Sargon's Story

There was no mortal shape, no feeling of solidarity or touch, no restrictions. Only a sense of being, of hiding from the light of the sun, shifting as it circled the world. He could hear the whispers of the wind, smell the salt of the water, and sense the presence of the earth below. It was peace, it was bliss, and just like that it was over.

On Ashariels' surface, the largest shadow cast by the sun surged forth. Like flowing river of pure darkness, it shot forth and reeled back upon itself, slowly forming and taking shape. After what seemed like centuries it had taken shape, and slowly it began to peel itself away from the shape. It was slow and careful, like webbing it fell off the form, its sun kissed skin glistening in the suns' rays. The wind pulled the short strands of hair upon his head, and pulled the salt from the water against his skin. He stood there for awhile looking over himself, moving the muscles and rolling the joints he had been given.

A thought itched in the back of his mind, like a whisper, and with a pull of his hand the shadows wrapped themselves around him like flames. Surprise covered his face, and then it was replaced by curiosity. Another whisper, and he raised another hand, the shadows pulled tight to his body and hardened like armor, "Strange" he spoke molding the shadows into armor he felt proud of. Finally he was satisfied, and a smile crossed his face.

Something stalled his happiness however, as an urge pulled him to the center of the continent his feet rested on.

"What is waiting for me?" he said turning to the urge, and without thought he found himself walking towards it.

She was asleep. It had always been so. Like a dreamer, she was unaware of just how long she had been asleep. It could have been an eternity. It could have been an eyeblink. Also like a dreamer, it was in stages that she became aware that she dreamed. An involuntary twitch sent spasms of power all around her; she could feel the solid mass of her bed, her womb, her tomb, heave upwards. She dreamed they formed mountains like the ripples in a blanket that has been kicked.

Restlessly, she rolled, and plains stretched flat and empty. Heaving a sigh carved canyons. Tucking closer into herself dragged valleys deep. Some submitted to the pounding of the distant surf, submerging and disappearing into great ocean chasms forever. Others plowed upwards in defiance, breaking the waves into towering islands. Like something that has been asleep too long, and despite her mightiest struggles to remain suspended in her oblivion, Karkorthi became unwillingly aware.

Rhythm. Constant, drumming rhythm. The waves of the great waters trying with unending assault to drag her back underneath them. And then, after what seemed like eons but could just have easily been moments, the pattern changed. The waves were joined by something else. Steps. Many steps. The signs that she was not alone in this bright place.

Stubbornly, Karkorthi piled her mountains high atop herself and defied the call to wander as Ulmo had done. Snuggled deep in her rock, she only leered out at this new existence that had so rudely forced itself upon her. Stone settled around her and joined its new mistress in silence.

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.

---

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Niueis' deep brown eyes laid on the man that stood below her. His long, deep blue hair blew in the wind much like her own. He did, strangely, look different from her from the distance she was at. She could tell he had nothing to cover his exposed body. His body, strangely, looked different from hers. He clearly had less curves then she did and a more flatter body. He did, however, have more muscle then she had and was much taller. Besides that, he didn't look all too different from her. Her eyebrows knitted in confusion and curiosity as she continued her journey down the hill.

As she finally made her way down the hill, her bare feet slightly sunk on the strange surface she was now feeling. It wasn't like the grass. It was rather much softer and warmer. She instantly found a liking to this new surface below her feet. The water beside her pulled her out of her thoughts as she now could smell the waters air. It didn't quite smell like normal air. It stung her nose at first a bit, but then she quickly got used to the smell. It was almost refreshing. She almost completely forgot about the man in front of her.

She tilted her head to look up into his eyes. Her stood more then a foot taller then herself, her head barely making its way to his chest standing in front of him. She noticed that he wasn't nude at all anymore. Instead, he had somehow developed a blue robe to dress himself. His blue hair wasn't blue like the sky, but was more blue like the ocean. She already suspected that he had some relations to the water. That's when she heard him speak. He spoke just like her. She could understand his question. He spoke in a deeper voice then hers, though. She continued looking at him, answers swimming around in her head.

"I'm..." She barely croaked out. Who was she? Who was he? She didn't know how to answer him but she didn't want the conversation to end like that. They had just met and she was still more curious then ever on where he came from and who he was. She was still curious on who she was. She stood there for awhile in silence as she continued fishing her mind for some sort of name. A name she could give other people and whom they would call her... if she ever finds other... living things.

"I'm...Niueis." The name suddenly came to her head and out of her mouth before she even thought about it. Was she this... Niueis? It sounded a little out of the ordinary... but she somehow liked it. It sounded like it was meant to be her name all along. That it was given to her even before she awoke to this place. It sounded all right to her.

"Who are you?" She asked back, hoping he had a name. What if he didn't know like her? Was he as lost as she was? Were there other people as lost as she was right now? She brushed her long locks out of her eyes with her fingertips to continue looking at the man. Man? Was there a difference between man and woman? She scanned over his body once again with her eyes. It seemed like it. All these new words were coming out of no where into Niueis' mind. Man, woman, person, ocean, land. It all seemed so new to her.. but then again... wasn't.

