I DIED AND WAS REINCARNATED AS ..... A GOD?

"Lord, why were you… how to say it… so indirect in saving and helping the primordial spirits?" Sarasvi broke the silence that reigned on their return flight. Zandor soared through the air like a beam of silver light edged in violet, cutting across the skies of A1. Her tone showed a mixture of genuine curiosity and slight doubt, especially after witnessing her lord's firm decision.

Zandor gave a brief laugh, as if the answer were so obvious that Sarasvi should have understood it immediately. "You don’t understand, Sarasvi," he began, with a calmness that contrasted with the speed at which they were flying. "At first glance, it may seem like I didn’t take my role as creator god seriously, but in reality… I fulfilled it perfectly. No god should intervene in his creation so quickly. That is the role of subjects, of the very creatures and beings to whom they themselves gave life. I simply set higher expectations and gave them a clearer purpose this time."

"And what is that purpose, my lord?" asked Sarasvi, who, while understanding the logic of not interfering excessively, found the brutality of Zandor towards the earth gods and his apparent disdain for those meant to serve him contradictory.

"It’s simple," he explained, looking toward the vast expanse spreading below them. "With this new perspective, they can grow and evolve. When they were born, they already had power and life assured; there was nothing that really pushed them to strive. Now, they must face the need to defend what they claim to love and want to protect. They will start almost from scratch, and they must earn the right to reclaim their title. This is their path, another test they must overcome. Do you understand now?"

Sarasvi nodded mentally, finally understanding the meaning behind what he called a “test.” It seemed brutal, but not without reason. Meanwhile, Zandor sensed the terrain beginning to change below them, nearing the location of the sisters.

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In an area of grasslands and gentle hills, Lua and Irv walked under the warm midday sun, remaining vigilant. After what had happened in the forest and the recent events, both sisters felt the weight of an uncomfortable mix of questions and emotions. Lua, the elder, wore a thoughtful expression as she frequently looked toward the horizon.

“What do you think caused that earthquake, sister?” asked Irv, looking toward the top of a hill where the clouds seemed to swirl in a subtle vortex of energy, a remnant of the presence of the primordial spirits and of Zandor.

Lua shook her head, frowning. “I don’t know, but it very likely has something to do with Lord Zandor. Everything has been strange from the start, everything that happened since he appeared. I wonder what he’s doing now.”

Irv grinned mischievously and gave her sister a sidelong glance. "So you’ve fallen in love already, haven’t you, sister?" she asked in a playful tone, stifling a laugh.

Lua instantly blushed, waving her hands vigorously. "W-What? No! Why do you say things like that? It’s… it’s just curiosity. He… he saved us, and… well, it’s like suddenly our whole life has changed in an instant. Don’t you feel the same?”

Irv shrugged, looking at a wildflower on the ground and plucking it while pretending not to hear the obvious nervousness in Lua's voice. "Maybe so… but it still seems to me like you’re just finding excuses to avoid admitting you’re interested,” she laughed as Lua made an impatient gesture.

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For Zandor, the scene he found upon landing was nothing if not picturesque. The two sisters turned in surprise, breaking off their conversation as they saw the silver-violet light gently touch down on the grass. There he was, with an inscrutable expression, as if something amusing had crossed his mind.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, and although his words sounded neutral, Irv couldn’t help but laugh. Lua, however, immediately regained her composure, swallowing down the nervousness that had lodged in her throat.

“Lord Zandor,” she said, bowing her head as best she could without appearing nervous. “Thank you again for saving us and… for the gift. But may I ask what brings you here?”

"Why not?" Zandor replied, taking a few steps forward and observing the path that lay ahead. "The realms of this planet are of interest, especially now that the guardians and their lands have been in conflict with those… lesser gods who now abound." He paused, his eyes glowing faintly. "Besides, I am curious to see how things unfold in the kingdom you’re headed to. SpringFlower, isn’t it?”

The sisters exchanged glances. They knew that if Zandor had saved their lives and was also interested in accompanying them, his reasons likely went beyond mere curiosity.

“SpringFlower… Yes, my lord. The journey to the capital may take a few weeks on foot. But if you wish to accompany us…” Lua lowered her gaze, her tone humble but hopeful.

Zandor nodded. "Very well. Let’s consider this an educational excursion.” Without further explanation, he began to walk, expecting them to follow.

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The journey proceeded quietly for the next few hours. Zandor maintained a slow but steady pace, though the sisters followed with effort, unaccustomed to long walks. Due to the intimidating presence of their companion, both sisters remained silent. But as they continued, Lua and Irv ventured to ask him a few questions to learn more about their mysterious savior.

“Lord Zandor,” began Irv, with her usual mischievous smile, “how do you know so much about this world if you just arrived?”

“Because I am its creator,” he answered without preamble, provoking a look of astonishment from the sisters. Lua glanced at him in perplexity, trying to discern if he was joking or serious.

"So…," Lua hesitated, not knowing how to express what was on her mind, “does that mean you… created all of us?”

“It’s more complicated than that,” Zandor replied, with a calmness that hinted at his lack of emotional attachment to the topic. "You, and all the beings on this planet, arose from the natural laws of life, though your initial conditions were the result of my influence.” He added, looking out to the horizon.

For Lua, these words revealed an even greater truth, which stirred both admiration and a latent fear. In her mind, she began to see Zandor not as a benevolent savior, but as a much more distant, almost unreachable entity. Irv, on the other hand, was fascinated.

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On the third day of their journey, they arrived at a forest near a nameless village. Zandor seemed distracted, lost in some deep thought while the sisters chatted about the stories they knew from Winfnow’s Academy of Mages. They spoke eagerly about the academy’s tests and challenges, revealing a mix of curiosity and anticipation. However, suddenly, a strange silence fell over the forest. The birds stopped singing, and a cold breeze enveloped them.

“Do you feel it?” Zandor spoke calmly, stopping.

The sisters nodded, feeling how the atmosphere grew oppressive. From the shadows, an ethereal figure emerged; it was an ancient-looking Steel Colossus, entwined with roots and with eyes glowing in shades of gold. The being had an imposing presence, almost as large as some of the guardian spirits Lua had heard of in her childhood.

"Travelers and creator, this is not your domain," resonated the entity’s deep voice. It seemed to sense Zandor’s divine aura, which made it all the more intriguing for Lua and Irv.

“This is not my domain, but neither am I bound by any law in this world.” Zandor’s voice, in its low and steady tone, made the Colossus hesitate. However, instead of confronting it, Zandor extended a hand in a gesture of peace.

The Colossus seemed to accept the gesture, albeit reluctantly. “These woods will be yours as long as you do not destroy what is ours.”

Zandor nodded, bidding farewell with a slight bow of his head. When the spirit vanished among the trees, Zandor turned to the sisters with a slight glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.

“Isn’t it curious? No matter how powerful one may be… it is always wise to respect entities that seek to protect their land.”

Lua and Irv looked at him, understanding that they had just witnessed part of the respect and subtlety that comes with absolute power, something their mysterious companion handled skillfully.

“It is one of the lessons you may need to learn if you plan to attend an academy of magic and survival.”

The sisters exchanged amazed glances, recognizing that Zandor, through his words and actions, was leaving them with more than memories, but also a subtle guide on their path to the Academy.

‘Sarasvi, what level was that Colossus?’ Zandor inquired, intrigued by this peculiar being.