Ashariel

Karkorthi watched the mighty struggle between fledgling Gods from her spot in the sand. Ai turned to her and beseeched her to intervene between them, to which the Scorpion responded only by gazing evenly back at her sister. None were in danger, and soon enough, the tussle subsided into Ragon voicing plainly what enraged him, and Braun replying with a heartfelt apology as he professed his love for his kin.

Of more pressing concern to her, personally, was the stuff falling out of the sky. Now who was responsible for -that- annoyance? The Earth Goddess would have none of the nonsense, and collapsed into sand that was indistinguishable from the sand on the beach. She was still There, of course, and could be easily felt. Even seen, if one cared to concentrate hard enough and feel the outline of her presence. But it spared her from being bombarded by the pranksters.

Only after the undignified assault stopped would she shake free from the grains like she had always been buried just beneath them, watching Sargon weave his new creations with interest. She did not join him in the activity, once again resolving to watch and ponder in relative silence. Only the soft and idly clicking of her massive claws betrayed that the Goddess was thinking deeply on the matter.

Maybe it was her silence that let her be aware of the shift that Strach caused upon the world. Karkorthi's wicked tail uncurled and curled again. Things would be changing for the world, indeed...

---

Nocte and the others were joined by a few more deities. A beautiful goddess with snow white hair approached her, smiling. She was embraced by the goddess, and she introduced herself as well. "Hello Nocte, I am Kaira, the Goddess of Loyalty, welcome to your family." Nocte was taken aback for a moment. Family? She was filled with a warm feeling, one she was unfamiliar with but liked, and she embraced Kaira back. She had a family now. As she released the goddess of loyalty, Nocte was drawn into yet another embrace by a large, broad hand. "Welcome sisters, welcome! I am your brother, Braun and I am most pleased to me you!" Ah, Braun, she liked him already, his charisma was contagious.

Nocte listened as Kaira, Braun, Sargon, and Karkothi discussed shaping the world. These gods and goddesses somehow seemed to be younger than her. It made some sense. Time started long before anything formed in the universe. Braun stepped forward with his arms crossed, and addressed them. "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. 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." "I agree, I believe us all to be parts of the same whole..." She looked over as Nuri spoke. “Aye, like I were asking, where and when shall we be beginning our great works!?” "Ah, that is a good question indeed--" She was interrupted as she felt something in the air.

A wave of something permeated the air, sending a light shockwave through Nocte. "I wonder what that could've been," she wondered. "It's not something I've ever known before... What ever it is, it's opened up whole new possibilities for this infant world," she thought to herself.

Nocte's attention was diverted once again as she turned to see a large beast throw itself at Braun, and the two started battling. "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! Thought I That We Share Blood, That We Kin. But We Do Not, Are Not. Thought Wrong. I Try Make. You.... You Break. Break What Is Mine. Do Not Break Again." The beast seemed very distraught, and its words were filled with sadness and anger. Ai and a few others were clearly upset from the fight.

The concept of fighting was quite new to her. She had been alone, up in the black void of space for so long. Here, she was just introduced to the love and friendship of family and kin, but now there was fighting. It was obviously not good like love. No, it was brutal and hurtful. Whatever the reason for fighting, the two seemed too stubborn to stop and let one have the upper hand. Then suddenly, Braun embraced Ragon, and just like that it was over. This puzzled Nocte, seeing as they were going at it viciously a moment ago. "Well, I guess I have a lot left to learn."

She looked down at her feet, the ground partly covered in fine sand. She ran her foot through the course grains, drawing a line with her toe as she thought in silence. This land was full of possibilities.

---

Ragon felt the touch of Ai upon his features. A soft caress that seemed to be that of trust, a sudden surprise of possible understanding he hadn't expected. It held a care to it, a calm which quelled his anger and cleared his mind. The adrenaline high from the battle settled, and his vision began to blur. No longer in combat, Ragon was just now feeling the concussion from ramming head-first into what may as well been a damn mountain. A mountain which he successfully moved, but a mountain none the less. His senses dulled down a fair bit now, which would promptly explain how Braun got the drop on him. One second enjoying the soft touch of his sister, the next Ragon found himself leveled by the hammer that was Braun's fist. A cheap blow to say the least, and from the peaceful stupor the God of Savage Fury was roused to the fight again. Two forces of nature clashed yet again, climaxing in mainly more broken ribs and several more fractures to Ragon's skull.

Truly, this fight would go on for ages, for as Ragon could scarcely harm his brother, every blow that Braun landed was not weakening the Primordial. Rather the opposite, with Ragon adapting slowly-thickening bones in an attempt to evolve to his needs for survival. Still, this only meant a battle that may take a lifetime to end, spared only by the small miracle that Braun finally put two-and-two together. The God of Brotherhood stayed in his good spirit, justifying what he'd done as best he knew. To him, no harm had been done. Ragon did not see it as he did, for Ragon looked at only needs as relative. Also, he had the tendency to be a spiteful bastard. Under the faux impression of simply walking past him, Ragon lashed out with his tail to take out the legs of Braun. Only fair in the end, one dishonorable strike for another. Though this wasn't meant to be the continuation of the fight, a thought soon quelled by the glare Ragon shot Braun as he moved to stand. It wasn't a snarl, a challenging roar. It was cold, serious, and completely deadpan.

