Long before existence, there was nothing. A vast, bottomless Sea, devoid of water. This paradox was naught but a refraction of the Void encompassing it. There was no "thing", no "where", and no "when".
Only the empty Sea in stasis.
No time passed, no years sped by, and no days counted down. The Sea was lonely, but the pain was invisible. Lost in a nameless place, no light to illuminate the way.
The Sea churned its stomach but nothing came out. The Sea had no voice, for it had no throat. The Sea had no tears, for it had no eyes. The Sea had loneliness that couldn't be, and itself that puzzled nothing.
The Sea reached deep, deep, unfathomably deep down inside itself. It discovered the end of the Void and the beginning of its creation. At the start of it all and at the end, there was a name. A name spelled with no letters from no language from no mouth.
The Sea took it for itself. For the Sea found it and the Void that shrouded it could not be to lay claim.
And so the Sea became Æther. It titled the place that named it; the Abyss.
Æther called it's deep, deep, unending depths; dimensions. And Æther proclaimed that it was a universe, filling itself with milky water.
Æther declared its own sentience, and cut away loneliness to create.
Æther took scraps of the Void and compressed them in its depths. Then Æther rolled the cores along its sparkling surface, disturbing the stasis into waves that traced the passage of its actions.
Æther created the first universe, stars, time, and turned the Void into Matter on the first day.
On another day, Æther utilized its creations to pierce the darkness. Using the stars to shimmer against the darkness of the Void, Æther baptized all with light. It saw itself above the universe and the Void, distinguishing itself as Eternity.
Æther became space, disconnected from the universe and the Void.
On that same day, Æther dipped its fingers into the universe and spun a whirlpool, creating a galaxy. Æther dropped orbs of matter and a star into the currents.
The star settled in the eye of the Galaxy and became the first Sun. The matter clashed against each other, splintering and conforming. Some became asteroids and some soaked up bits of the universe and became planets.
Pleased with itself, Æther repeated the process many times for many eons. Eventually abandoning the first of its creations.
The planets of the first galaxy grew and produced many wonders. But it was the smallest of them all that drew Æther back.
A planet of water sat calm and idyllic. Like Æther, the Ocean was lonely but crafty. It would take fragments of meteors that crashed into its depths and nurture them into life.
One day, the Ocean created fish, plants, and biomes. But the fish could not speak, only nibble on sustenance the Ocean had no need to savor in.
On another day, the Ocean created predators and disease.
The Ocean reveled in the ensuing chaos, for it brought excitement. However, to retain order, the Ocean guided its creations to their respective niches.
The Ocean created survival and nature; its own vicious entertainment.
On yet another day, the Ocean tucked itself in, pulling back the tides to reveal the planet's crust, dark and plated.
The Ocean molded the flesh of sharks into the shape of Men, letting it dry and tan in the sunlight. The Ocean waited days and nights for its newest creation to live but Men's eyes did not open.
The Ocean raged, creating storms of lightning and thunder. The Ocean cursed its ineptitude to create sentient life.
It was then, Æther embraced the Ocean's planet. Æther gifted the Ocean a fragment of the Abyss; Æther's heart. Æther told the Ocean to start anew but made the Ocean promise to use the flesh of dolphins instead. To create Men as gentle, but fierce creatures. That played and protected, and were cunning and mischievous.
The Ocean kept its promise, thanking Æther and calling it Mother.
The Ocean shaped the smooth flesh the same as before. But the Ocean didn't feel that Men was beautiful enough to deserve a drop of life. The Ocean cupped the foam at its edges and gave Men locks of hair. The Ocean took the roar of its waves and slipped it down Men's throat to give Men a voice of power. The Ocean ripped and sew seaweed and shells and precious jewels to dress Men in clothes and jewelry.
Once finished the Ocean sang to the heart of Æther and blessed Men with life.
As Men awoke, their eyes were dark as there was no colorful sky to reflect. Men looked towards the Ocean and sang their prayers and praise, calling the Ocean Mother.
This filled the Ocean with joy and love. The Ocean gave Men dominion over all animals and gifted Men every day for their songs. Men returned the Ocean's love in kind, believing the Ocean to be true and perfect. Everyday Men created words of flattery, and together Men and the Ocean created the mortal soul and love.
One day Men called out to the Ocean, "You're kind and gracious, bestowing me the honor of being your child. You clothe me and feed me delicacies. You're far beyond my reach and as far above me as the stars. Please let me create you a gift aside from lilted words."