She turned her head to the ocean that seemed so calm right now. She took little steps over to the water and slowly bent down onto her knees in front of it. She slowly and gently flattened her hand and reached down to touch the strange surface. Was it solid like land? Would it hurt? She felt as her fingers went through the thin and watery surface with ease. Her fingers turned cold from the cold water, but in the mean time, still seemed refreshing. She did not refrain from it and pull her hand back.

Niueis pulled her fingers back to her side once she was done and stood up again on her feet. She turned her body to look at the man once again. "This... water." She said quietly, still unsure if it was actually called "water". "...Is there other living creatures in it? Like us?" She questioned. Was he living? He seemed like it. It also seems like a huge body of water would have some sort of living things in it, too. She couldn't tell.

Her curious eyes scanned the waters until her eyes landed on some sort of...animal was it? The thing was slowly walking down the hill she was walking down. It looked much different then herself and the man beside her, but it still looked somewhat living. It was coming towards them with some others like it around it. Her curious eyes soon turned to questioning and concern. Were these creatures here to hurt them? Rob them of the lives they just gained? She stood still and continued watching the strange pack of creatures.

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."

There was nothing but the sweetest embrace of oblivion. A sense of floating with nothing to do. She listened through the silence and heard the barest whisper calling her. She followed the whisper, the notion of movement getting louder. She felt warmth, a tickle at her back, something solid beneath her. Her eyes opened and she saw colour above her, "Blue..." She whispered. Her eyes widened. Who had made that noise? She sat up quickly looking about her. She felt woozy as she looked around. So many new sensations. Seeing no one around, she figured she must have made that sound.

She held her arms out before her, gazing in wonder at the limbs, the delicacy of her hands. She flexed her fingers marveling at how they moved. She looked down at her legs, tilting her head with curiosity as she saw her feet. What odd little things they were, such small things so far away. She slowly rose to her feet, a little unsteady as she taught herself to walk. The tickling of her back hadn't gone. She felt her back and felt something soft there. She grasped the softness and bought it to her view for inspection. Soft white strands fell through her fingers. When the strands had all fallen through, she grasped them again and pulled. An unpleasant sensation shot through her head. It was attached to her? She made a note not to pull her hair again.

She began to walk, unashamed of her nakedness. Her first steps were awkward and she stumbled, her legs weaker than she would have like. She felt her legs become stronger with each step. Before long, she was walking with confidence and purpose. She found she liked the felling of grass beneath her feet, the way it tickled between her toes. The colours of this new world were so bright, there was beauty all around her. She kept walking, taking in as much of this worlds as she could.

Above the sounds of this new world; the birds, the breeze in the trees, she heard a new noise. It sounded so different, quiet but powerful. She walked towards this new sound, eager to discover its source. She found three figures standing there, none of them naked. She watched from a distance, wondering why these people were not naked as she was. She wanted to be like them. As she wished this, a pale blue robe wrapped itself around her. One of the figures was like her, a little shorter but the same shape. "Woman," She smiled. Another woman. She was not alone. She looked to the two other figures, they were different. They were more angular than she and this woman. "Men?" She murmured. This word seemed right to describe these two figure.

The sound here was louder, that gently powerful sound. She began walking towards the figures by the sea, sensing she belonged with them. They were like her. Why shouldn't she be with them? And the woman was so beautiful. She felt inexplicably drawn to this woman, her aura was so... kind. As she got closer, she noticed that she was taller than the woman, but shorter than the men. Was she taller than all women? Were there any more women? She silently watched as the tallest man stood in front of the woman, as if he were protecting her from the other man and the creatures that followed him. She stood at a distance, content to watch and let the events unfold.

The two beings had continued talking, unaware of the wolves presence for some time. And then suddenly they were caught off guard, they turned to regard the wolves and their approach to them. First with curiosity, then with worry, and finally fear. The women was the first to hold fear in her eyes, and yet the mans held defiance.

The wolves ushered a low growl, a few snapped barks at the two beings. The leader, the large and black muscled wolf, tilted his head to the left and the right barking orders to his kin. The wolves responded almost instantly to its call, a few braking off and circling left, a few to the right. They began to encircle the two beings as they had done on many occasions for food. They snarled and barked, waiting for the two to make a move.

"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," the man said to the leader

The wolf simply tilted its head, after all what could this being do to stop he and his kin. That was when he felt it, the great waves pulling themselves back. This being had some control over the great seas, and was more than prepared to use his will to protect himself and the women.

"It is you who threatens us being" the large wolf spoke clear and fluently. It paced back an forth "Forgive me, we had been unsure of your intentions and had never come across beings as you before" he watched as their faces showed confusion.

"Apologies" the wolf said slowly shifting into its natural form. The fur pulled itself tight revealing the sun kissed skin, and hardened into its obsidian plates.Within a few short seconds, the man who emerged from shadow stood before them, "I believe this form would suit the both of you better?"

A feeling tugged at him this time, not the urge in his mind that these two had caused, but a pull from the soul. His eyes shifted to the distance where he could see another being, a women.

