《Above the underground.》


 Chapter One: Celestial Genesis, Dawn of Divinity

    Once upon a time there was a great dessert known as the Grey Lands, there slumbered a woman known as Existence. From the depths of her dreams, entire universes sprung forth into being. Yet, her rest was often disturbed by the tumultuous cacophony of creation, the deafening roar of cosmic forces colliding.


    Growing weary of the ceaseless noise, Existence wielded a pair of golden scissors to cut a piece of her own blanket and pajamas. With delicate stitches, she fashioned a series of plush bird-like creatures. Kissing each one tenderly, she buried them in the ashes below. From these depths arose the mighty phoenixes, cosmic beings whose feathers held the power to shape both matter and destiny.With swift determination, the phoenixes erased any reality that threatened to disturb their mistress''s slumber, restoring peace to the cosmos for centuries. Yet, the silence could not endure, for space itself harbored a grudge against Existence''s audacious intervention.


    From the abyss of reality''s lowest point emerged a dark cloud, spreading like a plague across creation. From this maelstrom emerged 0ltnir, the Father of Darkness, the first entity to withstand the power of the golden feathers.He unceremoniously extracted each phoenix, consigning them to a subterranean resting place in what appeared to be an enduring slumber. Mother Existence, however, harbored no discontent towards 0ltnir, as the profound silence of the cosmic void effectively muted the disturbances that accompanied her dreams. In a gesture of gratitude, she permitted the Nonefather to retain possession of the golden feathers, under the condition that they never be disturbed again. Subsequently, the goddess withdrew to her secluded sanctuary, far removed from the realm of the Grey Lands, which now fell under the stewardship of the Nonefather.


    0ltnir devoted his days to contemplating the vast tapestry of universes woven by the goddess, captivated by the intricate narratives and diverse cultures contained within each. However, a sense of melancholy enveloped the Nonefather as he witnessed the inevitable conclusion of these worlds, knowing that their rich history and cultural heritage would fade into obscurity, forgotten by all. It was then that he conceived the notion of establishing a repository within the depths of the abyss, a sanctuary for preserving the collective dreams of existence. Thus, he christened this endeavor ''the Well of Dreams,'' a testament to his commitment to immortalizing the legacy of the cosmos.


    In order to safeguard the histories of these realms, the Nonefather employed the golden feathers, ensuring the preservation of their memories against any threat of harm or erasure. Yet, even as he meticulously chronicled the lore of one universe, two or even three others would inevitably approach their conclusion. Faced with the daunting task of documenting the vast expanse of existence, he realized the urgent need for assistance.Once returned to the end of the world AKA the grey dessert or grey lands, oltnir decapitated himself. Thanks to his formless nature it was easy for him to retake a smaller, weaker yet still coherent form that would help him to achieve his goal. He fragmented his body with a chisel and hammer onto billions of pieces. Planting each and every single one of then underground so one day they would emerge as humanoids devoid of free will who would help him document everything.


    Upon returning to the desolate expanse known as the Grey Desert, or Grey Lands, 0ltnir undertook a radical transformation. With his formless essence, he effortlessly severed his own head, adopting a smaller, more malleable form conducive to his objectives. Employing a chisel and hammer, he meticulously fragmented his body into billions of pieces making use of both a chisel and a hammer, burying each fragment deep underground. His purpose? To cultivate these fragments into humanoid entities devoid of free will, intended to serve as meticulous scribes in the relentless pursuit of documenting all facets of existence back at the well of dreams. The Nonefather reemerged after millennia of dormancy, gradually regaining his former power, stature, and vitality.


    He returned to the abyss, his home, and slept in order to regain his physical form.


    Upon returning to the lands, he discovered the empty voids that were once teemed with life, yet no humans remained to inhabit them. "What in the cosmos?" he exclaimed in disbelief. Something had disrupted his foresight, but he could ill afford the luxury of dwelling on the matter. Time was of the essence.0ltnir found himself in need of yet another power source to enlist a new legion as guardians for his creation. Thus, he embarked on a monumental task: the separation of darkness from the void, leaving behind only radiant light. These luminous remnants served as conduits to other worlds, acting as fountains from which matter could flow.


    However, it was imperative to carefully gauge the amount of energy extracted, as it exacted a heavy toll on the interconnected universes, spawning black holes that threatened to devour matter from neighboring realms. Undeterred, the Nonefather meticulously forged countless links, akin to celestial ''stars,'' which coalesced into a protective barrier in the heavens. Harnessing this newfound power, dubbed ''starlight,'' he fashioned the Celestials: beings whose formidable might rivaled even that of the mighty phoenixes.


