Since you didn’t mind the questions, I guess I’ll throw out one more. How exactly do domains work then? You describe Idia’s domain as always expanding. Is that only supposed to refer to his power and influence always growing or is there a physical realm that is expanding? If it’s the latter, it feels strange for Idia to be worried about the reader dying. They’d be reunited again anyway. I guess I’m just asking in what capacity you are using the word. Thanks for humoring my questions!
Yeah... I suppose I should explain that... Alright! Here goes!
Warning; this is probably more than what you were expecting. Oops. But once I started, I figured I could drop an entire lore dump. The answer to your question is in here, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to discuss a couple of other things ....oops. this particular lore is from Idia's perspective, but perhaps...if I did more with this au with other gods...perhaps the lore would look slightly different 👀
Edit: next week we'll continue the story hee hee. But since the initial vote was so close, there was clearly an interest in this, so here ya go!
Elder God; Lore
CW: Part Four has self inflicted injury to one of the gods, but he's a god so take that as you will.
Chapters (in case you are confused) One Two Three Four
Part One: Creation
In the beginning, there were seven beings. There was nothing besides these beings. They held no forms of their own, until they found each other. They grew together, forming bonds, and learning about what it means to exist. Then they took on shapes that meant something to them.
The being that took the shape of what would someday be called a rose, felt that there should be more. It reached into the nothing, and soon entire ecosystems were formed. Life was born. And the beings were glad. They liked the life.
The being that took the form of a blue flame went to see the creatures, that life made, up close. But his touch caused the life to wither. He returned to the others, terrified of what he had done.
So the inky being with eight arms visited the life. He realized they needed something. He reached into the nothing, just as the rose had. And soon came water. It eased the withering, making the life look beautiful again.
Again, the flame visited. But this time, the life fell prey to the water. He returned to the rose and the inky creature, terrified about what he'd done. So the being who seemed to be made of shifting sands visited the life. He reached into nothing, and created land for the people, so that they would have refuge from the water.
The flame visited for the third time. By now, the rose had created all manner of creature, truly excited by the prospect of all these beautiful things.
The rose had created life, but the flame was the first to learn how to take its form. On its third visit, it noticed the beautiful creature that was called "human". He took the human's form, reaching out his hand to touch it. Once again, he watched in shock as it withered before him. He tried to bring it water, the way the inky creature had saved the life the first time. But the water had no affect, and he watched the human's life fade from its eyes.
In that moment, the flame felt power. As though the life that died before him made him strong.
He returned to the other beings, and was faced with the anger of the rose, the ink, and the sand, who had fought so hard to protect the life. The fight continued to rage, until the emerald dragon spoke.
He understood the need to protect the life. But it wasn't fair that the flame could not love the life as well. So it created something new. Time. The flame could not kill the life just by its presence. But life would continually change and wither, slowly, until it ended on its own.
The beings all took this new creation with extreme difficulty, but the God of Time had already put the plan in motion.
The flame knew that this was a punishment for him. So he used his new found power to reach into the nothing, and create new places for the beings. Places away from the God of Time's watchful eye, where they could create whatever they wanted, and it wouldn't fade.
The flame visited the life for a fourth time. He found a village of humans, and was prepared to interact with them. An old man was the first to notice him. His eyes widened in terror, as he slowly pointed to the flame. He said a single word.
"Death."
Part Two: Birth
The god of death, as he had long since been named, was lonely. No matter which of the dimensions the God of Life created, every creature knew who he was. Death was well known to all.
They feared him. The other Gods had brought color and meaning to the life, but his presence meant the end. The only other god who was feared more, was the God of Time. And he never revealed himself to the life, instead living a quiet existence in meditation and silence. The God of Death, when he visited, you knew it was the end.
He couldn't blame the life. Whenever the life dies, his power grows, as though he is consuming the life. He would be frightened too.
But that didn't make him less lonely.
So one day, he took his form as a flame, and willed a spark to separate from him. He kindled that spark, until it became its own flame.
He felt peace with the little flame, and took it with him to visit his favorite creatures, the humans. The little flame took on human form. And when he looked at that human form, he was happy. The little flame was just like him, but different. He looked softer, gentler, more approachable.