"Don't." One word, passed on in both silence and crystal clarity. "Why I Care About Pride? Conquest? These Are Stupid Things, Useless. They Not Needed, Not Help One Live. Don't Need Them. Don't Care About Them." Ragon pointed directly at the face of the Lion on Braun's armor. "And Neither Would He." He spat his words in complete disdain, his tone caring the bitter tinge which now began to pool on his tongue. Blood, gently flowing from a broken tooth. Ragon's tongue snaked and scanned each until he found it, the one fang which had broken from catching Braun's fist in his teeth. His claws pinched down on each side, and with one powerful yank and a sickening sound it pulled free. The small trickle dribbled down his jaw, his tongue curiously searching the soft pulpy flesh within the void until it found the tip of a new fang eager to take it's place. He held the removed tooth up to Braun before casting it into the sand at his feet. "You Want Trophy? There. Take. The Take No More.


Ragon turned to his fellow Gods here, content on gaining their insight. Or he was.... "We Do Not Need To Kill. Animals Kill, Must To.....Live?" Ragon trailed off as he felt the strangest sensation along his foot. The gentle ripple of a wave cast itself over his skin, and Ragon hadn't known this before. Even after his bout with Braun in the shallows, his rage-blanked mind didn't even register any of it. For him, this was the very first time he even noticed the water. He lifted his foot up, before plonking it down slightly deeper. His other foot soon followed straight down with a definable spaloosh! Slowly wading in a little deeper, all thought as to what he was saying completely left him the first time he caught glimpse of movement. His predatory eyes immediately zeroed in on the one glint of silver darting under the waves, his head tracing it's every sudden twitch like a big cat. Slowly he crept forward, leaning in ever so cautiously..... He lunged, a less-than-graceful splash in the deep blue of the ocean waters. Ragon must have been quite the scene, once the mighty and savage beast who parted the clouds with his roars, now thrashing wildly as he struggled to stand with his prize.

His hands cupped together, trapping a small pool within as well as the tiny little silvery minnow he'd caught. His eyes examined it with utter amaze and bewilderment as it darted about in it's limited space. Finally Ragon began trudging back to the shore with the little fish, presenting him of to the one who smelled strongly of the sea. Ulmo, with his hair and robes of the deepest blue, Ragon could really guess no other to be responsible for the oceans and their bounties. "You.... You Make This? You Make Life In Water?"

Braun crouched down casually and plucked his brothers tooth from the sand. As he rose he tossed it up in the air like a child playfully tossing a stone only to catch it again. He eyed his wild brother with a slightly arched eyebrow and a smirk. He'd have to remember that leg sweeping trick in his next bout, it was a fine move indeed. Braun would have told Ragon as such but he did seem truly upset about the death of his lion and did not want to push him further. Whether Ragon was angry with him or not Braun loved him as a brother and the last thing he wanted was to cause him harm. An odd sentiment given the violent battle they'd just been engaged in but for Braun that fight was just a sporting test of strength and skill between brothers. Blood flows and muscles ache but in the end no true harm should ever come from brother to brother.

Braun took a few steps forward standing beside his sister Niuesis yet his gaze drifted over to his brother Sargon and his sister Kiara and took notice of their closeness. The sight made Braun joyful proud of his siblings for they were attempting to conquer that which Braun himself had yet to conquer, the conquest of passion. He wanted to give his brother a sign, some wordless show of support of Sargon's and Kiara's budding conquest of heart and body. Their union or at least the prospect of such a union was something to be celebrated but Braun did not wish to speak on it and upset the tenderness of their moment. So he set his mind to the task. It was then Braun forged a symbol of support between brothers, a sign of agreement and joy for the actions of another.

Braun's eyes met Sargon's and he gave his brother a knowing smile as he extended his fist and lifted his thumb. That look of approval and joy, framed perfectly with the waves behind him, would be one that would always be remembered and linked to the God of Strength and his followers. In the centuries to come his followers, his acolytes and devotees would use this thumbs up as sign of well intended to support to friends, brothers and allies.

He folded his thick arms across his broad chest and turned his gaze to Ragon as the savage god began splashing about in Ulmo's waves. It was actually quite pleasant to see. Braun had been concerned with his brothers mood after his harsh words yet to see him now, pouncing like a playful kitten in the shallow waters, trying to capture that which he saw was heart warming. Braun chuckled warmly as he watched and even went so far as to nudge Niuesis gently as if to tell her to look.

It was then his brother pulled fourth from the shinning blue waters his prize. In cupped hands there was but a tiny pool of water and in it, a single minnow. He crossed the sand and came to stand before the master of the seas and all it held, Ulmo. Ragon presented the small fish to his brother with posed question.

"You.... You Make This? You Make Life In Water?"

Braun's gaze flicked to his brother, curious as to his answer.

---

[/font=times]Ai.[/font]

---

[font=times]Ai stood there with her arms folded and her full lips pouted. She felt right and truly ignored. She blew air from her nose as her brother splashed in Ulmo's water and Braun gave an odd sign to Niueis.

Ai looked at Anansi who just watched their curious brother in the water. Ai decided, she'd get her apology on her own, as no one else seemed be paying her any attention.

Something she did not like.

She stomped over to Braun and tapped his shoulder. "Brother." She said, placing her hands on her hips. The wound had healed a long time ago but she did even notice...of course not.

She devised a plan in her head. She wanted something from Braun she couldn't quite explain but her body ached for it and so she would get it.

