Ashariel

Of the Birth of the Gods and the forming of Ashariel, culminating in the birth of the mortal races and the selection of the Avatars.

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Ulmo did not know when he became conscious. For what may have been a day, a year, or an age, he was aware only of the push and pull of the waves, the gusts of the wind, and the coolness of the water. He remembered first experiencing a storm at Sea, rejoicing in its might as the thunder of the waves echoed the thunder in the sky. He remembered the tranquillity that followed the storm and in that too he took delight. Finally, however, he opened his eyes.

He found himself in the abyss of the ocean, the light of the Sun falling upon his face. He glanced at his own hands, experimentally flexing its digits, first curling them in a fist and next laying them flat. Then, finally, he smiled and stretched out his arms and gripped them tight. He felt the churning of the oceans across the world. He held the earth in his embrace. He laughed in delight as the Sea surged forward, crashing against the cliffs of the different landmasses in the world. He continued this for what may have been a day or a week before he swam to the surface of the ocean. He stepped out onto the surface, surveying the ocean around him.

For awhile, he was content with exercising his power over the Sea and watching its beauty. Yet, he began to feel uneasy. Something was missing. He did not yet know what. The Sea was empty of save for himself and the water which filled it. One morning, he frowned as the wind flowed through hair. He looked up at the sky and the distant cliffs of a continent thoughtfully.

"Who am I?" he asked himself, speaking his first words. There was more for him to discover. Deep down in his heart, something was beckoning him to make his way onto land an so he walked along the surface of the Sea. He did not hurry, but still the feeling plagued him even as he marvelled at the sensation of feeling the white grains of sand stick to his feet as he took his first steps on land.

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.

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She could feel the unwelcoming pain. The pain of wanting to move. At least, she thought it was pain. Her body felt so stiff, she was unsure if she'd ever be able to move. She could feel some sort of warmth burning down on herself... which only made her feel more weak. The dreadful pain of still having the urge to move was still shooting through her body. However, her mind told her not to move. Her body seemed weak and heavy to her, and Niueis knew she just had to move. She couldn't let herself fall back to that lonesome world of darkness and dreams. She had spent far too long in that place it seemed.

She felt one of her small five joints on her left hand twitch. She was finally telling her body to just do something. Anything. Something deep within her was telling her to get up... but she didn't know what. She didn't even know how she was brought to this place. Her heavy eyelids finally opened. She found herself lying in the middle of what seemed like no where. The place was full of a dull green colour and, as she looked up, found a bright shade of blue. Then that stinging pain in her eyes as she looked at the bright yellow circle floating in the sky. She winced and closed her eyes shut again, afraid that if she were to open them once again, her eyes would burn out. The gleaming ball of light would rob her of her sight already. She wouldn't admit to herself that she was afraid though. She couldn't be afraid already.

Niueis pushed herself to open her eyes once again. This time, it didn't hurt as much, and she was met with the dull green colour of land once again. Her eyes searched this mysterious area. The area that she was right in the middle of. All she could hear was the soft whistle of the winds. That's when a piece of soft brown hair fell in her eyes, blocking her sight. She shook her aching head to try and get the disruptive piece of strands out of her face, but it gave her no luck. She reached up her arm, finding it not so hard to do so anymore, and gently swept the hair out of her face. She looked at her small hand in front of her face and flexed her hand, turning into a fist and then making it flat. She felt the corners of her lips slowly rise, but quickly brought them back down to a straight line.

After awhile, Niueis finally brought herself to sit up. She was leaning all her weight onto her one arm that was holding her body up. She tilted her head to look down at herself, and was rather surprised to find herself clothed in a thin, long white dress rather then being nude. She had no idea how the piece of clothing had been put onto herself. She looked up at the newly found world, her brown hair slowly blowing along with the wind. She then felt herself frown. It seemed like a beautiful place, but also seemed like a lonely place. She had been so alone in the dark world, too, when her eyes were closed. She felt as if there was no one else like her, and she was left to live life on her own. Every place she had visited in the past however long its been, it had all been just her. She couldn't help but wonder if someone else was out there, feeling much like she is right now.

