Ardun is a city built upon glory and treasure. Towering walls surround the city rebuffing the many denizens of the areas in the immediate vicinity. To the North, The Frozen Zones, a cold beauty harboring dangerous predators able in the cold. To the West, Hydr Dunes, a sweltering desert void of any notable life. To the East, Krukon's Forest, a veritable jungle teeming with life. To the South, Snake's Way, no better description than its very name. Each at first glance, don't seem outright dangerous yet the forces they can bring to bear are fearsome, especially near the walls of Ardun. Fear the walls travelers, often is the band of adventurers that become lax on their trip finding the dangers tough but manageable, the walls are where they die, time and time again. If they even survive that far. The natural defenses Ardun harbors makes sure no other power can challenge it nor can Ardun challenge any either. Only the powerful or truly resourceful can even make it the walls. And lucky is the adventurer even allowed entrance. The assaulting monsters don't normally allow the gates to ever open. Different ways into the city are often discovered by the truly desperate or truly spectacular. The exact allure of Ardun is unknown but the monsters attracted to the city are forces of nature all their own. If not for the powerful individuals that man the walls of Ardun the city would be overrun in hours. I dare not attempt to even map the area.

-Yetton Fal, Follower of Diversi, mapmaker

Diversi, God of Variance stood, quietly in the realm of the gods. The room was pitch black and dotted with stars as if the only thing that daunted the gods was space itself. Thrones circled the room, made of various materials. If not a throne then some other representation of the god that presided there. Some were wreathed in fire, crafted of marble, made of air, water, lightning, tornadoes, etc. Others were more humble, a single blooming flower, one was crafted of wood, others were set into the ground. There was a seat so minuscule one wouldn't have noticed save for the empty space around it. Some consisted of bones, plants, symbols, floating shapes, hands or simple colors. All were set against the blackness of space.

Diversi's seat always changed. As did his appearance for that matter. Today his chair was a replica of a talented crafter of one of his people down below. The Subdir were excellent crafters, or rather carvers in this case. And though the original was carved out of stone Diversi's was made of soft velvet. 

Appearance was a powerful factor even in the Court of Gods. Oddly, the God of Rebirth, someone Diversi thought would never catch on, had been paying attention to that particular aspect recently. The god had a small hobby of fashion lately. Jerxos was a strange god, however, Diversi liked him. Diversi pondered that as he rechecked his own appearance. 

Because, as God of Variance Diversi was devoted to being different, devoted to change, he prepared accordingly for today. He had, unlike any other god or goddess, arrived on time. And as he expected, the Court of Gods was entirely empty. The other gods would never admit to it but he knew they liked the small changed Diversi brought. One of those were his outfits. Always, they were out of the ordinary, magnificent or plain weird.

Today though, in light of the Update, Diversi had done something... different. Even for him. He wore a simple suit of popular style below in one of the larger population centers. Ardun had an interesting taste in apparell having more focus on utility even in ceremonies. He wore a layered leather armor cut in perhaps too vulnerable a state while altogether being aesthetically pleasing. Rough and flexible leather pants buckled down with various pockets attached. An armband tightened around his right bicep so much that he had to use his left to check his hair.

"Oh? Perhaps I'm early?" A man covered in timekeeping watches and clocks arrived. "I could've sworn this was the time."

"You're late actually." Diversi corrected.

"Ah, of course. Though I think I'm right on time actually." The god gestured.  And with the wave of his hand, handfuls of gods and goddesses appeared through their own means. The space was easily accessible to the divine, a short walk, jump, swim, or teleport away no matter the god. "Ortick, God of Time, pleased to meet the God of Variance." He bowed.

"You know of me?" Diversi rose an eyebrow. Ortik seemed to blink and he was sitting right next to Diversi on a throne made of glass and sand. Sections of the throne moved and flipped pouring sands in fine rivers and streams throughout.

"You are a small topic among some gods. Even then, your name would pop up among conversation simply for being friends with the Goddess of Luck." Ortik said. The god had found a pair of glasses and seemed to be getting older and older until he was an old man, rubbing at his beard. "The God of Rebirth too."

"Those two are of the few who want to see change in Aerae." Diversi said, adjusting his leather. "If we had done something other than lay about perhaps we would be ready for this Update that Ethodthem brings." He sighed. "It is the laziness of the gods and goddesses that allowed us to stagnate."

Ortik groaned as his bones creaked but said nothing. Diversi already saw a few gods and goddesses look his way. It was strange to see the God of Variance in normal clothing let alone formal wear.