The great beast stalked the forest, left by his creator, the leader of his pride the lion walked alone. It's massive golden head, crowned with the most magnificent mane. It's pawed feet, armed with razor sharp claws that were at the moment carefully retracted to keep them sharp and well maintained. It's muscled body almost hulking in it's size and definition. It's coat, golden as the rays of the sun and impervious to cut or puncture for it was a chosen creation by the great Savage God, He who bore predator and prey. The lion stalked the jungles waiting for the return of it's leader, when a scent caught the beasts nostrils. A low growl rolled fourth from it's maw, large teeth hungered for the flesh of a fresh kill. Claws yearned to tear into fleeing prey, powerful legs ached to give chase.

The hunt began, the beast's head kept low as to gather as much scent as it could. Slowly it crept, large as it was it moved like a shadow through the jungle. It's tuffed tail flicked about behind it in anticipation of the meal to come. The scent was strange. Not bird nor boar, not deer or elk, ape or antelope. No prey the great Lion had ever tasted yet it smelled of power, of strength and might. This would be a hunt, a grand hunt that upon victory the lion would roar out with such force and primal might all would hear it. Even his lord creator would hear his call and echo back with pride.

It stepped out into a clearing, the jungle gave way to rock and stone. The beast stalked further, entering a jungle cave. It followed the scent, saliva dripped from it's giant fangs as the hunger within grew. A light was seen, brighter than any and the power here was palpable. The lion slowed and lowered further, it's form motionless. The predator moved effortlessly with killer intent and there the feline eyes of the great lion of Ragon fell upon his prey.

The gods, each and every one of them were born unto this world and with them they brought power unfathomable. The power of the sea and the crashing waves, the power of death and the absolution of souls, the power of the earth itself and all it's bounty. Yet what they didn't know, what they couldn't know is that they all brought something else as well. Beyond their own private dominions of power their very existence brought unto this world something else. The ideal of brotherhood. That ideal took to the wind and sky, the seas and mountains. It drifted over the world until it found more power to fill itself. The natural formations of this world showed such strength it sparked inspiration in the god seed as it flowed through the world. That strength grew until it could not be contained any further. That power swelled and took form it's first challenge, the first of many trials that would be overcome by the young god. The brother and father, husband and lover who now lived and had yet to live would forever know Him to be their champion. The males of this world would know their hero had arrived, he who would ever be their ideal. Their golden example of all that it meant to be a man. He would embody their strength, their pride, their self sacrifice and their willingness to provide. He would be a teacher, a leader, a brother and friend.

Powerful legs, stronger than any stepped fourth. Hands mightier than the depths of the ocean or the weight of the world reached out. A broad chest, rippling with muscle unbound breathed it's first breath. Eyes kind and warm but with a fire to meet the challenges of this world took in the sights for the first time. He stood in a jungle cave, looking out of an opening that revealed a massive landscape beyond. There was more than a jungle out there. There was rolling grasslands, fields of grain that looked like seas of gold, deserts and mountains, oceans and lakes. All was beautiful, all was mighty.

Then the growl reached his ears, the snarl of the great beast that lurked in the shadows. Braun turned, his eyes locked with that of the massive lion. Feline eyes met goddly eyes and they stared at each other. Wild might versus untapped Goddly strength. A beast whose skin was impenetrable stared now at a being who could walk through molten lava and wring diamonds from coal with but his grip. The lion growled. The God grinned.

"Come fourth then, and test your might."

Braun spoke for the first time, his voice bold and booming with power and limitless strength. The lion pounced, the God charged.



And so it was their fight, their battle of beast versus God, was one that would be told and retold through the ages. The story of Braun's battle with the lion would serve as a legend. The God of Conquest's first conquest. Claws racked across skin that would not break, teeth bit down onto flesh that would not yield. The tales of this first of many trials would be sung through the halls of men and gods alike for centuries. It would be depicted again and again, his first triumph. The God's strength could not be matched, his power unfathomable. The beast was mighty but none could dominate that which is indomitable. And as it is said Braun the Indomitable, felled the great beast and adopted it's skin as a trophy and badge of honor. Both to honor the creature and the might of the god Braun, would wear the skin as clothing atop his broad shoulders and to wrap his massive body.

Now dressed in his cloth made from lion skin Braun stepped out. His blood was warmed, his muscles flexed from the recent exertion, his smile proud and bold. He searched for his brothers and sisters. He walked the earth looking for them. He climbed mountain and descended valley alike. He traversed desert and meadow. Then he found them. His kin, his family. Though they did not yet know it he was their brother. Braun looked now upon them as beasts circled them. Wolves lead by a massive black alpha stalked them with hungry eyes. Braun's looked down to the Lion head mounted on his shoulder and grinned. Battle called him. With powerful legs he leapt into the air, he sailed fourth through the sky eclipsing the sun and for the briefest moment shadow flashed on his kin below. Should have any of them looked up they would have seen a figure falling to earth. At first it would seem as if but a tiny being so far away it was but it rushed toward them and they would stand witness to his arrival.

