Divinity, at the end of the day, is incomparable to any race of mortals. We cannot reproduce. Divine incarnation is reliant on mortal belief. Unlike every other race, which can be reduced to a few members and then brought back from the edge of extinction, once we are gone, we are gone. The ideas the old breed of Divines possess are extinct already.

Gone are the days when our simple presence was so terrible and awe-inspiring that kings gave away their kingdoms for us to manage. Worldbreaking was not a failure of magicians, it was a failure of Divinity. In the same manner that a body has an immune system to counter disease, mankind produced archmages to counter Divinity.

Written by Arascus, God of Pride: ‘Untitled’.

White hair of pure lies. White hair of genuine surprise.

Black eyes of hidden meanings. Multicoloured eyes that settled on a passionate red.

Silk so dark it stood out against the night. Linen coloured in black and white and red.

Dress for royalty of ages ancient. Suit for dealings of business emotionless.

Helenna stared at Malam.

Malam stared at Helenna.

“We are back.” Kassandora said. Helenna almost didn’t hear her. She simply stared at the Goddess of Hatred. If there was one of Arascus’ daughter Goddess that she had never wanted to meet. It would have been Malam. Frankly, Helenna had hope that Of Hatred had died somewhere, that she had disappeared into a hole and been buried for all eternity.

She knew it wasn’t true of course. Hatred was not an invention, it would be the same as if Helenna herself died somewhere: Eventually, another Of Love would incarnate somewhere. The fact that no Of Hatred had ever appeared dispelled all theories that Malam had died. Yet Helenna had hoped still, after all, wasn’t it human to hope? Kassandora stood in a ruined suited, made dirty by red Kirinyaan soil then charred and burned, with gaps here and there that exposed slices of skin. The Goddess of War did not seem to mind for them though.

Elassa was next to her. Blue dress and pristinely clean, her dark hair neat and flat as she stood there, making an odd, awkward face as if she didn’t want to be here. Helenna noticed that she was lacking Anassa’s containment ring, but then if she was Kassandora, she couldn’t be too much of a threat. Maybe she had switched too. Helenna’s eyes went back to Malam. Of Hatred’s smile had grown.

Kavaa and Iniri entered the tent. It was a grand thing, set up near the ruins of Nanbasa. With multiple cloth walls set up for different rooms, this central room was only desks strewn with papers that, shelves about to collapse under the weight of documents and crates overflowing with ledgers full of information. Helenna only glanced at Iniri and Kavaa, both had come in new clothes, ones that looked to be hand-sewn and fashioned of ram’s wool. Neither looked particularly happy. Iniri had obviously been crying, Kavaa looked as if she wanted to punch something. And Helenna’s eyes went back to Malam. Of Hatred’s smile revealed perfect white teeth.

“Is dad not here?” Kassandora asked. Arascus grumbled from behind a wall of cloth. He had been in his section, organizing rebuilding forces for Nanbasa. Fer had been sent off with Kirinyaa’s great beasts to the South, Neneria and Olephia were clearing the northern cities.

The God of Pride appeared from underneath a cloth wall, grumbling, his eyes settled on Kassandora, then they grew wide when they found Malam. “Malam!” He shouted. “You’re back!” And of all the reactions that Helenna thought she would see, then Malam crumbling, her legs growing weak and her rushing to hug Arascus was definitely not on the list. The woman was full of surprises.

Helenna made a note of it though. Very sweet. “Dad!” Malam half-shouted. She buried her face into his chest as they embraced. Kavaa grumbled as her and Iniri went to meet Helenna.

“That woman is a monster.” Kavaa said dryly. Kassandora, rather predictably for her, started inspecting the tables and reading the documents on them.

“What happened to Nanbasa?” She asked.

