In the Youth of the Gods

Coyotl took the... strawberry from his sisters hand, and devoured it swiftly. It was delicious, sweet, and juicy. Soon his sister's attention was taken by another sibling, and Coyotl picked the bush clean of the fruit, slinking off into the woods unnoticed, with a grin. As he dissappeared from view, he swiftly turned and ran off, dashing through the undergrowth and laughing, happy with his bounty. He started to devour them all, but soon he heard voices of others, and stopped.

"Hmmm." Coyotl thought silently to himself. "I wonder what the others created, if they have anything else to eat." Grinning slyly, Coyotl, put a hand on his stomache, and groaned loadly, walking loudly through the brush, and into the clearing as he exclamed, "Oh! Ooooh! I am so full!" Coyotl moaned, "Surely strawberry is the greatest, most delicious creation yet. The trees and grass I spread are surely fine, but strawberry... strawberry is delicious. If only I had enough to share freely, yet, their supply is limited."

Pretending to notice his siblings for the first time, he composed himself. "Oh, brothers, sisters! What a joy to meet you!" Coyotl grinned widely, a charming grin of shining white teeth, with pointed canines, that was both slightly unnerving, and incredibly likeable. "I see you enjoy my..." searching for a word, Coyotl let one roll of his tongue without more than a bried hesitation, "forest. I am glad, perhaps we can share it together."

Coyotl smiled widely again, pleased to meet his siblings, hoping they would be good friends, and at the same time hoping they would have something new, interesting, perhaps delicious to share with them. He hoped they would be intrigued by the strawberry, and perhaps be willing to make a, trade? Trade felt right. An exhange of goods. Oh, what wonders could his siblings have, and what wonders would they give him for the delicious strawberry?

Exhaustion felt by a god does not manifest itself physically, but mentally. So much had happened to the young god that he needed comfort. Mother would not look at him (or so he thought) and father was not here. His brother's and sisters were still at the beginning of the world where life was rampant and green. He looked out across the desecrated land to the verdant glow where life was plentiful.

His siblings were there exulting in their creations and they had yet to come at him with their condemnation for his deeds. Maybe they didn't know, or maybe they didn't care! This last thought filled the four armed giant with hope. Maybe they understood. He just got so angry and did things that he felt sorry for later. Zaccio looked at his rock stick resting in the corner. He had made something! With a small grunt he hefted the the rough staff in his hands. He would show this to his brothers and sisters, they would like it. He knew they would.

With the staff in hand Zaccio sprinted to the end of his spire and leapt at just the right angle to not hit his head on the top of his room. He was learning. It felt good to know that he no longer had to worry about hurting himself like he did not so long ago when he stepped on a weak outcropping.

As the giant landed just outside of the verdant glow, stepping in puddles of blood, a thought struck him. He had seen the mud creature, with thumbs like him, use the stick to pick up ants and eat them. He could use this... tool too. This time, just before his leap, Zaccio used the staff as a fulcrum and threw himself way beyond his mark. It was exhilarating, fun and frightening at the same time.

Zaccio could hear a small gathering the forest ahead of him. Thinking quickly he wiped most the blood off the staff and onto his kilt, the kilt was already blood red so it wouldn't show.

His siblings creations fled before him, even the trees seemed perturbed by his presence. Zaccio could have forced the creatures to stay with him, but the guilt he felt made him even more menacing it seemed. The grass under his foot began to feel more springy and the trees didn't lean away from him as he got closer to the gathering. Something predatory from the shadows acknowledged him and disappeared before he could see it clearly.

After a short trek, Zaccio found himself near Cern, the brother he knew. Delighted he bellowed, "Cern! Look what I have made!"

With that the giant used his strength to drive his staff into the earth and pull it out again. "I call it tool. It is for... doing stuff."

Silence... nothing but seemingly endless quiet reigned supreme.It was calming, unnerving, frightening, and somewhat surreal, all woven into a blanket that covered the statue. Little would define its features as godly save its near imperfections, the stone grey masterfully crafted... it seemed as if it would move.. it desired it. Longed for it. Demanded it.

Soon, though, seemingly granting its own hidden motives, one hand moved, twitching ever so slightly as the figure rose from its sleeping pose. Its movements took forever, who knows how long the womanly figure tried to stand... days, or perhaps years? Centuries even? Time had little meaning in this strange new world.

"Kayve." its mind spoke, identifying itself in this new world as one hand reached up towards the sky, wondering why mother had left her... Why did she have to leave? What was the meaning of it?

As if answering itself, a single word appeared in her mind, "Daladi" it whispered. Kryave tried to form the words herself, but her stone-like lips failed to move.. her face seemingly frozen. She felt fear, loneliness, but mostly, she felt loss... She had known many things in that other place.

However, desire to do rectify this problem came over her... she wanted company and if she could not have it given to her, she would create it. The question was, with what? She could see things before her feet, small things.. but she did not know their names. However, she saw that they were lacking in likeness to her, with fur,teeth, or hard outer shells.

This was discomforting to Kryave, and they frightened her, and so she ran, the best her heavy body could, away from them, seeking a quiet place of her own. A place away from the frightening things.

As she ran in her fear, the earth crumbled beneath her weight, and she fell into endless darkness, striking the bottom with a loud crash as the earth "quaked" in a mimic to her fear. Debris fell down around her, yet she could not scream or make noise.

