“Welcome, my children!”
The Panelix teleported into the grand hall, showering everything in red glitter. After a few moments, the Whenvern teleported in too, but he just sat down on his throne, not saying much. Epani wandered around the room, inspecting each of the twelve new deities. Well, they weren’t quite deities yet, Epani still needed to remove their collars and teach them about their new powers and duties. But here they all were. And Epani was quite proud already.
“Uh… hello, Lady Panelix…” Aesop, the Torr deity, was the first to speak. Everyone else seemed somewhat stunned.
“Hello, dear!” Epani smiled. “How are you all?”
“Scared…” Kohra instantly admitted.
“Concerned…” Elkay frowned.
“Somewhat angry…” Murum’Va tutted. “What happened to our Sotanaht?”
“And what happened to our Blessed Lifebringer?” Maresia added.
Epani’s smile faded. “Well… I have a lot of explaining to do. Although I think you have all guessed that something catastrophic happened. Please, sit down and help yourselves to a drink.”
Everyone did as they were told. Some of them glanced towards the Whenvern, but Kairos had remained silent the entire time. Epani sighed, then sat down as well, pouring herself some blood-red wine.
“So?” Dalosisaar, the Thraki deity, snarled ever so slightly. “I know the Holy Whenvern got corrupted. I was there. Time slowed down, to the point that I could no longer move.”
“You are right, little one. The Corruption broke through. It somehow circumnavigated our prediction powers and struck Kairos directly. I tried to save Kairos, but, as he was under the Corruption’s control, he attacked me. Thankfully, Sini managed to to wrestle the Fundamental of Time from Kairos’s grip, stopping the Corruption from freezing us all in time…”
Epani paused, then sniffed.
“Unfortunately… the Corruption was… manipulative. It tried leave Kairos and take over Sini. Because Sini and I are Life Goddesses, we are more powerful. But Arkay intervened, and took the Corruption into himself. This caused the Corruption a vast amount of pain, and it retreated, fleeing the universe and taking Arkay with it. Sini also believed herself to be tainted by the Corruption she had pulled from Kairos, and she left the universe too, to protect you all. They sacrificed themselves, so we could all live.”
Everyone glanced at each other, not really sure what to say.
“Is Arkay still alive?” Elkay eventually asked. “Because… I used to be able to feel his presence. Since I was the Shadow, I was kinda connected to him. I don’t feel that presence any more.”
The Panelix hesitated again. “As far as we know… Arkay is most likely dead, yes. We unfortunately can’t confirm it though. The Corruption has disappeared, far beyond what we can see. Sini is, thankfully, still alive, but she will not be able to return. Both Sini and Arkay left their power to me, and I am determined to make their sacrifices worthwhile. And, in honour of their memories, I have brought you all here, to help me rebuild, and to make this universe better.”
“Oh… So you ARE making us into deities?” Vaksia, Epani’s chosen Vrekan representative, seemed particularly uneasy. “Is this going to get in the way of my work in agriculture sciences?”
Epani went back to smiling. “That is why I chose you. You will be able to continue your work. In fact, you will be able to go further. But you will also serve me, doing duties to keep the universe safe and stable.”
“How though? We’re just… mortals…” Kohra stuttered. “Some of us are pretty fucking young and not very powerful.”
“You are not powerful yet!” Kairos growled as he got up. “We will make you powerful. You will all be blessed with an elemental affinity, the ability fully control that element, and a secondary patronage, related to what you are best at. Some of you will guard the universe’s perimeter, others will assist in diplomatic disputes, others still will work on improving the stability and health of the universe and its people.”
“Yeah, no, that’s… terrifying… And a lot of pressure to put on us…” Kohra was clearly quite scared. He was the second youngest person present, a teenager. But also technically just a child, since he was a Spast and aged differently to everyone else.
“Epani will guide you. I will guide you. You will not be able to break anything. All you do will be good. We will make sure of it.”
