[center][h1][color=Deepskyblue][b][i]Chailiss[/i][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=yellow]Zenia[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] They were arriving. Awakening as he had. Multitudes of different voices flooded his senses, loud and deep as the earth, ethereal and mystifying, wise and unknown. Obnoxious and unbecoming. Asking, wanting, being. Other Gods, subjects of the Creator, powerful and strong as he. Perhaps stronger, perhaps weaker? Only time would tell. His form became a long thin cloud of cold as he sped up to enter the planet proper. For now, he would create as the others intended. As he got closer to the planet, many things happened that Chailiss became aware of. The god of cold slowed down to a standstill and watched with bated breath. An explosion bright and furious flashed across the surface down below but quickly trickled out. This however, was only a prelude to what came after. A great cloud overcame the planet, bringing with it the taste of… Hmm, Salt? Then the planet quaked and shuddered as the very foundations shook, the cloud the cause of this phenomena. Chailiss thought to act but knew whatever was happening he could not stop, nor should he. The waters below rocketed upwards with great force and from where they hit the endless cold, they did freeze into beautiful rings. This he knew was not by his design, only that it was a welcome sight. He would know it better soon, but for now the planet needed his own to- A sense of impending doom overtook the god and he gave pause. Wildly he looked for the source of such a thing but the light of the star was too great for him to perceive through and the feeling, as quickly as it came and lingered, vanished. But not without leaving its mark. A terrible weight. Before he had time to process a flurry of destruction came forth as a great voice called out to test the waters below. This alarmed Chailiss and he watched the world explode unlike anything he had seen before and it made him both afraid and angry. He would have gone to that voice and showed her a test of his own but what next happened spurned his thought to it and the God blinked as light sputtered and blew apart Galbar further, from it an act of creation in the form of a giant tree. From this he was amazed then as equally disappointed when he saw the damage that it had caused. If he had had a head he would have shook it. The others, these gods... They were dangerous. Some unknowable, some knowable but not quite right. He would have to tread carefully and be fierce in his protection of his own. Such gods, could they even be trusted? He let the thought edge him on, down into the planet proper. He reformed into a sphere and with haste, Chailiss flew across the endless ocean, turning water to ice in the tumultuous waves in his wake. The ice never lasted long, as it broke apart with thunderous applause as they bid him farewell. Faster he went, watching as a land mass appeared and then disappeared as he flew by it. The urge to create was becoming overwhelming now but Chailiss knew what had to be done to give the world a semblance of balance. He would help as the earthy voice had asked, and he would do so, at the top. Instinctively, the God came upon the spot that he deemed would be where his work would commence. He flew up, to the lowest of the skies, where he could see much of the land he wanted to create. The picture coalesced in his head and with it, Chailiss bid forth his great power and would make the world feel cold. His form blew apart, becoming a great storm of frigid temperatures. The water vapor in the sky left over from others turned to biting ice and blinding snow. With it, he exploded forth and the waves froze solid as he took root. Down, down, down he felt the water compact, freezing solid, being gobbled up by its contained form. Great sheets of ice came to being upon the surface, as waves became towers of ice, rising into the sky like mountains. They expanded further still, towering over the fledgling ocean in an icy thickness that groaned and snapped, reforming in a cycle of abuse. This went on quickly and spread out as far as any could see. That storm that he was, howled as the ocean levels began to drop and the ice formed in beautiful paleness. That was until something most unexpected occured… A white missile careened towards the surface at breakneck speed, creating a fleck of shadow between the forming ice and the glowing sun beyond the limits of the planet. That fleck grew until it smashed firmly into a thick barrier of ice, cracking it violently and depositing the payload from the sky deep into a freshly created crater. After a few moments, the mist of crushed ice and water began to disperse, leaving room for a silhouette to leave the crater on foot. A beige-skinned, golden haired woman with striking eyes, wearing a torn white dress that must have been quite elegant once. Now it was sleeveless