Fear, however strong, subsides eventually and Kryave was finally able to focus. Noticing that this area of the dark was lighter than others, the moon reflecting off shining rock. Glowing colors of reds, blues, greens, in millions of hues.

"I like this" she thought, reaching out for the pretty stones, the large stony hands caressing them lovingly. "With these, I will make my companions." a small nod following, "They will be strong and beautiful"

With that goal in mind, she picked a red one, trying to mold it into its shape. It took time and patience to work with it, constantly rubbing it into its shape, and wearing it down with her own hard fingers. She pushed harder into the stone, till her fingers bled, showing some sign of life underneath the stone-like prison. Yet despite pain, she longed to see it move, a love in her heart like none other. It reminded her of her mother... when she would be coddled.

"You will live!" she demanded, but only inside her head, with childish anger and frustration. She wanted it to thrive, to become. To grow. It would exist, and exist wonderfully. Her fingers throbbed from the pain, and despite the hardened face, small tears leaked out of the grey eyes. When this happened, she would wipe them away with those same bloody fingers, bits of red shining on her face.

It was the only way to cure her desire, her lust for life. It was not only because she had begun to deeply love her creation, but that the slowly forming mass of gemstone seemed so much like herself. Life, emotion, freedom from its beautiful cage. Perhaps it was her only way to keep her sanity, her child's mind having no way to temper these feelings with logic.

Laboriously continueing, her arms now covered in red dust mixing with beads of life-water that flowed from inside her, she gave herself no rest. Soon though, she would have to let herself slumber, but a selfish feeling overcame her. It was her's and what if when she was sleeping, something came to harm it?

She would not risk such a fate, and she worked harder. Her body felt great as if chains had been put on them, and strong forces pulling against them, defying her.

It was these feelings, and these feelings alone that kept her going, rubbing the raw stone into its final shape...

The little ruby colored creature moved about, walking on two well defined legs, very complex and shapely, with very womanly curves. Its face was pointed, detailed beyond the works of normal figures. It had hair that sparkled, one seemingly powdery mix formed of the gem-stone powder born of Kryave's mighty effort. Its eyes were soft, lovingly made at the cost of her makes nails, for so much had they been pushed against the surface that they had long since been eaten away.

Its body was beautiful, and it danced gracefully, trying out its movement as it laughed, filled with joy at its amazing self. Its slender female arms clasped onto its makers tired and bloodied arms, holding on tightly like most newborns.

Kryave, for the first time in her stone-like existence, felt the edges of her mouth twitch and crumble slightly as it moved into a proud smile. Maybe... just maybe, one day she would be like the dancer she had given life to. Able to shine more than the rest.. and she would be able to move with her little gemstone figure. "That is what I will call your kind," she thought, "You will be my Dancers."

Cuddling close, and feeling her first true moment of warmth far away from home, she rested, protectively curled around her new "Dancer." Much like Mother had done for all of her children.

Deep in the darkness, as Zotikos paused a moment to take in the view before him, a glassy black lake in a cavern so vast that the ceiling could not be see in the gloom. Inhaling the child plopped to the ground, his eyes wide with amazement. It was wondrous. The nightmare shadows flowed and swirled, drifting across the water vanishing against the great inky blackness. The six little daemons ran as a pack along the shore, their little glowing eyes flickering as they explored what they had found. Sitting Zotikos felt a great peace wash over him. His mind wandering as he felt his body relax, when a scurrying sound behind caused him to leap to his feet. His body taut as he cast about to see who dare invade his home. At first he did not see it until a squeak filled his ears. Then he spotted it, a small, nay a tiny creature covered in...fur and it seemed to be talking to him. Kneeling so he could see the mouse better, the boy reached a hand out and poke at the creature. Another squeak echoed in the cavern. Kneeling He scooped the mouse up in his hands and lifted it to his face, as he did he felt his sister Aislinn, felt her life within the creature. Rocking back on his haunches he closed his eyes and nuzzled the tiny creature.

Gently sitting Zotikos began thinking of his sister, her face, her smell as it wafted from the mouse. As he did so the shadows on the lake began to blend. Then as the child slumped back in a dream state, the little mouse laying on his chest as the shadows shot away from the lake at the speed of thought. Darting, twisting racing though the massive labyrinth of tunnels they wound their way towards Aislinnn at the behest of their master. Find a minute crack in the earth caused by the hammering of Zaccio in his fit of rage, the nightmares raced upward towards the gathered godlings. Headlong they rushed, driven by the energies of their mast, driven by the desire of Zotikos to see his sister again. As the darkness erupted from the crack the sudden glaring brightness caused the shadows to shriek in pain, echoed by the horrific roar that Zotikos raged in his fitful slumber. The little mouse crawled on to his shoulder, the darting nose near his ear as the mouse whispered that all would be fine, he was safe for Aislinn had sent mouse to him. With that the boy's body slowly relaxed and once again he focused on hi sister. Uncoiling themselves the shadows dropped to the grass covered lands and raced forward as a carpet of darkness, seeking the one with white hair and draped in blue cloth.

Finally the shadows found her astride a large creature, accompanied by other beasts, speaking to others presumably brothers. In an instant the shadows swirled around the girl and bear, then dissipated into the green growth before slowly forming into facsimile of Zotikos rising from the ground before her. “Greetings sister I have received your gift and I am touched.” The shadow shape roiled around trying to maintain its form in the harsh light of day. Slowly turning the shadow form of Zotikos faced the godlings and said hollowly, “Greetings I am Zotikos and I am your brother.” With that the shadows, unable to retain form dissipated back into the ground and raced for their master having delivered the message.

