Chapter One: Nyx

Nyx was the first thought and therefore was the first Queen of the Universe. Her hand was light, and her decree was simple: create definitions for which all domains may function. Any creation that ceases to follow or function within laws created by the Primordial gods will dissolve back into Chaos – an act known as Entropy. They agreed to make their definitions as broad as possible. Nyx, for example, defined herself as the goddess who would occupy the omnipresent Space of Chaos but also rise and reside in Tartarus. Nyx enjoyed a relatively carefree and relaxed work.

Erebus decided to follow Nyx's example.

Tartarus frowned at his two siblings, who decided to squat in his domain. He sighed and gave in reluctantly as he created a place for Nyx and Erebus to live in. Tartarus' definition was also simple – it was to function as a repository of the infinite.

Nyx and Erebus, since living in such close quarters, developed a tentative bond. The only reason it was tentative was that Erebus was very, very shy and Nyx was too easy going. Erebus had followed Nyx wherever she went, claiming that he enjoyed watching her in her endeavors. Nyx didn't mind and appreciated his company. They kept this natural rapport with each other until two other siblings began to grow frustrated with their incredibly slow pace. With the help of a literal kick from Tartarus and a stab on the back from Eros, Erebus fell face-first and head-over-heels in love with Nyx.

When Eros was about to pierce Nyx as well with one of his feather daggers, Nyx halted him with a look and simply reached out a hand. She pulled Erebus up and took the feather from Eros.

"Nyx," Erebus grunted as he straightened himself from the concerted attack. He then grasped her hand more firmly in his and whispered with utmost sincerity, "Nyx, I wish to be yours and you to be mine. I want us to be separate yet one just like Time and Space. Darkness shall be yours, and Night shall be mine from now until forever. Do…do you accept?" He hesitated and flushed as his eyes traveled from their hands to her eyes.

Nyx smile widened, and her eyes turned misty. "I do. Let Darkness be mine as Night is yours from now and forever," she said as she slowly pierced her heart with the feather. They leaned into each other and kissed. From that point of contact, Darkness and Night mingled and mixed until one could not be distinguished from the other. Nyx's hair, feathers, and clothes took on her husband's colors. Erebus took on Nyx's form with handsome features, ephemeral eyes, and onyx ornaments around his head, arms, and legs. Most importantly, he finally had some clothes on.

Eros clapped and cheered happily, doing a little jig while screeching, "Oh, Chaos, finally!"

Tartarus groaned and turned his head away from the sickening display, but the small quirk on his lips betrayed him. "Get a room, will you? No one needs to see this. I'll make sure no sound escapes. For my own sanity, of course."

"Why was I not invited to this union?" Gaia suddenly appeared in their midst, disgruntled. The joining of Nyx and Erebus had such a grand effect on the universe and her world. But because she was preoccupied with looking to define herself, she hadn't witnessed the prestigious ceremony take place. She took offense at being excluded.

"Oh, Gaia, dear. I'm sorry you missed our vows. I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable reason." Nyx answered without looking away from her husband's new eyes.

He shifted nervously but was equally held captive by his wife's gaze. "Uh, um, I didn't plan for this?" he whispered half to Nyx, half to Gaia.

Nyx giggled. "That sounds reasonable to me."

Gaia made an angry squawk then turned her glare to her self-satisfied brothers. "You! You arranged this. Why did you leave me out of this?"

Tartarus matched her glare. "You missed nothing that wasn't inevitable. They're united. End of story. It's not like you want to be united with either Erebus or Nyx, so what exactly are you complaining about?"

Eros looked at one screeching god to the other then smiled deviously. "Do you want to get married?"

Both turned their heated glares and directed it to the winged god, who immediately cowered behind Nyx.

"I'm sorry, but do you see anyone worthy of me here?" Gaia seethed icily.

"I would rather spend eternity pulling your feathers out one by one than marry her!" Tartarus yelled simultaneously.

