Ashariel

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

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

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

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

"Embrace me then sister!"

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

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

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

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

He said with a fiery laugh.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

---

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

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

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

But who was she?

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

"This gathering was destined. Truly, I have never thought of Life nor Brotherhood in my solitude, but both are necessary. Niueis, I think I know where I shall start in my realm. This great land has bountiful plant life and it is not fitting that the Sea shall be empty," She heard Ulmo announce, and she was immediately listening and watching him. She watched as the waves listened to him and seemed to show off his aura. Her eyes widened as she saw life begin to form under the thin layer of water. New plant forms began to rise under the water. All unique different shapes and sizes. She smiled as she saw some sea creatures swim about under the water. They were all much like the Bluebird she had created earlier in the sky, but only they were under water... and had the ability to breathe under water.

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

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

I am the Spider Goddess of Fate."

Ah...That makes sense.

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

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

---

Ai.

---

Ai grinned at the large man to whom she called Brother. "Sister?...You are a beautiful one. You are going to get me into trouble, I think." He said and brought her into a warm embrace. "I believe you'd enjoy the trouble, Brother." She whispered into his ear before he broke the embrace. She looked over and saw two more males and giggled. She looked to the one called Sargon. She waved a few fingers with a smile on her cherry red lips. "Brother." She nodded and turned to the one of the Sea. She was mystified by him but something struck her about him, while she wanted to touch him as much as the other two something stopped her from flirting. She felt keenly aware of her sister, Nileius and her mouth formed a small O and she then faded into a knowing grin. She will behave herself around him. Her other brothers will not be so lucky.

---

Anansi

---

Anansi watched bemused as the one called Ai bounced from sibling to sibling. It was amusing at first, but soon, Anansi grew slightly irrated by her younger sister. Anansi turned her attention toward the realm of Ulmo. She looked back at the cave she'd come from curiously, without a word, she approached the
water, her hands brushing against the cool water, from her hair, a small long legged spider strung down, crawled down from her arm and into the water, it's legs flattening at the bottom as it settled flat on the surface and skidding across with great speed. She watched with a smile. "Ulmo, Brother you have quiet the realm." She said rising from her crouch. She looked back at her sister, Ai. Bare of Cloth and while Anansi didn't mind, something struck her "Ai, Hold still." She said and Ai turned to her with a smile, holding steady. Anansi held out her hands, as they shifted to her true form, her fingers extending into long fang like nails. Anansi pursed her lips, and soon thin white lines hung from her lips and she began stringing them together. Before long, Anansi held a dress similar to hers in her arms only smaller for Ai. "Take this, Sister" She said. "Leave something to,the imagination." She said and Ai jumped and clapped. "Thank you, Sister!" She said and pulled the dress over her body. Anansi smiled. That was...enjoyable.[/font]

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

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

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

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

"Who am I suppose to be?"

Upon a peaceful world there dawned new life. Such life in infancy, growing, learning, understanding, and above all evolving. The world gave way to see such magnificent gods born of an ancient time. They saw the rise of the waves and the coming of the mighty Ulmo. Life was given form in Niueis. The Shadows swirled and moved with their own sense of being, within Sargon. The very land itself twist and turned into the form of a mighty scorpion. The Earth Goddess, Karkorthi. From the land began a race of savagery bent on survival. Created by the bestial, Ragon. The act of life in it's twilight, gave meaning and understanding thanks to Mortum. Loyalty and trustworthiness made real in Kaira. Unparallelled strength and pull of kinship, made into one, mighty form, Braun. All of these changes finally given balance by three, The Trinity. The Winds roped in and commanded by Caelum. Fate given it's tale imagined by Anansi. Love and it's sensual side, crafted by Ai.

Despite all changes, big or small, nothing could not have been more easy to resolve. All the Gods are slowly but surely finding their places in this world. And with relative ease that must be mentioned. Though problems are possible, nothing is without due challenge. Even Braun seeking challenge, their is nothing that is truly difficult to overcome. The world, despite the hunters and the prey, live without supreme hardship. The world is far too peaceful and with the controlling of the winds, it seemed the Gods are making life too easy to live. This balance must be unsettled, this peace must be challenged, there must be...adversity.

