For as long as man has known of immortal beings they have also aspired to become one. Hardly ever were the worries and woes of such beings thought of when the ability to outlast everything seemed so great. But there are many things that would cause an immortal being an even greater pain than death.
The pain of grief from losing those close to you, long outliving thise you care about. The pain of isolation, hiding yourself away from a world that would probe you to see how you work. Perhaps these all pale in comparison the worst pain of all for a powerful, everlasting being.
Boredom
Though it may seem silly to those who are not in the know but boredom is not something so easily cured as finding a good book or looking at some hilarious event when you predate all these things. When you yourself could do more than the writer of some novel could hope to imagine what could there be to interest you.
Because when the very fabric of reality could be bent at a thought, space and time can shatter to your whim, and Robert Downey Jr. has stopped playing as Iron Man what do you truly have to look forward to?
Such is the problem of the current Eldest God of Death.
Potum Sanguis has quite the interesting tale across his many millennia of life, though reminiscing of the past does nothing to fix the present. A sad fact of life, and one that Potum is near constantly reminded of.
And so, the pale man sat across his throne, abyss black hair pooling around his shoulders falling off to either side. legs splayed over the arm in a manor akin to a teenager.
His stained crimson lips pressed into a thin line as his eyes faded between the many colors found in a rainbow, not a shade nor hue neglected. The palm currently holding his head up was something that would send shivers down the spine of those that knew him.
He was bored.
Usually this is a terrible sign for all, including the other gods, especially those ranked below him. Even worse that the mighty master of death waved away all challengers, not even the promise of a good fight seeming interesting at this moment.
It is with this worry in mind that the black haired, ivory skinned god rose from his seat and went to speak to his lord. The god above all others, even those known as The Critical Concepts.
The hierarchy of the gods is a simple thing in all honesty.
The farther back in time you go the higher they rank in the chain of command, usually. Gods that were worshiped around the same time often come to agreements or compromises with each other on things pertaining to their domains.
Potum however is an Eldest God. As the name would imply he exists at the pinnacle of command with only one being of higher command than himself. Of course, this means nothing about him being able to command other gods to change things drastically but he is given just respect.
The only being higher than him on the proverbial totem pole of command is the ultimate god who prefers to go by the name Dub. A being that has existed far beyond the beginning of man or any other being in existence.
To put his power into perspective, think of things this way. Potum is the eldest God of Death. If it pertains to Death his word is law by the powers of reality. If he wishes for you to simply die then it happens, whether there may be a reason for it or not. He could simply look you in the eye and ask you to die. The fact remains that it will happen.
However even some of the other god's joke that if Potum were to ask for someone to surrender their soul onto him they would do it willingly, as he is simply that charming.
In comparison to Potum's abilities Dub's domain is all realities. Dub's word is literal law because he is the creator and controller of reality. Everything that has, is, and will happen happens because he wants it to. And that includes all realities not just the one he physically happens to be in. And even then, he could physically be in all of them if he so wishes.
Several gods joke that the only reason Dub doesnt seem to get bored is because he decided he can't.
If Dub were to make a stone he could not lift he could make two alternate cases of reality happening at the exact same moment within the same space where he can both and not lift the stone.
An odd idea for most people to wrap their heads around I am sure but fret not, he doesn't stick around long. He never needs to.
"Lord Dub" the deep, smooth voice of Potum calls out as he kneels before what could be considered his boss on the non existent floor. Around him seems to be an endless cosmos filled with stars, planets, life and any number of things that would boggle a mortal mind.
Oddly enough while Dub is the literal most powerful being In any form of existence he is rather humble and often asks Potum to not address him as such, and though he could simply make Potum stop addressing him in such a way he believes in a true free will as opposed to forcing circumstances
Potum simply enjoys talking in such a manner.
To describe what Dub may look like would be impossible in any form of mortal understanding, existing in a state that if Potum cared would most likely boggle him as well.
You see Dub can never truly pick what he wants to look like so instead decides to be everything. If you could observe him closely you could tell that his body exists within all states of matter, and all known elements, at the same time. Again, an odd concept but that's what makes it fun for Dub. Commonly he takes a male humanoid shape but again that is only more often than not. At any given point he could be literally any number of things.
The other gods simply ignore it and carry on.
"Hello Potum. I am already aware of your condition and approve of your idea." The ever-shifting mass speaks with a mouth only to make it easier on the psyche of those he speaks to. His voice seemed to only emanate from the mouth in a calm and gentle tone.
Asking for an actual face to look at is just taking all his fun away.
"My lord I thank you for approving of my idea but I must ask you to elaborate. I have yet to come up with said idea." Potum asks in a calm and smooth tone as before. Of course, getting irate would do him no good but he has also grown used to Dub and his method of speaking.
"I apologize. The twins were here mere moments ago and I simply forget about the relativity of time after talking with them." Dub speaks again as he floats still in the center of the infinite cosmos. To say he was doing nothing would be incorrect but to list all that he was doing would take too long.
"They do have a tendency to mess with one's understanding of the flow of things. I was also unaware you could forget things My lord. That seems rather dangerous." Potum states with only the slightest hint of worry in his voice. This is the closest thing to fear that Potum has EVER shown.
"Meh. If I want to stop I will. Now then your idea was to go to another universe and pose as a mortal being. Given those systems you put in place with the other gods I approve of this idea." As Dub spoke the final words of his sentence a Potum found himself gone from his master and the realm of the gods.
Now he stands in a field of lush greenery with the sun shining down on his face. The smell of honey suckles hang in the air while all things seem peaceful. Birds chirp in the distance, uncaring of this man's sudden presence. Quiet and serene it's almost a place the Potum would come to catch up on some light reading, were it not for the screaming of the many dead that he could hear.