Kairos sat back down, and Epani got up from her chair, wandering around the table. “Do not fret, my children. Many of you will be doing what you are already good at. Following the paths you already started forging. The rest of you will follow suit. You are all the best of your kind.”
“But, uh, what will we do?” Murum’Va asked.
Epani approached Murum’Va, still smiling. “Since you asked first, I shall start with you.”
The Panelix snapped her fingers. As she did so, a shimmering bubble appeared in her hand.
“Oh no… not the mind bubble…” Litvir whispered, shuddering somewhat. “I do not like that…”
“What is it?” Aesop whispered. “And why are you scared of it?”
“The Lifesphere is a device Sini and I worked on together, before she left. Your divinity has already been gifted to you, but the collars you are all wearing keeps you all bound and mortal. The Lifesphere will teach you how to control your powers, it will tell you of your duties and it will give you any knowledge you require for your godly duties. Admittedly, we did use little Litvir as our initial test subject, and they came out fine. The rest of you, being older and, frankly, more intelligent, will absorb this knowledge more easily.”
Litvir raised a finger. “It is a bit unfair to call me stupid when I am three days old and learned to speak just yesterday.”
Kairos glared at the young Rethan, and Litvir quickly shut up.
Murum’Va also looked a little uneasy, but she had been feeling uneasy the entire time, and Epani’s words didn’t make her feel better. However, as Epani placed the bobble over Murum’Va’s head, she did settle down.
“Murum’Va, Lawbringer of the Mind, Chosen of the Banikans, you will be my Goddess of Fire and Justice.”
The bubble glowed slightly, then lifted off Murum’Va’s head. The collar around her neck disintegrated. Satisfied, Epani moved onto the next being. Every time, she placed the bubble on their heads, and, after a brief glow, their collars snapped off.
“Syksis Pagonisa, Chosen of the Ksithans, you will be my Goddess of Ice and Medicine.
“Elkay Athanasion, the Shadow of the Phantasma, Chosen of the Skyavok, you will be my God of Shadows and Knowledge.
“Nanik, Chosen of the Vohra, you will be my little Goddess of Psionics, Peace and Serenity.
“Doctor Valksia Ksionex, Chosen of the Vrekans, you will be my Goddess of Water and Agriculture.
“Maresia Heartscale, last of the Loveborn Village, Chosen of the Temthans, you will be my Goddess of Nature and Love.
“Aster Darkbreaker, Crown Guide of the Perpetual Abyss, the Fleetfooted, Chosen of the Lanex, you will be my God of Gravity and Diplomacy.
“Litvir Kalophos, of Bloodlines Combined, Chosen of the Rethavok, you will be my God of Light and Protection.
“Aesop Korinna, the Glimmer of Charity, Chosen of the Torr, you will be my God of Earth and Craftsmanship.
“Akusasirii, the Eternal New Song, Chosen of the Athrens, you will be my Goddess of Sound and the Arts.
“Kohra Tou Ahvran, the Forever Lord Prince, Chosen of the Spasts, you will be my God of Lightning and Technology.
“Dalosisaar, Brave Above, Time-Blessed Saviour, Chosen of the Thraki, you will be my God of Air and Unity.”
As Epani finished with her last deity, she snapped her fingers again, and the bubble disappeared. Everyone found themselves taking a long, deep breath.
“Well… that was pretty damn interesting!” Aesop grinned. “I feel amazing. So much power. Yet no desire to abuse it.”
Kairos snorted. “You have all been blessed. You are now perfection. But keep in mind, we can take that perfection away from you. So yes, little Aesop, don’t try anything funny.”
“I wasn’t going to, but I appreciate the warning. Especially since I have an itching desire to start rebuilding houses and stuff. Anyone with me?”
Akusasirii nodded in agreement. “I would looooove to help you, and paint all the new homes in some loooooovely colours!”
“I am glad you all accept your power and duties!” Epani smiled. “But before you all get to work, I need to introduce you all to the universe, and your kin.”
Behind the Panelix, a shimmering portal appeared.
“Please, follow me. We have an announcement to make.”