As peaceful as the skies became, with the silencing of the storms. Destiny would seem to have one upset this balance. Destiny would have a God be born to challenge the very, early foundations these gods, wittingly and unwittingly, established. The skies turned black from the cheery blue. The winds returned and in far more fierce a fashion. The blackened sky seemed to roar as the thunder claps polluted the air waves. Suddenly a flash of light broke the darkness in the sky. Though only for a sheer moment. Then came the lightning rapidly flashing. Never staying bright for very long. The heavens themselves seemed to tear apart, in a distant land from the meeting, came forth a being. A being whose skin is as black as the sky. His eyes glowed yellow as did the flashing light. It smiled with wickedly, sharp teeth. It looked with glee at the world before him. The Onigami has been made real.

With maniacal laughter, The Demon sent lightning bolt after lightning bolt. Setting a flame many a forest. The wildfire raged, forcing animals to relocate, lest they burn. Uncontrollable, the Demon continued to rain lightning upon the earth. Scorching it, and he did so with glee. He then howled to show his dominance as fierce winds began to uproot entire trees. He forced the winds to become so violent. As they plucked everything from the earth and threw it across the land. The Demon cared little of who was harmed. Then in a show of great force The Demon, flicked his wrist as the Earth below him cracked. With a deranged smile, he repeated his actions as he forced the earth to move. It shook and quaked as he force fed the earth, the grass, the trees, and the wildlife. The Demon laughed and laughed. What fun this was! Disaster, disaster was made. All of this occurred within seconds. Then as soon as it started the clouds quickly parted, and the sun shone upon the Demon.

He clenched his eyes in pain, never has he seen such a brilliant light. The ominous clouds that darkened the whole of the skies, disappeared. The Storm was over, it was now time to rest. The Demon frustrated roared at the sun, intelligence not apparent. Like his storm, he himself began to disappear. The Demon's body shook like the earth, his body began to disintegrate. The Demon lost his hands, his claws, and his body. He roared, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" As the Demon exploded, his remains dissipated. The fires and the quakes ended within that explosion of wind. From the body of the monster fell a new body. This one far less intimidating than it's previous form. His eyes were closed shut, believing he was still in darkness. The young god fell to earth as he landed rather harshly upon the upturned earth. He soon opened his eyes. He coughed, nearly choked from the darkness. He opened his eyes for the first time. Within his mind the Demon fell, into it's darkest recesses. The God has no recollection of what occurred here.

His body ached as he slowly placed his forearms, to prop his belly off of the earth. He then turned onto his back as the sun shone on his torso and face. He was naked, yet did not know what that meant. The Sun was bright as he shielded his eyes. He then slowly sat up as he felt a cold, tingling sensation. He placed his hand down into sandy water. A new fall was made behind him, as the destroyed mountainside gave way to a lake from above. The Water flowed pristine and not all violently. The Fall soothed the young god as he sat. His lower side soon covered by the water. He sat there in deep contemplation. He had no idea who he was, where he was, or what happened here. But the young god searched for his answers, as he sat alone. Consulting his newly formed mind. Which was filled with all those questions and hidden away, some of those answers. Welcome to life.

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

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

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

---

Coming into existence was quite a confusing ordeal. At first, there was nothing, and then suddenly she was born. Or maybe she had existed even before the nothing, though who could say? Her consciousness thrummed as she felt something around her. No, it was something in her. It was ever moving, and a force that couldn't be stopped or changed. It continued forward even when worlds were destroyed, and universes reborn. 'What is it?' She thought dreamily, her own thoughts making her even more curious. Realization dawned upon her. It was time. She knew this more certainly than anything in the world. Nocte felt her presence spread thin, reaching into the far expanses of the universe. Her surroundings were pure black, and she couldn't see anything around her. Yet, she could sense everything in the blackness. She felt at peace, comforted by the soothing darkness.

Suddenly, her world started to become lighter, till everything around her was bathed in light. She recoiled from the brightness, shielding It was the end of night, and the daytime was taking over. 'This is not my domain,' she realized, missing the warmth of her night. And there she waited, the cycles of day and night coming and going, always shining in the bight and hiding in the day.

Centuries passed like this as she kept the time of the universe, and reigned in the night sky. Planets and stars started to form. one particular planet caught her attention. It was a young one, with seas and life just being born. She sensed new presences on the new formation, and grew curious.