and cut off just above the knees. She brushed herself off firmly and mumbled something about amazingness before looking around properly. The god of cold was amused by this. He knew it would have only been a matter of time before he met the other gods, but not quite like… That. His form coalesced back into an orb of snow and ice, the great creation of the ice sheets went on as he ventured down to the Goddess. As he neared, Chailiss was surprised at just how small she stood. Or perhaps, his perception was just skewed? It mattered not, in the end, the different sizes and shapes of his peers. He hovered before her now, taking her appearance in. This one took on a form that he felt was odd. Two arms, two legs, two eyes, symmetry that had eluded him in his great shape. The symmetrical goddess cast her gaze upwards to fully behold Chailiss’ majesty, and her expression widened into a grin. [color=yellow]”Oh! Hello there,”[/color] her voice resounded loudly and clearly across the landscape despite her diminutive form compared to her peer. [color=yellow]”When I saw that many-legged thing back with the, you know, big-timer, I knew we had some real shapes to us, but like, wow! You’re so-... round! I love it.”[/color] Chailiss had no notion of what the many-legged thing was. A peer most likely, but this one’s words were… Lacking? Almost as if she knew not the proper weight of her station. As if she was truly young, in spirit and mind. They were all young though, weren’t they? Chailiss hummed a light tune, indistinguishable from the cool breeze that wrapped around the bright-eyed Goddess. His voice ushered forth all around her, deep and reverberating as it was silky and cool. [color=Deepskyblue]”Welcome to my realm,”[/color] he spoke, and the winds bowed down to his majesty, [color=Deepskyblue]”Golden-ray-that-tickles-ice. I am Chailiss, he who was bequeathed Cold by our Lord Creator. And who might you be?”[/color] he finished with sincerity and a question. The goddess beamed up at him with her striking blue eyes, lips forming a warm smile. [color=yellow]"Am I the ray? That's like, so sweet."[/color] she punctuated and swept a few strands of her golden hair over her shoulder. [color=yellow]"My name is Zenia, and I was also, you know, bequeathed?... from the Lord, that is. Uhm. Not cold, though, I can tell that's more you than it would ever be me. I like it, though! It's very fresh and clear and clean. You know? A good place to have some fun, I bet."[/color] Chailiss hummed with thought. [color=Deepskyblue]”Zenia.”[/color] He breathed the name, taking it in. [color=deepskyblue]”You flatter me so, with such words as yours.”[/color] he chimed. [color=deepskyblue]”What brings you to these fledgling lands on top of the world? I am afraid no such fun might be had just yet.”[/color] His words seemed to freeze the goddess, shocking her to her core. The idea of there being no fun to be had was enough to wipe her happy expression away, and make her look hesitant for the first time. It didn't last long however as her nascent frown soon turned to a look of determination. Zenia scoured the area with her gaze to take in her surroundings. [color=yellow]"Uh, I'm sure that's not true! There's, like, plenty of fun things to do here. Like, uhm…"[/color] she drifted off as she gazed over the desolate icescape. Eventually she resorted to bowing down and scooping up a fair bit of the sleet and slush raining down from above, and molding it with her hands methodically into a ball of ice, snow, and cold water. She presented it upwards. [color=yellow]"Like this! It's, uhm, like a miniature of you, Chailiss!"[/color] The god of cold was silent for a long time, still and reflective upon what Zenia held. Soon, a small tendril of snow snaked around her fingers, as if stretched out by Chailiss himself. Then there came an odd sound from the god- a deep chuckle like the crunching of ice. [color=deepskyblue]”How amusing Zenia. Truly, a wonderful God you are.”[/color] There came a rumble from him as he thought about what needed to be done yet. The thought of there being no fun, had frightened the little Goddess, and as much as it didn’t bother him at all, Chailiss was perplexed once again. A strong sort of feeling overcame him and he felt as if he ought to help her achieve what she wanted. An idea came to mind. [color=Deepskyblue]”Zenia? What if I were to tell you there was a way for such joyous times to bloom?”[/color] Immediately she perked her gaze up towards the spherical Chailiss, her smile turning inquisitive. [color=yellow]"You mean you've got, like, a plan? Let's do it! I'm game. What is it?[/color] Waiting to hear the cold gods' gospel, she rolled the ball of ice back and forth in her palm. The god of cold hummed in agreement. [Color=Deepskyblue]"The ice beneath your feet is thick and grows vast with every word we speak. It shall be cold, desolate and with little mercy."