desire, limited by its initial size, which will grow with your power.
Locked Abilities: The following abilities are currently locked and will become available as you grow in power and experience:
• Death's Glimpse
• Life Drain
• Spirit Lordship
• Death's Touch
• Oblivion's Scythe
• Impose Necessity
• Command Compulsion
• Shapeshifting
• Death's Aura
• Void Step
• Existential Corrosion
{Locked Blessings} The following blessings are currently locked and will become available as you grow in power and experience:
{Child of Ananke}
• Compulsory Will
• Immutable Existence
• Glimpse of Fate
{Embrace of Thanata}
• Touch of Annihilation
• Spectral Dominion
-------------------------------------------
"How the hell did you even manage this?" I whispered. My voice was hoarse as I read through the gift my family had given me.
"Hoh... is that appreciation for the best mother in the world?" She asked, a smug grin plastered on her face as she flicked some hair behind her shoulder.
Quickly standing up and walking towards my mother, I threw my arms around her in a tight embrace.
"This is insane. You're actually giving me powers and letting me become a New God."
We both stood there, in a silent embrace, enjoying each other's loving hold.
Tapping my shoulder, I released my mother and stepped back. I awkwardly coughed, clearing my throat.
"We don't really care much about the mortal worlds anymore, but that's because we've experienced everything they have to offer. It's time for you to begin your ascension to Godhood, Andre."
My shoulders dropped at her words, a reminder that I wouldn't be seeing my family for a long, long time. Becoming a God, even a minor one, wasn't as simple as it was depicted in mortal entertainment.
My mother smiled knowingly at my internal debate. "Just have fun, explore everything, make some friends, and maybe find a wife for yourself."
Choking on my next words, I stared at her in shock.
"Though... you'd need to find a girlfriend first."
"Wait, you'd need to make a friend first."
"Oh no, did we turn you into someone socially inept?" A look of horror dawned on her face.
She stood there for a moment, eyes furrowed in deep contemplation. "It's fine, you'll figure it out!" Eyes clearing as she pushed past her initial worry. "Now, are you ready to start your new life?"
I could merely nod at her, afraid I'd change my mind if I spoke.
"Good, close your eyes, and I'll quickly send you off somewhere you need to go."
Staring at her one more time, I truly saved every detail of Ananke, my mother.
I faintly smiled as my eyes shut.