Plank SinatraAelius studied his companion up and down. Her form was radiant, perhaps blinding, had he not been a god. Her eyes were warm and kindly, and as he looked into their light, he felt peaceful and at ease. Whatever understanding the Architect had imparted on him told him that this goddess - Asceal - had a vision for Galbar that aligned with his own.
“Asceal?” he said, testing her name. He spoke slowly, still adjusting to his new form.
“Yes,” She returned the smile he’d worn during his approach, “And you are Aelius, are you not? I confess the transition to this world from the place in-between has left me disoriented. It is jarring to know you, to feel that in you I have a friend, without ever having met you before.”
“It does make breaking the ice easier,” Aelius said sheepishly. “The Architect would rather have us off to work and out of his hair than throw a meet-and-greet in his hall.” The young god took a moment to look around. Already the others were making a scene at the Architect's feet. “I’m glad I’m not the only one with a sense of decorum,” he added.
At the prompting Asceal spared a glance towards the commotion taking place just in time to see a red haired Goddess be thrown to the ground and humbled by the Architect. She grimaced, but averted her eyes. The Architect had crafted the universe, invited them all here, and while she wished he had the forbearance to refrain from such harsh admonishments she couldn’t deny Seihdhara, for that was the red haired Goddess’s name, had deserved some measure of punishment.
“As you say,” she returned her attention to Aelius, “I’m certain the others will learn, though. We have only just crossed the threshold after all, and it was not an easy passage. ”
Aelius nodded. “You know - when the Architect summoned us, I was scared. Before he made me into this,” he pointed at his new body, “I felt alone and hopeless in that void.” He chuckled humorlessly. “I imagine all those souls down there on Galbar feel that way now. It would mean a lot to me to relieve them of that despair.” Aelius raised a hand to indicate Asceal’s physique. “Why, your light just might be the first step.”
“Oh? It seems we’re of a mind then,” Asceal shifted her gaze from Aelius to the rift the Architect had torn in the ceiling of his palace, at the weak and ephemeral glimmers that shone from the distant barrier, “Moments ago, eons past, I saw this world, a space intricate beyond description, the new home of so very many, and I knew it lacked the one thing which was in my power to provide. Tell me of your desire Aelius, for I feel it is also mine.”
“I want to give those souls hope, direction, a purpose to live for. Who knows why the Architect did what he did, but it’s clear to me that the rest falls on our shoulders. We can’t let the void swallow them up.” Aelius looked out to Galbar, that blue sphere loitering in blackness. “I think our first priority is to give them light in that darkness. To show them they aren’t alone out there. That’s how we’ll start giving their lives meaning.”
Asceal smiled, and her form shined brighter, “Light, meaning, hope. They will have all that and more if we work to deliver it to them, Aelius. The blue pearl they languish on could be their home, a home on which they need never again know the despair shadow brings. They have spent too long in the darkness, it is on us to ensure they never suffer it again.”
“If you create light,” Phystene sauntered over to the pair, “I’ll create the first bodies for these lost souls to inhabit.” She gave the pair a warm smile. “And pardon my interruption. You two just gave off such a warm… aura that I couldn’t help but be drawn to you.”
Asceal regarded the newcomer, a woman who resembled Aelius and Asceal in form but whose green skin and eyes, not to mention thin antlers of wood, set her apart. She greeted Phystene, Goddess of Plants, with a friendly nod, “You need not apologize Phystene, you are always welcome in our company. To hear you offer such support only makes that welcome warmer. With your help we can offer all those lost souls on Galbar some measure of what we have received from the architect, just as our friend Aelius desires. You have my gratitude.”
Aelius nodded, making space for Phystene in their corner of the room. “Anyone who wishes to enrich the lives of Galbar's people is a friend to us.” In the antlered goddess he sensed a passion for life and happiness, and it made his heart swell. In just minutes after their ascension to godhood, they were already forming bonds and planning marvels for Galbar and its people. Aelius’s head was buzzing with visions of an ideal planet, a bastion of prosperity. “Leave the light to us,” he told Phystene, “and your creations will bask in it!”
“Yes” Phystene agreed. “I can see it now. A world covered in green. Of teeming life and endless possibilities.” She gazed at her two new companions for a moment before adding “If there is anything you need, anything I can do to help, simply ask and I will do what I can.”
Kalmar approached the trio, and took the time to examine them. He immediately felt some sort of understanding: the green one represented plants. Plants were essential - without them, there would be no prey, and the predators would die. The bright one represented light, which was also essential, as a hunter needed to see. The third one represented.... Virtue? What a foreign concept. Kalmar could not see much use for it.
“Hello.” He said, by way of greeting. “I am Kalmar.” He stopped there, clearly expecting some sort of response.
“The Hunter,” Aelius affirmed. “A pleasure. Your cause will feed the multitudes of Galbar. A noble contribution.”
Kalmar nodded, feeling pleased to have his usefulness recognized. “Yes. And you are… virtue? I am not familiar with this concept. Can you explain?”
Aelius cleared his throat and beamed as he prepared to enlighten the others. “Well, those souls down there on Galbar, they're absolutely lost. Much like ourselves before the Architect called on us. He gave us a purpose.” The young god pointed to the planet in the distance for emphasis. “I want to be to them as the Architect is to us. A tutor, a caretaker, a leader. I want to give them purpose. Virtue is the extension of my will. Wisdom, temperance, fortitude and justice - these are the keys which will give them meaningful existence.”
“I could go on,” he added, “but perhaps a longer explanation would be best suited to a leisurely afternoon at my sphere. Over a fine jug of wine, perhaps - in moderation.” He gave Kalmar a wink as he said the last words.
Phystene glanced at Kalmar and gave him a small shrug. On a basic level she knew that this concept of virtue was a good thing, but it was so foreign a concept to her that she couldn’t truly comprehend it. Yet. “Perhaps your presence here” She turned towards Aelius, “will spare this world the fate of my home.”
“Hm?” Kalmar had more or less zoned out during Aelius’s long-winded ramble, yet suddenly another one of the gods was speaking. It was not like him to lose focus like this. If this Aelius could so easily have that effect on people, he could prove a dangerous foe. Having lost track of what was being discussed, and recalling the awkwardness of his previous conversation, he decided he would let someone else speak next.
“Yours is a noble calling, Aelius,” Asceal rested a hand on Aelius’s shoulder and spoke before it became too clear Kalmar hadn’t been paying attention, “As Phystene says, I’m certain your presence will bring about a better world for all those souls unfortunate enough to lack the gifts the Architect has bestowed on us.”
She paused and glanced at the gods already departing the Architects palace, “I feel we have tarried long enough though. There is much work to be done, many suffer in the darkness, and as Aelius has said there will be ample enough time to speak later. If you would grant us leave, Phystene, Kalmar.”
“Agreed,” Aelius said. “Off to work! I look forward to seeing your creations in action.” He gently took Phystene’s hand, bowed and touched it to his lips, then made to shake Kalmar’s hand.
Kalmar looked at Aelius’s extended hand with some degree of confusion, unsure of how to respond, so he did nothing. He looked at Asceal, and nodded. “You are not being kept here, and you do not need our leave, so you should both go if you wish.”
“Ah,” Asceal cocked her head in an expression of mild puzzlement before finishing, “Farewell then, friends.”
Aelius shrugged as his hand fell back to his side. The gods exchanged their goodbyes and he turned to Asceal. “Now then,” he said, “I’ve got a grand idea. I’ll tell you all about it on the way.” He took Asceal’s hand and led her to his waiting star.