Braun landed with titanic force enough to rend the earth, to crack stone beneath his power. Knee touching soil and fist to steady Braun rose his gaze with a fiery grin as he looked at the beasts. He rose, so much taller and larger than his kin. His brother of the Sea was almost dwarfed by his hulking kin. His sister seemed so fragile and tiny in comparison but both could have stood a bit taller that day for they both could feel it. They both knew it whether they knew him or not. They would always have a friend, an ally to seek out when life sought to challenge them. When they were in need of a warriors strength or a brothers love they needed only seek him out. He was their brother, to celebrate beside them on their days of joy and to dry their tears on their days of sorrow Braun would always be there for them. From this his first day to his last he would always be there for his family.

And now he stood as he would do so many times in the centuries to come, ready to defend his brothers and sisters from whatever may think to do them harm. Yet to his joy as he landed he saw that the alpha wolf no longer stood as a wolf but a man. In dark black armor he stood strong and proud, another brother. Braun could not help but smile as he extended his arms to all gathered.

"Brothers and sisters, today is a most joyous day! I come fourth thinking to defend my kin yet instead of a battle I find a brother."

Braun let loose a hearty laugh as he stepped forward and put a warm hand on the armored god's shoulder.

"Well met brother, well met! You have the look of a hunter to you, I'd be honored to join you should you ever want to add to your fine pack here."

One of the wolves at his side snarled at Braun but Braun only smiled cheerfully at it.

"There, there pup. We're all one pack here eh?"

Braun turned to his other brother, the one that smelled of the clean salt of the sea and was cloaked in robes as deep and blue as the ocean depths.

"Brother, yours is the might of the sea is it not? Well met, I am honored to embrace you as kin!"

Braun already was proving to have difficulty respecting personal space but with hope his family would not begrudge him too much for his excitement. This was after all their first meeting. He clasped the sea god in a warm embrace, perhaps a little tighter than he should have but he was still getting used to his strength. Braun released his brother after a moment with a warm laugh before turning to his sister and smiling proudly.

"Sister!"

He said as he embraced her as well, considerably more gently yet lifting her up quickly and giving her a small twirl before setting her down with a cheery smile.

"Beauty and grace is yours dearest sister, well met! I fear I shall be beating off your suitors with a club, no?"

Turning to all his kin gathered Braun put his fists on his hips proudly as he puffed out his chest and laughed happily. He was truly happy, so happy he had his family around him, the day was young and the air was clean.

"Today is a fine day, the finest of days! I am Braun, your brother and bid you all greetings!"

Kaira felt an unfamiliar sensation, not entirely pleasant nor completely uncomfortable. The man who had once been a wolf, now clad in dark plates, was looking in her direction. Kaira looked behind her, wondering if another creature was behind her and that was what the man had been looking at. Seeing nothing, she was left with the puzzling thought as to why he was looking at her when no one else present had even noticed her presense.

Kaira smiled when the newest of her kin arrived. Braun's presence dwarfed that of the men. She could sense the sheer power he possessed even from this distance. He would prove a mighty foe for any warrior, yet she somehow knew this man meant her no harm. His voice was loud, a voice to suit a man of his stature. He embraced his brothers warmly, heartily, and was so gentle with the woman among them. Yes, Kaira thought, he was a good man.

Deciding that none of those present meant her any harm, Kaira wandered down the valley towards the ocean, the smell of the air changing slightly as she came closer."Good morrow my friends," She raised her voice as she came near, arms wide in welcome. These people were her kin, she truly belonged with them.

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"No. There is not. I would like your assistance in that, Niuseis," The man, Ulmo, replied to Niueis' question. He wants her assistance? Was she to create life as well for the ocean? No such creatures came to mind at first. She had no idea what the difference was between creatures who roamed the lands and creatures who would soon swim the waters. She was deeply searching her mind for some solution... but her eyes never left the pack of creatures striding towards the two. Her body was completely frozen still and she was about to give a quiet reply to Ulmo before he stepped in front of her.

Her view was now blocked. She could not easily look over Ulmo's shoulder to watch the creatures again. She stepped back soundly, having the feeling that Ulmo was somewhat trying to protect her. Except, she was met with a black wolf behind her. The wolf barked out as her back ran into it's side, and Niueis quickly stepped forwards once again, trying not to hurt the creature in any way. Her eyes searched the wolves whom were now encircling herself and Ulmo. There was no way out now.

That's when her eyes looked up to the side of her, and she saw the other person. A woman... much like herself. The thing that first caught Niueis' attention was her beautiful white hair... which seemed the opposite colour of Niueis' hair. The woman had no clothes on, and didn't seem to mind that she lacked it. She was taller then Niueis, too. She stood about a few inches taller then Niueis with confidence. Niueis immediately wanted to help the woman. She seemed lost, much like everyone else in the beginning.

Her eyes snapped back to the scene unfolding in front of her. She no longer saw a wolf, but a man instead. He was tall, much like Ulmo. He didn't look threatening and Niueis immediately knew that this man must be the leader of these wolves. She took a step forward, positioning herself beside Ulmo, and reached her hand out to the man who was once a wolf a mere second ago. She was offering a hand shake and a greeting... until his attention was brought to the woman Niueis had watched before. The woman with the white hair. Niueis looked at the woman again, too. She was still standing in the same spot she was before.