A raised dais was centered among the seats of the gods. The Court of Gods had not been used in thousands of years. For Diversi, this was only the seventh time he had attended. Some of the new divines had never even stepped foot in here. While more had been in attendance dozens if not hundreds of times. He eyed the procession looking for the shakers of Aerae.

The domains of the gods were always shifting and changing. They were wide and encompassing and as such there were many gods. But some gods were ever present, always at the peak of power. They were those who were worshipped all around. The governors of Aerae in any real sense. Diversi had only ever seen one. In fact, at times many gods didn't attend these meetings and it was for that reason Diversi had not met the beings of powers that were gods even to him. 

Diversi's apparel did little to draw attention as not one, but two, of these powerful gods, appeared in a boom that silenced the crowd. Even he was in awe, forgetting completely about his attire.

Auth, God of Power, towered above the gods and goddesses nearby, exuding an aura of strength and poise as he found his seat. He was a tall figure whose muscles did little to explain the danger the gods felt from his very presence. 

"Ah. So he came." Ortik croaked. "It has been a while since Auth graced the Court of Gods." He smiled, toothless.

Gods and goddesses pointed in soft amazement. Fasch, God of Wonder, appeared in a haze, drifting among the gods like a fog. Her dress floated behind her and the effects of whatever power the gods and goddesses around her manifested seemed to pale in comparison to her presence. 

Nearly half of the thrones were filled. To put things in perspective, of the times Diversi had come and he came whenever he was invited, not more than twenty seats ever filled. Here, there must have been hundreds. This many gods in attendance was unprecedented. The Court of Gods was silent for odd minutes like they truly held the discussion in the cold vastness of space. 

"Well," A goddess surrounded by floating glowing symbols spoke. "Who called the court then?"

Silence.

It was the question many whispered. The place hummed with power and presence, especially regarding Auth and Fasch. But even they were curious who called the court. It was easily assumed what the purpose of the gathering was for but it was also tradition for the god or goddess that called the Court of Gods to open discussion. Thousands of years were still thousands of years, sometimes even the gods forgot their own traditions. He ventured that the thought never crossed the mind of most gods here to call the court.

Diversi straightened his cuffs and stood up.

Conversations lulled then silenced completely as he took position on the dais. It took scant few moments for the gods to realize someone had appeared to address them.

He was acutely aware of both Auth and Fasch's full attention. Diversi, however, being a god like all in front of him was used to commanding attention. His throat cleared.

"I am the God of Variance, Diversi, for those who don't know me. I strive to be different and advocate change when necessary. For millennia, I have beseeched the gods to devote more time and investigation into the machinations of Ethodthem, the natural force that permeates Aerae. Now, even the gods are threatened by beings awakened by the Update. I am also the one who summoned the Court of Gods." 

He took a breath, straightening his collar and checking his cuffs before looking up. There was a smoldering anger in his eyes. "So let me begin by saying this: You are all idiots."

The soft murmurs died instantly. Gods stood up in anger but Auth raised a hand and they all sat back reluctantly fuming. Diversi continued. "Divine beings of powers, people that command the very elements, unseen forces mortals cannot even fathom, and yet, fools, the lot of you." He breathed. "Now, we scramble. Some of the lesser gods matched by slumbering creatures we have never seen. A few greater gods, especially of the ocean, finding massive lifeforms emerging from the depths, threatening their power." 

A few heads in the crowd nodded and the stern faces and concern on the greater gods' faces suppressed the anger of the previously unaware. Even the God of Monsters was grimacing. Diversi didn't stop. "Of those of you that command the abstract domains. There are creatures still that manipulate emotions and minds. As the God of Variance, I feel beings of chaos and entropy encroach on Aerae or ones that command order and precision, dangerous in their intensity. Beings that disrupt the cycle of life and death. Whatever domain you preside over, the Update has played no favorites. I possess the unique perspective to sense the differences in Aerae. Look around at any relevant gods or goddesses and see for yourselves." Gods looked around and found others nodding. Silence reigned again.

He continued. "Fools, all of you. And now, I sense even attacks on the domain of variance. Cults coming into creation preaching blankness and blandness. Beings erasing the minds of the most creative and different mortals below. Those, rest easy, are at least few in number and localized. I cannot say the same for any other god and their domain."