And the human's thought so as well. They soon feared the God of Death less. If the angel of death was so sweet and kind, surely the one who created it was as well.
And thus, death became an older brother, and won the awe and trust of the life.
Part Three: Approaching the End
"What happens when the life fades?" Persephone, as the humans currently called the God of Life, asked. She lay in his lap, fiddling with a flower. She had long since forgiven him for leading to the creation of time, but he had feared this question. He loved her. But he knew the answer would end this fragile peace they held.
"Do they move to your domain?"
He stared straight ahead, hoping his brother would arrive and give him something to do to avoid this question.
"Is that where the humans go? They go to live with you?"
He wouldn't be so alone if they did. As all of the gods had quickly learned, sentient creatures could not live in their domains. They either withered away or succumbed to madness. The god of death was certain it was a lingering effect of his curse.
"Hey, did you hear me?"
He bit his lip, looking anywhere but at Life.
"I...you won't like the answer."
"I need to know."
He stared off into the distance, watching a bird perch in a tree. His presence didn't necessarily mean that the bird was at the end of its life, but he could never recover from those first times he met life. He didn't want to hurt it. So he wouldn't approach. Just in case.
"Don't hate me."
"Why would I hate you? Where does the life go?"
He sighed. "I can't be completely certain. I believe only the god of time would truly know. But, I think...I think they become me."
The God of Life slowly sat up, face contorted in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"When...when they...you know," he couldn't keep his words together anymore, fear and regret overwhelming him. "When they, d-die, I, uh, I gain power."
"Wait..."
"I think they become a part of me."
"So, the underworld?"
"Doesn't exist."
"But, you and the angel-"
"It makes living easier if they believe there is somewhere nice waiting for them, instead of knowing that their fate is to feed the ravenous God of Death."
She stares at him, her features reminiscent of when the Lord of Time had told her that all her creations would one day die.
"Why would you do this?"
"It's not like I want to! Your creation is beautiful, and because I exist, it never gets to live the way it was meant to! I never asked for this!" He was tearing up now, pleading with Life to understand. "I just wanted to be able to appreciate it with you all."
Life could never understand. Something in the God of Life changed that day. The God began to focus on order, creating rules for creation in order for it to be able to live a fuller life in the time it had.
And the God of Death was once again alone.
Part Four: Servants
Idia remembers the first time one of the Gods had taken on a servant. He'd had a surprise visit from the God of Light.
Light was definitely an understatement. He brought with him light, fire, warmth, shine, and many other things. But Light was what the humans called him. And he was slightly too much for Idia.
"I want to try something! I met an exceptional human! I think I can keep him from dying!"
Idia had already been shocked when Ortho had announced a visitor. He'd been buried in his research, building his own death defying instrument. Ortho had seemed to be flicker and fade lately, and Idia couldn't handle being completely alone again.
He never had visitors, so even if he wasn't buried in work, he still would have been shocked.
"That's impossible," he had muttered, shrinking himself away from Light, into the dark corners of his room.
"I thought so too! But you were able to save The Angel of Death, right?"
"I made him. It's not the same-"
"The human I had in mind might have come up with a middle ground!"
He planned to continue to deny him. But the God of Light, as always, was far too loud and insistent. The only way to return to his peaceful research, was to humor him.
"Do you have a plan if it doesn't work?" Idia muttered, causing Light to brighten happily. "Despite what some seem to think, I don't enjoy bringing death to innocent humans."
"It's going to work. Jamil is so smart. I trust him," Light said firmly.
They traveled to Light's dimension, which was always too sunny, and too sandy. A beautiful oasis shimmered a few steps away, and lounging by it was a man with long dark hair.
"Where did you meet him?" Idia stalled.
"Oh, you know how sometimes some of our relatives get sacrifices?" Kalim wrinkled his nose. "He was supposed to be one for me. But I couldn't kill him! So I talked to him, and he swore that he wanted to serve me, in exchange for eternal life. It doesn't seem that unreasonable, right?"
