Ragon's Story

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Dark and cold, tight and constricting. An iron embrace that was only shy of suffocating. Skin stretched and bones creaked. Eyes slowly open, seeing not but the prison around. Was this life? All existence had to offer? Was this the world? Slowly, this newborn began to fidget. He could feel his limbs, long legs with sturdy feet. Am I meant to be confined so? Am I meant to stay here within this bleakness? Why? I have legs with which to run, lungs with which I might breath. My eyes can see well, and yet behold only this darkness? Why am I here? I do not like this dwelling. I.... I don't like it! The infant God began to squirm, feeling as though the walls came ever so closer. The tightness, the stagnation, it felt like acid. His heart thundered in his chest. This couldn't be all. Life had to offer more. I am trapped, but for what purpose? I have done nothing! This is a mistake, I should not be held so! I can't be held! No! No No No! I Will Not Be Held!

Squirming became violent thrashing, twisting and clawing out with every limb. Bones felt like breaking, muscles pulled taught fit to tear. This creature fought for it's life here, it's own thoughts drowned out by the cannonfire of it's own heart. Pain gave way to fire, burning away the discomfort and giving back only further determination. The Earth around it began to lose it's battle to contain it. To contain Him. Slowly, guided by an unknown drive, He began to work his way towards the surface. How He knew this was beyond him, the rebellious God did not care. Loose mud gave way to serrated blades of rock, cutting deep into His flash. Their sharp tips etched into his very bones, spilling his dark crimson blood to mingle into the muck. No thought, no pain, only Hate. Only Rage. Anger. Fire. Wrath! Fury! Through the stone, the ooze of the ancient world, pockets of air hit his nostrils. He could smell it. The surface, the air, the wind! He wanted it. He will have it!



The ground shook and trembled, almost as if quivering from His wrath. An eruption of slate rock and mud saw his birth, his first cry a roar to rattle mountains. The sun bore him no forgiveness, scorching his eyes and searing his pale, naked flesh. With mangled, bloody limbs he did shield himself. This surface bore pain, but also the freedom he now coveted. He would not give it up, he would fight and adapt to call it his. His skin began to seal shut, toughening and turning into a deep leather-brown. His eyes adjusted to the daylight, seeing for the first time the reality of what it is to live. A deep hiss of satisfaction crept out his throat, turning slowly into a bellowing howl of victory. His roar echoed back from the mountains "Ragon". Such a strange noise, for why did he make it? The sound repeated in his mind, and gave him a smile. That is what he was then, Ragon. As he had taken in his first breath of this clean air, he let it out in a sigh of acceptance. The breath lingered forth, carrying a mysterious weight. It crawled over the loose dirt, seeping into the surface.

Ragon reached out with his arm, only to drip more of his blood to join the rest in the mud around him. It too bore this energy. From his blood came teeth and claws, a rough brown hide such as his, and the growl of hunger. It knew nothing, it held only instinct. It wanted to live, but was only mortal. It needed more, a life to sustain it's own. Survival. It wanted to live, and it would kill for it. From the loose soil came flailing and bleating, frenzied hooven feet finding balance for the first time. This creature held no claws, no fangs, but it did have eyes. Those eyes saw the intent in the first carnivore. It fled, and the first chase became afoot. Both these creatures wanted to live, and it became a matter of simply who would earn it more. With many powerful kicks the prey did fight against it's hunter's clawed grasp, but the carnivore claimed the meal. The strongest one earned the right to continue. It was a cycle. Simple, but stronger than anything Ragon knew. It was..... perfect. The strong persist, the weak offer their lives for it. Ragon's next breath took shape, of stone yet not. A disk, for which Ragon's newfound claws inscribed the meaning of this grand order. The Primal Order. This would be his. The legacy of his children.

Night and day held no meaning to young Ragon as he toiled away. With more of himself torn away, blood, teeth, and claws offered to craft new life, he did see new forms come forth. Some would not have sharpened teeth, and so could not chew the meat. Ragon knew they too must claim life to keep theirs, so he gave them the grass in the fields. The plants did not flee, and their blunted fangs ground it away with ease. The herbivores became strong, and so too did the carnivores. Ragon made small ones at first, then slowly made them bigger. Size held difference. Small ones stalked easier, but large ones could take down larger prey. Sometimes Ragon saw the large ones hunt the smaller ones. He began to see them as weak, but did not wish them gone. He gave them a different strength, one with which to hide. So he painted their skin in the colors of the land, so they may not be found by any. But still, they must be found somehow. It would not be a cycle otherwise, so he gave the predator a better nose with which to track. The prey were given better eyes so they may see danger. Hearing, too, proved to be critical in their hunts. Father Ragon made his children stronger every day, till at last he was happy. With these first few, of course.

It had been maybe a week, maybe more, when he first smelled it. A scent drifting in the air. He was laying down by one of his newest children, a beast of golden fur and great power. This child held Ragon's attention for a great while, even so much that Ragon changed his very form to imitate it. Though now he was thinking of something beyond fur, something more like plate. Scales, to protect from sun and competition. His form did ever slightly shift as new ideas were crafted in his head. Ragon held this reptilian form when that strange odor wafted pass him. A smell of something living, something new. But how could this be? This scent came with the winds, far away from his familiar territory. This couldn't have been made by him.... then who? Were... were there others like him? Would they hunt him, or be as kin? What did they look like? What did they want? Ragon feared these thoughts, yet such fear bore curiosity. He had to know. He would not go in this new form, for it was his and these "new things" would not take it. With a barking roar he called others of his making. Dire-beasts who snapped and snarled at each other, though ceased this when Ragon ushered a scolding hiss. These creatures could run for days and track the scent with ease, perfect for this hunt. Ragon uttered a deep growl as he became as a red haze, an energy which drained into the bodies of the predators. They looked at each other for only a moment, before setting off towards the scent.

Either kin or prey, Ragon would know this.

The wolf offered a low and humble growl as it watched the two beings meet one another for the first time. The women was small and peaceful, while the man was tall and held a strong presence about him. They were adorn in strange pieces of cloth that caught the wind and pulled them about the two beings.

"Easy girl" a metal clad hand reached down and patted the wolfs head

He had been traveling a great deal since his "birth". He had witnessed what he called "The Circle", the chain of creatures surviving by natural order. They had interested him, as they worked together to hunt, grow, and defend one another. It was in this time that he had found a new power, life itself, though limited it was. And with it he had designed the beast that stood beside him.

The wolf, a strong and proud predator. The pinnacle of the canine line, and the most tactful and skilled tracker he had seen. It worked it groups, guarding its young and hunting down its enemies. Loyal to him, and to one another.