 A young voice chirped full of energy and gravity in equal parts. Ortik was younger now. "I am Ortik, God of Time. As presider of one of the more abstract domains I can attest that not even mine is safe." He aged rapidly becoming an old man in seconds, the clocks ticked slower around his body. "The God of Variance is right. We were lax too long and now we pay the ultimate price. A threat to our powers and livelihood." His next words resounded clear and with finality.

"A chance to die." The old man croaked.

That got the attention of the room. The lesser gods scoffed but the greater gods and their silence humbled them. People broke into loud conversation. How to combat the threat? What steps could they take? Minor gods shared their troubles, ancient beings awakening right under their noses. Panic, generally. 

Too used to their immortality. Diversi thought.

Auth slammed a fist into his throne. A shockwave of his power made the manifestations of power from other gods dim and flicker. This was how attention was won in the Court of Gods. He roared. "You combat those that threaten your power the same way you took it in the first place!"

"Eons have passed since then! What do you suppose we do?" An exasperated voice yelled back. A few murmured agreement.

"You prove to Ethodthem you deserve it. You earn that power again. You defeat any enemy that threatens you and become stronger for it! You gain power again!" He bellowed it like a challenge. It was as if the rest of the gods were but children and he had pointed out the most obvious thing.

He growled and made his way to the dais, the aura around him flaring with intensity as gods murmured. Diversi took a polite step back as Auth took authority. "All gods and goddesses are subject to the system. It is not that enemies threaten our power but that we have the means to gain more!" He yelled.

"What reason would we need to be stronger for?" One scoffed. "We already sit at the top of Aerae."

A lady in white stepped up to the dais her presence almost entirely hidden by Auth. Her eyes shone green, a soft buzzing drew Diversi's attention from the clover in her hair and down to the ladybugs flying around her. A bunny hopped beside her. "If you haven't caught one that's no longer true. The gods cannot even say how large Aerae is, how deep or how wide or how high, it is simply that vast. We do not even know if we are truly the only gods here. We have done nothing with our time at the peak and we pay for the waste. If you believe now, with the Update, that there exists nothing in the vastness of Aerae, in all its nooks and crannies and crevices and abysses, that can challenge a god then you're mistaken." Leah held the room, the contrast of her soft-spoken demeanor commanding just as much attention as Auth's powerful presence did.

Diversi announced her. "Leah, Goddess of Fortune." He gestured and Leah nodded softly. The Court of Gods erupted into conversation.

"You brought this upon us, fool!" A goddess screamed. A wave of fire flung towards Leah. Diversi waved a hand and the fire became sparkling mist. It was a gesture, the fire couldn't truly hurt Leah, and any real attack would not make it past another god. It spoke to displeasure however.

Leah grimaced. "I see rumors have spread before I have even the chance to explain." She said, a few gods glaring at the goddess' outburst. Leah continued. "I worked my domain. Just as all of you do. I saved lives, helped the elderly, the sick, the unfortunate, the clumsy. A stroke of luck for them, a saving grace. Every life I could save I saved. In all, it was not much, but people lived and I continued to do so."

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"You made Ethodthem bring this chaos to us!" A voice rang. "Without you, we would not have these troubles! The mortals below are not our affair less they worship us! Let them die!"

Diversi scowled. "Silence your voices less you stand on the dais where you can be judged by every god and goddess in this room. I believe Auth and Frasch are more than happy to remove you if need be. Enough interruptions." Diversi shot a sharp glare to the offending voice before gesturing back to Leah.

"Though I sensed the tide of misfortune coming I had initially thought it was my own power backlashing. It seems, however, that Ethodthem had been on the verge of the Update for quite a while now. I admit I was the one to have tipped the scales." She spoke, some gods glared and others nodded with somber looks.

Diversi crossed his arms and looked across the crowd. 

Another god walked onto the stage with perfect poise. He held a cane and cut a lithe figure. Beside him, a god laden with knick-knacks and gadgets and gizmos. The first one spoke. "I am Stabequil, God of Balance." He nodded to Leah. "The Goddess of Fortune is right. There has always been an overwhelming imbalance of power and danger in Aerae. In my domain, however, some things are balanced on an imbalanced scale. Only now, do I notice how wrong I was, and how large of an error I made." He shook his head. "I apologize fellow divine for I could've warned us earlier had I only thought of Ethodthem's function."

The second god spoke. "Ah, worry not, friend. I'm sure the gods forgive your blunder for we were all blind in the end." He addressed the crowd and only then did Diversi realize this was Jerxos. "The God of Balance notes that now, in light of the Update, the scales have shifted again. Danger is more present now than it has ever been. It has been weeks since and beings of old or new are only still awakening, still drowsy of their slumber."