Slowly, Nocte pulled her consciousness together into one form. Looking down at her hands, she moved her fingers, marveling at the reaction. She descended on the earth, and when she landed, her feet rested on land, which she was unfamiliar with. Her feet fumbled uselessly for a moment, before she gracefully regained her balance. She walked a few steps, testing out her legs. She then began wandering around. She came upon a small group of beings, each absorbed in their conversations. She marveled at the forms; they looked similar to her, yet different. They were each inteoducing themselves. Here, she had just uncovered who she was, and now even more mysteries awaited her. She approached slowly, not yet aware of what to do. Their voices were clear and bright, and she opened her mouth to speak as well. Only silence came out.

She tried once more, and this time, a soft, ethereal voice emanated from her. It caught her by surprise, and she tries again. "Hello..." She ventured, looking at the others. "I am Nocte, Goddess of Night and Time."

"Guidance. Some of us create, some of us guide. I believe that our purpose is to guide the creations of our siblings the best we can," She turned back to Sargon and gave a shrug, "I may be wrong but I think that is our purpose."

Sargon flicked his wrist and shadow flames spat from his hands "I command the shadows, and all that they are" he let his hand fall to his side, and the shadows dissipated. He looked to the forest where his creations lived "Those wolves were the only beings I was able to breath life into, and I do not believe I have the strength to do so again"

He thought for a moment, Kaira was right. There were the beings of the elements, powerful though they were. Then there were those that embodied other aspects of the world, such as strength and loyalty. Together, they could reshape the world they stood on, and breath new life into it.

Sargon let his hand weave its fingers between Kairas' "Perhaps we could guide it together?"

Sargon flicked his wrist and Kaira watched, enthralled as dark flames spat from his hand, "I command the shadows, and all that they are," He dropped his hand down to his side, the flames gone. He looked back to the forest, "Those wolves were the only beings I was able to breathe life into, and I do not believe I have the strength to do so again."

Kaira listened to her friend. While she could not comprehend the emotion in his voice, she was aware that he was not smiling. A small frown tugged at her face. No, Sargon should smile. He should not be sad that he had created life, he should celebrate it. While she was thinking, Sargon linked his fingers with hers, "Perhaps we could guide it together?" He asked.

Kaira looked around at her siblings, "It would take more than you and I to guide the world. We would all need to work together to guide life to its fullest potential," She looked down at their interlinked hands, "But we have to start somewhere, don't we?" She looked back up, smiling at her new friend.

Before Sargon could answer, a new voice joined them, softer than Niueis's. Another woman, "I am Nocte, Goddess of Night and Time." A dark haired girl introduced herself from the group. Kaira turned, in doing so, her hand fell away from Sargon's.

"Hello Nocte," Kaira embraced the girl, "I am Kaira, the Goddess of Loyalty, welcome to your family."

There was nothing but silence, crushing empty darkness and unending cold. It permeated everything, filled it with a hardness and left it empty. It was an endless thing, so deep down within the dark; yet… a faint glimmer was growing down here alone. It has always been there, smothered and almost drowned out for an eternity by the roaring silence as its prison tried to end it before it could grow. The spark would not be put out, not now, not ever.

---

She opened her eyes, pain and tightness greeted her as she found herself trapped and locked in place. She screamed into the darkness which moved not, and the silence she had known for an eternity was not even broken by her own voice. Her body become more chilled as she was slowly becoming lost once more within this claustrophobic abyss as it somehow trapped her more as she doubted herself.

Calmly she closed her eyes, for all the difference it made. Breathing slowly she set her jaw firmly as her mid echoed her purpose. She didn’t know where she was or why she was but she would not be kept here. Not now, not ever. Her hands clenched into fists as she felt her bones creaking and cracking, eyes wide open the darkness melted away and shuddered in response to the flames that now engulfed her form; burning bright and deadly from her eyes and mouth as her hair ignited. The earth and rock that had trapped her here since her birth changed in moments, becoming liquid fire and retribution as she forced herself free; at last she was no one’s prisoner.

The earth was rumbling with the echoes of voices and struggles high above, but they barely registered for her. Right now she was vengeful and filled with a fury born from the darkness, forged bright in the flames of her own fears she let them overcome her and everything she touched as she rose faster and faster through the melting earth. Her flames spread and tore through the bedrock in all directions, the veins and arteries of a world seeking their first passage as the world itself seems to greet her with dislike and displeasure.