Eros cowered further into Nyx until Nyx spoke, "Now, now, my dears. Do stop bullying Eros. He was merely jesting. After all, Chaos did say that Tartarus is not meant to love. Right, Eros?"

The youngest god nodded rapidly. "Yes, I was jesting! Sorry. I won't suggest it again. Even though you both deserve each other," he whispered the last part under his breath.

"What did you say?" both gods demanded.

"I didn't say anything!" Eros pleaded from behind Nyx.

888

Nyx and Erebus celebrated and consummated their union. They gave birth to the Fates first, then Aether, the god of upper air and Hemera, goddess of day. After their act of love, the couple decided to rest in their new conjoined house in Tartarus, where they conceived Hypnos. All children were given dominion by their parents. Nyx appointed Hemera and Aether to take over whenever she retired into Tartarus. Because Nyx and Erebus were one and the same, whenever Hemera took charge, there was an absence of darkness. This absence of night was called day.

Aether became the upper air that was the thin border between Nyx and Gaia's domains. Nyx declared that the Upperworld be known as Aetheria and the collective Underworld as Chthonia.

Day and night traveled one after the other in a slow loop between Aetheria and Chthonia. Gaia would gaze at Nyx and Erebus, dancing hand in hand, smiling and reveling in each other's company as they moved across her world. She would sigh her loneliness after they have passed. No one was worthy of her. Still, she longed to be held the way Erebus held Nyx. Then it struck her. If she could not find someone suitable for her, then she would create one.

Gaia closed her eyes and drew half of her being and gave it form. He would be perfect, her other half. He would be to her liking from head to toe. With a release of breath and half of her power, she gave birth and form to her perfect mate – Uranus.

Uranus was beautiful, heavenly, and ethereal. His first act upon waking was to cover Gaia in a cool embrace and kiss her. She sighed into the kiss and breathed the sweet scent of the sky. The feeling of being separate but one was intoxicating. Their kiss became more heated as Uranus enveloped her wholly and firmly, it was difficult to discern where one began and one ended.

Gaia was overjoyed. Uranus was so sweet, attentive, and gentle. During the day, he floated above her, sometimes clear or cloudy and bright blue in color. He lavished her with attention and praise and worshipped her devotedly. During the night, he was a soft mist that lay on her bosom before sleep claimed them both. At long last, the night was not as lonely as it was before. She had her beautiful husband to fill her vision, whom she made love to whenever she wished. He was soft, pliant, and bent to her will while she lay beneath him like a queen, a bountiful banquet ready to be consumed.

Eros felt betrayed by the unsanctioned coupling of the new god of Heaven and the goddess of Earth. He turned his back on their union and scorned it. As a result, the products of their conception were nothing short of sinful abominations.

Their children were wrong, deformed, and witless. Uranus, as the epitome of perfection, reviled these children, denounced and denied their existence. He considered them infections that needed to be buried back into the earth.

With a great effort and cruelty Gaia never thought him capable, Uranus fractured her and pushed the ugly monsters into the fault line before closing it. Their children thrashed against the weight suffocating them, and it tore Gaia apart from within, which manifested as earthquakes that wreaked havoc on her surface.

"U-Uranus," Gaia gasped and stuttered in pure agony. Cracks ran down her tear-stained face. "You have to release them. I-I can't contain them. They're breaking me. Please!" She rose until she was waist high from the ground to grab the airy mist of her husband's form.

Uranus looked at Gaia with an ethereal expression, detached yet enchanting at the same time. "They have no place in this world. You created them. Unmake them if you wish, but I will not suffer their blight," he replied emotionlessly.

"I-I cannot unmake them!" Gaia croaked as she covered her face. Little pieces of dust fell from her hands. She could no longer bear the pain, both physical and emotional. It was difficult to accept that her other half would be so consumed with the idea of perfection that he should be numb to her suffering. She deserved better treatment.

She ran and hid to the deepest cave she could find, where the barrier to the Underworld was thinnest. It was a place Uranus could not reach, and there she whimpered and shook as her children continued to writhe inside her.