[/color] His voice flowed around her and softened, [color=Deepskyblue]"Yet it need not be so unforgiving. If our Lord Creator saw fit to breathe us with life, then we must do the same. First I have envisioned this ice sheet, this frigid north and here you stand upon it. Secondly, we must usher from the seafloor land, for growing things. It shall settle below these vast glaciers, betwixt with cold and frost as the coming seasons shall usher. Then, once this has been accomplished the true 'fun' will commence and change the world forever. In this great game of creation."[/color] The golden-haired goddess furrowed her brow as she considered his words. It was a muted expression, as Zenia either did not appear wowed by his idea of cultivating fun, or struggled to envision the abstract idea he presented. Her eyes narrowed in intense focus for a few moments before her expression lightened considerably and she discarded her tiny iceball to confidently clap her hands together. [color=yellow]"Sounds good! How do we like, do that though?"[/color] Chailiss thought on this. Did she not know what she was capable of? [color=Deepskyblue]”Come. I will teach you.”[/color] Without waiting for her reply, the God of Cold broke apart the ice she stood upon and with it, they flew on to the edge of the vast glacier. There, he set her down and hummed with power. [color=Deepskyblue]”Reach within and express your will upon the world. Feel the bottom of the ocean with your mind, Zenia. Will it to rise.”[/color] Chailiss rumbled. Zenia released a muffled giggle following their journey, rubbing her cheeks briefly at apparent embarrassment of performing this silly ritual. With mock concentration and a big smile, she closed her eyes and stretched out her hands in a way she assumed it should look when one undertook great achievements of creation. She cleared her throat theatrically, and announced her will loudly as though she were performing Creation’s first stage play. [color=yellow]”Uhh. Come unto me, great elements of the Below! Rise from the depths and, like, find a new home with me upon this grand surface plane. Cast away your wet chains and reach for the sky! Be not afraid to break yo-... oh my creator, it’s w-.. It’s working! Something is happening, Chailiss!”[/color] Despite her lackluster show of solemnity for the task at hand, her hands still seemed to take a particular shine of purple, pink and gold, swirling around her fingertips with considerable intensity. The core deep below rumbled and shook, and great quakes erupted around the two deities as the ocean floor rose with haste to meet her beckoning call. Waves grew in frantic heralding of the coming landpocalypse, and parts of the glacier began to wither and crack as burgeoning earth crashed against it from below to force itself upward. Soon hills, craters and plains that had once been hidden deep below crested the water’s surface, and a considerable amount of land raised itself at her command. [color=Deepskyblue]”Well done Zenia.”[/color] Chailiss praised. [color=Deepskyblue]”This is creation as the broadest stroke of our will. What you have done has ushered in the foundations for humble beginnings.”[/color] Chailiss then helped Zenia raise the land further, as far as their eyes could go they became surrounded by a myriad of fledgling landscapes. The golden-haired goddess exhaled sharply and followed it with a grin. [color=yellow]"No need to be humble! This is like, great. I'm a big fan of this. It's starting to look like a good place to host a get-together!"[/color] She paused and tapped her chin in thought. [color=yellow]"It's a bit, you know, empty. Unless you count the water residue. But it's like, soggy. Not very… inviting."[/color] The God of Cold drifted in the wind around Zenia. [color=Deepskyblue]”You are correct…”[/color] His words faltered as he noticed something blowing in on the winds. Small multitudes of different shapes, uncountable to even him, landed around them and Chailiss stilled, watching and waiting to see what they would become. Slowly small stalks of green began to bloom but as quickly as they came, they shivered and faltered in the cold that he was. [color=Deepskyblue]”What do you think of this, Zenia?”[/color] he asked the young Goddess, as he witnessed more and more seeds land, growing and dying. Those that did manag to take root were underwhelming and quite small. [color=yellow]"Aw! It’s so pretty!”[/color] Zenia erupted with no mind to the long-term survivability of the tiny sprigs and shoots that did not immediately wither and falter under the icy northern winds. With brave steps she trundled forwards through the old ocean floor muck - much of which had now begun to freeze solid - towards a particularly shy little seed that had just barely broken up above the frozen ground. [color=yellow]"Hey, there little friend,”[/color] the goddess cooed and settled to a squat as she leant towards the little sprout. [color=yellow]"You’re really, like, trying, aren’t you? So adorable. Just got a bit to go. See my friend over there?”