Gods & Mortals

The End of humanity was fast approaching...

Do you know the difference between a monster and a human? Monsters are imperfect. This simple yet haunting truth defined an era of chaos and despair, an era that began with humans and monsters coexisting, side by side, on the same soil for decades, even centuries. But what unseen force shattered this equilibrium? What prompted the monstrous to turn against the mundane, to unleash unbridled fury upon humanity, showing no mercy regardless of circumstance? The answer is as enigmatic as it is disturbing: Monsters are imperfect.

A mother, her heart pounding with the terror only a parent fleeing for her child's life could understand, raced onward. She was driven by an urgency to shield her precious daughter from the ravenous onslaught of creatures who cared not for innocence.

"Make haste, Maggie!" The woman's voice trembled as she urged her daughter to move faster, to keep pace with her frantic strides. For days, they had dodged the relentless pursuit of these abominations, all in search of a fabled sanctuary rumored to exist nearby. A sanctuary where the last remnants of humanity clung to hope amidst the world's cataclysmic transformation. Implausible as it seemed, the woman had no choice but to believe. Survival depended on it.

"Yes, Mother," Maggie replied, her young voice strained with exertion.

They pressed on, the harsh sun beating down upon them like an unrelenting adversary. Hour after grueling hour passed as they scoured the landscape, their desperation matched only by the arid desolation surrounding them.

Their quest led them to a cavern's mouth, a potential refuge from the relentless pursuit. Weariness gnawed at them, and they decided to rest – a respite that proved short-lived.

Within the dim recesses of the cave, the woman's blood ran cold as her eyes locked onto a sight that defied comprehension: a slumbering monster, a creature of darkness and dread. Fear surged within her, her maternal instincts propelling her into motion.

"Maggie, move not," the woman whispered, her voice laden with caution. The sight of the dormant beast ignited a primal dread, and she rushed to cover her daughter's mouth, willing her to silence.

As they withdrew towards the entrance, dread congealed within her heart anew – another monster lay in a nearby alcove, its presence unnoticed until now. A collision sent shockwaves through the chamber, jolting the beast awake. The cavern's silence was shattered by a guttural roar, summoning its brethren from slumber.

In the frenzied moments that followed, mother and daughter fled, their survival hinging on sheer desperation. The girl stumbled, her strength waning, and the woman halted her flight to lift her fallen child. But time betrayed them, and the pursuing fiends closed the gap.

A sense of inevitability gripped the woman, despair intertwining with fierce determination. In the shadow of imminent doom, she gazed upon her daughter, tears mingling with sweat upon her cheeks.

"I am sorry, Maggie. In the end, I could not protect you," her voice quavered, surrendering to the inescapable fate hurtling towards them.

As the mother clung tightly to her daughter, despair looming over them, a beam of light, about three meters wide, appeared from the sky between them and the menacing monsters. Just as the nearest creature advanced, trying to breach the light, a figure descended from the heavens, landing squarely on the monster. The impact not only killed the creature but shattered its body into fragments scattered across the area.

This dramatic intervention shifted the woman's attention from her protective embrace to the unexpected occurrence before her eyes.

Her gaze met the sight of a figure crouched before her, its back turned, and in its left hand, something resembling a flag impaled through the remains of the creature. Rising upright, the figure turned its attention to the woman, as if assessing the situation. Her apprehensive eyes met those of the figure, revealing a form reminiscent of a typical human male.

Though sharing the human physique, this being exuded an imposing presence, standing at an impressive height of eight feet, like the monsters. Clad in resplendent armor of pure gold and boasting deep blond hair, the figure emitted an aura of both awe and dread. His eyes, devoid of pupils, were an unsettling shade of pure white, sending shivers down the woman's spine as they locked onto her. After a fleeting moment, during which the woman admired this divine-looking man, he spoke.

"Are you injured, mortal?" the man inquired, his gaze partially on her and partially on the newly arrived monsters. A brief pause elapsed before the woman realized she had not passed into the afterlife. With a subtle shake of her head, she silently conveyed to the man that she and her child were unharmed.

The other approaching monsters watched as their comrade's corpse disintegrated into ash, and the man's armor expelled the spilled blood as though it had never been there. Sensing the man's influence on the situation, one of the monsters charged toward him.

The monsters regarded the man as if he were a mere human, underestimating his power due to his appearance. As the advancing monster bore down on the man, the woman recoiled in terror while cradling her child. Meanwhile, the man's focus remained on the woman, seemingly oblivious to the imminent threat.

As the monster's claws lunged for the man's head, an eerie stillness enveloped the scene, as though time itself had frozen. The woman, clutching her child, shut her eyes tightly in shock. When she dared to reopen them, she witnessed an astonishing sight.

The man remained unchanged, his head still inclined towards her, as if the monster's attack had never occurred. Astonishingly, the monster seemed perplexed, unable to move further. Its razor-sharp claws failed to breach the man's skin, akin to thrusting a sheet of paper against unyielding diamond. The man's countenance remained unblemished, and his nonchalant expression revealed the inexplicable truth—he far surpassed the monster's might.

