So, children, as we have now learned, devastation and sacrifice made the Earth, Sun, and Moon. Following this, there was peace and ease for the gods for many years. The pantheons each moved to their own portions of the Earth, though they did not separate too far from each other. After a time, the gods became bored sitting upon the barren Earth. They began to entertain themselves with acts of creation, and, soon, the Earth was transformed with the creation of plants and animals. The planet became a lush paradise, populated by many living creatures that the gods delighted in observing and interacting with. For a time, all was well upon this new Eden.

Then, after many years, Ra's Sun began to act...strange. For many years now, the Sun had given off its light and energy in steady, constant waves. But now, the Sun began to pulse ever so slightly. The gods thought little of this new development until, one day, the Sun gave off an exceptional pulse of energy that bathed the Earth.

Life on the Earth's surface was devastated.

In an instant, much was burned away, and what little life was left soon starved. The gods were heartbroken at the destruction of their creations and, as one, they wept. Their tears ran from their faces to the low places in the Earth and formed the seas and oceans. So great was their sorrow that they did not cease crying until the majority of the Earth was covered in their tears.

With heavy hearts, the gods finally accepted their loss and went about crafting their favorite creations from scratch on what little land remained. But, as they did so, they were surprised to find that something was still alive. None of the gods recognized the creatures and none claimed to have created them.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

It was Prometheus, one of Helios's pantheon, gifted with uncommon wisdom and reasoning, who was first to figure out where the creatures had come from. When the flare from the Sun had hit the Earth, most of the energy was expended in burning away the life. But, as Prometheus discovered, some of the energy was absorbed into the Earth itself. The energy had ignited the core of the Earth, and, at the points were the land met the oceans and seas of the gods' tears, new forms of life had been created.

Where water and Earth met below the waves, fish emerged, uniquely adapted to living in this new environment. But, from the points where the water met the shore of the Earth, a unique, more complex being came to life. This was the first of humanity.

The gods marveled at this new creation. It was unlike anything they had created before. It looked...like them. Prometheus theorized that the energy from the Sun and the crust of the Earth had come together with the water of their own tears to form these powerful beings who shared the same form as them.

With delight, the gods began to play and experiment with this new creation. And here, children, is a point where I could tell you a million other stories that arise from this period. But, I'm afraid that we do not have much time, so I will save all but one for another day. You now know of the creation of life and humanity, but the one story that I must tell you today involves how humanity was nearly lost.

I will tell you the story of Fire and the Flood.