“It got destroyed.” Helenna said. “Evacuations were managed well though, we only some maybe two thousand civilians in the chaos.” Helenna and Arascus and Sokolowski had worked like three well-greased gears. There had been no arguments, Helenna found issues, Arascus found solutions, Sokolowski implemented them. The last time the Pantheon had worked so smoothly was when the necessity of the Great War had pushed them to it.

“Why the sour faces then?” Kassandora said. “I saw what looked like a dead titan from the air.”

“Mmh.” Malam said into Arascus’ chest. “I’m back.” Almost as if in disbelief. Kassandora spoke louder.

“And there’s no forces coming from the ocean anymore, I assume pulled something off.” Arascus squeezed Malam, lifted her off her feet and gave her a hug.

“It’s good you’re back.”

“It’s good to be back.” Malam agreed. Kavaa looked at the woman in disbelief. Iniri shuddered as Elassa opened her mouth at the display of affection. Maybe they wouldn’t have noticed it, but Helenna was the sort to catch these things. Why were they so surprised at Malam displaying affection?

“Right.” Arascus said. “Malam, I’m sorry you have no welcome party but you probably saw the city outside.”

“Kassie filled me in on the way.” Malam said happily and Arascus’ expression soured. Helenna’s did too. Kassandora had waltzed back in here, with Elassa by her side, as if she was unaware of what just happened.

“Well it’s good that you’re back. You’ll be needed.”

“We’re right back at it?” Malam’s voice was so terribly lewd it almost made Helenna blush. She wasn’t even prudish like Kavaa, but Divines should not speak in tones like that.

“We are.” Arascus said as he went to Kassandora. Helenna had seen the God in battle in a few times during the Great War, she didn’t think she would ever be able to forget the rivers of bloods and fields of blades that Arascus left in his wake. And right now, he looked exactly like that. “Do you know what you did?” Arascus did not shout, he didn’t even raise his voice, but the temperature in the huge tent seemed to drop and the lanterns giving light grew dull. Helenna felt a chill go down her spine, she saw Kavaa straight her back. Iniri freeze up and Elassa almost shrunk.

And Kassandora returned a flat look. “No.” Kassandora speaking submissively. There was a first time for everything. “What did I do?”

Arascus took a deep breath as he extended his hand. “Helenna, pass our latest problem.” Helenna knew exactly what Arascus was talking about. After all, it was the focus of the entire world, it most likely would be for the next ten years. And Kassandora did not know. Helenna had to force her legs to move under that terrible overpowering aura from the God of Pride. She brought a few pictures, images printed off from the internet.

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

One of flooded cities. One of a tidal wave. One of people crying. But the most important one was at the top. A satellite photo of Arda, the continent was cracked open. A new sea had flown into the gap, splitting the area where the Jungle was straight up to the Sassara desert. Kassandora looked at the photos. She took a deep breath. “Oh.” She said, her tone apologetic. “I see.”

“You do.” Arascus said.

“Then…” Kassandora blinked and looked around the room. The proud Goddess of War, with her crimson red hair, looked like a deflated candle. As if she had been an inferno that had burned out. She blinked again. Helenna saw her eyes sparkle. Was the woman tearing up? Impossible. It was Kassandora. Of War looked up at Arascus for a moment and sighed heavily. “I’m sorry.” She croaked the word out and Arascus hugged her.

“Go outside, take a walk or whatever you want. We’ll discuss this later.”

“Mmh.” Kassandora said. She turned and almost ran out of the room.

“Well well well.” Malam said. “What a sweetheart she is.”

“Not with an audience Malam.” Arascus said and Of Hatred’s smile dropped.

“Sorry.” She said.

“Just don’t do it again.” Arascus turned and passed her pictures. “Like I said, it’s good that you happened to come back now.” Arascus passed her the images. Malam looked at them for a few seconds, then at Elassa.

“You did this?” Elassa and Iniri went to look at the images as Kavaa turned around. She turned back to Arascus. Then to the exit through which Kassandora had disappeared. Then back to Arascus.

“Is she?” Of Health asked. “Should I?”