"You owe me an apology." She said with a pout. She held out her arm where a small gash had been. "You knocked me to the ground, that wasn't very nice." She said and then smiled an almost dangerous, challenging smile. "I know how you can make it up to me... " She said, her hand sliding down his massive arms. "What say you, Brother, will you make it up to me?" She said, her voice as smooth as Anansi's silk.

Sargon had taken note of his siblings, and suddenly felt alone. They talked and joked with one another like old friends meeting after years of separation. They fought and argued as young children. He knew not how he knew these comparisons, but he did. The fact that he was the only one whose mind worked out these plans and strategies so quickly, pushed him away from his kin.

*I must make this vision a reality* Sargon knew his kin would spend a great deal more time "connecting". Sargon however knew this time would have to wait for him. He looked to his wraiths who wait obediently for him to command them. They were beautiful, and would be the second step to his race.

"Kaira" Sargon whispered to himself. This women would always have a special place in his heart. For now though, he had work to do. Sargon turned to the east, motioning his wraiths to follow "Come"

He walked away, quickly, quietly. He did not want to distract or worry his kin. He stopped and turned to look at Kaira one last time, his mind felt the shadows within her robe, they brushed gently against her arm. A note left on her arm, a shadow mark similar to ink, that would wash off as if it had never been.

*I have gone east. There is much I must do. If you ever need me, call to the shadows. Or I will see you in east at your own time.*

With that he left, gone within the forest before his kin could notice he was missing.

Braun felt the lightest of touches on his broad shoulder as he turned to find his sultry sister Ai standing beside him. He smiled ready to greet her but her pout warned him to not ignore her mood. He hesitated and let his eyes fall upon her as she spoke.

"You owe me an apology. You knocked me to the ground, that wasn't very nice."

She said as she held up her hand, absent of wound yet the wound of a God was easily mended. It was then her tone shifted like a snake in the grass, no longer ire yet coy and tempting.

"I know how you can make it up to me... "

Her hand snaked it's way up his muscular arm as her eyes stared into his.

"What say you, Brother, will you make it up to me?"

Braun grinned charmingly as his massive hand slid around her waist and pulled her in close. That roguish grin of his, charming and mischievous and his boldness of action seemed to only warm Ai's blood further.

"Gladly, name what labor I should undertake to earn your forgiveness and I shall set to the task with all the strength I possess."

Kaira looked to the sea, momentarily distracted by her fruit throwing kin, watching Ragon splash about like a small child. Kaira smiled, somewhat bemused by the God' sudden change in temperament. He splashed about in the shallows of the water, stumbling as he struggled to stand. Ragon emerged from the water with something cupped in his hands. He walked to Ulmo, "You... you make this? You make life in water?"

Kaira felt something brush her wrist. Thinking it was Sargon, she turned to look at him, grateful for a distraction from Braun and Ai's painfully obvious flirting. All she saw was the shadows swirling behind him as he walked away. Kaira frowned, feeling troubled by Sargon's sudden departure. Kaira lifted her hand, wondering what it was that had brushed her arm. Her sleeve fell down slightly and Kaira saw a dark mark on her arm that had not been there before. Curious, Kaira rolled her sleeve further down.

"I have gone east," Kaira whispered, reading the marks on her arm, "There is much I must do. If you ever need me, call to the shadows.Or I will see you in the east at your own time." Kaira looked up, watching her friend as he left them. Part of her wanted to give chase and try to catch up with him but somehow she knew that Sargon needed to be alone to complete his work.

Having been knocked to the ground during the appearance of their bestial sibling, her earlier question appeared to have gone unanswered and on the whole so had she for the most part. With the exception of the largest of them, who made a rather passable seat at best (something she had planned to rectify had she not been so rudely expelled and hammered into the earth), they'd nodded at her and little more.

Despite her passing grumbling at this she waved it off at events being complex, after all they were family, apparently, and perhaps this was how those things worked. Anyways that sounded about right, especially with everyone's attention focused on the brawl going on between the two across this beach. Having dusted herself down again, she picked up a few grains of sand and rubbed them between her fingers, smiling as the slightly oval marble she now held. Placing her hammer on the ground next to her she drew a small circle in the sand around her and filled it with liquid fire, swirling and spiralling around her as she scooped up handfuls of sand in one hand and fire in the other.

She slowly began to shape more marbles, warping their insides into different patterns and images. She glanced over at Ragon and Braun every so often to make sure that their path didn't seem to be in her direction. Scratching her chin for a moment she reached into the fires and pulled out a small chisel and hammer, still glowing warm and sparking slightly before applying them to a small chunk of growing glass by her feet. Her tongue slowly slipped out of the corner of her mouth as she worked, feeling an odd tingle seeming to permeate the world around her, oddly magical though it didn't appear to offer much difference for her work. Once she was satisfied by the sculpture's she'd awoken from the glass she let the tools melt back into the ring of fire, absorbing the flames back into her skin.

Before her on the sand stood the likeness' of Ragon and Braun, each about six inches tall. Almost every detail was there down to the very very faint lines of their skin marred across otherwise smooth surfaces of the glass. Nuri slowly reached down and ran her fingers over them, causing them to glow slightly as she filled them with her flames. As she withdrew her hands the two statues began to re-enact the combat that had resulted in her being thrown here, but where she'd noted they paused these continued instead.

Looking up she noticed that Ragon was now saying something to Ulmo about creatures in the sea while several of their other kin appeared to be wandering off in different directions. Was this meeting truly so brief? She assumed it must be the way of things and was wondering what to do next when she saw the other Goddess who Braun had grabbed when she arrived toying with the sand nearby. Getting to her feet she walked towards Nocte and leaned on the shaft of her hammer as she spoke.

