The Guardian gods Chapter 2: Calling

Aware of all this, she resolved to accelerate her evolution with our divine assistance. As I positioned myself on the mountain's summit, at the cave's edge, meticulously reviewing the inheritance, a distinct sensation of being summoned washed over me.

Instantly, I sprang from my seated posture, my gaze sweeping the surroundings, searching for the source of this call. After a prolonged examination, I discerned that the summons emanated from above. Slowly, I tilted my head upward, only to be met by the sight of the moon.

As my focus intensified on the moon, the calling grew more potent. Nevertheless, a sense of unease persisted due to the sheer strangeness of the situation. Recognizing the moon as the origin of this anomaly brought a measure of calm, affording me a brief window for contemplation, though no logical explanation for the unfolding events presented itself.

Responding to this mysterious summons was out of the question until I could ascertain its nature. Being new to this world, adopting a cautious approach to the unforeseen was paramount.

Still lacking a reason for the call, I pondered what might offer insight: the Inheritance. Could Nana have included information pertaining to such circumstances? While the inheritance proved unhelpful, it did mention a moon goddess among Nana's offspring. Perhaps she was the catalyst for this enigma.

While I was lost in thought, the persistent calling abruptly ceased. Immediately after, a soft, whisper-like feminine voice reached my ear, inquiring, "Why do you not answer the call, twin brother?"

Subconsciously, Ikenga glanced over his left shoulder, as if expecting someone's presence, but to no avail; no one was there. Composing himself, he addressed the empty air, "I was pondering the reason for your summons."

"Had you answered, you would have discovered the reason for my call myself," the voice replied.

"True. However, since we are conversing now, you may as well inform me of your reason for calling, can you not?"

"A gathering is to be held at my residence, and your presence is of great importance," the voice stated before vanishing.

Knowing she was no longer present, Ikenga drew a deep breath, releasing it with a hearty laugh as he recalled his cautious demeanor upon receiving the initial call.

While Ikenga could be held accountable for his reaction, it was not entirely his fault; he was fundamentally different from the other gods born of Nana. The other deities could be likened to a blank slate, imbued with the knowledge of their inheritance. Ikenga, however, was not a blank slate.

Having experienced a life before his rebirth as a god, he had merely skimmed the surface of his newfound divine form, opting not to immerse himself in its accompanying intricacies. Instead, his focus remained riveted on reflecting on his past life and the inheritance of memories that accompanied his current existence.

For the other gods, their birth into this realm rendered the inheritance memory less critical. It served as a useful instrument for them, but for Ikenga, it held considerably more weight. Despite spending fifty years gestating within the womb, his memories fully intact, and having accepted his rebirth, the moment he entered this new existence, he found himself drawn to verify the authenticity of his current reality by consulting the inheritance memory.

Consider it akin to a student who diligently prepares for a crucial examination over an extended period. Then, on the day of the test, it feels as though it has arrived too quickly, and they are unsure of the material. Consequently, they periodically revisit their textbooks, rereading chapters to ensure they retain everything.

This very reason explained his lack of surprise at the voice and his swift composure. The call itself was not unprecedented, and he could have initiated contact himself but refrained from doing so due to his sole preoccupation with the memories. Now, however, he was prepared to explore his capabilities.

Ikenga's laughter subsided as he inhaled deeply, steeling himself for the path ahead. With his eyes closed, he took a deliberate step forward from the mountain's precipice, embracing the inevitable descent. As he fell, a profound connection began to forge itself between Ikenga and his divine essence, intricately weaving with the very fabric of nature.

In this moment of profound connection, his thoughts drifted to the druids, figures often associated with nature in mythological narratives. Ikenga's contemplation narrowed to a specific aspect of the druidic tradition: the ability to shapeshift into animals with whom they had formed a bond.

But there exists a distinction between myself and the druids. I currently lack any animals with whom to forge such a connection. Yet, do I truly require such a connection when I am already a god whose divinity is intrinsically nature itself?

As the ground rapidly approached, I recognized the necessity of attempting something, even though the fall itself would cause no harm. It would, however, be rather embarrassing. Thus, drawing upon my inherent connection with nature...

Ikenga fixated his thoughts on the image of an eagle, and his divine power readily supported this visualization. The brilliant essence of his divinity flowed into the imagined form, breathing life into it within his mind's eye. With this connection solidified, he opened his eyes, spreading his arms wide, and a luminous cocoon of light then encased him.

A piercing avian cry echoed forcefully through the expanse. From the very spot where Ikenga had been descending, a colossal eagle, its size rivaling a human's, launched into the air with startling speed. Its mighty wings beat the atmosphere as it ascended rapidly, its course aimed directly at the distant moon suspended in the heavens.

As Ikenga, now transformed into an eagle, soared toward the moon, he reveled in the exhilaration of flight and the novel perspective it offered, feeling the wind stream through his feathers.

Simultaneously, a growing sense of frustration mounted within him. Despite his increased speed, the resistance he encountered hindered his progress toward his objective. He recognized his potential for greater exertion, so he delved deep into his core, unleashing more power. In response, specks of golden-yellow light began to materialize around him.

These luminous points instantly alleviated the resistance, and with a powerful sweep of his wings, he became a streak of light, breaching the planet's atmosphere.

While navigating the void towards the moon, the summons echoed once more. This time, he responded, and a shimmering silver portal, scaled to his considerable size, materialized before him. With a graceful beat of his wings, he entered the portal, which sealed shut behind him without delay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the same world where Ikenga resided, far beneath the ocean's surface in the abyssal depths where light dared not penetrate, an altar, strikingly similar to the one where Ikenga had originated, was visible.

Dominating the altar's center was a grand throne, occupied by the Sea God, who had come into being millennia before Ikenga. He had received the same summons as Ikenga, but unlike Ikenga's hesitation, he had accepted it without reservation. The message he received was evidently a source of immense delight.

A grin, revealing a formidable array of sharp teeth, stretched across the god's face as he rose from his throne.

"Finally," the god declared, his voice resonating through the darkness. "I shall depart shortly. See to the little ones."

"Yes, Father," a response echoed back, emanating from four red eyes, each as large as a tennis ball. Upon closer listening, the voices seemed to be a combination of male and female.

Satisfied with their reply, the god descended from his altar, merging seamlessly with the surrounding oceanic waters. From an aerial perspective, the ocean appeared placid and undisturbed, with only faint currents betraying its depth.

A flock of large avian creatures, seemingly sustained by the ocean's bounty, circled overhead. Periodically, a group would plunge into the water, emerging moments later with substantial fish clutched in their beaks.

This feeding pattern continued until a bird let out a panicked screech, sending the others into a chaotic frenzy. They scattered, abandoning even their catches in their haste to flee the area. The ocean abruptly became unnervingly still, like a placid pond, before a creature rivaling a megalodon in size breached the surface.

Instead of returning to the depths like a typical marine inhabitant, the megalodon rocketed skyward, heading rapidly towards the moon. Trails of blue light detached from the water's surface, adhering to the creature before transforming into tiny points of light, indistinguishable from the distant stars.

Following the creature's departure, the ocean swiftly reverted to its natural state. The birds ceased their panicked flight, though they did not return to resume their hunt.