“I wouldn’t suggest it.” Arascus said, his tone soft and tired once again. “But if you want to, then go ahead.”

“You wouldn’t suggest it?” Kavaa asked.

“I can’t promise you won’t regret.” Arascus said. “She won’t kill you though, if you’re worried, then go.” And Kavaa turned on the spot and disappeared out of the tent. Helenna felt some satisfaction at that. Kassandora had broken down, the Kassandora had broken down, and Of Love was still standing here. Who would have ever thought that would happen?

“I did this?” Elassa asked.

“No.” Arascus replied sarcastically. “Arika happened to crack by itself, as all continents do.” He calmed down after a moment and came close to the party. “Did you kill the Jungle at least?”

“Yes.” Elassa replied. “It’s gone.”

“Good.” Arascus said. “Normally, I would thank you for the help.” He tapped the image of the continent from space in Malam’s pale fingers. “But not for this.” Half of Elassa’s mouth twisted upwards as her eyebrows jumped up in surprise. She shook her head.

“I mean…” It was the most nervous, cracking laughter Helenna had ever heard. “I…” Elassa laughed. “I can’t…” She shook her head in disbelief. “That’s crazy. I did this?”

“I wouldn’t be so happy with yourself.” Arascus said. He turned to the table and went to fetch one of the news articles. Helenna already knew which one it would be. The God of Pride returned with a copy of EIE: Elassa kicked out of the Pantheon! The headline said everything that needed to be said. Elassa looked at it in confusion, she took the paper from Arascus’ hand.

“Well well well.” Malam said. “What a twist!” Her tone said it was a twist on the same level of the Sun setting at dusk or rising in the morning: not at all.

“I’m kicked out?” Elassa asked. “I’m kicked out!?” Arascus sighed as he looked down at the Goddess.

“I think you’re smart to know that bringing them my head will get you back in.” He said. “And for now, we don’t want you either. You’re welcome to stay, but you’ve made yourself radioactive.” Malam turned chuckled to herself as she went to look at the tables.

“You cracked a continent?” Iniri asked in disbelief. “Why?”

Elassa laughed as if she had gone mad. Helenna took a step away from her and closer to Arascus, positioning herself so that the man was just slightly in-between them. “I…” And the Goddess of Magic calmed down. Her tone dropped. She became serious again. “You won’t like this Arascus.” She said.

“Lay it out.”

“I am going to blame your daughter.” Elassa said. “It was her idea.”

“Aye.” Arascus said. “I have no doubt Kass thought up of it.” He stared the woman down. “But when an arsonist burns a house down, do we blame the man who sold him the matches?” Elassa had no reply, she almost shrunk again under the God’s aura. “Elassa, do you know the scale of what you have done?”

The Goddess of Magic looked down at the picture in her hands. “I…” She shook her head again. “A continent can be cracked. It can be done.” She said.

“Not the display of magic.” Arascus said. “The death toll worldwide currently stands at two-hundred million. By the end of the week, it will most likely reach half a billion. The UNN is devastated.”

“What’s the UNN?” Malam asked from the table.

“It was one of the most powerful countries in the world.” Helenna answered.

“The global economy is gone.” Arascus continued.

“Why?” Malam asked again.

And again, Helenna explained. “Trade routes are more important now, not like back then where we made on the spot.”

“Ohhh…” Malam said as she threw a few papers on the ground. Helenna turned away from Elassa and watched the woman work. This was Malam. This was the Malam. Fortia had Kassandora, who had led the military aspect of the Great War against her, but Helenna could never get into that competition with Kassandora. Kassandora was the Goddess of War, it was simply a different field, Helenna would never even try to be a battlefield commander on the level that Kassandora was.

Helenna had led the home-front back then. She dealt with spies, and she dealt with morale. Just as Malam did. And just as Fortia had Kassandora, Helenna had Malam. And Helenna watched the woman work, she had caused so many problems back then.