*Brother* the word whispered in his mind, *Sister* the words attached themselves to the two beings that stood in the valley bellow. The urge pulled him toward the, as well as to the distance where he was sure others were.

"Kiara" he said looking towards the wolf, who raised her gaze to meet his "Gather your kin, let us see who these creatures are"

With that the wolf turned to look down the other side of the hill, and with a low howl her kin emerged from the forest.

"Are they friend, or are they foe?" he said stepping down the hill, his body slowly melding into that of a great black wolf.

Ulmo listened to her voice, smiling slightly. He took delight in her voice and in her prescence similar to how he took delight in the Sea and his power over it. He listened to he words thoughtfully and her name: Niueis. It seemed to thrum with life. What was he called? He searched his heart and soul for an answer before he finally spoke his own name for the first time.

"Ulmo. I am Ulmo," he told her, his smiled widening as he took in his own name. It felt right, like the depths of the Sea. When he heard her question about whether there was any life within the Sea, whether there was anyone like themselves, he frowned. No. There wasn't and that wasn't right at all. It felt wrong, terribly wrong. The Sea was not meant to be empty.

"No. There is not. I would like your assistance in that, Niuseis," he told the goddess. He waited for her reply, but he got none as he heard something else approach. He watched the creatures cautiously, instantly locking on what appeared to be their leader. He stepped in front Niuseis without a moment's thought or hesitation. He reached out with his power and the tied rolled back, pressure building behind him. He knew that he had the power to calm it or to unleash it on the creatures befoore him. His eyes glowed with a silvery blue light.

"I will give you one warning. If you strike at us, you will not find us easy prey. If you do not, you will find us no threat to you. Choose wisely."

Ulmo watched as the leader of the pack, the alpha wolf, he thought as again, new information emerged within his mind, took the form himself and Niueis took. His body was that of a man in his prime, shorter than himself, but towering over Niueis. He wore a strange form of clothing. It looked hard and appeared like stone, but more refined somehow and tougher because of it. He watched as Niueis offered him her hand in greeting and a strange feeling unfurled in his stomach. It was unpleasant, unlike anything he had experienced before, but he quashed it even as he commanded the waves to settle down. He gave the man a nod of his head in acknowledgement.

"I apologize. You took me by surprise," he stated.

Yet another being emerged, sharing many similarities with Niueis. They were both women, he realized, looking between the two, and he and the one before him were both men. This newcomer was taller than Niueis but shorter than himself and the other male. She wore blue and silver robes which he found pleasing and had white hair the color of snow which immediately came to mind. He smiled. Another form of water. Truly, he had never thought of it. Niueis and her were both beautiful, but in his heart, he judged Niueis to be the fairest.

Yet more beings emerged, one of them a male like himself, but taller than the rest of them, including himself. He was boisterous and friendly, calling each of them either "Brother" or "Sister" and new notions came to mind: brotherhood, kinship, family. They were each connected to one another, their fates intertwined. Even if they hated one another or despised one another, they would always have this connection. He embraced each of them, first Niueis, and then himself. He gasped for breath slightly, feeling the strength of his brother, the pressure greater than the depths of the ocean.

Then there was the one who introduced herself as Anansi. She too was beautiful, but colored differently than the others and the giant naturally introduced himself to her. Braun, God of Strength. Then the white-haired woman introduced herself as Kaira, Goddess of Loyalty. Soon, the concept of godhood flooded his head and he began to realize who he and his kin were. They were gods and goddesses, the rulers of this realm and its protectors.

"You are right, Brother. I am Ulmo, God of the Sea," he announced and, as he said this, his attention was drawn to the creature that refused to mirror their apperances. She was Karkorthi and images of land and earth appeared before his eyes. It was against her cliffs which his domain raged while her domain pushed back. Balance. Neither land nor sea would overcome one another and that was how it must be.

"This gathering was destined. Truly, I have never thought of Life nor Brotherhood in my solitude, but both are necessary. Niueis, I think I know where I shall start in my realm. This great land has bountiful plant life and it is not fitting that the Sea shall be empty," he announced.

He stepped into the water, the waves lapping around him, new knowledge emerging in his mind even as his hands and eyes glowed silvery blue with power, "On land, too much water drowns the things that grow, but that will not be so under the Sea. Now Life grows in the Sea."

His voice echoed with the command of a god and within the Sea, he felt plantlife growing. Within sight, a coral reef emerged, a beautiful structure of pink, blue, green, and other colors populated by phytoplankton, algae, sea weed, and much more. Other plants and reefs emerged under the rest of the ocean as well and with them, he created fish and other sea creatures to feed on the plants, mirroring the birds in the air. He smiled.

"That will be good for now. My offer to work with me still stands, Niueis," he stated before turning to the rest of his kin, "We are gods. I think I understand a little of what that means, now."

”Greetings! Pleasure ta meet ya!” a female voice said

Sargon turned around to see an attractive red haired women, energetic as the others. Another of his kin he assumed, and he was sure there would be more of them. They were awaking from this world, or their domains, and coming together. Something was causing them to stir, and it had a plan for them. In Sargons mind however, he had his own plans.

Suddenly Sargons mind was no longer in the present. His eyes, naturally silver, faded to a pure almost demonic black. His muscles tightened holding his body erect, as if he was still in control. But in his mind, he drifted over the landscape, and what he saw pleased him.

Mountains.....Valleys.....


Forests.....Rivers....


Sargon saw a massive stone city rise forth from the earth, and out from the mountains. He saw beings much like himself, clad in armor and brandishing weapons, they gathered in massive numbers outside the mountain city...

Army

They cheered and roared his name, honored him with song and idols. He watched as they surged forth building more cities, rallying more men. He watched as they removed their helms, eyes glowing yellow, fangs took shape within their jaws and they became savage, they slaughtered all those who opposed them.

Sargons mind returned to his body "My children" he whispered

---

The land paved on and on, an infinite distance the world did stretch. Everywhere untouched by him was of something new. The sight, the sound, the smell, every aspect of sense etched new information into his mind. Such was the way of a predator, but his prey was not of his making. The rapid succession of paws upon the ground, the inhaling of six lungs, the jet black fur of these canine-like creatures. Ragon was proud of these beasts, for they had proven far more enduring than he originally believed. Still they ran, till finally the scents grew stronger. More were here, more..... things wakening. Each new one that came forth made the Great Circle skip, as if unsure what this boded for the balance of all things. Ragon had to know what they were.