Stabequil nodded. "Now, in Aerae, there is more danger than there are means to combat it. And we, the gods, have the majority of that power." He looked to Auth who nodded.

"The rules of rebirth are not so simple." Jerxos intoned. "Plucking souls from the planes beyond that fit into Aerae is a tiring process. With the Update and even the months beforehand, I found it easier to grant new lives to old souls. To balance the shift. I am but a small factor, but now at least, there are more mortals below that can defend themselves."

"So what then? The gods have sworn away from meddling below." A voice rang clear. "Even if Aerae is threatened the gods descending would wipe what little of Aerae we preside over. The mortals dying would not help the situation

"Are we expected to clean up Aerae?" One asked. "We've all witnessed the consequences of meddling before. We belong isolated in our own hideaways."

Another voice responded. "Our influence extends through Aerae by means of worship." It said, slowly. "Perhaps it is time to circulate power." Protests immediately responded, even the quieter of gods shouted loud at the idea.

Diversi nodded, his hand shot up and the crowd sat down slowly. "Think, gods and goddesses. In truth, what do you all do with the power you hoard?" Mouths began to answer before Diversi continued. "You hoard the power to exert influence over your peers and nothing more. To impress or flaunt or brandish or boast. It is time the gods give back to the denizens that worship us."

Auth spoke powerfully. Diversi respected the God of Power in the sense that none of it went to his head. "To defeat the challenges that Ethodthem brings to bear we must spread our power. The largest of us cannot fight the smallest of ants. Power to the mortals will fix the problem so that we aren't overwhelmed. Should we be greedy now would invite apocalypse. Make no mistake, gods and goddesses, you know my domain, so know I have a vague sense of beings as powerful as I. And if such beings exist then to them your deaths would be a small struggle." 

"S-small?" An angry voice shouted. "We hoard power in case of emergencies! So that old gods like you can't squash us underfoot if you decide to!"

"As powerful as you Auth?" Another began reasonably. "Surely, and I mean no offense, a dozen minor gods or even a few greater gods can take you on. It would be the work of a small team to combat these unknown foes, no?" There were nods of agreement all around.

"Fools." Auth's voice exploded. All the gods looked to him. "I know power. I know my limits and yours. It is you who are blind to real strength. When one says another matches their strength you may assume you know his power. But when the God of Power says he senses those with power on par with his." Auth breathed deep. "He means this." And shockwave of pure force blasted nearly everyone into their thrones, cracking seats and throwing down gods who happened to be standing.

Ortik caught Diversi and steadied him. Stabequil held Jerxos and Leah stood her own ground surprisingly. Diversi had to hold his jaw shut. It felt like Auth multiplied by a thousand times to an infinite degree. The power in his aura was unmatched by any god in the room. His mere presence demanded anyone to argue with him.

Ortik whispered to Diversi. "Leave it to Auth to smack sense into the young gods." He said, now a middle-aged man with a strong voice and graying hair.

Jerxos chuckled to himself and addressed Stabequil. "Quite the balance, friend." He gasped, hit by Auth's presence as well.

"This is the power I command. This is the power I feel our enemies possess. This is what threatens Aerae. This is what I mean when I say you are naught but a small struggle for beings on par with myself. To me, you are even less than the mortals are to you." He boomed.

Diversi gaped more. He, more than most, knew the dire circumstances. Still, for Auth to have sensed something of that magnitude? Could the gods challenge such a beast? And what of what Stabequil said? If the gods hold all the power who combats the threats on a mortal scale?

The crowd was silent as Diversi was sure they had the same thoughts running through their head. If not that, then simple primal fear of the divine ran through their veins as they stared at Auth.

"T-then what do we do?" A timid voice raised itself to be heard. "W-what can we do? Surely you can't expect us to match your power?"

Leah spoke next. "We can offer little help to the mortals unless you are one who can affect the everyday. Bestow blessings and gifts upon your followers to the best of your abilities. It is all we can do to keep Aerae alive." Some gods nodded stoically and other grimaced. The act of blessing mortals or artifacts were costly and inefficient if the mortal died. It was a gamble not many took in a land as dangerous as Aerae. Now that it was only more treacherous the gamble had to pay off. "Success for your followers mean success for you. It is the only way we can influence the tidings below."

"You can't expect that to actually work!" Someone said. "Mortals die constantly. That's a waste of power and resources. Is there no other way?"