    His directives were swift: to safeguard the emerging generation of humans, who would once again slumber beneath the earth, from any conceivable threat. In return, the Celestials would be granted dominion over the Grey Lands, provided they executed their duty with excellence. And so, 0ltnir initiated the cycle anew. Yet, as millennia drifted by, the Celestials grew restless in their youth, weary of the interminable wait. To alleviate their boredom, they turned their attention inward, gazing upon the ethereal essence of their own souls, akin to ''stars.'' Each Celestial beheld the myriad lives intertwined with their respective worlds, captivated by the vibrant tapestry of existence beyond the confines of the Grey Lands.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    They witnessed the timeless struggles and heroic endeavors that unfolded across countless realms, from the simplicity of mundane existence to the chaos of violent upheaval. Rather than succumbing to ennui, they found boundless fascination and inspiration in the kaleidoscope of worlds and realities before them.Filled with newfound inspiration, the Celestials found themselves consumed by curiosity about humanity''s purpose. Could they, too, be destined for a life rich in culture and lore, inhabiting worlds teeming with vitality? Unable to contain their excitement, they turned to Alinar for answers.


    However, the Lord of Light hesitated to divulge humanity''s true purpose to his brethren, knowing that it would evoke pity for the humans and potentially incite rebellion against 0ltnir. Despite his desire to explain the significance of the library, he recognized the naivety of the Celestials'' perspective and feared their objections to the greater plan. With a knowing chuckle, Alinar regarded the thought as the finest notion to have graced his brief existence.


    ''Ah, it is a matter of simplicity, my brethren,'' he proclaimed. ''Humanity shall indeed inherit a realm of their own, a domain meticulously crafted by the Nonefather himself, where they shall dwell in splendor and prosperity.''''As for us,'' he continued, ''0ltnir''s desire is for us to fashion this sanctuary in the likeness of the myriad worlds you have beheld. It is a task of paramount importance, one that shall ensure our own destiny and the legacy of all existence.''The Celestials possessed their own cache of golden feathers bestowed by the Nonefather, though after millennia of peace, they believed such artifacts to be superfluous.


    Their raw power alone sufficed to shape entire multiverses. With each law of physics inscribed to sculpt their world, a golden feather would extinguish, its light snuffed out like a candle, never to manifest again. Thus, reality bent to their whims, accommodating mortal existence.In due time, the majority of the Grey Lands transformed into a breathtaking garden, adorned with diverse biomes, majestic mountains, and landscapes unparalleled in beauty. However, the Celestials, in their fervor to shape their domain, underestimated the toll their actions would exact on the interconnected universes.


    The unchecked consumption of starlight led to the catastrophic expansion of black holes, resulting in countless losses beyond the veil.Two hundred years after paradise was finished, one day the ground quaked beneath their feet as a crimson glow illuminated the horizon, emanating from the towering wall of stars. In unison, those who dwelled beyond the veil had breached the links, surging forth to invade the domain of the Celestials. Their arrival heralded a cacophony of screams, reverberating through the fabric of eternity, signaling their intent for vengeance.Thus began the Battle of Genesis, a clash of cosmic forces upon the nascent world.


    It was a conflict destined to span a millennium, a testament to the enduring struggle between light and darkness, creation and destruction.None of the invaders shared a common tongue or culture; their sole unifying force was an unparalleled rage and thirst for vengeance. Their very beings were twisted and corrupted, adorned with crimson skin, horns, wings, and claws¡ªa manifestation of their seething wrath. Their homelands converged, birthing a realm of fire and magma that would come to be known as Hell, a domain inhabited by the first archdemons.With each celestial slain, a star would be extinguished, diminishing the ranks of the chaotic invaders. However, the task of killing a celestial proved to be near impossible, requiring a staggering amount of cosmic power that bordered on wasteful extravagance.


    In the end, it was not the actions of the Celestials that brought about the war''s conclusion, but rather their deaths and the subsequent closure of the garden gates.In the end, only Alinar endured. His soul, the most potent star of them all, continued to shine with a radiant brilliance that defied the encroaching darkness. As the divine garden had been fashioned from starlight, or ''sunlight,'' the existence of the sun remained vital to sustain its life force. Thus, it was imperative for the sun to persist, drawing upon the energy of Hell itself to maintain the world''s fragile vitality.