Slowly waking the boy looked at mouse and smiled, “I shall always cherish you mouse for you are a gift from the world above.”

Much had changed since Gorta had last made a trek across the surface of Daladi. The great worm could still see the wondrous snaking trails it had cut into the rocky façade under the dim light of the ever watching eye. Looking skyward it began to search for the scrutinizing object once held suspended among the shimmering speckles of light within the deep cyan canopy behind them. Much of the details seemed to have faded from its memory as it struggled to pick up the perceived images in the midst of the white billowing masses that held them captive. The backdrop was now illuminated in brilliant splendor with beams of warm light that far surpassed the original radiance that burned in the darkness.

The radical changes above the surface reached out displaying a series of alterations that transformed its facade as well. A lust green covering now spread as far as the eye could see to either side of the life giving rivers Gorta had unexpectedly released. Springing up from the vast green masses were taller groupings of colorful flora sheltered from the heat of the brilliant globe in the sky by oversized clusters of green life held up to the heavens on outstretched armatures of wood. Within the confines of this new creation it was able to catch glimpses of movement dancing across the cool damp forest floor. Curiosity had been peeked crawling its way from the quenching waters that surrounded the lethargic worm as its feet settled atop the soft green carpet that now covered the rock.

"Brothers and sisters had been busy." It noted randomly taking a sampling of the moist stalks underfoot.


The lazy young godling had no desire to construct as the others had demonstrated. The only real thought that inspired Gorta was to appraise the quality of the new feast presented before it. One by one the gluttonous grub sampled the new creations of its siblings. Farther and farther it ventured consuming all in its path. The blazing hot brilliance from above slowly began to bubble the worm’s yellowish epidermis as it traveled oblivious to the wound .The sweet aroma of the viscous liquid that rose to the damaged membrane’s surface was enough to attract the attention of one of the siblings constructs. The simple winged creatures arrived in great numbers crawling across the exposed flesh , feeding upon it nourishing fluids that oozed from within the godling’s cracked shell.

With every drifting step he took, the world grew ever more lush and verdant. Flowers bloomed, fruits swelling in the treetops, birds and animals barely visible as they flickered through the trees, their calls ringing out. Despite the chaos of life around him, Alea was in no hurry. His siblings seemed content to create, to place their stamps on this world. He had already done so, the mountains at his back testament to both a god and a land in turmoil, and he had no wish to make anything further.

Instead, as yet more life was brought to this plane, a new awareness was unfolding inside Alea's mind. Exploring fingers reached out, running over the rough bark of a nearby tree, recoiling in alarm as his consciousness expanded. Images, past and present, ran across his eyes; of sapling and seed, a far cry from the oak that it was now, its trunk so thick his arms wouldnt reach round it. He blinked, and another wave assaulted his mind, moving through each other faster and faster, the passing of time, of sun, rain and snow. So fast was it that day and night blurred into each other, turning the sky in his mind a murky grey behind the tree as its leaves turned russet, then fell from the branches.

A gasp escaped his lips as again the pictures changed even faster, leaves curling in on each other, falling and then regrowing nigh on instantly. All at once, the images froze, the tree, once so mighty, lying broken in the dirt, its trunk shattered, the sky behind a raging storm. Eyes wide, Alea took a step back, hands raising to his lips. There was no doubt in his head. The tree in his mind had been this tree. They looked the same, but more than that, he had felt it. He knew.

Dazed, he moved through the forest like a ghost, arms outstretched, fingertips grazing across everything. Wave after wave of pictures flew through his head, a constant stream of life, and of death. So entranced by this sight was he that he didnt see the animal that stood in his path until he was right on top of it.

The rabbit cocked its head as he approached, but the creature had no reason to know fear. It and its kindred had never been hunted, and the boy walking towards it felt something like the other that had given them life. Instead of running, the rabbit simply sat and stared at this strange child as he stumbled through the forest, his eyes glazed, only hopping back a step once it was clear Alea would not stop.

Broken from his daydreams by the movement, Alea stared down at the animal and the rabbit stared back, its gaze curious, unafraid, perhaps even challenging. Crouching, Alea extended a hand towards it, stopping six inches from its face, a gentle murmur passing his lips. After a few seconds, the rabbit took a shuffling hop closer, nose twitching, eying his fingers with suspicion, then extended its head and sniffed them, its muzzle brushing against his skin.

The force of memories rushing into his head knocked Alea on his back, and for a moment he just laid in the dirt, left eye twitching, the startled rabbit running several feet away. Unbidden, hot tears sprang to his eyes, running down his cheeks as he pushed himself to his feet, turning to face the rabbit once more. He shook his head, but the image remained, burned into his minds eye, of the poor rabbit breathing its last in the mouth of wolf, only three moons from now.

Wiping the tears from his face, Alea took a step closer to the creature, determination rising. If his brothers could change this world, then so would he. Reaching down with his tear stained hand, Alea dove fully into the memories in his head, searching. He soon found what he wanted, the key point where rabbit would make a fateful turn, running into a shaded clearing, almost straight into the jaws of wolf. From that moment, its destiny was sealed.

