The Guardian gods Chapter 3: Meeting

Elsewhere, an analogous event unfolded, distinguished solely by its setting. Deep within the terrestrial sphere, a separate realm coalesced, serving as the domain of the goddess of darkness and death. She received the identical summons as the other two deities, surveying her surroundings – a domain populated by ethereal, translucent souls, with the two male figures lying prostrate at her feet. A vortex of smoky vapor enveloped her, dissipating moments later, signifying her departure.

A vulture, human-sized and obsidian-black, its form composed of swirling smoke, hurtled toward the moon. The creature's trajectory left behind luminous trails that seemed to draw a veil across the heavens, and as it vanished, the world plunged into a profound darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~

Emerging from the portal, I found myself upon the lunar surface, where I could breathe freely and endured no icy chill. My form reverted to its humanoid state.

While adrift on the moonscape, I observed that the other moon appeared somewhat larger than my current location – perhaps it was designated for the planet, whereas this one served as the goddess's abode.

Casting my gaze upon a different planet than the one etched in my memory, I noted its considerably greater size, resembling a fusion of two Earths, though its overall appearance bore a distinct resemblance.

Two immense portals materialized behind me, and from their depths emerged two beings of peculiar appearance, reminiscent of my eagle form. A single inhalation revealed one carried the scent of death, while the other exuded the aroma of the ocean.

In a mere instant, both assumed their humanoid visages. As I contemplated these two beings, who shared my lineage yet displayed markedly different features, I couldn't help but reflect on the peculiar nature of this nascent existence.

Just as Ikenga observed the two gods before him, they too were scrutinizing him. However, before any words could be exchanged, two distinct presences, one intensely hot and the other profoundly cold, seemed to step from an unseen space, as if they had been there all along.

The one emanating the cold presence spoke, saying, "Since everyone has arrived, follow me." Turning, she re-entered the invisible rift from which she had emerged, and without hesitation, we all followed her into its depths.

On the other side of this ethereal passage, a garden materialized, populated by exotic flora and fauna. At the garden's center stood a long table crafted from moonstones, encircled by five colossal thrones.

Proceeding to one of the thrones and taking my seat, I took a moment to survey the assembly, beginning with the one radiating immense heat.

The sun and sky god, appearing as a humanoid golden bird, projected an intense radiance that obscured his face in a blinding luminescence. His hair resembled fiery strands, crackling and flickering with an enchanting glow. Each feather adorning his form pulsed with an inner fiery essence, as flames danced along their edges.

The other figure, the Goddess of Darkness and Death. The very air around her carried an undeniable scent of mortality, yet it possessed an uncanny allure that paradoxically evoked both apprehension and serenity. With each drawn breath, one might find themselves succumbing to a profound slumber. Her appearance mirrored that of a lich, bearing the skeletal visage associated with the realms of the deceased. A mantle of deepest darkness enshrouded her ethereal being, lending her an otherworldly and intangible quality. Yet, from within this enigmatic veil, her hands and feet emerged – pale and flawless, exuding a spectral beauty that stood in stark contrast to the surrounding gloom.

The subsequent deity was the one whose essence carried the scent of the ocean, accompanied by faint, echoing sounds of waves when one drew near. He was the god of the sea and storms.

Assuming the form of a humanoid shark, this deity possessed an imposing aura. Tentacles resembling flowing water cascaded gracefully from his head, mimicking the rhythmic undulations of the ocean's currents. His physique seemed almost elemental, suggesting a fusion of raw power and a profound connection to the sea's natural forces. While his stance might convey a sense of untamed energy, it was his eyes that truly captivated. A glance into them evoked the profound calm and stillness found in the ocean's deepest abysses; despite his formidable appearance, a deep wellspring of wisdom and tranquility resided within.

