The Guardian gods Chapter 4: Choices

His domain exists as the sole sanctuary for him beneath the sun, yet it remains perilous for any not spawned within its bounds. Even for us, divine beings, approaching the sun would be akin to repeating Icarus's fated flight.

Ceasing his address, he turned his gaze upon Mahu and myself. "The purpose behind this gathering was twofold: to ensure an equitable distribution of territories and to impart knowledge on the creation of new lifeforms for this world."

"Keles and Jaus have no requirement for land due to unique circumstances, leaving the territories available for you, Mahu, and myself."

With a faint luminescence emanating from his hands, he tapped the table. Instantly, a holographic projection of the planet materialized before us.

"I harbor a considerable interest in the development of the western regions," he remarked, then propelled the projection towards me.

Receiving the projection, I pondered the predicament I found myself in. Without a clear sense of direction, having only recently come into existence and with scant exploration of this new world, I struggled to identify a suitable territory.

It was an option to defer my choice, to select a land only after a thorough exploration. However, a preliminary examination of the projection might reveal a land that would resonate with me.

Upon closer inspection, the projection revealed itself to be far more than a simple display. The inhabitants and landscapes within appeared vibrant and alive, as if I were observing a true reflection of the planet itself. The projection unveiled a world dominated by four vast continents, each dwarfing the continents of the former Earth in size. These were broadly categorized as the East, West, North, and South, with a smattering of smaller islands dispersed across the expanse.

As the view zoomed in, human settlements became visible, with individuals engaged in discussions. Nothing within the projection remained static. Based on my observations, the humans had diversified into distinct regional groups, resulting in varied appearances.

Employing the classifications from my previous existence, I identified individuals resembling black, white, and brown peoples, alongside others with distinctly Asian features. Their appearances were dictated by their geographic location, yet a common thread bound them: their astonishing lack of advancement.

Furthermore, none had demonstrated any aptitude for magical abilities, despite the world's abundant mana. Yes, this world possesses a mystical energy known as 'Mana', and its prevalence stems from a gift bestowed by the vast chaos to Nana upon gaining consciousness.

Such a gift is a common occurrence when a world awakens, yet it also harbors a curse, as external forces seek to exploit this surge of potent mana.

Consequently, it was surprising that no human had yet learned to harness the immense energy surrounding them. The projection displayed numerous mutated creatures, empowered by this energy and possessing extraordinary abilities.

Further scrutiny of the western territory revealed something that immediately commanded my attention.

Focusing the projection, I observed winged humanoid creatures, enveloped in a faint aura reminiscent of Crepuscular. They resided upon a towering mountain range, much like the one that served as my birthplace, constructing their dwellings in a manner only conceivable for beings capable of flight.

My assumption was that these were his creations, and their rapid development, with some even wielding abilities such as pyromancy, confirmed this suspicion.

Now, his fascination with the west became apparent. Considering the swift advancement of these nascent beings, it was evident he had invested significant resources in their growth. Something within one of the structures inhabited by these new creatures drew my notice. An aura identical to Crepuscular's emanated from within, leading me to suspect it was him, were he not seated across from me.

As I moved to examine it more closely, Crepuscular made a subtle gesture, causing the image to blur.

This prompted me to shift my gaze from the projection to him. He, however, seemed disinclined to discuss the matter, ignoring my subtle inquiry. His actions, coupled with my observations from the projection, led me to believe this endeavor signified more than mere territorial allocation.

Perhaps these lands would represent our respective spheres of influence, and any encroachment would inevitably lead to conflict. The other two deities already possessed a head start; who could say if they hadn't already initiated their own creations and developmental processes?

Territories and creation – I couldn't shake the feeling that this held a significance far beyond my initial comprehension. What if these two elements were symbolic of power? Claiming a territory as one's own, and having creations linked to one's being.

No one exists above conflict, and should such a confrontation arise, I might already be at a disadvantage. What if divine conflicts are not resolved through direct combat, but rather through the prowess of one's creations?

If my suspicions hold true, then prioritizing the selection of a territory and the commencement of my own creation and its subsequent development must take precedence above all else. This meeting, it seems, transcended Crepuscular's personal desires; Nana must be the architect behind it.

Now that I grasp the distribution more fully, Crepuscular's easy acceptance of the arrangement strikes me as peculiar.

It would have been more in character for him to contest more territories, given that more land means more power, and his elder status grants him ample time for development. His contentment with only the west suggests Nana must have intervened to curb his ambition.

With all the necessary information gleaned from the projection, I passed it to Mahu. She can now review it and make her own decision. I'm curious if she'll interpret the situation as I have, and whether she'll choose the moon as her domain or opt for something else.

As I awaited Mahu's choice in quiet contemplation, I couldn't resist idly experimenting with my abilities. Were a spaceship to pass by the moon and peer into the realm of the moon goddess, it would behold five colossal entities, each enthroned like royalty.

The first entity emanated a light as fierce as the sun, absorbed in deep thought, pondering some profound enigma.

The second entity bore an amphibian likeness, arms crossed, eyes shut, seemingly lost in a world of dreams, communing with the very essence of slumber.

The third entity, despite an initial aura of death and morbidity, possessed a strange charm that compelled acceptance from those who dared to observe its unusual form. What was once unsettling became surprisingly normal, even captivating.

The fourth entity radiated a playful energy, its ape-like form with outstretched limbs showcasing both flourishing and decaying flora, a whimsical dance of life and demise.

The last being, utterly breathtaking, held something that would instill fear if not examined closely. She appeared to cradle a miniature world in her hands, occasionally interacting with it intently, only to abandon her interest and casually crush the small world into scattered motes of light.

~~~~~~~~~~

Upon Mahu's completion, she dispersed the projection, shattering it into fading specks of light.

"I suppose you both have made your decisions," Crepuscular announced, prompting the other two deities to turn their expectant gazes towards me and Mahu, awaiting our declarations.

The time Mahu spent deliberating was ample for me to finalize my own decision.

"I select the east, my birthplace," I declared. My choice elicited no immediate reaction from the others, and all eyes shifted to Mahu for her statement.

"I choose the north," she confirmed.

"With that settled, allow me to explain the process of creation for gods at our level," Crepuscular began.

For nascent gods like us, conjuring life from nothingness is impossible. We must employ natural means, which involves selecting and mating with an intelligent magical creature.

Crepuscular recounted how, after receiving his charge from Nana to create, he struggled initially. His insight came upon witnessing the reproductive methods of humans and other beings.

This observation led him to question why, if lesser beings could create life so readily, he as a god could not achieve the same. However, once he understood the principle of creation, he found himself unable to test his newfound knowledge.

Without any other divine beings to assist him, he had to rely on magical creatures. It was during this time that he encountered a large, intelligent bird with a strong affinity for flame, capable of communicating with him on a spiritual level.