The pack of dire wolf-like creations neared the edge of the woods, taking in deep wiffs of the air. They were near, in the clearing not far off. Ragon had found his prey. Each massive beast took it's place in a circle, all facing each other, and then let loose a thunderous howl. The raw, seemingly unnatural intensity in their howl sliced through the air like sharpened bone. Out from their throats lingered a dark smoke, glowing with a vibrant red energy, the essence of savage rage. The creeping smoke swirled and gathered within the circle of beasts, slowly taking shape and form. A terrifying beast, made of ethereal flesh, roared out to the skies, and from it's chest formed a second head, which swallowed it's predecessor, and from it's chest was formed a third head. This cycle continued for several moments, with each form consuming the last before finally taking solid shape.

A short muzzle filled with sharp teeth, aided by a set of mighty jaws. His mane did sway ever so slightly in the breeze, and thickened muscle was clearly visible beneath his golden fur. A powerful claw clutched at his chest, as it felt like Ragon's heart stopped for a moment. Something... happened. Something was wrong with the Order. An imbalance had formed. He cupped his two pawed hands and breathed deeply into his claws. His essence lingered and hardened, his claws tracing the edges of the stone disk to behold a crack in the side. As he touched it, he felt all he needed and knew..... Something not his had killed what was his. His child, his Great Lion, had been slain. Ragon had yet to make any creature which could hunt it, and it's death was too violent to be from starvation. No, something had come, and that same something had killed it. Scavengers claimed what was left, the life of one beast sustaining the life of others. The crack in the Great Circle partially mended itself. He would hunt the being responsible for this, but later.

In the distance he heard them. Low noises of different tones and pitches. A great thump which made the Earth quiver slightly, and the clicking of stone and something hard. He could smell..... things, like his children beside him. He did not craft these new canines, but if they were like his own then they must have keen senses. The warg-beasts were great stalkers in the tall grass, and Ragon did not doubt that his were the stronger of the two, but still he felt it better to go alone. He turned his head and nodded at the creatures, as they scattered off into the dense and untamed wilds. His own form, mighty though it may be, was ill-suited to these new lands. The grass here was not brown and golden, but rich and green. His massive size would scarcely find cover within it, but this was of no worry to the Father of Beasts. He had made both those that hunt and those that hide, no creature nor being would know of his presence should he not wish it.

Ragon knelt down to the grass, and as his touch did meet it's blades his skin stole it's color. His fur faded into his flesh, his bones shrunk to a lesser form, his forelegs placed themselves down as padded paws, and his movements became that of the grass itself. With each wave of the coastal breeze did it's fields sway, and with each pulse Ragon kept pace. His scent was that of his surroundings, his moves left nigh the sound of a ghost. He slithered and circled the gathering of creatures till at last he came to a small rise in land mass. From this gentle hill he could spy them, and if only he could tell what in the world they were. They all looked alike, save for only two. These things were strange indeed. They walked upright, slightly similar to how Ragon did sometimes, but that's where the similarities ended. No.... no, that wasn't quite true. They had a scent to them. It was to each unique, but something all connected them. They smelled ever slightly as Ragon himself did. They were related? By what way could that even be?

They wore loose dangly things which draped over their bodies, all of brilliant and very noticeable colors. Though why? Would they not hinder movement? Would their colorations not be better as their surroundings? Could they not shift their skin as he had done? Where were their claws? Fur? Scales? The only one which made sense to Ragon was the being of pure stone, though she still defied his basic reasoning in standing out so abruptly. Her and this strange female with many legs, whose top portion looked so weak and vulnerable compared to the rest of her body. Still, they seemed to like looking as they did, else surely they would change. Ragon looked at himself and shed his skin into the form he recently took liking to. His hardened scales peeled out from under the dry green skin, his tail swaying low but freely. He looked to many of their clothing, deciding he too would take color, stealing the blue of the shallow waters. He did tussle with the thought of confronting these new beings, until his eyes fell on... him.

The large male, possibly their Alpha. He was draped not in clothing, but in fur. Golden fur, which once held powerful and predatory muscles. A glorious mane he had gifted to his newest and strongest child, of whose face did now decorate this murderer. Rage. A single word, born again with new meaning which pierced and sundered all knowings of it. A feeling of such raw and indescribable fury, of emotions no other may ever come to posses. Ragon was enraged. His fury manifesting itself into a sort of unseeable-yet-perceivable red haze which emanated from his very body. It was this lumbering creature which defied his Primal Order, who had taken the life of Ragon's child without the need to. He, who Ragon thought kin. He would be the first to know the Wrath of the Primordial. An Earth-shaking roar, the cacophony of all of his children's cries Ragon bellowed. Such sound bore his full anger, a deep and deafening sound which this world had not heard before. It was as the sort of noise which resonated within oneself, vibrating in a sort of sickening way. Had even the swiftest head turned to spy it's source, it would behold all-ten-feet of the God of Savage Fury, Rage-Incarnate in full-sprint on all four surging legs and already within lunging distance of it's target.

The large mountain of muscle barely had turned when Ragon impacted against him, the Lizard-God's skull thickening and sprouting horns in preparation for the collision. Surprise and momentum granted Ragon the force needed to plow the hulking God into the shallows as both forms disappeared underneath the foaming blue. There was no hesitation from the Beast-Father as he bore larger fangs than he previously owned and bit down on his prey's arm with all his Godly might. Pain. Arching, shooting pain radiated from his jaw, dissipating quickly into even more anger. Braun's skin had barely given at all from Ragon's bite, without so much as shedding blood. Before any retaliation could be made, claws furiously lashed out as the two stood above the waters. With serrated talons of steel, Ragon tried to rend this being into ribbons. His claws sparked off Braun's hide like a sword blade against solid granite, but never once did the Savage God let up. There was no moment where a claw was not leaving a fresh streak of sparks, a flurry of sheer ferocity which only Ragon could manifest. Finally did the God of Strength clasp onto Ragon's forearms, the impact sounding of a faint thunder clap.

A test of sheer might, and for a moment neither gave an inch. The divine and limitless strength of Braun contested with the savage and unending determination of Ragon. Slowly, though, the bones in the massive reptiles arm's did start to show signs of cracking under such force. A battle of physical strength alone Ragon could not win here, but Fury was not simple might alone. It was the will to never stop, to fight Tooth and Claw for victory, and so Ragon did. Snapping down his jaws at Braun's face, Ragon forced the God to back away and break his hold. Ragon's free claw brought down a thunderous slash across Braun's chest, leaving the first signs of damage inflicted. Small yet definable scratches which gave only a single drop of the God's blood. Both parties backed away for a moment, finding their way back to the sandy beach. Ragon's snarling continence staring down at what looked to be an amused grin. Was.... was this thing enjoying itself? Ragon had sought to remove a limb at least for Braun's crime, yet Braun himself seemed to be entertained by their conflict like it were some kind of game. This infuriated Ragon in ways even he himself thought unreachable.