The final deity was the one with whom I had previously communed, the one supposedly my twin – she, the goddess of the moon and motherhood. Out of all of us, she bore the most human-like resemblance. Her lengthy, silver tresses cascaded gracefully to her feet, imparting an ethereal quality to her countenance. Her skin possessed a luminous shimmer, akin to the twinkling stars scattered across the night sky, reflecting the cosmic essence she embodied.

While she bore a human likeness, her imposing stature set her apart. Like the rest of our divine kin, we all stood at a formidable height of sixteen feet, a testament to our inherent grandeur. However, it is crucial to note that this towering stature represents our customary size, as we possess the innate ability to assume even more colossal forms should the necessity arise.

Once everyone settled, a moment of quiet passed before names were exchanged. There was the Sun God, whose name was "Crepuscular," the goddess of death, Keles, the sea god, Jaus, and the goddess of the moon, Mahu.

My gaze fell upon Mahu, the moon goddess. Sensing my bewilderment, she inquired, "What is it?"

Her question drew the attention of the others towards us. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before speaking.

"Since we were both born at the same time, why did you summon this meeting?" This question had been nagging at me since I received the invitation, and it only intensified upon seeing the other deities present.

They all appeared to be aware of the meeting's purpose. As my twin sister had initiated it, she must surely know the reason. Yet, the mystery remained: how did she know we were born simultaneously? It was logical for the elder gods to be informed, but for Mahu...

Had there been a clandestine gathering that excluded me? Noticing my profound confusion, she gently shook her head and replied, "I do not know the reason for this meeting either. However, someone will soon resolve our doubts, won't they, Crepuscular?"

At her words, I turned my attention to the Sun God, who offered a nod in return before speaking. "I requested her to call this meeting. I could no longer contain myself after such a long wait, little brother."

"We have all been anticipating the birth of you and Mahu," Jaus added.

(Crepuscular's Point of View)

Observing the perplexed expressions on our newly acknowledged siblings' faces, a thought flickered through my mind—perhaps this meeting was somewhat premature. Yet, I truly could not bear to wait several more years for them to acclimate.

Furthermore, Nana is asleep, and she had instructed me to inform them of certain matters and ensure they were adequately prepared before her awakening.

I produced a slight cough, adeptly capturing the attention of both deities. Jaus reclined on his throne, his arms crossed stoically over his chest. Keles, though her expression remained impassive, conveyed her rapt attention through her posture.

The three of us had already a thorough discussion, so there was no necessity for them to focus intently. Perceiving that I had secured their undivided attention, I leaned back into my throne, commencing the revelation.

~~~~~~~

As the Sun God shifted back against his throne, I paid him even closer attention, eager to hear his account. He revealed that he was two hundred years of age, the firstborn of Nana. From the very instant of his birth, Nana's sole directive to him was to refrain from interfering with the mortals inhabiting the planet.

With no pressing duties, he entered a profound slumber that endured for an indeterminate period. He was eventually roused by the birth of Keles. Concurrently, Keles's arrival brought forth a new commandment from Nana: the creation of new life forms upon the planet.

This particular decree proved exceedingly challenging for him. Despite his divine status, conjuring novel life from the ether was beyond his capabilities at that juncture. Nana herself could have undertaken this task, but she was expending all her energy in the process of giving birth to us. Consequently, this burden now rested upon our shoulders.

Upon Jaus's emergence, another directive emanated from Nana: the division of the lands amongst ourselves. This directive stood as a primary catalyst for the current assembly.

According to Crepuscular, following Nana's delivery of Mahu and myself, she descended into a deep slumber. It appeared that the simultaneous birth of two deities had utterly depleted her reserves of energy.

Her final instruction, delivered just prior to succumbing to sleep, granted us permission to interact with the humans, but explicitly forbade any intermingling through matrimony. He proceeded to elucidate that the reason Mahu had convened this gathering was rooted in the fact that her domain offered a more suitable ambiance for our reunion compared to his own; his realm, being intrinsically linked to the sun's immediate vicinity, radiated an unbearable heat.