"Even the gods fear what's coming."
Above the mortal world, where no wind blew and no time passed, the gods gathered beneath the Vault of Creation. Seven thrones. Seven powers. But only five beat with light.
Ignarion, God of Fire — blunt, proud, the ever-burning guardian of will.
Vaelrith, God of Wind — sharp, clever, a watcher of fate and freedom.
Elyssira, Goddess of Water — calm and knowing, the mind beneath the ocean's surface.
Thalmeria, Goddess of Earth — quiet, unshakable, mother of strength.
Solmeryn, God of Light — radiant and righteous, a judge who speaks only when needed.
Nyxareth, God of Darkness — veiled in roiling shadow, grinning as if the meeting were a play for his amusement.
Oriath, God of Life — pale and still, face unseen beneath a veil of woven stars. The air around him felt cold. Empty. Wrong.
Their thrones shimmered in harmony, light rippling like distant bells.
They watched him with veiled concern.
Oriath spoke — voice soft, yet sharp enough to silence the void.
"The boy has awakened."
Ignarion's flames flared. "You said the cycle was sealed."
"It was,"Oriath said. "Until he shattered it."
Vaelrith narrowed his eyes. "Shattered it? A mortal?"
Nyxareth chuckled darkly.
"Oh, he's far from mortal now."
"A spark in the dirt," he whispered, "with a fire even gods should fear."
Elyssira's form trembled, ripples disturbing the stars. "You manipulated the threads again… didn't you, Oriath?"
The Life God said nothing.
Thalmeria's stone fingers clenched. "This child — Ashirion — what have you done to him?"
Nyxareth leaned in, voice like oil sliding over steel. "We didn't create him. We simply… nudged him. Watched. Laughed."
Solmeryn stood — light blooming behind him like a rising sun. "You've tampered with reincarnation. With fate."
Oriath slowly turned his veiled head toward the Light God.
"And yet… you let kingdoms burn."
"You let mortals suffer."
"We only gave the boy a reason."
A pause. Then Nyxareth grinned, too wide. "A reason… to rise."
Solmeryn raised his staff, divine energy flaring. "You've gone too far."
"We're just getting started," Nyxareth whispered.
Oriath spoke again, final and cold:
"Let him grow."
"Let him burn."
"And when the flames reach the heavens…"
"Even gods shall kneel."
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*But the true mystery remains...
Who were the two voices that reached into the abyss when Ashirion fell? Were they gods? Or something beyond even the divine?
Is someone among the immortals pulling unseen strings?
Or… is something awakening in the void — ancient, forgotten, and far more dangerous?
The balance of power is shifting. The heavens stir. The world holds its breath.
And what the future brings... may drown even the gods in shadow.