Her screams were now ringing her ears, as the fire lent its strength to her voice. She could feel the earth giving way as it offered less resistance to her flames, as she approached the very surface of the world above; and for a moment she suddenly calmed and was back in the cloying dark again. Her breathing slow and steady as time stopped inside her head, her thoughts flashing back and forth as she realised what was about to happen.

A faint smile curved her lips as she broke through to the open air, fire and lava pouring from the depths of the world as she broke free at last; and all across the world of Ashariel mountains and hills and the depths of the seas erupted in explosive volcanoes as her birth was made manifest. The northern chain of volcanoes which had been formed around her first glimpse of this world had long since ceased their pouring of smoke into the air to blacken the sky when she herself arose.

---

She knew not how long it had been since she had begun her journey to the surface but it was into this light that Nuri climbed, digging her way out of the piled ash and hardened lava, shaking her body loose of rivets of the liquid fire that still clung to her. Her face was darkened with soot and parts of her skin and hair were singed but the smile still remained, joyous and alive to be free of the stagnant earth below her. Her eyes glittered in the new light of the world, straining her eyes after darkness for so long. Shaking her head slightly so her hair covered her face, she knelt into one of the rivers of lava still flowing from the chain of volcanoes, reaching both hands in to her elbows and lifting out a pair of goggles that she strapped over her head and lowered slightly to help her ease into accustoming to the sunlight. Patting down her clothes, extinguishing the odd fire here and there, she slowly began to walk down the mountains towards these people.

---

As she approached she could slowly discern voices being carried on the wind towards her but was unable to make them out, bar one which seemed to echo heartily across the world. Something about getting him into trouble which seemed odd to her, causing her brow to furrow slightly in confusion before she shrugs her shoulders and approached them not long after another did so as well.

”Greetings! Pleasure ta meet ya!”

She called out to them, eying each of them in turn and wondering to herself that she seemed somewhat shorter than them all, but waving it off to herself as of little import. However her thoughts lingered for a moment or two on the great creature that stood nearby, a elemental force like herself and one she felt she knew… her mind returning to the place she had escaped as she tried her best to not let her eyes narrow in recognition of the other she had felt nearby in her torment.

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

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

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

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


Forests.....Rivers....


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

Army

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

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

Braun's affection was an unexpected thing, as he squeezed her massive claw in rough embrace. And then Anansi revealed that she, too, was not all pink skin and soft hair, but hard chitin and hidden fangs. Karkorthi discovered the unexpected delighted her, and thus did she decide to stay amongst these strange others, rather than withdraw back underneath her mountains.

Their group was joined by others. Many others. They came now as if drawn to the place. A woman naked and flirtatious, another clad in starlight and calling herself Goddess. And then the Fire. Karkothi's eyes could not narrow, nor did they give the impression that they would have if they could. She knew that one with the red hair. Her heat and writhing had woken Karkorthi first.

Where Nuri was prisoner, Karkorthi was home, and Nuri's firey ravages had shaken the Scorpion-Goddess to a wakefulness she had not welcomed. Even now, that fire burned deep at the core, and so long as it did, Karkorthi would not sleep. It was meant to be that way for the people that would come later, of course. All things fit just so. Without that Fire, the Earth would slumber in dead silence. Without the Earth, the Seas would run rampant over all and there would be nowhere to be safe and steady. Without the Seas, the Wind would be a dry and dead thing, bringing only heat and dust. And in full circle, without the Wind, the Fire would smother and die.

But understanding the necessity did not mean Karkorthi treasured this fiery Other, and she carefully filed the presence of Nuri next to that of Ulmo in her heart.

She watched Life spring into Ulmo's realm, and recalled the beasts of Ragon that walked above. Contemplatively, Karkorthi dragged one of her claws in a scoop of the glittering sand, feeling for the power that had been with her since birth. The tumbling grains grew into sandy miniatures of herself, waving their tails menacingly at each other as they burrowed away to safety. They skittered away from the gathered Gods not out of cowardice - for they each brandished the same armament she did - but simply out of a desire to remain unseen and safe.

Proving that she wasn't all terrible beast and menacing insect, she turned in curiosity as one of Ragon's predators chased furry prey in the grass nearby. With a tentative thought that curled her tail, that silky-furred creature disappeared in a flash of burrowing paws, granted safety within the loamy reaches of Her power. Already, however, she thought of ways the predator might continue its chase.