Idia, to this day, is suspicious about where exactly Jamil came from. Some gods took sacrifices. But the God of Light had always made it clear that he didn't want any. All he asked for was a good time. A true follower of his wouldn't have done this. But it wasn't his business.
"And how are you supposed to do that?"
"He figures, since you were able to create a being, if he consumes some of my ichor, he'll be bound to me. And then he should be able to live forever!"
"Wait-"
"Just stand right here, I'll call you when we're ready!"
Light ran off to Jamil. Idia dared not follow him, for fear of killing the poor soul faster.
He watched as Light slipped into a human form, with some of the features of his true form. He glowed even brighter, his arms and legs floating a foot away from his body. Jamil couldn't even look directly at him, for he was too bright, but Idia was certain his human mind couldn't even comprehend this middle form.
Idia watched as Light summoned a golden chalice, then cut his arm, allowing a pure gold liquid to flow into the chalice. The chalice floated to Jamil, who bowed deeply, then drank the entire thing. Jamil's eyes flashed gold, and he shook for a moment, before collapsing to the ground. Idia would have thought he had died, but he hadn't felt the tell tale swell of his power.
Jamil slowly stood, smiling widely at Light. Light excitedly waved Idia over. He marched as though he was marching to his own death. He stood in Jamil's presence. The man wasn't withering. The three of them waited for a moment, observing the situation.
Idia wasn't certain Jamil had the best of intentions. His eyes shone with a smugness to them. Particularly the way he was eying Idia...it was like he was planning something. Luckily, no matter how the God of Light presented himself, his abilities were nothing to scoff at. Whoever this human was, who seemed to think he could use a god, he was a fool.
"Okay, I think it worked," Idia said at last, attempting to flee.
"Wait! Try touching him first!"
Before Idia could protest, he found himself shoved into Jamil's embrace. He'd only ever hugged Ortho before...and he definitely didn't like this feeling.
He quickly pulled away. But the man...he was still alive.
"wow. It really worked," Idia whispered.
"Thank you for your assistance, Lord Death," Jamil simpered, double and triple meanings hidden in his words.
"Yeah! Thanks Death!"
It wasn't long after that all the other Gods began to seek out their own servants.
Part Five: A New Beginning
Riddle had made millions of rules for nature to follow. And, under that guidance, as well as the watchful gaze of Lord Malleus, the life could live well on its own. Which meant, Idia finally could visit the life again.
Not that he wanted to. He was absolutely terrified. But Ortho pushed and pushed, and eventually, literally pushed...
...straight through a portal, and into a humble apartment in the earth dimension.
"Well, since I'm here," Idia had muttered, deciding to take advantage of the trip.
He procured the best gaming set up in existence. He'd taken the time to finally watch anime. He'd found art supplies so he could draw. He decided, if he was here, he was going to try all the human things that he'd always wanted to try.
Then he heard it. A meow.
Cats, for whatever reason, seemed to be one of the only creatures, aside from bound servants, who could survive for long periods of time in every God's realm. They were very intense with the occult. And they were soft and squishy.
Idia liked cats. So he was quickly drawn in. He hastily opened his door to find the cat, only to be startled by seeing an actual human locking the door where he heard the cat. He was seconds away from slamming the door back on himself when you noticed him.
"Oh, hey! You're the new neighbor, right?"
He nodded mutely, eying your door. You tilted your head, furrowing your brow.
"Is everything okay?"
He shakily lifted a finger, and pointed to your door, whispering, "Cat."
"Oh!" Your face brightened, reopening your door, and picking up your cat, who was waiting right at the threshold. It seemed to immediately brighten when it eyes him, purring happily, ignoring how it has been snubbed by your cruel decision to go to work.
You held it up to him, and he reached out to pet it.
"They like you!" You said with a smile.
He nodded absentmindedly, focused only on the cat.
"I gotta go to work, but I'm certain C/N wouldn't mind if you came over to pet them somet-"
He nodded quickly, then slammed himself back into his room. He heard you laugh in disbelief, before muttering something to your cat.
He wished he knew back then that you were perhaps the greatest thing that would ever happen to him.
....
Tag list- @i-stirred @hoboyherewego @mysticcyan
36 notes
·
View notes