"What were your name again? I diven't remember catching it when he" She paused and nodded towards Braun before continuing "tried to crush us in greeting. But pleasure to meet you all the same" She beamed up at the raven-haired woman.

---

Ai.

---

Ai grinned as Braun wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in close. "Glady, name the labor I shall undertake to earn your forgiveness and I shall set to the task with all the strength I posses." Braun said and Ai grinned, leaning up toward his ear. "I sense you posses much strength...." She whispered sensually, her words holding more then what she presented. Her dainty fingers crawled across his wide chest. "You enjoy competition, yes. Well I have a contest." She said and gently pulled away but her hand slipped into his. "Let us see who holds more stamina, you or I." She said with a grin on her cherry lips as she tugged him gently away from the group. "But we must be alone for this contest..."She said, her bare feet sinking into the sand as she lead him to where she'd awaken. A small cove by the edge of Ulmo's waters. It was somewhat secluded and the sand was soft.

"Are you prepared?" She said walking up to him, her lips a breath away from his, pulling his arms around her once again.

---

Anansi

---

Anansi watched as Ai, walked off with Braun and rolled her eyes. Ai was something else.

Anansi felt a strange unfinished feeling coming from her Cave and her eyes feel on her sister, Niueis. Anansi walked over, shifting to her two-legged form so that she didn't tower too much over Nieuis even though she was still much taller then her.

"Nieuis, Sister. I have an inquiry." She said and then shook her head some. "A request would be more correct."

She said and turned toward her Cave, "Would you join me in my Cave? I have something I would like you to assist me with."

And so it was that the two immortals took to bed, enjoying the wondrous pleasures of each others embrace. In that sea cave the passions of the gods burned brighter than the sun. Ai the goddess of Lust and Sex marked the first of many conquests of her own that day, it was no bad thing to have her first be the mighty God of Strength for in her tales and her songs that would be sung from the lips of her acolytes and devotees they would tell of their goddess' skill that knew no rival and how she dominated that which is indomitable.

Braun stepped out into the open sea air, the sun touching his still sweat beaded skin. He breathed deep the crisp maritime air with a relaxed and satisfied smile. His lion wrappings hung off his midsection, he had not finished dressing yet felt no shame in being next to nude. Braun noted the sun's position in the sky had shifted considerably. He had not been aware but the two must have spent some hours upon hours in that cave together. He could hear Ai's soft breathing in the cave, still laying down on her dress that served as her bedding at the moment. He turned and looked at her lithe form. So alluring and seductive, her golden brown skin like his was beaded with fresh sweat from their vigorous endeavor. She looked at him, a look of satisfaction and enjoyment. It was no easy thing to satisfy the Goddess of Love in her realm but Braun took great pride that he was able to do so.

This was her domain after all love making and the passion of the heart. It was easy for other gods to not see her power, to see only a temptress but this meeting of their bodies had shown Braun different. She was every bit as powerful as the rest of them, her power of love had a magic to it that could not be described. He could see how loves affections and afflictions of the heart could be such a tool to build great works and a weapon to obliterate all. Braun gained a new respect for his sister Ai that day.

The God of Strength walked back to his sister and knelt beside her, she looked up into his eyes almost daring him to return to her bed.

"Goddess of Love indeed. Your mastery over your realm is beyond compare."

Braun reached out one massive hand and with surprising gentleness caressed her cheek.

"I pray to thee that I may have absolved my sins for with hopes I was not entirely forgettable."

Braun leaned in and planted a single kiss on Ai's soft lips.

"Farewell, Queen of the Heart realm. Should ever you wish to revisit my labor of love you need but seek me out and we shall spread our legends together once more."

With that Braun rose, his eyes still upon that perfect figure that lay temptingly in the sand. He flashed her a warm smile before exiting the cave and clasping the last of his lion cloth to his body. Now fully dressed it was time for the God of Strength, Patron of Brotherhood and Conquest and lord of all Manhood to seek out further challenges. Perhaps he would do as his brothers and sisters have done and create a realm for himself and the budding mortals of this world.

East Ashariel

Sargon stood at the coast of Ashariel, so familiar to him and yet so distant. Not long ago he had stood at a beach much the same as this, alongside his kin. He had stood in the sand, felt the salt air against his skin, and watched as his kin loved and laughed, bickered and fought. This shore was much the same, and yet no sand rested upon its shores. It lay to close to the forest at his back, and thus allowed grass to flourish against the water. No salt air graced his skin, and as he dipped his hand into the cool water he could feel its purity.

....Master....

Sargon felt his wraiths call, they had reached their destinations, or at least followed their orders to the best of their abilities.

Sargon had practiced his ability to manipulate, control, and command the shadows and the beings he brought forth from them. He had a special link to his creations, and could at will take whole of their body and force them to do his will, leaving the body as quickly as he entered it.

Sargon closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, and felt his mind reach into the armor of his wraiths. Suddenly his vision was transferred to that of the wraiths, the view of pure magic and shadow. A haze, blended with the ethereal streams of magic and the elements, a beautiful sight for such frightening creatures. They had reached the far ends of the body of water he currently stood before, and come to realize it was a massive inlet of water, miles wide.