With the face of the rabbit reflecting in his eyes, Alea touched it on the nose, his fingers leaving a glittering trace of tears, and smiled. Inside his mind, the picture changed, the rabbit turning away from the clearing, heading in completely the opposite direction, and the tableu of its life spooled outwards, filling his head with images once more.

Light headed, he watched the creature turn from him, its steps unsteady. His own full of joy, Alea almost ran through the forest, skidding through a screen of bushes, finding two of his sisters in front of him. One, she who painted the sky, stood holding a berry of deep crimson towards the other, a tiny, red haired youth. In the light of his awakened sight, both their forms were surrounded by a halo of shimmering colour, and he gaped at the beauty of it.

Catching himself, Alea stood to his full height, a gentle smile playing across his lips as the first true words he'd ever spoken crossed them.

"Hello, my sisters. I am Alea."

As the goddess Kryave slept, her large stone form lovingly wrapped around the red gemstone figure, she breathed deeply, finding true peace in this moment.

The new creation, however, was not. Life strives constantly to break free of its bonds, and the urge to explore, to see, to create things of its own, filled it. Call it instinct, or perhaps a desire to be much like the goddess who had created it. Kryave had not only given life to this creature, but inspired it, forming intelligence. The deep innate lust for knowledge and creativity.

Squirming free of her creators hold, it wandered its surroundings, taking pleasure in the mineral rich earth that had formed it. The dull glows matching the magma that seeped from parts of the walls and made small trickles, and to the creation it seemed like mighty rivers. It looked at its own beautifully formed hands, finding itself the same as the earth.

Touching one large crystal, of a similar color to its own, its tiny body shook as it pounded its hands against it, again and again. It was created, and this was not what she wanted. She was not a mere tool for someone else, but...

Sinking to its perfectly formed knees, it stayed. Regret filled it. Why shouldn't she appreciate the life she was given? The Grey Earthen Mother had spent a long time making her. Clearly she was special, unique. She was the only one of her kind.

This realization sparked a feeling. Pride. She was beautiful and lovely. More so than the crystal or the flowing rivers of glowing molten rock. It made her happy, and with this she continued her exploration, noticing that there was a part of their world that was dark. Very few gemstones or magma there.

The little figure traveled, its journey long and difficult due to its size. Having not the feelings of exhaustion or hunger, the creature was merely delayed, more so than stopped by this problem.

It grew more difficult to see now, and the darkness around her seemed to move. Every little sound caused her to jump. She wanted to go away from the place. Her tiny legs shook, each step was cautious. Its pace only slowed, but was not stopped, and with this, the gemstone creation had learned not only of fear, but of courage.

These "feelings" were strange and difficult to understand in every way. Yet they were apart of her. Perhaps the only thing that was truly hers. She disliked them, and yet... longed for them. Her thoughts were dizzying and complex, frightening and yet enlightening, towards some long goal that she did not yet understand. Yet she longed for this knowledge.

She heard the sound of dripping, and stopped to listen, not knowing yet of "water" and the sound it made. Here it was so dark, the only light coming from the bits of lava that creaked from the walls and reflected slightly off her surface, causing her to glow in a mimic of the color, but very dulled and hardly noticeable in the swirling shadows.

Vaporous. Sinister. Terrifying.. The nightmares darted and swarmed around the new creature. Blending with the inherent darkness of the underworld, shading the angry glow of the lava, drifting ominously over the black lake. Something had come into their realm, something small like the Daemons, but not made by the hands of Zotikos. Not this was created by another. One who held the lingering scent of of the great parents, the same scent that Zotikos carried. Obfuscated by the dementia that surrounded the creature, tiny points of ocher light peered with curiosity towards the form. Soon the Daemons had formed a semi-circle around the thing, staying away as their brethren contained it with their manic dread.

Zotikos noticed the disturbance by the nightmares and cast his eyes towards them, spotting the diminutive form within. Curious he stood, placing mouse on his shoulder. Creeping slowly forward he stopped a short distance from the little figure. It reminded him of his sister Aislinn. Was this another of her creations? Rising he bound towards it, the small Daemons rising from their hiding spots and advancing as well. Landing before the creature, the boy inhaled deeply then paused. It held a sent, it was a sister, but not Aislinn. It carried with it slightly different odor, a musk that was not like those of the world above. Crouching down before the female creature Zotikos smiled a toothy grin, his wicked teeth glinted in the reflected light. “Hello little one. Where have you come from?”

Around her the nightmares coalescing into semi-solid forms, frightful, maddening forms. The Daemons hopped and stamped their tiny feet, their yellow eyes blazed with a malignant light, their sly grins exposed their sharp teeth. Clawed hands flexed instinctively as they hunched down around the form before them.

“I am Zotikos, which of my lovely sisters has given birth to your form? Do you speak little one?” The boy said as he leaned forward, the light from his eyes bathed the crystalline figure completely in a dazzling yellow glow.

The little creature shuffled in near panic as the dark seemed to swirl around her, little things moving in it barely noticeable in the near dark, sometimes invisible completely until they made little noises, the brandishing of tiny claws. The constant clicking of their razor sharp teeth.

It thought of running, but logic took over. It was surrounded and had no chance of escape from these things. They would kill her-

“Hello little one. Where have you come from?”

The little figure looked around in the darkness, trying to find the source of this sound. It.. meant something. Something she didn't quite understand just yet. It was only from the tone that she discovered it was not aggressive. Still searching, she saw it now, a short distance away and crouching, huge teeth near her and she jumped, considering running again unable to think.