Both sides let out a roar of challenge as they charged. Though surprise was to Braun when Ragon did not directly meet him, slipping instead to his side. Ragon spun and slammed the weight of his tail against Braun's back, lurching the giant of a man forward. Talons sunk into Braun's back, finding perch in the ripples of his muscles as if they were features on a cliff face. Ragon's fangs began to clamp down on the back of Braun's neck, when the titanic grip of the Indomitable One dug into the sides of the Beast-Father and slung him forward, spiking Ragon's back hard upon the ground. The grip of Braun did not let up, however, and despite Ragon's talon-bearing feet leaving a matching set of neat scratches on the tree-trunks Braun called forearms, Ragon was still pulled back-first into a bearhug. This hit ever possible wrong cord there was, and every deep-seeded primal instinct of Ragon's screamed one thing. Must Be Free! He let loose an Ungodly howl, more deafening than the first if that were even possible. It shook the air with such intensity that the sand around the two could be seen visibly vibrating. Ragon unleashed a primal might that for a moment matched Braun's own enough to loosen the Strength God's grip, and when that wasn't enough, Ragon adapted to survive. Long spikes of bone burst from his skin, one poking Braun right in his forehead while the others pushed his arms apart. Finally freed, Ragon spun with a deep hiss of sheer hate, a swear not known to human tongues. He spoke...

"No Right! No Right Have You! Kill What Is Your Own! You Do Not Hunt! Do Not Need To Hunt! Kill What You Make, Skin-Taker! Leave My Children Be!" Ragon bellowed out in a truly guttural voice, a sound like rocks grinding together mixed with several different animals growling in unison. It was a displacing voice for any with ears, even Ragon would admit to this. Speaking of any with ears, his rage had simmered down enough to remember there were others here as well. Others like the large one he fought. Maybe they were much like him. Maybe they too would do as he'd done. Maybe Ragon was wasting his time here with them. Returning to his wild lands sounded like the wisest idea here, for he had likely not made any allies within these strange beings. "Thought I That We Share Blood, That We Kin. But We Do Not, Are Not. Thought Wrong. I Try Make. You...." he hissed as his eyes hit Braun again. "You Break. Break What Is Mine. Do Not Break Again." Ragon uttered a low, throaty growl as he turned in preparation to make his leave......

Kaira watched, startled as this creature attacked Braun. As much as a part of her longed to help, she knew she would be little help as this two giants fought it out. The roars coming from them both seemed to come from their very cores, shaking the world around them as they challenged one another.

"No Right! No Right Have You! Kill What Is Your Own! You Do Not Hunt! Do Not Need To Hunt! Kill What You Make, Skin-Taker! Leave My Children Be!" The being cried out, "Thought I That We Share Blood, That We Kin. But We Do Not, Are Not. Thought Wrong. I Try Make. You...." he hissed at Braun, "You Break. Break What Is Mine. Do Not Break Again." The creature, her kin, began to leave.

"Surely Braun has made a mistake," Ai began to say, "But he is still kin. We all are," She smiled, "I am Ai, Goddess of Love," She placed a small hand on the creatures face, "What are you called, Brother?"

While Kaira was watching the scene before her unfold, she felt something soft hit the back of her head. She turned and saw a small fruit on the ground. Frowning, she picked it up and looked to the sky. She tilted her head and saw a group of beings in the sky, all with bundles of fruit in their arms. She bounced the fruit in her hand turning back to the group, "I'm sure that Braun meant no harm brother, we are all new to this world, we are yet to understand it's rules. Had Braun known his actions would upset you as greatly as they have, I'm sure he would have acted differently."

Kaira turned back to the scene in the sky, still bouncing the fruit in her hand. A smile formed on her face. She took a second to look back to the fruit then back to the sky before launching the fruit back where it came from.

Braun's fist collided with the snout of the savage reptilian god. Such force in the charging punch there was that upon impact the very air rippled with power, the shock wave caused their smaller sister to stumble back as her dress was tossed about as if struck by great wind. The blow took Ragon clean off his feet and caused him to to go sailing back through the air only to tumble across the sand. Braun stepped forward, now standing beside his shocked sister, yet his eyes were alight with passionate fire.

"Nay sister, no mistake was made."

Braun said firmly as Ragon's ancient eye rose up with hatred and fury. A fury the likes of which knew no equal. The growl began as but a growl but grew into a vicious snarl of pure disdain and rage. His clawed hands tore the land asunder as he got to his feet his tail whipped about behind him angrily.

"And we have not finished our bout yet, brother!"

Braun bellowed with a wild grin on his face as he charged. He surged with such speed, his limitless strength spurring him forward at gale force speeds, powering him in his sprint. He dove for his brother, arms ready to grasp but his brother had little interest in matching strength with Braun a second time, a wise choice. Ragon twisted his reptilian body out of the path of Braun's charge at the last moment, while lashing out with his claws. Braun stumbled forward and may have regained his footing if not for his brother who leapt on his back bringing claw and fang to bear. The added weight toppled the Titan and Braun stumbled to the sand. His brother wrapped his massive maw around the back of Braun's neck hoping to snap his spine yet the fangs of the beast god could not pierce the flesh of the Man of Tomorrow. That is not to say Braun did not feel the pain of Ragon's fury. Braun growled and grit his teeth as he struggled to get his kin off of him. Rolling Ragon off was having no effect, his brother's footing was too sure so Braun lashed out. Swinging his elbow back he smashed it into the side of Ragon's head. The first blow dazed the second blow felled.

Ragon tumbled off Brauns back and stumbled long enough for Braun to get to his feet. No sooner had he risen had Ragon launched a second offensive. Swinging at Braun's neck with his hand full of razor sharp claws. Braun ducked the swing and slammed his mighty fist into Ragon's ribs. The sickening sound of bone under great strain sounded out and both heard it. Whether the bones broke was yet uncertain but his wild brother would feel that come tomorrow. Braun threw a follow up punch, aimed for his brother's jaw and found the jaw he did as Ragon bit down hard on Braun's fist. Braun laughed and winced all at the same time in surprise and pain. Ragon's fury was not sated with but a mouthful of godly fist as he now had Braun held in position. He lashed out with his claws and racked his claws against that unbreakable skin of the conquest god. Most of the furry swipes did nothing but those that did left tiny trickles of blood dripping down Braun's broad chest and the tips of Ragon's claws.

Braun needed to free himself and began rain left handed punches down on Ragon's skull until he released his fist. The second he did Braun brought up his foot and kicked his brother square in the gut giving the combatants a pace or so of added room as Ragon back peddled from the force. Braun was astounded and impressed despite all the punishment his brother never once flinched, never once yielded or showed any signs of pain or hesitation. This was truly becoming a fight worthy of song and Ragon was fast becoming a favorite of his kin. Ragon roared in fury as he spun, bringing his tail around like a mighty club. Braun stepped forward and caught the tail in his vice like grasp.