    He knelt at the heart of the garden, a sanctuary untouched by celestial influence known to be remmnants of the grey lands¡ªsave for the end of the world that surrounded the flat earth like a ring of grey. Alinar, moved by compassion for humanity, understood their fate as pawns in 0ltnir''s grand design, bereft of free will or autonomy. The Lord of Light bestowed upon each slumbering human a fragment of starlight, granting them autonomy upon awakening, while simultaneously purging the darkness from their souls, rendering them mortal. With this transformative act, Alinar ascended to unprecedented heights of power, rivaling even the Nonefather himself.


    The sun blazed with renewed intensity, and the realm expanded beyond all expectation.The Lord of Light recognized 0ltnir as a formidable threat to autonomy, though uncertainty lingered regarding his ability to execute an extermination. Thus, he roused the first five humans with his own soul: T0rje Guermat, Knir, Nilus, Luna, and Argus¡ª all beloved children of twilight. He gave them instructions in case of his abscent return were he to die at the hands of the nonefather. Alinar soared towards the dark chasm of the abyss, prepared to confront his creator. However, as soon as the Nonefather stirred from his slumber, the weight of millennia flooded back into his consciousness. Despite his disappointment, he realized the losses were irreversible, and allowed Alinar to fragment him once more into countless pieces. The Lord of Light was astonished by 0ltnir''s nonchalant demeanor, but resolved to embark on his descent towards the realm above¡ªthe newfound home of humanity.

 Chapter two: Heirs of the world

    We awaited the Allfather''s return, yet alas, no savior appeared.


    Archdemons, vanquished by celestial might, were consumed by the pure white flames of divinity. However, some remains drifted away, lost until now, ensnared by fragments of 0ltnir''s essence. Like moths drawn to the flame, a swarm of darkness devoured Alinar''s form as he journeyed through the void back to the realm above.


    Our revered Lord of Light was extinguished, his skull descending from the heavens, fracturing the earth and birthing continents from its fissures. Like the demise of a star, its passing would be revealed in the passage of countless years. All life relies upon our cherished sun.


    We acted upon his orders, a backup to save the world once more before it even began to flourish with humanity.


    Our twins; Knir and Nilus, prodigal archangels attempted to merge their own souls each with one end of the sun, so everyone and everything could live. Their efforts proved nearly succesfull yet futile. Knir, a divine being of light with feathered white wings and golden hair, stood alongside Nilus, a darker reflection of angelic faith. His skin grey and fissured, crowned with horns beneath a smoldering halo, adorned with thorned grey horns all over his red feathered wings and flames.


    Though their ascension was achieved, the twins only inherited a fraction of the sun''s power, for our resplendent father proved an overwhelming force even beyond the endurance of Ancient humans gifted with starlight. With our combined efforts, dark hands united, we sundered the heart of our beloved star, as easily as plucking an apple from a tree.


    Seven shards were forged into crowns of law: Life, Death, Space, Time, Dark, Light, and Order.


    We awaited the evolution of civilizations, the clashes of their wars, and the divisions of factions¡ªall to discern the finest leaders for humanity. They kept on deep slumber still.


    The remainder of us remained poised to ascend, ensuring a balance of power over mankind. Our sole mandate: to employ alternative sources of power as a link for Divine ascension.


    Luna seized possession of our father''s skull, hoisting it high into the boundless sky. Surrounding it with remnants of grey rock from the world''s end, she ensconced herself within. Nilus and Knir, the sole aides at her side, grasped the colossal stone body, harnessing their united psychic strength to position it before our sun. Conjuring a spell in the ancient tongues of convergence, a brilliant beam of light and fire pierced the rock, causing the very center to quake and the earth to tremble in its entirety.


    The oceans surged, swallowing the land in their relentless advance, while thundering storms vented their fury upon the world''s core with unyielding potency. From the heavens above, countless shards and fluorescent fragments cascaded like comets of pure mana and sorcery, scattering throughout the skies to become the common stars of night as we know them today. And so, on the eighth sunrise, the third deity was born.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Among the pantheon stood a god of starlight, another of hellflame, and now, one of sorcery. Yet there remained another energy source¡ªone that the remaining two of us could harness: Souls.


    Every being consisted of three essences: a soul, where memories and magical potential resided; a spirit, where personality and consciousness dwelled; and a body, serving as a vessel for the former two.


    Upon death, whether plant, animal, or human, the soul dissipated into the void. Argus seized this opportunity, claiming all souls for himself. Despite this, his powers paled in comparison to the other gods, for time was required to attain full godhood. Furthermore, the absorption of souls bestowed upon him the memories of the lives from which they came. He would later come under my mentorship at the great library.