[/color] she nudged her head back towards the implacable orb that was Chailiss. [color=yellow]”I think he’s hoping to be really impressed. How about you stretch for the sky? I’ll help your roots keep hold, okay? Okay! Go!"[/color] Zenia’s little peptalk seemed to have an effect, no doubt because she was still empowering her surroundings with her divine essence. The tiny sprig followed her command with confident enthusiasm and groaned as it began to grow in both height and weight, cracking and shifting the ground around it as it began to turn from simple shoot to a full-grown young tree. The goddess put a hand on it as it outgrew her, and it carried her giggling form with it as it continued to grow far larger than it ever would have on its own, truly reaching for the sky. From above, Zenia called [color=yellow]"Well, what are you all waiting for?!”[/color] The ground cracked and groaned as plants all around began to lift themselves towards the sky, filling the freezing earth and soil with sturdy, giant plantlife. Chailis watched Zenia intently, realizing what the Goddess was doing even if she did not. In that moment, he grew inspired and knew that this was the next step they had to take. Ushering in life did not have to be humble, but with a giant leap of a start. He hummed happily and then expressed his own will and added to Zenia’s spirit. The lands around them grew larger than anything the world had yet seen save the great tree in the south. The trees around them grew massive still, making even Chailiss feel small for once. He even lost track of Zenia, knowing how tiny she was to him. But the land kept going.. He could feel great swathes of coniferous forests taking deep root, turning to sparse taiga where the lands grew brittle, then to snowy tundra where the land grew fiercer still near the ice. Where grasses sprouted they stood as tall as the young tree had been once upon a time, covering the land in a thick blanket of wonderment and safety. Flowers would bloom there, contrasting the green with colorful giants of reds, purples, yellows and even more. Across the waterways, vegetation came to life within frigid temperatures. Growing hardy and strong, able to endure that which was in his domain. Across the higher elevations, in the mountains and hills, to the lowest of ravines and canyons- life spread in the north. And all was good but it was not yet done. In the tree crowns above, Zenia came surging along in a fast-paced run and skip between the massive trees, like a tiny squirrel jumping from perch to perch. Her laugh mingled with groaning earth and wood, blanketing the land with her essence as it was bolstered by Chailiss. She reached the edge of a massive forest before long, and skidded down the side of an equally massive canyon, leaping forwards into the air heedlessly as she was ensorcelled in some game of daring the world to grow. Each time it seemed she leapt to her death, great plateaus shot from the earth to catch her feet, creating gigantic stepping stones rising out of the canyon that someone might master with flight or bridges. Here too, life grew large, as old forgotten water was revitalized and fell from some of the risen plateaus in new formations of waterfalls and river rapids. The continent grew with the work of the two gods, the flora all over reaching towards the sky. Even the smallest brush grew to rival Zenia in height as she skipped by with mocking giggles. The land began to settle not long after and the temperatures rose ever so slightly with the help of the trees and vegetation. Chailiss rose above it all to witness a sea of green but he also wanted to find Zenia. Her laughter echoed all around him but try as he might he was unable to find the tricky Goddess. But he did have a way to get her to come to him. Down on a plain did he settle and from it he willed to life the next step in their great game. He ushered a breath forth into the grasses and for a moment there was a stillness that threatened to be forever but then… A rustle and from the grass came a countless creatures that walked and flew and ran and hid. In browns, tans, greys and whites they came, with blotches of dazzling colors on those that it made most sense to be seen. Some had noble crowns, and some had large horns with herds that thundered, while others had large fangs with close prides. Others found their partners for life and flew to create their own homes. Others scrambled up trees and jumped from them like Zenia had. [Color=Deepskyblue]"Zenia,"[/color] he whispered to her in awe, [color=Deepskyblue]"Come and see beauty manifested."