Sunrya Wandou, or Sunwan for short, was just another young man. His short blond hair and toned muscles would have been popular if he ever went to the beach, but they were hidden beneath his ‘Everyone’s sunshine’ shirt. He had the interesting habit of lounging around in his room, reading books of all kinds. Books about science, economy, philosophy, theology… You name it, Sunwan read it.

But Sunwan wasn’t just interested in knowledge, he also read his fair bit of fiction and in doing so, started to thirst for adventure. He dreamt about wide green plains, dense forests, unapproachable mountains, and deep seas. The endless savanna where beasts roamed and might made right, the mysterious marsh lit up by its fauna and flora at night, the frozen expanse of the tundra, the streets of countless cities of different cultures… So many sights to see and experiences to live. But he couldn’t go.

Spending most of his time lost in books was his way of dealing with this yearning of his. Learning more and more about the world, about civilization, about physics… Was just a way to cope.

It wasn’t that he lacked preparation or money, neither was it his family holding him back; at least not directly. Rather…

*knock* *knock*

“Sunwan! You’re the sun god! Stop staying cooped in your room for once and come to the garden, there’s something you need to see!”

Not waiting a moment longer before she forced the door open was a petite woman with short curled brown hair and an easy to move in green and white dress with feather patterns.  His cousin, Metzi.

“What’s the matter? I don’t barge in your room when you’re reading.”

“Yes, you do! I wasn’t reading, but who came in last time to ask for another of my shoujo novels?! And I was playing Mahjong with Chang’e and the others!”

He apparently had too much time on hand, and clearly not enough books of his own despite the bookshelves lining the walls.

“Ah! Whatever, I don’t have time to bicker with you. Come quickly, things are getting out of hand!”

Sunwan grumbled a bit but soon followed after her.

Making his way into the garden, he found twenty or so of his divine brethren standing there, half of them panicking and using some of their authority, the other half gawking at the sky, or the sun to be precise. A giant red sun.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Sunwan! You’re finally awake!”

As he approached, he was called upon by an old friend. An intriguing white and yellow shirt, a pair of square glasses keeping wild blond hair at bay, it was Cornelius, the god of corn.

“It’s been like that for a few minutes already, and judging by your face it doesn’t seem to be a new prank of yours. Any idea what’s going on?”

Sunwan looked up, at the sun, then back down at his friend, his eyes alternating between the two. But just a few seconds later, his face paled. After a slight hesitation, he approached Cornelius and whispered.

“Remember when I told you about the sun working on hydrogen and stuff?”

“Yeah? Like how it was mixing’em up and made helium to keep itself warm?”

“More or less. Though it seems to be out of fuel.”

“Oh… You did say it would inflate like popcorn left in the microwave too long.”

“Right. And it’ll more or less disappear after. Let’s keep it from destroying the world for now and I’ll think of a solution.”

“What are your two being so secretive about?! If you’ve got the time to talk, help us! If the moon has so much as a trace of singing I’m drowning your book collection!”

Sunwan thus joined the others in the fight against the out-of-control red giant. While cornfields started appearing in the sky to quell the flames, he focused on his bond with the star. He could feel its strength slowly diminish against the assaults of water, wind, pillows, and… wait wasn’t that last one his?!

“Keep throwing his stuff! It seems to be working!”

“I knew making offerings would appease it!”

“Good thinking, Shiva!”

Deities of all origins and domains were throwing everything they, or others, had at the sun. Making for an interesting sight in the middle of the divinely decorated garden. Unfortunately, Sunwan had no time to enjoy the sight.

As divine power engulfed the sun, it first stopped expanding, before eventually starting to diminish in size. But Sunwan couldn’t tear his attention away from the more and more faint signal he had of the sun. 

Until it was barely noticeable.

Until it was gone.

Before he could start despairing, he opened his eyes and saw it.

Through his connection to the sun, Sunwan could tell it had disappeared. Yet, he could still see it in the sky, reducing in size.

It took him a second to realize what was happening.

“Right, there’s a few minutes of delay before the light of the sun reaches us. If I want to do something, it’ll have to be now.”

He thought hard about a way to solve the issue, if things were left as is, the sun would be gone, the earth would get cold, plant life would die and many more issues would crop up. 

Then there was a flash of inspiration.

Maybe, just maybe, there was a possibility.

The time he had to act was limited, very limited. Taking advantage of his distracted peers, he slipped away and ran so fast he almost teleported. Stopping right in front of a large water pool reflecting the world below. 

There would be consequences, the other gods would be unhappy about it, but he’d be damned if he simply let the world end. He was the sun, and with it came life. And this was also an opportunity.

He jumped into the pool. Leaving the domain of the gods.

To Earth.