“I am Zotikos, which of my lovely sisters has given birth to your form? Do you speak little one?” The boy said as he leaned forward, the light from his eyes bathed the crystalline figure completely in a dazzling yellow glow.

The light was oddly comforting comparing the dark around her, and the voice was relatively nice. Their meaning was slowly working their way into her... She tried to imitate the movements of the mouth, forming gibberish for moments from a combination of fear and trying to practice this new way of communication. "I.. I" she stammered, trying to form the sentence. "K...Kryave" she said, unable to string words together eloquently, but trying very hard to, her face riddled in concentration. The sound of her voice was like a small hum, the sound like when you rub your fingers upon wet crystal glass.

"Never spoke." she stated, still shaking from partial fear. She would never, ever, leave her cave again, she swore.

Jhera came to land with a soft thump on the grassy surface. It gave, slightly, under his feet, wet soil and grass sinking pleasingly; he delighted in sensation – the feel of the wind across his skin and through his pinions, the hot rays of the sun bathing him in heat and light, the ringing sound of his firebirds’ calls in his ears, all of it.

This forest was, in some ways, much more pleasant than his own – there were fewer plants, the trees standing tall and unfettered by webworks of lianas and clinging vines, letting light filter pleasingly down through their soughing leaves, shifting in the breeze. On the other hand...where were the burning colours, the pulsing, fire-driven immediacy, the heady scents?

His own place was far, far different, that much was certain. Nonetheless, this patch of Daladi, gentled by his brothers’ and sisters’ powers, had a charm all of its own, and he wandered through the greensward with a smile, careful not to snag or tear anything.

The firebirds circled him, high overhead, celebrating their creation and the sun with profligate displays, sending rainbow fires burning across the sky. He looked up and laughed, watching the colours swirl and boil silently, high overhead, and almost walked into one of his siblings; he recovered just in time, sitting down heavily in his surprise.

He squinted up from under golden locks at the figure he’d nearly careered into. “I remember you!” he said happily. “I saw you climbing the first mountain, back when the sky was empty of everything but Mother. Have you made anything interesting?”

He looked past his brother – Alea – to his sisters. One of them had the same sense about her that the skies had had when they were painted, and his smile faltered slightly. “Sister,” he called, somewhat less stridently. “I’m afraid I borrowed some of your clouds; I hope you don’t mind.”

Cern muttered softly to himself, as he stood up and stepped out of the bush he was hiding in. Everything had been going smoothly until his cheery, winged brother had shown up. Their sisters had nearly come close enough that he could have jumped out and scared them, like he had been doing to the animals in the forest (he had given up on throwing rocks for the moment, feeling that a scolding was better then killing another one of his sibling's creations, even if his mistake had been delicious). His mood didn't improve much when Cycnus appeared, which wasn't to say that he disliked his brother but it was simply that he was once again surrounded by his kin that could fly and that pang of jealousy fluttered in his heart again. This did get better with the arrival of Zaccio, brandishing his tool.

Now, as was said before the young godling was avoiding actions that would kill another of his sibling's creations however he couldn't help thinking about it. Every time had scared the smaller animals in the forest, he knew for a fact that it would have been easy to grab them or hit them with a rock and then he'd get to see if they tasted as good as Rabbit had. Now, as he looked over the stone shaft his brother had created, he couldn't help but think that with the tool, he could bring down some of the larger animals with it. Animals like deer or boar, or any of those too big for a simple throwing stone to take down. In fact he was so engaged with such thoughts, he missed the arrival of a few more siblings.

"I like it" said Cern, looking over at the multi-armed giant, "What kinda of stuff can you do with it?"

Cycnus felt a pang of anger at being so easily blown off and ignored,though he had no idea what the feeling was,all he knew was that he detested,and liked it all at the same time. The shadows around him deepened and a small growl escape his pale lips,but then,after a moment's consideration,he realized it didn't really matter all that much.
He truly had no idea what the foliage around him was,or what purpose it served,only that he could tell he had need of it,and whether he had their permission to borrow some or not was one of his concerns.

A hard look glinting in his void-like eyes he turned and reached a clawed hand forward and snatched what he thought would be useful too him.

"I hope I get to see and speak with you all again soon my brethren...",Cycnus said,his raspy voice echoing forth like a cold whisper.

And with that he leaped back into the air and with a tremendous thrust of his wings,shot out of the wooded area,leaving trees rustling and shaking as his shadowed form departed.
As he flew over the now almost unrecognizable terrain he tilted his gaunt head up towards the sky and muttered a curse,for the sun was still in the air and it's touch hurt his eyes and made his skin more uncomfortable.It took a moment of concentration and willpower to call the shadows too him and keep his pale flesh safe from the damnable rays of the sun,but he knew he ultimately need not fear them.

His black eyes roamed across the landscape as he gripped the much needed flora in his left hand,his thoughts wandering about why the others seemed to simply over look him,or why they were here to begin with,and was just about to come to the realization that it didn't matter before something curious caught his eye.

He watched as a large,tan colored animal rushed forward and attacked a slightly smaller,brown animal. He had no idea what either were,only that the power and ferocity of the larger one impressed him,and the sight of the brown animal being torn and bitten by claw and fang sent a shiver of delight down his spine.He stopped in his journey to watch this act of hunting and killing and could only grin as the brown animal screamed in agony.
After all was done he made his way forth and the tan animal regarded him with a fearful eye,but growled it's challenge too him.