[/color] These were the lives he had been tasked with creating and now it was his job to keep them safe. From somewhere beyond the ravine came the unmistakable patter of divine feet, and soon the happy goddess appeared leaping between features in the landscape to close the distance in record time. The moment she could be seen properly was the same moment she let out a surprised shriek that managed to startle a good amount of the new life. Their confusion did not dissuade the goddess, who rushed to get a closer look and leapt from her nearby cliffside perch to land on the ground. The reasonably-sized goddess vanished between high grass and skittering animals, and announced from somewhere below, [color=yellow]"So big! They looked smaller before! How did you find these, Chailiss?!"[/color] Before Chailiss could respond he spotted her again climbing the side of a big grass-feeding animal that towered several sizes over her - it barely noticed the scrawny goddess doing her thing. The cold god watched as a great many followed after the one Zenia climbed. With large tusks and great trunks, the furry behemoths made pathways in the grass for the smaller creatures. Chailiss went closer to Zenia, and spoke in a quiet voice to not disturb the animals. [Color=Deepskyblue]"I did not find them little Golden Ray. They have come to life by my own will. Like the land that predated them by your own hand. Now, are you capable of this last feat? Express your will once more, create life that will thrive in these lands that you have labored over, Zenia."[/color] Zenia was enraptured by the mere idea, encouraged by the act of riding this grand beast and seeing the plethora of life around her. She stretched out her hands as if to invite animals to join her, and her wordless encouragement was enough for the trees and winds to merge under her command; from the nooks and crannies of this grand vista sprang feathered and furry beasts alike, long and large wings spreading out to soar across the massive landscape. Brown and white birds so big only these lands could host them, massive tree-bound rodents that leapt from the branches and spread wings to collect the equally big bounties of nature. Even the tiniest animal rivaled the goddess in size. Large flying animals with snouts and leathery wings to carry them great distances. A throng of different creatures, all of which were bigger than Zenia, sprang forth to join her on her mount, roosting atop the wooly creature in the relative safety of Zenia’s proximity. Chailiss hummed contently. [Color=Deepskyblue]"Well done, Zenia."[/color] he rumbled with pride. [Color=Deepskyblue]"These are fine additions to the chorus of life here and they seem to have taken a liking to you as well."[/color] Zenia laughed and affectionately petted a bird bigger than her small frame. [color=yellow]"This is shaping up to be, like, a neat place to host a great party. I doubt Jiugui could find anything greater than this."[/color] she peered towards Chailiss with a smug expression and then lifted her hand to show she meant height. [color=yellow]"Get it? Greater."[/color] Chailiss let out a small chuckle. [Color=Deepskyblue]"Yes, truly greater,, Zenia. Perhaps the greatest yet."[/color] He said absent-minded, before focusing on Zenia again.. [color=Deepskyblue]"By utilizing the full extent of your will, you have indeed created a place for this… party? I believe. For, as the one who helped me, you will always be welcome in these lands. It is as much my home as it is yours, after all."[/color] The God's voice whispered. [Color=Deepskyblue]"Yet something tells me you will not stay here. The world is large, the others will create and need help doing so. Your spirit will be restless…[/color] he said with a hint of sadness in his voice. [Color=Deepskyblue]"There will be more life to come Zenia, I feel it already… and they will perhaps take more familiar shapes. One eager for fun and festivities. It only makes sense..."[/color] he alluded. Zenia turned from her vantage point and all the animals she had been enjoying the sights of to look straight at Chailiss. [color=yellow]"I want to stay-... but I have to find the best place.. and I'd, like, not be doing it very well if I only looked in one place…[/color] Unsure of what more to say, she gave the giant bird a last pat before encouraging the flying creatures to spread out across the continent, leaving her to stand like a proud little puppy atop the mammoth. [color=yellow]"I can, like, stay if you need more help. You know?"[/color] Chailiss watched the birds fly on. [Color=Deepskyblue]"I would not keep you here when you must find the place you seek, Zenia. You have done all that you can to help me with my vision."[/color] Chailiss' attention went back to her, a small stream of fluffy snow and wind wrapped around Zenia's hand and she was left with a small oval pendant, with a golden necklace. The pendant was a cool blue and sparkled. [Color=Deepskyblue]"Take this token of my appreciation. Wherever you might be upon this world, or elsewhere, I shall come to your aid if you are in need of help. Simply break it and I will find you."