With deliberate motion, the man shifted his focus onto the immobilized monster, compelling it to cower in trepidation. The intensity of his gaze weighed down upon the creature, as though it bore the weight of the world. It felt an invisible force attempting to bring it to its knees.

And then, the man spoke once more.

"You dare assault your creator?"

His words echoed with authority, reducing the demon to its knees, responding to his mere utterance.

While the man's voice soothed the woman, easing her anxiety, the same could not be said for the monsters. He then raised his index finger, still gripping the flag's pole, causing the monster before him to disintegrate into dust, meeting a swift demise.

Words could not capture the whirlwind of emotions coursing through the woman. Her sentiments oscillated between relief for her savior's arrival and apprehension at the overwhelming power emanating from him. The man's focus shifted to the last remaining monster, which recognized its impending doom.

For the first time, a human watched as a monster trembled in fear, desperately fleeing for its life. Yet, its fate was inevitable. The man, casting a glance at the retreating creature, released his left hand from the flag's hold and thrust it into the air.

What initially appeared as empty space suddenly fractured, forming a portal as if the man's hand reached into a pocket dimension. Retrieving his hand, he emerged with a bow, pulling back an ethereal string. From nowhere, an arrow materialized in the customary position.

Though the monster had vanished from the man's line of sight, it did not deter him from releasing the arrow. The projectile traversed the distance, piercing the creature's head and bringing about its swift demise.

The monsters lay defeated, vanquished by a human-like entity, although it was unmistakably clear that this was no ordinary human. Turning his gaze toward the woman and her child, the man locked eyes with her. Filled with awe and trepidation, the woman awaited his next move or words.

"Woman, fear not, for I am here to save you," the being assured. "Travel one mile north, then slightly northeast. You'll find a concentrated gathering of humans there, a haven where you shall remain safe for the time being."

Though a multitude of questions welled within her, the woman found herself incapable of vocalizing them. The man continued, "I understand your curiosity, but your safety takes precedence. Make your way there. Given that they are the last surviving humans on this planet, I shall come to your aid once my duty is fulfilled."

As the man spoke these words, a luminescent spark ignited behind him, gradually forming a halo that encircled his upper back without touching his armor. Simultaneously, angelic wings unfurled from his back, majestic and awe-inspiring, yet they too refrained from contact with the halo. Assuming a poised stance, the man prepared for departure as the woman managed to find her voice amidst the astonishment.

"What is your duty?" she inquired, driven by an urge to comprehend the motivation behind her rescuer's actions.

"To eradicate all the monsters from this world," came his response.

With those resolute words, he launched into the sky, swiftly disappearing from view.

The man had vowed to rid the world of its monstrous scourge. While the notion seemed implausible, the woman recognized that such a feat posed no challenge for a being of his stature, perhaps even a trivial undertaking. Recalling the safe haven's location and directions, she shifted her focus back to reality, cradling her unconscious daughter, and embarked on the journey to the designated refuge.

After hours of traveling, following the directions given by the divine figure, and holding her unconscious daughter in her arms, a glimmer of hope sparked within the woman. She believed that the man's words could be the key to resolving all her troubles. Upon reaching the designated location, a heartwarming sight greeted her—a gathering of her fellow humans, united in this secluded refuge.

Over a year had passed since the harrowing encounter with the monsters, and more than six months had gone by since she had last seen another human besides her daughter. The emotions welling up within her were overwhelming as she observed the faces of her companions, their eyes reflecting both fear and sorrow. Despite the somber circumstances, tears of elation streamed down her cheeks, mingling with tears of relief and contentment. The heavy burden of a lifetime spent fleeing had finally been lifted. Embracing her daughter, she was led forward with kind smiles and a sense of false cheer, finding solace in a place of rest for both herself and her child.

As minutes stretched into hours, and the sun began to set, a sense of tranquility settled upon her. However, amidst the peace, the man's cryptic words echoed persistently in her mind.

"Could it have been a mirage? The heat truly was intense, after all," she wondered aloud, her voice wavering as she grappled with disbelief, trying to rationalize the extraordinary events.

She toyed with the idea that the divine man might have been nothing more than a figment of her desperate imagination.

As the sun cast its final rays, bathing the gathered humans in a warm golden hue, an unexpected disturbance shattered the calm. A roaring wind swept through the entrance of the cave, heralding the arrival of an enigmatic object from the heavens. Though uncertainty held the crowd captive, the woman's intuition guided her actions. Without hesitation, she ventured out to investigate, her heart pounding with anticipation. And there he stood—the man who had intervened in their darkest hour. His armor remained unblemished, his pure white eyes emanating an aura of both intimidation and reverence, his wings gracefully retracting.

Awestruck and bewildered, the assembled humans emerged from the cave to behold this otherworldly being. The air was thick with silence, collective disbelief rendering them motionless.

And then, the man spoke.

"Mortals, humans, rejoice, for I have purged your realm of the scourge known as the monster kind. The imperfections of their souls were intolerable to us. Today, I declare that this world is now yours. All creatures shall bow beneath you, and you shall rise above all living entities in this realm. The Main World now belongs exclusively to humankind, in contrast to the monsters who once shared this domain. But be assured that we, your creators, will watch over you closely."