Die.

The word came too his mind unbidden and he extended his clawed hands towards the beautiful beast and muttered this word that seemed so important and holy too him.

"Die."

And with that the animal's head slumped and then it's whole body sagged too the ground.This sent a rush of exhilaration through his entire being and he smiled in delight once more as he made his way forward and picked the dead animal up.

"I can use you...",Cycnus whispered gently,as if talking to a baby.

He then leaped back into the air,and flew back too his small,black pool where the lovely serpents and insect still slowly trickled forth,and what was this?
His original serpent had come back,with no less than two others of it's kind.

"That's enough!",he shouted to the murky pool and instantly the vermin ceased pouring from it's depths,"And you,my lovely creation have come home as bidden,good,I need one of your smaller kin there."

Without waiting for a response Cycnus cast the flora from his hands and into the water,mentally bidding it to begin it's work,as his now free hand snapped forward and throttled the largest of the two serpents.
Wrestling it down,he began working as all around him his holy blood and the stolen flora began to work together.

For an untold amount of time Cycnus worked,sending more of his minions to strike death and bring him back what he need while he toiled away as a marsh,stretching for uncounted miles in all directions took form around him and began to flourish with all the creatures his divine blood had giving birth too.

The only distraction seemed to come when something died somewhere in their blossoming world,for each time one did he could feel it keenly in his mind,the death and their pain was consuming him as his work was consuming him,he had no idea why he felt the connection,but every time he felt it,a jagged smile crawled across his face,and he felt the shadow around him darken.

Zaccio liked Cern. Not only was he the first brother Zaccio met, but he didn't seem to upset about the blood or what it might mean. The giant took a slwo look around and whispered. "I broke a mud creature with it, and it's the strongest thing besides me I have seen yet."

The four armed godling was starting to forget the guilt as he spoke with Cern, looking back on the whole incident with the mud creatures; he quite enjoyed getting angry and breaking things. He liked the thrill, he liked the pounding in his head and fists clenched so hard they hurt. As Zaccio came to terms with his actions the end of the world became smaller and smaller, until only the spire stood in tribute to his actions. The mud and clay at the base of the spire was a deep red, almost unnatural.

Zaccio came back to his senses and grinned at Cern. "Here! I can make another."

With that he handed off the staff and patted his brother on the back with a good natured smile. Zaccio still felt the anger, ever present in his gut. A literal fire of hate and reaction. But he found that spending time with his brother, someone he could relate to, that his anger was abated.

After releasing the staff, and leaving Cern to his own devices, Zaccio felt that he did not like the staff. It didn't fit well in his grasp. He began to imagine using other things as tools and came up with a few surprisingly creative ideas when he noticed that there was a strange sound filling the air, it put him in mind of mother and helped him rest.

The little crystalline being spoke. A haunting melody of lilting tones. Leaning forward Zotikos tapped the little creature a moment with a long, talon. The tink-tink echoed in the gloom.  "I.. I" she stammered, trying to form the sentence. "K...Kryave" she said. Rocking back on his haunches the boy cackled as the little figure spoke. His eyes blazed eerily in the gloom, his teeth seemed to grow as the smile increased. “I don't know this sister of mine, however little one I suspect she is close by?” Zotikos queried as he glanced to his little daemons and nightmares. With a subtle nod the shifting shadows fluttered and flowed away , racing through the gloom down one tunnel after another seeking the goddess Kryave.

Hopping up he spun around and slashed at the wall causing a cascade of glassy stone to shower the area, as he did so he growled behind him, “Follow me little one, I wish to see the clarity of my sisters creation in a better light.” Treading away slowly, his hooves causing an echoing, hollow sound that seemed to grow with every step until it reverberated as a thunder clap in the massive cavern. The hopping and scrambling daemons followed behind the crystal being, close enough to examine it but far enough away to be out of reach should it attack.

Swarming, swirling spinning the nightmares raced heedlessly through the darkness seeking anything other than the gloom, anything else that might be here. They intertwined and separated into grotesque creatures, malefic horrors born of the twisted mind of Zotikos. Seeking his sister Kryave, creator of the little crystal being.

At first, Aislinn was startled by the dark shadowed that suddenly appeared before her, but her surprise soon became delight as they took the shape of her brother Zotikos. He liked mouse she thought happily with the zeal of a child whose cleverness had been appreciated. She wondered briefly if her brother had too been able to make creatures likes she’d made mouse, or if he’d made such marvels as the green stuff she so liked, or the colors in the sky that had been painted over mother.

“I am happy you like mouse! Your dark motes are too very impressive.” Aislinn complimented, while wolf, howled happily beside her as id he sensed the presence of the being that inspired his creation. “Wolf too wishes to see you again. I thought of you as I made him.” Aislinn explained to the shadow Zotikos, but even as she spoke, his form was withering away in the light until it was gone. Aislinn suddenly felt very alone once again, despite the number of her brothers who remained in the clearing, for they had paid her greeting no mind, and her favorite brother had been forced to leave. Hollow, that was the word she chose for this feeling. She did not like it, and was determined to see it gone.

But she did not know how to make it leave, for though she loved her companions wolf and bear, she longed for the companionship of her siblings as well. Zotikos was the only brother she was well acquainted with, but he, for whatever reason, could not bare the light, and could not come to see her, and she likewise did not know where to find him. Aislinn stared moodily at the green stuff…trees, and noticed that they bared some of the light from the sky and made shadows of their own, dark motes like her brother’s, though they did not move like his did. For a moment she wondered if she could make many trees all tall, thick and lush enough, might they bar enough light that Zotikos could come and play with her?