Sargons' vision returned, and with it a grin came over his face, "It is perfect"

He turned back towards the center of Ashariel, and knelt, placing his hand to the cool earhts' surface, "Dearest sister Karkorthi, I seek your aid and assistance. Please, when you have the time, come to me"

The young god sat upon the rocks amongst the rising water. The sound of the falls drowned out all sounds. After his moment of peace of mind. He suddenly stood and opened his eyes. After a moment of meditation and though, the young god came to the conclusion, he must have a purpose. The next step was to explore and discover his place in existence. The God then bent his knees as he prepared to jump. What would happen next was unexpected. Instead of moving forward he darted forward. Overshooting the newly made gorges. The young god flailed his arms about as he landed with a thud onto the ground. He slowly stood and shook his head.

He was confused at first, over what had occurred. He came to realize what occurred was because of him. Testing himself he made another great leap. This time he controlled his landing, and with a smile leapt again. Again and again, he was hopping about the land. He felt free. Though soon he grew dissatisfied with just these leaps and bounds. He wanted to go higher, something drove him to reach higher. Exerting the strength within his legs, he forced the earth to move aside as he launched into the air. The air, the wind, all of it was calming. The clouds, the sky, it was all beautiful the higher he rose.

After a moment of joy, he was unsettled. He began to fall, nay plummet back to the earth. The young god worried about his next actions. It would seem history was to repeat itself, as he crashed into the ground. Leaving a small crater, the young god slowly stood. He felt numb all over his body. He soon began to dislike falling, growing some what frustrated over the fact the earth harms him so. He had no knowledge on how to rectify this problem. Still the urge to go higher remained, but the risk of slamming into the ground forced hesitation.

He decided the rewards outweighed the risks. The young god exited the crater. He would try one more time. Building up strength underneath him he jumped again. This time higher and farther. It was almost like flying. It was then the idea hit him. He needs to fly to avoid falling. Yet how does one fly? Falling once again, flailing about like a leaf in the wind. It was then he remembered... the wind. The Wind seems to float about the air, there must be some way for him to harness this? Was there? The ground was fast approaching. He had to do something quick. Yet, any options were quickly clouded by doubt and then frustration. Eventually his frustration turned into anger. Anger sparked his power, as electricity sparked and surged across his body. Soon the wind grew notably aggressive around him.

It was when he neared the earth that he tossed his hands down in efforts to stop himself. As soon as he did the wind was forced to break his fall. The force of the wind was so great, it propelled him back in midair. He noticed this. For some reason he has even greater power. He smiled again, as he became aware of his manipulation over the wind. Now he can't be harmed when he falls, he was overjoyed. In an expression of his happiness, he unwittingly released a large amount of power. Electricity surged about his body and was released from his palms in a large stream. The lightning rocketed him through the air with speed unimaginable. Yet, it had a drawback, with great speed, maneuverability became incredibly difficult to maintain. Unable to dodge or move, the young god slammed into a nearby forest. Crashing through branches and trunks with great ferocity. He would soon make an awkward entrance upon two, unsuspecting gods.

From the commotion from the nearby woods; it would give off the assumption that something destructive was on it's way. That was until the image of a naked man came thrashing out of the trees. He landed into the ground as his body slid past them unharmed. His momentum broken by a nearby tree. The man seemed to be scuffed, bruised, and dirtied. He felt a great pain across his body. He first attended the pain to his head, as he rubbed to soothe it. He wasn't quite sure what had happened, but apparently there was more to his power. Then the young god lifted his head to see two beings. One was a young man, like himself but with blue hair. The other a small girl. He was surprised to find beings that looked relatively like him. Recalling the image he saw in the water moments ago. He slowly stood as he felt his body ache. Almost as if in defiance of him moving. The young god didn't fancy the pain, but he was willing to ignore it.

Another detail caught his eyes, these gods wore clothing. Something he was without. He didn't much care he was nude, but the clothing interested him. It gave them a much more defined look. He wanted something like that for himself. Soon garments appeared upon his body. The young god felt the sensation of the fabric touching his skin. It was an odd feeling but not unpleasant. He then smiled again, "Does this life never cease to amaze me?" He spoke barely above a whisper. After his long gaze at his clothing, his eyes returned to the other beings. He stood apart from them and hardly made any motions to move closer. Instead he spoke, So I see I am not the only creature of it's kind in this world, am I?" The man spoke in a soft tone. He only stood there to observe these people. He felt curious yet cautious about these new acquaintances. He didn't know what to expect.

Karkorthi had done exactly as was her nature, for the most part. She had simply watched. Watched Ragon and Braun test eachother to their limits and then find peace with their differences. Watched Ai claim her prize and pull Braun aside. Watched Nuri test her powers and Ragon turn his attention to the little flitting things in the shallow waters of Ulmo's ocean.

Baraku's awakening powers sent distant thumps against her attention, but given how new she herself was to all of this, she ignored the new stimulus. There would be stumbles and mistakes as new Gods tested their new ways; she didn't feel like rushing off to look excitedly at every new thing as Cynn had done before running off somewhere else.

But her name plucks at the air, somewhere across the vastness of this new place. A deliberate summons. With nothing tying her to the beach except the vague amusements of a conversation she wasn't taking part in, Karkorthi decided that whomever summoned her might as well have her full attention. Silently, the Scorpion once more disappears into the glistening sand.

It isn't a breath later that she rises from the grass near Sargon's lake; the green parting like velvet curtains for the Earth Goddess. She recognized Sargon as having been one of the group on the beach, and seemed to consider him without the ability to tilt her massive carapace head. Settling her tail in a loose coil on her back, she finally speaks after a long moment in silence.