"It's true they risk their lives and die with no purpose!" Another responded.

An exasperated voice called out. "That is why you choose who you bless! Do not grace the foolhardy and faux confident. You must focus your efforts on the most capable. Blessings have always been rocky territory. A reliable recipient is all that is needed. One attuned to your domain and able to use your gifts to the fullest."

Diversi nodded, that was the best approach. However, moving forward was not without risks.

"But still, the drawback." A collected female voice reasoned, thinking out loud. "Will we not be risking ourselves if our power goes to waste? The scales of balance are already so skewed as the God of Rebirth said. If our blessings fail then does not our overall power lower? Our capabilities to fend off whatever is thrown our way?" The goddess pushed up her glasses and glanced around the room.

"And not just us. I'm all for helping the mortals. But if they fail us? The scales tip further and we are only more weakened, no?" A louder, echoing voice said. The larger goddess brought up a good point.

Diversi cut in. "Combat is not the only way to influence the happenings below. For those of you that adhere to the crafting hemispheres or domains of knowledge, your blessings in the right hands might mean miracles below. And with less chance of a mortal dying below."

There were nods in response, some gods and goddesses unhappy at themselves being singled out.

"But what is that between us all?" A strong voice called. It belonged to a god holding a blacksmith's hammer. "I doubt the numbers we bless are enough to make a difference." His voice was like a hammer to the anvil.

There was silence all around. Diversi frowned, it was true that a god could only bless so many people. Perhaps a maximum of three for the greater gods and barely a single blessing for the lesser gods. Auth could maybe manage countless more but still. Diversi himself felt he could only afford two.

 "A conundrum them." A wizened god spoke. His hand grasped a gnarled staff but he walked with aged power. "We hold the majority of power on Aerae but we cannot descend for fear of cataclysm. We cannot influence those below in any great measure without too great of losses to ourselves." He walked to the dais and addressed the crowd leaning on his staff. "And, many of us have our own problems to deal with regarding prevalent changes to our domains."

The wizened god's robes and bookish appearance tickled some memory of Diversi's.

"And who are you?" A tiny voice pierced the room.

"I am one who knows even you God of All Things Small. I am one who knows Ortik in great familiarity. One who nows Auth and Fasch as old friends. One who even the higher gods come for counsel now and then. Sometimes, if a young god is wise, he would seek me." His graying hair only enhanced the intelligence in his eyes.

Auth stepped away from the dais and Diversi and the rest followed allowing the strange god the floor. Many murmured at the movement. The god continued. "I am the God of Understanding, Prehe."

Diversi froze for a moment before his breath returned to him. This was the God of Understanding? In the flesh? But of course, it only made sense that in lieu of the Update he would appear. Perhaps he could explain things? But then, wasn't it always said that even the God of Understanding couldn't fathom Ethodthem's machinations?

The crowd erupted into surprise.

"Is it him?" A god suspended in a bubble of water garbled.

Another spoke up loudly, nearly lost in the exclamations and outbursts. "I thought he was a myth!"

"Calm down everyone!"

Diversi cleared his throat loudly, stepping up to the dais. "I will have silence!" And his voice resounded against the walls. He at least had the power to make his voice sound different from the rest, and thus most of the gods settled down. "I already spy a few repeat offenders. You know who you are. Once more and you'll be removed from the premises." A few gods sobered up even though Diversi wasn't really keeping count. 

"Now," Diversi breathed. "I believe the God of Understanding was saying something?" He gestured.

Prehe nodded to Diversi before continuing, a tired look on his face. "We have our own problems to deal with. We cannot descend. We cannot influence Aerae below without any great drawback." He breathed. "We have all become lax in our power. We forget what it means to be weak, what it means to struggle. A few of your perhaps, have the perspective, but most of you have already let the power run to your head."

He waved his staff. "We hold the majority of power in Aerae, as I've said. And yet, only a fool would call the mortals below useless." Gods flinched at that. "They know what it is to be weak. They've endured the dangers longer than any of us."

"What are you saying then?" A god asked.

"In short, there is no need to descend. Unlike the divine, the mortals below know what it takes to reach for power. And though we hold most of the power, it is us I worry for." He spoke, grimacing. His hand clenched at his staff.

This time, there were no outbursts. It was because the God of Understanding had said it himself. There was no arguing. The gods hushed each other and spoke quietly. Diversi at least could understand Prehe's prediction that the mortals below could take care of themselves. He was one of the few who had birthed a race. And not just one, but four. He, more than most, knew what they were capable of. 