That's when he came down. A much bigger man seemed to fall from the sky as he landed right beside all of them. The ground shook a little around them as he landed, and Niueis' extended arm snapped back to her side. She almost shrieked out. Not in fear, but in surprise. Although, she didn't want he other Gods to think it was fear. It would make a horrible first impression that she was a fearful one. So, she remained quiet as she looked up at the broad man. This man was very tall. Even taller then Ulmo, which made Niueis look even tinier in size.

She tilted her head up to look at the man. He had a welcoming aura surrounding him. Energetic and cheerful. She watched as he began embracing the two men beside her warmly. He addressed them as his brothers. Niueis began fishing her mind once again. What was a brother? She felt as if she heard it before. Family. It was family. The man was calling them his family. He seemed like a very nice man, not one to hurt or harm.

"Sister!"

The man had called out to her and pulled her into an embrace that she noticed was gentler then how he embraced the men. Niueis became stiff, not knowing how to welcome the man back. She did feel the corners of her lips raise again though, then she felt herself laugh for the first time as she was spun around in a circle then set down. She looked up at him with a smile as he complimented and commented to her. Something about suitors.

The man finally introduced himself as Braun. Her seemed like a friendly man. A brother to her. She was about to introduce herself back when she met eyes with the white-haired woman who had finally made her way down to them. She found the woman was now clothed like the rest of them with a light blue robe. Niueis smiled as she heard the woman address everyone as "friends". She saw the woman's arms go wide, as if she was welcoming an embrace. Niueis was pretty sure that's what it was.

Niueis stepped towards the woman and embraced her just like Braun had done to her. Except, her embrace lacked the spinning part and seemed more gentler. She embraced the woman for a moment until she pulled back. She had found someone else like her. A woman. She wondered if there were others like them. Niueis smiled at the woman in welcoming. "Hello, friend." She greeted the woman. "Do not be shy. Let us introduce ourselves to you." She said softly as she reached to her side and held the woman's hand gently. Niueis felt more excited now... like she was finally finding her home. She gently pulled the woman along with her to her group of newly found friends, not noticing the other tall woman whom just emerged from the trees.

Braun turned with a smile at the woman's voice from behind him. This voice was feminine yet strong and resolute, it held an air of strength to it that Braun respected immediately. To look upon her only confirmed his ears assumptions. Different from the sister he'd already met this one had the look of a warrior to her, proud and noble with a finely crafted blade hanging from her hip. She extended her hands in open greeting to which Braun was all too happy to accept after Niueis finished her own greeting. He stepped forward and met her greeting with his giving her a firm, awkward handshake that just dissolved in a hug.

"Good morrow to you as well sister, it's a pleasure! I am Braun, God of Strength and your brother."

Braun released her, still smiling cheerfully as he took stepped back, his eyes falling on her sword.

"A fine blade you have, a warrior eh? I look forward to fighting at your side sister."

No sooner had he met his second sister had a third approached. This one significantly different from the other two. Where the first was delicately beautiful this one was unabashedly sultry, where the second was noble and proud this one was effortlessly calm and mysterious. She spoke, her voice cool as still water, and gave greetings to him by name.

"Greetings in return sister. My I'm beginning to think the women got all the good looks in the family, eh brothers?"

Braun said jokingly as he casta quick glance at his brothers behind him before he stepped up to give her a warm embrace. They separated and he stepped back, returning his fists to his hips in a relaxed, yet bold stance. His eyebrow furrowed as he noticed something tiny, with eight legs, crawling over his sister's shoulder. He cocked his head as he looked at it curiously.

"You ummm you've got something there. Crawling on your shoulder."

He said pointing at it casually.

The noise of distant chatter only grew more numerous as the Godlings found one another. Beasts spilled forth from Ragon's hand and Life placed her fingers on the world. With a deep sigh of resigned defeat, Karkorthi the sleeper could sleep no longer.

She stirred in her stone and felt it heave and crack. The granite of the earth severed from itself to grant her the granite of her body. Limbs snapped and joints formed, bending to her will as she crafted her own skin. Something to suit her. Something of the earth, deep and hidden, watching from beneath its stones as the oblivious trod upon it. She felt her body become flat and hard, with the legs needed to propel her and suited to dig.

But it was bright, above, and the Beasts of the earth were many. She had seen them, watched them tear each other piecemeal. But she was stone and mountain. Her anger could crush, and the image of that iron grip bent her flesh to her will as two mighty claws bulged before her like shield and club in one. The sharp stone and the deadly bite of the grave loomed over her head, arching longer and coming to a single deadly point. With an experimental twitch, it waved and swayed in an ominous dance; she could feel the ready power.

That bright sun above blazed, finally Karkorthi moved into it. The light kissed her stone, and poured its molten beauty into gold rivulets; winding veins in the sparkling stone chitin. Later - and she felt the weight of the eons ahead of her in that thought - she imagined that she would find something or someone to work more form into those gold splashes. But, for now, the first great scorpion lingered in the sun and was pleased with her new and armored self.