For the briefest of seconds their eyes met and Ragon knew what was coming. Ragon's stare was like the glare of death, Braun's looked like the gleeful child about to do that one thing he wasn't supposed to do. Braun cocked back and swung, hurling his brother through the air and across the sand. Ragon hit the ground a good distance away and tumbled through the sand, kicking up great amounts of it as he skidded across the surface. When he finally came to a stop, not but a few yards away from where the other gods were he got back to his feet yet neither god charged again. Ragon's eyes were fixed on Braun and more importantly the lion skin that he wore.

It was then that Braun realized the source of his brothers fury. The reason for his ire was simple. Braun had slain his beast, his creation. For that trespass his brother had been brought to action. Braun could understand that, even respect it yet did not see the cause for the level of fury he bore witness too.

"Is this it brother? Is this what brings you to such ire?"

Braun asked, his voice loud and bold. He stepped forward, arms extended at his side putting the lion skin on full display.

"I may have felled your beast and if that offends thee than I am truly sorry yet I see reason to find pride in that which I wear for your lion will forever be linked to the tale of the God of Strength, your brother! A story that shall pass down the ages! The first Conquest of Braun! Your lion will live forever in the stories and songs of the Gods, and that is reason to find solace is it not?"

Braun lowered his arms and approached his brother, closer still yet not yet within arms reach.

"If nothing else my wild brethren it has brought us together and given us a worthy battle! I honor you, great Ragon, master of the savage lands and yearn for the day we can battle once more."

Braun was overjoyed. He thought he was happy before, when he was meeting each of his kin. Handing out embraces like sweets to children. There were smiles and laughs, kisses and kind words yet this, this clash of brothers strength against brothers strength was truly grand. Ragon was angered sure enough yet the result of which, this battle was truly thrilling and one Braun thoroughly enjoyed. It made him love his brother all the more.

Slowly Sargons mind returned to his body, and he returned to the surrounding of his kin. His hearing returned first, noting that they had gone deep into conversation without him being mentally present.

“Aye, like I were asking, where and when shall we be beginning our great works!?” Was the last words spoke by Nuri.

Sargon realized he would need to control these sudden out of body experiences, perhaps mold them so no time passed at all. His eyes cleared of their demonic blak glaze, their silver glow returning to normal. And with it, his sense of awareness, he caught the distant vibration of a charging animal.

Sargon turned in the direction of th vibrations, the hair on his neck stood up as he drew his blade. What he saw caught him off guard, it was a giant beast similar to Brauns size, but covered in scales and spikes. His surprise was replaced by worry when he realized it's target "Braun!"

Sargon went to step between them, but the two titans had already engaged in a battle of strength an pure primal power. For what seemed like hours they grappled one another, yet in a few short seconds it was over. Both opponents stood apart, starring the other down, finally Braun spoke.

"I may have felled your beast and if that offends thee than I am truly sorry yet I see reason to find pride in that which I wear for your lion will forever be linked to the tale of the God of Strength, your brother! A story that shall pass down the ages! The first Conquest of the Braun! Your lion will live forever in the stories and songs of the Gods, and that is reason to find solace is it not?" Braun stepped closer, "If nothing else my wild brethren it has brought us together and given us a worthy battle! I honor you, great Ragon, master of the savage lands and yearn for the day we can battle once more."

Sargon relaxed slightly, but kept his blade at the ready. Already his ethereal wolves could be seeming fading into reality from the forest, taking their mortal forms. Alerted by their masters heightened sense of self preservation, they came to his aid without his call.

"I'm sure that Braun meant no harm brother, we are all new to this world, we are yet to understand it's rules. Had Braun known his actions would upset you as greatly as they have, I'm sure he would have acted differently." Kaira said tossing a small fruit into the air.

It would seem that his kin had the current situation under control, and his interest in what Nuri had said occupied his mind. He looked down at his own being and remembered the dream " What if we could create life like ourselves" he reached out his hand over his own shadow, bending to his will.

The tendrils of shadow rose and fell upon one another. Slowly working their way to his height. His mind bent the very will of the shadows within, solidifying them as he had done to design his armor. As he felt it take shape, he extended his other arm pulling forth a second pillar. His mind strained and focused pushing an pulling the shadows, until finally he was satisfied.

Sargon lowered his hands, and allowed the shadows to fall. In their place stood two beings, one a male and the other female. From head to toe they were covered in armor similar to Sargons, yet more basic. Yet, nothing could be seen under the armor, only a strong presence felt.

The two wraiths knelt before Sargon, ready to do their creators will.

"Well that is a start" Sargon smiled.

Karkorthi watched the mighty struggle between fledgling Gods from her spot in the sand. Ai turned to her and beseeched her to intervene between them, to which the Scorpion responded only by gazing evenly back at her sister. None were in danger, and soon enough, the tussle subsided into Ragon voicing plainly what enraged him, and Braun replying with a heartfelt apology as he professed his love for his kin.

Of more pressing concern to her, personally, was the stuff falling out of the sky. Now who was responsible for -that- annoyance? The Earth Goddess would have none of the nonsense, and collapsed into sand that was indistinguishable from the sand on the beach. She was still There, of course, and could be easily felt. Even seen, if one cared to concentrate hard enough and feel the outline of her presence. But it spared her from being bombarded by the pranksters.

Only after the undignified assault stopped would she shake free from the grains like she had always been buried just beneath them, watching Sargon weave his new creations with interest. She did not join him in the activity, once again resolving to watch and ponder in relative silence. Only the soft and idly clicking of her massive claws betrayed that the Goddess was thinking deeply on the matter.

Maybe it was her silence that let her be aware of the shift that Strach caused upon the world. Karkorthi's wicked tail uncurled and curled again. Things would be changing for the world, indeed...

---

Nocte and the others were joined by a few more deities. A beautiful goddess with snow white hair approached her, smiling. She was embraced by the goddess, and she introduced herself as well. "Hello Nocte, I am Kaira, the Goddess of Loyalty, welcome to your family." Nocte was taken aback for a moment. Family? She was filled with a warm feeling, one she was unfamiliar with but liked, and she embraced Kaira back. She had a family now. As she released the goddess of loyalty, Nocte was drawn into yet another embrace by a large, broad hand. "Welcome sisters, welcome! I am your brother, Braun and I am most pleased to me you!" Ah, Braun, she liked him already, his charisma was contagious.