Karkorthi imagined the dark places beneath her mountains where even grander creations could find silence and safety... and it pleased her.

"It is as you say.." She remarked to Kaira thoughtfully, "If we can create, we can destroy... I have no desire to batter myself against you all." At least not without purpose. Though unspoken, it hung at the end of her peace offering much like the wicked tip of her tail hung above the pristine and beautiful jewels on her back. This would-be keeper of stone and earth was passive, not pacifist.

"But much as we must be together... surely we can be separate? I cannot touch the waves," She turned her attention to Ulmo in that calm acknowledgement of his element's opposition to her own, "And would think he can do no more than that with my mountains... Cooperation may be best fostered if we might still have our own places to do with as we please."

Her words made perfect sense to her, even if she had no idea from where her calm, logical observations came from. It was simply her nature to be observant.

Braun found himself blessed by not one but two more beautiful sisters. One was very cheerful with hair as red as flame, the other was quiet and reserved with raven colored hair. Braun embraced them both, bringing one in with one massive arm and the other with his other.

"Welcome sisters, welcome! I am your brother, Braun and I am most pleased to me you!"

With that he released them, as Sargon and Kaira began discussing the gods true purpose. When his wolf brother asked the Loyalty Goddess her opinion on the matter she replied wisely and made much sense to Braun as he listened.

"Guidance. Some of us create, some of us guide. I believe that our purpose is to guide the creations of our siblings the best we can,"

She turned back to Sargon and gave a shrug,

"I may be wrong but I think that is our purpose."

"I command the shadows, and all that they are"

Sargon replied as he looked to the forest where his creations lived

"Those wolves were the only beings I was able to breath life into, and I do not believe I have the strength to do so again"

Braun watched with pride as Sargon let his hand weave its fingers between Kairas', the God of Strength found himself made merry at the tenderness shown from his kin to one another.

"Perhaps we could guide it together?"

Sargon asked, his eyes looking into Kaira's.

"It would take more than you and I to guide the world. We would all need to work together to guide life to its fullest potential,"

She looked down at their interlinked hands,

"But we have to start somewhere, don't we?"

She said with a heartfelt smile. It was then that for the first time another of his siblings weighed in on the subject, Karkorthi in all her earthen splendor spoke up.

"It is as you say.. If we can create, we can destroy... I have no desire to batter myself against you all. But much as we must be together... surely we can be separate? I cannot touch the waves, and would think He can do no more than that with my mountains... Cooperation may be best fostered if we might still have our own places to do with as we please."


Braun stepped forward, his arms crossed over his broad chest as for the first time since meeting his kin his smile faded not out of sadness or anger but mere pensiveness. Braun up until this point in his life had never set his mind to any great tasks. He had tested his body and will, his fortitude and might but his mind was slow in comparison. Because of this he was admittedly a slight bit concerned he would sound foolish around such thoughtful thinkers as the rest of his kin appeared to be. So Braun concentrated, he he thought dutifully about his response before speaking so when he stepped forward his words were carefully chosen.

"I think we all speak truths here. No one or two of us can lead this world alone, to shape it without the aid of each other would do poor justice to what could be created if we work together."

Braun gaze did not fall on one or two of his kin but drifted to each and every one of them.

"We're family, brothers and sisters, immortal siblings. We only have each other. I think it is no bad thing to want our own realms, a place to do with what we please. I'll tell all of you here though, my door will always be open."

Braun added with a chuckle at the end before continuing.

"I know not what power I have to create, I think I would prove clumsy of hand if I tried to create wolves like yours Sargon. Yet... I feel I can be of aid to whatever creations you all bring into the world. As my strength is yours I will lend to them. They need only ask it of me, should they be in need they need but call out and I will help them find the strength to endure and overcome any odds. I will tell your children and your children's children to go where the challenge is greatest, in that way they will find the strength that I offer."

Braun's words were impassioned and filled with pride and hope. What he saw in his future and the futures of his kin was a bright day with a sun ever shining.

"Welcome sisters, welcome! I am your brother, Braun and I am most pleased to me you!"