Carrying the rocky earth with her in her very body, Karkorthi picked her way across the world, towards the distant murmurs that had finally coaxed her from slumber. She passed many beasts on the way, but stopped in sight of a particular gathering. These, above all others, she felt kindred to, despite their forms differing wildly from her own. Settling her own many eyes upon them, she knew that she could take their form - as Anansi had done ... and chose not to.

Speaking of crawling, brother Braun...

Curling her great tail over her back in a tight coil, the scorpion descended the grassy hills and moved towards them all on the beach. She didn't like being this close to the pounding waves. They hissed a primal distaste for her, and she for them, but this broad swath of defiant beach was yet neutral territory, even as she picked the one among them - a tall male in a deep blue garb - as the master of those frothing deeps. Ulmo, he had named himself. How she knew that, she couldn't fathom. But it was so.

Finally, the Scorpion stopped, well outside of the circle, lest she seem as threatening as the black wolves that had bore down on them. Slowly, uncertain of an untested voice, she spoke her first with a solid certainty.

"My name is Karkorthi. And I am like you, as you are like me."

Kaira returned Niueis's embrace, feeling a warmth in her soul she had never known before. Was this how being in a family felt? So many questions were to be found in this bizarre new world. Niueis took her by the hand, leading her to the rest of the group. Braun gripped her hand in a firm handshake before dissolving into a nearly bone crushing embrace. Like Niueis, Braun's embrace was warm and kind, though not as gentle as the small Goddess had been.

"Good morrow to you as well sister, it's a pleasure!" His voice boomed, "I am Braun, God of Strength and your brother."

Kaira regarded Braun for a second. How could this giant of a man be anything other than the God of Strength. And her brother... a brother? A family. Kaira realised that her belief that she did belong with these people was right. They were her family, where else could she belong, "I am..." Who was she? "Kaira," The name sounded so unfamiliar yet she knew that was who she was. As she spoke her name, she was became instinctively aware of her Goddesship "I am the Goddess of Loyalty."

Braun smiled widely, his eyes falling to the blade at her hip, "A fine blade you have, a warrior eh? I look forward to fighting at your side sister."

Kaira looked down at the blade. She smiled, "I suppose I am, yes, though I confess I am woefully untested with a blade."

A sixth figure came from the shadows. Another woman, though again she was different from Kaira and Niueis. An air of mystery surrounded this new woman. Anansi, as she introduced herself. As with his other sisters, Braun embraced Anansi warmly. Kaira smiled warmly at the woman, who she supposed would be her sister, not sure if she would appreciate being embraced. Kaira's attention was caught by a giant scorpion crawling towards them. Kaira's hand instinctively reached for her blade. Then the scorpion spoke. A clear voice that demanded respect and held an undeniable air of authority came from the creature, "My name is Karkorthi. And I am like you, as you are like me."

Kaira's hand fell away from her blade and she regarded this new arrival. Karkorthi. She tested the name in her mind. Was Karkorthi another sister to her as well? This world became stranger and stranger by the second.

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."

The shorter women, Niueis, extended her hand to him then, which he took as an act of kindness and greeting. He accepted her hand, and shook it gently, pulling back to regard the man.

"I apologize. You took me by surprise," Ulmo stated, and he could feel the waves relax.

He nodded a greeting "I am..." he did not know his name, until it hit him like a blast of thunder Sargon.

A shadow not his own blotted out the sun, causing Sargon to look up at the hulking figure that plunged to the earth between himself and the other beings. He stepped back, placing his hand on the hilt of his blade. The being plummeted to the earth, and crashed against its surface. He was easily twice his size, and his muscles caused intimidation simply from appearance. At first he sensed hostility from the man, but was soon greeted with warmth and kinship.

"Brothers and sisters, today is a most joyous day! I come fourth thinking to defend my kin yet instead of a battle I find a brother."

Braun let loose a hearty laugh as he stepped forward and put a warm hand on the armored god's shoulder.

"Well met brother, well met! You have the look of a hunter to you, I'd be honored to join you should you ever want to add to your fine pack here."

One of the wolves at his side snarled at Braun but Braun only smiled cheerfully at it. "There, there pup. We're all one pack here eh?"

Sargon turned his head to his wolves, and with a low whistle and nod of his head, they turned. Running back to the forest they came, their mortal forms slowly peeling away and returning to the ethereal form he had birthed them from. There was no hostility here, and their presence was not needed.

"Good morrow my friends," came another voice, this one was rich and sweet, and eased Sargons' soul. He turned to see the women from before. Her strength and beauty catching at his breath. Before he could speak another being approached, causing the earth to shake.

He looked to see a monster, born from the stone itself. "My name is Karkorthi. And I am like you, as you are like me."

It was much to take in at this point, so much had happened in so little time. Yet above all else, Sargon knew he was no longer alone, there were others like him; Ulmo of the Sea, Nieuis of Life, Braun of Strength, Karkorthi of Earth, Anansi of Fate, and finally Kaira of Loyalty.