    Amidst the remnants of celestial relics lay a final set of golden feathers. With ingenuity and imagination, I unearthed the charred and fractured cortex of Alinar, the Allfather, lying at the world''s edge. Sculpting it with my pitch-black hands, one taking the form of a hammer and the other a chisel, I labored to shape it anew, aided by the darkness gifted to me by my fellow deities to preserve their purity. My journey led me to the abyss, the abode of the Nonefather, where I bestowed the final touches upon the gravestone, preparing it to serve as the canvas for my solemn duty.


    T0rje Guermat, Librarian of the Gods and Herald of Change, his thoughts and soul mere hollow shells, a means to an end. Dedication defined his existence as he committed his life to ensuring the perpetuity of the pantheon and our world, regardless of the sacrifices required.


    It was only then when humans arised. Primitive, fragile, dumb mannered and yet somehow alive. It took a while yet civilizations finally arose.


    Once more i shall name the crowns: Life, Death, Space, Time, Dark, Light, and Order.


    In the land of curved swords and skulls, spirits persist to this day, a testament to the enduring power of that place.


    Others succumbed to the eternal allure of battle, drowning in promises of an afterlife filled with endless revelry and song.


    Yet, amidst the chaos, one civilization became consumed with transcending mortality through the construction of massive, meticulously crafted tombs. Their structures, each pointed skyward, seemed to reach for the very stars.


    Another group forged a primitive yet effective alliance centered around the trade of harvests. Their idols, symbols of fertility, abundance, and weather, reflected their focus on the natural world.


    The people of gold, however, chose a different path, centered on meditation and self-discovery. Their beliefs were represented by idols depicting both destruction and peace in chaotic forms, challenging to comprehend. Eventually, Luna and Knir succeeded in guiding them, unveiling new masks to entice their allegiance.


    Our first monarch, whose civilization proved most receptive to our influence, ruled with a golden emblem bearing a two-headed eagle. Even before his ascension, Argus harbored an obsession with these symbols.


    Alas, the realm of darkness shrouds itself in obscurity, a chapter best left forgotten. Yet i shall impart this knowledge:


    Within its depths, they wielded the power of four great monarchs, recognizing the peril of entrusting such power to a single individual, for this particular crown alone possessed the potential to slay a God.


    Despite peace reigning across realms, humanity remained fragmented, lacking unity under a single banner. Our three heirs of the world had yet to ascend to the title of God-Kings for we alone knew not only the truth but the right path for humanity.


    But how?


    The charade of peace could no longer be sustained. To uncover the truth, to shatter the illusion of free will and false idols, required not only intelligence and cunning but the manipulation of newfound gods, bent to our will to ensure absolute dominion.


    But how?


    The answers, as they often do, arose from the crucible of war once more.

 Chapter 3: Magnetic fragmentation of gravel

    At the end of the world lay the forgotten remnants of ancient humanity.


    Awakening centuries after their abandonment, these humanoid entities knew neither pity, mercy, nor sympathy for all life. All hollow shells devoid of all but one soul and goal:


    Domination.


    It was a realm steeped in the purest of darkness where the demons of shadow found their dwelling. However, these creatures lacked coherence and intelligence enough for free will, driven solely by instinct. It was their kings who wielded control over them, harnessing their power to raise towering trees of immense proportions, each one a neverborn. The means by which they achieved this remain shrouded in mystery; some speculate it was due to the corruption inherent in these creatures that allowed for their submission.


    Among these towering structures, the largest of them all supported the weight of the world upon its stone branches.


    These colossal, pitch-black formations akin to the world tree stood at the very edge of our flat earth, like a shell encasing the land.  As if shedding its own skin, the black forest tore open its cortex, unleashing titans that would later wreak havoc upon the realms of time and light.


    The behemoths posed a threat too great for either realm to face alone, despite the formidable power of the crowns. It was only then that we decided to intervene in our true forms. Luna aided the forces of Elhaz, the realm of time, while Knir and Argus lent their support to Phos, the realm of light.


    Nilus and I could not assume public roles, our appearances deemed ''impure'' by mortal standards. Nonetheless, we fought side by side at the grey border, the threshold of the end of the world, striving to vanquish as many titans as possible. There we could be ensured no one would know about us.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Wave after wave destroyed by our divine weapons.


