LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 2: BIRTH OF THE GODS
In the boundless realm of Chaos, a place of endless possibilities, gods, both mighty and weak, emerge according to primordial laws that categorize them into four distinct levels of power.
Soulis, a weak god, represents the lowest of these levels, his divine strength scarcely noticeable. By contrast, Pontos, the original sea god, was born with moderate power and ascended over time to become a formidable force.
As for the primordial gods, they were birthed with immeasurable might before gaining consciousness. Upon awakening, their power settled at a level slightly above the strongest of other gods, marking their ascension as unique within the vast cosmos.
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A low hum reverberated through the fabric of existence, drawing Soulis' gaze toward the distant ocean. The essence of Chaos was shifting once more, preparing for a cosmic event unlike any before.
Condensed water vapor swirled in the sky, and Pontos' newly established priesthood began to tremble. Gods like Pontos, born and tied to their domains, held dominion over their power, irrefutable—except for the will of Chaos itself.
Unlike Soulis' Spirituality, an extension of his soul, the world could reclaim other forms of divine power. Chaos, lacking true consciousness, rarely intervenes once a god is born, unless during the creation of new deities.
"Good thing I arrived early," Soulis muttered to himself, the relief softening his voice. "If the five primordial gods had awakened before me, my Spirituality priesthood would have been absorbed back into the world."
Shaking his head, Soulis refocused, eager to witness the unfolding cosmic drama.
---
The condensation of water vapor intensified. In addition to Pontos, another divine presence stirred in the ocean's depths—Oceanus.
At the perfect moment, their shared domain fractured, and portions of their priesthood tied to pure Water were siphoned away.
A vibration echoed through existence—a new god was being born.
Tethys, the Titan goddess of primal waters, emerged, her divine authority rippling through the fabric of the cosmos.
The balance of power shifted. Pontos, only recently stabilized as a medium-level god, staggered, weakened. Yet even diminished, his power far outstripped Soulis', enough to obliterate him effortlessly.
Soulis couldn't help but smile wryly. "Even weakened, he could crush five of me without breaking a sweat."
Once again, the laws of Chaos buzzed. As water relinquished its dominance, the heavens became the new cradle for divine creation.
Soulis could feel it in the air—the birth of another Titan was imminent.
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Time passed, and the heavens erupted with radiance.
For the first time in eons, Soulis witnessed the sun's birth.
A new celestial body radiated light and heat, infusing the world with life and energy. The cosmic tide surged.
Hyperion, the first sun god, emerged.
And with him came Theia, the Mother of Light and Goddess of Sight.
The birth of these radiant deities elevated the world's essence, and even Soulis, insignificant though he was, felt his power surge as a result.
His Spirituality priesthood, while lacking the potential for combat, offered him a unique advantage—he benefited from the world's growth without bearing its burdens.
He assessed his newfound strength. His divine power had risen from level two to level three. Only three more increments, and he would shed his weak god status, advancing to the next tier.
---
"Buzz—"
The hum of creation persisted, as the relentless laws of Chaos continued their work.
From the roiling sea, three new divine beings emerged, accompanied by an intense storm of energy.
Koios, the god of celestial bodies, took his dominion.
Krios, the god of weather, wielded command over the storms.
Phoebe, the goddess of light, claimed her place among the heavens.
While their emergence didn't amplify the world's essence as much as Hyperion's, their presence subtly shifted the balance of power.
Soulis felt something stirring within him—a latent power that had been growing since the birth of the first Titan. With every new god, it had strengthened, now tangible, almost within his reach.
A smile spread across his face. "Finally."
This was the moment he'd been waiting for—centuries of anticipation had led to this key turning point. This nascent power might be his ticket to a brighter future, a way to escape the fragile existence of a weak god. In this age of ignorance, with Chaos reigning supreme and Zeus' future tyranny still a distant threat, Soulis saw endless opportunities.
"To remain weak is not an option," he muttered with grim resolve. "Being underestimated is one thing, but attracting Zeus'… attentions? That's a fate worse than death."
The mere thought of Zeus' infamous cruelty sent a shudder through him. The god's lack of discrimination, whether toward man, woman, or beast, fueled Soulis' determination to grow stronger.
---
Soulis' thoughts were interrupted as two more deities emerged from the laws of Chaos.
Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory, language, and innate writing, took form. Yet strangely, her priesthood of memory remained incomplete.
Iapetus, the god of souls and speech, also manifested, though part of his soul seemed curiously absent.
Soulis stiffened, a troubled expression crossing his face.
"I'm not taking responsibility for that," he muttered, though deep down, he knew the truth.
Soul and Spirituality were inextricably linked, two halves of the same essence. Memory, too, was subjugated to the soul. These domains had already become a part of him—untouchable by any other god without his consent.
Had Soulis been a god born directly from Chaos, his authority over Spirituality would have been forcibly divided between Mnemosyne and Iapetus, much like Pontos' fate.
But Soulis' priesthood was different—born of his own essence rather than being granted by the world. Severing his connection to Spirituality would mean annihilating the very concept of souls, halting the cycle of life in Chaos.
Even Chaos itself seemed unwilling to make such a sacrifice.
"Lucky me," Soulis sighed, grateful for the loophole. Had he been exposed earlier, Mnemosyne and Iapetus might have come for his power directly.
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As the divine spectacle unfolded, Soulis' determination solidified.
"I must become stronger."
In this young world, gods were only beginning their journey. Opportunities were ripe for those with the foresight to seize them.
And Soulis intended to seize them all.