The Ocean parted to give Men access to any and all resources they wanted. Men spent a day crafting and planning. At dusk they reached out their arms, presenting a train of pale blue silk.
"A dress worthy of a goddess." Men's gift brought forth tears of joy from the Ocean.
The Ocean wore Men's gift, twirling in place to watch the fabric flare out.
The Ocean looked into Men's eyes to thank them but discovered their pitch blackness. Finding this distasteful, the Ocean threw its blue shawl towards the sun.
The sky became blue during the day and reflected in Men's eyes.
Years passed and Men began to weaken. The Ocean grieved and stormed as Men's breath became more and more shallow, and their songs turned mute. The Ocean forced the fragment of Æther into Men's heart to revive them but it was for naught.
Æther descended upon the Ocean rebuking the derailed goddess for its wastefulness. Æther was unable to comprehend the love the Ocean held for Men. But Æther did not want to witness any more of the Ocean's tears. So Æther uplifted Men's soul and turned it into the moon. To reflect upon the Ocean's surface, to bring comfort and cool its Mother's mourning.
The Ocean begged Æther to give it one final fragment of itself and Æther granted it to the Ocean. But again had the Ocean swear another promise. That as the Ocean re-created Men, it must also create three sisters. Three sisters to rule beside the Ocean and have creations and domains of their own right.
The Ocean promised. The Ocean re-created Men's form and fused the piece of Æther with its own heart, blessing Men anew with eternal life.
As Men stood, they reached out to the Ocean. The Ocean told them to dance and so Men did. Men's feet kicked up gravel and the Ocean clenched the sediment in its palms and crushed it.
The Ocean created the first of its sister's; Land.
Lands created seasons of vegetation and fauna and animals of hooves and paws. Land instilled Men with a sense of wonderment and the will to explore. But Land held no love for Men and forbid them from walking in its domain. Men could not tame nor eat anything Land created or else locusts hatched from their organs.
The Ocean despised Land for this. It cursed Land to have torrential downpour to wear away Land's kingdom until it gave in. But Land simply lets the roots soak up the water as it carved out a throne of granite.
The Ocean told Men to strike Land's trees with coral and so Men did. Sparks spew and the trees went aflame. The Ocean corralled the wildfire with mud and used smoke for the lungs of its second sister; Fire.
Fire called forth magma from the planet's mantle. Fire pushed Land's domain up into peaks to erupt and scorch Land's kingdom to ash. Land finally surrendered and gifted Men with a bow to hunt. Fire created titans of scales and a forge. Fire instilled passion in Men and made Men want to enjoy the life given to them to the fullest.
At Men's first hunt, they shot down a buck and was immediately regretful. Men captured the beast's final breath and offered it to the Ocean to honor.
The Ocean accepted and created its final sister; Air.
Air spread throughout the entire world, bringing relief from Fire's heat and letting Men breathe. Air created animals of wings and hurricanes. Air instilled ambition in Men and made Men yearn to grow beyond who they were.
Men called out to the four sisters to gather for a gift.
Men pointed to Air and named it; Aoxlma.
Men pointed to Fire and named it; Hersia.
Men pointed to Land and named it; Bugyma.
And then Men pointed to the Ocean and named it; Nirvana.
Time passed and Aoxlma was passive to the work of its sisters. Nirvana continued to love and care for Men. Bugyma sat on its throne and carved its Kingdom day in and day out to suit its fancies. Bugyma experimented with its creations and did not spare Men's wander a glance.
Hersia used its forge to craft a spear; Bol'grag and gifted it to Men, requesting them to dance with it. Men did and found empowerment in their movements. Men felt complete with the gift. Bol'grag was like an extension of their arms.
Nirvana saw Hersia's work and determined to gift Men with a weapon as well.
Nirvana gave Men a lovely sword, able to coax Nirvana's lightning around the blade. Men loved the sword as well and always wore it at their hip in ceremony.
Hersia taught Men how to train and discipline their bodies. Nirvana feared this training would bring conflict among them but left its children be. For Nirvana could not bear to have Men resent it.
Hersia soothed Nirvana, swearing to stop its teaching if it became ill-bound.
Hersia watched Men diligently to uphold its promise to Nirvana. And soon adored Men just as much.
Men prayed to Hersia to fulfill their passions. To teach them how to enjoy themselves as they faced daring adventures.
Men and Fire became close as blood kin. Nirvana watched them with jealousy but could not bring itself to anger. For seeing the smile on Men faces reminded Nirvana of the first of them and it wept. Nirvana mourned its first-born and wondered if Hersia was more fit to be Men's mother.