"What aid do you require, brother? I have no more experience than you at this .. life."

Ulmo watched the scene before him in alarm as a beast, no, a god appeared to confront Braun. This god was different from the rest of them. While Ulmo and the others took bipedal forms. He frowned slightly as the two began to fight, the beast-god furious and Braun just happy to find himself in another context. Braun does not seem to be the type to think things through the Sea God thought to himself. As they were fighting, Ulmo felt something soft hit him on the back of his head. He turned around.

It appeared to be a youth leading a trope of, what were those creatures? He frowned slightly. They didn't seem to be gods. All his instincts were telling him they weren't. Mortals? The word felt familiar on his tongue, but that was not who they truly were. He tried to name them, but he could not. Instead, he settled on glaring at the creatures and their leader, clearly a deity.

"Recreant Youth. You would do well to learn some manners," Ulmo declared, waving his hand as tentacles of water emerged from the Sea to drag him and the others into the ocean, not so deep that theyd' drown, but not so shallow that they'd injure themselves on the bottom of the Sea. After he was done, he saw that the fight had ceased. The beast-god was examining a fish. He gently took it from him, placing it into the Sea.

"A fish cannot live long outside the waters of its home. Yes, I created these. The Sea was empty and I have taken action to fill it. Yet, it appears that I am not done," he mused.

---

Ai]

---

Ai watched as the barely clad Braun stood. She still lay on her silk dress, black hair slipping over her bare body as watched with a soft smile.

Believe it or not, Ai wanted more, however satisfied she may have been. It was something she wanted...needed regularly but she composed herself.

Soon Braun had knelt in front of her, gently placing his large hand to her soft cheek. "Goddess of Love indeed, Your mastery of your realm is beyond compare." He said and Ai just smiled. Surely he'd find no other like her and she took great pride in that.

"I pray to thee that I may have absovled my sins with hopes that I will not be entirely forgotten." He said . "You have been forgiven,Dear brother, and you most certainly will not be forgotten." She breathed as he leaned in for a kiss.

He stood then, Ai resting her head in her hand, her body curved, making her all the more tempting.

"Farewell, Queen of the Hearts realm, Should you ever wish to revisit my labor of love you need but seek me out, and we shall spread our legends together once again."

Ai arched a single eyebrow. "I will keep that in mind, Brother but surely you will come to me when you find your mind wandering and your body yearning." She said her voice low and sleek.

She watched his gaze fall on her body once more, as he gave her a warm smile which she returned with a wave of her danity fingers.

Once he left, Ai lay back, with a smile. She wanted bring this feeling to all that she could. Perhaps, like Ulmo, she could create a physical realm, a place where she could use her power of one's heart and body.

She also thought, that when the first union of the flesh is made, neither should ever forget the other much like Braun hoped she would not, and she promised she wouldn't.

She dressed herself and sauntered back to the group. She found Anansi and grinned.

"Sister, May I make a request?"

"You already have."

"Sister...Truly, I need more of your beautiful silk. I wish to use it for my realm."

Anansi looked at her for a moment, then kneeled, as one of her eight legged progeny crawled up from the sand and into her palm. "Take this, Use his silk for your realm." Anansi said and Ai grinned. "Your kindness will not go unwarranted, Sister. I shall repay you, whatever you like, name it and it's yours."

"Will you depart now?"

"...Um, Yes"

"Then that is all I required."

Ai blinked. She wasn't entirely sure if she insulted or not but she got what she wanted and that was all that mattered. She took the creature and made her way back to the cove where, she and the creature begin threading it's silk in fine cloth while Ai, dressed her Cove. Making it as comfortable as possible, surely Braun or even one of the other will wish to join her.

East Ashariel

Sargon watched as the earth gave way to his sisters call. It did not rupture or rip as he expected, instead it simple melted away as if it never was. Solidifying only once her hulking form had breached the surface. Sargon was turkey impressed by the speed in which his sister answered his call.

"What aid do you require, brother? I have no more experience than you at this .. life." Karkorthi said regarding her brother.

"It is not life I seek sister" Sargon gestured to her respectfully "It is your command of the earth that I require aid for" he regarded the earth they stood upon "This is yours sister, and I would not seek to disrupt it with my creations" he turned and looked across over the inlet of water "But if you could grant me the earth that lies beneath this sea, then I shall promise that my creations shall never disrupt the land in which we now stand"

Sargon turned back to his sister "Gift me with the island I seek sister, and my creations from this day forward will fight to protect this earth you have given your life to. A land I can shape, and resources that will sustain the new life I seek to create. And I shall stand beside you, against any adversary you face"

She nodded slowly to herself at Nocte's somewhat distant but utterly silent reaction to her greeting. While as much a fan of thought as any and methodical approaches to the ways of life, it didn't sit right with Nuri to let such things get in the way of being friendly and talkative to those you were with. Though who was she to judge them, and the topic of creating seemed to have wormed its way into all their thoughts, which may well explain their absent-ness. Yes, that had to be it. Looking up at the goddess she smiled and half waved, half saluted her with index and middle finger pressed together while the rest of the fingers bent slightly.

"Well, ya seems busy. I'll leave you to it and speak soon. Seems we're all getting used to things, aye?"