[/color] Zenia closed her hand around the artifact before bringing it up to inspect, ooo-ing and aww-ing with every moment of inquisitive examination. She quickly clasped it around her neck, smiling with the intensity of the sun. [color=yellow]"Thank you so much, Chailiss! I should, uhm, do something for you too!"[/color] [Color=Deepskyblue]"There is no need."[/color] he spoke, [color=Deepskyblue]"You have helped me already, Zenia."[/color] But Zenia wasn't listening, having already chosen her path. She reached out towards Chailiss' fading tendril of ice and mist and grabbed it firmly, willing it corporeal enough to hold on to. Then she set off towards the north, pulling Chailiss who did not resist, with her like an eager child showing their new project. She ran a marathon, scattering the new gigantic wildlife like a mouse scaring elephants as she blazed past. Eventually she came to stop whence they had begun, where arctic glaciers met risen oceanic ground. Only then did she allow Chailiss his own agency, as she moved forward to touch the ground and hum to herself. The ground rumbled and cracked once more, and an obelisk of silvery metal rose through ice and frozen dirt alike. It stood out from its foreign material, and was covered in symbols of a circle of hands and arms forming a wheel. Content with her production, which stood approximately ten Zenias high, she turned to Chailiss and extended her arms to present the pillar. [color=yellow]"Here you go!"[/color] Chailiss looked to the obelisk with wonderment despite that fact he was merely an orb without visible emotions. He gave a happy hum and looked upon Zenia, [color=deepskyblue]"Marvelous Zenia! Your creativity is astounding. Tell me, what does it do? What purpose might it serve?"[/color] he asked with curiosity. [color=yellow]”Oh!”[/color] she exclaimed like she’d forgotten. [color=yellow]”That’s the best part! Okay, so. You can, like, touch it with your essence, and it will show you where I am. Like, from my eyes. So you can, you know, also see all the fun things and places with me!”[/color] she continued to explain, patting the obelisk like a smug trinket merchant. The god of cold did not know what to say to such a thing. Instead, he reached out and touched the obelisk and too his bewilderment, he could in fact, see through Zenia’s eyes. She stared up at him. Was he truly that large from her perspective? He let go of it, the process lingering in his mind. [Color=Deepskyblue]"How fascinating Zenia! Truly a remarkable gift and one I shall use whenever I can. Were you aware of my presence when I touched it?"[/color] he wondered. She furrowed her brow and then tapped her chin in thought. [color=yellow]”Well, now that I think about it, not really. But the important thing is that it works! Maybe I’ll give it a look-over, like, the next time I come ov-... ooh look, it’s one of mine!”[/color] she interrupted herself to point up at the sky, where one of the massive birds gave an initial try of braving the extremely cold sky this far north. Chailiss chuckled with a low rumble. [Color=deepskyblue]"Very well Zenia. I must see to the animals and make sure they find their homes. Farewell for now, Golden Ray."[/color] The god of cold began to disperse. Zenia barely noticed his dissipation, mumbling a happy goodbye as she marveled over the flying creature. When she looked for Chailiss, it was merely enough to smile and wave. The goddess stood there for mere moments more, before zipping off towards the south, in search of new adventures and experiences. [Hider=Summary] The god of cold ruminates on things as they transpire, making his way down to the north pole. (He only has thoughts for some posts as Zee realized the posts kept coming and he can't go back everytime to add thoughts in where relevant, sorry.) He begins to make a vast icesheet by freezing the waters deep. Before long Zenia crashes into his icesheet and they talk. Chailiss kinda thinks she is slow but doesn't say that ofc. He mentors her on how to use her powers after challenging her to help him out for future fun. They then create a large continent and flood it with plant and animal life so large, you could call them giants. Gigantism in the norf. They eventually part ways after awhile but not without some gifts for eachother first. [/hider] [Hider=MP] Chailiss starting: 10 vigor -4 Half for northland continent, name pending. -4 half of large ecosystem. (Making it a 6 cost Ecosystem with added Gigantism) -1 Artifact. Cold Pendant, break for a surprise! Ending: 1 Vigor Zenia Starting: 8 vigor -4 Half for northland continent, name pending. -2 half of large ecosystem. (Making it a 6 cost Ecosystem with added Gigantism) -2 created the ZENIAN OBELISK: Divine characters can use this etched monument to look through Zenia’s eyes and get a vague idea of where in the world she is. Mortals cannot use it without help or magic, but may get brief dreams of Zenia if they sleep near it. Ending: 0 Vigor [/hider]