But as Nirvana wept, Hersia and Bugyma argued. Bugyma has offended Hersia, calling Fire naught but destruction, and a monster. In an effort to defend Hersia, fueled by their passion, Men impaled Bal'grog into Bugyma's gut. Bugyma screamed and swiped at Men, shattering its own domain in a massive earthquake.
Hersia fought against the raging Bugyma, guarding over Men as they retreated.
Aoxlma saw it all and sent a dove to inform Nirvana, using hurricanes to subdue the fight.
Enraged at Hersia teaching Men how to fight, Nirvana drew back it's skirt to leave Hersia's flames burning. Enraged at Bugyma for striking its children, Nirvana repeatedly tortured Bugyma with lightning.
Hersia went onto its knees and pleaded for forgiveness. Hersia promised to return to its ashy domain and remain there. Just so Nirvana can put out the wildfire Hersia accidentally set in Bugyma's domain.
Aoxlma brokered a deal with Nirvana to settle its rage. Aoxlma would take in Men for twenty lifetimes to teach them diplomacy. During that time Hersia's flames would completely burn away Bugyma's domain. Then Nirvana would wash it to create fertile soil. But Bugyma would be imprisoned beneath the planet's mantle to be forgotten.
Nirvana would also flood Hersia's domain and drench Fire into a statue. Hersia's soul would become a hearth for Men's home and provide guidance and wisdom to Men for prayers.
So it went and Men established a civilization.
Vern stretched in their seat, rubbing at their groggy eyes.
Their hand ached. It was hard researching the mythos of the planet. So many different versions, so many different names, that it was hard to pick out the shards of truth among them. They managed to write down the closest to the original as they could get and was ready to submit it to the Council.
They gave the book to Murdok and sighed in relief.
But even with their work done, Vern couldn't help the feeling of incompleteness. There was still a bit of the legend to write. Blasphemous but important, to them at least.
So they reached for fresh sheets and their stylus and set to work again.
Men kept their origins throughout time. They prayed and praised their goddesses. But two slept in stone, and one was of passive indifference. Only Nirvana made sure to care for its children.
So it was only Nirvana who brought unholy wrath upon the invaders. Strangers crashed into their little world, bringing terror, hell, and death anew to Men. Men fought back bravely. But they were still slaughtered until only one remained.
The strongest of Men was bound and stolen.
Nirvana's waves reached as high as the sun to snatch back its one remaining child. But for naught. The last of Men slashed Nirvana's fingers to keep their Mother safe. For the invaders were too many and too beyond their little world.
Nirvana wept and flooded Bugyma's kingdom. Nirvana sobbed and swallowed Hersia's volcano. And Nirvana fumed at Aoxlma. Nirvana cursed its sister for doing nothing to save its children. Nirvana stifled the sky with storms and lightning. It murdered Aoxlma, making the world suffocate. Left alone to insatiable bloodlust, Nirvana fell into a slumber. Aching with loneliness, and neglected the small planet to rot.
Æther saw it all. Æther clutched at its chest. Æther felt as though the strangers ripped out its heart as well as they stole Men from Nirvana's grasp. But Æther was the penultimate, space itself, and so had not the means nor capacity for revenge.
But Æther was still the creator. Æther was all that is, have been, and will be. So Æther reached to Men's soul to speak through Men's lips.
"Keep this child, raise them, and train them to your hearts' content. Wage war with Men's strength, strangle your foes with Men's hands and slice through planets with Men's blades. For you have won. You stole their God's most precious creation, and now they cried themselves to sleep. Rejoice in your victory, toast each other with your finest luxuries. But wait in fear. Let terror wrack your minds and haunt your thoughts. In your arrogance, and in your ignorance, this invasion will be your undoing and your world will rot around you for it. Feast, and let your greatest conquest be your undoing."
One of the strangers spoke to the last Men, "The creature has gone mad. Gods? For such impressive warriors, they were truly naive."
The invaders laughed and mocked Æther.
"Tell me, soldier, just how could we have set our own destruction?"
Æther glared through Men's eyes and the strangers became disturbed.
"You do not believe in the concept of the soul," Æther answered.
Æther abandoned Men with some pale thing resembling regret. But Æther still went on to create more and left Men to their fate.
I love mythology, so sorry if it's not your style. But I will be working on a more technical/scientific version of this chapter so you can look forward to that at least.