She chuckled as this giant of man lifted her off the ground in greeting, smiling at the warm welcome both her and the other newcomer had received. After he placed them back on the ground she shook her shoulders slightly due to the hug having flared the stiffness she felt after being asleep for so long. Lifting her goggles up so that they nestle in her hair, just above her forehead and reveal her faintly glowing eyes.

”Name’s Nuri, and I suppose I’m yer Sister. Pleasure indeed.”

She smiled at the large man but her attention was taken as she caught parts of the conversation between a few of the others about creating and shaping this world which intrigued her somewhat. Her face became slightly more animated as ideas began to spark till she heard the contribution of Karkothi ringing in her ears which hardened her features for a moment, her mind running the words over in her mind to interpret any hidden meanings.

"It is as you say… If we can create, we can destroy... I have no desire to batter myself against you all."

Her eyes flared bright and glittering as the meaning spoke to her that the scorpion saw no promising outcome against them all together, but Nuri forced herself to calm because her own paranoia about this sibling was beginning to get the better of her. But before she could think much more on the subject the towering figure of Braun had turned towards them all and spoke deep and loudly.

"I know not what power I have to create, I think I would prove clumsy of hand if I tried to create wolves like yours Sargon. Yet... I feel I can be of aid to whatever creations you all bring into the world. As my strength is yours I will lend to them. They need only ask it of me, should they be in need they need but call out and I will help them find the strength to endure and overcome any odds. I will tell your children and your children's children to go where the challenge is greatest, in that way they will find the strength that I offer."

Nuri nodded slowly, her head tilted slightly as she rubbed her chin, before grinning to herself as she summoned forth blazing flames in the palms of her hands. The fires spread out and lengthened, growing hotter and sparking as she shaped them between her fingers into something resembling a long-handled maul of sorts, almost as tall as she was in fact. As its shape began to set she hammered the base of the shaft into the earth with a resounding thunk, cooling it almost instantly into its final temperament. Throughout the metal of the weapon were faint rivers of what appeared to be liquid fire, throbbing in time with the beat of her heart.

“Well said brother, well said. I’m with ya’ll in the task of shaping this world and such. But where ta begin?”

She looked up at her gathered siblingry as she waited for a response, then sticking her tongue out of the corner of her mouth she clicked it a couple of times in thought before gripping her maul tightly in her hands. She eyed up Braun carefully before running towards him her hammer planting hard into the ground to help propel her high up to land on his broad shoulders. Sitting herself there with the hammer resting across her lap she lightly ran her fingers through her erratically styled hair.

“Aye, like I were asking, where and when shall we be beginning our great works!?”

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

Anansi

---

Anansi watched as the large beast attack Braun. She frowned slightly but other then that did not move where as the one of the youngest, Ai gasped out loud. Anansi grew bored and found that her hands were itching for more threading, more weaving as she had done for Ai's clothing. She turned, her multiple legs stabbing the ground as she walked back into her deep cave where her progeny scattered the walls with their webs. Anansi smiled proudly before climbing into her large web. She opened her mouth, and two spindle liked fangs protruded downward and thickers lines of silk began to form. Her long nails got to work spinning the silk into a rope of thread. This thread shined brightly for a moment and with that, Anansi began to weave the thread into a ball, similar to her own and soon enough, the thread housed a body, glowing blue.

---

Ai.

---

Ai watched in horror as a large beast attacked her dear brother out of nowhere. She covered her mouth with a hand Thought I That We Share Blood, That We Kin, But We Do Not. Are Not. Thought Wrong. I Try Make. You...." Ai heard him growl and she held a saddness in her eyes. This poor creature thought he was alone. Surely he looked different but so did Kakorithi and Anansi. They all were beautiful in her eyes. He growled a warning to Braun and turned to leave. Ai rushed over to the beast, to whom toward over her tiny frame. "Surely Braun made a mistake." Ai said softly. "But He is still kin. We all are." She said and smiled. "I am Ai..."She said Goddess of Love...
"Goddess of Love." She said and placed her small soft hand to the creatures face, unafraid. She meant him no harm. She believed he would feel that. She didn't know or even wonder how she knew that but she did. "What are you called, Brother?" She asked sweetly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Nay sister, no mistake was made."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Well that is a start" Sargon smiled.