His proclamation left the crowd momentarily speechless, their minds grappling with the incredulity of his words. The idea of ridding the world of monsters sounded like a fantastical tale, challenging the boundaries of reality. However, in the presence of this divine figure, doubt seemed to dissipate. His words held an undeniable authority that resonated with everyone listening.

As realization settled in, cheers and cries erupted, filling the air with jubilation. The weight of constant vigilance lifted, and humanity basked in the prospect of a life free from the monsters' terror. This unparalleled relief transformed into a fervent celebration, an expression of gratitude towards the man who had emerged as their savior.

Then, the man unveiled his identity as Siege, the God of War, one of the thirteen creators of their world. He delved into their history, revealing that the monsters had preceded humankind, born of the creators' initial attempts. Yet, imperfections marred the monsters, prompting the subsequent creation of humankind. Both species coexisted, intended to learn from one another, leading to the monsters' evolution along a path of flawed imperfection.

However, the monsters' progression took a sinister turn, their flawed nature growing more pronounced with each passing century. The gods, who had pledged non-interference regardless of any outcome, broke their vow after being unable to bear the outcome any longer, choosing to intervene for the first time. Their intervention proved decisive, culminating in the eradication of the monsters. Siege then assured humanity that such darkness would never again plague their existence.

The humans pleaded for the presence of the god who stayed with them through seven days of celebration. During this time, Siege shared tales of their creation and the divine pantheon known as Higher World that safeguarded their realm. He praised humanity as the gods' perfect creation, explaining how humans resembled their makers. This newfound understanding forged a deep connection between mortals and gods.

As the final day approached, the woman's child approached Siege with a humble gift—a shard of stone that had once been her beacon of hope in moments of fear. She entrusted it to him, a symbol of her unwavering faith in his protection.

Accepting the stone, Siege crafted a necklace, a tangible reminder of their shared journey. And then, as the sun cast its last glow over the horizon, Siege readied himself for departure, wings outspread. He offered humanity a future unburdened by monsters and pledged their eternal guardianship.

With the radiant being's departure, a new chapter unfolded for humankind—a world free from the shadows of the monster kind and illuminated by the divine presence of their creators.

As the ages passed, months turned into years, years into centuries, and centuries into millennia. Time's currents swept humanity along, witnessing the progression of eras. However, as the eons rolled by, humanity's connection to the gods who had once intervened began to fade. The direct witnesses of divine acts had long since passed, and the deities slipped into the realms of myth and fading memory.

The gods, residing in their ethereal realm of Higher World, observed this evolution. Though they refrained from direct intervention in mortal lives, they recognized the importance of humanity retaining awareness of their existence and benevolent vigilance. Thus, Sage, the God of Mind, devised a plan to bridge the gap between gods and mortals, fostering a new alliance for the ages.

The concept of the Demigod emerged—a fusion of godly essence and mortal humanity. This entity would embody the understanding, emotions, and empathy of a human, combined with subtle abilities drawn from the divine realm. The Demigod's purpose would be to safeguard humanity, offering protection without the direct intervention of the gods themselves.

This decision addressed a crucial aspect, balancing the delicate equilibrium between the gods and the world they protected. The gods had discovered that their presence on Main World—Earth—was limited by the delicate balance of forces. If more than two gods existed on the earthly plane, the fabric of reality would strain under the weight, endangering both the world and its inhabitants.

However, the creation of a Demigod, bridging both godly and mortal realms, circumvented this limitation. These hybrid beings could coexist harmoniously in numbers, ensuring their positive influence without destabilizing the world. The potential for multiple Demigods to work together made this an even more sensible course of action.

Sage proposed that Demigods should be conceived through the union of gods with humans. This method ensured that the Demigods, having lived mortal lives, would possess a deep understanding of humanity. These offspring would experience firsthand the myriad facets of human life, empathy, and trials.

The grand plan unfolded as the gods agreed to temporarily suppress their divine presence, allowing them to dwell on Main World as mortals for a time. Sage emphasized that as long as they refrained from unleashing their collective divine might, the world would remain stable. A specific location was chosen for their temporary abode to foster familiarity and unity among the Demigods when they came of age.

With this framework established, the gods embarked on their mission. Arriving on Earth, they integrated into human societies, gradually settling into their roles. Each god sought a suitable human partner, one who could nurture and raise the child independently in their absence. Once the child was conceived and nurtured, the gods would return to Higher World after a full year on Earth, preserving the balance of forces and avoiding undue strain on the world.

Years passed, and the fruits of this endeavor became evident. Fifteen Demigods were born into the realm of mankind, beacons of hope and guardianship. Their purpose was twofold: to shield humanity from any anomalies that threatened the realm and to guide humans toward the righteous path, preventing a resurgence of the monstrous scourge that had plagued history.

This generation of Demigods became the sentinels of humanity, entrusted with a divine legacy to guide, protect, and ensure the harmonious intertwining of both gods and mortals.