It is only now that we can truly see the entity known as Potum can be made. A tall, slender man with pitch black hair that reaches down to the center of his back. His ivory skin glowing in the sunlight while his eyes scan the area changing to every color imaginable, one after the other.
His clothes seem like an older style of a three-piece suit. Black slacks, black leather shoes, black vest, over a simple white button up shirt. A crimson cape flowing in a breeze that nothing else seemed to notice or be effected by.
At his side lies perhaps the most interesting piece of attire. On his hip is a simple looking katana with a black hilt, stored in pure white sheathe.
"So then, lord Dub said my idea was that I take the guise of a mortal. Of course, I could limit myself if I were to possess the form of a living mortal, though I first need to see what goes on in this world before I can truly decide how I would care to follow this through." Potum spoke to himself. A habit he finds helps him think clearly.
Shuttung his eyes Potum takes a deep breath, filtering through the souls of this universe. Many, many mortals have been slain on this planet. each and every souls was open for Potum to look at, talk to, command.
He really didn't need to close his eyes but he finds it easier to pay attention to the dead if nothing were to distract him.
"I see... Aura... Semblance...Grimm. I now have an understanding of at least a first-person view of this world's history. Though slaying the Grimm would be child's play for me." Potum thought to himself "my current level is far too great to enjoy myself. perhaps even suppressing myself to my limits would be too great... though My Lord did mention taking the guise of mortal."
Potum cut his thoughts short as he sensed a new feeling. The feeling of a living being, but one that lacked a soul.
"This must be one of those Grimm creatures" Potum noted, looking at the bear like creature at the edge of a woods not but a mile from him.
A creature that was watching him with a wary sense to it. As though it has some form of grasp of Potum's power. as though it can sense the Death that he embodies.
That may be the reason they were avoiding him.
"Such wretched life forms. Feasting on the skin of man for an idea as tedious as hate. To think they live for such long times and still express such desires... this world has beings who kill such creatures. I could become one of these 'Hunters' but even then, that may not prove entertaining. I am well aware I could slay the beasts even in a limited mortal form. Something I could not so easily predict would be far more exciting." Potum pondered aloud as he began to walk.
His destination a bright light of souls he could sense not far from him. From his knowledge acquired from the dead this 'Kingdom' should be called Vale.
True to his word the Grimm seemed to disperse and flee from around him for miles on end. No doubt he would draw attention in such a display. Not that he was ever one to care but perhaps, for the sake of entertainment, he should keep things hushed.
Musing to himself he continued his walk directly to the wall of the Kingdom of Vale. His knowledge gained from the dead has already given him a perfect understanding of where most things are in this town and an interesting idea.
"No one said I must fight the beings myself. Even in my most limited form I would be able to lay waste to thousands in a moment. However, if I were to possess the body of another mortal then my abilities would be even further limited. What's more I would also be able to socialize with the humans of this world. Oh, the joy of so many different cultures and people. Truly something I could never grow bored of." Potum began to form a plan as to who he would possess and what qualifications would make them perfect.
"This 'Aura' seems to be an approximation of the power of their soul. As such it would require quite the large Aura for my vessel to contain my limited power. As well I would like someone young, perhaps a teenager. They are often social beings. What's more a Hunter or Hunter-to-be would be preferable. It would be best to cover up my slaying of these Grimm. I would prefer to stay male. I would have to let Serena assume command if I possessed a female and that would simply ruin my fun. Finally, someone who will be with large groups of people so to have more opportunities for socializing." he spoke raising a finger on his left hand with each qualification he added.
"Usually I would require to search the world for a being fitting of these parameters but with such an accurate display of spiritual power I may be able to..." he closed his eyes able gain letting his sentence hang as he continued to walk along the streets of Vale, his leather loafers clicking against the concrete walkways often occupied by civilians.
Several strong Auras were around though none seemed to meet his preference. Quite a few seemed to be gathering in a large metal contraption.
Then he found it.
Burning a bright white in a sea of different colors this shone out. This one showed promise. This one was also getting on the metal contraption with the other powerful Auras.
He was to be a Hunter. Perhaps to go to this 'Beacon Academy'.
A perfect choice.
With target in mind Potum shifted to a spectral form, not even gaining a second glance from the many civilians around so used to Hunters and their odd abilities.
Crossing the distance between him and his soon to be host in a single step was of no effort to Potum.
As he stepped into the young blonde's body he quickly dropped his own power to the lowest form it could possibly go. Though by the standards of this world even that would still be godly.
The blonde young man suddenly stood bolt upright at attention as his eye flashed through every color of the rainbow in seconds before finally settling back to their original deep sapphire blue.
Looking down at his hands he opens and closes them as if seeing them for the first time.
and for a few moments silence hangs in the air.
After a few moments of this he finally spoke. "It would seem I am now Jaune Arc. Do not worry young man. I will make you the hero you so wish to be. I will also do many things you will enjoy." The deep smooth voice of Potum spoke aloud as he his eyes swept his surroundings.
Many powerful mortals stood around him, all acting like typical teenagers. Conversing, forming their groups, speaking to their friends, complaining of overbearing parents, cleaning weapons that could rip the arms off a civillian should they attempt to use it.
The usual.
"and perhaps garner the attention of the fairer sex while I am at it" he mentioned internally, looking at the several beautiful women around him, before closing his eyes and enjoying the gentle hum of the engines as they coasted through the skies.
END NOTE
I've made some minor revisions to this chapter and soon to be those after this one. I have finally regained my muse and proud to announce that I will be continuing this and several other stories.