Niueis found herself finally on her two feet. Her body didn't feel so achy anymore. It now felt a lot stronger then it even did in her dreams. She took a gentle step, careful not to hurt the green things below her. Did that stuff get hurt or did it feel no pain? She watched as her foot landed softly, and the dull green around her foot suddenly changed to a bright, memorizing green. She gasped softly. What was this? Did she do this? The bright green began to spring out and the colour quickly spread along. Pretty soon, a huge portion of the dull green area that was once surrounding Niueis was now a beautiful, bright green colour. She felt her curiosity grow, and before she knew it she was walking over to a lifeless tree. It's bark was peeling and it was a dark, dead brown colour. It's leaves were gone a long time ago. She slowly placed her hand on it's bark gently as soon as she arrived to the tree, and it came to life once again like the grass had done. The bark turned into a lighter shade of brown and it's peeling quickly stopped. Bright green leaves slowly grew back onto the brown branches and twigs hanging above Niueis' head. She felt amazed. She had regained such a beautiful power.

Niueis slowly raised her other hand and held it slightly above a branch. She thought of life. Bringing someone along so she wouldn't be so lonely. She thought of a creature with wings. A creature that could fly to that hot, orange ball of flames up in the sky. A strange golden light came from her hand as she thought. It was a small light, but it was much more powerful then it looked. A beautiful small creature appeared. A creature that Niueis had made up in her mind. Granted, it did have two small wings. It was small enough to fit in Niueis' hand. It was made with a mind of its own and a beating heart much like Niueis.

"Hello." Niueis greeted the small creature softly and kindly. It made a high, sharp whistle. It was beautiful. It's soft, silky blue feathers covered it's whole tiny body. Niueis smiled at her new creation and her newly found power she never knew she withheld. However, before she knew it, it started using it's wings for flight and it flew over Niueis' head. Her head snapped around to watch the bird fly off. "Wait! Please come back..." Niueis pleaded. Here she was again. Alone. She didn't want that creature to be alone, too. A slow sigh left her lips. She couldn't be left like this. There must be something else out there. Her feet began taking her to an unknown place before she could stop them. She continued walking and walking, but she wasn't losing any strength.

That's when she heard the sudden sound. The peaceful sound of waves clashing along land. She saw a big body of water before her, just down a hill. She's never seen anything quite like it. Not even in her dreams. She was even more curious then before, and she began walking down the hill, her bare feet keeping their grip so she wouldn't tumble over. She had to see if anything was down there...

Walking upon land was different. It did not yield nor did it respond to his touch. Rather, it held firm against his feet and for a second, Ulmo thought he might trip, but he forced himself to stand. He stood on the beach, taking in the sight of his home meeting this landmass. It was different from the Sea with brown and green things embedded into it as though they were a part of it. Yet, he knew they were different. He did not know how he knew this. He just knew. It was then that he heard something.

He looked up and beheld a small creature floating in the sky as though it was swimming through the air. Yet he knew that could not be right. Still, the creature made him think of his own empty home. Could there not be objects such as those that embedded themselves in the earth. Objects that grew and were... alive. Yes, that was it. The surface had life where the Sea did not. For a moment, he thought of creatures such as those in the air swimming through his domain amongst different life.

He was shaken from his thoughts when he heard a sound. It was different and yet it was similar to his own words. A voice. It was a voice. He walked in the direction of the voice and stood in his tracks when he saw her. She was different from himself, but that seemed to only add to her beauty. She was short and oddly shaped, but in a pleasing manner and she seemed to radiate a sort of energy, the same energy that he felt in the plants and the creature in the sky, but stronger and fresher. He looked at her body thoughtfully. What he mistook as her skin was something different. Clothes, he instantly knew them to be. He looked down at himself and found he himself lacked it. He felt it was wrong to expose her to his body like this though he did not know why and wished he had some himself. Instantly, he felt a midnight blue robe wrap around himself, covering his nakedness. At last, he stepped towards her.

"Who are you?" he asked her.

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

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



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

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

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

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

Either kin or prey, Ragon would know this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

---

Anansi

---

Darkness...Endless darnkess. That was all she could see around her as her eyes fluttered open.

Groping in the darkness until it a line of light broke through, growing and growing until it was all that remained.

Freedom

She knew not of which she came or where she was. She looked, multiple eyes darting every which way, not a one missing a thing.