She wished to try, and would once she could make more clay, but for the moment, she would try to speak to her other brothers again. Walking tentatively up with wolf at her heels to two of her brothers, one large with many arms, and one with feet almost like Zotikos, as the marveled at a large long thing. Aislinn was underwhelmed, as it did not seem to her beautiful or mesmerizing, and it held not life. It also made wolf nervous, though she did not know why. She decided she did not like the long thing, it seemed so…crude, but she would not tell her brother this, for at the moment it appeared all he could make.

“I am Aislinn brothers, do you too like these green stuff, these…trees? I would like to make more.” She said confidently inserting herself into there conversation, in hopes they may speak to her too.

"Brother..."

Alea's smile broadened as his sister turned to face him, her words welcoming, if hesitant, a smile wide across her own face.

She gestured him closer, reaching out to the vines that surrounded her, the fruits upon it blossoming into ripeness as her hand moved closer. Plucking one from the bush with graceful fingers, Milekia offered it towards him, urging him to eat it? These creations were for eating?

No confusion showing on his face, Alea reached out his own hand and took the berry, letting his fingers brush the most infinitismal amount against Milekia's own. Instantly, his awareness opened with a force that made those that had come before it seem like nothing, a burst of information so complex and intertwining that his head cried out in pain. Stumbling back a step, Alea stared at his sister, his chest rising and falling as he tried to make sense of what he'd seen. Her past, that had been easy, a straight line since her birth, simple and obvious, but from the present her choices flared out so widely, so chaotically, crossing over and curling round each other in ways that he simply could not follow, it was impossible to see what exactly her future held.

Something dripped from his fingers, spattering a wide leaf below, and he turned his gaze from Milekia to the mangled berry in his hand, fingers stained cherry red with juice. The barest hint of a frown tugged at his lips as he looked down at his sisters creation, and the mess he'd made of it. Shrugging, he raised his hand and put the strawberry in his mouth.

A wave of pleasure flooded his mouth as, for the first time, he tasted. He did not chew, for he didnt know he was supposed to, simply stood there as the sweet nectar of the strawberry ran over his tongue, sending shivers of pleasure up his spine. Footsteps behind him announced the arrival of another of his brothers, Alea turning just as the new arrival, Jhera, realised where he was, catching himself moments before they collided. Falling back in suprise, the boy stared up at Alea, good humour plastered across his face, and spoke.

“I remember you!I saw you climbing the first mountain, back when the sky was empty of everything but Mother. Have you made anything interesting?”

Returning the smile, Alea reached up and pointed to his mouth, a thin trail of red running from the corner of it. "Sweet!" He said, caring nothing in that moment for dignity or grace. Apparently satisfied with this ridiculous answer, Jhera looked past him at Milekia, asking of her, and Alea began to chew, savouring every new taste each second brought.

Finally swallowing, he turned back to Jhera, folding down until he was sitting next to the boy, eyeing his wings with interest. "I am Alea. I saw you fly, when I was trying to reach Mother." His eyes moved skywards again, a hint of longing somehow visible deep in the featureless silver, then turned back to face Jhera. "I have made little. The tower I made fell. Since I have walked amongst creation. What have you made, Brother, beside the sky?"

A second later, an idea struck him and his eyes lit up, the words tumbling from his mouth, one arm gesturing at the still growing vines. "Our sister has made tasty things. You should try one!" Turning to face Milekia again, Alea grinned, leaving a question hanging in the air.

"Can I have another one?"

Coyotl felt scorned. He didn't know the word for it yet, but he felt it burning in his gut, as his brothers ignored him. And he had offered them strawberries! Stolen strawberries, for a price perhaps... but Coyotl saw no wrong in that. Yet he felt anger for the first time as his brothers continued to leave him out, not even taking note of him. Dropping the fruit to the ground, they no longer tasted sweet in his mouth, he swiftly climbed up one of the trees he had created, that now covered the land. They all loved his creations, they all wished to use them. Yet they cared nothing for him, and gave no fair trade in exchange. Well if they didn't wish to trade, he would merely take.

Sitting in the top branches of his first and greatest tree Coyotl howled again, a song of greed, and jealousy, a wish to have all, to lose nothing, to take and give naught in return. When he could howl no longer, he inhaled sharply, and as he did, trees bent in the wind, rocks lifted from the ground, and all manner of creation began to swarm towards Coyotl's gaping maw. In went bits of earth, and plant, in went creatures by the handful, and light from the moon and the sun and the stars of father himself. In went the darkness of Mother Cosmos, in went the clouds, and the rain, and the lakes below. In went fire and flame, and all that made up this world.

And Coyotl howled again. His cry echoed over the world of Daladi, screaming out words in his endless bellow. "I am Coyotl! I created grass, and tree, and the first of the mud things. I created water with my tears, and my piss, and I created the first life from it and the land itself. I have created all this, and more. I have created lies, and theft, and treachery. And if I cannot control my brethren, if they pay no heed to me, than I will control the fates of mortal creatures, of all that can age, or die. I am Coyotl!"