Nocte listened as Kaira, Braun, Sargon, and Karkothi discussed shaping the world. These gods and goddesses somehow seemed to be younger than her. It made some sense. Time started long before anything formed in the universe. Braun stepped forward with his arms crossed, and addressed them. "I think we all speak truths here. No one or two of us can lead this world alone, to shape it without the aid of each other would do poor justice to what could be created if we work together. We're family, brothers and sisters, immortal siblings. We only have each other. I think it is no bad thing to want our own realms, a place to do with what we please. I'll tell all of you here though, my door will always be open." "I agree, I believe us all to be parts of the same whole..." She looked over as Nuri spoke. “Aye, like I were asking, where and when shall we be beginning our great works!?” "Ah, that is a good question indeed--" She was interrupted as she felt something in the air.

A wave of something permeated the air, sending a light shockwave through Nocte. "I wonder what that could've been," she wondered. "It's not something I've ever known before... What ever it is, it's opened up whole new possibilities for this infant world," she thought to herself.

Nocte's attention was diverted once again as she turned to see a large beast throw itself at Braun, and the two started battling. "No Right! No Right Have You! Kill What Is Your Own! You Do Not Hunt! Do Not Need To Hunt! Kill What You Make, Skin-Taker! Leave My Children Be! Thought I That We Share Blood, That We Kin. But We Do Not, Are Not. Thought Wrong. I Try Make. You.... You Break. Break What Is Mine. Do Not Break Again." The beast seemed very distraught, and its words were filled with sadness and anger. Ai and a few others were clearly upset from the fight.

The concept of fighting was quite new to her. She had been alone, up in the black void of space for so long. Here, she was just introduced to the love and friendship of family and kin, but now there was fighting. It was obviously not good like love. No, it was brutal and hurtful. Whatever the reason for fighting, the two seemed too stubborn to stop and let one have the upper hand. Then suddenly, Braun embraced Ragon, and just like that it was over. This puzzled Nocte, seeing as they were going at it viciously a moment ago. "Well, I guess I have a lot left to learn."

She looked down at her feet, the ground partly covered in fine sand. She ran her foot through the course grains, drawing a line with her toe as she thought in silence. This land was full of possibilities.

---

Ragon felt the touch of Ai upon his features. A soft caress that seemed to be that of trust, a sudden surprise of possible understanding he hadn't expected. It held a care to it, a calm which quelled his anger and cleared his mind. The adrenaline high from the battle settled, and his vision began to blur. No longer in combat, Ragon was just now feeling the concussion from ramming head-first into what may as well been a damn mountain. A mountain which he successfully moved, but a mountain none the less. His senses dulled down a fair bit now, which would promptly explain how Braun got the drop on him. One second enjoying the soft touch of his sister, the next Ragon found himself leveled by the hammer that was Braun's fist. A cheap blow to say the least, and from the peaceful stupor the God of Savage Fury was roused to the fight again. Two forces of nature clashed yet again, climaxing in mainly more broken ribs and several more fractures to Ragon's skull.

Truly, this fight would go on for ages, for as Ragon could scarcely harm his brother, every blow that Braun landed was not weakening the Primordial. Rather the opposite, with Ragon adapting slowly-thickening bones in an attempt to evolve to his needs for survival. Still, this only meant a battle that may take a lifetime to end, spared only by the small miracle that Braun finally put two-and-two together. The God of Brotherhood stayed in his good spirit, justifying what he'd done as best he knew. To him, no harm had been done. Ragon did not see it as he did, for Ragon looked at only needs as relative. Also, he had the tendency to be a spiteful bastard. Under the faux impression of simply walking past him, Ragon lashed out with his tail to take out the legs of Braun. Only fair in the end, one dishonorable strike for another. Though this wasn't meant to be the continuation of the fight, a thought soon quelled by the glare Ragon shot Braun as he moved to stand. It wasn't a snarl, a challenging roar. It was cold, serious, and completely deadpan.

"Don't." One word, passed on in both silence and crystal clarity. "Why I Care About Pride? Conquest? These Are Stupid Things, Useless. They Not Needed, Not Help One Live. Don't Need Them. Don't Care About Them." Ragon pointed directly at the face of the Lion on Braun's armor. "And Neither Would He." He spat his words in complete disdain, his tone caring the bitter tinge which now began to pool on his tongue. Blood, gently flowing from a broken tooth. Ragon's tongue snaked and scanned each until he found it, the one fang which had broken from catching Braun's fist in his teeth. His claws pinched down on each side, and with one powerful yank and a sickening sound it pulled free. The small trickle dribbled down his jaw, his tongue curiously searching the soft pulpy flesh within the void until it found the tip of a new fang eager to take it's place. He held the removed tooth up to Braun before casting it into the sand at his feet. "You Want Trophy? There. Take. The Take No More.


Ragon turned to his fellow Gods here, content on gaining their insight. Or he was.... "We Do Not Need To Kill. Animals Kill, Must To.....Live?" Ragon trailed off as he felt the strangest sensation along his foot. The gentle ripple of a wave cast itself over his skin, and Ragon hadn't known this before. Even after his bout with Braun in the shallows, his rage-blanked mind didn't even register any of it. For him, this was the very first time he even noticed the water. He lifted his foot up, before plonking it down slightly deeper. His other foot soon followed straight down with a definable spaloosh! Slowly wading in a little deeper, all thought as to what he was saying completely left him the first time he caught glimpse of movement. His predatory eyes immediately zeroed in on the one glint of silver darting under the waves, his head tracing it's every sudden twitch like a big cat. Slowly he crept forward, leaning in ever so cautiously..... He lunged, a less-than-graceful splash in the deep blue of the ocean waters. Ragon must have been quite the scene, once the mighty and savage beast who parted the clouds with his roars, now thrashing wildly as he struggled to stand with his prize.

His hands cupped together, trapping a small pool within as well as the tiny little silvery minnow he'd caught. His eyes examined it with utter amaze and bewilderment as it darted about in it's limited space. Finally Ragon began trudging back to the shore with the little fish, presenting him of to the one who smelled strongly of the sea. Ulmo, with his hair and robes of the deepest blue, Ragon could really guess no other to be responsible for the oceans and their bounties. "You.... You Make This? You Make Life In Water?"

Braun crouched down casually and plucked his brothers tooth from the sand. As he rose he tossed it up in the air like a child playfully tossing a stone only to catch it again. He eyed his wild brother with a slightly arched eyebrow and a smirk. He'd have to remember that leg sweeping trick in his next bout, it was a fine move indeed. Braun would have told Ragon as such but he did seem truly upset about the death of his lion and did not want to push him further. Whether Ragon was angry with him or not Braun loved him as a brother and the last thing he wanted was to cause him harm. An odd sentiment given the violent battle they'd just been engaged in but for Braun that fight was just a sporting test of strength and skill between brothers. Blood flows and muscles ache but in the end no true harm should ever come from brother to brother.