With that she turned and hefted her hammer across her shoulders, catching sight of those few who still lingered and offering a similar wave in their direction before picking up her little glass figures and placing them on the shaft of the hammer so that they could continue the brawl they had yet to finish. As she began to walk northwards, in the direction of the smouldering volcanic mountains that she had formed with her awakening she began to have prickling doubts about this gathering of her siblings which slowly dulled her mood till by the time she reached the mountains slope she had been left dour and silent.

As she climbed up in the descending clouds of smoke that clung to the volcanoes, her skin was beginning to spark as her elemental nature came to the fore and by the time she reached the rivers of molten lava her hair was made of fire and her eyes smouldering. Kneeling by the rivers she slowly redirected their flow to form around her, shaping into a more permanent forge for her next work. The two glass figures were simple items, toy's really, and while she had been tempted to recreate each of her siblings in such a way she doubted if it would have been well received. Shaking her head to try and dislodge her negative feelings, viewing them as useless and a waste of effort she instead turned her focus to what she had intended.

Walking over to one of the rivers that now encircled the cooling metal of her forge she plunged her hands beneath the surface and hauled out in her hands parts of it that were still molten and those that were slowly solidifying. With these two opposites in hand she began to knead them together and shape them slowly, and with the utmost care. After awhile she looked down at the simple creation now nestled in her palm, humanoid in shape with dark skin and hair the same colour as the lava from which it was taken. She smiled as the first of her children took form, and continued tweeking it till she was satisfied and breathed life and eternal fire into the creature. Pleased with her efforts she set about gifting this firey domain with more of these beings, before taking them aside and shrinking down to their height so that she could teach them about the art of the forge till they grew in skill and wisdom.

Time had passed. How much time, Ulmo did not truly know. Time didn't really seem to matter to him as he worked to fill the Sea with life to match and even, in his view, surpass the life he had seen on dry land. The Beast-God, Ragon, had been particularly helpful in creating the predators that inhabited his real. It was fitting, in his view, to have fierce beasts to live beneath the Sea. They kept the numbers of the smaller creatures in check and the supply of prey kept their own numbers in check. Balance.

Of course, the world had many secrets that even he did not know of. There was the realm connected to the physical realm. The physical realm was the realm of mortals. What this word meant, he did not yet know, but he envisioned beings unable to change the world by their own will, but still shape great things with their bare hands. That was what he imagined. The mortal realm was stagnant. It stayed the way it was long after the gods were finished, but in the Realm of the Gods, only will mattered. Ulmo could shape anything simply by willing it, but he needed to maintain it with a portion of his attention, always, something he was finding easier and easier to do as time went on.

He had shared his discovery with the others, of course. They each claimed their own portion as the Realm of infinite, but together, they had created their own meeting place, The Hall of the Gods It was a magnificent place and in its center sat their thrones. Ulmo himself had carved a throne of silver and blue and white marbel, covering it with flora from the Sea which could live on dry land. That was not where they were meeting, though. Rather, in celebation of their efforts, the Gods had gathered together to celebrate with a feast. In a great feasting hall, the gods gathered to celebrate their works and Ulmo sat in his place of honor with a proud smile.

"Our labors are almost at an end, my bretheren. Let us feast, drink, and be merry," he announced, surveying the faces of the gods who had gathered together to celebrate.

So much time had passed since the Lord of Shadows had been birthed into this world. What would be centuries to mortals, had come and passed in the blink of an eye to the god. The immortals had discovered much about themselves and this world they called Ashariel. They had learned that not only was there the world of the mortals, the solid and consistent world where there creations roamed. There was also the world of the infinity, a boundless plain which the gods could shape and mold to their whim.

So each god had done, created their own realm. The Twisting Nether, Sargons realm and home, was an ethereal realm of immense beauty. It is filled with lush forests, towering mountains, crisp rivers and clear water lakes. Wild animals roam free, and great wolves are the guardians of its doors. It is here that Sargon rules over the spirits of their werebeast and champions. Yet they had all come to the conclusion that they needed a neutral ground, free of mortals, and thus the Hall of Immortals was born. It was a magnificent place and in its center sat their thrones, where the gods would meet and govern the mortal plain.

Sargons throne, a simple and strong construct of pure obsidian. Through it silver veins flowed, a metal Sargon had become particularly fond of. Etched upon its surface, and carved into its face rested runes and sigils, and the depictions of the great wolves, his favored creations. It rested in the eastern circle of thrones, just as his mortal realm rested in the east of Ashariel.

Sargon sat here now, his obsidian armor and throne reflecting the lights of the Hall. His sword, Retribution, rested against the side of his throne.

"Our labors are almost at an end, my bretheren. Let us feast, drink, and be merry," Ulmo said in joy to his kin.

Sargon looked to his right where Kaira sat in her throne "Ladies first my dear"

As the centuries passed, Kaira had tended to her realm, creating a haven for herself surrounded by water. While having no influence over the seas, Kaira had come to find the presence of water calming and she had surrounded herself with it, the crystal pools giving way to rich, fertile land where life flourished. She took great pride and pleasure in tending to the creatures that roamed the realm, careful not to interfere too much in the natural order of things.

She sat now in the Great Hall, surrounded once again by her closest friends. It was here, in their company that she was happiest. Her throne had been created from a tree that had once stood in her realm, the great structure feeling somewhat out of place there. Rather than letting the tree be destroyed, Kaira had modeled it into her throne. It stood, proud as any throne in that room, the smooth wood engraved with ivy and alstroemerias.