    It''s worth noting how we acquired them: they are the physical embodiments of our powers, conduits enabling us to unleash our abilities to their fullest destructive potential. We summoned them countless times until they transcended mere extensions of ourselves, becoming objects with autonomy: a moonlight greatsword and a staff, a second staff paired with a book of ancient knowledge, a lightning swordspear, and finally, two smoldering blades affixed with chains for wrist placement.


    We advanced, repelling their forces with relentless violence and sheer power. Our path was marked by shattered surfaces, as earthquakes reshaped the terrain amidst the blinding blaze of fire and primal beams of white and black ionized energy. Unlike our brethren, aided by the presence of two additional deities and armies of men, not to mention powers far surpassing ours, we stood alone. Side by side, we persevered; for every titan felled, another ten emerged to take their place, surrounding us completely. Soon, there was no left or right, no front or behind, amidst the ocean of pitch-black beasts.


    Slain down to the last one of them, or so we tought. From beneath the earth emerged one that stood above all else, eclipsing the sun. The dark creature had long grey hair and looked far more humanoid than anyone before it. It devoured the souls of his kind and casted a shadow upon our horizon. The titan made her way to Elhaz where she would later be slaughtered by the allfather, flooding the place.


    The king of time took the power of the felled Deity and spread it among his sons who would later be those with more affinitty to runes.


    Our inhabitants back at phos wouldnt be any different, pantheon of light and thunder born from the carcass of death trees.

 Chapter 4: Anomalies of gold and copper

    A pair of pantheons settled, made public by our will. With this it was easier to pretend for the other realms. Yet an age of unity was coming, and as such people would want to interact with their respective divinities up close, to give them hope.


    It had to be done.


    From beneath the Grey Desert earth mighty phoenixes attempted to emerge to our surface. Their bodies, covered with stone scales taken from our earth, and grafted onto themselves for protection, tried to replicate feathers . As a result their bodies fused into ash, cinder, and primordial flames of gold and violent destruction, erupting from their forms. And thus ancient dragons came to be. These beasts invaded both the lands of life and death, seeking the crowns to rule all realms.


    Their habilities were but a mere echo of shades. Instead of manipulation of matter, all was reduced to mind control and phycic habilities, despite the obvious destructive power of their flames and brute strength that is. Speaking of wich, dragons drawed a lot of people on their ranks


    Not satisfied with his current share of newfound power, Argus insisted to be the only one who could assist both of these realms. His deific status weak due to a very menguing affinity with souls and how young our world was back at the time, vast ammounts of it he would need for ascension to fully take place.


    Surrendering to the bloodlust of battle, slaying the scaled beasts on a display of green fire and blasts of gold armies were struk down by war machines and magic alike. One by one their divine souls were absorbed by the tyrant along with their memories.


    One would naturaly think this would make him the strongest of us, yet the ladder between the true pantheon of 5 was set to serve under divine laws, one of wich states that in order to be a genuine God, the required power must be on par with a celestial. Given the peculiar process most of us undertook met us already at the expected measure exept for poor, foolish Argus. Once it was done, his strength was barely sufficient.


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    His hatred for drakekind soon turned into fascination. He linked his very soul with the remnants of the most powerful dragon cadavers he could find, except for one lost in battle. This bond developed some of their features in him, such as horns, fangs, a tail, and draconic wings. Even illusionary sorcery couldn''t fully conceal these aspects, leaving us with little choice but to have both regions of life and death worship deities akin to dragonkind.


    Argus''s hubris knew no bounds. Foolish though he was, his persuasive and cunning abilities made him an invaluable asset, thanks to a charisma comparable to that of Knir the Beloved.


    His followers imitated his art of soulinking so that whoever they decided to share their very essence with would start to develop their features either animalistic or flora alike, that is how druids came to be, his wisest  creating the great archtrees of the druid capital between the realms of life and death. A citadel bathed in green light.


    The great green home of the emerald king. The lord of souls deemed his forest as unfit for what he wanted to envision, a greater fortress with far more powerful and potent magic was on his plans. And so the lord of souls encommended the green kingdom to his younger sister Luna along with all druidkind. In exchange she would reshape the earth and mountains to create a sanctuary on wich a dragoncult would originate right at the entrance of the grey border.


    Argus drake would soon follow his ways of soulinking, allygning themselves with various elements, this of course led to some drakes discovering heretical powers.


    However, thanks to their unique and distinct mental fortitude none of them were affected by hells energy nor the abyss on terms of free will. Yet a dragon remains chained by the power ladder and only the strongest of them can rule them all, multiple heretical drakes challenged argus only to be vanished to the end of the world where they would dissapear for 2 thousand years in search for a new master.