Braun took a few steps forward standing beside his sister Niuesis yet his gaze drifted over to his brother Sargon and his sister Kiara and took notice of their closeness. The sight made Braun joyful proud of his siblings for they were attempting to conquer that which Braun himself had yet to conquer, the conquest of passion. He wanted to give his brother a sign, some wordless show of support of Sargon's and Kiara's budding conquest of heart and body. Their union or at least the prospect of such a union was something to be celebrated but Braun did not wish to speak on it and upset the tenderness of their moment. So he set his mind to the task. It was then Braun forged a symbol of support between brothers, a sign of agreement and joy for the actions of another.

Braun's eyes met Sargon's and he gave his brother a knowing smile as he extended his fist and lifted his thumb. That look of approval and joy, framed perfectly with the waves behind him, would be one that would always be remembered and linked to the God of Strength and his followers. In the centuries to come his followers, his acolytes and devotees would use this thumbs up as sign of well intended to support to friends, brothers and allies.

He folded his thick arms across his broad chest and turned his gaze to Ragon as the savage god began splashing about in Ulmo's waves. It was actually quite pleasant to see. Braun had been concerned with his brothers mood after his harsh words yet to see him now, pouncing like a playful kitten in the shallow waters, trying to capture that which he saw was heart warming. Braun chuckled warmly as he watched and even went so far as to nudge Niuesis gently as if to tell her to look.

It was then his brother pulled fourth from the shinning blue waters his prize. In cupped hands there was but a tiny pool of water and in it, a single minnow. He crossed the sand and came to stand before the master of the seas and all it held, Ulmo. Ragon presented the small fish to his brother with posed question.

"You.... You Make This? You Make Life In Water?"

Braun's gaze flicked to his brother, curious as to his answer.

Kaira looked to the sea, momentarily distracted by her fruit throwing kin, watching Ragon splash about like a small child. Kaira smiled, somewhat bemused by the God' sudden change in temperament. He splashed about in the shallows of the water, stumbling as he struggled to stand. Ragon emerged from the water with something cupped in his hands. He walked to Ulmo, "You... you make this? You make life in water?"

Kaira felt something brush her wrist. Thinking it was Sargon, she turned to look at him, grateful for a distraction from Braun and Ai's painfully obvious flirting. All she saw was the shadows swirling behind him as he walked away. Kaira frowned, feeling troubled by Sargon's sudden departure. Kaira lifted her hand, wondering what it was that had brushed her arm. Her sleeve fell down slightly and Kaira saw a dark mark on her arm that had not been there before. Curious, Kaira rolled her sleeve further down.

"I have gone east," Kaira whispered, reading the marks on her arm, "There is much I must do. If you ever need me, call to the shadows.Or I will see you in the east at your own time." Kaira looked up, watching her friend as he left them. Part of her wanted to give chase and try to catch up with him but somehow she knew that Sargon needed to be alone to complete his work.

Having been knocked to the ground during the appearance of their bestial sibling, her earlier question appeared to have gone unanswered and on the whole so had she for the most part. With the exception of the largest of them, who made a rather passable seat at best (something she had planned to rectify had she not been so rudely expelled and hammered into the earth), they'd nodded at her and little more.

Despite her passing grumbling at this she waved it off at events being complex, after all they were family, apparently, and perhaps this was how those things worked. Anyways that sounded about right, especially with everyone's attention focused on the brawl going on between the two across this beach. Having dusted herself down again, she picked up a few grains of sand and rubbed them between her fingers, smiling as the slightly oval marble she now held. Placing her hammer on the ground next to her she drew a small circle in the sand around her and filled it with liquid fire, swirling and spiralling around her as she scooped up handfuls of sand in one hand and fire in the other.

She slowly began to shape more marbles, warping their insides into different patterns and images. She glanced over at Ragon and Braun every so often to make sure that their path didn't seem to be in her direction. Scratching her chin for a moment she reached into the fires and pulled out a small chisel and hammer, still glowing warm and sparking slightly before applying them to a small chunk of growing glass by her feet. Her tongue slowly slipped out of the corner of her mouth as she worked, feeling an odd tingle seeming to permeate the world around her, oddly magical though it didn't appear to offer much difference for her work. Once she was satisfied by the sculpture's she'd awoken from the glass she let the tools melt back into the ring of fire, absorbing the flames back into her skin.

Before her on the sand stood the likeness' of Ragon and Braun, each about six inches tall. Almost every detail was there down to the very very faint lines of their skin marred across otherwise smooth surfaces of the glass. Nuri slowly reached down and ran her fingers over them, causing them to glow slightly as she filled them with her flames. As she withdrew her hands the two statues began to re-enact the combat that had resulted in her being thrown here, but where she'd noted they paused these continued instead.

Looking up she noticed that Ragon was now saying something to Ulmo about creatures in the sea while several of their other kin appeared to be wandering off in different directions. Was this meeting truly so brief? She assumed it must be the way of things and was wondering what to do next when she saw the other Goddess who Braun had grabbed when she arrived toying with the sand nearby. Getting to her feet she walked towards Nocte and leaned on the shaft of her hammer as she spoke.

"What were your name again? I diven't remember catching it when he" She paused and nodded towards Braun before continuing "tried to crush us in greeting. But pleasure to meet you all the same" She beamed up at the raven-haired woman.

Ulmo watched the scene before him in alarm as a beast, no, a god appeared to confront Braun. This god was different from the rest of them. While Ulmo and the others took bipedal forms. He frowned slightly as the two began to fight, the beast-god furious and Braun just happy to find himself in another context. Braun does not seem to be the type to think things through the Sea God thought to himself. As they were fighting, Ulmo felt something soft hit him on the back of his head. He turned around.

It appeared to be a youth leading a trope of, what were those creatures? He frowned slightly. They didn't seem to be gods. All his instincts were telling him they weren't. Mortals? The word felt familiar on his tongue, but that was not who they truly were. He tried to name them, but he could not. Instead, he settled on glaring at the creatures and their leader, clearly a deity.

"Recreant Youth. You would do well to learn some manners," Ulmo declared, waving his hand as tentacles of water emerged from the Sea to drag him and the others into the ocean, not so deep that theyd' drown, but not so shallow that they'd injure themselves on the bottom of the Sea. After he was done, he saw that the fight had ceased. The beast-god was examining a fish. He gently took it from him, placing it into the Sea.

"A fish cannot live long outside the waters of its home. Yes, I created these. The Sea was empty and I have taken action to fill it. Yet, it appears that I am not done," he mused.

