Within a vast cavern, comparable in scale to a football field, luminous flora, airborne spores, and exotic insects were observed in constant motion. At the cave's core, a resplendent cocoon pulsed with a dual-colored radiance, nestled upon what appeared to be an altar. The light it emitted was sufficient to bathe the entire subterranean expanse, illuminating every creature within its confines.
"In mere hours, I shall be reborn," a voice boomed from the heart of the light, causing the bioluminescent inhabitants dwelling near the altar to scatter in alarm.
A closer inspection of the radiant cocoon revealed a coiled, ape-like entity. Two horn-like protrusions, possessing a wooden texture, extended from its head, while its limbs seemed sculpted from the most exquisite stone.
As I awaited the moment of my emergence, my thoughts drifted to the fifty years spent within this primordial womb. I recalled my former existence as an ordinary student, recently graduated from high school, who decided to take a respite before embarking on university studies.
During this hiatus from academic pursuits, I secured a part-time position that offered substantial remuneration, enough to sustain myself while also contributing to my father's household expenses.
Life was proceeding smoothly until the day I obtained my driver's license, which led to my first major automotive mishap: a truck collided violently with my vehicle. Regrettably, I did not survive the incident, thus missing the opportunity to glean any wisdom from the experience.
Precisely as these reflections were occurring, an instinctive premonition signaled that the time to break free from the confines of the womb had arrived. With a mere exertion of my will, the dual-colored luminescence enveloping me fractured and detonated outwards, its force rippling through the surrounding cavern.
The resultant explosion orchestrated a spectacular transformation within the cave. Vegetation in the immediate vicinity began to flourish and expand with astonishing rapidity, invigorated by the surge of nascent energy. Roots delved deep into the earth, drawing sustenance and moisture.
Concurrently, the cave's fauna underwent a phase of accelerated evolution. Their physical forms adapted to the dynamic environment, integrating the light's potent energy. This evolution might have manifested as enhanced limbs, sharpened senses, or novel capabilities critical for their continued existence.
Descending from the altar's summit, I commenced an examination of my surroundings, absorbing every discernible detail. My gaze settled upon a tranquil, small pond filled with pristine water. I then manipulated the water, shaping it into a reflective surface mirroring my own dimensions, allowing me to behold my new form.
Upon gazing at the reflection conjured in the water's surface, a truly phenomenal sight presented itself. Before me stood an immense being, reaching an astonishing height of sixteen feet, reminiscent of a majestic King Kong. Yet, in contrast to the formidable bulk of its predecessor, my current manifestation conveyed an aura of refinement and nimbleness.
Crowning my head were two magnificent horns, artfully fashioned from solid wood, intricately adorned with delicate leaves. My arms, robust and powerful, appeared as though carved from ancient stone. My fur shimmered with an intrinsic luminescence, and a noteworthy feature was the presence of runic-like inscriptions covering my entire body.
Observing the peculiar markings etched across my transformed physique, I inwardly acknowledged them not as runes but as curses. These imprecations served as a symbolic representation of my divine essence as Ikenga, the deity bearing dominion over both the natural world and the realm of curses.
Now cognizant of my appearance, I dissolved the water mirror back into the pond before taking a deliberate step down from the altar. Surveying the cave, which had spontaneously developed its own ecosystem due to my birth, a profound sense of pride welled within me.
Whilst I referred to it as a cave, it was, in fact, a diminutive pocket dimension serving as the genesis point for a god; therefore, such an environment is an essential amenity for every newborn deity. Stepping beyond the cave's confines, a breathtaking vista unfurled before my eyes. I found myself positioned atop a colossal mountain peak, its summit piercing the heavens, offering a panoramic spectacle that was utterly awe-inspiring.
The landscape that lay before me could only be characterized as primeval. Enormous fauna, bearing an uncanny resemblance to dinosaurs, traversed the terrain. Gigantic avian creatures soared through the azure expanse, while colossal trees, reaching heights equivalent to half that of the mountain I stood upon, formed a dense, verdant canopy.
Mountains, deep valleys, and sprawling, verdant terrains stretched as far as the horizon. The atmosphere was bracing and revitalizing, carrying the fragrant scents of wild blossoms, the rich aroma of the earth, and a faint suggestion of distant oceanic expanses.
An additional striking characteristic that captured my attention was the presence of two celestial moons suspended in the firmament. Their otherworldly radiance imbued the prehistoric panorama with an ethereal ambiance, accentuating the scene's sense of mystique and wonder.
As I settled at the cave's edge, the scene unfolding confirmed the truths passed down through Nana's inherited memories. Nana, the name given to this world I now inhabit. According to these memories, Nana awakened her consciousness two millennia ago, a nascent world still in its early stages of development.
In essence, Nana is my mother in this new existence. She is a vast planet that gained self-awareness and, for the purpose of its growth and safety, resolved to bring forth Gods to aid in its development. Read latest chapters at novelbin.com only.
I am one of these born Gods. The information I received from her was standard. All of my siblings, the other Gods, were imparted the same knowledge while within the womb – a form of inherited memory.
Previously a human, my rebirth into this world and fifty years spent within the womb altered my being. Initially, there was the novelty of a second chance, evolving into impatience for the impending birth. Time fostered a wild, vivid imagination, envisioning my conquest of this world and attainment of ultimate power. However, amid these grand aspirations, a creeping loneliness began to emerge.
This loneliness gave way to anger as I contemplated my demise and the prospect of enduring fifty years of isolation. The frustration intensified with the realization that by the time of my birth, my parents would be gone, and my younger siblings considerably aged. While they would be far along in their lives, I would just be commencing my new journey.
For fifty years, I journeyed through every conceivable emotion in silence, with no one to converse with. From the lowest valleys of despair to the highest peaks of elation, I experienced it all. Yet, as time progressed, a profound sense of tranquility and indifference enveloped me.
While it might seem I succumbed to madness, deep down, I knew this calmness and indifference stemmed from acceptance. I arrived at a point of acknowledging the undeniable reality—I had died and been reborn into a new world, and no amount of rage or resistance could alter this fact. I understood that embracing acceptance was the crucial step. Any other path would inevitably lead to despair, and I desired something more than that.
From the inheritance, it's clear this world is in a primitive era, yet it harbors humans who evolved naturally, predating Nana's development of consciousness.
Upon her own birth, Nana also received inherited memories from the primordial chaos. This knowledge guided her decision to create Gods. Through this inheritance, she learned of countless other worlds similar to hers that had achieved consciousness, and of civilizations that preyed upon such worlds.
The Abyss is one such predator, though it acts on instinct rather than intent, driven to assimilate worlds. Then there are the wizard civilizations, who conquer worlds for experimentation, resources, or as dumping grounds for their failed creations. While other threats exist, these two are the primary ones to dread encountering.
Aware of the potential threats from other worlds that could harm or destroy her, Nana instinctively sought self-preservation, yet as a living, massive planet, she was powerless.
Direct confrontation was impossible due to universal laws, a significant drawback of being a world consciousness. Her only recourse was to create entities that could act as her protectors.
We Gods fulfill this role of guardians, but our purpose extends further. We are tasked with initiating change, creating magical life forms, and crucially, protecting and guiding the humans of this planet.
These responsibilities aren't exclusively ours; however, ignorance can sometimes be a blessing. If Nana remained unaware of external threats...
She might have allowed everything to evolve naturally. But such evolution would span millions of years, and who could guarantee that no unforeseen events would occur during that vast timeframe?