And there, at the end of his tirade came a small orb of fire, and burning light. Yet the flames abated swift, and what was left to fall, caught in the palm of his hand was a small, hard, pure green stone. "Luck." Coyotl smiled. "And I am its master." Holding the stone up to catch the light, it blinded him briefly, and he dropped it, falling through the branches of his great oak, to land at its massive roots. And from where it fell spread a small patch of rich green, growing up in one shoot that flowered open. Coyotl leapt to the ground, and grabbed his stone, peering in interest at the flower. Its stalk was of the most virulent green, and it had four large wide leaves that cupped the flowering bud. The petals were three in number, burning and shining gold and red. Coyotl saw its beauty and he was pleased, and let the lone flower be. And thus, a small amount of luck was released into the world, wild, and uncontrollable.

Searching for something strong, Coyotl ended up breaking off a few of the supple sprigs off the trees, and weaving them together into a ring, around the green gem,holding it tightly in place. Coyotl was pleased, it looked wonderful. He slid it onto his right middle finger, and was again pleased at the appearance. "My family does not wish to trade? We will see how man and beast trade. And perhaps if they would not trade for themselves, my siblings will trade for the sake of the mortal beings."

The eye lids of stone fluttered for as the goddess moved fitfully, having nothing to grab a hold of for comfort. Stirring more and more, suddenly plagued with bad dreams, all of them containing the missing crystalline figure.

She awoke now, noticing the creature was gone and got up hurriedly, the stone body unable to show its distraught. No sound came from her lips as Kryave felt panic fill her heart. She searched behind the tall gemstones, pushed her fingers into the lava streams, till it burned painfully as she searched the depths.

She felt exhausted and broken, worriedly glancing around in hope that maybe the little figure would come back, dancing happily. Her mind feared the worst, but she shoved those feelings away. Unknowingly, she had created hope, even if it was false in this moment.

She could hear something now... the small glassy sound that resembled the little gemstone creature that she had so easily given her heart to. Her stone head turned in the direction of the noise, and her heart beat so much that stone broke, revealing tiny parts of skin as it pounded audibly.

She ran now, towards the noise, suddenly getting enveloped by sudden darkness. However she could see a bit of light... something was different. She could feel it... family...

How she knew with her head that someone was there, she felt it with her heart. She struggled to move her lips as she stared, trying to find the source of this feeling, but unable to in the dim light. She wanted more than anything to call out to the dark for both family and her creation, but lacked the means to do so. She simply stood, wondering, waiting.

Cern held the gift his brother Zaccio had given him in both hands, feeling the weight of the stone staff. Those thoughts came back to him, of killing and eating the new living creatures roaming the forests. He tried to shallow without letting the others see. His mouth had filled with drool, as he wondered what deer or bison would taste like. It couldn’t be helped, it was his nature to crave the thrill of the hunt.

“Thank you”

-------------------------

Time passed.

Human terms cannot be used to describe how many days, years or millennia went by. Trees, grass, flowers and all manner of other plant life has spread over most of Daladi, halting on the edge of the seas or waterless deserts. With the advance of the foliage, came the basic forms of animals. The mudlings, the first creations of the gods, continued to exist, hidden away in damp places, unformed and waiting for gods to find them.

Cern had wandered into the west since he had awoken upon the central mountains. At first it had been a mixture of fear and shame that had caused him to travel away from his kinfolk. He had been unable to keep himself from killing his sibling’s creations. At first, he had been able to stratify his cravings by stalking the animals in the forest but it didn’t last for long. He had to surrender to the urge to hunt and kill. After eating several creatures, he could no longer bare the thought of his sisters and brother’s finding out that he was destroying their creations and fled to find a place in this world where they wouldn’t find him.

The young god strolled along the tall pine trees, in the seeming eternal summer. For once he was not stalking through the underbrush, for he had recently caught a fine young hare and made a meal of the creature. For the first time, since he had fled, he was enjoying a walk, with out trying to hide. There was a rhythmic thump with each stride, as the butt of his spear struck the ground. It was made of stone and the shaft of the weapon was in truth the staff his brother Zaccio had given him long ago.

After several attempts as a godling to use the tool to bring down large animals, Cern had come to the conclusion that clubbing was not the best use for this tool. It was while he was chasing after a rabbit (his ambush was botched by a noisy bluebird), that an idea had formed about how to improve the gift. The rabbit had fled into a briar patch and when he had tried to grab the creature, several of the thorns had stabbed his hand. After plucking each of the thorns from his hand, the godling had studied the things and made a few attempts to create them on a bigger scale.

After breaking a rock that would later be named flint, he had figured out how to make a point that would pierce his skin like the thorn. He then used his power to merge the flint thorn to the tip of his staff. After that, he stalked, killed and fully enjoyed his first deer. As he traveled, he had also crafted a flint knife, which he wore at his side, in a kind of sash he had made from the green godcloth that had been to swaddle him.

Other then that sash, he wore nothing at all. The rings of fur, which had once covered his ankles, had grown during the passage of time, spreading up his legs. It was like he was wearing a pair of fuzzy trousers. That wasn’t the only change that had taken place since he had fled his kin. Cern had grown at least a foot taller, maybe more and had added some muscle bulk, not enough to bring him anywhere near the mass that Zaccio had been when he had least seen him but he wasn’t so scrawny anymore. The change he was most proud of though, had happened to the little bumps on the top of his head. They had spurted into a pair of antlers, still covered in soft valet but big enough to rival those of a proud old Red Deer buck.