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!"