A hulking frame crashed into him, sending him spinning wildly. He whirled, searching. Claws reached out, ripped, tore, severed. A flash of light and he was whirling again. Pain seared, there were more flashes. Spirals and vortexes and explosions as the universe was rent in two, shrieking in protest as it was stretched and warped. Planets imploded. Stars shattered. Hails of debris mingled freely with the blood of gods. Their covenant lay shattered as their war shrieked around them. Reality screamed as another god was broken. His spirit imploded, bombarding the entire of existence. The fabric of the cosmos shredded outwards, clawing at the beings who made it. His claws reached up again, hellish infernos of energy lashing outwards. More flashes, more chaotic outbreaks of godly desperation and murder tore through and around him. All was chaos, all was anarchy. The very foundations of existence buckled. The sky peeled back as space and time collapsed, bringing all crashing inwards in a cataclysm of oblivion and void. Still the gods raged on, unending, infinite wrath and desperation tearing at foes, breaking their enemies, coating what was left in the gore of godly remains, shattering, crushing, immolating, rending, an incomprehensible inferno that smeared the lines of the mind and body, of reality and figment, of the body and soul of one god from another, so that all that was left was a maelstrom of infinite blood and fire and chaos and destruction and hatred and desperation and fear and...




At some point, darkness. Strach did not know when the fighting stopped. He did not know when the chaos and the bloodshed had settled. One moment his entire existence was war, the next he was slowly opening his eyes to the darkness of space. A moment of panic, and he lashed out.

"APOLLYON! Where are you?! Face me!" Strach roared, feelings beyond words cloying in his chest. "Nemea?! Ulmo?! Vara?! Crypt?! Mask?!" The screams were hoarse, and to no avail. He was greeted only with emptiness. The emptiness overcame him, and Strach fell unto a bottomless ravine of exhaustion. He floated there for some time, limp, ethereal. The universe had resettled itself. Space and time flowed along their usual routes. The fabric of reality reestablished itself. But Strach took in very little of this. He hung there, suspended in the infinity of space. Eons drifted past, and were met with little more than the occasional drift shut or open of a heavy, metaphysical eyelid.

Eventually consciousness returned in its fullness, and the Dragon God did wake. All around him was empty. He cast out his thoughts, surprised at what he found. He was withing his own realm. Strach was struck by disbelief, his sentience merely lingering. Had the battle claimed even the gods own realms? What had happened his fields of mist and magic? Dragon souls beyond count resided here, and now where were they? Fallen to the oblivion wrought by the gods battle? Surely some realm would have survived.

Alas, no. Strach traveled through all the realms, and found nothingness. Not a single god had returned to their realms. All were abandoned. This cannot be. I cannot be the only one. Could the battle really have claimed them all? Strach cast his mind back to that battle, but try as he might, little more than flashes and desperation and chaos would return to his mind. Images of deaths, gods being ripped asunder. Strach cast his mind once more outwards, calling to each of the gods realms. No answers. For Strach, that silence held a sadness deeper than words could ever express. Still... Apollyon was no more. They had known, the moment he returned, that the battle would be dire. Even if it had cost all their lives... it would be worth it. Images of the battle filtered through his mind. Of Gods breaking, blood pouring out, of planets shattering, flashes of power and destructi- planets shattering? Had the battle fallen unto the physical realm? Then the covenant of the gods was broken! Perhaps...

Strach tried cautiously to will himself across to the physical realm, conscious of the barriers that had always stopped such a thing. Success, he slipped through easily! Perhaps then, some of the others had lived on, seeking recovery here...

First though, he would need to form himself a body, to manifest withing this realm. He could feel it, somewhere in this realm. His mind set out, feeling the pull from it, directing himself to his own corpse. He was shocked at what he saw. The battle had raged to stupendous proportion. The body he saw before him was near infinite in its expanse. The battle had not been kind to it. It seemed more to be composed of a shattered planet than of flesh, blood and scale. Still, Strach pulled his soul into the craggy relic. He felt so little life. However he had survived the battle, it had been most narrowly. The body indeed seemed infinite, stretching on in a form fitting the final stand with his fellow gods. Yet the craggy relic consisted mostly of long dead remains, the life-magic remaining stretched so thinly as to be almost neglectable. Slowly, he began to pull it all back in, condensing what life there was. The process took an aeon. The ravaged remains were not meant to continue. Yet they must, for Strach needed a body. Slowly he what life remained condensed and linked until a living, godly body was formed, trillions of times smaller than the floating relic.