His brothers and sisters, his kin...

The other immortals began talking among one another, telling tales and describing their gifts, planning their future. Sargon was concerned however with the female that still stood before him, Kaira...

"I am Sargon" he said stepping towards her. She still radiated a beauty and commanding presence he had not seen from the others. She looked at him with kind and caring eyes, with which he met with his own. He came in close to her, no more than a hairs breath away.

He knew not what compelled him to do so, but he reached a hand towards her face slowly. The obsidian slowly falling away in shadowy tatters. Gently his fingers touched her cheek, and a sensation unlike any other racked his soul. Somewhere deep down he knew this women would never harm him, and that he could never do her harm. That she would be his closest kin, his strongest friend, and the one being that would hold all his affection.

And the strangest of things occurred, Sargon smiled....

Braun turned and looked in awe and the being that arrived. Born of stone and granite, iron and gem a mighty lord protector and mother of the earth itself stood. Where the others all stood on two legs Karkorthi stood on eight. Her beautiful armored body glistened with the finest jewels from deep within the earth. Giant pincers larger than Braun's entire body rested causally. While Karkorthi was careful to maintain proper distance Braun had no such notion.

He approached Karkorthi in wonder, wide eyed with an awe struck smile.

"Karkorthi... you are truly a wonder. A spectacular wonder, and you are kin to me?"

Braun stopped before those massive pincers, strange to see him looking small but he did appear small in the presence of the Earth Mother.

"Embrace me then sister!"

He said happily as he grabbed hold of one of her pincers and gave her a large hug fit for the earth itself. Braun released his hold on his sister's pincer with a chuckle as his eyes still were glued to her amazing appearance. Truly his siblings were wonderful indeed in all their shapes and sizes. Then his attention was pulled as his brother Ulmo spoke, introducing himself with his name and his domain before bringing to light the absence of life in his realm and correcting it. He waded into the water and breathed life into it. A magnificent structure of multicolored coral rose up from the sea foam to an audible awe from Braun who looked on. Then plants formed, aquatic plants of many varieties began to form within the waves and coral. Finally creatures spawned, swimming through the blue waters with fin and flipper. Braun stepped out into the water as several fish swam around his big legs making him chuckle heartily. He turned to his brother with a cheery grin.

"Well done brother, well done! Your realm is fascinating. I wonder..."

Braun asked as his eyes drifted to the horizon and what wonders the depths may hold.

"I wonder what else you may create in the vastness of your domain? Something large perhaps?"

He said with a fiery laugh.

"I'd savor the chance to test my might against the sea itself, perhaps a swim across the ocean would be a fine challenge? Or wrestle with a sea monster? That would be fun..."

Braun said as his voice trailed off with his mind giving to imaginations of he and his brother Ulmo locked in glorious battles with giant many headed sea beasts risen from the ocean depths.

His imaginings were cut off when a sultry voice cooed the word brother, calling him to her. Braun turned and he felt his blood warm. A sensuous figure with curves that made his heart race. Braun stepped out of the waves and looked at her in rapt attention.

"Sister?... You are a beautiful one. You are going to get me into trouble I think."

Braun joked with a mischievous chuckle as reached out with his thick arms and brought her in for a warm hug. Braun released her and turned back to his family as a whole. To Sargon and Ulmo, Kaira and Niueis, Karkorthi and Anansai and Ai.

The blue robed man introduced himself as Ulmo, the God of the Sea. She also learned that Niueis was the Goddess of Life. Both the deities were suited to their roles. Ulmo had something unpredictable about him, he was well suited to power of the sea. And Niueis was warm and kind, perfect to bring life to the world. While Ulmo discussed his plan for the seas with Niueis, the final man, who had been quiet until then approached her.

"I am Sargon," He said, as he stood so close to her she could feel the physical warmth of his body. His voice was equally as comforting to Kaira as Niueis's voice, but there was something else there too. Something Kaira did not know the name for. But whatever it was, she liked it.

He reached his hand up, the dark plates melting away as his fingers brushed her cheek. Kaira's eyes widened momentarily. She felt close to this man, not just physically. She had felt a sense of kinship with Braun when he embraced her, but this was different, more intense. Sargon smiled. She liked his smile, he should smile all the time.

Kaira's attention was taken from Sargon as another of her kin made herself know. A dark haired girl stumbled to a halt before her. Kaira was taken aback somewhat by this girl, who had began playing with her hair before skipping over to Niueis. The girl, Ai, seemed to be bundle of energy. She stopped before Braun. Kaira wished she could see Ai's face, for she could certainly see Braun's.

"Sister?... You are a beautiful one," She was, Kaira noticed, "You are going to get me into trouble I think." He embraced her as tightly as he had his other siblings.

"Well," She turned back to Sargon, smiling, "this could be interesting."

---

---

Niueis finally caught a glimpse of the taller being. Anansi. She seemed mysterious and had a rare type of beauty that Niueis couldn't quite explain. She wondered who she was and what her ability was. She didn't look much different from anyone else in the group. She was a woman much like Niueis and Kaira. She seemed to know Braun from the start as they embraced each other. Niueis didn't say anything but instead, watched the woman.

