Eons before the modern age, one hundred Numina clashed for supremacy amidst a bleak eternal void. One Numen, dissatisfied with their endless standoff, decided chaos was a far superior alternative. Thus, split themselves into thousands of individual forms. These forms would become the building blocks of our limited window into their reality. Everything from the brightest star in the sky to the smallest grain of sand consisted of this Numen. Their creations would lead to the developing of all plant and animal life that walks every world. We remember them as the Builders, the only Numen who won.

The worlds gave the Numina a place to exist. They could change, love, and fight in these worlds, all in a way once unfamiliar to them. Intoxicated by the allure of living with consequences, many Numina chose to spend their time on these worlds, falling in love with other Numina and securing stable lives. However, bliss wasn't the only thing the Builders brought with their change.

When two Numina were inevitably bored of their newfound existence, they sought to clash again. Only this time, at the end of their struggle, only one Numen was left standing. The Builders introduced things the other Numina sought after strongly, lust, love, hunger, but most importantly and least desired was death.

The discovery was a shock to all. The Builders had ended their existence, but on their own terms and by their own hands. Some Numina hid away, fearing that another would also come for them. While some sought out their brethren, hoping that ending their existence would add to their own strength. The chaos that would follow would last millions of years and lead to the formation of mortals crafted by divine hands to support their creators. Either through worship, protection, and champions to seek out other Numina. When the smoke had all cleared, only thirteen Numina remained.

Aramaz, Politine, Crassander, Ratfel, Unbat, Drisk, Mastelon, Loudar, Travish, Zuirr, Inklin, Qalt, and Balteus were the names of the remaining Numina, untouched by their own brethren.

The thirteen agreed to meet, finally completing the struggle that had been occurring for eons, even before their separation. As the fighting persisted, swathes of the universe were brushed away as easily as one would swat away a fly. The Numina were content with their deal, all but one.

Balteus foresaw the consequences of their actions and knew that the only result would be mutually assured destruction. This Numen desired power but refused to be a monarch of absolute nothingness. Reluctantly, Balteus reformed himself, like the Builders before him, into a large and powerful chain that lifted the mountains from the world itself. The Numen tied down his kin, suppressing their ability to harm another, with their enfeeblement giving them a chance at a different kind of life. With this ring, Balteus saved his only family from death. Though it forced them into eternity, they could never achieve their truest goals.

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* Sylvin Polt, Third Fang of Aramaz.

Brief Records of the Early Cycle

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I looked into the sky in sudden skepticism toward the belt surrounding my new world. Months ago, I scoffed at the notion of Gods creating humans and fighting for superiority. Now, I didn't know what to think.

We had made camp while trekking through the desert and had made a midday stop to eat and catch our breath. I made a simple tent for cover, one that easily breakdown before leaving. Nev laid in a makeshift chair crafted from several warped cacti. The pins didn't seem to bother them, but I assumed Bert and I would be less lucky. I pawed through one of the many texts Berthold brought with him while he tried to catch his breath from the day's worth of walking.

"Have you guys ever, uh, met a God?" I asked with apparent discomfort.

"Nah," Nev replied. "My friend met Mastelon before. Apparently, he's a big dick."

"Met? No." Bert replied. "Though once I did see Crassander fly out of Garhome."

"Oh yeah? What was he doing there?" I asked.

"Tried to cure a bad wave of hayrot spreading through the city, apparently. Didn't ask him, but I did piss myself when he took off. The bastard sounded like a building imploding."

Nev and I laughed in response. I would never admit it, but Berthold was a much better traveling companion than expected. His pack was filled to the brim with books catering to almost every subject. Broke was an incredible resource. That fact couldn't be argued, but having to direct a question was a massive catch. On the other hand, with these texts being available, I could learn things I didn't even know that I needed to know.

"What about Aramaz?" I asked, suddenly thinking of that magnificent cape aboard Captain Sprin's vessel.

"No one has ever seen them and lived," Nev replied. "That's what they say, at least."

"So that tooth guy we met hadn't even met his God before?" I questioned, ignoring that countless people did the same thing in my previous life.

"Tooth... guy?" Berthold asked, suddenly looking much paler than usual.

"We met a Fang of Aramaz while sailing across the Prathein Sea."

"He wasn't hunting you? Was he?"

"No, just my friend. He's the kind of guy who gets up to the good kind of bad, that's what he calls it, at least. Why? Are you okay?"

"Let's just say I'm not on the best terms with Aramaz... or her followers."

"What did you do?"

"About the only thing you could do to piss off a God that values knowledge over all else."

I looked down at the book I was currently rifling through. And shot a questioning glance to Bert.

"Yeah, that one, and... About fifty others."

"What?!" "What?!"

"Why would you do that?" Nev questioned. "Those people are psychos!"

"I know, I know. But they're psychos with access to extensive texts and information no one else in the world has. They weren't interested in sharing or trading... so I just took it."

"I get it now," I replied. "You don't care that we're wanted because you're just as hunted. Maybe more."

Berthold turned back with a mischievous smile across his face. "Oh, you caught me. But I hope we can still be friends."

"It's fine, for now," I said.

Nev looked between Bert and me from their spiky throne as if I'd made a huge mistake.