Perhaps he was naive to believe it was they who needed him.

Everyone stepped down from the dais. The gods would mill around for a bit to digest the information before discussion began in full. Any new gods would be getting a quick tutorial on how the Court of Gods is structured. For now though, they would mingle.

"Thank you." It was Prehe. "For calling the Court. If not for you I might not have even come. Yet, the ideas being thrown around here were futile at best." It took a second for Diversi to catch up.

"The gods have been subject to their power too long. Even me, I admit. As a creator of mortal races below, I find it embarrassing I didn't have confidence in them earlier. But, I have the unique perspective. You are right, from the past, there is no reason they would fail me. They never have."

"Ah, well at least the God of Variance was aware of it affecting the rest, no?" Prehe said. Diversi was both surprised and not that he knew his title. "And yes, the Subaqa, Subaer, Subfira, and Subdir. The people of the elements are a capable bunch."

"Thank you." He bowed. It was a large compliment.

"I must speak with Auth and Frasch. Fair tidings." He nodded and walked over to the two who were already conversing.

A giggle drew Diversi's attention. 

He found Leah laughing, playing with her bunny. "What's so funny then?" Diversi asked, smiling.

Her voice was mirthful despite everything. "It's just been awhile since someone's cursed with my name." She giggled. 

Diversi gestured to the gods around vaguely. "What do you think? Of all this?" He asked.

"Change at last." She said to him. "Not how I envisioned it but I regret it somewhat. The gods are caught unprepared. Sitting at the peak of their power caused no harm to anyone. And now they may very well be injured because of the Update."

A male voice cut in with enthusiasm. "Well, it was bound to happen whether Leah did something or not." Jerxos still wore his trinkets and baubles but under it was a rather finely cut suit. "Only now the gods have to react and get off their thrones."

"Indeed." Diversi nodded. "By the way, Jerxos I came across some of your rebirthees. In fact, they cured one of the homes of my people. Perhaps Prehe was correct then, some of the mortals are quite capable of their own survival."

"Ah, did you get their names? There are a lot of rebirths recently." He responded.

"I believe the name was Luck Lockyer and Acen Vent. Odd names, I wouldn't forget them." Diversi didn't notice the attention of both gods suddenly sharpen until he looked back at them. It was supposed to be an idle topic. "What?"

"They came from a group of souls I plucked from another plane," Leah said softly. "They were dangerous mortals in their world with good hearts. An entire family." She explained. "They made an impression to say the least. They were among the most impressive I found, perhaps at the top."

Jerxos smile sagged a little but he only gave a defeated grin. "They were an interesting bunch. If you don't remember they were the talk of the gods for a while when Leah first announced the coming misfortune." 

"I'm afraid I was preoccupied until just recently. Mainly due to similar events happening throughout the homes of my people. The two mortals were a welcome reprieve." Diversi responded.

Jerxos continued. "Ah, no worries friend. You know how the rebirth tests go, correct? Or at least a general understanding?"

"I do." 

"Well those mortals tested unprecedently well. I've mirrored the tests for an average among fitting rebirthee candidates and achieved no results at all near their scores. And that, not only to Mr. Lockyer and Mr. Vent but the entire Lockyer family as well. Not to mention the other man Leah plucked." Jerxos shook his head. "My wife is loving the chaos."

Leah spoke with a laugh. "She's the Goddess of Fun. What did you expect from her?"

"Are they special then?" Diversi wondered. The affairs of mortals were at least a small pastime for him. Though if they weren't of the people of the elements he cared less.

Leah spoke again. "Not yet. But they've already made ripples in Aerae which is more than what the gods can say. They were a crowd I picked out for their hearts. They'd help those they could and stem the misfortune I know now is Ethodthem's Update."

"Such faith for mere mortals." Diversi rose an eyebrow.

Jerxos groaned. "You'd have faith if you knew what they got away with." He rubbed at his face. "They might even graduate from ripples to splashes if they survive down there long enough." He groaned again. "Which reminds me, I need to talk to the God of Time. Have you seen him?"

Diversi pointed and Jerxos was walking away with the clanging of his trinkets and baubles.

Leah spoke. "We both are of the gods who can detect the change coming." Her gaze was focused at the milling gods. A frown graced her face. "They have no idea."

Diversi straightened his leather armor again. "No. No they do not." He stepped up to the dais. "But it is our job to make sure they do."