She saw a pale white ball hanging from a cave wall, attached to stalactites with thin white lines. Within the ball, was a long crack down the middle. She stepped forward. Eight long legs pentrated the ground with each step, a large sack at her backside swaying to and fro as she moved toward the ball. She touched the thin strings. Rubbing them between two long danity pale blue fingers. Sat on the tips of those fingers with long black fang like nails.

She cocked her head as instinct took over, as she began weaving the white lines together.

Before long, that ball became a web, stung across the cave wall, each connected to the other. She stood back and admired her work, until she heard something. A voice. A boisterous voice.

She crawled toward the exit of the cave, the sack on her back opened, small verisons of herself spilled from it, covering the cave walls. Neither of them bore the body she had, yet all bore the eight long legs.

She kept toward the voice, until even more light struck her multiple eyes so she rose an arm to shield them.

After a moment, her eyes adjusted and she saw them. Creatures that looked nothing like her. One embraced the others. Calling them, 'Brother' and 'Sister'

She frowned, noticing she did not look like them

. As she drew closing, her 6 other legs folded into her back, her backside shrunk in size and her eyes were reduced to two. Now she appeared like them. Her skin a soft brown, her hair yellow like the sun, her lips full, and her new body shapely. She was bare as she walked under a tree, some of her progeny dropped down from their own thin white lines and began weaving those lines around her body, until a long, fitting silk dress hugged her curvaceous frame and drapped down to the ground below. Her progeny rose back into the trees as she continued her forward motion.

She approached the others. Her eyes fell to the large one.

Male, she knew him to be, he was large, larger then the others by far while she stood only second to his stature. Her true legs gave these new ones great height. "Greetings, Braun," She said to the cheerful man. Her voice calm and even. "I am Anansi." She said and did not know why. Anansi. That is my name.

---

---

"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....

---

Anansi

---

A thin smile graced Anansi's lips as Braun pulled her into an embrace, to which she returned, somewhat hesitantly.
Once he pulled away, he looked at her curiously and pointed to her shoulder. "You unmm you've got something there. Crawling on your shoulder." Braun spoke and Anansi turned her head, as a furry black being crawled up her shoulder. She opened her hand and it crawled into her palm, nearly taking up a majority of it. "It tis only a spider, he means no harm." She said, softly, placing it back on her shoulder.
The spider godess...[i]

She was about to speak greetings to her white haired sister when a large creature crawled toward them. Anansi felt a comradery in the creature, as it spoke. "My name is Karkorathi. I am like you and you are like me."

Anansi gave an easy smile "I am Anansi, Sister. You couldn't be more correct." She said and shifted back into her true form, towering over even Braun, as 6 legs sprung from her body, lifting her high off the ground, her backside swelling in size, and more eyes awakens from it's slumber. She could see all of her siblings at once. "Welcome sister." She said, her full lips parted with two large black fangs, as she bowed respectively before shrinking back down to a relative height. "I am the Spider Goddess of Fate." She spoke calmly.

---

Ai

---

Warmth. Sweet warmth.

A soft sigh broke through the lips of a dark haired beauty, as she rose from the hot rocks beneath the mountains. Her large sharp egded doll eyes blinked as the world was revealed to her finally as the mountain shifted and moved. She rose up, her sun kissed skin glistening as she stepped from the mountain and on to the soft grass below. She smiled, giggling with amusements as the new sensations graced her bare skin. She danced and spun happily, black hair twirling about her head as a breeze chilled her skin.

Everything was beautiful.

She then spotted a group and smiled cheerfully. "Hello!" She called out with a spirited wave. "I am Ai!" She called out running towards them, stopping just before she crashed into one with the white hair. She looked her, with an amused curiousness. "You are beautiful, Sister." She breathed, taking a strain of hair into her hand. She spotted a dark haired one and grinned. "Such beauty." She breathed as she touched her face gently. She saw the tall dark skinned beauty and smiled. "Now beautiful..." She said and the dark skinned woman arched an eyebrow. "I am Anansi."

"Anansi, About pretty." She said giggled, she took a look at the tall creature and smiled. "You left me, Sister." She said cocking her head curiously. Yes, this was the mountain that moved awakening her from her slumber. Her eyes then fell on a large man and she paused. Her light curiousness faded into something more...mischevious.

She approached him, eying the odd form of his body that all she wanted to do was touch.
[i]Love...Lust....Sexuality.

She grinned. "Brother..."