That's when Niueis laid eyes on another creature. A creature that could talk, but looked much different then the rest of the group. She was big, and had an oddly shaped tail. She looked threatening at first, but Niueis soon realized that she would do no harm. She was probably simply trying to find her way in this still unknown world like the rest of them were. Niueis still hadn't gotten used to this new place, but she was pretty sure she would bring herself to like it.

"You are right, Brother. I am Ulmo, God of the Sea," Ulmo said, bringing Niueis out of her own dreamy little world. God of the Sea. It made perfect sense. God of the Sea, Goddess of Loyalty, God of Strength, God of...Wolves and probably much more.

But who was she?

Niueis knew who she was, but not what she was. The Goddess of Life seemed to fit her pretty well. She did just discover that she has the ability to make things live. The Goddess of Life, Reproduction and Rebirth. That was it. She gave things life. She gave new things life... like infants resting in their mothers womb. And Rebirth, those infants being born into the world. That's who she was.

"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," She heard Ulmo announce, and she was immediately listening and watching him. She watched as the waves listened to him and seemed to show off his aura. Her eyes widened as she saw life begin to form under the thin layer of water. New plant forms began to rise under the water. All unique different shapes and sizes. She smiled as she saw some sea creatures swim about under the water. They were all much like the Bluebird she had created earlier in the sky, but only they were under water... and had the ability to breathe under water.

There was a moment of silence before Niueis gave out a round of applause, clapping her hands together loudly at Ulmo's work. She stopped and smiled as she continued looking down at the fish. "That will be good for now. My offer to work with me still stands, Niueis," Ulmo said to her, and Niueis responded with a agreeable nod with her head and a warm smile.

Niueis turned her head to see Anansi striking up a conversation with Karkorathi before she turned into a huge creature that Niueis has never seen. It was even taller then Braun and Anansi now towered over everyone. Niueis stared at the...creature...in confusion. She no longer looked like a woman now.... nor did she look like a man. She was trying to figure out who and what she was as she turned back to her normal form and properly introduced herself.

I am the Spider Goddess of Fate."

Ah...That makes sense.

That's when Niueis spotted the other woman coming down and introducing herself quickly. She seemed cheerful and jumpy, and she soon made her way over to Kaira and commented on how beautiful she was while touching her hair gently. Niueis didn't really know what to think of her at first, but she soon ran over to Niueis. "Such beauty." The woman, Ai, complimented her and touched her face softly. "Thank--" Niueis stuttered before Ai ran off to Anansi. She was sure an energetic one. She soon ran over to Braun and seemed to be instantly attracted to him.

"Sister?... You are a beautiful one. You are going to get me into trouble I think." He chuckled as he looked down at the luscious woman. He quickly gathered her up in his big arms and embraced her like he had done to the rest of the group. Niueis gave out a small laugh as she watched the pair.

"Well," Kaira turned back to Sargon, smiling, "this could be interesting,"

Sargon kept his smile "I would agree" he looked over her body, still naked, he wanted it to stay that way but a part of him knew better "May I?" he moved his fingers quickly, and shadow leaped from beneath her, swirling itself around her in a dazzling display, as if itself was alive. Finally it receded, leaving a gray robe, etched with the imprint of wolves upon Kairas' body.

"There" Sargon smiled "That should keep you comfortable, and still a beauty" He liked seeing her smile, he never wanted her to stop, and he never wanted to leave her side.

He looked to his kin, where Ulmo worked upon the water, dazzling his kin. Ulmo held sway over the seas, and Karkorthi over the earth, but what realms did they govern. When a thought entered his mind, "What are we here to do?" he turned to Kaira and asked her.

Sargon's smile remained, "I would agree," he said as he looked over her body. Kaira was acutely aware that her robe was somewhat flimsy and did not leave much to the imagination. She suddenly felt very naked under Sargon's gaze, "May I?" he asked. Kaira was not sure how to respond, not knowing Sargon's intentions. After a second she nodded, trusting that he would not do anything to hurt her. Sargon moved his fingers quickly and shadows danced around her, settling on her in a more substantial grey robe. Kaira looked carefully at the pattern, seeing wolves etched into the robes.

"There," Sargon's smile seemed to widen, "That should keep you comfortable, and still a beauty." The new robes were certainly more comfortable, warmer too. Kaira felt her cheeks warm when Sargon called her a 'beauty'. She was certain that Niueis and Ai were beautiful, but was she beautiful as well? She was yet to see her own face, so she didn't know what she looked like.

"What are we here to do?" Sargon asked. Kaira turned to watch her siblings. Ulmo ruled the sea, Niueis was responsible for life, Karkorthi had the earth. She was loyalty, she could command life, raise oceans, none of that was in her power, "Guidance. Some of us create, some of us guide. I believe that our purpose is to guide the creations of our siblings the best we can," She turned back to Sargon and gave a shrug, "I may be wrong but I think that is our purpose."