We awaited the Allfather's return, yet alas, no savior appeared.

Archdemons, vanquished by celestial might, were consumed by the pure white flames of divinity. However, some remains drifted away, lost until now, ensnared by fragments of 0ltnir's essence. Like moths drawn to the flame, a swarm of darkness devoured Alinar's form as he journeyed through the void back to the realm above.

Our revered Lord of Light was extinguished, his skull descending from the heavens, fracturing the earth and birthing continents from its fissures. Like the demise of a star, its passing would be revealed in the passage of countless years. All life relies upon our cherished sun.

We acted upon his orders, a backup to save the world once more before it even began to flourish with humanity.

Our twins; Knir and Nilus, prodigal archangels attempted to merge their own souls each with one end of the sun, so everyone and everything could live. Their efforts proved nearly succesfull yet futile. Knir, a divine being of light with feathered white wings and golden hair, stood alongside Nilus, a darker reflection of angelic faith. His skin grey and fissured, crowned with horns beneath a smoldering halo, adorned with thorned grey horns all over his red feathered wings and flames.

Though their ascension was achieved, the twins only inherited a fraction of the sun's power, for our resplendent father proved an overwhelming force even beyond the endurance of Ancient humans gifted with starlight. With our combined efforts, dark hands united, we sundered the heart of our beloved star, as easily as plucking an apple from a tree.

Seven shards were forged into crowns of law: Life, Death, Space, Time, Dark, Light, and Order.

We awaited the evolution of civilizations, the clashes of their wars, and the divisions of factions—all to discern the finest leaders for humanity. They kept on deep slumber still.

The remainder of us remained poised to ascend, ensuring a balance of power over mankind. Our sole mandate: to employ alternative sources of power as a link for Divine ascension.

Luna seized possession of our father's skull, hoisting it high into the boundless sky. Surrounding it with remnants of grey rock from the world's end, she ensconced herself within. Nilus and Knir, the sole aides at her side, grasped the colossal stone body, harnessing their united psychic strength to position it before our sun. Conjuring a spell in the ancient tongues of convergence, a brilliant beam of light and fire pierced the rock, causing the very center to quake and the earth to tremble in its entirety.

The oceans surged, swallowing the land in their relentless advance, while thundering storms vented their fury upon the world's core with unyielding potency. From the heavens above, countless shards and fluorescent fragments cascaded like comets of pure mana and sorcery, scattering throughout the skies to become the common stars of night as we know them today. And so, on the eighth sunrise, the third deity was born.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Among the pantheon stood a god of starlight, another of hellflame, and now, one of sorcery. Yet there remained another energy source—one that the remaining two of us could harness: Souls.

Every being consisted of three essences: a soul, where memories and magical potential resided; a spirit, where personality and consciousness dwelled; and a body, serving as a vessel for the former two.

Upon death, whether plant, animal, or human, the soul dissipated into the void. Argus seized this opportunity, claiming all souls for himself. Despite this, his powers paled in comparison to the other gods, for time was required to attain full godhood. Furthermore, the absorption of souls bestowed upon him the memories of the lives from which they came. He would later come under my mentorship at the great library.

Amidst the remnants of celestial relics lay a final set of golden feathers. With ingenuity and imagination, I unearthed the charred and fractured cortex of Alinar, the Allfather, lying at the world's edge. Sculpting it with my pitch-black hands, one taking the form of a hammer and the other a chisel, I labored to shape it anew, aided by the darkness gifted to me by my fellow deities to preserve their purity. My journey led me to the abyss, the abode of the Nonefather, where I bestowed the final touches upon the gravestone, preparing it to serve as the canvas for my solemn duty.

T0rje Guermat, Librarian of the Gods and Herald of Change, his thoughts and soul mere hollow shells, a means to an end. Dedication defined his existence as he committed his life to ensuring the perpetuity of the pantheon and our world, regardless of the sacrifices required.

It was only then when humans arised. Primitive, fragile, dumb mannered and yet somehow alive. It took a while yet civilizations finally arose.

Once more i shall name the crowns: Life, Death, Space, Time, Dark, Light, and Order.

In the land of curved swords and skulls, spirits persist to this day, a testament to the enduring power of that place.

Others succumbed to the eternal allure of battle, drowning in promises of an afterlife filled with endless revelry and song.

Yet, amidst the chaos, one civilization became consumed with transcending mortality through the construction of massive, meticulously crafted tombs. Their structures, each pointed skyward, seemed to reach for the very stars.

Another group forged a primitive yet effective alliance centered around the trade of harvests. Their idols, symbols of fertility, abundance, and weather, reflected their focus on the natural world.

The people of gold, however, chose a different path, centered on meditation and self-discovery. Their beliefs were represented by idols depicting both destruction and peace in chaotic forms, challenging to comprehend. Eventually, Luna and Knir succeeded in guiding them, unveiling new masks to entice their allegiance.

Our first monarch, whose civilization proved most receptive to our influence, ruled with a golden emblem bearing a two-headed eagle. Even before his ascension, Argus harbored an obsession with these symbols.

Alas, the realm of darkness shrouds itself in obscurity, a chapter best left forgotten. Yet i shall impart this knowledge:

Within its depths, they wielded the power of four great monarchs, recognizing the peril of entrusting such power to a single individual, for this particular crown alone possessed the potential to slay a God.

Despite peace reigning across realms, humanity remained fragmented, lacking unity under a single banner. Our three heirs of the world had yet to ascend to the title of God-Kings for we alone knew not only the truth but the right path for humanity.

But how?

The charade of peace could no longer be sustained. To uncover the truth, to shatter the illusion of free will and false idols, required not only intelligence and cunning but the manipulation of newfound gods, bent to our will to ensure absolute dominion.

But how?

The answers, as they often do, arose from the crucible of war once more.