A bright, young spark streaked past Strach. Freshly formed eyes widened in surprise. The spark had the Aura of a god around itself. One young, and still pulling its consciousness together, but a god nonetheless! This was a good sign! He had been seeking for gods! Specific ones. He had searched far and wide, calling them out... had searched for each of them, for... for Crypt, and Ulmo.... and.. and, Nemea? And Lahar? No, not Lahar... the name was familiar, though it had been vanquished by the others long before. The others... They all seemed so distant, and calling up their names or faces was like sifting through the fogs of time. Still, Strach knew he had been searching for his fellow gods, and knew that he wished to catch this young god and speak to it. Learn the nature of the universe now.

He followed the young god, saw it descend upon a planet. Even at this distance, he could sense the auras of other gods upon this realm. He could feel.. For a moment he gasped, hit by a wave of recognition and joy that some of those so close to him had survived. Yet as soon as it was there, the moment passed. The memories has drifted passed, leaving him only with a vague sense of what should be. Yet none of the presences on this planet seemed any more familiar than the others. They all felt like new gods. And yet...

Strach descended upon the planet, noting it's youth. The gods had been at play, shaping and forming this planet. He forget, though, why he had chosen to come to this one. It all seemed so vague. As if there were some identity that belonged to him, knowledge of entire worlds that Strach simply could not reach. He descended towards the planet, floating down towards an unoccupied stretch of land. He no longer questioned why he had chosen this world. He was a god here, meant to forge and look over those who would inhabit it. He was an old god, he knew that, far older than these infant gods who were discovering their identities around him. Yet he could not say how he knew that. His power did not particularly outshine those he felt around him. Yet he knew that in some way, he was beyond them. Strangely enough, he felt this truth was beyond himself as well. A truth not beyond him, however, was his responsibility in shaping this world. Cupping his clawed hands above his head, Strach whispered within them.

"I give now a gift, to this world and all the worlds beyond it. To all those beings who inhabit it, sentient or not, animal or plant, and even unto the wild wills and happenstances of the world, I grant you a touch of godhood. The powers of magic, of actions beyond the laws of space nor time. The wild magics, those that are held by the lucky or cursed and summoned by chance more than by will, you will go to the beasts, plants, spontaneous events and the sentients who will hold power beyond themselves. The scholarly magics, you who are structured and controlled, you will be available to those who dedicate themselves to the learning of your craft, to elevate themselves above their mortal kin. This now, is my gift to the world."

A ripple of power rushed out, washing through all existence for a moment. A great rush as the gift of magic diffused throughout the world, changing it inexplicably. Strach lowered his arms, and sighed contentedly. The gift was given. Magic was his domain, but it was out there for all to use in some form or another, no matter how small. He was content to merely sit now, rest for a moment. Constructing his people would come soon enough.

---

Ai.

---

[font=times]Without warning, Braun sent his fist in the poor creatures face, the sheer force knocked Ai to the ground. She watched in horror as Braun attacking their brother again. "Braun, stop this! He is our brother!" she shouted but there was a good chance they didn't hear a word. She then felt a stinging on her arm. She rose it and frowned. A gold liquid slipped out of her arm. Was she bleeding?

"You've hurt me, brother!" She cried out in vain as he seemed to be enjoying himself. Tears streaming down her face. She crawled to the side, got to her feet. "Will no one stop them?" she asked her sisters. "Karkorthi? Can you stop them?"

Suddenly, the ground below her grew dark and she found Anansi's large form standing behind her. "Are they still going?" She asked. Ai nodded. "Braun knocked me to the ground, they won't listen to me." She said and Anansi sighed as Braun seemed to cease. "They've finished now." Anansi commented, Ai pouted. "I thought that before, I was trying to talk to our brother when Braun attacked." She said folding her arms. Anansi sighed. "Braun can not help himself. Much like you could not help yourself when you saw Braun for the first time and when you see him now. Do not take his actions personally, Sister." Anansi said and Ai sighed. "He still knocked me down." She pouted and Anansi rolled her eyes. "I'm sure he meant you no harm. He will apologize I am sure."

"Will he embrace me again?" Ai said with a mischievous look in her eye and all her tears gone.

Anansi gave her a blank look. Ai giggled.

"Have you two finished? Braun owes me an apology!" Ai said loudly.