In the beginning, humans looked up at the sky and saw its infinite vastness. They trembled before the unresponsive void, the profound loneliness of a silent, boundless expanse.

To dispel the unease about forces and things beyond their understanding, religion was born. They called these forces that surpassed their comprehension “gods.”

From fear, they constructed deities—beings beyond reason and mortal strength, concepts given form to shield them from the harshness of life.

Some believed that gods came from a dimension that birthed the universe itself, symbolic of primordial concepts, fundamental elements that formed everything—from planets, earth, nature, to humanity.

Others claimed gods were merely a fabrication, an excuse for human ignorance.

In truth, neither perspective was entirely wrong. The essence of gods exists because of human belief; if humans believe in them, they will exist. Gods did not create humanity. Humanity created gods. They exist within trembling breaths in the cold night, within the first prayers uttered when death’s blade looms close. Gods are the reflections of fears and desires that humanity cannot resolve on their own.

The birth of gods originated from fear, a heavy feeling that grew within the hearts of early humans. Helpless before the unpredictability of the world, they began to grasp the fragility of life. And from that realization, the God of Fear was born.

Not a tormentor, but a protector in the shadows—a barrier between humanity and the abyss of chaos. He blessed humanity, though his blessings were cruel, making them fear fire, hesitate before cliffs, and thus, survive.

The God of Fear and Despair cloaked despair in endless fog—unceasing famine, utter deprivation, despair that prevented humans from living comfortably.

But this blessing was neither an end nor a curse of extinction. It was a push for humanity to strive for something greater. Progress always comes with a cost, and fear drives humanity forward.

From this, the God of Hope was born—a light piercing the deep darkness. Hope, though fragile, possesses the power to rekindle even the most shattered of spirits.

Hope exists only when faced with fear and despair. The God of Hope is aware of this. He understands that without the abyss, how would humanity seek a way out? Without the night, how would they cherish the dawn?

Every blessing he grants humanity is tied to a fear—fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of death. He is the pillar that keeps humanity moving forward, but he has never been their salvation.

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He aids humanity but remains cold toward them. He does not see himself as a source of good, nor does he seek their love. He exists to be longed for, to give meaning to their prayers. Ultimately, the God of Hope cannot stand alone.

The Gods of Fear and Hope appear to be the most primordial concepts that affirm humanity’s existence, compelling them to rise from pain and loss.

Human prayers continued to echo, and from their desires, a third god emerged—the God of Virtue, the embodiment of kindness, fulfillment, and joy. But more than anyone else, he bore the weight of endless expectations and demands from humanity. He lived for them but never for himself.

The unity of these three primordial gods allowed humanity to advance further than ever before. Unlike the new gods who demanded direct worship and temples, these primordial gods existed through the unspoken belief of humanity, shaping societies both consciously and unconsciously.

The transition from primitive times to the modern age seemed incredibly brief. Society developed rapidly; human life became increasingly prosperous and distant from the negativities of the past.

The God of Fear and the God of Hope gradually faded, leaving only the tangible presence of the God of Virtue.

Humanity prayed to him for guidance toward perfection. Each achievement they attained made him shine brighter, a mirror reflecting the pride of mankind.

With the extravagance of an ever-advancing era, new gods emerged, representing individual or small group desires—love, wealth, power. The God of Fear began to fade. No longer the foundation for difficult decisions or survival, the God of Fear became a shadow, forgotten in a world that no longer needed darkness.

The primordial gods seemed to fade further as they lost their place in human consciousness, especially the God of Fear.

The God of Virtue stood helpless before the inevitable departure of the God of Fear, while the God of Hope mourned for it.

Humanity, in their folly, began to reject their most primal nature.

When they advanced far enough to realize that bound morality was meaningless, they turned their backs on the God of Virtue.

...

The facade of technology crumbled. Walls of steel could no longer stave off the inevitable. Humanity's true nature was laid bare. Without fear, they lost the boundaries between right and wrong. Without despair, they ceased to seek hope. Instead, they fell into an empty void, an endless spiral of fleeting gratifications—actions taken only to escape reality, devoid of any purpose to live.

The apocalypse... had arrived.

In that darkness, in that oblivion, a soul awoke. He did not remember who he was, but he felt the emptiness of the universe... A man, silent yet undeniable, like a whisper within the fading consciousness of humanity.