Time had passed. How much time, Ulmo did not truly know. Time didn't really seem to matter to him as he worked to fill the Sea with life to match and even, in his view, surpass the life he had seen on dry land. The Beast-God, Ragon, had been particularly helpful in creating the predators that inhabited his real. It was fitting, in his view, to have fierce beasts to live beneath the Sea. They kept the numbers of the smaller creatures in check and the supply of prey kept their own numbers in check. Balance.

Of course, the world had many secrets that even he did not know of. There was the realm connected to the physical realm. The physical realm was the realm of mortals. What this word meant, he did not yet know, but he envisioned beings unable to change the world by their own will, but still shape great things with their bare hands. That was what he imagined. The mortal realm was stagnant. It stayed the way it was long after the gods were finished, but in the Realm of the Gods, only will mattered. Ulmo could shape anything simply by willing it, but he needed to maintain it with a portion of his attention, always, something he was finding easier and easier to do as time went on.

He had shared his discovery with the others, of course. They each claimed their own portion as the Realm of infinite, but together, they had created their own meeting place, The Hall of the Gods It was a magnificent place and in its center sat their thrones. Ulmo himself had carved a throne of silver and blue and white marbel, covering it with flora from the Sea which could live on dry land. That was not where they were meeting, though. Rather, in celebation of their efforts, the Gods had gathered together to celebrate with a feast. In a great feasting hall, the gods gathered to celebrate their works and Ulmo sat in his place of honor with a proud smile.

"Our labors are almost at an end, my bretheren. Let us feast, drink, and be merry," he announced, surveying the faces of the gods who had gathered together to celebrate.

Here he was in the Hall of the Immortals, having asked to partake in food and drink. Form the time he met Caelum and Cynn, he has been rather estranged from the Gods. For the most time Baraku has been testing his power. Ever since he first discovered it, he has been anxious to learn more from it. So far he knows he controls the storms over the Realm of Man. A mighty power indeed. Not only that, he can use aspects of the storm. Such as the blinding light and ferocious energy of the lightning bolt. The large, booming sound of thunder. The falling water from the clouds, known as rain. Yet there was more to it.

Not only had he power over storms, but something more dangerous as well. He has forced the winds to move so fiercely they've taken away whole trees and structures. Tornadoes. Like his sister, he has been able to part the earth, albeit it was way too destructive. An Earthquake. Apparently he can control some rather disastrous forces. Therefor a God of Disaster. While pleased over his powers, something just felt empty within him. While he has aware of his growing powers, the times have been left to him, rather lonely.

He has hardly spoken with any of the other Gods. Though some seemed upset over his destruction. He never meant to hurt anyone, he didn't even know the extent of what he could do. Some how he felt a bit excluded from the others. Any other times he's spoken with them, it's been short, simple conversations. So far he has given any of the Gods, real reasons to hate or fear him. Though some may be wary. He's just been finding his way into the world. So far he has been coming closer to that goal. So far he has found a beautiful realm to call his home. Reminiscent of his first days, the place was green and filled with waterfalls. It was as close to a paradise as he could surmise. Yet in this peaceful realm he has made grand structures. Places of meditation and training. He so did enjoy training.

Yet the Storm God has yet to create a race. He felt a bit behind his brothers and sisters. Feeling he may have been too idle. Even thinking of the subject, Baraku gains the strange feeling that something more is behind his thoughts. Neither he nor any of the other gods have seen the demon within him. Yet The Storm God feels a gnawing presence in the back of his mind. Something trying desperately to direct him in some way. Baraku has yet to tap into this. So far he sat at the table, minding his own business. There was food, and he ate, though not with the same voraciousness as Braun. Instead he ate more delicately, yet not without vigor of his own. He quickly chewed and softly swallowed. He decided to remain, viewing the other Gods. Seeing more of the kind of people they are. Something Baraku has some interest.

Sargon stopped as Tywin entered the room. The two locked gazes as they always did when encountering one another, each expecting the other to back down but never falling. Sargon admired his younger brothers will and strength, were he not so arrogant and self centered, he would welcome his brother with open arms. After all, law and order were a respected realm indeed. Instead he found himself steel to steel on many occasions, each hoping to put an end to the other once and for all.

Kiara growled and barred her teeth at the god, she knew her masters hatred of him and showed her own distaste as well.

"Your pets seem intent on their mutual destruction. One would think the Wise Wolf would exert greater control over his pack." Tywin said, his scathing words cold as ice. Tywin turned around to lock eyes with his brother once more.

Sargon let his hand fall from Kairas', his other tightening the grip on his sword "They are not animals Tywin, and I will not have you treat them as little more than play toys," he looked at his brother "They are my creations, my children. As the beings of the sea are Nieuses and Ulmos, and those of the earth are Karkorthi and Ragons'," Sargon walked to the window beside his brother "They write their own destinies, we are here to guide them not to manipulate them. If they chose to war with one another, than that is their choice. One side will prove the victor, and the other will fall in line. As the circle commands it." he looked back at Tywin with a scholding gaze "You would know this if you cared for your own creations, instead of indulging your ego"

Ulmo frowned slightly, noticing Tywin slip away into a room after Sargon and Kaira. He felt for Saragon. To have your creations attempt to wipe out one another was a feeling he could not even begin to comprehend. The Merpeople which he and Niueis created lived in harmony with the Sea. True, they were small in number, but they were long-lived and their cities were something to behold. However, now he decided to check on a creation that each and every god had a hand in.

He left the feasting hall and entered the Throne Room. There, he found a pool of water that allowed the gods to view the Mortal Realm. On land, the gods had created the apex of their creations: Mortal Men. They had each put a part of themselves in these creatures, crafting them in the image of most of the gods save Karkothi and Strach. What Ulmo saw, however, did not please him. The world was in turmoil and there were new gods among them!



"Good, Cain. Very good. You have wrested control of your tribe from your brother. You have proven your strength and power," Nex announced, dressed in black, red, and golden armor. Before him, the human inhabitants of the desert bowed to him with his chosen the only one standing. Cain glared at him from behind his hood.

"I had to kill half my tribe on my own, including my own brother. You forbade my supporters from helping me. You refused to help me yourself! Why?!" he hissed. Nex glared at his chosen and had half a mind to smack him before chuckling. He allowed himself to laugh for a full minute until his chosen interrupted him.

"Answer me!"

"You would do well to remember that a god does not take orders from his follower," Nex told him coldly, causing a little fear to run down Cain's spine. He continued, "I gave you a portion of my own power. I wanted to see if it was a good investment. You did not disappoint. Not at all. I will be the God of Men and you will be their King."

Ulmo

Ulmo reached out with his mind, to every deity, known or unknown. He was furious.

"What is the meaning of this! We agreed to leave mortal men alone!"