"Our labors are almost at an end, my bretheren. Let us feast, drink, and be merry," Ulmo announced.

"Ladies first my dear," Sargon looked to her, waiting for Kaira to take part in the merriment before he did.

She reached for a flagon of wine, filling her goblet. She raised it to Ulmo, "Well said Brother," She smiled before taking a sip. She turned to Sargon, holding up the flagon, "Wine, Sargon?"

The gods had long since left the days of their infancy behind. Centuries passed by in the blink of an eye to the great immortals. The Titan Braun was no exception. While his his brothers and sisters set to create great realms and leagues of faithful followers Braun set instead to the business of conquest. He pit himself against the greatest challenges he could find. From beasts, natural disasters and even his fellow gods. The fight he'd had with Ragon on the day of his birth now seemed tame in comparison to the battles he'd had since then with multiple of his kin. Though like that first conflict Braun never sought to bring true harm to his kin, no matter how cataclysmic the battle may have seemed he never allowed himself to harm his brothers and sisters. His greatest adversary during what in legend is called The Journey's of Braun or Braun's Trails was his brother Baraku.

Ever his adversary in all things Baraku was calamity and constantly sought to test the great God of Strength. From their battles whole peninsula had fallen into the sea, mountains crumbled and forests were flattened. Baraku was determined to prove himself stronger than the God of Strength. While normally Braun would welcome the constant challenge Baraku's motivations troubled him. His beliefs gave him pause and the hatred in his brothers eye wounded The Titan. Braun loved all of his kin but it was only Baraku who brought him true sorrow.

Seated now in the Great Hall that was so alike his own Jorrvaskr, forged in the heart of The Throat of The World. A mountain that was gifted unto Braun by his sister, Karkorthi Braun had torn the mountain asunder with his bare hands and crafted his mighty mead hall and home. He now sat in the mead hall to all the Gods seated a top a massive throne of stone. Within the throne was countless carvings and etchings of Braun's past heroic exploits. Depictions of his battle with the Lion of Nymea, his first Battle with Ragon, The bedding of Ai, The slaying of the Mad Hydra, The first battle beside his sister Kaira, The End of the Easter Coast of Essos where Braun tore the land mass off the main land and hurled it at his brother Baraku, The defense of Niueis when she had called upon him to protect her from an unwanted suitor, and many more legendary deeds of the God of Strength.

In his hand was a Iron Flagon of foaming ale and beside him was several barrels of the finest gods brew. He had began drinking long before arriving at the hall and was thrilled once his kin began enjoying themselves. He had a massive leg of some finely roasted bird in his hand that he was savagely tearing into, bite after hungry bite. After swallowing a mouthful he would wash his meal down with a few thirsty gulps of his brew, a good deal of which would drip into his beard and down his broad chest.

Beside him his sister Kaira offered Sargon some of the fine red God wine she was about to taste but Braun figured his Wolf Kin would savor the strength of Gods Ale instead, in fact they both may. He poured his brother and sister large pints of foaming ale and lumbered over with the flagons.

"While wine is fine, beer brings great cheer!"

Braun said happily as he slid the drinks across the table to his kin with a broad smile.

---

Ai.

---

Finally, Ai's palace was completed. With the help of Anansi's progeny, she was able to create a beautiful palace out of her Cove.Fine silk drapery stained with vibrant colors, hung down from the walls, and upon the floor, hiding the bleak black walls of the cave and the soft of colorless sand below. Small pillows lining the floor as well, so that no matter where she may end up, she would be protected. In the deepest part of the Cove, sat a large bed, large enough that even someone as large as Braun could lay and still have room for others, created with the help of her siblings of course.

Ai lay upon the bed, admiring her work, a mischievous grin on her face as she imagined the next person she should take to bed. She rose, her dress now stained blue and cut into two pieces, covering her lower half, a skirt with a split up the side and embroidered with silver hung her hips, and covering her top, was a matching blue and silver brazier. leaving her flat bronze midriff bare. She enjoyed dressing herself, so she had the spider create for her a royal blue silk shaw, that connected around her head,, that the Love Goddess a more ethereal look as she move against the wind. She emerged from her Cove and met with her siblings in the mead hall. She smiled brightly as her sisters and flirtatiously at her brothers. Our labors are almost at an end, my bretheren. Let us feast, drink, and be merry," Ulmo exclaimed and she smiled at him. She took a seat, just as Braun came around with Ale. She grinned a rose her glass to him. “ I have something to show you, Brother.” She said with a smile as she took a sip of her warm ale. She could feel already this night shall end, with one or more in her bed.

---

OOC: I'm drawing a blank for Anansi, right now, I'll think of something later/

Before Sargon could answer, Braun offered his advice, "While wine is fine, beer brings great cheer!" He grinned while sliding two flagons of ale to herself and Sargon. Kaira eyed the flagons, an eyebrow raised, then looked to her brother, shaking her head.

"Braun, my dear dear brother, what trouble you will get me into one day," Kaira drained her goblet, "But I fear this time you may be right. Tonight is a night to be merry, we can return to serious business in the morning." She raised her ale to her brother, dipping her head slightly before taking a drink.

Kaira watched Ai as she slinked over to Braun. "I have something to show you, Brother," She smiled at him, taking a sip of her ale. Kaira shared a knowing look with Sargon. They were all well aware of what it was Ai had to show Braun. Kaira smiled warmly at her, "Ai, sister," Kaira rose from her throne and embraced Ai warmly, "It is wonderful to see you again."