“Elassa.” Arascus continued. “You have the greatest reputation of us all now. Three days ago, you have rehabilitated Olephia’s, Anassa’s and Neneria’s image. Fer’s warherds have become a triviality compared to what you just did.” Elassa swayed from side to side. Iniri went to catch her. Helenna smiled at the Goddess of Nature, personally, she would have let Elassa fall. But Iniri had always been sweet, even to those she didn’t like.

“I…”

“What is this?” Malam asked. “Nuh-Clear?” She asked. Helenna was shellshocked. On one side of the cloth room was Arascus explaining to Elassa the damage she had just done. On the other, Malam had not wasted a single breath and started absorbing everything immediately! No wonder she had outmatched Helenna back then!

“It’s nuclear.” Helenna said the word, she quickly thought of the easiest explanation that a woman who had just come out of the medieval era would understand. “It’s the same reaction that Olephia makes when she speaks, but manufactured by mortals.”

“Wow.” Malam sounded impressed. “And they use it to make power?” Helenna looked down at what Malam was reading. It was the report of the eight UNN nuclear reactors that had started to overload. Two had already blown up.

“Elassa.” Arascus said, softer this time. “Because of what happened, I cannot openly align with you.” Elassa looked up at him in horror. “But you’re welcome to stay here.” Of Magic tried to form a word and mere babble came out. “Iniri, can you help her? Grow her a room to stay in for now.”

“Will I die?” Elassa said quickly. Helenna saw Arascus raise an eyebrow at her.

“Will you die?”

“Will I be executed?” Elassa said quickly. “I’m Worldbreaking breed!” She shouted. “I’m unique. If you kill me, there won’t be another of Magic like me. Never again! Unless you get into a state of Worldbreaking again! Honestly!” Helenna smiled in satisfaction at the panic. How many times had Elassa been so high and mighty on the mountain? How many times had she called Helenna a dog? And now look at her!

Arascus sighed. “Elassa, for once, it is not my choice if you live or die.” He said.

“Then whose?!” Elassa said. “You’re Arascus! You’re hated too! If you give me back to the mountain, they’ll execute me! They’ll have to!” There we go. Helenna could not contain her smile. Elassa started to cry as her legs gave out. Iniri, shorter than her by a fair amount, gently lowered her down to the ground. “Please…” Elassa said. “I… please…”

“We will give you a room as the situation develops. You won’t get a containment ring, but if you do decide to use magic to stall us in anyway.” Arascus cut off as he opened a disk above his head. A golden portal, a blade shot out of it and impaled the ground next to Elassa’s face. “The world will applaud me for this Elassa. Morally, it should be done, to serve as punishment and to make sure it cannot happen again, because you proved it can be done. You have nothing going for you, if I’m going to be honest.”

Elassa burst out in tears as Iniri patted her back. “And whereas Anassa is fond of you Elassa; Kavaa, Iniri and Helenna are not.” Helenna felt her cheeks blush at the fact her name was mentioned there too. Iniri stopped and gawked at Arascus. Helenna knew exactly what of Nature was thinking, because she was thinking it too: Her opinion was being taken into account? Elassa burst out in tears as Arascus turned to the Goddess by her side. “Iniri, you take her. Grow a room for her, no windows or anything, I’d rather she not be seen.”

“Of course.” Iniri said, she picked Elassa up with her own magical branches. Of Magic didn’t even seem to the notice she was being carried like that. “And Arascus?” Arascus stopped mid-turn.

“What?”

“Thank you.” He waved the Goddess away as Iniri left, Elassa close behind her.

“We have business.” Arascus said. “I’d prefer not to execute Elassa, but if it must be done, then it will be done.” Helenna got to the table quickly, she didn’t even want to save Elassa, she simply wanted to prove that she could do it. Because if she could not and Malam could, that would be a humiliation on a scale Helenna would not even be able to consider.

Half an hour later. Arascus, Helenna and Malam were sitting around a table.